BusinessDay 18 Nov 2018

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

Why Buhari deserves second term in office, by Campaigner

Equities shed N1.9 trn as stakeholders await MPC’s decisions on rates

??

A look at Victor Butler’s myriad

perspectives

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Sunday 18 November 2018 Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

5yr Bond

$68.30

0.14 15.30%

Gold

10yr Bond

$1,224.30

-0.05 15.82%

Cocoa

20yr Bond

$2,244.00

0.02 15.59%

inside Atiku to kick-start campaign with ‘People’s Policy Launch’ Monday p.4

Apapa: Untold story of a port city

Vol 1, No. 240 N300

2019: INEC clears the way Campaigns begin today

…79 presidential candidates, 6,000 others vie for NASS positions …Nigerians harp on issue-based campaign

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OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

ith exactly 90 days to the D-Day, the battle for who clinches the nation’s top seat will assume a new dimension, as political parties officially commence their campaigns for

Presidential and National Assembly elections today.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 general election, campaigns for national elections which consist of Presidential and National Assembly (polls) will kick-off today, Sunday, 18th November, 2018.

INEC’s current figures indicate that while 79 presidential candidates will contest for the nation’s Number One job, 1,803 candidates will vie for the 109 seats in the Senate, as against 4,548 for the 360 House of Representatives positions.

It is expected that political parties in-

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Isoun: Creating innovative and sustainable university P.36

L-R: Hajia Hadiza Bala-Usman, managing director, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA); Aliko Dangote, guest of honour; Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos State; Babatunde Fashola, minister of Power, Works and Housing; Sen. Jabiru Gaya, chairman, Senate Committee on Works, and Sen. Oluremi Tinubu at the flag-off of the reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworoshoki-Ojota Expressway, yesterday.

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Failed assassination of council boss, mass shooting at PDP rally signpost the evil days ahead

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Nigeria’s Agabi creates device that can detect explosives, cancer cells

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Nigerian start-up founder has created a device that he says can be used to detect the smell of explosives and even cancer cells.

The device, called Koniku Kore, is the first to fuse live neurons from mice stem cells into a silicon chip.

“We merged synthetic neurobiology with traditional silicon

technology with the goal of fixing urgent real world problems,” Oshiorenoya Agabi says.

Silicon Valley-based Agabi unveiled his invention at TEDGlobal conference in Tanzania

Sunday and says it could one day revolutionise airport security, enabling travelers “to walk from

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Issue of the Week As campaigns kick off…

What will political parties tell Nigerians?

James Kwen, Abuja

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igerians are obviously fed up with several years of empty, failed promises by politicians and wish they could hear something fresh, appealing, convincing this time around.

Besides the citizens, investors and the global community would be wondering what else the political parties and their standard bearers would be saying as campaigns for the 2019 general election begin today, Sunday 18, November, 2018.

The 2019 general election will be keenly contested, and some analysts say it is a straight contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which have swapped roles as ruling party and opposition parties.

Will they resort to the normal superfluous promises of making Nigeria the biblical Canaan; the land that flows with milk and honey via good governance; provision of infrastructure, creation of Jobs, provision of security for the people, eradication of poverty, quality education, among others?

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable, Presidential and National Assembly election campaigns will commence today (November 18), while that of governorship and state assembly elections will begin on December, 1.

In a warning to political parties to adhere to the timetable, Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC chairman said: “Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act prohibits campaigns by political parties earlier than 90 days before polling day.

“I call upon political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the dates issued by the commission”.

In retrospect, the 2015 general election, the most recent, was heralded by a lot of promises in addition to character assassination orchestrated by the then ruling party, PDP, and the then newly formed opposition, the APC. While the PDP and its Presidential candidate, the then President Goodluck Jonathan promised eradication of poverty, improved health, education and other essential services, APC and its Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari pitched their campaign on the tripod of security, economy and fight against corruption.

APC and Buhari won elections on the back of these campaign promises but after three years of the administration, the general assessment is that while many of the promises have not been fulfilled, a few have been haphazardly touched, which falls beyond expectations.

This is just as the promise of repositioning the economy with the creation of 12 million jobs has not come to pass but rather more jobs

have been lost while dollar, which the highest exchange rate in May 2015 when the APC government took over from PDP was N199.3, is now N364.5.

The same situation applies to security where Boko Haram, the main security issue as at 2015 has continued to linger with scores killed last week even when the APC government claimed, Boko Haram has been “technically defeated”, while herdsmen go on killing spree.

On the fight against corruption which the administration claimed it has recorded huge success, analysts are of the opinion that it has largely been used as tool of witch-hunt against the opponents while corruption thrives right in the face of the government.

Frank Utov, an Abuja-based Legal Practitioner, Youth Activist and politician, while speaking on APC administration’s fight against corruption, said theparty came to power, having convinced Nigerians that it would fight corruption as promised during the campaign but has performed abysmally low on that project.

Utov asserted that rather, APC has deployed the fight against corruption as a potent weapon of fighting political opponent while members of the government holding appointments continue to perpetrate acts of corruption with impunity.

“The fight against corruption has been masqueraded as a fight against opponents. Since APC came on board, it has been fighting only those who were in power before its coming. But there has been massive corruption under the APC government.

You look at the case of Babachir Lawal, former SGF who awarded the contract of cutting grass to his company for more than half a billion

naira and he was defended by the President.

“We know about the contract saga at the NNPC where about $50 billion contract was awarded without following due process, and nothing was done. We know about the violation of due process in the purchase of the Tucano Jets which were not appropriated. There are other acts of corruption under his nose and nothing is being done but attention has only been focused on those who held sway in the last administration”, the lawyer noted.

Nigerians have therefore urged parties and candidates seeking electoral offices this time around to make their campaign issue-based.

PDP has already disclosed that its campaign for the 2019 Presidential election will be focused on issues and solutions that have direct bearing on the welfare of Nigerians, similar to the promises that characterised its campaign for the 2015 general election.

Kola Ologbondiya, PDP National Publicity Secretary, who announced the campaign plan in Abuja said: “The PDP and our presidential candidate will focus on ensuring security.

We will focus on how to increase the purchasing power of Nigerians as well as revamp our economy through strategic intervention in critical sectors, especially power, food security, road and railway infrastructure.

“We will also focus on education, energy, health, water provision, and labour issues, among others. The PDP will proffer direction to reduce cost of governance and release funds for development purposes; cut harsh tariff and tax regimes and eradicate corruption”.

APC has also provided the road map for its campaign for the 2019 general election with a renewed promise like any party seeking reelection to consolidate on its achievements, particularly in the fight against corruption, better security and the economy and may deploy the antecedents of other aspirants, especially for the office of the president, as a campaign tool.

Festus Keyamo, Director of Strategic Communication and Spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation gave insight into what APC campaign will look like when he declared: “I am sorry we are going into an election, they (PDP) said they don’t talk about the past and about the other people but that was in the past when the government spokespersons were only told to sell and promote government achievements.

“I am here to promote the achievements, to compare it with the opponent’s because we are in a competition. So don’t tell me not to talk about you when you are talking about me.

“Atiku Abubakar must run on his records. He cannot deceive Nigerians. He cannot run on promises. So, let’s get it clear from now on that Atiku Abubakar has a record in public office just like the President. What we can scrutinise is your record in public office. So, he has to run on that record, you cannot come and run on the record that I am a private businessman”.

With the templates set by the two dominant parties, APC and PDP, the question of what political parties will be telling Nigerians in the days ahead is more resounding as it is apparent that all what was contained in the parties’ manifestos for the 2015 gen-

eral election may just be recopied and rehashed for the 2019 polls.

But political analysts are of the view that instead of resorting to the familiar promises of providing jobs, building infrastructure; roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, rejuvenating the economy, ensuring better security, eradicating poverty and the contentious promise of restructuring, political parties and their candidates should ensure that campaigns answer the specific questions of how and when such projects will be executed and programmes implemented while character assassination as well as ethno-religious colourationshouldbecompletelyleft out of the campaigns.

They advised Nigerians to be very conscious, curious and inquisitive to political parties and their candidates as they disseminate their campaign promises that are always made but not fulfilled, particularly as some of those parties and candidates had been in government and others currently in government.

Idacyth Hassan, director, Centre for Democracy and Development, advised that, “the work for the politician in the 2019 elections is clearly cut out, one is issue-based campaign, what are their programmes on sectoral basis with concrete implementation plans.

“It is foolhardy to rely on hate speeches, misinformation and stoking ethnic tension and expect they can sway the several undecided voters. It is also important that they sue for peace, the strategy is to canvass for vote and sue for peace and violence-free elections. Without such, there cannot be an election”.

Apaa Wombu, lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Mkar, Benue State, said the campaigns for the 2019 general election must be done differently as Nigerians are becoming more politically conscious and urged politicians to spell out the implementation plan and timelines for the programmes and policies enshrined in their campaign promises.

According to him, “Politicians and parties in the forthcoming elections should not be making vague promises that they will construct more roads; build more hospitals and restructure Nigeria, provide electricity, build more schools, provide more jobs.

“They should not be making elusive statements about white elephant projects. Let them explain how they can create jobs, empower women, create wealth and where they can get funds to execute the projects they promised to carry out.

“They should be talking about the specific strategies they will deploy to address the problems they have identified. In fact, political parties and their candidates should be able to tell us what they would do differently on economy, security, fight against corruption, power and infrastructure to add value to the lives of average Nigerians”.

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N5.8bn scandal: PDP asks Osinbajo to make refunds, seek restitution OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to immediately refund the N5.8 billion Northeast Intervention Fund, illegally withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without National Assembly approval.

The main opposition party called on the vice president to search his soul and seek forgiveness.

In a statement on Saturday by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party urged him to make restitution for entangling himself in corruption and sharp practices.

“It is heart-rending that Prof. Osinbajo, despite his sanctimonious posturing, is being fingered in the frit-

tering of the N5.8 billion meant for the purchase of food and general welfare of suffering Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast.

“Prof. Osinbajo should know that he has come to the end of the road and that Nigerians have completely lost faith in him, since the House of Representatives exposed his complicity in this unpardonable debauchery against weak and vulner-

able citizens.

“Instead of asking for forgiveness and making restitutions, Prof. Osinbajo is busy trying to divert attention from the reeking corruption of the Buhari administration, while bandying figures in an attempt to distance himself from the failures of this administration.

“Is it not revealing of the arrogance of this administration that Prof.

Osinbajo, even in the

face of indictment by the House of Representatives, still conjures the temerity to confront Nigerians and try to wave off this corrupt act?

“We ask; how can Prof.

Osinbajo find inner peace when all the six states of the Northeast reported that they never received the emergency intervention for food security?

“From the probe, which exposed how the Vice President, then as Acting

President, in 2017, drew N5.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, without the appropriation of the National Assembly, only to superintend over the purported spending as the Chairman of Board of the National Emergency Ma n a g e m e n t Ag e n c y (NEMA), it is clear that it was never in the interest of the suffering and displaced masses,” the statement reads.

“Nigerians expect that the campaigns will be an opportunity for them to know those seeking to occupy the soon-tobe vacant positions of President, Vice President, National Legislators, Governors, Governors’ Deputies and State Legislative positions. Citizens expect that persons campaigning to fill these positions will justify through their campaigns, what they intend to do should they win elections. It is expected that the campaigns will afford citizens the opportunity of knowing the candidates and that they will make voting decisions based on the credentials of those seeking their votes.

“Civil Society Organisations and election observers have indicated a preparedness to keep tab on the campaign promises made by candidates

with a view to holding them to the promises made. It is also expected that candidates will make themselves available and ready to debate among themselves, in order for citizens to have a good understanding of what they represent,” the statement read.

A political scientist, TaiyeOdewale, emphasised the need for parties to focus on issues of restructuring, security as well as how to address the rising population in the country.

“As an ordinary Nigerian, I want them (political candidates) to let Nigerians know in specific terms how they are going to address Nigeria’s uncontrollable population growth.

Because the rate at which the population is growing compared to the way the economy is dwindling is already affecting the present administration.

The country is supposed to have a mechanism of knowing accurately its population and checkmating it, regardless of whatever religious beliefs we say we are practising. Because if you don’t control population, you will only be making empty promises as regards job creation.

“The other area is a long term one. We are running a dysfunctional system. We call ourselves a Federal but the Nigerian system is fashioned towards unitary. That is the reason things are not right. So we have to address that dysfunctionality in the system. If you like call it restructuring, true federalism, what I know is that the system we have been running right from when we missed the track in 1966 when the military came and got the whole structure centralised,

things have not been well with the country,” Odewale said.

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “There is also the area of security. And there is no way you will talk of security without talking of state police. Even the Vice President talked about it recently. You can’t bring state police without constitutional amendment.

You need to change it from Exclusive List and bring it to Concurrent List; so that states that have the resources can set their own police force for effective policing in their various territories”.

Some campaign organisations that spoke with BDSUNDAY said they were not interested in pulling a wool over the eyes of Nigerians, as they mean to take the country to the next level through robust offering if voted into power in 2019.

growing up in Lagos imparts in you is grit,” he says. “Lagos is a place that demands grit.

Growing up there gave

me an unconventional way of always looking at problems.”

2019: INEC clears the...

Coninued from Page 1 volved in the presidential race and individuals that would be taking part in the National Assembly election, would begin to launch their campaign in ernest.

As it stands, the two leading political parties, the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), are yet to fully announce names of their presidential campaign councils.

Unlike in the past when parties and their standard bearers opened their mouth and made all manner of promises to the Nigerian people without any commitment to delivering on those promises, politicians have been advised to keep their promises within the limit of their capacity to deliver.

They have also been

reminded that it is not going to be business as usual and that “deceptive promises”, intended to hoodwink the electorate would no longer be tolerated.

To track parties’ and individual politicians’ promises this time around, Society Situation Room - a coalition of over 70 civil society organisations in Nigeria , said it had committed to ensuring that things were done the proper way and that promises made are kept.

In an e-mail sent to BDSUNDAY, Situation Room said the group will keep tab on the campaign promises made by parties and their standard bearers.

Situation Room also stressed the need for candidates to make themselves available for debates. This, it believed, would enable the electorate assess them.

Nigeria’s Agabi creates...

Coninued from Page 1

their car to the aircraft.”

“One of the problems that plague us right now is security,” he tells CNN. Koniku Kore is a new device that may be able to detect explosives and cancer cells.

“Explosives have particles and smells coming off the individual and with our device you can tell, without requiring line of sight or contact, you can scan them at the time at a place of your own choosing and you can get into an aircraft and go about your business,” he said.

The invention could also be used to sniff out

illnesses in the same way dogs can detect cancerous cells via smells.

“In the same way that a dog is able to detect if someone has prostate cancer, the real question we ask is ‘how does a dog do it?’ We can clone that process on our chip, so yes in the same way that a dog can detect diseases or explosives at an airport, it’s a sensory system, that is essentially what we recreate in our chip,” Agabi says.

Koniku, which means ‘immortal’ in the Nigerian Yoruba language, started in 2015 and has already raised $8 million in revenue, according to the founder Agabi. “ We b e l i e v e q u i t e strongly that it’s going

to be run with biological brains that are made with synthetic biological neurons. That is the declared intention of our company: to build a brain.”

Addressing ethical concerns and implications of creating humanoid devices, Agabi says: “I think it’s unethical not to deploy any resources we have to fight terrorism. It is the urgent problem that we face as a species.”

“That’s not to say that we shouldn’t be careful of bio-integrity,” he adds.

A self-described “scrawny, nerdy kid,” Agabi grew up in the suburb of Surulere in Lagos, Nigeria, and obtained a Bachelors degree in Physics from University of Lagos.

Agabi

He went on to do further studies in physics and neuroscience in Sweden and Switzerland.

“One o f the things

C ulled from CNN Africa

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News Atiku to kick-start campaign with ‘People’s Policy Launch’ Monday Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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ormer Vice President and the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar will kick-start his campaign for president in the 2019 election through an address to the Nigerian people on Facebook at 12 noon on Monday where he will launch his policy document, a statement issued by his Campaign Organisation on Saturday said.

In his address the PDP presidential candidate will present his vision for Nigeria and his action plan to achieve it as encapsulated in his policy document. The document will promptly be uploaded on his website (www. atiku.org) for all Nigerians to access at no cost, the statement said.

“The decision of Atiku Abubakar to kickstart his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document is to reiterate his commitment to run an issue-based campaign.

“The intention is to take our policy directly

to Nigerians and to register the belief of Atiku Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country. That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it.

“Our campaign offers a simple message: united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian”, the statement said.

The statement added that on the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar will put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again.

“We have chosen to do this by having the PDP Presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook. This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as Vice President in 1999-2007.

“We have also chosen to have our candidate speak online as it facilitates the ability for anyone to download a copy of his policy document at no cost, as we intend this to be the policy of every Nigerian,” the statement

added.

It further said that the policy document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how the former Vice President will empower women.

“Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign.

“This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.

“The PDP presidential candidate looks forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders: famers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children.

“We recognise that this will be a vigorous and hard-fought election. We are completely confident that with peaceful, free and fair elections, we will be victorious,” the statement added.

Respite underway as FG flags off Apapa-Oshodi Expressway reconstruction …Dangote assures of project completion on 24-month schedule CHUKA UROKO

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espite is now underway for residents, motorists, business owners, port workers and other stakeholders in Apapa, Nigeria’s port city, as the Federal Government has flagged off the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway which, in the last five to six years, has turned into a “highway to hell”.

The flag-off event which was performed by President Muhammad Buhari, represented by Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, was initially planned to coincide with the opening of the Trailer Park being constructed along the Expressway. But that did not happen because the park is still largely uncompleted with its shoreline protection almost at foundation level.

The expressway, which is a dual carriageway was constructed between 1975 and

1978. It has in each direction three and two lanes in the main carriageway and the service lane, respectively. The expressway connects the Eastern part of the country and LagosIbadan Expressway at Oworonshoki. It is one of the two major routes to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports which are Nigeria’s busiest seaports.

The reconstruction of the 32-kilometre expressway is being undertaken by the Dangote Group and, according to Fashola, the group is undertaking the project in lieu of taxes it would have paid to the federal government.

The reconstruction of the expressway which will last for 24 months will be done with concrete and the minister explained that Dangote was chosen to do the work not because he is a cement manufacturer but because “this is a man who has demonstrated faith and belief in Nigeria.”

According to him, “He (Dangote) has cho-

sen to invest in the country and only four of his companies pay N22 billion as tax to Nigeria every year. It is important to point out too that he is doing this road because it affects his business; his turnaround time has increased from three to seven days on the roads which adds to costs”.

Aliko Dangote, President/CEO, Dangote Group, assured that the reconstruction work would be finished on schedule and on budget which he estimated at N73 billion, adding that on completion, the expressway would be the longest concrete road in West Africa.

“We know how important and strategic this road is and so, we are not going to disappoint Nigerians; this is going to be the first road project that will be finished ahead of scheduled date”, he assured, pointingout that the revenue that would be generated from the ports when the reconstruction work was done would more than quadruple.

Sunday 18 November 2018

Countdown begins for Nigeria’s biggest praise concert Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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he countdown is on for Unusual Praise 2018, an a n n u a l Ca t h o l i c g o s p e l concert widely regarded as the biggest and most anticipated praise concert in Nigeria, with attendances drawn from near and far including worshipers from other denominations, faiths and countries.

A night of soul-lifting worship and unusual praise, attendees will be treated to an unforgettable experience marked by spiritual connection, glorious ambience and a spirit-filled atmosphere of blessings.

With an amazing line-up of heavyweight Gospel ministers featuring including 12-time Grammy Awardwinning singer Cece Winans, Tim Godfrey, Mahalia Buchanan, Chioma Jesus, Bukola Bekes, Panam Percy Paul, Midnight Crew, Frank Edwards, Mercy Chinwo, Preye Odede and a host of other anointed ministers, the countdown is on for yet another incredible night of praise and worship.

Unusual Praise has quickly grown to become the biggest of its kind within the Catholic Community in Africa - with explosive and spiritfilled performances by mega star acts such as Sinach, Nicole C Mullen, Don Moen, Olumide Dada, Frank Edwards, Sr. Agatha Ozah, Steve Crown and a plethora of globally recognized gospel stars in previous years.

Unusual Praise 2018 – the 8th edition - is set to take place on Friday, November 30th 2018 at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki from 4pm till dawn.

This year’s edition promises to take things to another level with masterful worship, quality content and most importantly, a refreshing and uplifting experience in the presence of God.

I have not received salary, as governor, for eight years - Aregbesola Iniobong Iwok with agency report

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he outgoing Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that he has not received salary since he assumed office as governor of the state eight years ago.

Aregbesola made the claim yesterday on ‘Ogbeni Till Day Break’, a monthly interactive programme introduced after he was sworn into office, noting that he had been prudent with the resources of the state and was avoiding unnecessary wastages.

“The state feeds me, fuels my car and covers my other expenses. This is why I see no reason to earn a salary. I have no house, save the one I built before I became governor of Osun,” he said.

“I have no bank account anywhere in the world. I have not earned a dime in salary

since I became governor and I do not intend to so do,” he further said.

On his score card as governor, Aregbesola said: “My greatest achievement has to be our social investment programme.

Our people now refer to themselves as Omoluabis. If properly internalised, 50 percent of our problems as a race would have been solved.

“As a matter of fact, we have not commissioned 10 percent of our projects.

We will not be found commissioning hairdressing saloon and boreholes. We would only commission projects worthy of celebration.

“Our school feeding programme which we revived and expanded is life-changing.

We put together a youth empowerment programme that is acclaimed worldwide,” Aregbesola said.

Speaking on his successor, Gboyega

Oyetola, the governor described him as a cerebral individual who does not have the same “swagger” like him.

“Gboyega Oyetola is a cool, calm and brilliant goal-getter, but he is not a radical like me. He does not have my swagger but he is an extremely cerebral human being,” he said.

According to him, “I have no regrets in governance, given another chance to govern, I would continue along this same path. To the glory of God, we have just won an election. There is no better way to demonstrate our political sagacity than that.

“However, my party is different from me and if there are areas the party feels I could have done better, they are free to advise the incoming governor to make such amends.

“It is extremely difficult to maintain our level of popularity over an eight-year period. We got into power at the eleventh

Aregbesola

hour but that of the incoming governor has been one of ease. It’s a sign of things to come.”

On why he did not vie for senatorial position in next year’s election, the outgoing governor said he wanted to rest after being active politically for several years.

“The reason why I didn’t pick up the senatorial ticket is very simple. I have been active politically since my secondary school days. I simply want to rest.”

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News 2019: PDP demands Amaechi’s resignation OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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hePeople’sDemocratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to demand the immediate resignation of Rotimi Amaechi as the minister of transportation.

The main opposition party accused Amaechi, who doubles as director-general of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, of using government funds to fund Buhari’s re-election bid.

The party was responding to Amaechi’s remarks on a live television programme where he submitted that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was no match for APC standard bearer, President Buhari.

But in a statement on Friday signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary, the party stressed that the minister has finally lost touch with reality.

The statement reads: “How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a known and tested nationalist, who has become the rallying point for national rejuvenation and reawakening to President Buhari, who has sunk the nation deeper into the sea of nepotism, divisiveness, dissentions and agonising despondency?

“How can anyone compare Atiku Abubakar, an epitome of wealth creation and youth empowerment to President Buhari whose tenure will only be remembered by Nigerians for hardship, unemployment, job losses, wealth destruction, economic frustrations and destruction of institutions that engender good governance and freedom?

“Is it not an aberration to attempt to compare Atiku Abubakar, who played key role in a government that paid our nation’s foreign debt, to President Buhari, whose administration specialises in accumulating debts, borrow-

Amaechi

ing money to service debts and plunging our generations yet unborn into bondage?”

It also wondered: “How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a promoter of democracy and fundamental human rights to President Buhari whose administration has stood down all known democratic virtues, and relishes in violation of human rights, disobedience to court orders, disdain for constitutional order and condoning extra-judicial killing, harassment and illegal detention of citizens as detailed in reports by international bodies?

“While it is a settled fact that President Buhari cannot be a match to Atiku Abubakar, we understand Amaechi’s frustration as a beleaguered salesman of a derelict product, but he should have known that for Nigerians, Atiku Abubakar represents light and a brighter future whereas President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) represent a national misfortune.”

The PDP further said: “Amaechi is aware of the murmurings and frustration even in the Presidency regarding President Buhari’s failures in governance and that most of his ministers, aides and political associates no longer believe in his re-election since Atiku Abubakar emerged as PDP Presidential candidate”.

The party counselled the Campaign DG to prepare to return to his home state of Rivers to face his “multiple corruption indictments instead of trying to promote a failed candidate”.

President Muhammadu Buhari (r) with Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the Federation and Minister of Justice (m) at the LITE-Africa exhibition ground, talking with Joel Bisina (left), executive director, who was explaining NISPA11, LITE-Africa project to the President. LITE-Africa was nominated for exhibition at the just-concluded Paris Peace Forum in Paris, France.

President Muhammadu Buhari (r) with his entourage at the LITE-Africa exhibition ground. Joel Bisina, executive director (l), explaining NISPA11, LITE-Africa project to the President. LITE-Africa was nominated for exhibition at the just-concluded Paris Peace Forum in Paris, France.

APGA members in Nkporo decamp to PDP …Back Ikpeazu-Oko-Chukwu re-election GODFREY OFURUM, Aba

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housands of members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nkporo, Ohafia Local Government of Abia State, led

by OjiaboUdeOjiabo, the traditional prime minister of Obofia autonomous community, have decamped to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in support of the re-election of Governor OkezieIkpeazu.

This is also as the Abia Grassroots Movement, a non-partisan political organisation with chapters in all the local government

areas of Abia State, declares support to the re-election of Governor Ikpeazu.

OjiaboUdeOjiabo, who was the APGA zonal chairman, Abia North senatorial zone in 2015, collapsed his structure in support of UdeOko-Chukwu, the deputy governor of Abia State and running mate of Governor Ikpeazu in the 2019 governorship election in Abia State, who is also from Nkporo.

According to Ojiabo, “I have already joined PDP, because I want to support my brother, who is the deputy governor. We have no other person contesting for a political office in 2019 and

if we fight him the way we fought him in 2015, he will lose and Nkporo people will also lose.

“So, we are now giving him our support to retain his position, because if he is not there, we would not have access to the Government House”.

He further said that Nkporo people have benefited from the deputy governor, who has “helped so many of our youths to secure employment. Our road, the Nkporo-Abiriba road, which is one of the worst roads in Abia before the advent of the Ikpeazu administration is currently under construction, consequently, sup-

No PVC is available for sale in Oyo- REC Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan

port for him, will bring more democratic dividends to our people.”

“We must support him to return in 2019”, he pledged.

According to him, Nkporo people express the same view with him. “I am not alone in this mission.

You can see the crowed today and I am sure that many more of our people will join us in this crusade”, he stated.

He commended the State Government for its policies on agriculture and road infrastructure and urged government to complete ongoing road projects, including the Nkporo-Abiriba road, before Christmas.

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esident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Mutiu Agboke has warned politicians not to look for Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to purchase as none is available for sale in the state.

Agboke also advised politicians in the state not to rely on any official of the commission for their victory in the 2019 general election.

“INEC Oyo State is ready and prepared for credible process and hitch-free elections in 2019. We shall allow a level playing field to all the political players. No one is above the law. All inter-agency consultative committee on election security mem-

bers are ready to do their job,” he added.

Addressing an enlarged stakeholders’ election forum with the theme,‘Towards credible 2019 general election and civic campaigns’, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and National Orientation Agency (NOA), held in Ibadan, the state capital,he said that the commission was ready for better conduct of the elections and prepared for credible elections next year.

At the meeting were gubernatorial candidates of National Interest Party (NIP) Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu, Providence People’s Congress (PPC), Taiwo Otegbeye and Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Dotun Ayorinde.

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News ECOWAS Parliament mulls 2019 budget, to help facilitate single currency Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he Parliament of the Economic Community of We s t Af r i c a n States (ECOWAS Parliament) has started the Second Ordinary Session mainly for the consideration of the 2019 Community Budget in accordance with Articles 7 and 17 of the Supplementary Act relating to the Enhancement of powers of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Speaker of the Parliament, Mustapha Cisse Lo, while fielding questions from reporters at the opening ceremony of the session said that the Second Ordinary Session is a community bud-

get session, stressing that the parliament will consider the budgets of the institutions and organs of ECOWAS. He pointed out that these budgets will then be adopted and forwarded to the Council of Ministers.

He said however, in his speech while declaring the session open, that the Parliament is waiting to receive the draft budget from other ECOWAS institutions, which he said will be considered by the Administration and Finance Committee with hope that the Parliament will get the draft budget within the statutory deadline prescribed by the Regulations of the Council of Ministers.

“I would like to reassure the Committee and all the

ECOWAS Institutions that the parliamentarians will, once again, carefully consider the budget with a view to adopting a document, which proper implementation will enable the achievement of regional sustainable development goals.

Other important issues to consider include: the Presentation of the President of the ECOWAS Commission on the state of the Community; Draft programme of activity of the Parliament for 2019; Country Reports; Reports of fact-finding and parliamentary oversight missions, among others.

On the protracted issue of the Single Currency for West Africa, Cisse Lo reiterated the Parliament’s determination to help fast-track

the process to establish the much desired Single Currency for the sub-region in order to enhance economic integration, stressing that West Africa cannot think about having economic development if it does not have harmonized economic policies.

“It is not the parliament that will decide on the issue of Single currency. What I can tell you is that the Parliament is in support of that initiative this is a process that has to be sped off. We can’t think of having development if we don’t have harmonized economic policies in our region.

“In any case the parliament is going to refer the issue to itself, and we are going to express our opinion to the Heads of State.

United States Consul General F. John Bray with members of the Board of Trustees, and Executive Council of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) during the 17th annual conference held recently in Lagos.

At WIMBIZ conference, women urged to be resilient to attain their full potential Ngozi Okpalakunne

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h a i r p e rs on e xecutive council of Women in Business and Management (WIMBIZ), Olubunmi Adederin-Talabi has urged career women to build their resilience and press ahead so as to reach their full potential.

Olubunmi, who spoke at the recently concluded 17th annual conference of WIMBIZ which came under the theme, “Unstoppable you: Reinvent and reinvigorate” affirmed that only women with great determination to succeed can make it in life.

According to her, the theme of the conference was thoughtfully crafted with a deliberate goal in mind to inspire and empower women

to reach greater heights in their chosen career.

“Given the right circumstance, inducement and with the requisite productivity, we can train ourselves to be unstoppable in our chosen profession,” she added.

Looking at the achievement of the association since its inception, she explained that WIMBIZ had implemented programmes that aimed to inspire, empower and advocate for greater representation of women in leadership position both in public and private sector.

“WIMBIZ has a contributory associate pool of over 670 accomplished women and more than 8,100 women on its database. We regularly collaborate with credible local and multinational organisation to deliver programmes which have, on aggregate, directly influenced over

105,555 women since inception,’’ she added.

Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Dolapo Osibanjo who also spoke at the conference commended the organisers of the event, saying that it will go a long way in empowering the participants.

Dolapo encouraged women to be truthful in all their dealings so as to obtain favour from God. “If you are truthful no one can stop you, you are the only one who can stop yourself by the kind of life you live. When you work hard and determine to succeed, you will remain unstoppable,’’ she submitted.

Also speaking during the programme, CEO Venture Garden Group, Nichole Yembra, advised women to acquire skills that will make them remain relevant as the world approaches the fourth industrial revolution.

Foundation rewards teachers for excelling in key subject areas ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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he Inoyo Toro foundation has rewarded teachers in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State who have excelled in their profession with the winners going home with prize money of between N150,000 and N100,000 in each of the subject areas.

The award which is a yearly event encourages teachers of science, Mathematics, English and “some of the endangered subjects” as well as stimulate awareness for the study of the selected subjects and promotes healthy and positive competition for excellence among teachers also seeks to help teachers to be more committed to their profession as they constantly update their knowledge and skills.

By the awards, the foundation says it is supplementing the effort of the Akwa Ibom State government in the education sector pointing out this has become critical in addressing the apathy exhibited in the teacher’s work experience and would enhance performance and service delivery in schools.

Enobong Joshua, chairman of the award committee who stated this during this year’s award held at the Ibom hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo explained that out of the 203 persons made up of 194 teachers and 9 school principals that were invited, only 109 teachers consisting of 24 English, 22 Mathematics, 15 Biology, 22 Chemistry,

19 Physics, 6 Economics and 1 Visual Arts teachers and eight schools attended the selection test.

According to him, in each subject the first prize winner received N250,000, the second N150,000 and the third N100,000.

He expressed regret that public schools are not performing optimally because of non commitment of some of the teacher and school heads advising that education managers should brace up to their responsibilities while the supervising government departments should strengthen their machinery for proper and effective supervision and honest appraisal of all sectors of the school system.

