Businessday 24 jun 2018 by BusinessDay

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

Is Wike also among the prophets?

Market sentiments fall as equities lose N386bn

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Sunday 24 June 2018 Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

5yr Bond

$75.48

0.53 13.57%

Gold

10yr Bond

$1,271.20

0.00 13.57%

Cocoa

$2,514.00

20yr Bond

0.03 13.80%

inside Archbishop Alaba Job: Celebrating God’s General at 80 p. 18

p. 42-43p.

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Vol 1, No. 223 N300

2019: How ready is the electorate? ZEBULON AGOMUO, CHUKS OLUIGBO & INIOBONG IWOK

he 2019 general elections are by the corner. Everyone is talking about the elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears ready

despite the complaint of paucity of funds. Politicians are also upbeat about the coming exercise, but what seems unclear is the readiness of the voting masses. Checks by BDSUNDAY revealed that although many Nigerians verbalise their frustration over inclement economic weather in the country and the general quality of life which they claim have gone south in the

last three years, and their determination to participate in the electoral process this time around to enthrone a democracy with human face, it appears that many are yet to get themselves ready for the election. In the last few months, there has been sustained sensitisation of Nigerians in various ways and at various forums on the need

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APC crisis seriously affecting governance in Imo – Agbim, minority leader

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At home with the mix-media artist

L-R: Lovemore Mazemo, Zimbabwe ambassador to Nigeria; Emmerson Mnangangwa, president of Zimbabwe; President Muhammadu Buhari and Geoffery Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, during the visit of the Special Envoy to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. NAN

Desperation makes Boko Haram amnesty appealing to N/East farmers, others Increasing number of vulnerable youths heightens fear of worse security situations CALEB OJEWALE

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ore people in the northeast region of Nigeria are buying into the amnesty-for-BokoHaram-insurgents argument out of desperation, even though the terrorist

group has murdered thousands over time and destroyed, plundered, and brought the region’s economy to a grind. Interactions with a number of people in Borno and Yobe States revealed that though the people have suffered immeasurable losses, quite a number of them would rather

see the terrorist group granted amnesty. There is little hope that the military and government’s repeated promises of victory over the sect would yield results any time soon. “As a leader of the farmers, and the way I see them suffering now, I will support

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu; Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye,director of organization and operations Nigeria Intervention Movement ( NIM) ; Jay Osi Samuels, national chairman, Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), and Fela Durotoye, presidential aspirant at the joint meeting between NIM and ANN in Lagos. Pic by Pius Okeosisi

L-R: Bimbola Wright, head, coverage and corporate banking, FBNQuest Merchant Bank; Akande Abisola Wasilat, student; Oni P.E, Principal, Girls Secondary Grammar School, Ikoyi and Abosede Onakoye, director, Eti Osa School support unit, district 3 at the career counseling session which took place as part of the 2018 FBNQuest Merchant Bank Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week.

L-R: Adekune Taiwo,Pastor The Redeemed Christian Church of God Victory Chapel Magodo, Olukayode Pitan, managing director, Bank of Industry/Special Guest, and Daniel Adebola, president, LP 21 Redeemers Men’s Fellowship, at the 2018 Men’s Convention in RCCG Victory Chapel, Magodo Lagos recently.

Winifred Ekanem, head of service of the federation, (l) discussing with the Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, during the Public Presentation and Breakdown of the 2018 FGN Budget in Abuja.

L-R: Angela Omo-Dare, legal adviser, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc; Yinka Sanni, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings plc and Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Head Marketing and Communications Stanbic IBTC Holdings plc, at the media briefing to herald a new brand Campaign in Lagos.

L-R: Esther Musa, Mercy Corps Nigeria Team Lead, Olasimbo Sojinrin, COuntry Manager, Solar Sister Nigeria, David O’Connor, Solar Sister Chief Operating Officer, Happy Amos, CEO, Happy Stoves and Fanen Acho, Market Development Consultant, IFC Lighting Africa Programme during the Solar Sister Media Advocacy Workshop in Abuja.