“The teachers should note that our children would excel to whatever height in their academics if given the proper mentoring by their teachers,’’ he said.

Five teachers won the sum of N500, 000 each as grand mentor teacher’s award in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology while the best Principal award went to Elizabeth Uduak Michael of Holy Trinity College, Mbiakong, Uruan local government area of the state.

Speaking during the award ceremony, Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Service of federation said the federal government needs to develop and sustain a strong educational policy that would improve the standard of teachers and the teaching profession as a whole.

Obong of Calabar decries low level of awareness campaign on social security in C/River MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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he Obong of Calabar and the grand patriarch of the Efik Kindom, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Out, has decried the low level of awareness on social security system in the state.

The Obong called on the relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts in the awareness campaign to reduce the economic and social vulnerability of the poor and marginalised groups in society.

Edidem Ekpo Otu said this at the Etubom Traditional Council, in the palace of the Obong of Calabar

while reacting to a keynote address presented by Archibong Archibong, archbishop of IBC and convener of opinion leaders’ forum for the establishment of Social Security System in the state.

According to the Obong of Calabar, the Efik people, both home and abroad, should come together and help in building a virile kingdom through cooperation irrespective of their political leaning as the election year approaches.

In his keynote address, the Convener of the forum and representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung KAS, Archibong Archibong said social security was aimed at providing

for the material needs of individuals and families, protecting aged and disabled persons against the expenses of illness that may otherwise use up their savings.

He also noted that Social Security will give children the chance to grow up healthy and secure, stressing that “we have the responsibility of being our brother’s keeper”.

Nneoyi Ofem, state coordinator of Forum of Opinion leaders, in his remarks appealed to the Etuboms Traditional Council to stem down the information of Social Security in the state to their domains because, according to him, information is power.

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News Zik Lecture: Saraki seeks greater commitment to eradicate corruption OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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enate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday, said that Nigeria can only grow and achieve its true destiny if the present system of governance is rid of corruption.

Saraki, who stated this in his speech as chairman of the 7th Zik Lecture of the Annual Zik Series, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, said it was time for all Nigerians to recommit to the efforts aimed at eradicating corruption from Nigeria as envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers, one of whom was the great Zik of Africa.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, the President of the Senate, also stated that the late Zik believed and worked for transparency and accountability, virtues that would help to banish the “canker-worm of corruption” from the country, if they are imbibed and practiced by all Nigerians.

Saraki said: “Without wishing to pre-empt the subject of today’s lecture

by His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa, former Presi-

dent of Tanzania, which is titled, ‘Taming the Monster of Corruption in Africa’, we should ask ourselves what Dr. Azikiwe would have made of the political landscape of today, particularly with regard to the problem of corruption. Let us think upon the example he laid down, the ideals he stood for, and from which he never wavered.

“As we listen to this 7th Zik Lecture, let us meditate upon the legacy of Azikiwe,

one of the greatest Africans of the 20th Century. As founder of the historic West African Pilot newspaper, Azikiwe was for freedom of the press. He was for accountability and transparency...He believed in, and fought for Nigeria’s unity.

“When I think about his legacy, I am indeed humbled; and it is a thing of pride to be chairing this event today. As we listen to the 7th Zik Lecture delivered by the

HOPE BEATS CANCER: L-R: Adejuwon Saheed, chief operating officer, BuzzDigital Limited; Brian Anigbo, manager, Creative Strategy, Zenera Consulting; Oge Ilegbune, head of strategy, development and outreach, Lakeshore Cancer Centre; Bekeme Masade, partner, Zenera Consulting and Azubike Onyemeh, unit commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, at the Zenera Consulting fifth anniversary press conference and unveiling of the commemorative shirt.

Group holds ‘BuhariDirect’ road show ...To showcase President’s scorecard

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he Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has lined up an openair event today, Sunday 18th November 2018 at the Unity Fountain Maitama, Abuja, to highlight and promote the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The show, with the theme, ‘Buhariconnect’ and the slogan ‘The people’s President’, will attract ministers, governors and other top echelon of the All Progressives Congress

eminent keynote speaker, let us recommit ourselves to defeating the monster of corruption in our country; and by so doing, set a standard for the whole of Africa.

“It is by ridding our system of governance of the canker-worm of corruption that this country can grow to achieve its true destiny as envisioned by the founding fathers, one of whom was the great Zik of Africa”.

He noted that the Great

(APC).

The event, according to a statement signed by the Secretary Cassidy Madueke, will be preceded by a press conference to be addressed by the National Coordinator of the group, Niyi Akinsiju, while the media will be presented with the scorecard of three and a half years of the Buhari administration.

The variety show will also be an opportunity to highlight the achievements of

President Muhammadu Buhari, with testimonials from the beneficiaries of the administration’s Social Investment Programmes, including poverty alleviation, school feeding, Trader-moni, women empowerment, Anchor Borrowers and cash transfer programme.

The show will also feature appearances by political leaders and top government officials at the event which kicks up at 1pm.

SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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he African Businessmen Fellowship(ABF) International has created ‘Ideas and Investors Fund’ forum aimed at providing assistance to its members and non members who have come up with brilliant and investable ideas but lack the wherewithal to finance such ideas or projects.

Chima Ifekwe, the international president of ABF, who spoke exclusively to our correspondent in Owerri, Imo State, said the initiative was in line with the mission of the organisation to raise a prosperous African generation.

African Businessmen Fellowship International is an international/interdenominational faith-based organisation with the primary purpose of bringing together outstanding young African business leaders, chief executive officers, captains of industry as well as political leaders under one platform.

“The organisation creates a synergy of businessminded people who come together with their wealth of experience as a think-tank where tested and proven methods and models of business and investment products are used to establish visionary business empires that would stand out as a legacy for the future generation”, Ifekwe said.

Sterling Bank named ‘Africa’s Most Agile ‘Company

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terling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, has won the Agility Award for Africa at the 2018 World Agility Forum, an award given to organisations who through exemplary applications of agile processes have become game changers in their respective industries.

The World Agility Forum is a global programme where individuals and organisations are recognised for their efforts and commitment towards achieving agility

through initiatives such as saving millions in project budgets, reducing production costs and applying processes that bring more value to customers.

Giving reasons for the feat, the award organizers, in a statement released in Lagos at the weekend, said Sterling Bank clinched the Agility Award for Africa due to its streamlined focus in applying agile principles which have resulted in outstanding results for their employees and customers.

Elated Yemi Odubiyi, executive director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Sterling Bank, said the bank had to re-align its corporate culture to achieve agility.

“The first thing we realised when we decided to adopt agile is that the traditional corporate hierarchy poses an impediment to agility.

Organisations especially in Africa looking to significantly improve their processes and results need to consider adjusting their corporate culture“, Odubiyi said.

Adara Foundation partners Tiffany Amber Nigeria to empower financially-challenged women KELECHI EWUZIE

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Uja Tor Uja, executive secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), (l) been welcome by the director general, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Liman Mansur during the Exe. Sec. NCPC courtesy visit to Radio House in Abuja.

Zik of Africa was not only an astute politician and statesman, but a man who thought deeply about his country in particular and the African Continent in general.

“He thought deeply about the direction Nigeria was going, and he did his very best to steer her on the right path,” he said. “We need more thinkers in our national life, and it is my expectation that today’s lecture will go some way towards nudging those of us in this audience in that direction.”

Saraki described the Annual Zik lecture series, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as a veritable platform to propagate Zik’s ideals, formulate new ideas and devise solutions to current national challenges.

He said: “It is fitting that this Annual Lecture Series has as its setting an institution of learning in his name.

I say this because Zik of Africa was a renowned intellectual, and the power of his mind connected Nigeria to the entire Black World.

“It is fitting, therefore, that we remember the great man of learning in this place of learning. It is fitting that we walk in his footsteps in our quest to formulate ideas and devise solutions to current challenges.

Group raises ‘Ideas and Investors’ Fund’ to assist members, non-members with investable projects

dara Foundation as part of its drive to create significant market opportunities for low-income women has partnered Tiffany Amber Nigeria to provide a unique platform for women.

Yvonne Fasinro, founder Adara Foundation, says the Adara x TAN by Tiffany Amber collaboration has given it the opportunity to empower several women through ethical fashion, enabling the women designers to make a percentage from every fabric

created.

Speaking at the Adara x TAN by Tiffany Amber collaboration launch event in Lagos, Fasinro said the main goal of the partnership is to make women from lowincome families become increasingly important participants in the economy.

She further said that ‘Women Support Women’ which was the theme of the event would help empower the women to create their own streams of income.

The programme also featured a selection of styles by TAN by Tiffany Amber, which utilises a delicate blend of modern sophistication and

glamour, offered at the right price point.

Each piece was carefully hand-designed by 24 women who are being supported by the EWARE programme - which trains financially challenged women to be skilled artisans, knowledgeable about and able to produce and trade profitably in the best quality adire, tie and dye and batik designs.

The Adara X TAN by Tiffany Amber Nigeria line launch event had support from women led organisations such as Wott to Eat, The Event Design Studio, Creative Accents and Koko’s Cookies.

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CRIME WATCH Lagos Command recounts how Togolese cook murdered his boss

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CHINWE AGBEZE he Lagos State Police Command has given an account of how Sunday Adefonou Anani, the 22-year-old Togolese cook, allegedly murdered his boss, Opeyemi Bademosi, a 67-year-old business, at No.3b Onikoyi lane, Parkview Estate in Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

According to CSP Chike Oti, Police Spokesman, the journey that ended Bademosi’s life on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, began in Ondo town, which is the decease’s state of origin.

CSP Oti said, one Kofi Friday, a 27-year-old Togolese had assembled his countrymen including the suspect at his Yaba area residence in Ondo town to deliver messages to them on October 25, 2018, after he arrived to Nigeria from Togo. ‘‘When the suspect came to take his message, Kofi Friday who happens to be his cousin, delivered the good news that he had secured a job for him as a cook in a rich man’s house in Ikoyi, Lagos, through one Agbeko Ayenahin, his male friend,’’ CSP Oti narrates.

“The suspect was subsequently taken to the deceased’s house in Ondo State on Friday, October 26, 2018. The deceased was usually home every last weekend of the month. So, on Sunday, October 28, 2018, the deceased brought the suspect to Lagos to start work as his cook.’’ Three days after resuming work as a cook, CSP Oti said the suspectsneakedintothedeceased’s room, when his wife, Ebunola Bademosi had gone to the bank.

“When the suspect observed that the deceased’s wife, Ebunola Bademosi, had left home for a transaction at Polaris Bank in Falomo branch, he made his way to his (deceased) room with the intention to rob him,” CSP Oti recounts. According to CSP Oti, the suspect said he had no intention of killing his boss and he made that known to him the moment he entered his room.

“When the suspect got to the deceased’s room and met him on the bed, he said, “Chief, I am not

Kofi Friday

here to kill you” and the deceased asked him, “what do you want?”, and he replied, ‘money’”, CSP Oti said. “The deceased said he had no money in the house. At this point, the suspect said he tied him up with a cloth and put him on the floor. He said the deceased kicked him while he was on the floor causing the knife he tucked inside his pants to fall off.’’

The deceased crawled to pick the knife but the suspect said he was faster and he struggled with him causing the knife to accidentally pierce the deceased, CSP Oti recounted. “He said that while exiting the room, the deceased took the knife to stab him. So, he kicked him and he fell down. He then took the knife and stabbed him twice on the chest which added to three knife

stabs,” the police spokesman said.

“When he was done killing the man, he entered his bathroom and threw away his apron which was stained with blood and the kitchen knife used as murder weapon. Thereafter, he said he heard a knock on the kitchen door and sensing the person would be the deceased wife, he ran out of the room and exited from the sitting back door.’’

CSP Oti said the suspect was confronted by one Nura Mamudu, a guard at the gate, who asked the suspect where he was hurrying to and in response; the suspect said his madam had sent him on an errand.

“Finding himself on the street, he came across men loading cement into a Dangote truck. He

assisted them and the driver appreciated him with N500 and gave him a lift to Ondo State,” the police spokesman said.

Investigation into the case, according to CSP Oti, revealed that the incident occurred on October 31, 2018 at about 8.10am.

Investigation also showed that the suspect committed the offence when the deceased’s wife, Ebunola Bademosi went to Polaris Bank, Falomo branch in Lagos for a transaction. Further facts revealed by the investigation, according to the police spokesman, was that the suspect fled the crime scene to Ondo State for refuge, when he heard knocks on the kitchen door.

Another fact from the investigation was that the deceased’s wife entered the crime scene through the sitting room after knocking several times on the kitchen door without response from the suspect.

CSP Oti revealed further facts from the investigation conducted.

“That the deceased’s wife, Ebunola Bademosi reported the incident to police after she found her husband in a pool of his own blood on October 31, 2018,’’ he said.

“That the deceased, some minutes before his death, called his wife, Ebunola Bademosi on phone, complaining that the suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani barged into his bedroom uninvited.’’

Continuing, he said, ‘‘That the suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani, stabbed the deceased severally on the thoracic region (chest), and the scene of crime which is the deceased bedroom, was scattered and stained with blood,’’ the spokesman said.

“That after killing the deceased, the suspect stole his Samsung phone and fled to Ondo State where he was later arrested on November 2, 2018,’’ he said.

More facts from the investigations are; ‘‘That the stolen Samsung phone was recovered from the suspect upon his arrest in Ondo State.’’ ‘‘That the kitchen knife used in the killing the deceased was found inside the deceased’s toilet, and that the suspect’s apron found at the scene of crime was soaked

with blood.’’ ‘‘That the suspect broke down in tears and confessed to the act after he was confronted with evidence of the CCTV footage and that the suspect led the investigation team to the crime scene demonstrating/reconstructing how he carried out the crime.’’

“That, samples recovered from the scene of the incident have been handed over to Forensic and DNA Department of Ministry of Justice for examination and analysis; ‘‘That the autopsy report attributed to the cause of death to (a) Bilateral Haemothorax (b) Laceration of the lung and intercostal vessels, and (c) Multiple sharp force trauma to the chest.’’ ‘‘That the suspects Kofi Friday, Agbeko Ayenahin, Salisu Hussein and Nura Mamudu are not linked to the crime.’’

CSP Oti said investigation has established a prima facie case of armed robbery/murder of one Opeyemi Bademosi, a 67-year-old male against Sunday Adefonou Anani, a 22-year-old male. ‘‘It is evident that the suspect singlehandedly committed the crime by stabbing Mr. Opeyemi Bademosi to death with a kitchen knife, with intent to steal from him,’’ the police spokesman said.

“To this end, the suspect will be arraigned in court while the other suspects who are not linked to the crime will be released to reliable sureties.’’

Edgal Imohimi, Lagos State commissioner of police has directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for vetting and legal advice, CSP Oti disclosed. ‘‘The commissioner said that criminal investigation has gone beyond the era of rule of thumb to an era of scientific and research based investigation in Lagos state Police Command.’’ ‘‘The murder suspect was availed the services of a Frenchspeaking lawyer from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), who was with him throughout the duration of the investigation.’’

Police taskforce recovers hidden guns in uncompleted building

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he Lagos State Police Command said its taskforce on recovery of illegal and prohibited firearms has recovered five guns from an uncompleted building.

The taskforce which is attached to Area J Command headquarters in Ajah area of Lagos State made the recovery on November 9, 2018. ‘‘While on targeted raids of uncompleted and unoccupied houses, plots of land at Road 1, Block 1, Plot 7 in Victory Park Estate, Osapa London, Ilasan, the taskforce recovered five rifles inside an unoccupied shanty within the aforesaid plot of land,’’ CSP Chike Oti, Lagos police public rela-

tions officer. ‘‘The guns recovered comprises of three European made pump action rifles numbers L926547, R268751 and P987707 respectively, one locally made double barrel rifle and one locally made single barrel rifle,’’ CSP Oti disclosed.

According to the Police public relations officer, the state commissioner of police has directed the ballistic arm of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, in Panti, Yaba to commence investigation into the case. ‘‘The commissioner promises that the ember months will remain peaceful in Lagos as the Command will continue to carry out

intelligence and purpose driven raids on all identified criminal spots in the state,’’ CSP Oti said. ‘‘He said the Command will continue to enforce the directives of Inspector General of Police on mopping up illegal and prohibited firearms. Anybody found in possession of such weapons will be diligently prosecuted.’’

The police spokesman also disclosed that eleven armed robbery suspects were apprehended in their Elemoro hideouts. ‘‘Upon searching their den, detectives recovered one berretta pistol and two locally made pistol,’’ he said. ‘‘Progress made in the investigations will be made public as usual,’’ he added.

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CRIME WATCH ICPC docks sacked sex-for-marks lecturer

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FELIX OMOHOMHION, Abuja

he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign a former lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Richard IyiolaAkindele, at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, OshunState, for allegedly demanding sex from one of his students, Ms. Monica Osagie, in order to upgrade her academic result from fail to pass.

Professor Akindele will be docked on November 19 on a 3-count charge having been accused of using his position as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting to demand for sexual benefit from a student and fraudulently upgrade her result in Research Method course which she supposedly failed in 2017.

The Commission said his actions were contrary to Sections 8 (1) (a) (ii), and 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and are punishable under the same sections One of the counts reads: “That

Richard Iyiola Akindele

you, professor Akindele, on or about the 16th day of September, 2017 at Ile-Ife did corruptly ask for sexual benefits for yourself from Ms. Monica Osagie on account of favour to be afterwards shown to her by you in the discharge of your official duties as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, to wit; altering her academic grades in the course with code MBA 632-

Research Method from fail to pass; and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The 57-year-old professor has asked for plea-bargain having admitted guilt. He also cited ill-health as a factor that may make him unable to stand the rigours of prison life, notifying the Commission through his lawyer, OmotayoAlade-Fawole.

He pleaded that his prayers for plea-bargain be considered, more so as he was already serving punishment for his offence having been sacked by the university.

It can be recalled that in an interview granted The Punch newspaper, Ms. Osagie had expressed a lack of confidence in the capacity of ICPC to give her a fair hearing.

This public announcement of Professor Akindele’s impending arraignment is in fulfillment of the Commission’s promise to the public in a rejoinder in the same newspaper dated 7th September, 2018 to avail them of the outcome of the investigation in due time.

Ondo Assembly condemns illegal budget reordering JAMES KWEN, Abuja

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t least, 18 out of the 26 Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have condemned the illegal budget reordering

by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in alleged cahoots with the impeached Speaker, Bamidele Oleyeloogun and seven others.

According to them, Governor Akeredolu on the receipt of the Paris Club Refund the exact amount of which he has not disclosed, allegedly hurriedly connived with impeached Speaker and the few members loyal to him and invaded the House with the support of members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and reordered the budget to include the refund in the 2018 appropriation law.

Araoyinbo Olugbenga, Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly and in company of other members who stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja, said minority members cannot reorder budget so speedily even as government urged and induced them financially.

Olugbenga said that there

were spending incurred outside the existing 2018 appropriation law and they asked to be allowed to vet the budget performance for proper accountability in line with rules of the House but the government rather than oblige, became jittery.

He said: “It is a violation the new leadership of the Assembly would never allow to stand.

Whatever the Majority Leader posits remains the position of the House. Hon. Araoyinbo as the Majority Leader would not join the few cat paws to swindle Ondo State.

“Even if Oloyeloogun and his cohorts would paint the situation as ideal, we know that our people would perceive the lies embedded in the sounds of fury presented as a defense/justification for hurriedly passing a reordering of the 2018 appropriation law of Ondo State.

“The impeached Speaker and suspended leadership have been too compromising against the interest of the masses. All the invasions done to ensure the forceful passage of the governor’s reordering are in direct connection with the NURTW illegal activities in the hallowed chambers”.

Nnamdi Kanu: Why court ordered interim forfeiture in Abaribe’s N100m bail bond FELIX OMOHOMHION, Abuja

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Federal High Court, Abuja, Wednesday, ordered Senator EyinnnyaAbaribe and two others who stood as sureties for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), NnamdiKanu, to temporarily forfeit their N100million bail bond each.

Justice BintaNyako also ordered that the N100million bail bond should be converted into cash and deposited with the registrar of the court.

The court ordered that the money should be paid within two months of the order and would be permanently forfeited if after six months they are unable to produce the IPOD leader to face his trial.

Kanu was arrested in 2015 on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.

Six of the charges, including that of terrorism, were struck out early in 2017.

Senator Abaribe, Jewish priest, Emmanuel Shallon-Ben and TochukwuUchendu had stood as sureties for Kanu on April 24, 2017, after the court granted him bail on health grounds.

This was after spending 11 months in the custody of the Department of State Security

(DSS).

In granting Kanu bail, Justice Nyako asked him to produce three sureties with N100million each. Nyako said one of the sureties must be a senior highly placed person of Igbo extraction such as a Senator.

She held that the other surety must be a highly respected Jewish leader since Kanu said his religion was Judaism, while the third person must be a highly respected person who owns landed property and is resident in Abuja.

The judge said she was convinced that Kanu was ill and needed more medical attention than the Nigerian Prisons was giving him.

“The first defendant, NnamdiKanu, has appealed to the court for bail based on health grounds and it is only the living that can stand trial,” she said.

“So I am minded to grant him bail so that he can attend to his health and face his trial alive.”

However, Kanu has been missing since September 2017 when troops of the Nigerian Army invaded his country home in Abia State.

And this has put the sureties on collision course with the court, When the matter came up Wednesday, Senator Abaribe and Uchendu, who are the first

and third surety were absent in court. Counsel to the first surety, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, informed the court that Abaribe had gone on oversight function.

Also, counsel to the third surety, I. E. Chuddy said his client was ill and could not make it to the court.

This infuriated the judge who noted that the sureties were taking the court for granted.

She threatened to issue bench warrant against the sureties because “they are taking the court for a ride.”

Earlier in his submission, counsel to Abaribe, Ume, told the trial judge that the Senator has embarked on an oversight function of the Senate, explaining his absence was due to the exigency of the function.

While the second surety, Emmanuel Shallon-Ben was present, counsel to the third surety, Chuddy, informed the court that his client was unable to attend proceeding because of his illness.

Justice Nyako however, noted that Abaribe’s absence would not have affected the business of the committee, addingthat the sureties were taking the leniency of the court for granted.

She said that those whose applications to opt out of

Nnamdi Kanu

the sureteeship before court would not have their prayers granted untilKanu is produced.

Counsel to the second surety, Alloy Ejiemekor, prayed the court for opportunity to give evidential evidence why the sureties were unable to produce the defendant in the

spirit of fair hearing.

According to him, the order of the court for the sureties to show cause is for them to be heard.

The matter was adjourned to March 28 to take all applications relating to the sureteeship.

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Inside Lagos

More Nigerians embrace gambling …as Lagos Lotteries Board repositioned for effective regulation Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

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he gaming industry is fast gaining ground in Nigeria’s commercial city of Lagos, as more unemployed, underemployed and the working class are seen embracing betting and other forms of gambling to earn extra incomes.

Experts say the development is also being driven by increasing passion of Nigerians especially the youth population for European football leagues.

According to industry sources, over 100 gaming operators licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB) are operating in Lagos.

Anibaba Seun, the General Manager of Lagos State Lotteries Board, in an interview with Inside Lagos, says the board has been repositioned to effectively monitor and regulate the industry, as more betting shops are being established in nooks and crannies of the state.

Section 57 of the National Lottery Act (2005) describes lottery as any game, scheme, agreement, system, plan, promotional competition or device for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance, or as a result of the exercise of skill and chance or based on the outcome or sporting events, or any other game, scheme, agreement, system, plan, competition or device, which the President may by notice in the Gazette declare to be lottery and which shall be operated according to a licence.

Folashade Gbenga-Dada, a psychologist with the University of Lagos, links the rising interest in gaming to the economic situation, noting however, that some

persons are habitual gamblers who may have been influenced by their upbringing and lifestyle.

The growth of the industry is also seen encouraged by improved internet penetration in Nigeria and interest in European soccer by local youths. Much of the gaming is based on forecasts of the score lines of yet to be played matches and it is upon the accuracy of these, that gamers win or lose money.

Many gaming operators are deploying technology in aggressive marketing and payment models, and attracting foreign partners who want a share of the blossoming Nigerian industry. According to industry sources, gaming content providers such as Gameloft, Intralot and Sirplay are partnering with local gaming companies to provide technology services and other supports.

Seun says the industry currently employs over 50,000 people in

Lagos.

According to the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, “Nigerians are sports loving people and it has become easy to stake cash on what they are passionate about.”

Information obtained from a publication on football betting in Nigeria, shows that most of the betting are placed in bet shops which are readily available in street corners in Lagos and other cities, while an increasing number of customers are taking advantage of mobile penetration to place bets online.

Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) put the number of internet users in Nigeria at 103 million as at in May 2018.

Gaming industry operators believe that as the number of internet subscribers keep increasing, so will the number of game users, and there may be the need for mergers

and acquisitions of fragmented small players in the industry.

“The growing Nigeria’s gaming industry is fragmented, with many small players. As user behaviour changes and spending needs increase, the industry could be forced to consolidate, in line with global trends,” said an industry source. Quoting Digi-Capital, the Association of Nigerian Book Makers says $30.3 billion in gaming industry deals occurred globally in 2016, including $28.4 billion of mergers and acquisitions, representing a 77 % increase from 2015, spurred majorly by the growth in mobile and virtual reality.

“We expect to see consolidations, as there are currently over 100 licenses issued by both the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Lagos State Lotteries Board,” the association submits.

Seun says his board has been positioned to protect both the customers and licensed operators,

and has had cause to intervene in cases between operators and game users and apply sanctions where necessary.

He, however, lists the challenges facing the industry and which the board is effectively monitoring to include gaming by underage persons (below 18 years) and illegal raiding of bet shops by security personnel, as well as jurisdictional issues with the national regulatory body.

According to Gbenga-Dada, certain individuals are habitual gamblers. For this category of people, it does not matter how the society views gambling or what the economic situation is, they just cannot do without gambling.”

Others, according to her, are driven by unpalatable economic situations and joblessness, as they hope to ride on possible gains of gaming to overcome poverty. She also notes that many gamblers are mentally lazy and think they can make money without subjecting their mental capacities to much stress. She, however, affirms that gambling does not guarantee sustainable wealth or comfort because often times gamblers reinvest their win into the game and go broke again.

She says gaming companies are often the gainers because only a few gamblers are likely to win their bets.

“And even if they win, the tendency is always to use the money won to continue to gamble. Again, some people don’t have the capacity to handle big sums of money, so if they ever win, the money is mismanaged because they lack the capacity to handle it, eventually they retain what they have capacity to handle. According to Gbenga-Dada, habitual gamblers can be encouraged to get out of their habit, but this takes time and consistent therapy.

Congestion: Take action against trucks now, lawmakers tell Ambode

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embers of the Lagos State House of Assembly have decried the occupation of Sekunmade Road in Ikorodu and other parts of the state by heavy duty trucks, urging Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to intervene.

The lawmakers requested Ambode to direct the state commissioner for transport, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), management of Ipakodo Lighter Terminal to eliminate indiscriminate parking of long vehicles on Sekunmade Road.

The assembly also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to provide parking lot for long vehicles entering the terminal.

The position of the lawmakers

followed a matter raised by Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu constituency 1) and supported by Segun Olulade (Epe constituency 2) under matter of urgent public importance during plenary on Thursday.

Agunbiade had condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trucks on Sekunmade Road, Ikorodu, which he said was one of the two roads leading to Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

“The road is an important access road to Imota, Ijede and others. The roads around the lighter terminal in Ipakodo have become an eyesore.

“The long vehicles always block the road and they would be there for days. They don’t even have security light that would prevent accident.

“That was how it started in Apapa area of Lagos before it became an eyesore,” Agunbiade said.

Ambode

The lawmaker said that it was important for the Commissioner for Transport to review the law on movement of vehicles, while also calling on leaders of LASTMA to rise to the occasion on the matter.

He said that Public Works should be called upon to repair the roads, which had become dilapidated.

Also speaking, Rotimi Olowo (APC- Somolu I), noted that Ipakodo Sekumade Road was very strategic to Ikorodu.

He said that it would not be fair to allow vehicles to block the road.

Olowo said that companies should be cautioned with the way their vehicles were parked in the area.

In his contribution, Segun Olulade (APC- Epe II), said that the

area was strategic to Epe. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja (APCIkorodu II) said the road had become waterlogged.

He said that trailers and containers parked indiscriminately were also causing a lot of problems for the people.

“What is happening in Sekunmade is not right. There are traffic control officers in Ikorodu West Local Government that can do the job.

“We should fine anyone that parks vehicles there indiscriminately,” Tobun Abiodun (APC-Epe I) added.

Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the house, directed the clerk, Azeez Sanni, to communicate the resolution of the house on the matter to Ambode.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Controversy

Is trader-moni vote-buying in disguise?

For some time now, there has been a slanging match between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the real reason behind the APC’s visits in the markets and the distribution of cash. What has come to be known as trader-moni, is claimed to be one of the social investment programmes of the current government which is being undertaken by the Bank of Industry. It appears that the scheme is causing a lot of adrenaline rise in many of the opposition. Here lies the controversy.

APC are sinners - PDP

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h e Pe o p l e ’ s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the APC of taking the initiative to only states and regions where they expect tough competition at the coming elections. They claimed that the APC has been focusing on South West and has not gone to the South East because it knows that no matter how much they sink there, South East is effectively PDP. PDP also claimed that a few weeks to the Ekiti governorship election in July, the APC went there to bribe people with trader-moni. It also did so in Osun in September.

“This was a state that the state government owed months of unpaid salaries, but the party unashamedly went there to share ten, ten thousand naira to women for votes.

They were in Lagos the other day for the same purpose because they are aware of the tough battle ahead in Lagos. And it is most worrisome that it is Yemi Osinbajo of all people that is doing this kind of thing,” it said.

Rebecca Apedzan, pioneer secretary of the PDP , in Benue State, a former federal lawmaker and a Commissioner in the Akume administration, is the Convener of the Benue Women Forum, in a recent interview, expressed disgust that “Vice President Osinbajo is going all over the country distributing N10, 000 to women.”

“To me, that is votebuying. And the whistle has not been blown, he is already campaigning.

What are you giving people N10, 000 for; who can do good business in this era with that kind of money? Many states have abolished street trading, so if you give a trader N10, 000, what business is that person going to start? Nobody is paying back that loan; it’s all vote-buying,” she said.

The PDP, Lagos State chapter, also accused the APC-led Federal Govern-

No, we are saints - APC

Uche Secondus, PDP, chairman

Adams Oshiomhole, APC, chairman

ment of inducing market women with N10,000 in the name of Trader-moni so as to get their votes in 2019.

The PDP described the N10,000 Trader-moni as another form of votebuying, and urged the

he trader-moni scheme according to APC was designed to help petty traders expand their trade through the provision of collateralfree loans of at least N10,000 which would be repayable within a six-month period depending on the individual petty trader’s repayment ability.

Reacting to the allegation that the programme was intended to compromise beneficiaries, the Publicity Secretary of APC Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, said that the party was carrying out the job which the PDP failed to do when they were in power, stressing that the country was at the present precarious position because the PDP mismanaged its resources.

“The PDP should keep quiet, we are doing what they did not do and they should allow us work; they should even appreciate us. They are the one that put this country into this position. The PDP are looters; are they back

This was a state that the state government owed months of unpaid salaries, but the party unashamedly went there to share ten, ten thousand naira to women for votes

people not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by the ruling APC. The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Lagos State, Taofik Gani, chided Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over his visits to certain markets in the state where he gave out N10,000 cash to traders as Trader-moni.

The PDP contended that the gesture was illtimed, saying the Federal Government’s Tradermoni empowerment scheme was a clear action of pre-election votebuying with the intent of buying the conscience of the traders to vote the APC in the state.

The expressed the optimism that Lagosians would not vote the APC in 2019 and that traders could collect the money but they should vote according to their conscience.

The PDP also believes that the money being disbursed to the traders belongs to the Nigerian people and should not be used to promote the interests of APC and its candidate.

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from Dubai? Is it Dubai that they would hold election?” he said.

A P C - l e d Fe d e r a l Government says the scheme has already been launched in 33 states,

The PDP should keep quiet, we are doing what they did not do and they should allow us work; they should even appreciate us

with two million people targeted nationwide.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been touring the states to inaugurate the scheme or check how it is being implemented. He has also been meeting with the traders and artisans and encouraging them to get involved. This is the first time the Federal Government is involving the very bottom of Nigeria’s economic pyramid for direct financial stimulus aimed at creating wealth within the informal sector of the economy.

The Vice President launched the scheme in Osun State on September 7, 2018, barely two weeks to the governorship election of Saturday, September 22, 2018, while the campaigns were on. The VP was said to have flashed the victory sign among the traders.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos Laolu Akande, senior special assistant to the Vice President on Media, said: “The visit of the Vice-President to Lagos was to see the impact of the scheme and interact with the traders in the markets, and he assured them that the fund will be increased to capture more people.