L-R: Emmanuel Usoh, commissioner for wealth creation, cooperatives and employment; Ekuma Eze, public affairs and company CSR manager (East/Central), Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd; Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State, and Public Affairs, and Ifeoma Okoye, CSR manager (Lagos West), Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, during the 2018 NBC/CCHBC Youth Empowered Workshop held in Benin.

Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science and technology, (5th r); Bitrus Nabasu, permanent secretary, ministry of science and technology, (5th l); Gloria Elemo, director-general, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), (4th r), and other director-generals under the supervision of the ministry during their meeting with the minister in Abuja. NAN

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Osun 2018: Ibiyemi, an asset to APC - Osun APC

hairman says his experience better than money The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Prince Gboyega Famodun has described a governorship Aspirant, Elder Samuel Ibiyemi as an asset needed by national ruling party to win the 2018 governorship election in the state. According to him, Ibiyemi have the zeal and the commitment needed in the party. “We are in need of those with this kind of zeal in politics, with his past successes he will be successful. Prince Famodun stated during the declaration ceremony of Ibiyemi at the APC state secretariat in Osogbo that his wealth of experience in various leadership positions in the Nigerian Airforce made him an asset capable of disgracing opposition parties. He said that the presentation on his programme is the first of its kinds among all aspirants who had expressed intention to contest for governor at the party secretariat since the commencement of the election campaign. “We are impressed by his deter-

Famodun

mination, his programmes for the state of Osun if giving the opportunity by the party and the electorate,” he noted. He however noted that ever since the creation of the State of Osun, Ife indigenes have been demanding for the position of governor. “I am delighted an Ife indigene can finally show the courage and commitment to contest at the state level. “I see love and together-

ness in Osun with the way people turns out for Ibiyemi’s declaration ceremony. Ibiyemi is an asset”, Famudu noted. The party Chairman observed that the experience of Ibiyemi in the public and private sectors of Nigerian economy as an entrepreneur is better than the consideration of money as basis for preference. He added that his service also at the national

level volunteering to die for Nigeria as a soldier is unequal among other aspirants. “We need him to serve in APC to bring his leadership qualities on board needed to promote the ideology of team work sustaining growth and development of the party,” he said. In an address made by Ibiyemi to party faithfuls at the secretariat, he promised to establish vocational training centres in each local government of the state to boost skill acquisition by secondary school leavers and university graduates. The programme listed in his plans for the state include creation of 40,000 jobs within four years, free education from primary to secondary school level, free health care for pregnant women, free health care for old age above 65 years, investment in agriculture and adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as benchmark for competitiveness of youths in Osun for gainful employment outside the state. “My administration will focus on making Osun youths compete effectively with others in securing gainful employment globally,” he said.

NILDS calls for completion of permanent site OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

he National Institute for Democratic and Legislative Studies (NILDS) has called for the completion of its permanent site to solve the problem of space constraints bedeviling its post-graduate programmes. The Director-General of the Institute, Ladi Hamalai made the call in Abuja during the matriculation ceremony for 45 new intakes for various post-graduate degree programme certificates by the Institute in affiliation with the University of Benin. The matriculants, according to her, are the fifth set to be enrolled for various Democratic/Legislative capacity building courses being run by the Institute. While urging students to take their studies seriously, she appealed to heads of the various departments in the

National Assembly to allow staff undergoing courses with the Institute to attend lectures. Hamalai, a professor, disclosed that the Institute has come up with policy of 70 percent class attendance for every student before being allowed to sit for examination. “It is our belief that these constraints would be unlocked with the completion of the permanent site of the Institute along Airport Road in Abuja”, she said. The Vice Chancellor of University of Benin represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Pius Iribhogbe admitted the matriculants as postgraduate students of the Institution. The Vice Chancellor declared that the convocation ceremony for students of the Institute would no longer be conducted in Benin but at the National Assembly in Abuja; the first of which he said would take place in October this year.