“Our plan is that between now and December, we would have captured the two million traders.

“Already, we have handed the fund to 800, 000. We have enumerated all the two million and we know who they are.

“That does not mean that this is the end of the programme. Our plan is to achieve the two million before the end of the year and add more people to subsequent tranches.”

Toyin Adeniji, executive director BoI, said: “It is not a national cake.

The fund is targeted at empowering the traders.

We expect that if they pay back, they are not only helping themselves but also the community.”

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Politics

Oshiomhole

Amosun

Okorocha

Nwosu

Is APC going into 2019 general election a divided house?

Zebulon Agomuo

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s the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) closed its book yesterday, Saturday, November 17, 2019 for the withdrawal or replacement of candidates for presidential and National Assembly elections, the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), is still assailed by internal wrangling over the outcome of its congresses held across the country.

Not only that many of its members are nursing resentment over the decision of the party leadership to shut out those who had indicated interest to contest the APC presidential primary with President Muhammadu Buhari by adopting a direct method of primary, a host of other members are currently at daggers-drawn with the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party over the alleged impunity that resulted in the loss, by many aspirants, at the various levels of primaries.

Within this period, the APC has washed its dirty linen in the public, going as far as uttering unprintable things that are damaging to its very image. A lot of things that were not in the public domain were exhumed in the feat of anger.

The verbal salvos fired by Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the party, Ibikunle Amosun, governor of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo State, were mind-boggling. Up till this moment, such utterances are still going on.

The vituperation by Uche Nwosu, who had been anointed by Okorocha as hispreferred successor but was denied the ticket eventually, has also beenrevealing. Nwosu has been firing from all cylinders. Addressing party members in Owerri a few days ago, the Chief of Staff insisted that he was

still loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari and that despite the provocation, he would not dump the APC. But he was vehement that his mandate was stolen and that he would reclaim it. He demanded Oshiomhole’s sack with immediate effect, saying that the coming of the former Edo State governor as the party’s chairman may have been the worst thing to happen to the broom association.

Hope Uzodinma, who emerged the party’s gubernatorial candidate has also been receiving direct attacks. Okorocha sees the man as having a lot of incriminating things that could send him to jail, and that he was seeking the governorship to evade trial by enjoying immunity.

Uzodinma, who is currently a serving senator, has since accused Okorocha of being the sponsor of the rumour of his recent purported arrest by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property for alleged non-declaration of assets.

The internal crisis in the party has run deep and wide, raising concerns over the level of its readiness to retain power in 2019 .

In seven days, President Buhari had closed door meetings seven times with some aggrieved governors. The meetings were aimed at placating the governors who felt they were unfairly and unjustly treated by the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC).

In the last two weeks, Oshiomhole has been a guest of the Directorate of State Service (DSS) over allegation by some governors bordering on bribe-taking during the rancourous primaries. He was detained and grilled for hours.

Speaking on Arise Television the other day, the National Chairman of the APC claimed that the party was experiencing such quantum of internal crisis because it was bound to be so in a large political

organisation.

“We have finished our primaries and we have submitted names to INEC and there are internal procedures for reconciliation and we are working on them,” he said.

According to him, “We are a large governing party and it will only be strange if we are having graveyard peace. People are allowed to grumble and grumbling is allowed.

We should move on and find solutions.”

Recall that penultimate Friday, after submitting the names of governorship candidates of the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oshiomhole hadberated Amosun and Okorocha for the wide allegations and accusations against him and the wrong signals their utterances had sent into public space.

Oshiomhole had also said that Amosun was acting like an “Emperor” in his state, while also accusing Okorocha of trying to build a “political dynasty”.

The former governor of Edo State also said that the National Working Committee (NWC) decided to adopt the result of the Ahmed Gulak Committee, which declared Uzodinma as the winner of the governorship primaries conducted on October 1.

“Amosun is an Emperor. He is asking for an unlawful thing. In the case of Imo State, NWC has met and we have upheld the result of the Gulak committee and we have prepared the name of Uzodinma to be submitted to the INEC. “If Governor Rochas chose to relocate to the Villa and use the ground of Villa to try to intimidate me to create a dynasty I will even on one leg uphold truth in the best interest of APC members and indeed of APC people in Imo State.”

At the heat of the impasse, Amosun was said to have threatened to dump the party.

While the APC is dogged by self-inflicted injuries and clogged by internal wran-

gling, its main challenger in the election, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) appears cohesive and focused.

A political analyst, Tomiwa Akindele, said he least expected what is currently playing out in the ruling party.

“I was one of those who thought that the PDP had died and would never get its life back. I thought that the APC was going to have well organized congresses; but theirs can now pass off as one of the worst congresses in the history of this country. And things are increasingly getting bad in the party. For one, I thought that PDP’s implosion would start from the Port Harcourtconvention. But against all permutations, the party applied high-level wisdom in the conduct of its presidential primary.

“Don’t forget that before the convention, the news everywhere was that Aminu Tambuwal, current governor of Sokoto State, was favoured to emerge.

A consensus option was also discussed but one or two of the aspirants advised that they all should be allowed to slugit out. That decision paid off. If any of the 12 aspirants had been picked as a consensus candidate, others would have said the process was manipulated and that would have destroyed the party, because some of the aspirants that may have not emerged through the consensus arrangement would have said if it were allowed to go into election they would win. At the end of the day, the emergence of one out of the lot seems to have rejuvenated the PDP and it appears to be going into the 2019 election very strongly,” Akindele observed.

Now, as the internal crisis in the APC deepens and continues to attract attention, political observers have wondered if the party did not know the negative implications of going into a general election as a house divided against itself.

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Politics

We are now equipped to engage our government representatives - Ogonis Ignatius Chukwu & Innocent Eteng

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n international organisation (Africa Trust) has taken up the task of helping Ogoni community people in Rivers State to understand the power in their hands to demand good representation, especially from their lawmakers so as to reduce some of their problems.

They do this through a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Citizens Trust, by organising trainings in Ogoni areas to teach the people how to track and demand accountability and good representation.

Now, the Ogoni indigenes say they are now better equipped to do exactly that; engage their elected representatives at all levels and demand inclusion and accountability.

This is sequel to a third dialogue meeting - which is part of an ongoing project organised by Citizens Trust Advocacy and Development Centre (CITADEC), a nongovernmental organisation canvassing for inclusive governance - held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Gokana Local Government Area and attended by delegates from Ogoni communities.

The project is to train and equip community members to take on their political office holders and demand democratic dividends.

Trained participants who testified of their new knowledge were divided into four need-focused groups - environment, health,

Magnus Abe

conflict and education. They discussed issues within the premise of their groups, coming up with suggestions on how such issues can be presented to their elected representatives for onward action.

Some participants who spoke with our correspondent said the dialogue sections have exposed them to superior knowledge about their rights, what to expect from elected representatives and how to get involved and hold them responsible.

“There are some rights that I didn’t know that we have; now my eyes have opened, I am able to know some laws. For example, I now know about the girl child rights and I am glad to partner with them (CITADEC),” said Bealo Barigboma.

Rotimi Amaechi

Barigboma was part of the health group in which basic health needs in her local government, Gokana, and Ogoni were discussed and modalities set to demand changes from elected representatives.

“We talked about so many things in health. We talked about medical health centres, the one that is existing has to be well equipped. There should be a monitoring team to watch people, those who work in the health sector. Are they performing? Do they do their work?

“We need more healthcare centres because when we check our environment, (because of) the crude oil, everything is polluted and it’s a problem to our health. We also need a health specialist institution.

Without going to Port Harcourt, going BMH, going to UPTH, at

least if we have this within the local government, it would help,” Barigboma said.

For Kumbe Ledor, paramount ruler of Neugbe Yegbe and PRO of Gokana Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers: “It gives me more awareness on how to deal with some of those people that represent us at the house (of assembly); on what they are supposed to do and the way to approach them and the way we are not supposed to approach them. From here, I will know what to do when I get to my village and constituency.”

Ledor belonged to the conflict group at the dialogue. He said he chose this group because his community is ravaged by conflict arising from the activities of cult

groups, a situation cutting across many Ogoni communities.

“What is happening in my community is this cult issue. Some of these cult boys belong to these political parties, so there is rivalry among them,” he said.

CITADEC director, Lawrence Dube, said the entire project is aimed at leaving the participants with the requisite skills to get included in the governance process.

“It is part of an ongoing project and political inclusion is an important part of what makes democracy transparent or not. When we talk about inclusion we are saying it is the citizens that own the state, not an individual or a group of persons in government.

“We want to see a situation where we can reclaim our democracy by empowering them, providing them with the awareness, the information, understanding, the skills and the tools for engaging political leaders and institutions so the right questions can be asked and the right actions can be taken.”

Speaking on the four areas of interest and how to move forward, Dube said: “During the engagement process, they (participants) had conversations and came up with four key areas that bother them. They want a situation where they can call the person they elected to represent them in the house of assembly or the committee that deals with oversight issues around these four key issues so as to be able to account to them why these things are not working well, so that governance can work for them and also for other people.”

Human capital development would be my priority - Ezekwesili Faminu Gbemi

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he presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has vowed to prioritise human capital development and education if elected president of the county after next year’s presidential election.

Ezekwesili, whose entrance into the 2019 presidential race came as a surprise to many political observers and Nigerians, stated this while presenting her policies to the media in Lagos during the week, promising to invest massively in human capital development of Nigerians and make the teaching profession attractive to young Nigerians to attract the best brain.

The co-convener of the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ movement, stressed that the country could not overcome the excruciating poverty in the country without investing in its citizenry, promising a complete reformation of the education sector in the country at all levels.

“Education and skills develop-

ment of healthy Nigerian people shall be our number one priority.

No matter what we do, we would never win the war on poverty without investing massively in human capital development. Education would be the new oil; my vision for education is that it would flourish and create a progressive society,” she said.

According to her, “Extreme poverty in Nigeria is increasing by nearly 6 people every minute. The time it will take me to deliver my speech today, about 250 Nigerians would have become extremely poor. Think about that for a second.

But that is not even the worst part.

“According to the World Poverty Clock, if the current trend continue - or to put it another way, if we continue to elect this povertybringing APC/PDP leadership, the number of people living in extreme poverty in Nigeria would increase from about 88 million today to 120 million in 2030.

“That means that in the next 12 years, over 30 million more Nigerians will join the infamous number of extremely poor people who live on less than N700 per day.”

According to her, when a country has a GINI coefficient above 35 percent, it means the income inequality in that country is very

high. Nigeria’s GINI coefficient is between 46 and 60 percent. Such levels of extreme inequality have all sorts of destabilising implications for the country. Tackling the inequality and lifting 80 million Nigerians out of poverty will be the mission of my presidency.

Speaking further, she identified and proffered solutions to seven “monstrous challenges” facing the country, promising purposeful leadership as means of tackling the challenges.

Ezekwesili admitted the defec-

Ezekwesili

tiveness of the current structure of the country, stressing that the current system was counter-productive, promising to devolve power to the regions which would be encouraged to explore their natural resources.

“We would actively lead the national conversation on restructuring and devolution of powers which is needed if we are to make progress. Over-centralisation only favours the most powerful. Our governance philosophy will be one that favours the many, not just a

powerful clique.

“We cannot abide this excessively powerful centre that overwhelms and reduces the regions with paternalistic ties to Abuja evident in the frequency of begging bowls and bail-out funds to states.

“The excessive powers of the federal government are partially responsible for the stunted growth and poverty of the states and regions. We shall lead an economic based dialogue for correcting the structural imbalance that has hobbled the regions and states and created the failure of our fiscal federalism in practice.”

The presidential candidate further said: “Too little productivity and competitiveness of the Nigerian economy: For a nation of our size and our potentials, our low real Gross Domestic Product of $375.77billion after 58 years of independence, is terribly underwhelming.

“This is unlike China which grew in double digits over almost three decades to become a $14trillion GDP economy, Nigeria’s growth has been trapped in cycles of boom and bust in the classic evidence of oil price volatility and effects of Dutch disease”.

Sunday 18 November 2018

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BDSUNDAY 17

Politics Boko Haram, El-Zakzaky and other sectarian agitations as important issues in 2019 Zebulon Agomuo

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hile every one of the presidential candidates of the various parties is focusing on the economy, which is understandably so, security is key. Without security, there would be no robust economy. Those in the region ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency can attest to this.

So, it does matter so much what the presidential candidates, if elected into power in 2019, plan to do to end the problem of insurgency in the country.

For ten years, Nigeria has continued in a war with the militant Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

Within these years, the country has lost thousands of souls and humongous amount of money in cash and in property. She has also lost importantmilitary and health personnel trained with tax payers’ money.

Today, government is not sure how many of her citizens are in Boko Haram captivity.

Variegated numbers are being bandied.

Recall that the insurgency in the northeast was sparked by the killing in 2009 of Mohammed Yusuf, a political thug, who formed Boko Haram in 2002.

Before 2009 when Yusuf was allegedly killed by security agents, Boko Haram had been existing as a group of thugs and street urchins that alleg-

El-Zakzaky

edly provided dirty services for politicians; but they were localised in the North-East region of Borno State, in the main. So, their existence was alien to many Nigerians.

Although government has since declared war against the sect, they have continued to wreak incalculable havoc on the country, so much that Nigeria has since joined the league of countries with negative record on terrorism.

The situation has become so bad that at every global event attended by Nigerian president, he uses the opportunity to solicit

world’s assistance to rein in the monster.

Despite government effort at ending the scourge of Boko Haram in the country, the sect has continued to maintain an effective control of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State, where it has maintained its operational base over the years.

Some analysts say that although the Federal Government says it is doing all its possible best to end terrorism in the country, the actions of government in this regard is at variance with its claims.

“Government has been eco-

nomical with the truth as numerous of its actions and inactions encourage terrorism in the country. When a government boldly announced a policy of segregation and pursuing nepotistic agenda, the result will be terrorism. People will begin to receive such policy with aggression and that is what we are seeing now.

Go to the South East; go to the South-South it us about a feeling of oppression and persecution.

We are talking about Biafra and the resurgence of IPOB; you can trace all these to unfriendly disposition of government to the people of these geo-political zones in particular”, an analyst who craved anonymity said.

Now, it appears that government is toying with another likely insurgent group, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

The recent clash of members of the religious sect and security agents that left many dead was needless. Had the Federal Government heeded court order that released the sect’s leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, on bail, the needless bloody clashes would have been avoided.

Observers say that the matter would assume a more worrisome dimension if El-Zakzaky should die in prison. According to the observers, it would mean that Nigeria would have attracted another version of Boko Haram.

The pointed out that a country like Iran that is known to support such violent groups would then declare a full-scale war against Nigeria and possibly begin to arm members of the sect for aguerrilla warfare.

“I get confused at the modus operandi of the Buhari administration. This administration does not have respect court orders and engages in barefaced impunity. How is it that for over three years, you have held a man whose members are restive and you still claim to be peace-loving?

If you find him guilty of whatever offence he is being alleged to have committed, let the court convict him. The same thing goes for SamboDasuki, a former NSA. Now the man has said that he would never go to court again unless government respects the bail granted him by the court.

“We are overheating the polity from all angles, yet we are trumpeting peace,” a pundit, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

Last year, the Federal Government proscribed IPOB, but has consistently taken steps that encourage agitations.

“You accuse people of terrorism but it is your divisive policy that is fuelling hatred all over the place. I think there’s need to adopt a better and different strategy in order to achieve the much-talked about peace. Those seeking elections must be clear in their mind what they want to achieve and how they can end the orgy of violence in the country. I think the coming election presents a good opportunity for Nigerians to take a better decision on what they want going forward,” the analyst added.

In its Editorial comment published on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, titled, ‘Again, federal vs presidential character’, it pointed out that“It is a pity that, on the very sensitive matter of equitable representation in federal appointments, this administration has obdurately disrespected the letter and spirit of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

The editorial drew attention to Chapter II (14)(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which specifically states that, “The composition of the government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government, or in any of its agencies.”

It also pointed out that the refusal of government to abide by the letters of the Federal Character may have engendered a lot of strife in the polity, “Which was why it was not a surprise, after all, when senators from the South-east geopolitical zone the other day protested the non-representation of the zone in both the National Defence Council (NDC) and the National Security Council (NSC). The NDC and NSC are advisory bodies on public security. A motion by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Senator Victor Umeh and supported by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator EnyinnayaAbaribe had called on President Buhari to, for the purpose of equity as well as in fulfillment of the federal character principle stipulated in the constitution, appoint an officer from the South-East as a Service Chief.”

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Interview ‘Igbo presidency only realisable through President Buhari’

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ebastian Uremadu,a professor at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State and a political analyst in this interview with UDOKA AGWU spoke on some issues, including the real national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Igbos chances of producing a Nigerian president, and assessment of the Buhari administration. Excerpts: What is your take on the national leadership of the APC and President Buhari’s letter to the INEC on who actually the national leader of the APC is?

It is in order that PMB has to, loud and clear, sound this to all to hear and put to a stop the machination and imaginations of Southwest journalists and to some Southwest leaders who arrogate leadership of APC to Bola Ahmad Tinubu to the extent that the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo was taunting Tinubu of not knowing which position he said he was occupying in the All Progressives Congress.

Obasanjo was not really taunting Tinubu, but he wished him to make real the scheming of Southwest to control APC. It was as a result of how the Southwest boasts of making APC and Buhari’s presidency that emboldens Tinubu and lately Fashola to start reminding the Southwest voters that they should vote for Buhari, because APC winning the Presidential election in 2019 would promise power returning back to the Southwest region again in 2023.

That is being day-dreaming and over ambitious.

By the actions of Tinubu and Fashola and other Southwest leaders who think like them that they would take Igbos, the South-East

slot when next power is rotated or zoned to the South and by so doing distort the outstanding zoning of presidential power among the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria of which South-west and South-south have had their turns, remaining the Igbos of South-East from the Southern part of Nigeria.

It goes to portray South-westthe Yorubas to be at the forefront in destabilizing Nigeria through their press and these divisive tendencies they have always pursued at times with some South-south persons and middle belters, joining them to marginalise all the Igbos.

The agenda to make an Igbo Presidency in 2023 after Buhari’s second term has been widely supported by the Edos of South-south, the North-East and Northwest and few middle belters and South-south.

The Hausa-Fulani persons have always been in political alliance with the Igbos to produce leadership of Nigeria in the First and Second Republics of the 1960s and late 1980s until a distortion of this political marriage of Igbos being bride to the North in Nigeria politics.

If things start to happen that way, Nigeria will see peace, unity and prosperity as in the days of Zik, Ahmadu Bello and Awolowo. The Igbos are among the three major tribes of Nigeria and that formed the three tripod stands on which the Nigerian nation leans and any effort to distort or destabilise that would never augur well for the nation.

We must all take note of this very seriously, hence all efforts should be geared towards redirecting Nigeria to her natural course of things so that we can see peace and progress.

Therefore, it is good that President Buhari wrote and made it clear

to INEC that he is a founding member and national leader of the APC, 2013 till date and it has never been contested. Hence, those scheming to take over leadership of APC from Mr. President for their parochial agenda should think well and desist from doing so forthwith.

The stance of the President was in sharp contrast to the widely but wrongly held belief and perception that former Lagos State governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is the acknowledged national leader of the party.

That contradiction has now been put to rest.

It has been good that Buhari wrote INEC to trace back how he has progressed thus far to his present position and that he should not be shortchanged by any single individual and or region of Nigeria. So, it is good and clear that PMB wrote INEC to clarify where leadership power of APC lies, that he was the presiden-

Uremadu

tial candidate of APC in 2015 and President and commander-in-chief of the Nigeria armed forces, May, 2015 to date.

What is your view on President Buhari and the issue of balancing political positions?

Well, we hope after winning 2019 presidential election, PMB should balance allocation of political offices and not allow a lopsidedness that made South-west dominate most positions to the extent that Tinubu’s man, Fashola has been allowed to supervise three key ministries of power, housing and works and he has not been performing in those ministries, it must be noted!

The South-west should allow and give Nigeria a breathing space in allowing equality and equity to operate in Nigeria.

The good people of Southwest of Nigeria by this clarification of President, should allow equitable accommodation of all other tribes in Nigeria leadership so that the nation can move forward, so to speak.

What is your take on position of Ndigbo on Buhari and Atiku option come 2019?

Both options are very attractive to the Igbos more especially when Atiku of the PDP has chosen Peter Obi as his running mate.

However, Buhari’s option with a promise to hand over power to the Igbos in 2023 despite the fact that Osinbajo, a South-west person is still continuing as his running mate seems more promising in that the South-west- the Yorubas- have had their turn of eight years in the person of Obasanjo, who took the first shot in rotational Presidency. When power comes back to the South in 2023 provided Buhari wins presidential election in 2019, it will then be the turn of

the Igbos of South-East to produce a Presidential slot since the South-West and South-South (through Goodluck Jonathan) have both taken their turns in ruling Nigeria.

After PMB, three zones, the Southwest, South-south and Northwest must have had their turns in ruling Nigeria at our level of democratic development which encourages zoning power to the six geopolitical zones, it then remains only the South-East and two from the North, the North-East and NorthCentral (Middle belt) yet to produce a President of Nigeria.

Therefore, the best option for Ndigbo in the present dispensation is to embrace Buhari presidency which promises a surer and nearer Igbo presidency in 2023 and he should be taken seriously for that matter.

What is your assessment of President Buhari’s administration so far?

Buhari’s government has been very serious in the three areas he has assigned to himself to perform - diversification of the economy into agriculture and industry; determined fight against corruption and curbing insecurity in the country especially against the Boko Haram insurgency and minimising farmers-herdsmen life-long clashes in the Middle belt, North-West, South-West and SouthEast areas of Nigeria.

He does not mince words in what he has set his heart to do in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari is not a politician that talks from the two sides of his mouth. He is ‘ekwueme’ of Nigeria, a leader who does what he says he will do and the Igbos should stop doubting him for I am very optimistic about the Hausa-Fulanis of Katsina origin, I know them!

‘I am committed to economic, social empowerment of women’ Kelechi Oghene is the executive director of GMYT Fashion Academy . Oghene who has been in the fashion industry over the years believed in women and youth empowerment and has demonstrated this by establishing GMYT Foundation where she offers free fashion training for youths and women. Speaking in this interview with Ngozi Okpalakunne, she spoke on the increased rate of unemployment in the country, and the way forward. Also, she delved into other issues of national interest.

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hat is GMYT Fashion Academy all about? And what role has your organisation played in job creation in the Nigeria?

The academy is a leading fashion academy in West Africa, established some years back.

We are committed to the economic and social empowerment of women through fashion. We admit women into the academy and provide them professional training to become outstanding, ardent fashion entrepreneurs. We also admit women from different parts of the world. Some our students are from countries like South Africa, Ghana, Brazil, Cameroon, among others.

How would you describe the fashion industry in Nigeria?

The fashion industry in Nigeria and Africa in general is expanding greatly which calls for the need of more designers. We noticed that every fashion designer needs fashion shows, exhibitions and runway shows. So we decided to organise our own fashion shows with a great deal of benefits at-

Princess

tached to it. First, our students get to meet with potential guests at our events which will pave way for wholesome networking and help build relationships. Our students also have the opportunity to officially launch their brands to potential audience at the event. The event is also aimed at celebrating our students especially those that have successfully completed their fashion design programme and also awarding certain students that stood out during their training programme; thus celebrating them.

The government is doing tremendously well in ensuring a society of skillful people. Hence, there’s a lot to be done in this regard. Because of our passion to create more entrepreneurs, we are ready to assist the government in ensuring that more youths are equipped with skills acquisition, thus contributing to the 8th goal of United Nations’ goals on sustainable development.

As an entrepreneur what are your vision, mission and values?

Our mission is to create a well-

grounded platform for women around the world to be empowered through skill acquisition.

Our vision is to create solutions by creating job opportunities for millions of youths, women around the world.

What lesson has life taught you?

Life has taught me that you have to be hard working. It’s the only way. I have seen people complain about hardship, no jobs and all that, I know how many staff that I have employed and see how lazy they are; they don’t want to work. Sometimes, they resign because they don’t want to work too much. I believe if one works hard and prays, God will definitely favour such an individual. If you say you have a rich husband and you don’t want to work, or you have a rich uncle you don’t want to work, you limit your dream and your destiny. Life has taught me to be nice even though I get negative reactions from people l am helping, it will not stop me from helping others.

Sunday 18 November 2018

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BDSUNDAY 19

Sunday Politics Why Buhari deserves second term in office, by Campaigner

Goodluck Obi, national coordinator of Re-elect Buhari Movement (RBM), a pro-Buhari support group, in this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, speaks on the activities of the group, the Buhari administration, among other issues. Excerpts:

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What informed the setting up of re-elect Buhari movement? ou know Buhari is an institution; he is a man of the people, a substance and over the years he has proved that. This is a man who had previously contested for the position of the President but came back because he had something to offer the Nigerian masses.

My major reason for supporting Buhari is because he was close to the late Gani Fawehinmi who was my ment o r ; yo u w o u l d r e m e m b e r the kind of person Gani was.

Few leaders in the country appealed to Gani because few of them had corruption-related issues and that is why I respect Buhari. He was also a mentor to the convener of this group, Emmanuel Umohinyang.

In 2003 when he contested for the President, I also contested in Amuwo Odofin and placed second.

I am not a member or cardcarrying member of the APC; I am a member of the National Conscience Party (NCP).

When Gani in 2007 decided not to contest the Presidential election again; he advised most of us to give our support to Buhari because Gani saw him as someone who at that time was different compared to other politicians in the country; he was not corrupt and lived within his means. I have been to Buhari’s house in Daura, his home town in Katsina State; he lives a modest life style. You can’t imagine the kind of house the President is living in at this age where some councillors are building mansions; he does not believe in show off.

Buhari is seen as a tribal leader; opposition says his appointments tend to favour a particular region of the country?

Buhari is not a sectional leader; I have been confronted on several times with this question; but I have said some of us that are close to him know him well. Even his Chef who cooks in his resident is an Igbo man; that shows that he is a leader who believes in all sections of the country and not a sectional leader. When the issue of tribalism was brought to the fore, we asked our convener, Emmanuel Umohinyang that question and he gave instances where Buhari has shown that he is a detribalised person.

Goodluck Obi

Even in governance, the President has tried to prove that, especially when it comes to infrastructure provision; he has tried to show that he is for everyone. Look at the OnitshaEnugu Expressway, the road is being done now; the Jonathan administration could not do it. This is a man that the Igbos called Azikiwe, just to show that he is from there.

Also look at the second Niger-bridge, work has started on it by this administration. There is nothing to show that Jonathan was Igbo man because he did not favour the region.

I wanted to show you some projects Th a t h a s be en do ne by this administration; that does not portray Buhari as a tribal leader. He has fulfilled some promises that he promised to Nigerians. You know that in Nigeria, the Northern part of the country has 18 states, when they want to appoint

people from that region into positions, because of the high number of northern states against states in the South here, people would begin to complain that they are the only ones that are being favoured by the administration.

But you need to check the number of states in that part of the country. Misinformation is going on in the social media, facebook. But when you put all these in their proper perspective, you realise that Buhari has done well.

When tend to forget that the major problem we have in Nigeria is corruption, Look at the way Buhari is fighting corruption. The only person that can fight corruption this way in Nigeria is Buhari.

We saw the manner his former SSG, Babachir Lawal, was removed from office. If it were some Presidents they would not do it. You know in Nigeria you can’t satisfy everybody

when you are in such position.

The PDP alleges that the anti-graft war is targeted at the opposition?

We are talking about a Nigeria political party which ruled for 16 years, they would always blame Buhari for any little thing. American Presidents had not taken the country seriously for a long time, but under this administration, Buhari was invited to America because of his anti-corruption fight and his achievement.

Also recently, some African heads of state re-elected him to head the ECOWAS anti-graft committee all this because of his track record and boldness.

It is not true that the war is targeted at opposition, it is focused at everyone.

What is the operational method of your group towards the realisation of its goal?

We are a grassroots-based group in Nigeria and we are in all the states across the country. We have coordinators across the 36 states and Abuja, we have local government and ward coordinators too, while I act as the national coordinator.

And you know in politics it is the grassroots that matters; we have the voice; which is the people support. We have started working on his reelection bid for next year. The President is a sincere leader.

Recently, the wife of the President was complaining about the way the APC primaries were held; his brother-in-law could not get the governorship ticket in Adamawa. If it were in other places, the president would impose his in-law on the party; but here is a leader who allowed the process to determine who get the party’s ticket. Some state governors are talking and criticising Buhari, without the President fighting them; that is a leader.

Where do you think his priorities should be in the remaining months?

I think the administration should focus on security, President Buhari has tried; I can give him 100 percent, but he needs to do more in the area of security.

More than 55 people were killed in Kaduna State some days ago in the on-going conflict, more needs to be done; I agree that there could be lot of sabotage, he has tried in dismantling Boko-Harm in the

north east, before he came in, Boko-Haram was in charge of that territory but today he has set them free; the entire Northeast was in their control but today they have been set free. Secondly, road network needs to be fixed in some parts of the country; I know he is doing a lot but more needs to be done. There is need for him to speed up action on it.

There is increased agitation for restructuring of the country which Buhari seems not to be in support of; would this not work against him?

I am not in support of that for now. PDP ruled the country for 16 years; what did they do about restructuring? If it was so important, let me tell you; some pundits are of the view that this agitation about restructuring is just to disorganise this government.

Restructuring is good but the timing is wrong; if we go into restructuring now, the key issue of this administration would be abandoned and his enemies would say he ruled for four years but did not do anything.

May be when he gets the second term ticket the issue can be looked into, but for now I don’t support that issue about restructuring the country.

The administration has a focus and it should stay on that.

How many millions of votes is your group hoping to gather for the President across the country?

We are all over the country.

Lagos has over 5 million voters, followed by Kano with 4 million voters, and our coordinator in the Northwest is doing well. The coordinator in the Northeast and other regions are equally working. We are everywhere, in Kano State; our membership is very strong, the group is in every part of the state.

The highest votes would come from Northwest, and those are votes for Buhari. But I don’t want to sound as if we have finalised plans but am sure the President would win; he is popular and on ground.

What is your view on the performance of INEC? I can’t give INEC hundred percent; but they have tried, they need to do more, votebuying is unacceptable. INEC should try and do something about it.

Thanks for sharing.

Very interesting!

Mail received.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

VOXPOP Expectations of eligible Nigerian voters from INEC in 2019 FAMINU GBEMI

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since its establishment through the 1999 Constitution has been charged with the responsibilities of organising and overseeing elections across the Nigerian federation. The body is also tasked with the registration of political parties, sensitisation of the general public on election processes and voting rights which are just few of what they are expected to do.

INEC has, under different leadership, tried to prove itself as being capable of handling the herculean task of conducting elections in Nigeria.

For each chairman that INEC has had over the years regardless of whatever they did or tried to do, they had those who either supported them or opposed them, especially after election results have been announced and the winners have been announced. Regardless of that, they have continued to regulate and control the election process.

Presently, under the leadership of Mahmood Yakubu, as the 2019 general election knocks, BDSUN-

Yakubu

DAY went out to seek the opinions of eligible voters what their expectations from INEC are this time around. Below are their views: Awojobi oludayo Microbiologist INEC should try as much as possible to hold a free and fair election; although considering their actions in the primaries I have no doubt that they will be fair in the upcoming general election.They should also set aside sentiments and do

whatever they have to do the right and logical way.

Adio Rachael Lab technician INEC should be transparent and honest during the electoral process, they should endeavour to examine each candidate well and ensure that all the candidates are not defaulting in any way. They should also see that all voters are eligible and do not vote multiple times especially with the availability

of counterfeit permanent voters cards said to be flying around.

Abass Oyeyemi Financial analyst INEC should hold a seminar for all the participants, and the INEC staffs; the participants include the candidates and the eligible voters.

Sensitisation programmes must be mounted so that the political parties, their candidates and the voting masses should be aware of what is expected of them and must not be found wanting in any way.

And for their workers, they should be orientated and sensitised too on what is expected of them during the elections; they should also ensure the security of everyone at all polling booths.

Oguntoyinbo Olayinka Botanist Each candidate must be properly screened, the voters as well must be properly registered and must meet all the necessary requirements for the election process. I believe they should also be able to control buying of votes and also avoid the use of non-accredited and fake voters.

Adeniyi Solomon Botanist I do not think it is a matter of INEC anymore, it is about the voters. Those who will cast the votes

at the general election coming up in 2019 have been systematically denied quality education that ought to teach them to rise above their belly and struggle for survival and cast their votes without being pressured by anyone in any way.