Safety compliance, human capital development driving decline in air accidents IFEOMA OKEKE

afety compliance and human capital development in the aviation sector have been identified as major factors driving the decline of serious air accidents in Nigeria in the last five years. Gabriel Olowo Mecons, President, Sabre Network WA & Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative Nigeria, said that in the past five years, the International Air Transport Association, (IATA) through IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) has made its members principally responsible for safety and not necessarily the regulator. “Airlines in the strive for safety also do go the extra mile to subject themselves to audit by other jurisdictions outside their own registration, for example, The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in addition to that of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),” Olowo added. He e x p l a i n e d t h a t airlines have also intensified human capital development

through routine and schedule trainings for all, pilots in particular since pilot error accounts for about 80% of all aviation accidents. He revealed that there have also been implementation of safety management system (SMS) and more budgets have been set aside for maintenance

Usman

and dedicated account for maintenance reserve as accidents are planned through neglect and poor maintenance. Olowo noted that 1,312 lives were lost in 10 accidents over 48years and pilot error accounted for 80% while maintenance and weather accounted for the remaining

20%. Muhtar Usman the director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), said the authority will not rest on its oars as it aims to sustain the zero accident that has been recorded for the third year in a row. Usman said from October 2014 through December 2017, a total of 90 sanctions were applied, adding that 15 pilots were sanctioned while five cabin crew members were sanctioned in what he described as moves to sanitise the industry. He added that under the same period, four engineers were sanctioned; the Authority suspended one private security outfit while four approved Maintenance Organisations (AMO) were sanctioned. “Five airlines were also sanctioned, there is no going back on enforcement’, he said. Usman, stressed that all these and many other important steps taken to improve safety culminated in the sustenance of USAFederal Aviation Authority Category 1 status, and have

continued to put the sector on a high pedestal. “Airline operations must be safe, safety and security are crucial, NCAA is ready for projected multiplicity of air travellers, zero accident must be sustained, staff training and retraining are paramount apart from strengthening consumer protection”, he added. BusinessDay’s checks show that Over 2,000 lives have been lost in air crashes in Nigeria in 40 years. These events occurred from year 1969 to 2013 involving 31 fatal plane crashes. The first plane crash in the country occurred in November 20, 1969 in which a total of 87 passengers on board Nigeria Airways BAC VC10 perished. Tunji Oketunbi, Head, Public Relations, Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB) said the NCAA drives the industry and if the NCAA is not effective, it will affect the industry. “Airlines have a tendency to cut corners but it is the responsibility of the NCAA to ensure proper checks are carried out on the airline, especially on the

aircraft maintenance and pilot certifications. During accident investigations, AIB is able to reveal a lot of things, either on the side of the regulators, the airlines or the service providers. “Reports from accident investigations in Nigeria have also reduced accidents occurrence in Nigeria and influenced safety decision implementation on the part of airlines, regulators and other service providers,” Oketunbi said. He noted that ICAO has worked very hard to ensure no country is left behind on the implementation of international safety standards. Koya Olayinka, Country Manager, British Airways said that just one accident can be the end of an airline, so that makes it important for airlines to comply with standards and ensure they leave no stone unturned. Olayinka congratulated Nigeria for having zero accident rate in 2016 and encouragedairlinestoremain steadfast in maintaining the records by applying the rules and training its staff as at when due.

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Bet Awards: Anita Baker to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

ETNetworkshasannounced that R&B music legend and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Anita Baker, will be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards 2018. In addition, for the first time, BET has selected six individuals – James Shaw Jr., Naomi Wadler, Mamoudou Gassama, Justin Blackman, Shaun King and Anthony Borges – to be honoured as Humanitarian Heroes. Anita Baker is undeniably one of the greatest living legends in the music industry and BET will honour her accordingly at the June 24th ceremony. With a career that spanned nearly four decades, she made an everlasting impression on the sound of Soul and R&B music that has inspired generations to come. Baker is regarded as a trailblazer, opening doors for many females in the industry. Known for ballads such as “Body & Soul”, “Just Because”, and “Giving You The Best That I Got”, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards and has seven platinum albums. Earlier this year, the venerable Baker announced her retirement and is current-

ly embarking on her farewell concert series. BET is taking an exciting new direction when it comes to honouring humanitarians. This year, the Network will recognize six individuals who have done extraordinary things in some of the most disheartening of situations. The intention is to remind everyone that you don’t have to be a celebrity to give back and support others in need; we all have the opportunity to make a difference for the betterment of humankind. “Through the Global Good and Humanitarian awards recognition, BET’s commitment shines a light on the significant contribution that both legends in industry and society contribute on a daily basis,” said Alex Okosi, executive vice president and managing director for Viacom International Media Networks Africa and BET International. The BET Awards 2018 will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in Africa on June 26th at 7:00PM WAT. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the BET Awards 2018 live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application.

Ghanaian institute honours Agbeyo, induct him as fellow David Ibemere

he Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management a n d Po l i t i c s , Ghana has honoured Babatope Agbeyo, chief executive officer, Cornfield Group, with Special Gold award for his exemplary leadership, astuteness and sincere dedication towards the development of Africa. He was one of the five Nigerians deemed worthy of honour. Babatunde Akinsanya, vice president of the institute, described Agbeyo as a leader that every young person driven to succeed must emulate. “Agbeyo is one of the greatest Nigerian business leaders that have traversed the economic landscape of not less than three continents of the world. We can authoritatively assert that this illustrious individual is an uncommon professional of excellence, a pacesetter and an embodiment of resourceful development initiative in

Agbeyo

Nigeria and Africa at large,” Akinsanya said. According to him, the institute has followed Agbeyo’s activities and further research on him established an impressive and enviable track record of promoting national and international economic productivity. “He has been a phenomenal and exemplary statesmanship with concrete effort to enhance Africa economic growth,

Experts advocate inclusion of critical thinking skills in Nigeria’s education curriculum STEPHEN ONYEKWELU

odern life is accelerating towards greater complexity and individuals need some basic critical thinking skills to navigate the rapidly shifting landscape in which the world operates, not a uniquely Nigerian problem. In a recent post attributed to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a social justice activist and six-time NBA champion, he argued that majority of American adults get their news from social media. During the 2016 election in the US, malicious fake news stories were more popular and shared more often on Facebook than legitimate headlines. A similar situation obtains in Nigeria too. Peter Okebukola, chairman, Crawford University governing council and former executive secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), said, “Critical thinking skills are

very important 21st Century skills. They are a broad spectrum of skills needed to survive in the world today. They include ability to play well in a team, creativity, and innovation. To promote critical thinking skills we need a curriculum that would foster the development of such skills. A curriculum that is overloaded by teachers and aims to cover the syllabus leads to cramming or rote learning.” Philips Consulting Education and Employability Survey report of 2014 showed that 98 percent of employers rate verbal and written communication, ability to work in teams, critical and analytical reasoning as desirable qualities in graduates they are looking for. Sixty per cent of employers do not think tertiary institutions are doing a good job of producing successful graduate employees. Sixtynine percent of employers believe that collaboration with tertiary institutions is important, especially through participation in

internship programmes, 52 percent have never collaborated with institutions in curriculum design, while 48 percent have never participated in graduate recruitment programmes with universities. “Educational institutions at primary, secondary, and post-secondary are largely the products of technology infrastructure and social circumstances of the past. The landscape has changed and the educational institutions should consider how to adapt quickly in response. Employers are dissatisfied with the current level of new graduates’ inability to work on their own, as well as with their critical and analytical ability” Tope Toogun, CEO, Accelerated Learning Systems, said. A healthy democracy depends on knowledgeable discourse for survival, but our national conversation is incessantly muddied. Information is twisted, contorted and butchered — so much so, that Nigerians struggle to reach informed decisions

about which policies or politicians to support. In order to arm citizens with the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, a diligent implementation of critical thinking into Nigeria’s basic education system is critical for survival. “For the quality of thinking to improve, the quality of questions asked must change. We ask students lower order questions such as, name, explain, define and list. These forms of questions asked in our classrooms do not lead to critical thinking” Folasade Adefisayo, lead consultant, Lead Learning Nigeria Limited, an educational services company told BusinessDay. “Let me give you an example. When I went to study in the United Kingdom for a post graduate degree in biology, we were given the diagram of a human eye to examine and determine what was wrong with it. In Nigeria, we would probably have been asked to draw and label a human eye” Adefisayo said.

we are very proud to celebrate with one of your renown establishments, Botosoft Technologies Ltd, the recent historic approval and acceptability of her I.C.T. services in Republic of Kenya, this is another ground-breaking attestation of your professional competence,” Akinsanya added. It is on this ground Akinsanya announced that the Governing Council and Advisory Board of this

Chartered Institute has unanimously agreed to induct him into the institute’s Fellowship Hall of Fame with a prestigious senior fellowship recognition award. While calling on Agbeyo not to rest on his oars, Akinsanya said the institute was counting on him to continue his significant effort on national development for the progress, peace and unity of one Nigeria and Africa.