Shile Adeniyi Social analyst My experience after being compelled to get my permanent voters card, has totally drained any good expectations from INEC in 2019, The time and effort put into this was tiring and frustrating already, I can only imagine how much worse the elections itself will be. I am of the opinion that with all these weary approaches that they are making use of, there will be reasons to raise eye brows about the result that would be eventually announced.

Makaman Daura Analyst INCE should be innovative this year especially in terms of technological advancement, if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) can open centres abroad for Nigerians in the Diaspora to register for their bank verification number (BVN), certainly INEC can do same for voters’ registration and accreditation during the general election and in this way they will be able to accommodate all eligible voters.

Nigerians react to Atiku’s unexpected search at the airport.

FAMINU GBEMI

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here have been different reactions following the report that Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was allegedly harassed by security operatives upon his return to Nigeria from Dubai last Sunday.

Atiku, who arrived 1:30am last Sunday from Dubai, reported that on his arrival to Abuja, he and his staffs were subjected to an unexpected and intimidating search exercise by various security officials involving the army, police, customs and immigration officers.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, replied that it was a regular routine and a mandatory process for all incoming passengers on international flights to go through customs, immigration, health and security screenings and the only people excused from such exercise are the president and vice-president.

Many Nigerians including Ben Murray Bruce, Bode George, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and others have reacted to this occurrence either in support of it or against it While some regard it as an intentional action of the present government to stir up a hornets’ nest, some are of the opinion that it is a normal activity that happens everywhere, some others are nonchalant about it as

it is of no value to them or the country’s economy.

Below are some reactions: Abubakar Alabi Research Analyst The minister of aviation said that it is a routine check, I have some questions concerning this routine check, is this something that they do to executive citizens of the country regularly? If it is as normal as they claim, why is there so much noise about it?

If this happens outside Nigeria will the government face the same attack it is facing now, or will they fault the actions of the international community too?

We have a long way to go if we keep giving attention to trivial issues like this Adegbuyi Damilare Student Despite the various devices used during the search, I understand that nothing implicating was found on him, his staff or his aircraft, neither was he accused of any crime. Since the minister for aviation said it was a normal routine for every passenger with exception to the president and the vice president, of which he is not the president and his tenure as the vice president is over, he is just a presidential aspirant like Donald Duke, Omoyele Sowore and many others, there is no need to make so much noise and stir up unnecessary controversy over it. When other citizens are travelling some of them face worse treatment, especially abroad; so, it is not a reason for

Atiku

them to get attention.

Ogbonna Paul Analyst Atiku said that he is committed to building a Nigeria where no citizen is intimidated by agents of state who are paid to protect them! So,‘stop and search’ is now a form of intimidation and is unacceptable because of him? All the ones done

by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), what about it? That one is even more dangerous than what they did to him; he is just looking for attention and looking for a means to cause controversy.

Victor Onah Lecturer I am indifferent to what happened to Atiku but nevertheless, I would not tag it as a form of harassment. If he had

been bundled from the airport to detention that is a form of harassment and will be frowned upon, but it was said that he was simply being searched and all through the search he was treated with respect and so I want to understand how this is a form of harassment; he is a Nigerian citizen although he was once the vice president, if he is the president then it can be frowned upon to disrespect him in such manner but it is a normal procedure for all travellers.

Agboola Osuntuyi Banker All these politicians and drama, It will not come as a shock if this is a planned work to distract Nigerians’ attention from the things going on, I do not trust these Nigerian politicians, in public they are sworn enemies; in private they are pals or even in-laws and even if he was searched why is there so much noise about it?

Oyebade Ruth Consultant Atiku’s party members stated that nothing incriminating was found on Atiku, but his personal documents and gadgets were aggressively fiddled with. The search parties also claim that he was treated with every form of respect fit for a senior citizen. I was not there so I really cannot say much on what happened but on a lighter note, I am sure if they had truly rough-handled him like some people we know, he will already have broken bones

and wounds but if he was politely asked to be searched, there would have been a reason for it.

Alade Haruna Research analyst Initially, when Atiku travelled, security agents were asked to probe his travelling, now that he is back he was subjected to search; Atiku is not the only presidential aspirant neither is he the only one that travels out of the country for meetings, so why is he being picked on? What are these people driving at? These are the types of action that make us raise eyebrows; what is the essence and justification for that action? If he can be disrespected in such manner for no reason, it is very bad.

Tope Awosanya Consultant In Nigeria once you are an executive citizen, you are automatically above the law regardless of what the rule of law states and as such you are exempted from regular policies and routines. That is probably the reason why Atiku announced that he was searched at the airport, it is probably a new or strange thing to him. Whenever I travel I am always searched so is my luggage, does he not want to be searched at Nigerian airports?

If you want to be a leader you should set examples; if he has a problem with being searched like a normal citizen then he will also have a problem with being attended to as a normal citizen.

BDLife Sunday 18 November 2018

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LIFE&LIVING

ARTS OffDuty ThisLife C002D5556

BDSUNDAY 21

Fashion Weekend

Beyond clothing…business of style

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Life&Living

Beyond clothing…busine Ifeoma Okeke

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hese days, consumer lifestyles are heavily defined by what we wear. It is a way to signal to others that we are part of a certain sub-culture, and that we have made an effort to belong.

From street style, hipster, outdoor, adventure, to surf, there is a barrage of brands, slogans, events, and social circles that offer platforms to assert consumer identity.

People buy the brands, follow the brands, read the blogs, attend events, and pick up on fashion slogans. Brands understand lifestyle, and tailor marketing just for these style-loving consumers.

All these evolving events are gradually changing the perception of people about fashion not just in Nigeria but globally.

Moreover, the Nigerian fashion industry has seen so many developments over the years and for people who have vested interests in the industry, entrepreneurs or maybe ordinary fashion buffs, the GTBank Fashion Weekend was obviously something to look out for.

The event has impacted the lifestyle of many, offering the sponsors a subtle way to boost acceptance of their brand in the competitive market.

Little wonder the Guaranty Trust Bank has in the past three years leveraged fashion to win the heart of many customers and further reiterate its interest in showcasing the lifestyle of people in a larger scale.

The inaugural event, which held on November 12-13, 2016, not only created visibility and trade opportunities for indigenous businesses but also facilitated learning workshops and en-

couraged e-commerce as a sustainable avenue for driving growth.

Since then, the GTBank Fashion Weekend has become a meeting place for all stakeholders within the fashion community, while presenting

retail exhibitions, master classes and run way shows.

Once again, the event delighted style lovers from November 10-11, 2018. Fashion enthusiasts all over the world were treated to an unpar-

alleled exposé of Africa’s finest in fashion at the 3rd edition of the GTBank Fashion Weekend.

The two-day event which held in Lagos, brought together renowned fashion personalities from around the world and budding small businesses in the local fashion industry to create the biggest fashion experience in Africa.

Now in its third year, the GTBank Fashion Weekend has become a premium event. The first and second editions of the event, which held in November 2016 and 2017 respectively, brought together over 250,000 people to interact with some of the best minds in the global fashion space and directly patronise more than 200 indigenous small businesses in the local fashion industry.

This year’s event, which was free to attend, featured fashion and entrepreneurial master classes, facilitated by internationally renowned fashion experts, as well as, runway shows that presented the latest in fashion styles and design trends.

With an overall vision of promoting enterprise, the weekend provided more than 130 small businesses with free stalls to showcase and sell the finest ensemble of apparels and fashion accessories. There were also pop-up stands where budding indigenous designers displayed their works and interact with some of Africa’s most passionate fashionistas.

OyinadeAdegbite, assistant general manager and group head, Communications & External Affairs of GTBank, stated that event has been constantly inspired by success stories of small businesses, which have been showcased on the platform.

“At the heart of it is the promotion of small businesses. But we also want to create a lifestyle experience for our customers. So, it is a customer initiative and at the same time, a CSR initiative for the bank.

“Every year we are determined to raise the

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ess of style bar both in terms of experience and supporting small businesses. Hopefully, we would continue to do more things both in terms of providing infrastructure to help production in the sector”.

Nai’vasha Johnson, New York-based hair stylist, who was at the event to share professional tips on ‘How to Express yourself through Hair,’ disclosed to BDSUNDAY that one of the things that made her go into hair styling was the passion she has for it.

The hair stylist, who was attending the fashion week for the first time, also said she was excited about Nigeria’s culture, richness, values and in watching Nigerians and things that are relatable to her including; the skin, hair, designs and visions.

Speaking on how to express one’s self through the hair, she said: “Expression of the hair starts from within. You have to know who you are. If you know you want your hair to look edgy, or you know you feel more comfortable with your hair straight, it is up to you.

“Natural hair is not always good, just like straight hair is not always good. We have to take care of whatever our choice is. If you want to wear relaxer, it is fine. You can have a hair full of healthy relaxed hair and you could also have a hair full of damaged natural hair. So, it is about taking care of your hair.”

Johnson revealed that the first thing she looks for before making customers’ hair is what

is convenient for them. “What do you do for a living? Are you an artist? Are you a painter? What is it that you do and what will work for you? You can’t keep your hair up if it is not convenient for you. Once I find out what your daily routine is, then we can start talking about what styles will be fitting for you.”

She listed some other important factors that influence the hair we wear to include what people do, whether they walk out, how people like to dress, how edgy or stylish people are, as all sums up to what people really like.

On how Nigerian ladies manage their hair, she said “The way we manage our hair here inNigeria and in America is very different. I think hair care is a missing component here compared to New York and I think once we start educating people about how to take care of their hair, you will see more Nigerian women wearing their own hair and wearing less wigs and celebrating their own colours and hair.”

LaQuan Smith, a New York luxury fashion designer and founder of Womenswear clothing brand, said, his visit to Nigeria has opened his eyes to the cultures and beauty in the congregation of black people.

“The GT fashion week has been great. I love the show, the master classes, the people and the street style. What I appreciate about Nigeria

and the culture is just the embracement of black people. I love beautiful black people congregating and inspiring one another, telling stories and learning from one another.

“This is giving each other a platform, so we can all be part of something wonderful and we can all change this world. The act of creativity is something that I am really moved by. There are lots of creativity here in Nigeria and I love that,” Smith told BDSUNDAY. The fashion designer showcased some of his 2018 collection, which he said was inspired by femininity, sensuality and female empowerment.

Although there are few men pieces in the collection he featured, his concentration on women’s collection is driven by the need to celebrate women in the fact that women have gone through so much in history.

For Smith, style and fashion is a lifestyle that is inspired by people that genuinely live by it.

“For me, it is not about designs and fashion but about your attitude, confidence, the way that you embrace yourself and the way you carry yourself. It is more than just clothing; it is how you wear it. It is the kind of man or woman that you are and the kind of person that you stand for.

The lifestyle, the way that you travel what you eat, that is what style and fashion is”.

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Arts

‘Tutu painting was a great endorsement for Art X Lagos’ Riding on the success of three editions, Art X Lagos has become the West African premier art fair with growing participation by galleries, artists and collectors within and outside Africa. In this interview, Tokini Peterside, founder and director of the art fair, speaks to Obinna Emelike on the feats, highlights of the 2018 edition, impact on the art community and related issues.

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How was this year’s edition? t was fantastic. I am really overwhelmed by the support and response. People are excited at what we have done. It is one thing to plane to create a special experience for people, but after you opened the doors you have no control over what the experience is really. The people are the ones that will interpret what you have created.

So, when we opened the doors, I am always very anxious to know how people are responding to our programme for the year. Every year we change things. So, to get the response we have had, people congratulating us, celebrating us and telling us that they did not know that we will raise the bar, it is fantastic and encouraging. Now, people tell us every year that the edition they are participating in is the best. It means that our hard work has paid off.

The Tutu painting was a stunner at the fair, how did you get the owner to exhibit it?

All I can do is to be thankful to the people that have supported us and to our sponsors. Princes Adetutu of Ile Ife, the painting that we all screamed some months ago when it crossed £1 million mark, was a delight for most visitors at the fair this year. When the painting was sold, we did not know where in the world it had gone. I had a suspicion that it is in Nigeria because it is a Nigerian that will understand the significance of the painting and value it because it is a heritage. I did not think it is a white American or some Chinese person that bought it. So, when I got a call from Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Bank, some weeks ago, saying Tokini find time and see me

I have seen the changes in this year’s fair and I am very happy with the people I see coming, though I do not know them and they do not know me, but I am very happy to see them Tokini Peterside

today, I thought I was in trouble. I got there and he said, I had been able to secure the Tutu painting and I have facilitated the loan from the owner for Art X Lagos, and I want to show it there. I just thought waooh, this is a dream come true because he does not have to do that. It means that he now believes that our platform is so important that landmark works of art like Tutu should be shown at Art X Lagos.

I do not know if there is any bigger kind of endorsement like that.

Truly, the presence of Tutu painting was a great endorsement for Art X Lagos.

So, with Art X Lagos, we are grateful to the corporations that support us because they believe in what we are doing.

With art and culture, which it is about changing minds and mindsets, it is really about that believe and that is what is most important.

What are the major highlights of the fair this year?

Yinka Shonibare’s exhibition was one of the major highlights at the fair this year. We get the opportunity to celebrate one of the most iconic individuals who happens to be a Nigerian, as well as, a fantastic artist with huge global career. When you enter

the fair, you will see one of his works, The Wind sculpture, an image taken from Central Park in New York. The fact that a Nigerian artist, (yes he lives in the U.K. but he is doing a lot more Nigerian now) has had those honours and accolades, it is worth celebrating. He has been in Trafalgar’s Square, New York Central Park, he has been celebrated over the world, Asia, Australia, UK, USA, and we get the chance to celebrate him at home at Art X Lagos. It is the second time he is been celebrated in Nigeria, we should be celebrating him weekly.

Other highlights are the Artist Prize with Access, a special video installation and a new media and form of art, which many people are not fa-

miliar with. When Bolatito Aderemi won the Art X Price, she was chosen

by Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya who is a classic artist, and he led a panel of judges to recognize that this is the future.

Then, we have 18 galleries from all over the world; Spain, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and the diversity is on another level.

There were too many highlights, we have Art X Live, a show that brought most exciting musicians to come into an art space, create and show people that they are true artists.

Are you impressed with the turnout?

Last year was about 10,000 people, including visitors, participants, galleries and artists. This year is less because we added gate fee of N2000 to protect the experience.

We are not making money with it, the fee is to protect the experience.

We had a number of people who came for the hype last year, but did not respect the experience. We realized that N2000 is enough because any young person who respects that experience will pay that and come in.

I have seen the changes in this year’s fair and I am very happy with the people I see coming, though I do not know them and they do not know me, but I am very happy to see them.

I see them walking around with respect for the arts and the artists.

What are we expecting next year?

Next year’s edition will be another stunner. Like most people confessed about this year’s edition being the best, Art X Lagos will be huge and better next year.

Artist interrogates development in ‘Ghost of Bar Beach’ exhibition Destiny Isiguzo

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evelopments are usually welcomed phenomena but they can be contentious too. In many developing metropolitan cities like Lagos, there is growing need for modern infrastructural development to suit the city’s status and its burgeoning populace. In a bid for such projects, spaces are abrogated and the poor masses dislocated. This may have motivated Graham Huggan and Helen Tiffin to ask in their book Postcolo-

nial Ecocriticism: Literature, Animals, Environment several fundamental questions that reflect the seclusion of Bar Beach for Eko Atlantic City project: “What is development? How should it be defined and measured, and whose interests does it serve?”

In a recent solo art exhibition held at Gallery B57, Bishop Oluwole, Victoria Island, Lagos Ade Adekola interrogated the so called development of many metropolis by resurrecting in his art past ghosts of Lagos Bar Beach which have now been made inaccessible to the poor.

Speaking at the event, the artist

Ade Adekola said he had set to bring back past memories of Bar Beach to lime light using photography as his medium. The internationally recognised, award winning Architect who became a conceptual artiste after spending several years at Silicon Valley, said he returned to Nigeria in 2005 to bring to the Nigerian space the digital transformation of photography.

Ade Adekola, while speaking on the philosophy behind the exhibition and his art generally, reiterated that art must be pragmatic in that it must affect the society and bring change.

According to him, “Bar beach had a

long history which was truncated by the recent development of a new city on its sandy shores. When I was growing up as a child it was the primary beach for picnicking and leisure activities.

“Bar beach represents a cultural legacy to may Lagosians. Anyone born in Lagos over the last 100 years was intimately familiar with the beach; in my childhood, the whole family would spend weekends there.

So it was, bar beach slowly died and gave up its ghosts. It is the memoContinues on Page 25

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Arts A look at Victor Butler’s myriad perspectives OBINNA EMELIKE

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n the midst of Lagos’ “bursting at the seams” art calendar this month, Nuance, a highly anticipated solo exhibition of exceptional works by Victor Butler, a leading international artist from Ghana, opened to the public at Temple Muse on November 1, 2018.

Curated by SMO Contemporary Art, the exhibition showcases 23 paintings on canvas and two prints, which draw viewers into Butler’s multilayered landscapes of myriad perspectives, subtly referencing traditional narratives in surreal spaces influenced by mathematics, science and natural history.

Nuance is a one-of-a-kind journey of discovery into Butler’s world, exploring the meaning of community, culture, time and space, permanence versus relevance.

Born in 1964, Victor Butler is a self-taught artist with over 30 years of studio practice.

His works have been exhibited internationally including in Canada, England, France and

Victor Butler

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

Nuance is Butler’s first exhibition in Nigeria and shows the breadth of his signature surrealist style, celebrating relationships on the personal, family

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

He invites his viewers to stop and look below the surface at issues, which he references through arid worlds revealing intertwined forms and rich textures, which speak

volumes once they are recognised in the shadows.

Taking a look at some of his works, in Witnesses, Butler paints an abstract sea of faces with interwoven eyes, each fixing their stare on the same scene but with different interpretations, looks, and depth of reasoning; some faces appear complete, while others have either one or two eyes missing or altogether lack the ability to speak in mouth-less faces.

In Interrupted, there is subtle dynamics within a group of six women dressed identically, casting questioning looks in the same direction, as if disturbed in mid-sentence.

Butler is able to capture the subtle power struggle in these different scenes and groups, through nuanced expressions revealing the intricacies and complexity in people’s interpretation of the same thing.

The works unveil Butler’s poetic interpretation of the world is deeply rooted in his profound understanding of how community and culture is inextricably linked with science, the natural world, and technology.

In his artist statement, Butler speaks about the peculiarity

of “objectivity and subjectivity within the mind and soul of the community” which he explores on each canvas.

“We are excited to showcase Victor Butler’s work for the first time in Nigeria at two venues, Temple Muse and at the Art X Lagos fair,” Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, founder/ artistic director, SMO Contemporary Art, said. “The complexity, sophistication, and subtle depth of Butler’s art definitely set him apart as an African Master.”

“Butler’s fantastic art also

cross references the evolution of African design in a very futuristic way, commented Avinash Wadhwani, director of Temple Muse. “Nuance fits perfectly into both visual art and contemporary fashion as Butler’s futuristic designs and forms resonate with a renaissance creative community in Lagos and beyond.”

The exhibition, which is sponsored by Access Bank and Veuve Clicquot, opens to the public on Thursday, November 1, and runs until December 7, 2018.

Tunde Owolabi opens ‘This Is Me’ today

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his weekend promises to be an exciting one for art lovers in Lagos as Tunde Owolabi, a full time studio artist, photographer and designer, opens the exhibition of his recent works.

Titled “This Is Me”, the exhibition, which holds from today Sunday November 18-25, 2018 at Miliki, at 7B Etim Inyang Crescent, Victoria island, Lagos, features various forms of art expressions by Owolabi including; oil paintings, photography, fashion, sculpture and installation.

As well, the artist uses the works to addresses subjects range from politics to reminiscence of growing up, dance, fashion, self-expression and textile design.

As well, his passion for the African culture will be enormously present in the stories of his photography as he played with the elaborate traditional Nigerian female hairstyle and Aso Oke fabrics, laser cut into butterflies and flowers.

These were used to depict subjects of fragility of the female gender, migration, and the country - Nigeria as a whole, employing elements of fashion as a vehicle of expression.

Also, the artist forte on textile design have been used to create some limited edition fashion merchandises and the use of sculptures in depicting some of the subjects matters will gravitate a three dimensional feel for its viewers.

The exhibition is excited to have art collectors, renowned artists, art gallerists, and art enthusiasts.

The artist is the founder and creative director of Tunde Owolabi Studios, which he opened in Lagos in 2011 to offer design and photographic services.

He studied Graphic Design from Yaba College of Technology. After his degree, Tunde became a freelance artist, a journey that led him to develop a keen interest in photography, which stirred him to take a professional course in photography and photo retouching from the London College of fashion.

While in England, he worked as a designer at the research studios London, working on brands such as Nickelodeon, Somerset House, Sofitel among others.

On returning to Nigeria, he worked with Insight Communications, as an art director, working on notable brands such as Pepsi, Heineken, Mainstreet Bank, to mention a few.

As an artist, he has participated in a few group exhibitions and two solos.

In 2015, he created the brand Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi, an afrocentric brand, which specialises in the design of Aso Oke, a hand woven Nigerian fabric and creates fashion accessories with the fabric.

Artist interrogates development..

Continues from Page 24 ries of old that I have recreated in this series and I aptly term them the Ghosts of Bar Beach.”

Though Adekola believed his art and the exhibition were not intended to make political statements, he however, admitted that the poor through the Eko Atlantic City project have been dispossessed of their spiritual attachment to Bar beach.

Adekola aligned with the development praxis of Huggan and Tiffin which reiterated that development must address social inequality, poverty, environmental pollution and human injustice and must benefit all. Development must reflect in the

worth and living standard of the people and not only reflect in the abstract economic statics. Any development that does not positively affect the greater populace of the people is said to have short-changed them.

Through the exhibition which was well attended by the general public, art collectors, academia, art lovers and the international community, Adekola interrogated development and insisted that the most important function of art is utility.

“Beyond creating aesthetics, art must be revolutionary, it should be able to bring chain reaction and the desired change we need. I want someone to be touched by this exhibition and the person can

go out there, touch another and a multiplication of such reaction will create a chain reaction that will bring positive change,” he said.

Ngozi Emedolibe, a veteran art journalist who attended the occasion, spoke of his memories of Lagos Bar beach. He fussed at the fact the exhibition had reminded him of those memories. However, he lamented that those experiences and feelings that he got at Bar beach picnics cannot be relived.

The exhibition showcased images of past experiences at Bar Beach from colonial era with their electrifying colours to provide access to moments of nostalgia and gave the audience access to the Bar Beach mood that has now been lost.

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Kiddies

Cross section of the beneficiaries at the event

Bishop Howells Memorial Grammar school holds inter- house sports

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Ngozi Okpalakunne

L-R: Okpala Samuel; Favour Fidelis and David Izuora Ephraim Ekpo during the inter-house sports competition.

Tortoise and the pot of wisdom

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nce upon a time in the land of the animals, Tortoise, being a greedy person collected all the wisdom in the world and decided to keep it all in a large pot for himself. He said “I have all the wisdom of the world for myself’ At least that was what he thought being a greedy person.

He then tied the pot of wisdom around his neck with a strong rope and let the pot hang in front of him. But then he was afraid that someone would find the pot of wisdom and steal it.

“What shall I do with my pot of wisdom?” He thought and thought and at last he said : “ I shall hide the pot on top of the tallest tree in the forest.”

So he searched the forest until he found the tallest tree and brought the pot of wisdom to the tree. While he was trying to climb the tree, his four-year-old son was watching him. “Father, he said, what are you doing?” “Well, said

the Tortoise, I have in this clay pot all the wisdom of the world and I am going to hang it on the top of the tallest tree away from everybody, then I will be the wisest man in the whole wide world.”

“I have an idea,” said his son “Why not hang the pot behind you instead of in front of you.

Then you will be able to climb the tree.”

When the cunning Tortoise hung the pot behind him and saw to his surprise that he was able to climb to the top of the tree with his pot, he said to himself, “I thought I had all the wisdom in the world.” “I thought I had it all in my pot but my own little son has wisdom not in my pot.”

Then he made a statement that we still use today. “No one-person can have all the wisdom in the world.” On his way down, he angrily dropped the pot and it smashed into many pieces and scattered all the wisdom all over the world.

tudents have been urged to engage in sports activities as it will enhance their physical and mental development.

Speaking at the annual inter-house sports competition of Bishop Howell’s Memorial Grammar School Bariga, Lagos the principal of the school, Tunde Oduwale described sports and games as integral part of the student’s life and added that the young ones should not abstain themselves from sports activities in the school.

According to him, the annual competition is one of the ways in which the school management measures and harnesses the talents in a school system. ‘’It is an opportunity for the school to showcase various talents of the children. It is an indication that our country is also richly blessed and that is why emphasis will continue

to be placed on school sports.

Inter-house sports competition is the greatest sports grass root because it helps to bring out talents when it is driven by passion, the children are not doing it because of monetary gain or any other consideration, they get involved because of the passion they have for sports.

“Sports helps to develop both the body and the mind, a sound mind in a healthy body is the ultimate expectation of any healthy child and when you talk about round education, you are talking about education which the child uses both the hand and the head put together to achieve greater heights,’’ Oduwale added.

Also speaking, vice chairman, Parents Teachers Association of the school, Eyo Ekpo lauded students that participated in the sports competition and encouraged them to continue in what they know best.

Also he appreciated the efforts of the school management to invite other sister schools to

participate in the sports competition.

On his part, sports officer and the chairman of sports committee of the school, Keyinde Aribilola while commending parents on their laudable support for the programme, admonished them to encourage their wards to always participate in sports activities adding, ‘’It is not all of them that will use academics to progress in life, some will go in to field while some will go in to trade.’’

It is interesting to note that four houses participated in the competition and they include; green, red, blue and yellow house.

Green house clinched the first position, while blue came second and the third position went to red house.

The four houses participated in field and track events which include, high and long jump; shut put among others. Bishop Howell is a private missionary school established over three decades ago.

HDI gives succor to children with special needs

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n a bid to give sense of belonging, acceptance and confidence to special children in the society, Human Development Initiative (HDI) recently organised a one day forum in Lagos.

The event which came under the theme, “A day out with special children” offered great opportunity for the children of widows, widowers, orphans and children living with disability as they received educational scholarship from Human Development Initiatives-Education Trust Fund (HDI-ETF) which is an extension of Human Development Initiatives programme.

Executive director HDI, Olufunso Owasanoye who spoke at the event described special children as the most vulnerable of all, adding “they are those mostly affected by economic turbulence and instability and may suffer other more devastating consequences due to their special needs.

“Since education is the gateway to human development, being a child with disability or one who has lost one or both parents should not be a limitation to accessing good education. All children should be able to ac-

cess good education to impact positively on their lives and their societies.

Government alone cannot meet the educational needs of these children.” Owasanoye said.

However, she observed that despite the educational, health and economic challenges of special children they are still able to do great things and sometimes even accomplish greater feats if given the opportunity.

She regretted the increased number of orphans and widows’ in the society, adding “It is important to note that people have different responses to the vulnerable, some respond positively, others negatively, while some others remain indifferent as influenced by their perceptions and level of interaction.

“In developing societies such as Nigeria, it is rather unfortunate that the vulnerable experience high levels of negative responses due to negative perceptions often triggered by negative socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices.

“These negative dispositions manifest in various forms of discrimination, segregation, abuses and exclusion; thus worsening

vulnerability.

“Some other times when we attempt to show positive attitudes towards the vulnerable, we do so at calculated distances, with little or no knowledge of their feelings, needs and aspirations. “ Many people feel easily fulfilled by their little acts of charity which often fail to meet the actual yearnings of these special persons, especially for social bonding, love, appreciation, respect and acceptance.”

Explaining the idea behind “day out with special children”, she affirmed was borne out of the need to take their hearts and acts of charity, love and support for the vulnerable to significantly down-to-earth levels in strengthening vulnerable humans.

On his part, Adebukunola Adebayo lauded the organisers of the event, saying that such effort will support the government to reduce the number of out-ofschool children in the state.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke during the event appreciated the organisers saying that educational support given to them will go a long way in assisting them to achieve their academic goal in life.

Sunday 18 November 2018

Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

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Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (sms only) 08057511893

Working with my wife is fun – Darey

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ne celebrity couple that most people love to see at all times is Darey Art Alade and his wife, Deola. Even with celebrity marriages breaking up like a pack of cards every other day, this couple have somewhat remained together and are seen as a fun loving people.

And the synergy between them is so apparent even as both of them talked to Bliss about their latest venture, Livespot, earlier in the week.

With his wife as the Chief Executive Officer of Livespot and Darey, the Creative Director, the musician said working with his wife in the same company is exciting.

“It is fun working with my wife. From as far back as my old music releases even up to writing of the music, when I come back from the studio, she is the first person I would have to play my music to. She is the first consumer. We have always cultivated that; not consciously but naturally. Whatever decision we make, we run it by each other. We work well together. Even if there are any differences, we know how to work on it. What matters most is the end result for the greater good.

“When we are working, we are not husband and wife. We make it fun working with each other and not just between ourselves but for everybody.

Even lovers have their tiffs but we make sure that we work together. She is involved in my music 100 percent. Even when she was into interior decorations, I learnt a lot about her business. And she learnt a lot about entertainment by being around me. What drives us is the friendship and respect.

We are friends and we respect each other.”

Talking about their company, Darey said Livespot is a 360 creative company that provides integrated marketing solution for their clients.

“We are into advertising, special productions, entertainment, digital marketing and engagement and education. We started as far back as 2008 as Soul Music, an entertainment company providing record label facilities to certain artistes including the Darey brand. Over the years we moved into Livespot as a production company. We started with Love Like a Movie which we did in 2013. It was different from what was obtainable at that time and Livespot has evolved from just a production company to a full integrated marketing solution providers.

“Over the years, based on the quality of work we have provided to our array of clients, we have been able to grow our clientele base. We practically work with a lot of clients across different board. Some of our clients include The presidency, different state governments, Nigeria Breweries and others.

“There are three things that set us apart and we call them the spot-on approach. This approach drives our work culture. It incorporates: passion, precision and perfection. Passion is what makes

us work for free. For the precision aspect, there is a lot of research and methodology to every solution we are providing. And then the perfection aspect ensures that we are able to deliver on time.”

But even as he is a director in the company, Darey said he has not left his music career to become a full businessman.

“What I do is still reflected on what we all do here.

Our campaigns, creating jingles and campaign music for different brands and MCing are still not away from my career. I am not away from practising as an entertainer. I am an artiste but even before Livespot, there are moments you don’t hear from me. And that is not because I am not doing music. Everybody has a way of making music. Some people can make music 10 tracks a day but those tracks may not last long. For us, making evergreen music or music that can stand the test of time takes time. Creativity can be unpredictable. I do have new music anyway, which I am expected to share soon.”

Talking about how he has managed to be relevant in the industry all these years, Darey said, “I have continued to be active and learn how to reinvent myself.

Sometimes it can be a conscious effort and sometimes it can be unconscious effort. You just stay true to who you are and take a cue from people who did it before you. There is no icon in the world that just became an overnight success. Everybody has a story of a journey.”

Tonto Dike hints on new love affair

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ince the drama between her and her ex husband, Churchill, has died down considerably, it seems actress Tonto Dike has a new man in her life.

While not revealing the latest love of her life, Tonto subtly gave a hint that she is in a relationship in her post on her social media handle few days ago.

Posting a picture of roasted grasshoppers on her page, Tonto wrote, “Found these guys hanging on a shelf and I quickly turned and asked ‘Baby hope you don’t eat these?’ Guess his answer? Now I wanna puke at the sight of his lips.

He is never getting kissed again...

So pissed off! Like I feel violated or I’m literally a drama queen?”

Reacting to her post, some of her fans and friends used the opportunity to congratulate her on new relationship while others chose to offer free advices.

In her remarks, one of her instagram followers with the handle,@ jadase01 posted, “Thanks

for letting us know you’re in another relationship. We honestly did not need to know that.” While another commenter with the handle, @vha_fabricsandwears posted, “I am more interested the ‘baby’ and ‘kissing’ part. Happy for you sis...”

But another follower with the handle, @mrs_jayyh said, “Now you want to announce to us that there’s a “HE” in your life again...

You have started now oh. You better keep your HE off social media this time and let HIM enjoy his delicious Maiduguri suya in peace.”

Duncan Mighty surprise widow with car gift

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elf acclaimed Port Harcourt First Son, Duncan Mighty, practically changed the life of an elderly widow recently by gifting her with a car.

Earlier, the video of the widow dancing to Duncan’s music went viral and caught the attention of the singer who also posted it on his instagram handle and said, “Abeg who knows this special mama eeehhh. Mummy you don win immediate medical attention, one bag of rice, one goat and three wrappers and N20, 000. Please make una help locate her.”

And just few days after he sought for her identity and location, the singer finally found the widow and went the extra mile of adding more goodies to what he had earlier promised to give her.

The widow, who couldn’t hide her joy, was on top of the world in the video the singer posted on his page where he was presenting the

car to her.

Alongside the video he posted, Duncan also wrote, “Brand new Camry for our new Mama we met on IG she was dancing to my new single #miekeraso few days back... got her registered at the clinic. God be praised forever, amen.”

So many of his fans showered the singer with praises for the philanthropic gesturewhile some others wished he would also extend such act to them.

MultiChoice Unveils #FestiveTogether Campaign Offer

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overs of entertainment and those who enjoy cable TV from the stable of MultiChoice Nigeria may have cause to be excited as the brand has unveiled a special campaign offer to treat customers on its DStv and GOtv platforms to a memorable festive season.

The campaign tagged #FestiveTogether will see family and friends get together to celebrate the upcoming festive season with specially curated content on DStv and GOtv while also enjoying discounts on the Explora and HD decoders.

According to Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, “The festive season is a great time for family and friends to come together, and we are making those moments extra special with world class content on our platforms”.

He said the upcoming festive season will be marked by exciting TV content that the whole family can enjoy.

“Our customers will enjoy their yearly festive traditions even more as they create new memories with a line-up of amazing content such as our special Nigerian Festivals popup channel which features some of the biggest music concerts and shows on the continent including The Experience, Calabar Carnival, Akwa Ibom Christmas Concert and One Lagos Fiesta. We also have the much-loved special kiddies’ channel, Animania which will be a perfect companion for DStv kids this season. Football lovers will still enjoy the matches of the best football leagues in the world; Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Serie A LIVE and in glorious HD on SuperSport channels,” he said.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Wasted years!

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Chinwe Agbeze

ife is all about choices. Some choices we regret, some we are proud of and some will haunt us for the rest of our lives. Mine has been a thorn in my flesh and I doubt if there will ever be an end to it.

My name is Rosemary Peterside and I am the last child in a family of three children. My father is a medical doctor while my mother is a teacher. I have two brothers who are way older than me.

My eldest brother, Richard is 33-years-old and he is a renowned lawyer in the United States of America. Raphael, my immediate elder brother is a 31-year-old accountant in the United Kingdom. I am 20-yearsold and I was supposed to study Medicine and Surgery after which I would end up in any country of my choice.

My parents had given up hopes of having another baby when I arrived. They really didn’t see me coming and that explains the gulf-like age gap between Raphael and me.

“I was shocked when I was told I was pregnant 10-years after I had Raphael but I was overjoyed when I knew it was a girl,” my mom said one of the evenings we were preparing supper, “We have always prayed for a girl and that’s why we love you so much.”

They sure did love me because I had the most beautiful childhood ever. I was pampered and given everything I so desired, all I had to do was to ask.

But my parents never spared the rod when they had to.

As expected of teachers, my mom was good with the cane and she had lots of them which she used when the need arose.

On the other hand, my dad wasn’t. Whenever I or any of my brothers erred, my dad would wake us up in the middle of the night to talk some sense into us.

Unlike my mom, he believed in second chances.

“If you repeat this foolishness next time, you’ll see the other side of me and I assure you, you won’t like it,” my dad warned, one of the days he felt pained by my behaviour.

I never saw that side because I always took his warnings seriously.

I enrolled for JAMB the same year I sat for WAEC and I studied as if my life depended on it.

But, the truth was that it did depend on it. It was a taboo to fail at home. My siblings didn’t and I wasn’t about to change that.

While filling my JAMB form, my parents agreed I make the Federal University which is less than an hour drive from home both my first and second choice.

“You stand a greater chance of securing admission. But, that doesn’t mean you won’t study hard,” my mom advised.

I studied assiduously and it paid off. I was offered admission to study Medicine and Surgery.

“I’m so proud of you, Rosie,” my dad said when I broke the good news to them. “I had no doubt you would be admitted for that course because you’ve got the brains” My mom was pleased as well and advised I stay away from those that would kill my dream.

“Keep your eyes on the goal,” my mother advised. “Avoid bad company and be focused on your studies so you don’t lose it.”

I was 17-years old when I gained admission into the University and for three years, I kept my eyes on the goal. The result? I was adjudged the best medical student in my class for those years.

There were lots of distractions in school but I surmounted them all until my third year at the University.

“Saturday is Mercy’s birthday party,” Sharon, one of my course mates, reminded me. “Hope you’ll be there?”

I replied in the negative.

“You need to get a life, Rose,” Cynthia, another course mate, chipped in. “You are only young once. Live a little, will you?”

Two other course mates persuaded me to attend.

“Don’t just pass through the University, you have to let the University pass through you as well,” said Blessing, one of my course mates. “Come, let’s celebrate with our own.”

In the end, I agreed to attend and that was when the cookie began to crumble.

Before then, I had never stayed outside the house latter than 7pm. My parents had also grown to trust me because of my brilliant performance in school and when I lied to them about a group assignment, they believed me.

It was during that party that I met Jason. He was funny, gentlemanly and had an infectious smile.

Jason told me he was the celebrant’s cousin and a final year mechanical engineering student in my school.

When the party ended, we exchanged contacts and he promised to keep in touch which he did.

My friendship with Jason was a secret because my parents had warned me against keeping male friends.

“For now, stay away from men and focus on your studies.

When the time is right, I’ll let you know,” my mom said to me when I gained admission into University.

With time, Jason and I began to get more and more intimate. I would visit him at the hostel and spend so much time with him.

Few weeks after Jason graduated, I took seriously ill. My parents thought it was malaria or probably school stress but it was more than that.

“Your daughter is two months pregnant,” our family doctor began, looking from me to my mother. “I think she’s HIV positive too. But, we will run a second

test to be doubly sure.”

My mom stood up abruptly and left the hospital without saying a word while the doctor tried to tell me it wasn’t the end of the world. If this wasn’t the end, I wondered what the end would be like.

Immediately I left the hospital, I rang Jason and told him we needed to see. The urgency in my voice might have alerted him of an imminent danger.

“I’m not in town,” he said, selecting his words carefully. ‘‘Everything okay?”

I told him it wasn’t something I could say on phone and he promised to come back as soon as he could.

On getting home that evening, I met my parents in the sitting room. The moment my dad saw me, he pounced on me and gave me the beating of my life.

That was the day I saw the other side of him, he always warned us against.

“Go in there and pack your things out of my house,” he said, looking at me disgustingly.

“Leave my house now before I kill you with my bare hands.”

I staggered into the house and packed few of my belongings. I could hear my mom crying and asking who she had offended.

Leaving home, I lodged in a nearby hotel. That night, my brothers called.

“How could you let that happen to you, Rosie,” Richard asked.

“You’re smarter than this. Pregnancy, we can handle but HIV is a big deal.”

When Raphael called at about midnight, he expressed his disappointment as well.

“Wehadsomuchfaithinyou,”he said, “You really let us down, Rosie.”

Jason never bothered to call and when I did, I discovered my calls were barred. I tried ringing him with another number but when he realised I was the one, he hung up. So, I decided to talk to his cousin about it.

All these while, Mercy never knew I was dating Jason. Jason had advised me against telling her about our affair. He said she might tell his parents he was fooling around in school.

But, when I asked Mercy about his cousin, I received a shocker.

“Which cousin? I don’t have any cousin in this school before or now,” she said, surprisingly.

“I mean, Jason. He was at your birthday party, last year,” I stammered.

She looked at me and frowned.

“That chronic womaniser?

He’s not my cousin, abeg,” she

said, making a face, “He’s just an acquaintance. Please, stay away from him. He’s bad news” At that point, I saw no need in telling her more. I excused myself and went back to my hotel room.

I spent days calling my family and apologising for bringing shame on them. I also begged for a second chance.

“As long as we are concerned, you’re dead,” my dad replied, and hung up the phone. He never picked my calls again.

Left with no other option, I decided to contact Aunty Florence.

Aunty Florence is my father’s elder sister and she resides in Asaba, Delta State. She was disappointed when I told her all that had happened but she took me in.

I had a baby boy but luckily, my son isn’t infected with the virus.

My mom called twice to check on me but my dad has never bothered to call. My brothers called often and made sure I lacked nothing. They sent some money which I used to open a big boutique in Asaba.

For years, I toiled and burnt the midnight candle in anticipation of a great future. But those years are now wasted because of the wrong choices I made which I have to live with… for the rest of my life!

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Feature

Air travellers’ nightmares over, as Asaba airport bounces back

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MERCY ENOCH

ver three years of nightmares may have come to an end for air travelers who try to connect Delta State and other adjoining cities via Asaba International Airport.

This followed the upgrading of the airport to Category 6 status by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after the successful completion of the 3.4km runway rehabilitation work.

NCAA approval now qualifies the airport to receive and dispatch large aircraft. This is a deviation from what has been on ground as the airport had been operating as an aerodrome since May 5, 2015 when it was downgraded.

The airport had its foundation stone laid on May 7, 2008 under the immediate past governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan administration and first commercial flight landed there on March 13, 2011. Due to the alleged failure of the administration to install safety measures for the security of passengers using the airport, it was downgraded despite billions of naira spent in the airport’s construction.

The Federal Government had said it decided to downgrade the airport following futile attempts by the state government to understand the importance of safety at its airport, thus violating the compliance with safety standards as stipulated in the Nig. CARs Part 12.6.2 and 12.6.3 in respect of the airport runway and its associated facilities as well as adequately trained personnel.

The then Minister of Aviation, OsitaChidoka, had said the downgrading of the airport was

…Billed for concession next year to take immediate effect as the airport would only be allowed the operations of Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft or its equivalent until all the safety measures were guaranteed.

Uduaghan’s successor, the incumbent Governor IfeanyiOkowa inherited the ailing airport on assumption of office May 29, 2015. His efforts to rehabilitate the airport informed the state’s assembly’s approval of his loan quest of N5 billion to enable him bring contractors back to site.

Most Deltans, had kicked against Okowa’s move. Rights activists in the state, especially those from the ranks of the youth, were not impressed with what they described as the continued milking of the state’s dwindling resources “to line private pockets” The group’s leader, MarsonAkpor, alleged that successive administrations since 1999 had wasted a whopping N30bn on the airport without progress. He then called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to urgently wade in by investigating several awards of contracts at the then ailing airport.

The then Secretary to the Governor on Press Print Media, Victor Efe, dismissed insinuations of a shady deal in the governor’s plan to procure a loan to rehabilitate the airport. According to him, what was paramount to the government was the need for transparency and result. “Having cleared all logistic challenges for the contractors, it is imperative that every state of the rehabilitation be monitored and certified by competent authorities. And that is what government has achieved”, he said.

The whole saga even resulted in the withdrawal of ULO Consultants, an indigenous contractor that was then handling the airport project from the onset.

Another contractor, Setraco Nigeria Limited took over and expectations heightened for completion and operation of the airport.

The new firm promised to deliver in good time and based on that Okowa assured the people of the state even as he carried out on the spot inspection severally on the project until the job was recently completed and then NCAA approved and upgraded the airport.

With the development, national carriers including the Nigerian premier carrier, Air Peace that suspended their flight operations are coming back to the airport.

Asaba happy with Okowa While the construction of the airport lasted, the Asagba through his Council of Chiefs went on inspection visit of the airport and marveled at the level of work done.

Godfrey Konwea, who led the delegation on behalf of the Asagba of Asaba, ChikeEdozien,said: “This is a great job that we are seeing here, we say a great thank you to His Excellency, Governor IfeanyiOkowa for what is happening here,” adding, “that Asaba people are peaceful and patient does not mean that we are weak, we have witnessed three democratically elected governors in our state, this administration has not received half of the money others received but, he (Okowa) has done very well.”

AirPeace explains flight resumption

Announcing its resumption date (October 8), The AirPeace Airline which pulled out of its daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos flight, said it would recommence operation even as it assured that it would add Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the service.

A statement signed by its Corporate Manager, Chris Iwarah, said the airline decided to return to end the nightmare of air travelers seeking to connect Delta State, Anambra and other adjoining cities.

“Since we suspended our operations to this airport, members of the flying public have inundated us with calls and appeals to return to end their nightmare on the route. While we could feel their pain, there really was not much we could do about it since our decision to pull out was anchored on safety, an issue we could never compromise.

“We are, however, thankful that the Delta State Government had to intervene to give the airport a facelift. We have been assured that the airport is now safe to operate into and we cannot but move in immediately to end the woes of members of the flying public wishing to travel to Asaba, Anambra, and other connecting cities.

Seeing is believing The airline kept its word. As the flight commenced on the said date, the chief pilot, Egonu Victor, a captain, expressed pleasure at the massive upgrade the airport had undergone and described it as one of the best in the country.

He foresaw the upgrade attracting bigger planes to the airport soon just as he thanked the governor for doing the needful.

The first flight from Lagos was received by Governor Okowa’s wife, Edith, who described the resumption of flights by the car-

rier as a welcome development.

The state commissioner for information, Patrick Ukah, was also on ground and witnessed the departure of the AirPeace flight from Asaba to Lagos. His comment: “With the transformation that has taken place, Asaba Airport is now ready to cater for international flights. He expressed hope that by the next few weeks, it would be upgraded to Category Eight or Nine, and would be open to receive flights from around the world.

He said the resumption would greatly enhance economic activities including ease of doing business within and around the state.

While commending the state governor for standing by his words, he urged the people of Delta State, South East, and South-South to avail themselves of the services of the airport for their air travels as it is now fully ready to cater for air travel needs.

The airport for concession next year On Wednesday, October 17, an elated Governor Okowa, while presenting the 2019 Budget proposal of N367.09billion to the state’s House of Assembly, briefed the lawmakers on the achievements of his administration which included the progress made in the quest to make the airport an international gateway.

He told them that work on the concession plan for the airport has also reached an advanced stage, expressing confidence that the concession would ensure the realization of the objectives of turning the airport into a mega commercial and travel hub in the southern part of the country.

The airport serves Asaba, the capital of Delta State. It also serves Onitsha, across the Niger River in Anambra State. The vision behind its establishment as it were, was to create a passage for the eastern business moguls, a development which is said would create a multiplier effects for Delta State and grow businesses in Asaba, the nearest city to Onitsha, the eastern centre of commerce.

Ok o w a , w h o s e S M A RT agenda encapsulates job and wealth creation, told the state lawmakers that the concession of the airport would boost the economy and create more jobs for the youth.

“We have received strong interests from both local and international investors in the concession exercise and we expect the airport to be fully concessioned in 2019; in this regard, we published a formal “Request for Proposal” in national newspapers had also been published to that effect.

Few weeks ago, the state executive council approved contract for the completion of the perimeter fencing of the airport, raising hope for higher upgrading of the airport soon, to attract more international flights thereby giving comfort to the air travelers and boosting economy of the state.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Feature

Failed assassination of council boss, mass shooting at PDP rally signpost the evil days ahead …Wike’s strong ally calls on Buhari, international community to step in and save Rivers …APC says police should arrest those mentioning APC leaders’ names to help in investigations

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IGNATIUS CHUKWU

amuel Nwanosike is seen as a rising political star in Ikwerre land and Rivers State. He is vocal and constructive. He is regarded as a great mobiliser. Above all, he is a strong ally and backer of Governor Nyesom Wike for years. He is often drafted to any sector that seems to need a r m i n t h e Pe o p l e ’s De m o cratic Party (PDP) in Rivers St a t e , s u c h t h a t w h e n t h e party seemed to need strong publicity arm some years ago, Nw a n o s i k e w a s d r a f t e d t o the secretariat on Aba Road to help out. He is savvy and fearless.

Nwanosike hails from same Ikwerre local council area with the former governor and now Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. This makes that local council area a hot spot in the coming elections because governors boast a lot about defeating their rivals in their wards and local councils.

Nwanosike may be primed to ensure that Amaechi loses in his ward and local council of origin even as the minister heads President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign organisation. Now, the state seems to get hot ahead of the hot days.

So, it was that as soon as Nwanosike entered the arena at Ipo, a nearby community, to flag off of what he called PVC Sensitisation Rally, guns boomed. Bodies began to fall and blood began to spill, but Nwanosike lived to narrate the ordeal to newsmen late Thursday evening.

His account: There is urgent need to put the records straight in the matter of the shooting that t o o k p l a c e o n We d n e s d a y, November 14, 2018. On Tuesday November 6, 2018, I got intelligence that APC leaders in Ikwerre Local Council Area by instruction of the Minister of Transportation and others such as (names withheld), all leaders of APC in Ikwerre Local Government Area, met at a named hotel in Iguruta with a wanted criminal (he mentioned the name, alias School Boy) and gave clear instruction to these criminals. They promised to give them arms with instruction to attack any PDP rally in Ikwerre Council Area.

I immediately summoned a Security Council meeting made

up of SSS, Police, FRSC, the IG Monitoring Team, Area Commander, Four DPOs in the LGA, Civil Defence, even FRSC, and I presented this report to them.

I also told them that because INEC informed us in writing about their going to display Voters Register and give out PVC cards to those who registered from January to August 2018, it would be right to move round and sensitise the people on the need to collect their PVCs so they can participate in the com-

ing elections.

The security chiefs assured me that because we got this intelligence timely, that they would provide adequate security to the PVC sensitisation rallies. Now, the first day of the rallies was November 7, Thursday, at Isiokpo Ward 2. I did inform the people of the plan of the leaders of the APC and that I had informed the security agencies and that nobody should be scared. We continued. However, I had fears about the Ubima rally.

Ubima is the home of the Minister of Transportation. All you hear there are killing, maiming, kidnapping, and killing of security agents and innocent persons, to this day. We thought they would strike that day. As God would have it, we went and came out with joy. We felt there would be no more threat.

Now, at Ipo, at the venue of the latest rally, shooting began.

In fact, immediately the elder of the community welcomed us, what we heard was sporadic shooting from all sides of the venue. Pandemonium broke out, but by the grace of God the few security men attached to me were able to provide shield.

The attackers came with sophisticated weapons the type I had not heard. They were shooting innocent people, including myself. I was shot at. God kept me alive. I found myself being rescued by an Armoured Personnel Carrier that was patrolling along that road. I hopped into it and escaped.

Few minutes later, we got the report of what happened. While I was in that carrier, I peeped and saw the following persons; (he mentioned three names). I saw another young man whose face alone I know but not the name.

They were shooting directly at innocent people. As we speak, one of our members that was shot and ran into the forest has not been recovered up till now.

Search parties went round but did not find him. We do not know if Jonathan whose stock in trade is beheading people and taking corpses has gone to carry him.

Others severely injured are in hospital. The area commander has gone to see them. I have informed all relevant authorities including the Governor of

the State.

The purpose of this briefing is to alert the public of the new trend that the APC has brought to intimidate the people of Ikwerre LGA because they believe that the high level of popularity of the PDP in Ikwerre local council is a threat. Because the leader of their party in the state comes from that local government, everybody must be killed?

I am calling on Mr. President that he promised to protect the people of Nigeria and that Ikwerre Local Government is still under his protection. We want him to know that Ikwerre LGA has 154 oil wells and two flow stations. Mr. President should call his Minister of Transportation to order. I call on the IGP to act. This should not be like others. Lives of Ikwerre LGA are at risk. Mine is at risk. My bullet proof Jeep is riddled with bullets.

I m sure all of you have seen the vehicle.

The Minister believes that as long as the Ikwerre LGA chairman is there, he would not win election. He says he is a Grade A minister, why not use his influence to woo us over? If he is that popular and is respected in his community, why annihilate us with bullets? Why not allow the good works he has done to win election for him? We also tell Nigerians that there are clear signs that APC is not interested in voting in this coming election.

They want to kill and maim us all to win. We are saying as a people, we are law-abiding and would not want to take the law into our hands. That is why we are calling on security agencies to come to our aid.

We say this young man that was been declared wanted is going around un-harassed with

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dangerous weapons, staying at Ubima, kidnapping and killing innocent Rivers’ people and travellers from Imo State in the name of cultism and big money.

We are saying that leaders of the APC who met at a hotel and gave this man the job to kill have questions to answer. They must be brought to book. Nigerians are watching, the international community is watching. If democracy is for the people, if you kill the same people, who do you govern?

At this point, question and answer ensued between the chairman and newsmen: Are you saying you accuse the Minister? What are your facts?

I have told you. The meeting was held on the previous Tuesday by the APC and we told the security agencies. They promised to provide security to us and any other political party.

When a witch cries in the night

and a child dies in the morning.

We are saying clearly that we see romance with this wanted man. I saw him myself.

The essence of this conference is to call the attention of the international community and Mr. President that this matter must be investigated. What faith do the people have to come out for the general election?

Proper investigation of this matter would serve as deterrent and encourage the people to come out. The attackers would learn their lesson and keep away.

Why did the security agencies not stop the attack?

It’s only the police that can answer the question.

When you got there, did you see the security they provided?

If they did, the boys would not have attacked.

Were the attackers challenged when the shooting started?

If they were, they would not have succeeded. I said I hopped into armoured carrier and left.

Right now, we can’t find one young man. We fear that ‘School Boy’ kills and carries corpses.

We suspect that he is into ritual killing and sale of human parts.

Only the security agents can get that explanation from him.

What have the security agencies done?

The names of those who held the meeting were mentioned, the hotel where the meeting was held was mentioned. I have no right to bear arms. I did what I was expected to do.

They told me to make statement. The Commissioner of Police asked me to make statement and I have done that. Lives here are in danger; people have life-threatening injuries. Some are undergoing surgeries. This is bad. I sent the video of the out-

come to the PPRO to show him that it was more serious than they were able to admit.

Reactions: Rivers State Government: (By Emma Okah; Commissioner for Information and Communications) Rivers State Government has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of masterminding the shooting of innocent PDP members who were having a meeting at Ipo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State (today) 14th November, 2018.

Gunmen suspected to be APC supporters opened fire at PDP members who were holding a meeting, critically wounding scores of them while one is extremely critical.

This is unprovoked violence and attack on these innocent persons will not be accepted by the state.

RSG condemns this situation in all ramifications and calls on the Police and other security agencies to fish out these cowards and bring them to book.

Meanwhile, we appeal to PDP members in the State to remain calm and avoid any reprisal action as two wrongs do not make a right.

Magnus Abe: (Statement by: Parry Saroh Benson, Spokesperson to Abe) ‘Let’s not plunge Rivers into violence’ Magnus Abe is leader of APC faction in the state.

His press team said: “The Senator representing the Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator

Magnus Ngei Abe has warned politicians not to plunge Rivers State into the kind of violence and mayhem that characterised the 2015 general election.”

Abe in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and signed by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, condemned in its totality the attack on a political gathering at Ipo in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Senator Abe said any attack on law-abiding citizens anywhere in Rivers State must be condemned by all, describing it as barbaric, insensitive and uncalled for.

He said: “The time has come for politicians in the state to unite and ensure that peace reigns rather than name calling and finger pointing, insisting that, until perpetrators of such heinous crimes are apprehended and brought to justice, peace will continue to elude us as a people.

We should unite as Rivers people and ensure that perpetrators of these dastardly acts are apprehended and brought to book.

“It is our responsibility as a people to work with the security agencies across party lines to ensure that we maintain law and order. We cannot afford to return to the violence and mayhem that characterised the 2015 general elections, and the poisoned atmosphere of bitterness and acrimony that enveloped our state.”

According to him, “We must create an enabling environment for politicking and ensure that Rivers people of every persuasion can freely promote their preference without violence,

intimidation, let or hindrance.

“Anyone however highly placed who acts in defiance of this principle must be ready to answer to Rivers people.”

Abe, who is a frontline governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election in the state, extended his heartfelt sympathy to the families who were affected by the incident.

“This is the time for us to chart a new narrative for Rivers State anchored on ideas and bold visions that can reclaim our heritage of peace, progress and prosperity,” Abe stated.

APC: Chris Fineface We know nothing about what they are saying. We understand their attackers are their former allies who killed and maimed APC members in 2015 and subsequent rerun elections who feel abandoned by the PDP. At least, that’s the information we are hearing.

If they truly had credible information about complicity of anyone, why didn’t they approach security agents for arrests and investigation? You can see that the PDP people simply made up the story to divert attention from the real incident.

Our real worry is that the PDP know that they brought this on themselves. They only want to use it to lay a foundation for a fresh narrative that will kick start fresh round of violence as the 2019 elections approach. You know that they thrive on violence.

Unfortunately, PDP leaders in Rivers State are fixated in their archaic and time-forgotten style of raising wild accusations and name-calling instead of tackling serious issues with all the seriousness they deserve. Of course, they find it difficult to follow-up on unsubstantiated claims that do not go beyond the washy attention they often crave.

Assuming without conceding that they know anyone or persons working in cahoots with a criminal to attack them, should their first port of call be the media? Of course, the security agencies are there but they won’t go to them because they know that diligent investigations will lead back to PDP. I think someone should let PDP know that Rivers people and Nigerians have since moved into modern times; the train has since left the station.

Our concern is that, as it is typical of PDP, this is a clear foundation that they are laying to commence the next orgy of killings, maiming and violence that characterise their politics as 2019 elections approach.

We call on security agencies to arrest PDP members and officials of Rivers State government who have mentioned names of persons to assist them in the thorough investigation of the said violence. We believe that such investigation will expose what the PDP people are doing to themselves. They should stop calling APC members’ names in vain just to cover up their evil deeds.

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Feature

Apapa: Untold story of a port city CHUKA UROKO

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f Apapa, Nigeria’s premier port city, were to be a story book, its central theme would be unmistakable-gridlock. This gridlock is so total and pervasive that its impact is felt and known all over Nigeria, including Aso Rock, the country’s seat of power.

This gridlock, this nightm a re th a t h a s c o n v e r t e d all routes to Apapa into “highway to hell” was the reason for Vice President Ye m i O s i n b a j o ’ s v i s i t t o the port city in May this year, leading to a 72-hour presidential order to clear Apapa of the gridlock. This gridlock, apparently, is all many on-lookers and the governments seem to know about Apapa as an evolving wasteland.

But, there is more to Apapa than meets the eye.

There are many untold stories. Unknown to the vice president who seems to be concerned about its sorry situation, this port city is a major cause of high commodity prices, which could be described as localised inflation, in Nigeria.

In many respects, Apapa typifies John Pepper Clarke’s poem, ‘The Casualties’ which is based on the Nigerian civil war. According to the poem, the casualties of the civil war were not just those who died fighting the war. They were also people who lost their loved ones; people who had their limbs cut, their houses burnt, family businesses destroyed, and socio-cultural cohesion brutally severed.

In part, the poem says, “the casualties are not only t h o s e w h o s t a r t e d a f i re and now cannot put it out; thousands are burning that have no say in the matter; t h e c a s u a l t i e s a re m a n y , and a good number as well, outside the scenes of ravage and wreck”.

Like the Nigerian civil war which the poem celebrates, the Apapa problem is manmade. The approval to build the tank farms scattered all over the place which are at the core of the problems o f t h i s c i t y , w a s g ra n t e d by somebody who may be totally outside the burning and degraded environment.

Again, the blocking of t h e ra i l t ra c k w i t h u n a u thorised buildings and the non-maintenance of roads infrastructure in the port city are as a result of action or inaction of somebody in

government circles.

Today, Apapa is burning as a result of these wrong actions and the casualties a re q u i t e m a n y , s o m e o f them “outside the scenes of ravage and wreck”. Many Nigerians who are suffering from the impact of the gridlock and congestion in Apapa are in towns and villages several thousands of kilometers away from the port city and this is just one of the untold stories.

To carry out the 72-hour presidential order, Osinbajo directed that there should be collaborative efforts of the Police, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Air Force, FRSC and the NSCDC, LASTMA, LASEMA, Container truck drivers, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NUPENG, and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, making up a task force for the order.

The task force has worked now for six months and instead of the situation improving, it has worsened significantly and this is because, as alleged by stakeholders including truck drivers, port workers, Apapa residents, business owners and sundry motorists going in and coming out of Apapa, the taskforce is helping itself and not the situation.

The intriguing thing the taskforce has done is to create what the stakeholders have described as a “miniborder post” at a strategic spot on the Apapa-Ijora Bridge which serves as a clearing house for all in-

coming trucks. This spot is always busy with many truck owners and their SUVs parked by the corner, movi n g f ro m o n e ‘ o f f i c e r ’ t o another, negotiating the passage of their trucks.

“For an y tru ck to p ass

The task force has worked now for six months and instead of the situation improving, it has worsened significantly and this is because, as alleged by stakeholders including truck drivers, port workers, Apapa residents, business owners and sundry motorists going in and coming out of Apapa, the taskforce is helping itself and not the situation

that spot and move to the ports, the owner must have paid heavily. In short, they charge as much as N70,000 per truck”, one of the truck drivers, who refused to disclose his name, told this reporter who visited the spot at the weekend.

“These people make a lot of money from these trucks.

Many of the trucks that are parked for days on the roads and bridges are those that cannot afford what the taskforce demands”, the truck driver added, pointing out, however, that after paying such huge money to pass and still pay more to enter the ports, they also charge importers a lot of money to transport their goods to their destination.

According to the truck driver, before now, the cost of transporting a 40-footer container within Lagos was between N200,000 to N300,000, but now it is costs between N500,000 and N700,000 to transport same size container from Apapa ports to Sagamu.

Lucky Amiwero, maritime analyst, had in an earlier report, confirmed this to B D S U N D AY , b l a m i n g t h e rising cost of transporting cargo also on port inefficiency and the present mismanagement of backlog of cargo at the ports resulting to the gridlock.

To defray their costs, truck owners have increased the cost of moving cargo from Lagos ports to warehouses within Lagos, to the north,

south-east and south-west.

For instance, transporting 20-foot containers from Tin-Can and Apapa ports to any warehouse in Lagos that used to cost between N40-000 and N120,000 now costs N400,000.00, while 40foot containers that used to cost between N50,000 and N250,000 now costs N700,000.

Also, moving 20 and 40f o o t c o n t a i n e r s f ro m L a gos to the north that used to cost between N500,000 a n d N 600, 0 00, n ow c o s t s between N900,000, N1 million and N1.3 million. Taking consignment to the south-east which used to c o s t N 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 n ow c o s t s between N550,000 and 750, 000.

All these have implications for Nigerian consumers who are at the receiving end of the increases. “These increases are putting pressure on businesses but the person at the receiving end is the consumer to whom the importer transfers the additional costs. Again, imported items will continue to be very expensive and unaffordable to many consumers”, Yusuf Gambo, a clearing agent explained to BDSUNDAY. What this means is that the impact of the Apapa gridlock in Lagos, which is aggravated by the activities of a taskforce that should be helping the situation, is also affecting people in far away Kano, Onitsha, Ilorin, Port Harcourt, etc, because these are areas where goods from Apapa are moved to.

In Lagos, the mess in Apapa is affecting every other part of the state one way or another. Apart from the congestion that is all over the state now, house rent has gone up in some parts of the state as a result of the movement of people and businesses from Apapa to such locations. Ag ain, there has been increased pressure on infrastructure and other social services in those locations as a result of this.

Gambo is of the view that “until all these anomalies are addressed, Nigeria will continue to be too expensive a market for foreign direct investment which the country needs badly at the moment”, advising that the federal government, especially the vice president who has visited and seen Apapa in its chaos, should save the port city in order to boost import business in the country.

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Kiddies

Cross section of the beneficiaries at the event

Bishop Howells Memorial Grammar school holds inter- house sports

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Ngozi Okpalakunne

L-R: Okpala Samuel; Favour Fidelis and David Izuora Ephraim Ekpo during the inter-house sports competition.

Tortoise and the pot of wisdom

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nce upon a time in the land of the animals, Tortoise, being a greedy person collected all the wisdom in the world and decided to keep it all in a large pot for himself. He said “I have all the wisdom of the world for myself’ At least that was what he thought being a greedy person.

He then tied the pot of wisdom around his neck with a strong rope and let the pot hang in front of him. But then he was afraid that someone would find the pot of wisdom and steal it.

“What shall I do with my pot of wisdom?” He thought and thought and at last he said : “ I shall hide the pot on top of the tallest tree in the forest.”

So he searched the forest until he found the tallest tree and brought the pot of wisdom to the tree. While he was trying to climb the tree, his four-year-old son was watching him. “Father, he said, what are you doing?” “Well, said

the Tortoise, I have in this clay pot all the wisdom of the world and I am going to hang it on the top of the tallest tree away from everybody, then I will be the wisest man in the whole wide world.”

“I have an idea,” said his son “Why not hang the pot behind you instead of in front of you.

Then you will be able to climb the tree.”

When the cunning Tortoise hung the pot behind him and saw to his surprise that he was able to climb to the top of the tree with his pot, he said to himself, “I thought I had all the wisdom in the world.” “I thought I had it all in my pot but my own little son has wisdom not in my pot.”

Then he made a statement that we still use today. “No one-person can have all the wisdom in the world.” On his way down, he angrily dropped the pot and it smashed into many pieces and scattered all the wisdom all over the world.

tudents have been urged to engage in sports activities as it will enhance their physical and mental development.

Speaking at the annual inter-house sports competition of Bishop Howell’s Memorial Grammar School Bariga, Lagos the principal of the school, Tunde Oduwale described sports and games as integral part of the student’s life and added that the young ones should not abstain themselves from sports activities in the school.

According to him, the annual competition is one of the ways in which the school management measures and harnesses the talents in a school system. ‘’It is an opportunity for the school to showcase various talents of the children. It is an indication that our country is also richly blessed and that is why emphasis will continue

to be placed on school sports.

Inter-house sports competition is the greatest sports grass root because it helps to bring out talents when it is driven by passion, the children are not doing it because of monetary gain or any other consideration, they get involved because of the passion they have for sports.

“Sports helps to develop both the body and the mind, a sound mind in a healthy body is the ultimate expectation of any healthy child and when you talk about round education, you are talking about education which the child uses both the hand and the head put together to achieve greater heights,’’ Oduwale added.

Also speaking, vice chairman, Parents Teachers Association of the school, Eyo Ekpo lauded students that participated in the sports competition and encouraged them to continue in what they know best.

Also he appreciated the efforts of the school management to invite other sister schools to

participate in the sports competition.

On his part, sports officer and the chairman of sports committee of the school, Keyinde Aribilola while commending parents on their laudable support for the programme, admonished them to encourage their wards to always participate in sports activities adding, ‘’It is not all of them that will use academics to progress in life, some will go in to field while some will go in to trade.’’

It is interesting to note that four houses participated in the competition and they include; green, red, blue and yellow house.

Green house clinched the first position, while blue came second and the third position went to red house.

The four houses participated in field and track events which include, high and long jump; shut put among others. Bishop Howell is a private missionary school established over three decades ago.

HDI gives succor to children with special needs

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n a bid to give sense of belonging, acceptance and confidence to special children in the society, Human Development Initiative (HDI) recently organised a one day forum in Lagos.

The event which came under the theme, “A day out with special children” offered great opportunity for the children of widows, widowers, orphans and children living with disability as they received educational scholarship from Human Development Initiatives-Education Trust Fund (HDI-ETF) which is an extension of Human Development Initiatives programme.

Executive director HDI, Olufunso Owasanoye who spoke at the event described special children as the most vulnerable of all, adding “they are those mostly affected by economic turbulence and instability and may suffer other more devastating consequences due to their special needs.

“Since education is the gateway to human development, being a child with disability or one who has lost one or both parents should not be a limitation to accessing good education. All children should be able to ac-

cess good education to impact positively on their lives and their societies.

Government alone cannot meet the educational needs of these children.” Owasanoye said.

However, she observed that despite the educational, health and economic challenges of special children they are still able to do great things and sometimes even accomplish greater feats if given the opportunity.

She regretted the increased number of orphans and widows’ in the society, adding “It is important to note that people have different responses to the vulnerable, some respond positively, others negatively, while some others remain indifferent as influenced by their perceptions and level of interaction.

“In developing societies such as Nigeria, it is rather unfortunate that the vulnerable experience high levels of negative responses due to negative perceptions often triggered by negative socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices.

“These negative dispositions manifest in various forms of discrimination, segregation, abuses and exclusion; thus worsening

vulnerability.

“Some other times when we attempt to show positive attitudes towards the vulnerable, we do so at calculated distances, with little or no knowledge of their feelings, needs and aspirations. “ Many people feel easily fulfilled by their little acts of charity which often fail to meet the actual yearnings of these special persons, especially for social bonding, love, appreciation, respect and acceptance.”

Explaining the idea behind “day out with special children”, she affirmed was borne out of the need to take their hearts and acts of charity, love and support for the vulnerable to significantly down-to-earth levels in strengthening vulnerable humans.

On his part, Adebukunola Adebayo lauded the organisers of the event, saying that such effort will support the government to reduce the number of out-ofschool children in the state.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke during the event appreciated the organisers saying that educational support given to them will go a long way in assisting them to achieve their academic goal in life.

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Health&Science Why hepatitis C is usually symptomless, men more at risk

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH

epatitis C is an inflammation of the liver, which if left untreated can be life threatening. In Nigeria the prevalence of hepatitis virus infection is high and is worsened by lack of awareness, late diagnosis and treatment leading to increasing incidences of liver problems and deaths.

Hepatitis C is a contagious, it is the most common bloodborne disease and most people with hepatitis C do not realise that they have it.

Researchers say men have a higher tendency and there are many factors that can put men at risk of contracting hepatitis C and experiencing its symptoms than women.

Researchers say a blood test can determine whether or not a man has the hepatitis C virus.

“Hepatitis B and C are chronic infections that may not show symptoms for a long period, sometimes years or

decades. At least 60 per cent of liver cancer cases are due to late testing and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C. Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

However, according to a report published on Medical News Today, on what to know about hepatitis C in men identifies that the following risk factors are linked with the viral infection to men.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a key risk factor for a man is having condomless sex with another man.

However,itismuchmorecommon for hepatitis C to be transmitted by using shared needles than through sexual contact.

Men who have sex with other men are also more likely to get hepatitis C if they have a history of sexually transmitted infection or HIV, the same for those who have sex with multiple people or have rough sex.

There are also some risk factors that cause a person to be more likely to experience liver scarring from hepatitis C. If a person with cirrhosis has a liver with excessive scarring, they may experience liver failure.

Men should speak with their doctor about how to treat hepatitis C and reduce the risks that their condition will worsen.

However, main symptoms of hepatitis C in men may begin with an acute infection and this can cause an illness that may seem flu-like. Acute hepatitis C infection symptoms include appetite loss, fatigue, fever, nausea, body aches and pains, yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes.

Some people’s bodies clear hepatitis C on their own. However, this is not always the case, and the virus may therefore progress to a chronic infection. Healthcare professionals sometimes call hepatitis C a “silent infection” because people may have it for a long time without knowing.

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, scientists are working on a vaccine, but

challenges specific to hepatitis C have historically made developing the vaccine difficult.

The available treatments for hepatitis C can often cure the disease, but these medications can be costly and take weeks of treatment.

To prevent hepatitis C never share needles, including glucose testing supplies, ensure that tattoo and piercing conditions are sterile, with new needles and strict measures to protect against infection, if a person is not in a monogamous relationship in which both partners are hepatitis C-negative, use condoms correctly and consistently.

Also, always clean dried blood with a bleach solution. A person can get hepatitis C from exposure to dried blood that contains the virus and Refraining from sharing personal care items that may have blood on them, such as a toothbrush or razor.

Anyone who may have had blood-to-blood contact with a person who has hepatitis C should ask a doctor about testing.

Experts proffer practical solutions to diabetes in Nigeria Ifeoma Okeke

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edical experts across the country have come out with practical solutions in a bid to fight diabetes in Nigeria;at the maiden edition of Diabetes Demystified Summit at Lekki, Lagos.

Speaking at the Diabetes Demystified Summit, Daniella Akpakwu, Convener of the Summit and Founder of Wellness Patron, a health and Wellness company that caters for management of diabetes and Life Style related diseases, said the aim of the event is to help clear the fears around diabetes and help people understand that conquering diabetes starts by gaining knowledge; as well as the importance of nutrition in management of diabetes.

“We want to clear the myth and stigma surrounding diabetes. A lot of people feel diabetes is a stigma, a weakness or a curse but it is not. It is something that opens the door for you to live your best life. It starts from information. Diabetes patients should come out and get informed and use the information to manage thier health.

People should get tested and if they are diabetic, they should stick to the nutrition plan,” Akpakwu added.

Speaking on her passion for Diabetes Demystified she said, “It started with growing, my dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and he always looked at it as strength and an advantage point for him.

NCDC calls for caution as meningitis season sets in Anthonia obokoh

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h e Ni g e r i a Ce n t r e for Disease Control (NCDC) has called on Nigerians to be at alert as the meningitis season which usually start from November to June and peaks in April is here again.

Meningitis is a deadly infection that affects the delicate membranes known as (Meninges) which cover the brain and spinal cord. It is viral or bacterial infection is contagious among people in close contact.

Symptoms or signs of meningitis could be Fever (can also have cold hands and feet), Vomiting or diarrhoea, difficulties breathing or grunting, convulsions or seizures, swollen abdomen.

“It is important to note that Nigeria experienced a large outbreak of meningitis during 2016/2017 season and with the State’s support, we achieved over 70 per cent reduction in cases and deaths during the 2017/2018 season.

It is possible to prevent more cases/deaths this season (2018/2019) if we prepare early,” says NCDC. According to the agency, this is a wakeup call to all states to be better prepared to respond in event of an outbreak. As such, states are requested to intensify their support for these preventive activities.

Strengthen active surveillance and notification for meningitis in communities and health facilities using standard case definition. For all suspected cases, ensure immediate collection of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample and send to the State Public Health Laboratory along with completed IDSR001B, immediately report the case to next level using IDSR001 A and line list same in IDSR001 C and all cases should be reported to NCDC using the shared line list template to ensure that you have appropriate support for response.

Set up an incident management system for Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in anticipation of cases given the risk within your State Procure and preposition Ceftriaxone, intravenous fluids and other medical supplies for immediate case management.

Train appropriate healthcare workers in all your health facilities to collect CSF samples from all suspected cases of CSM before commencement of treatment, and send same to the appropriate laboratory for diagnosis.

Commence social mobilization and health education of the public on signs and symptoms of CSM, prompt reporting of all suspected cases to health facilities for treatment and improving environmental sanitation/personal hygiene.

Uncorrected refractive error in your child’s eye can result in blindness - experts Anthonia obokoh

R lufemi Kusa; Family Bond Nurse, Julie Mogbo; Nutrionist and Health Coach, Daniella Akpakwu (Wellness Patron and convener for Diabetes Dymistified) and husband of convener, Akpakwu, proud survivor of a bad case of Diabetes.

It made him research a lot on the role of food and nutrition. It helped go a long way. My dad is old but still very strong today. He is very informed and this has rubbed-off on us. We are all informed about cooking diabetes friendly food and that is where my journey started from.

“My uncle on the other hand, lived a life of fear and this cut short his life on time. My husband was a favoured person. Even though my husband’s blood sugar level was higher and he went into a coma , he got back his health through good nutrition and good medication. I always say that food and nutrition have great roles to play in our health.

It starts with your choices and what you are doing now.”

Akpakwu disclosed that the event was the maiden edition but promised to hold it annually and make it a two day event.

Also speaking during the event, Ilerhunmwuwa Paul Nosakhare, an endocrinologist mentioned some of the signs of diabetes in children to include sudden weight loss, frequent urination, regularly feeling thirsty and slow healing of wounds amongst others.

Nosakhare advised that when these signs show, the patient needs to see a doctor for administration of insulin, the blood level should be checked before administering insulin and the child must be regular on insulin.

He noted that other ways to address diabetes are by joining a support group, regular visits with the doctor, not living

in denial, not blaming one’s self, getting psychological support, avoiding illicit drugs and alcohol and having enough sleep.

Julie Mogbo, family bond nurse who spoke on leveraging family relationship to improve well-being also stressed that many of the cases presented in the hospital have psychological undertone.

She explained that diseases spread per second and the fight should be double per second adding that people should not be afraid to find out what exactly is wrong with their health.

The Diabetes Demystified Summit provided free blood sugar test, eye test and foot massage. There was also a movie titled ‘48 hours,’ produced to create awareness about managing diabetes.

efractive error occurs when the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in a blurred image. The main types of refractive errors are myopia (near- sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), presbyopia (loss of near vision with age), and astigmatism.

An ophthalmologist specialist has said that uncorrected or refractive error affects most children’s eyes leading to the major cause blindness in them.

The expert disclosed in interview with BusinessDay that it is very mandatory and important not only in Nigeria, but over the world to take any child between the ages of two to three for check up with an ophthalmologist.

Ranijit Basu, a consultant Phaco, Refractive, Glaucoma and paediatric ophthalmology, at Skipper Eye Q said, “Early detection is the key to save the children from blindness; any child between the ages of two to three should be taking for check up with an ophthalmologist.

“Others are allergies which are mostly from toxic smoke; air conditioners and

the effect of global warming are also affecting these children which are creating a whole lot of problems. Congenital cataract, maligned or cross eyes,” said Basu.

According to him, time is very mandatory when it comes to eye; therefore it is recommended we go for eye check-up yearly except the diabetic and glaucoma patient which needs to visit the hospital between four to six months.

“Raising the index of consciousness in the society is very vital, I request the government of Nigeria to replicate the models which the Middle East countries as well as India have been following too, to cheap in and pay for surgeries of people who live below poverty level cost. So the social economic status should not be the main hurdle to the person receiving proper delivery of eye care,” Basu added.

Ho w e v e r, s y m p t o m s refractive errors could be blurred vision, difficulty reading or seeing up close and crossing of the eyes in children (esotropia). Refractive disorders are commonly treated using corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

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L-R: Far left; Abu Etu, senior manager, product d evelopment, Vodacom Business Nigeria; Far right; Olumide Idowu,

L-R: Wale Odeyemi, managing director (Ag), Vodacom Business Nigeria; Solomon Ogufere, commercial director, Vod-

(Ag) executive head of department, operations and students of Dansol High School, Ikeja; Edgefield College, Lekki;

acom Business and students of Dansol High School, Ikeja; Edgefield College, Lekki; Fruitful Ville College International,

Fruitful Ville College International, Ikorodu; Halifield Schools, Maryland and Holy Child College at the maiden edition

Ikorodu; Halifield Schools, Maryland and Holy Child College at the maiden edition of Vodacom Robotics Day 2018

of Vodacom Robotics Day 2018

L-R: Nonny Ugboma, executive secretary, MTN Foundation; Aishatu P. Sadauki, director, MTN Foundation; Bikiya Graham-Douglas, COO, Beeta Universal Arts Foundation; Dennis Okoro, director, MTN Foundation and Elelaonu Okoro at the premiere of the MTN Foundation sponsored Our Son The Minister in Lagos.

Pic by Pius Okeosisi

L-R: Onome Asagbra, publicity secretary, Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN); Wasiu Abiola,1st vice president, ADVAN; Paul Mkpuma, SS2 student of Lanre Awolokun High school; Ali Oladipupo, SS3 student of the same school; Ediri Ose-Ediale, executive secretary, ADVAN, and Austen Osokpor, chairman, ADVAN awards planning committee,

L-R: Suleiman Isa, deputy director, Standard Organisation of Nigeria; Kabir Mohammed, director, DG office, Lekki: Sohan Sharma, general manager, Simba Group of Companies, and Victor Amadi, head, protocol, Lagos, during the unveiling of Simba Showroom in Lekki, Lagos.

Toyin Adeniji, executive director, micro enterprise, Bank of Industry (BoI), (2nd r), and some leaders of Alaba-Rago market, during the inauguration of TraderMoni in Lagos.

during the presentation of Laptop to students of Lanre Awolokun High School Gbagada as part of the association CSR to mark their 25th year anniversary in Lagos.

L-R: Abasi-Ekong Udobang, senior manager, MTN Foundation; Princewill Chike, commissioner for health, Rivers State;

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Abiola Ajimobi, governor, Oyo State; being cheered by traders during the inauguration

Nancy Chidi-Nwankwo, commissioner for commerce & industry, Rivers State, and Reginald Chukwuemeka Okeya,

of TraderMoni in Bodija Market, Ibadan.

director, MTN Foundation, at the flag off ceremony of MTN Market Doctor in Port Harcourt.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

Isoun: Creating innovative and sustainable university CHIGACHI EKE & FELIX TUODOLO The Isoun trilogy

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n 21st April 2018, Professor Turner Timinipre Isoun, father of Nigerian Space Technology, delivered the 1st Distinguished Public Lecture Series of University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT), Bayelsa State, titled, ‘The University of Africa: In Pursuit of an Innovative and Sustainable University, Responding to the Challenges of a State and a Nation.’

We followed up this event with two interviews where he expatiated on issues not adequately addressed in his lecture. The interviews qualify to stand as the second part of his lecture. Then his interview published in Punch newspaper of 8th September 2 0 1 8 , i n c o m m e m o ra t i n g his 80th birthday, titled, ‘Since there were no Roads, I Swam across River to Attend School,’ beautifully summed what he began in UAT. The Isoun Trilogy attempts the following questions: (1) Why does Nigeria find it difficult to create a world-class university not minding its hundreds of universities? (2) Our weakness is technology yet politics and religion occupy all the spaces leaving very little for science and critical thinking, why? (3) In the Diaspora, Nigerian scientists excel. What is inside Nigeria that undermines their ability to attain equal excellence? and (4) Why is the Nigerian political class not able to solve our developmental problem through research and innovation?

Creating sustainable and innovation universities Access Working with recent data, 1.5 million candidates applied for admission but only a third was admitted. The fate of the remaining one million convinces Professor Isoun to call for more universities, in addition to the 160 already in existence, for the unmet needs of young Nigerians. But access to university education goes beyond the admission of more qualified students. It also means that high performing indigent students are given merit-based scholarships by government and corporate

Isoun Nigeria.

Funding Science and technology are not liberal arts created f ro m t h e m i n d . We n e e d state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries and uninterrupted power. To build quality and relevant universities responsive to the visions and miss i o n s f o r w h i c h t h ey a re established, independent fund outside the control of politicians is necessary. He gives two instances of how universities are independently funded elsewhere.

One, America ensures research is driven by money from many sources including realistic fees, diverse grants, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, private and commercial institutions. More importantly, America guarantees these “investors” of reasonably returns from university researches capable of revolutionalising their productivity.

For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) formed many companies the products of which peaked billions of dollars; money shared by them and the MIT. And two, China funds its universities by incorporating them into the economic productivity system without divorcing them from their

traditional role of research and teaching. For example, Nigerian Communication Satellites, built by the Chinese Academy of Space Sciences, was used in training Nigerian and Chinese scientists.

As Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Isoun struggled to establish an independent Nigerian National Science Foundation without success. Even the envisaged Nigerian Research and Innovative Trust Fund never materialised leading to the

frustration of our scientificminded geniuses. He indicts the Nigerian political elite for bluntly refusing to make available special fund for research and development in the past fifteen years.

Only the preceding government of President Olusegun Obasanjo adequately funded researches as the data is there for all to verify. Without funds our inventors are condemned to die with their prototypes.

To c h a n g e t h in g s G overnment must enthrone

The problem is perception.

If Federal and state governments see research funds as redundant “grants” rather than “investment” with potential for innovative application to products and services, then things can never change

enabling policies encouraging corporate Nigeria to intervene in core Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). It could also allocate, at least, 1 b illion d ollars from Excess Crude Account to a fund for use by tertiary institutions. Such fund must be self-perpetuating requiring beneficiaries of academic researches to return part of their profits to the fund.

The problem is perception. If Federal and state governments see research funds as redundant “grants” rather than “investment” with potential for innovative application to products and services, then things can never change. Secondly, Professor Isoun draws attention to our over-reliance on religion. Religious minds are not scientific and would rather divert scarce resources to endless pilgrimages. This is counter-productive since our weakness is technology and not prayer.

Professor Isoun agrees with the leading thinkers of today, namely, Professor Wole Soyinka, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Governor Donald Duke and Aare Afe Babalola for sounding the alarm against the prepond e ra n c e o f re l i g i o n o v e r sound education and ideas.

Emir Sanusi II, whose words are strong enough to start a revolution any day, wins his special commendation for denouncing governors who use public funds to sponsor pilgrims to holy lands while our students have no books, classrooms or future.

Sharing of assets The power of science and technology lies in information sharing. Lack of shared ideas and assets between Nigerian universities and international institutes is contributory to our poor performance in science. Bright minds are frustrated by loneliness, limited resources and collegiate apathy.

The UAT and other institutions could collaborate with the Odi Bio-resources Development Centre, BioDeC, equipped with modern laboratory for DNA and gnomic research. If the laboratory is adopted by visionary scientists with complementary skills, possible benefit will include (a) The isolation of indigenous and genetically modified micro-organisms re l ev a n t t o b i o - re m e d i a tion (breaking down) of hy-

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Isoun: Creating innovative... drocarbons and pollutants threatening our biodiversity (b) Identification of crude biomarkers against illegal refinery and bunkering, and (c) Identification of specific source of soot and other pollutants.

Specialisation Nigerian universities must be equitably supported to excel in disciplines where they have the highest capacity and expertise. Specialisation saves resources while encouraging collaboration, quality teaching and research. Foreign experts must be recruited where the requisite skills are lacking locally. But recruiting foreign experts becomes an uphill task with a weak naira. The foreign currency challenge moves the esteemed academic into calling on Diasporan Nigerians to intervene.

Western-based Indian and Chinese experts are reverseengineering non-military technologies back home, for instance. Their solutions save their home countries billions in expensive consultancy fees while lifting Asians out of poverty. If our expatriate scientists can adopt Nigerian universities, or start their own research institutes back home, such arrangement would facilitate t e c h n o l o g y t ra n s f e r . T h e multiplier effect will also set some of our universities on the trajectory of excellence.

Quality of teachers Dominated by a mindset with entrenched fixed tradition, the teaching profession is resistance to change.

Teachers are dogmatic and inflexible with a sense of entitlement. Their impenetrable hierarchies ultimately undermine the latest ideas and ways of doing things.

The end result is systemic fail u r e e v i d e n t i n y o u n g Nigerians going abroad for their Doctorate than be yoked with local supervisors with an obsolete mindset.

We get around this through the introduction digital technology into the classroom. Our academics must be armed with laptops to enable them access the social media in addition to catching up with their own students no longer limited by time and space.

What we are talking about is unfettered intellectual freedom.

Curricula We need innovative and updated curricula that prepare students for work place best practices or

“ t r a i n e e s h i p . ” Te c h n i c a l skillmust be superimposed on entrepreneurship for the best result. After course

Our academics must be armed with laptops to enable them access the social media in addition to catching up with their own students no longer limited by time and space. What we are talking about is unfettered intellectual freedom

work students should be exposed to the practical aspects of their studies that come with experience. The right curricula, therefore, s h o u l d b re e d i n t e l l i g e n t , self-motivated and curious students confident enough to do things differently.

University curricula need not be uniform as that could lead to misplaced priorities; since none can predict job demands for the next ten years. They should tease out “curiosity and motivation” from students as knowledge acquired on your own is more lasting and easy to expand than an imparted one. Our universities must be inculcated into the world of “internet of things,” artificial intelligence and robotics.

As the first Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, Professor Isoun created in 1979, an institution that guaranteed his students sustainable livelihood. He did this by actively involving them in developmental projects at state and federal levels. The UAT, as a new entity, has the advantage of creating a community of open and enquiring minds.

Infrastructure

Nigerian universitiesmust provide adequate academic and residential facilities. A viable transport system within and without is a must. There must be shared facilities for sports, continuing education and m u l t i - p u r p o s e ex h i b i t i o n not limited to theatres for drama, debate and music.

The campus should be a multi-faceted environment for diversity consistent with common humanity while boosting healthy interface with host community.

Conclusion Rather than critical thinkers, Nigeria is breeding a gullible generation hooked on gambling, religion and the blame game. Command and control latent in our national life is partly re sponsible for this sad state of affairs. The Nigerian graduate is afraid to unlock his mind not to make mistake. So he toes the wellbeaten track of job market.

His poverty of ideas soon translates to penury. Like the tragic Unoka in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart,’ he visits prophets to know why misfortune dogs him.

To b re a k t h e s t ra n g l e hold of conformism that tends to emasculate him, he must be steered to re-

search and innovation. This new thinking challenges h im t o c re at e w e alt h u sing his head as traditional fields like accounting and pharmacy are no longer the money spinners of today. The STI triumvirate that created the Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerbergs of this world is. But using his head means that what is imparted to him as student must be the right stuff. It is for this reason that Professor Isoun’s lecture is recommended for Nigerian universities as our primary and secondary schools expected to shape the minds being admitted into the university.

We call on the UAT Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Valentine Aletor, and other Vice-Chancellors to implement Professor Isoun’s recommendations, especially in changing mindset.

We would not be creating something new, even with adequate funding, if the latest ways of doing things are frowned upon by lect u re r s o r u n d e r m i n ed by the untenable lifestyle of students.

Eke: chigachieke@yahoo. c o . u k . D r .Tu o d o l o : o k u s baba@yahoo.co.uk.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

dyed fabrics, wood carvings, mats and hats, which portray the creative potential of the natives. These crafts have become a major source of income for many, especially women in the community.

For Byibanabe Wushibwayi, who has been a potter all her life, apart from earning a living with their craft, pottery is their heritage, which must be preserved for generations unborn. Now in her early 80s, she still makes pots and is most grateful that visitors now come for Ushafa wares, leaving the modern ones in the town.

“We are happy when visitors come here to see our work. We want more of them because they buy our pots at high price.

We need the money to send our children to school because our people do not have enough money to buy at such price,” says Wushibwayi, who has won several awards, such as Human Living Treasure Award, and recognitions by Norwegian government, UNESCO, and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The many visits by world leaders, tourists and researchers across the globe to the centre, for Alice Adoderin, the centre’s direc-

tor, are a welcome development.

“The visits come with patronage, and the patronage sustains the centre and the women in both business and in preserving the pottery craft”, Adoderin says.

On a typical tour of the centre, visitors are taken to the two wings of the centre – traditional and modern wings. At the traditional wing, you will be thrilled on how these women have organised themselves into cooperatives and practice their craft in the ways of their ancestors; while the modern wing employs the use of machines and other contemporary practices in the production of pots.

The intrigue is with the traditional wing because everything is done manually, from fetching clay (which requires walking some kilometres) to molding. However, it is until you sit with the women and observe them do their thing that you will appreciate the resilience and creative ingenuity of these women worth African Idols in their various rights.

But before you go, pick up a pot for souvenir, and do not forget to sign the visitors’ book to be in the club of high profile visitors once hosted by Ushafa and thrilled by the creativity of its women.

Travel

Why visit Ushafa?

OBINNA EMELIKE

W

hileconducting routine search of passengers’ luggage at the airport, the hand of an immigration officer felt something well packaged inside a bag. He called on Jennie Milford, a British tourist and owner of the bag, to stand by while he unveiled the content.

The first thing that always comes to the mind of most immigration officers in that situation is ‘illegal drugs concealed in a package’. But on opening the package, the creative way the name Jennie was tattooed on the contents (two beautifully-designed ceramic teapots and a flower vase) made the officer sigh, but not in relief. He had hoped that it would be a big catch for his promotion or settlement. But Jennie proudly told the officer she specially paid for the pottery souvenirs at Ushafa Pottery Centre in Abuja.

Today, to every visitor that drinks from them, the teapots advertise the expertise of the women who make them, as well as, the Ushafa village itself, while the flower vase speaks volumes about African heritage to everyone that sees it.

Ushafa is a small settlement set in the midst of a beautiful array of interlocking hills, surrounded by lush green vegetation, just about 40 km from Abuja city centre. Since 1991 when Maryam Babangida, the late wife of Ibrahim Babangida, former military president, established the Ushafa Pottery Centre under her Better Life for Rural Women Programme, the sleeping village has woken up to many calls by visitors.

Of course, it is not the village that attracts the visitors; it is the pottery which has now shifted global tourism attention to the village.

Like Jennie whose visit was insignificant, Bill Clinton, then president of the United States of America, and Chelsea, his daughter, also bought some pottery wares as souvenirs during their visit to the centre in August 2000. Even more pottery wares were sold a year later when Hosni Mubarak, former Egyptian president, and a league of mayors from across the globe visited Ushafa.

The special skills the women at Ushafa display with their pottery also attracted Ruth Metzler, the Swiss vice president and minister of justice, on a visit to the centre in January 2003.

Before now, Nigerians had visited the centre to learn skills or acquire pottery for household use. But it was not until the visit by the Clintons that tour operators started packaging Ushafa as one of the tourist offerings in Abuja.

As well, the number of tourists to Elmina Slave Castle in Ghana has tripled since the visit of the Obamas to the slave relic in 2008.

Since the former US president’s visit and endorsement, the village and the centre have been welcoming visitors who want to see people live and do their thing their own way.

Well, a visit to the village is truly a respite from the official protocols and formalities of Abuja life. One unique thing is that one can be privileged to witness the women break, mix and mold the clay substance into beautiful ceramic products designed in different varieties. A closer look at the pottery reveals that they bear tattoos and designs, which symbolise love, beauty, and sometimes sober reflections of the designers. On special request, a visitor can always get his/ her name tattooed on a pottery product.

Apart from assorted clay pots, common artistic items in Ushafa include traditional hand-woven

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BDSUNDAY 39

Travel

Luxury at 40,000ft above sea level Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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lying business class is so much more than the seat, bed, menus, champagne, extensive bar and multi course dining on board. Business class is about a complete experience from start to finish.

One would always wonder why certain passengers spend so much for a business class seat for less than 24-hour flight. This is simply because they get value for their money.

A few airlines around the world deliver top notch services in their business class cabin, such that passengers cannot resist. One of such airlines is Delta Airlines.

One of the most exclusive cabins in the sky, Delta One offers a dedicated in-cabin flight attendant and luxurious details that truly make a difference in how you spend your time in the air. The Delta One experience is available on long-haul international flights and in select long-haul domestic markets.

Sky Priority Your intriguing experience as a Sky Priority passenger begins as soon as you enter the airport. Delta One passengers enjoy airport club access, Sky Priority check-in, security, baggage handling and premium boarding.

You can’t help but feel well-taken care of, with attentive and personalised service from a dedicated Delta One cabin flight attendant.

Whatever you need, Delta flight attendants will be ready to assist.

Domestic Delta one experience You can find the Delta One experience on select domestic markets. On board, you’ll experience a higher standard of flying with the must-haves you won’t find on just any airline. You’ll enjoy a 180-degree flat-bed seat, a dedicated flight attendant, and an assortment of special amenities to make your journey a comfortable one.

Delta One passengers have access to our new, private check-in, Delta OneSM at LAX. You can recline and enjoy your flight in the comfort, privacy and exclusivity of your own Delta One suite.

Part of the Delta effort to redefine international business class travel, these suites offer discreet privacy and custom accents, in addition to full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access to make you feel more at home.

When you’re comfortable and well-taken care of

in Delta One, the hours pass quickly. Each seat offers the features you need to enjoy each moment — with room to stretch out, the best in entertainment with Delta Studio and the most comfortable seats and bedding.

Amenities You can travel lighter with a TUMI amenity kit, offering

earplugs, eyeshades, lip balm, deluxe hand and body lotion, and all of your travel essential needs.

Airport Club Access Eat or drink, work or relax.

With Delta One, you receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and SkyTeam partner lounges around the globe. So you can savor a

courtesy cocktail or simply find a quiet retreat to work or unwind.

Completely elevated dining Take flight with reinvented dining in the Delta One cabin, which includes seasonal selections, the freshest regionally-sourced ingredients and chef-curated meals, served on beautifully designed Alessi service ware, available on featured routes.

You reap the rewards as Delta works side-by-side with culinary experts from around the world. Delta’s team of chefs has created local, seasonal, regional entrees featuring the freshest ingredients and flavors Delta’s wine menu Seasonally-rotating selection is being offered in Delta One across Europe, Middle East and Africa Delta’s Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson, has hand-picked her Wine selections, offering exclusive choices to Delta One cus-

tomers flying between Nigeria and the United States.

The vintages appear on a rotating seasonal basis, with two different reds and whites available every three months.

Each wine has been chosen to pair with Delta’s seasonally rotating food menus.

For Spring, the airline is offering dishes including fillet of beef with brandy peppercorn sauce, potato and celery root gratin and roasted shallots.

In addition to Portugal and France, throughout the 12 months in 2017, the wines served were also sourced from Italy, Spain, Argentina and the United States.

Every year, Andrea samples 1,600 different wines from around the world to curate her Delta selections.

In addition to the Premium Programme, she also curates an Essential Delta One menu, one for South America and a fourth for U.S. transcontinental routes. Customers in the premium cabins consume more than 2.5 million bottles of wine, champagne and port each year.

No wonder Delta was named the international business class winner in Global Traveler’s annual Wine on the Wings competition.

Global Traveler selected a panel of more than 20 wine professionals to oversee this year’s competition. The judges conducted a blind taste test of wines submitted by airlines around the world, giving each wine a score based on its taste and quality. When the scores were tallied, Delta rose to the top as the highest scorer among international business class selections.

Emirates expands partnership with Uber to offer customers seamless travel

E

mirates has expanded its exclusive global partnership with Uber based on outstanding customer feedback for an end-to-end travel experience. Passengers travelling on Emirates Economy Flex Plus and Emirates Economy Flex fares from more than 20 global destinations can now avail special discounted airport rides from and to Dubai International Airport.

The offer allows Emirates passengers travelling from Los Angeles, Houston, Washington, Chicago and New York in the United States; Amman in Jordan; Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria; Accra in Ghana; Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Sialkot and Karachi in Pakistan; Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil; Tokyo and Osaka in Japan; and Bologna,

Rome, Milan and Venice in Italy, to redeem discounted rides on Uber when travelling to Dubai. The offer is valid for booking and travel from now until 10 December 2018.

Passengers can enjoy seamless airport transfers in conjunction with Uber and get around town for less when flying with Emirates.

Economy Flex Plus travellers

can avail two free rides from and to Dubai International Airport from anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 120 per trip (or enter equivalent market currency), while Economy Flex passengers will get 50% off two rides, from and to Dubai International Airport to anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 60 per trip (or enter

equivalent market currency).

Passengers can avail the special offers by booking via the Emirates website during the promotional period.

The Uber promotion code offer is currently also available for passengers visiting Dubai from Australia, South Africa, Egypt, France and Saudi Arabia, until 10 December 2018.

Thierry Antinori, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Emirates, said: “We have seen very good results with this partnership and are pleased to expand our offer with Uber to even more Emirates customers across North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Far East. We are always looking for innovative ways to enhance our customer experience from end to end and we remain committed to offering passengers traveling to and through Dubai exceptional services, greater convenience and a seamless customer journey.”

Brooks Entwistle, Uber’s chief international business officer commented: “We are excited to have seen thousands of passengers benefit

from this partnership with Emirates, and to extend it for more from around the world to enjoy a seamless fly-and-ride experience. We share a global footprint with Emirates, serving millions of customers in hundreds of cities around the world, and a commitment to creating opportunities for people to experience more of the world around them with the help of world class customer service and cutting-edge technology.”

Dubai is the ideal stopover and holiday destination that has something for everyone. Visitors travelling to and through Dubai can explore the vibrant city and its many offerings, including yearround sunshine, iconic buildings, world-class shopping and the finest restaurants.

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TheWorshippers Things will turn around for Nigeria if we put our faith in Christ – Apostle Oduh Come December 2, Apostle Virginia Oduh of Jesus Christ Reigneth Forever Ministries will be leading worshippers in their numbers to celebrate God’s faithfulness at the church’s annual harvest and thanksgiving service. In this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, the Shepherd Mother, as she is proudly called by members of the church, gives insights into why the church is in a joyful mood despite the socioeconomic challenges in the country. Excerpts: This year’s harvest is themed ‘Harvest of Joy’. How did you arrive at the theme? or this year’s harvest we are thanking God for life. I am alive, my family is alive, and equally the church members are alive. No matter what is happening in the country, God kept us alive, hence we are celebrating a harvest of joy. God did not allow any evil thing to happen to us despite the hardship in the country. God has been there for us.

If you have to compare the previous edition to this year, what would be your expectations?

By the grace of God, this will be highest year for everyone that believes. One thing is to believe. Once you believe in Christ, everything around you will be filled with joy; it only demands little understanding that God can do it. That is how it will be for everyone that believes. The life we live today is by the grace of God, that is why I want everybody to rejoice and be happy, not because you are going to eat much that day, but because the joy is there that God is keeping us alive. If you look at Nigeria today, so many things have been happening in the country, but God is there for us.

Looking at the level of insecu-

F

Apostle Virginia Oduh

rity in the country, what is your advice to the government?

My own belief is that God will help this country if all of us put our faith in Christ. We should rejoice

and stop speaking evil of the country, and count everything as joy.

When you remember that name of Jesus, count everything as joy. All the things you hear about people

killing everywhere will come back to normal, only that people take it as if nothing good can happen again. I believe that God can do it and things will work well for us as a nation. We should learn to rejoice in the Lord. Do not look at the size of your pocket but look to God alone for solutions.

What is your view on the state of the nation?

I still believe things are looking very tough at the moment because we as a nation are still struggling with leadership; we have not got the best leadership that Nigeria needs. The unfortunate thing is that our people do not know enough and our options appear to be very limited.

The harvest is on December 2, the first Sunday in December that ushers worshippers into the Christmas mood. What are your expectations for Christmas?

After the harvest, my prayer is that the Christmas for this year will be filled with joy, and I believe everybody will experience a Christmas filled with joy. Christ freely gave up His throne in heaven to become flesh among man. So also, Christians must follow His example of sacrificial love towards mankind. Christmas is a time that we celebrate the birth of Christ

that came to die. If Christ wasn’t born, there is no probability that He would have died. If God wanted to send somebody or a being that wasn’t born, He would have sent an angel, but no angel, according to the bible, could have been able to do what Jesus did. That is the more reason we are encouraging Christians to celebrate the joy of knowing and having Christ as the saviour of the world.

What is your message to the church and your members as they celebrate this harvest of Joy? My message to the church and members is that they should remain dedicated to the things of God and equally maintain a lifestyle of being a praying church.

As believers in Christ, we must be a sacrificial church, and must be a true church of God where His power reigns. Therefore, I am saying there is a need for us as a church to always worship God in the beauty of His holiness to continually enjoy His presence in the church. Finally, my message to the worshippers as they congregate to worship God is that we are going to heaven together, and therefore we should know that divided we fall, united we stand as a body of Christ. There is no need for strife in the church.

Cleric urges politicians to show love, launches ‘Tonic for Relationships’

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arnabas Otoibhi, General Overseer of Temple Rebuilders Ministry in Lagos, has urged the political class in Nigeria to show love and put the interest of the masses at heart in their decision making to better the lot of the populace.

Otoibhi, who is also the national secretary of United Christian As-

sociation, said this at the recent launch of his book titled ‘Tonic for Relationships’.

He said politicians do not love the electorates whose votes they usually ride on to power, adding, “Were politicians to love the masses, there won’t be so much suffering in the land.”

Citing the margin between

L-R: Pastor Akaninyene Bassey of Pentecostal Day Mission; Pastor Job Ajala of The Word of His Power Church of God; Pastor Olawoyin Femi of Deeper Life Bible Church, Shogunle; Pastor Banabas Otoibhi, General Overseer, Temple Rebuilder Ministry and author of the book, “Tonic for Relationship”; his wife, Evangelist Tessy; Pastor Samuel Udofia of New Kingdom Mission; Pastor Momodu Williams, chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Oshodi and Pastor Moses Udo Usoro, during the presentation of Otoibhi’s book in Lagos.

the leaders and the led, he lamented that politicians receive whopping amount of money for monthly allowances while the minimum wage of Nigerian workers is N18,000.

“One of the messages from this book presentation is the need for us to love one another and treat others the way we would want to be treated. It is lack of love and insensitivity to divine injunction that makes government officials – president, governors, local government chairmen, members of National and State Assemblies – to earn monthly salaries and allowances in millions of naira, but pay fellow citizens a paltry minimum wage of N18,000 and deprive pensioners their due benefits,” Otoibhi said.

He charged individuals to be guided in their hearts by love in their relationships with others, saying, “In our interpersonal relationships with others and God, we need love in our hearts to motivate all our speeches and actions. When we embrace God, He pours love in our hearts to love Him and our fellow human beings.”

Talking about the book, the author said love is the tonic needed to

heal fractured relationships. Contrary to the popular definition that love is a strong feeling of affection for something or somebody, he said love, according to biblical interpretation, is “a gift and empowerment from God to those who allow the Holy Spirit to control their hearts and minds by means of His word, because God is love”.

Julius Akaraonye, the bishop of The Rock Christian Mission, recommended the book to the public as

“one of the books for the hour”. He also appreciated Otoibhi for being a man of integrity who is running with divine mandate to rebuild the body of Christ and put it in the right shape.

Momodu Oyahkilome, coordinator, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State chapter, described the book as “a wonderful material that will help in building relationships, because we have a lot of broken homes even in Christendom”.

L - R: Pastor Elijah Wealth, Pastor (Mrs.) Rita Akindejoye, Pastor Akin Akindejoye (District Director), Prince N. Nwachukwu (Snr. Regional Director), Rev. Tunde Elebute & Apstl. Jacob Adeyanju at the inauguration of Fellowship Convenant Ministries International, (FCMI) Lagos District.

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BDSUNDAY 41

Inspirations The courage to differ

Pastor I.S James 2 Tim.1:7

is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because “There fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1Jn.4:18). In Christianity, no one is forced against his beliefs, desire or convictions to wear a suicide vest to kill himself and others. We will all be required to give account of our actions and words. No excuses as “he made me do it” will be entertained when we stand before the throne of God someday.

Each one will be held to the high standards of your sanctified conscience.

That is one reason Jesus said, “I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Luke 21:15). Meaning, even in a hostile environment we will be empowered to speak freely as we should.

Such is the boldness and courage we were promised, especially when testifying of the saving grace of the Master.

I know it is not easy saying “no” to those we love, to disagree respectfully or to confront those we respect. Nevertheless, God expects us to lovingly speak up for what is right in the lives of

those dearest to us. As you read this, my dear friend, I’m sure you have some very close friends or relations, spouses or even colleagues God is waiting on you to confront lovingly about some bad habit or language, character defect, sinful acts or misbehavior. What is needed may just be a gentle rebuke or a simple correction done in love, but your lack of courage to face that intimidating fear may jeopardize everything. Sometimes, we are the ONLY voice of God they will hear!

Nathan’s assignment to confront David with his indiscretion concerning Bathsheba must have been a tough one (2Sam.12:1-14), but his obedience saved the life of his ‘friend.’ I wonder whose life is in danger even as you are reading this as a result of your ‘cowardice.’ Again, there are some people only you can reach, and the Lord is counting on you not to fail Him! Prov.27:6 -Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. So, be a friend first and foremost.

I am sure Simon Peter did not feel that threatened even after that friendly but firm rebuke from the Lord – “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”(Matt.16:23) because the Master had taken time to demonstrate His love to him.

Beloved, one of the challenges of true Christianity is to be a light to the world.

That is not a mere statement; it is a calling – God’s expectation for each of His children. And how would you know if you are truly the ‘light’? The test is simple – sinful people and those living a life of compromise will not be comfortable around you.

“For everyone practicing evil hates the

light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (Jn 3:20-21).

I therefore charge you “in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate” to be filled with courage and boldness to live above every fear or intimidation, and be the light to your world without any apology. That way, you’ll be a great witness of the “True Light”.

Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear.

According to our text;2Tim.1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”, the source of that spirit is God. Other counterfeit forms of it are arrogance, self-will and pride. As with everything that comes from God, the courage we are called to exercise must first of all be ‘coated’ in love and humility and shown with a mature sense of responsibility.

This is especially important when dealing with life’s difficult moments. Such moments include when we have to say ‘No’ to those we love dearly e.g. our children, close friends or relations, fellow church members, colleagues, employees, etc.

Just the thought of having to say ‘no’ paralyze people into silence, in some cases until it becomes too late, even in the face of obvious possible scenarios of things going wrong! Ignoring a bad situation hoping that it becomes better with time is not a winning strategy! A Christian is a person that lives within the boundaries

of God’s laws. ‘No’ is a boundary word (Matt. 5:37). You have a responsibility to speak up whenever the clear lines of the Scripture is being crossed or whenever you hear the ‘still, small voice’ of His Spirit in your heart.

The loss of a friendship is one reason people remain ensnared in a relationship. ‘People come, people go’, but God’s love remains constant. That is one of the unfortunate REALITIES of this life. We can get into real trouble when we seek to ignore such truths out of misplaced feelings. That was one of David’s many mistakes. Michal was David’s past and he should have simply been content with the sweet memories of the past, instead of insisting on recreating it. But what does the Scripture say? “Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. (2Sam.6:16). Have the courage to say ‘No’ to yourself, your children or relations if that is what is needed. Only God can give life to the ‘dead’! Do not empower any relationship that despises your values, your beliefs or your worth, and neither should you “cast your pearls before swine.”

To be continued next week

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

Busybodies or busy buddies

REV. Yomi Kasali

@rev.yomikasali

A

young lady approached her boss for his time in counseling, she sought advice on how she should handle a pressing matter, her boss told her to go ahead and that was how the story started…

‘I found that Chinyere is always around my desk during the busiest part of my day to chit chat about issues and happenings in the office, I used to like the idea but got worried because she is now adding her church matters, her husband, politics and all sorts, frankly sir, I’m really not interested in the conversations but just tag along so that I do not offend her with my attitude..... yet I always desired to be around Amaka whose friendship I find very challenging and interesting, she is always discussing work related challenges and I feel like a better person improving whenever I am around

her....how should I handle these two friends of mine sir’.

The boss just told his uptight staff, ‘Mary, you have two friends in your department with two different characteristics, and I will advice you to flow with your Busy Buddies, Amaka and avoid the Busybody, Chinyere so that you can make progress at work and in life.’

I will like to Inspire you today with the situation above. There are many busybodies that have the capacity of ruining ones destinies while there are some Busy Buddies that we should stick to for our Progress in life. The Bible tells us to run from busybodies that will not contribute anything meaningful to our spiritual or career progress yet take the chunk of our time.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. (2 Thess. 3 v 11).

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not (1 Tim. 5 v 13).

The above passages clearly differentiate Busybodies from Busy Buddies and it is the approach to good work ethics that shows who they are.

people are Busybodies not Busy Buddies.

4 WAYS OF IDENTIFYING BUSYBODIES 1. THEY TALK NOT WORK: Be wary of people that only talk and not work, they do not do anything but talk about everything yet their hands will not be busy unlike the Busy Buddies who work more than they talk.

2. THEY BREAK BAD NEWS: These are people we should run from. I call them ‘Bad News Breaker’ not Good News (Gospel). Isn’t it strange that the gospel is called Good News not Bad News, these

3. THEY DISCOURAGE WORK AND ASK FOR MORE BREAKTIME: I have noticed that some people just do not like it when others are busy working, hence they always push the idea of break time as the best time. I know someone who is always asking me to rest even when I’m resting, he does not like work at all, until I found out his energy levels are higher when doing nothing.

4. HOUSE TO HOUSE MARKETING: The real busybodies are those who move from house to house plying their trade of gossip and rumor mongering. Timothy was warned by Paul about these people, be careful of those who travel far to your house only to sit about doing nothing productive, unlike the Busy Buddies who will do something worthwhile in your house.

I hope this piece has Inspired you, find a Busy Buddy and run from Busybodies.

Shalom.

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

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SundayBusiness Why developers cannot provide affordable housing for Nigerians Josephine Okojie

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t is becoming increasingly difficult for Nigeria’s middle and lower income earners to own a home as developers are unable to provide affordable housing owing to the huge infrastructural gaps across the country, experts say.

The experts who spoke during the fourth West Africa Property Investment Summit and Expo held recently in Lagos, said that developers often factor in the cost of infrastructure into the total cost of building a house, making it expensive, as it accounts for 25 percent on the average of total production cost.

“The infrastructural deficit we have is the main reason developers are unable to make housing affordable and easily accessible to a greater size of the population,” said Chii Akporji, executive director, Strategy and Planning, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC).

“The cost of infrastructure

adds approximately 20 to 30 per cent to the total cost of a house in Nigeria. Given the macro-economic environment which they operate and the high cost of interest rates, providing affordable housing becomes very difficult for developers,” Chii said.

She urged the Federal Government to adopt transparent approach in addressing the issue through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

“There must be a political will to ensure that the PPP works in looking at issues militating against the provision of affordable housing in

the country,” she adds.

Also speaking, Andrew Nevin, partner and chief economist, PWC Nigeria said that the lack of structural framework in the country has prevented developers form providing affordable housing to the middle and lower income class.

He stated that the country has a deficit of about 17 million dwellings, noting that developers are willing to provide the housing if the structural framework is provided.

“In Nigeria, there is no additional infrastructure put in place for the rising population growth and lack of mainte-

Chief Daddy, a new movie, thrills with comedy amid strife, jealousy nance of existing infrastructures puts pressure on the city growth,” Nevin said.

He called for the adoption of technology such as blockchain to address issues of land titles.

“We believe that technology is going to help. With blockchain technology we would be able to address disputes on land ownership and then investments will come in and the mortgage will be reduced,” he said.

Bolaji Edu, chief executive officer, Broll Property Group Nigeria would not make much of a progress in attracting investors into the sector if there is no clear perspective on providing the frameworks.

“Unless there is a clear perspective on frameworks, Nigeria would not really make progress attracting investment in the sector,” Edu said.

“Provision and maintenance of infrastructures is a significant drain on the resources developers put into the market,” he added.

Richard Mofe Damijo, Ubong King, Timi Dakolo, Steve Babaeko, others set for THINKATION 2019 Chris Chukwu

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eteran Nollywood Ac t o r, Ri c h a r d Mofe Damijo, Ubong King, the founder of Ubong King foundation ace music star, Timi Dakolo, Nigerian advertising and music executive, public advocate Steve Babeko, and a host of others are all set to speak on the foremost “thinking and education-centered” conference, Thinkation 2019: Out of the box. An initiative event organised by the Ubong King Foundation.

The conference, which is in its second edition is aimed at

challenging the paradigm by creating premium platform that facilitate networking, synergy and most importantly discussion on how to position for productivity by engaging the mind.

According to the organisers, the programme is slated to hold on January 19, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, it will also showcase great leaders of thought, prolific speakers, authors, entrepreneurs and mentors as they will converge to share from their wealth of experiences, challenges and motivate participants to engage their brains and minds in creating the future they desire.

Africans are celebrated for being well educated and for high and excellent performance in the educational spheres, but a lot of her communities, remain impoverish and underdeveloped.

While briefing newsmen, King said: “It is important for us to understand that the major challenge facing us as a highly populated country is poverty. Poverty fuels crime and that is why we are out to change the way people think and bring out the best in them through mentorship”.

According to him, “The Ubong King Foundation hopes to help Africans from all walks of life by nurturing their minds and thought

processes. For us, it is important to have the productive population of a nation to be well groomed mentally to the point where they desire to exceed the status quo that prevails in their surroundings, in order to attain their full potential in career, finance, health, business and relationships.

“They are geared to direct participants to life, business, and leadership success, using the principles that have worked for them to give clarity, direction, know-how, strategy, vision, as well as inspire them to think critically in order to create superior solutions for themselves and their community.”

Hollandia chocomalt launches 180ml pack size

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ollandia ChocoMalt Drink, Nigeria’s first ready-todrink chocolate, malt and milk drink, is now available in a new 180ml pack. The new pack is intended to provide an entry point for adults and upsize for kids, while building on the commercial success the brand is enjoying following its launch in 2017.

Retailing at N100, the

new 180ml pack comes handy with a straw, and is affordable and convenient, with the promise of instant “sharp sharp” nutrition to consumers. For consumers, Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink which is filled with the goodness of milk, energy giving malt and delicious chocolate, will take away the hassles and inconvenience involved in preparing Choco-based

beverage drink the traditional way because it can be consumed immediately after opening.

The new Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink 180ml pack size is expected to consolidate the growth and rising market appeal of the brand, as well as make the product available to a wider spectrum of young consumers who desire a satisfying and functional beverage that can be

consumed at any time.

According to the Managing Director, Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, the growing popularity of Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink reflects how its ready-to-drink convenience and quality instant nutrition is driving consumer demand for packaging sizestailored ever more precisely to their specific lifestyle needs in an increasingly dynamic market.

o n e y, t h e y say, rules the world, and that is why many struggle to acquire wealth not minding the source. Wealth can also become a problem when the owner has so many secrets, which unfold after his death.

In the movie ‘Chief Daddy’, everyone struggles to have a bite of the cake, when the protagonist, Taiwo Obileye, who plays the role of Chief Akinwale Beecroft, aka ‘Chief Daddy’, kicked the bucket.

Truths unfold the moment Joke Silva, who plays the role of Kemi Akinwale Beecroft discovers that her beloved husband had four mistresses. Therefore, the kitchen was unbearable for her as every mistress begins to contend for her own share of Chief Daddy’s wealth.

At first, they all felt pretentiously bad as soon as the news gets to them, but running speedily to the deceased house, bearing in mind, what each person is after; the wealth of the deceased.

Chief Daddy although dead, knows that having a peaceful atmosphere during his funeral is a dream

du, co-executive producer of the movie and owner of Ebony Films, reveals that the idea behind the movie is to entertain people with another holiday movie, sensitizing them that the issue of property distribution and acquisition in a polygamous setting is much peaceably achievable.

“Nigeria is an ethnocentric country that has so many ethnic and tribal issues. Having succeeded in settling marital issues among different ethnic tribes with our ‘Wedding Party’ and ‘Fifty’, we decided to come from another dimension by looking at someone who is very well known in our society dying and what could possibly go wrong at the funeral. Because these are considered as serious issues in Nigeria and must be settled cautiously.

“The movie has Nigerian polygamous setting because most men by nature are polygamous. And more to that is because the morality of the story is embedded in there” she says.

On the take home for viewers, she hints, “We are working on another family feature movie that will center on human trafficking, a serious issue in our society.

It is going to drop down in 2019.” She urges viewers to look out for the movie as it promises to be the best

that would never come through, considering so many cockroaches he had under his cupboard in form of mistresses with their sons and daughters. This, he clearly stated in his letter to his beloved family (both legitimate and illegitimate), which is incorporated in his will.

The 93 minutes movie, while focusing on the cause and effect of polygamy with its humorous feature, ends in love, happiness and unity; No doubt, it is covered in betrayal, strife and jealousy.

In an exclusive interview with BDSunday, MO Abu-

out of all.

‘Chief Daddy’ features amazing Nollywood stars including: Taiwo, Obileye, Joke Silva, Ini Edo, Funke Akindele, Zainab Balogun, Kate Henshaw, Uti Nwachukwu, Linda Ejiofor, Mawuli, Chioma ‘Chugul’ Omeruah, Jude ‘Mi’ Abaga, Beverly Osu, Nkem Owoh, Chinedu ‘Nedu’ Ani, MofeDamijo, Lepacious Bose, Patience Ozokwor, Rachel Oniga, Beverly Naya and Falz.

The stars humorously delved into will-sharing in an average polygamous family. The movie, no doubt, will excite viewers.

Ifeoma Okeke and Chetachukwu Umeremadu

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SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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utrition Security is one critical subsector of Nigeria’s economy that has not received adequate attention from both the public and private sectors.

It is not just enough for citizens of any country to have access to food that is abundant and cheap all year round. The right to food is recognized in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25) as part of the right to an adequate standard of living, and is enshrined in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Article 11).

But sustained efforts must be made to provide those that are nutritious and meet the physiological needs of the consumers. Such must possess a balanced matrix with regards to

Spiritonomics

Debo Atiba

www.spiritonomics.org

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o doubt, it is glaring that the year is gradually coming to an end. It has been quite a challenging year.

Although the exchange rate improved, food prices remained significantly high, many states owed salaries, president was absent, corruption in high places, unstable political terrain, terrorist activities, to mention a few. Indeed it has been a roller coaster ride for many, as goals are yet unmet, hopes dashed and several losses. It leaves many wondering if there is really any cause to be grateful to God. If you think that there is nothing to be grateful to God for, then remember that the fact that you are reading this is a proof that you have reason to be grateful. This is because you are not only alive and kicking, but you also have a sound mind which can recognize and process data. It implies that you are also among the few who are qualified to be optimistic about the New Year.

It is no news that the events in the

Trust Michael Farms make the difference the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, essential minerals and the vital minerals. That is precisely where Trust Michael Farms comes in.

A chance meeting with the resourceful and humble Mr. Olusegun Michael Olukanmi, the Chairman/CEO of Trust Michael Farms based in Lanlate, Ibadan during the recent Nutritious Food Fair, Lagos, 2018 proved to be an eye-openingexperience. Organized

by HarvestPlus, with the pay-off message of: ‘Better Crops, Better Nutrition’, it held at the Landmark Event Centre, Vitoria Island Lagos with the timely theme of: ‘Reaching Millions with Nutritious Foods’. It has a matching mandate of creating a nexus between research, markets and the political will of the powers that be.

With the Vision: ‘To be the most preferred consumer-oriented agricultural company in West Africa’, Trust Michael Farms (TMF) drew a lot of interest from visitors, not the least being Dr. Nasir Ladan Argungu, DG, National Directorate of Employment, NDE, and the legendary juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade who was there as the Special Guest of Honour.

One’s instant attraction to the busy stand of TMF paid off. Indeed, there are enduring lessons to learn from his wealth of experience garnered across different continents and countries.

And precisely, his abiding interest to see to it that Nigerians have access to vitamin-fortified food

items. From a humble beginning, the passion for farming began at childhood. Back then he used to wake up early in the morning to see how well the maize and sweet potato farms he started at the background of his father’s house was doing. Encouraged by the way and manner they flourished, he made up his mind that someday he would venture fully into farming.

But that was going to take some years for his dreams to bear fruits.

Even after studying the one year compulsory Portuguese language course at the University of Sao Paulo he commenced the main course – Business Administration at the Federal UniversityRuralof Rio De Janeiro, all in Brazil. Good for him that the flame of the passion for farming kept burning brighter. He used to reminisce on how farming, considered as the oldest profession brought one closer to Mother Nature.

With a divine inspiration he got the nod of approval after reading a biblical passage. He told his wife who saw the wisdom in it and together the pilot stage for TMF began. Years later, fate eventually brought him closer to some notable directors at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan. Through them he got to know that the future of farming in Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world lies not only with abundant food production but that which is fortified with essential micronutrients, including vitamins, starting with Vitamin A. As severally released every blessed year by

Gratitude world did more damage than good in the lives, businesses and careers of many. Most are lost out on what next to do. There are many business casualties either in the hospital or on their way there. It does not matter how you feel about this year, you and I have many things to be grateful to God for. We can dream again, we can hope again, we can conquer again, we can fight again. Our retreat cannot be equated to “surrenderedness”. They may have seen our white flag but it does not mean we quit. That we put in our best and it did not turn out as expected does not make us failures. People that lose hope are ingrates, because they are not thoughtful and are blinded to what is working around them, focusing only on the challenges. Such people in times like this may never rise again because their view of life is myopic. They only hope and live for today, and are oblivious of the good that tomorrow brings. It never occurred to them that the mere fact that they lived up till this moment is proof positive that they are blessed.

And how dare you put a cap on the operations of the power of God in your affairs by concluding that the year is over, that as a result nothing good could come out of the remaining days of the year? What you don’t know is that God created time but lives outside of time. The time of your visitation by God is not dependent on the calendar of the year; it is dependent on your

unflinching faith in the ability of God to come through for you whether in January or December. You dare not lose hope or throw in the towel otherwise you forsake your mercy (Jonah 2:8).

Your ability to give thanks in times like this is a proof of your belief in a better tomorrow, better opportunity and in the power of God. There is no option for failure in our agenda for the future. We must be resolute in our mind that it can only get better. We should not even accord ourselves the opportunity of thinking otherwise. When we give thanks and are grateful we open ourselves up to the supernatural act of God. We prepare ourselves for the multidimensional acts of God in our business and career that would both astound us as well as the people watching.

This is no time to be discouraged or give in to despair, this is the time for every hanging hands to be lifted and feeble knees to stand straight.

This is the BEST time to let the devil know that this supposed setbacks and challenges encountered this year alone, has become our stepping stone to new dimension of God’s favor, new ideas we would never have thought about. Please arise with a song of thanksgiving in your mouth and a heart full of GRATITUDE praising our savior.

We do have reasons to be grateful.

Remain blessed. @spiritonomics

WHO and UNICEF, Nigerian under-5 children and in fact some adults are some of the worst hit, when it comes to malnutrition statistics on the global scale. He told himself that he must take some positive steps towards ameliorating the sad situation, no matter how long it would take him.

Not minding the lucrative nature of the jobs he has held, he called it quits in 2010. It was his Jubilee Year and that was when he established Trust Michael Farms by acquiring 200 hectares of land at Lanlate, Ibadan. He had gained some leadership experience, first with Shell Petroleum Development C o mpany in the Ma ter ia ls Department, after which he joined Baker Hughes as Accounts Receivable Controller, before becoming the Administration Manager and later promoted to the post of Liaison and Training Manager.

To add value to his vast cassava farm, there is a factory that processes 1,000 kg of garri per hour, with the equipment he bought from China. His experience so far has informed his clarion call on both states and federal governments to extend financial assistance to the rural farmers from land clearing, along the value chain to processing, marketing and sales.

GraduallyhisMissionStatement: ‘To deploy functional and innovative technology, to meet the growing demand for affordable, safe and nutritious agricultural products that satisfy consumer taste’ has begun

to see the light of day. That explains why he is attracting the interests of such respected institutions as Rockefeller Foundation, USAID and Africa for HarvestPlus. In fact, Dr. Donald Mavindidze, the Regional Director, Africa for HarvestPlus is so highly impressed with the company’s quality products that he has openly applauded Trust Michael Farms.

One cannot but highlight the activities of those who make the desired impact, when it comes to nutrition security. For instance, it is a crying shame to note that more than 2 billion people in the world do not get enough essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, zinc and iron. Victims, especially children may seem healthy outside but they are suffering from Hidden Hunger. They are more vulnerable to illnesses such as blindness, stunting and reduced IQ. It also increases the possibility of women dying during pregnancy.

Statistics from the World Bank in 2009 and the Government of Nigeria, 2014 have revealed that the country loses over N450 billion in its Gross Domestic Product, GDP due to malnutrition occasioned by vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Attempts by HarvestPlus and its partners such as Trust Michael Farms is a step taken in the right direction and should be sustained.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

ADVAN marks 25th anniversary with ‘The Power of Story Telling’

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agos, November, 11, 2018 - The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has announced a series of weeklong activities to mark its 25th anniversary, culminating in the ADVAN marketing excellence awards slated for the 18th of November.

The ADVAN anniversary week with the theme ‘The Power of Story Telling” gives the leading marketing association in Nigeria and its members the opportunity to emphasize on the strategic importance of storytelling in nation building and driving economic growth , a role they have played so well over the last 25 years.

In a statement in Lagos, the President of the association, Folake Ani-Mumuney says marketing communications contribution to the growth of commercial activity in Nigeria is clear and quite commendable and should be celebrated.

According to her with a total advertising budget in excess of N88 billion in 2017 as reported by Media Monitoring Services, the growing impact of the Nigerian organized private sector, both listed and nonlisted on the stock exchange cannot be ignored. “Successes recorded by these businesses cannot be complete without marketing communication, which is a key function driving visibility and market penetration” she noted. Further, AniMumuney revealed that ADVAN Executives have been given the rare

privilege to visit the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Ringing of the Market Closing Bell as an attestation to the significant role ADVAN plays in the Nigerian economy classified as the biggest economy in Africa.

Speaking on the ADVAN Marketing Excellence Awards, the ADVAN Presidentreiteratedthattheawardis an opportunity to showcase brands that have been able to tell interesting stories through compelling narrative enablingthemachieveextraordinary success from innovative and effective marketing practices. She said this year’s theme is well thought out to resonate with what Nigerian brands stands for over the last 25 years and this was a deciding factor in choosing multiple award winning Producer and Director Femi Odugbemi as keynote speaker.

In her words “the ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence is undoubtedly the most respected Awards for Marketing Excellence in Nigeria, it has evolved over the years in response to new developments in marketing theory and practice to reflect the growing appreciation of the critical role of marketing as the vital source of value creation for business”.

Further, she says the ADVAN Awards “provides the opportunity for organizations to gain competitive advantage by having their projects, initiatives, contributions, products and services recognized.

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SundayBusiness Flashback on NMRC: ‘Expect low rate mortgage in 6 months’

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n January 2014, history was made in Nigeria’s financial system with the launching of the country’s private sector-led secondary mortgage institution, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC).

NMRC’s entry into the mortgage market was well celebrated more so as it entered the market waving a green mortgage flag that raised expectations and hope of increased liquidity as well as low rate and accessible mortgage that would ultimately lead to affordable housing.

For Nigerians, especially the low income earners, who had been waiting to access mortgages at low interest rate to buy or build their homes, an end seemed to have come to their waiting game as the Federal Government had set the stage for that to happen with the launch of NMRC. But almost five years down the line, the waiting game seems to have begun anew as neither low interest rate on mortgage nor affordable housing is anywhere in sight. In defence of this situation, however, Chii Akporji, an executive director at NMRC said “we don’t operate in a vacuum”.

Akporji, who was a panel discussant at the just concluded West African Property Investment Summit (WAPISummit) in Lagos, explained that NMRC, like any other financial institution, was limited in its operations by the Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment, pointing out that high interest rate was a major issue militating against their

refinancing function.

“NMRC is alive to its mandate of catalysing affordable housing but we are limited by the macro-economic environment. But that notwithstanding, we are doing so much and a case in point is the model mortgage and foreclosure law”, she stated.

The company initited legislative reform in the mortgage sector by proposing a model mortgage and foreclosure law by key pilot states including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states. The company, arguably, has done well in the area of partnerships and formulation of such initiatives as NMRC Mortgage Market System (MMS) which is a transformational change that integrates the entire housing market, covering construction finance, primary and secondary mortgage.

MMS is available to all players in the housing industry and has the benefit of removing duplications of efforts at gathering data and documents; improving the turnaround time, reducing the cycle time of transactions and helping to make homes more affordable.

Despite all these, Nigerians are still concerned and expectant. According to close watchers of this company, there is a strong premise for that expectation and a flashback on the epochal launch event in Abuja can justify these dispositions. Affordable housing remains a mirage.

“This company is being set up to help lower the funding cost of mortgages and promote the affordability

and availability of good housing to working Nigerians by providing mortgage lending banks increased access to liquidity and longer term funds in the market”, said OkonjoIweala, the then minister of finance, who spoke at the launch of the company.

The federal government also announced that Nigerians would start accessing mortgages from June that year after the launch in January. This was confirmed (to BusinessDay) by Femi Johnson, the then president of the Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), stressing that refinancing of mortgages which would bring about low interest rate would start in June while operators would start lending to borrowers almost immediately.

NMRC is a secondary mortgage company and, the way it was planned, it would refinance mortgages that will be originated by primary mortgage lenders including Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and commercial banks that are into mortgage business. The company is also planned in such a way that for any institution to be able to refinance, it must have shares in the company.

There is strong presence of private sector operators in its shareholding structure and these include mortgage banks, commercial banks, finance ministry, and International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is a major source of investor-confidence in the company.

Okonjo-Iweala also assured that

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) NMRC was expected to pull down lending rates for housing from the current spread of 20 to 23 percent to the low double digits or, at least, to a high single digit.

She explained that NMRC which was taking-off with N6 billion capital would be floating bonds in the capital market to raise additional finance for its operations later that year, adding that $250 million out of the $300 million soft International Development Association (IDA) loan approved by the World Bank for the company would be disbursed to it by installments as tier 2 capital.

She added that $25 million would be used for the establishment of a mortgage guarantee facility for lower income borrowers while the remaining $25 million would be used to support the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to enable it to strengthen its programme on mass housing and also to pass on some of it to microfinance institutions to also enable them to on-lend to low income people to enable them carry out renovation work on their homes.

Apart from ‘crashing’ interest rate on mortgage loans, NMRC was also expected to catalyse the delivery of about 750,000 homes annually, create an enabling environment for primary mortgage banks and other financial institutions to offer 15 to 20-year mortgages at affordable rates to Nigerians.

To add more flavor to all of these, then President Goodluck Jonathan, in his keynote address at the launching of the company, listed four key enabling steps necessary for the company including the implementation of a computerised land registration system that would make it easier for citizens to receive certified titles, ownership and occupancy, verify certificates and transfer mortgages.

The second step, according to the president, was the reduction of land registration costs to users to as low as 3 percent while the state governors should consider delegating Governor’s Consent issuance to speed up land registration processes just as he said there should be streamlining of foreclosure processes in case of default.

Procurement Strategic procurement: A powerful tool for the fight against corruption & Supply With Paschal Egwim

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t is an established fact that most corrupt government officials and their associates do not steal by robbing the bank or government treasury.

They do so through government transactions and contracts by taking advantage of the gaps and leakages in the public contracting and procurement processes. This reality underscores the urgent need for all sectors of the economy to implement International Best Practices,Robustbusinesscontrols and Rigorous implementation of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

The objective will be to make it extremely difficult for public officers and their collaborators to defraud the state through the

award of contracts. The question therefore will be ‘is this ever possible?’

To address that question I like to take you through my perspective of what Strategic Procurement entails and my view on some of the things procurement officers must be doing to minimize corruption in the process of executing their tasks.Strategic Procurement is a Multi-Discipline Activity requiring input from the different disciplines or departments involved in the planning and execution of any activity or project e.g. Engineering, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, Commercial, Legal, Health, Safety, Security, community relations and Environment among others.

It is therefore not the exclusive preserve of one discipline or profession as each discipline expert brings unique inputs, knowledge and strength into the team and therefore plays a key role to make good procurement decisions based on Total Cost of Ownership concepts and enhanced Value for money in contracts.

Strategic procurement therefore entails a Team approach.

It eliminates the Silo mentality and ensures that overall corporate or Entity objectives are achieved.

It therefore requires a cross functional team working together to deliver the best procurement results for the organization. Truly speaking, the Procurement process can only deliver the desired benefits if it is executed as a coherent

whole and if the disparate and often dispersed people involved in making procurement decisions across the organisation work together for the overall interest of the Entity. A coordinated approach driven from the top is therefore needed to achieve the desired synergies and leverage potential otherwise project delays, execution failures and excessive costs are likely to result.

Who then is the procurement specialist?

In recent times there have been hot debates in the public sector as to who is indeed a qualified Procurement Specialist? The private sector also shares in this debate though at a lower scale.

Professionals in the Engineering Community are of the view that procurement of engineering works and services i.e. civil works, road construction, railways, bridges, buildings, dams etc is the exclusive preserve of the engineering professionals in the works and services sector. On the other hand, professionals in the Procurement & Supply Chain Management community are of the opinion that they are trained and possess the relevant skills and competences to handle all forms of procurement covering the entire range of works, goods, equipment and services. In my view, both schools of thought may be correct in their own rights but they are obviously still operating under what I refer to as the SILO mentality as they

seem to be looking at procurement activities from their narrow discipline perspectives.

As this unnecessary debate continues, corruption continues to thrive due to obvious gaps in the system especially as officers involved in major procurement in the public sector fail to take a holistic and strategic view on the procurement process; and our country continues to miss opportunities to improve governance, attack and destroy this endemic challenge at source.

This debate is unproductive and unnecessary at a time when there’s a wake-up call to Nigerian professionals to support the Federal Government’s fight against corruption by insisting on Good Governance through Best Practice Procurement, Budget Discipline and Fiscal Responsibility.

It’s therefore absolutely important to remind professionals who find themselves in either school of thought that the 21st Century World has since moved away from the traditional ways of thinking or doing things and now viewing procurement as a strategic activity which is currently playing in the Supply Chain Management arena to maximize best value for money and enhance overall value and wealth creation. In other words, the Procurement profession accommodates every discipline and thrives through the practice of Strategic Procurement.

Therefore, international best

practices and indeed world class organisations and progressive governments and democracies around the world now see procurement as a strategic function that brings together all the relevant disciplines who have a key role to play, in project execution, into a cross functional team with the supply chain or procurement specialist embedded in the team as an anchor person in a support role to ensure that the basic principles, procedures, rules, commercial guidelines, Laws and ethics of the profession and the country are upheld and complied with at every stage in the procurement process.

The procurement specialist therefore functions like the Conductor of an Orchestra made up of many specialists in various other instruments of music working together as a coherent team to produce the best classical music in the world. It will therefore not only be naïve, but indeed very myopic, in this 21st Century, for one single profession or discipline to ascribe to itself or group, the exclusivity of all knowledge along the procurement value chain necessary to achieve the best Value for Money. You must be a Super Man or Woman to assume the repository of all the knowledge along the long, winding and mostly complex supply chain. ...To be continued

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EquityMarket Equities shed N1.9 trn as stakeholders await MPC’s decisions on rates TELIAT SULE

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nvestors and other stakeholders in the nation’s capital market eagerly await the decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the body meets between Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th of November, which will the last time it will be meeting in 2018. Analysts are of the views that the MPC may retain the current rates due to the exigency of the moment, most especially the forthcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, the equity market continued to bleed as listed stocks shed N1.91 trillion in market capitalisation year to date. As at the close of business on November 16, 2018, the market capitalisation of listed stocks closed at N11.7 trillion compared with N13.61 trillion on the last trading day of 2017, representing a year to date decline of 14 percent.

Investors last week traded 1.28 billion shares worth N11.54 billion in 13,245 deals compared with 1.07 billion shares worth N18.19 billion that were executed in 14,372 deals in the previous week. The All Share Index (ASI) closed last week Friday at -16.17 percent year to date just as the Consumer Goods Index recorded the worst performance year to date at -31.18 percent.

By this time last year, the ASI ended the period at 36.7 percent, with the banking and pension indexes the best performing sub sectoral indexes at 68 percent and 58 percent year to date returns respectively. Thus the capital market now is in dire need of policy stimulus to stimulate significant interest in it.

Since July 2016, the MPC has retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14 percent; CRR at 22.5 percent while the liquidity ratio

at 30 percent and the asymmetric window around the MPR at +200/500 basis points.

Analysts at the United Capital, one of the leading investment banks in the country rated the likelihood of a rate hike lower based on the current macroeconomic

conditions.

“Despite expectations of a less hawkish stance earlier in the year, the decision to maintain status quo over the past two years and counting, has been driven by sustained global uncertainties amid policy normalization in the US and fear of

a stronger US Dollar, faltering output recovery and currency market fragility in the local economy amid renewed pressure on inflation rate, elevated food prices and rowing political/election spending”, said analysts at the United Capital in a note to clients.

“Ahead of the November meeting, increased uncertainties in the global market and growing tension in the domestic polity, suggest that a more accommodative monetary policy by the MPC is broadly unlikely in the immediate term. More so, an anticipated increase in domestic wage bill may pressure headline inflation higher. Accordingly, we retain our position that the MPC will not tinker with policy rate, though arguments for a rate hike may come stronger. Nevertheless, we expect the Apex bank to continue to the pace of aggressive liquidity mop-up amid increased election spending and pressure on the local unit”, they added.

On the part of FSDH Merchant Bank, MPC is expected to hold on to the current rates even in the face of the consistent decline in external reserves, rising inflation and the possibility of a rate hike by the US Fed. “Data from the CBN shows that the key monetary aggregates in the country are below the target the CBN sets for the country.

This development supports an argument for an expansionary policy to boost credit creation.

However, the current structural rigidities in the economy do not support strong credit growth.

Therefore, unconventional policies are required to boost credit creation and business expansion to stimulate growth.

“Measures that remove the risks inherent in the economy will encourage credit expansion and this will support sustainable growth.

Looking at possible policy options open to the MPC, FSDH Research is of the opinion that members of the MPC will vote to maintain interest rates at the current levels.

The CBN can continue to use the Open Market Operations (OMO) to manage liquidity in the banking industry in order to maintain price stability”, FSDH analysts stated in their weekly report.

Seplat confirms renewal of licenses for OMLs 4, 38 and 41 ...indicates exchange rates for interim dividend payment

S

eplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, a leading Nigerian indigenous oil and gas company listed on both the Nigeria Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange, announced that the President and Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has given consent for the renewal of OMLs 4, 38 and 41 to a new expiry date of 21 October 2038.

Seplat holds a 45% working interest in OMLs 4, 38 and 41 and in the first

nine months of 2018 production from the licenses accounted for 92% of Seplat’s total oil production and 100% of Seplat’s gas production.

In connection with the license renewal Seplat has paid in full a Renewal Bonus of US$25.9 million, thus ensuring all conditions for license renewal have been met. The Company is now working with the Department of Petroleum Resources to obtain the updated title deeds in connection with the

renewal.

Commenting on the license renewal Austin Avuru, Seplat’s chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to have concluded the early renewal of our core producing licenses, OMLs 4, 38 and 41. With the extension of the license to 2038 secured, we can now invest with confidence long into the future as we seek to further realise the full oil and gas potential of the licenses and continue to deliver value to all

of our stakeholders”.

Also, Seplat has confirmed that the following currency exchange rates will be applicable in determination of the Q3 2018 interim dividend payment to any shareholders that qualify for and have elected to receive the Q3 2018 interim dividend payment in Naira or GBP. The exchange rate will be US$1/N306.20 and US$1/ GBP0.7736. The exchange rate for the Naira or pounds sterling amounts payable was determined

by reference to the exchange rates applicable to the US dollar available on 13 November 2018.

The closing date for dividend currency election to the company’s registrars is 28 November 2018. In the absence of a qualifying dividend currency election by shareholders, dividends will be paid in their default currency. Shareholders should refer to the company’s announcement on 30 October 2018 for definition of default currencies.

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Sunday 18 November 2018

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Polaris Bank, C.O.PE: Alleviating burden of breast cancer patients Breast cancer constitutes a major public health challenge globally resulting in the death of millions of women annually. But, amidst fear, pain, hopelessness and stigma that breast cancer patients and survivors go through, Polaris Bank consistently shows them care and love. This report looks at the bank’s efforts.

T

he global statistics on breast cancer prevalence among women is scary going by available records. For example, a 2018 survey by research platform, www.researchgate.net, indicates that about 4.4 million women are living with breast cancer with over a million new cases diagnosed annually, and over 400,000 deaths recorded annually.

It is a more disturbing figure for Nigeria as the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics shows that over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually; about 80,000 deaths annually, averaging 240 Nigerians every day or 10 Nigerians every hour dying from cancer.

Available data also shows that breast cancer kills 40 Nigerians daily.

For most people, the diagnosis of breast cancer is a lifedisrupting event that commonly evokes shock, fear, denial, sadness, loneliness and anxiety.

Thoughts of economic implication, chances of survival and stigmatisation also add to the weight breast cancer patients and survivors bear, often times silently.

So when Polaris Bank, in partnership with its CSR partner, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.PE), recently hosted breast cancer survivors at the 2018 Breast Cancer Survivors’ End-of-Year Get-Together with the theme, ‘Celebrating our Pink Heroes’, it was an event that provoked emotions and empathy for the victims, and gratitude for the survivors. Thus, the gettogether held on November 6 at Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, was a salutary initiative.

Speaking at the gathering of 50 breast cancer survivors, Group Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Tokunbo Abiru, stated that the bank in partnership with C.O.PE over the last 10 years has covered four key milestones in alleviating the burden of breast cancer victims in the areas of; prevention, detection, treatment and advocacy. According to him, these include provision of free screening opportunities for over 15,000 women including; female staff members of the bank; donation of two ultra-modern breast cancer screening machines (LogiQ C2 and Mind Ray Ultra-Sound

L-R: Dapo Abe, CEO, Morgan Omoitan & Abe Engineering Company/Trustee of COPE; Ebunola Anozie, CEO, COPE; Segun Opeke, directorate head, Lagos Business/representative of Tokunbo Abiru, GMD/CEO, Polaris Bank; and Dr. Bola Fajemirokun, CEO, Development Initiative Network &COPE Trustee, during the2018 celebration of Breast Cancer Survivors event at Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos.

System) to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices, and sponsored treatment of over 30 indigent cancer patients.

Others are a 10-km walk at two different locations within Lagos metropolis with over 2,500 participants to draw public attention to cancer scourge, and continuous collaboration with health experts and medics to provide counseling, information and education for cancer patients and survivors.

Abiru commended the survivors for coming out to share their experience thereby providing hope for other breast cancer patients. “By coming out publicly to talk about their experience, our survivors and heroes have offered an enduring therapy to all persons currently battling the disease and a re-orientation to those who think it is’ a stigma to experience cancer. I daresay that the stigma of death on account of secrecy, is indeed worse”, he said.

Describing them as heroes, the GMD/CEO, who was represented by Segun Opeke, Directorate Head, Lagos Business, Polaris Bank, assured breast cancer patients and survivors of the bank’s continued care and support, while also ensuring its reduction through increased awareness, advocacy and assistance. His words: “For us at

Polaris Bank, our commitment to the fight against breast cancer is unwavering. We have consistently demonstrated this by drawing public awareness to the menace, in addition to sponsoring free screening for women in conjunction with C.O.PE Foundation.”

Globally, breast cancer is now regarded as an epidemic with experts saying larger number of people may be at risk. Abiru acknowledged this much when he stated that breast cancer is a life-disrupting event but advised that early detection and treatment, and talking about it to partners, family members, friends and colleagues can help to alleviate the negative feelings that its diagnosis naturally evokes. “Care-giving is known to have an enormous influence on both physical and mental health and our NGO partner, C.O.PE Foundation continues to do commendably well in this regard especially by providing the right support for persons living with breast cancer, a service of love which you are beneficiaries of today”, Abiru stressed.

Earlier in her remarks, President/CEO of C.O.PE, Ebunola Anozie, said the get-together was a platform to thank God for the life of the survivors and to appreciate Polaris Bank for its support to breast cancer

campaign in Nigeria. “I appreciate our sponsors, Polaris Bank; they have been with us for nearly 20 years now. For some time, we had difficulty getting the required support for the women; some of our women used handkerchiefs, some used tissues to fill up their bras. But we thank God for the support of Polaris Bank. They were able to donate prosthesis that ensured they lived better lives”, she stated.

Although a financial institution, Polaris Bank’s footprints in the fight against breast cancer in Nigeria ride on its belief that a healthy community is a wealthy community, and on the trust that by contributing to the well-being of local communities, the bank shall be elongating the expected life of individuals through improved access to quality health services.

A survivor, Funlola Olubunmi Odeinde, shared her story thus: “I discovered that I had breast cancer in 2006. After the detection, in 2007 I started the treatment. I had mastectomy, went through chemotherapy, I had radiotherapy and here I am today. I’m recovered, but recently I had to go for another test.

Then I intend going for another radio therapy session. A friend brought me to C.O.PE. She had been a member for some time,

so she invited me and I joined, that was in November 2013.”

Odeinde, a teacher by profession, confessed that through C.O.PE, powered by Polaris Bank, God has given her a new lease of life, a renewed hope and a new zeal to lead a more profitable life. “There is nothing different about me. Life is still the same. The most important thing is what you make out of life.

If you don’t allow yourself to be dejected, you don’t allow yourself to feel different from others, everything is still the same”, she enthused.

Another survivor, Nnenna Obasi, disclosed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, and by seeking immediate medical attention and with the support of family and organisations like C.O.PE and Polaris Bank, she overcame the scourge.

She stressed the need for early detection and immediate medical attention; as well as healthy feeding and healthy lifestyle including staying joyful as important steps to overcome breast cancer scourge. Obasi added that being diagnosed with breast cancer did not indicate the end of life, and commended Polaris Bank and C.O.PE for the support, care and encouragement to get back their life.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of C.O.PE Foundation, Osato Giwa-Osagie, represented by a Trustee, Dapo Abe, said the organisation was established in 1995 with the vision to reduce mortality rate of breast cancer through advocacy, treatment, research and education. He commended Polaris Bank for its unwavering support to breast cancer campaign in Nigeria in the past two decades, stating that the interventions of the bank included sponsorship of C.O.PE to the bi-annual Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Conference; acquisition of one acre of land in Isheri, Ogun State; renovation of C.O.PE screening room and sponsorship of other programmes among others.

Generally, the submission of stakeholders at the event was that, Polaris Bank’s support to breast cancer patients and survivors aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which is ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for people of all ages and socioeconomic class.

Sunday 18 November 2018

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BDSUNDAY 47

Sports Can Solari fit into Real Madrid’s shoe?

United executives in talks with Saudi officials over £4bn takeover

Stories By Anthony Nlebem

Jonathan Aderoju

F

ormer Real Madrid player, Santiago Solari,onTuesday,November 13th, was confirmed as Real Madrid coach until 2021following his successful spell in chargeascaretakermanager of the European champions.

The 42-year-old won all four of the matches he oversaw as temporary first-team boss following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui last month.

That is the best start of any manager in the club’s illustrious history having downed Melilla, Viktoria Plzen, Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo while scoring 15 goalsandconcedingjusttwo - a far cry to their form under predecessor Lopetegui.

Real Madrid still face a battle to contest for top honours this season with the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo - who scored 450 goals in just nine years at the Bernabeu - still evident after he joined Juventus in the summer.

But with Real’s El Clasico rivals Barcelona also stuttering - having lost 4-3 despite the return of Lionel Messi at home to Real Betis at the weekend - there is still a chance to enjoy a successful season.

Football pundits are of the opinion that Scolari needs to perform very well in LaLiga and in the Champions League for him to stay till 2021 as Real Madrid boss.

It had been suggested before Solari’s permanent appointmentthatRealcould put the former midfielder in place in the hotseat before displacing him in the summer and going all-out for Pochettino.

“How can you even chip a little piece out of three Champions League victo-

M

ries on the trot? That is not happening,” Nicol declared when asked if Solari could do as Zinedine Zidane did after the Frenchman won three European titles in three seasons having initially been an interim coach.

“Santi has to push Barcelona all the way in the league and have a decent run in the Champions League to have any chance.

“I think the chances are slim. He’s in exactly the same position that Zidane was in.

“Zidane was put in charge, inmyopinion,untiltheycould figure out who they actually wanted.

“Now Zidane turned round and won three Champions League titles. Is Santi going to do that? I don’t think so.

“Unless something incredible happens then Santi will be gone at the end of the year.

“I would suggest his contract, which is until 2021, that helookatthefineprint.”Nicol added.

Again, football legend, Diego Maradona also share the view that the former Castilla coachlacksthebackingofthe board, experience, maturity

to lead a star studded three straight European champions to success.

“I would only say that in both cases Scolari don’t have enough backing for both teams. However, if they were put there then it was because they had the backing of the Argentina federation president and the Real Madrid president, but I don’t think they will be around for long.

Coaches have a life span and and theirs will not be too long.”

And with 15 goals scored and only two conceded, the 42-year-old Argentinian has established the best ever start for a Real manager.

After thrashing Melilla in the Copa del Rey, they won 5-0 away to Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, between victories over Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo in La Liga.

The upturn has left Madrid only four points adrift of league leaders Barcelonaand on the brink of qualification for the last 16 in Europe.

Real Madrid have changed under the technical direction of Santiago Solari.

Los Blancos are more aggressive, quicker and score

more goals.

The statistics at the moment looks favorable when compared to Julen Lopetegui’s time at Real Madrid.

He gave Brazilian wonderkid Vinicius Junior opportunity into his team by switching formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1.

It was no coincidence that the goals began to flow from his first game in charge, against Melilla in the Copa del Rey. With just four games, the team’s scoring output rose from 1.5 goals per game to 3.75. Real defence line also found stability conceding only two goals in four games.

Should Scolari fail to replicate the fine run the got him the job, notable top-class coaches are lined up to take his job. Embattled Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, former Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino and Joachim Low had all been linked to the Bernabau job position.

Sixth-placed Real face Eibar (November 24, 3pm) after the international break as they look to move up the La Liga table.

anchester United executives have met with officials in Saudi Arabia against a backdrop of speculation suggesting that the club could be the subject of a £4 billion ($5.1bn) takeover bid.

It has been put forward that the ruling Salman family are considering acquiring the Red Devils in a stunning big-money deal.

Money from the Middle East has already engulfed into European football, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germaine among those benefitting from sizeable investments.

Sheikh Mansour, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, has helped to deliver Premier League title success at the Etihad Stadium, while Qatar Sports Investment has made PSG a heavyweight player in the global game.

United are described to be the latest target for a change in ownership, with the Glazer family currently at the Old Trafford helm.

Takeover talk has inten-

sified since it was revealed that co-owner Avram Glazer had travelled to Saudi Arabia.

The Glazers have offered no indication that they are looking to part with their controlling stake at United, but it was suggested that they may be willing to part with some of their shares.

No such talks are being held at present, though, with takeover talk having been curbed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

They have confirmed that Avram Glazer is merely in the country to attend the Misk Global Forum being held in Riyadh.

He boasts a close relationship with the Saudi government and has attended a number of conferences in the region of late.

“The president Qusai Alfwaz met Manchester United CEO and the Managing Director and talked about a lot of topics, about the cooperation between the club and the federation and how to improve that,” read a statement released by the SAFF.

Special Olympics Nigeria celebrates partners at patron’s cocktail event

I

n rounding up activities for the year, Special Olympics Nigeria celebrated its esteemed partner, athletes, and sponsors at its 2018 Patron’s annual cocktail event which was hosted by the Southern Sun Ikoyi on Sunday, 11th November 2018 to appreciate their consistent support through the year.

The event is an annual celebration by the organization in recognizing its partners whilst appreciating sponsors for their consistent support through donations and expertise in ensuring a smooth run of the organizations yearly activities.

Th i s y e a r ’s e d i t i o n of the patron’s cocktail was uniquely poised as

L-R: Femi Gbadebo, Founder Benola; Naomi Ejobe, National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria; Victor Gbolade Osibodu, Chairman Board of Directors, Special Olympics Nigeria; Afolabi Simeon, Audiologist, BSA Hearing and Speech Center at the Special Olympics Nigeria 2018 Patron’s Cocktail held in Lagos.

Special Olympics Nigeria welcomed onboard, new partners and presented guests a networking platform. Also in attendance were notable dignitaries

which included the Chief Executive Officer Union Bank Nigeria, Emeka Emuwa, Advisor, Exxon Mobil Foundation, Tauhida Zayyad, Chairman, Punch

Nigeria Limited, Angela Emuwa amongst a host of others at the elegant affair.

Welcoming guests to the 2018 Patron’s Cocktail, Chief Victor Gbolade Osibodu, Chairman, Board of Directors, Special Olympics Nigeria , thanked the partners for honoring the organizations invitation to the event, and commended them for their continued support and collaboration in ensuring Special Olympics Nigeria, achieve its planned program goals and objectives in sports, health amongst other initiatives.

Recounting the organization’s activities in the past year, Chief Osibodu, expressed his profound gratitude to partners

for their contributions towards the successful participation of the athletes at the various tournaments which held recently. The tournaments includes, the 2017 World Games held in Austria , the National Games and 50th Anniversary held in June 2018, the Special Olympics Unified Cup held in Chicago, July 2018.

He also used the medium to appreciate the contributions received by the organization towards the forthcoming 2019 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Abu Dhabi as he urged for more sponsors to come onboard in achieving its set goals for the tournament.

Concluding his speech, the chairman wrapped up

his remarks with special thanks to the new partners for their Labour of love and stating that “this marks the beginning of a long and fulfilling partnership that would give succor to many, positively impact lives and bring about the realization of dreams for Special Olympic athletes in Nigeria.”

Receiving feedback from partners and sponsors at the event, Mrs. Tauhida Zayyad, Advisor, ExxonMobil Foundation remarked that “it’s been a pleasure partnering with Special Olympics over the years. Seeing the athletes faces light up with excitement as they realize their dreams is why the Exxon Mobile CSR initiative exists.”

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NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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Sunday 18 November 2018

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Emerging Nigeria!

A manifesto for infrastructure modernization

F

rom 2010 to 2015, Nigeria’s construction sector grew by an annual average of 11.4% and provided1 million formal jobs in 2015 alone. In that same year, refined petroleum imports reached USD 7.83 billion, thanks to many dilapidated refineries. The growth in the construction sector was on the heels of commendable but largely sub-optimal attention to the infrastructural needs of the Nigerian economy.However, that feat in the construction sectorprovides a strong exampleof what is possible, when a proper campaign for massive modernization of infrastructure is carried out.

In this eve of a general election, a nation’s awareness of its challenges is typically heightened. Amidst the competing national problems of; poor infrastructural development, endemic corruption, insecurity of life lives and properties and the neglected need for social integration, both politicians and the electorate may underestimate some elements of the challenge or become biased due to limited access to data or insights. There may never be a consensus on what is most important or exigent for government to solve but data and some facts can make the needed case The United States infrastructure (with w h i c h t h e Ni g e r i a n e c o n o m y w i l l r e a d i l y perform wonders in the event of a magical transfer) has been constantly rated D+ by t h e Am e r i c a n So c i e t y o f Ci v i l En g i n e e r s (ASCE),in the last few years. This has led to widespread calls for infrastructure modernization within the US; to enhance the system of roads, power, ports, telecommunication and dams that has served America for centuries and which birthed one of the most prosperous economies in the world. ASCE estimates that USD4.5 trillion will be required to close the gap by 2025.Unlike the US where the inefficiency of existing infrastructure is unanimously perceived to be an economic constraint; the challenge for Africa’s most populous country appears to many of its citizens as the mere need for the provision of absent,basic amenities; a perspective that is hinged on the daily experiences of Nigerian

Will Nigerian build her desired trillion dollar economy on a dilapidated and largely insufficient infrastructure?And create a prosperous country for a young demographic with 42.54 percent of the population younger than 15 years? citizens and businesses, in which water, good roads and stable power supply are seen as luxuries, which are scarcely available.

For a nation that wants to increase the number of visitors (tourists) by 10% a year from 2017; increase the number of individuals using the internet from 47. 5% to 70% by 2020; and increase MSME contribution to export earnings from 7.27 percent to a minimum of 15 percent by 2020. A water tight plan and unwavering political commitment to the modernization of infrastructure will be required - both in the medium term and the long term.

Will Nigerian build her desired trillion dollar economy on a dilapidated and largely insufficient infrastructure?And create a prosperous country for a young demographic with 42.54 percent of the population younger than 15 years?

Clearly, a new strategy is required to match the scale of the infrastructural challenge. In a world where most of what was considered futuristic a few years ago, are now being lived by many nations, this country will not competefa-

Chijioke Mama MAMA is the founder of Meiracopp Nigerian Limited (MNL) and a Doctoral Researcher in Business Management.

vorably – neither in this region nor in the global stage without greater attention to insufficient infrastructure. Our resume is far from commendable. Total absence of any world class, mass transit system or rapid transit system; even in spite of the logistics phenomenon created by our undue reliance on imports; Nigeria’s busiest port is near paralytic due to road access challenges that limit the speed at which goods can exit the port. The largest market in West Africa which is situated in the Eastern city of Onitsha in Nigeria is fed by a seaport and cargo airport located 451.6 kilometers away. Despite being flanked

by River Niger. Between the port and the market is a long stretch of road networks that are mostly bad.

And at its very door, a narrow - 1965 - bridge across the Niger river,supporting humantransit and trade to the east, specifically annual trade of over USD 3 billion per annum in the city of Onitsha alone.

The infrastructural limitations in Lagos, Onitsha and elsewhere in Nigeria have organic implications for the rest of the 1million km2 of this country and its people. This constraint also limits what would have been an excellent opportunity to benefit from the trade limitations faced by landlocked countries behind us in West and Central Africa.

In a sharp contrast, the Singaporean government says the small city state attracts 130,000 vessel calls annually, simply aided by the efficiency, competitiveness and reliability of its ports and shipping services.

Nigeria recently celebrated a 59.5 percent increase in vessel calls, highlighting the 370 vessels that called at her various ports in 2016 (compared to 262 vessels in 2015). It’s important to note that the huge traffic in the Singaporean ports is largely driven by connectivity and the efficient use of technology.

While there are many important issues, the call to modernise Nigeria’s infrastructural - and rapidly too – as acritical step in the strides for development cannot be overemphasised.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

Youth corps members and 2019 poll

A

head of the 2019 general election, a good number of the serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is getting agitated. It is not only those who plan to enlist as ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Communication (INEC), but also those who are just in “strange lands” for the mandatory one-year service.

The reason for the apprehension is not far-fetched. In 2011, after the presidential election held that year and won by Goodluck Jonathan, the result of the poll sparked widespread violence in some parts of the north. By the time normalcy returned, several of the serving members of the NYSC had been killed in cold blood. Following the crisis, many parents began to insist on redeploying their children whenever they are posted to areas they are not comfortable with.

A lady who served in one of the northern states some years back recounted how she escaped death by a whisker, by refusing to allow the figures on the result sheet doctored after voting and before submitting the result to the collation centre. According to her, due to the terrain of the place, from the polling centre to the collation centre was far away from the community, and that anything was possible without anybody discovering until after many days, some threats were made on her life. Such experience is not just synonymous with those who serve in the north; members of the NYSC in some other places across the country are known to have been killed, maimed, molested or assaulted by those who felt that such corps members were blocking them from carrying out their untoward acts.

Now that the election is around the corner and the INEC cannot successfully carry

out the exercise without employing the services of the corps members in line with the good working understanding between the Commission and the NYSC office, there must be concrete arrangements to protect the lives of these youths.

With the level of desperation being exhibited by politicians, signaling that 2019 could be dangerous, corpers who are recruited to work as ad-hoc INEC staff this time around must exercise utmost caution. They must always go in group and always report any threat against their lives no matter how feeble.

That means, they must not take anything for granted. On the order hand, those who may have decided to “hammer”, using the opportunity of working with INEC, must be ready to face the consequences.

$73bn This is the amount of money said to have been pledged to Nigeria by foreign investors between January and September this year.

False prophets!

As the 2019 general election draws nearer, there are increasingly, many selfstyled prophets who dish out outright lies to enrich themselves. They move from one party to the other and from one politician to the other, giving false hope. They will speak in tongues; roll on the ground and make all manner of utterances. But they are lies from the pit of hell. Shine your eyes!

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Tel:+ 233 243226596, +233244856806: email: bdsundayletter@businessdayonline.com Advert Hotline: 08034743892. Subscriptions 01-2950687, 07045792677. Newsroom: 08054691823 Editor: Zebulon Agomuo, All correspondence to BusinessDAY Media Ltd., Box 1002, Festac Lagos. ISSN 1595 - 8590.