Nigeria/Ghana jollof rice controversy features on Glo-sponsored TV drama series

he controversial yet humorous issue of which country between Nigeria and Ghana cooks the more delicious jollof rice comes under the radar in this week’s edition of TV drama series, Professor Johnbull, sponsored by telecoms operator, Globacom. Entitled Ghana versus Nigeria Jollof, the episode highlights the ageless rivalry between two countries which are unarguably the leading lights of the West African sub-region. The superiority battle between the two nations covers many areas of life, including sports and economy. Although the rivalry is in most cases healthy and often good for both countries’ development, there are times when it is not all that healthy, prompting the question as to whether indeed it is necessary in the first place. To highlight the lessons of the episode, two Ghanaian actresses, Martha Ankoma and Salma Mumin, engage in a supremacy battle with Nigeria’s Jumoke (Bidemi Kosoko) and Je-

roboam (Osita Iheme) over which of the two countries has better culinary enterprise. Lending support to the Nigerian team are the Nkwobi joint owner, (Yomi Fash-Lanso), and Nje (Angela Okorie), but Flash (Stephen Odimgbe) chooses to support his new Ghanaian girlfriend, Ajuwa (Martha Ankoma). As viewers watch the interesting edition, several questions to be resolved include: Is there any basis for the Ghana-Nigeria superiority complex? What has tribe got to do with whether a man or a woman will make a better spouse or not? How does Professor Johnbull resolve the culinary contest between Ghana jollof rice and Nigeria jollof rice? Who wins at the end of the “contest”? Ghana versus Nigeria Jollof will run at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday on DSTV Africa Magic Family and GOTV Channel 2, with repeat broadcast on Thursday at 9.30 p.m. on the cable TV channels. Anambra Broadcasting Service will show the programme at 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.

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Kwara releases N125m subvention to tertiary institutions

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

he Kwara State Government has released the sum of N125,395,252.96 as May 2018 subvention to all state-owned tertiary institutions. Abdullahi Alkinla, the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday in Ilorin the state capital. Giving the breakdown, Alkinla said the College of Education, Oro received N33,706,598.99; College of Education, Ilorin got N53,173,085.77; while the College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi received N21,272,571.73. Others are College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Ilorin, N11, 949,031.50; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin, N2,171,454.33; and the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Oke-Ode, N3,122,510.64. Alkinla added that the State Governor, Abdulfa-

Ex- Liberian Presidential candidate appointed UPAC VP for Africa Innocent Odoh, Abuja

Alkinla

tah Ahmed, has also approved the sum of N98 million for the accreditation exercise of the institutions, which he said will be released soon. Meanwhile, the provosts of the Kwara State Colleges of Education Ilorin, Oro and Lafiagi have appealed to the Committee of Union of Tertiary Institutions to suspend its ongoing industrial strike. In separate statements signed by the provosts on Thursday, they said their institutions did not join the industrial action and that

academic activities are going on smoothly in the colleges. They added that their institutions do not owe their staff any unpaid salaries as they also confirmed Governor Ahmed’s pledge to ensure prompt release of N98 million for accreditation exercise in their Colleges. The provosts, therefore, commended the Governor for living up to his words regarding the salaries of workers and his efforts geared towards improving the standard of education in the State.

ormer Liberian Presidential Ambassador MacDella Cooper has been appointed the Vice President of the United People for African Congress (UPAC) for Africa. This was announced by the President and CEO of the non-for-profit / political UPAC-USA Dr. Sylvester Okere, who said that the historic choice of Cooper to be the ‘’Continental Vice President’’ for Africa was due to her distinguished political leadership, adding that she is a strong advocate for community engagement and tireless philanthropic work in Africa and the United States. Okere in a statement he signed in Abuja, noted that Cooper will work to enhance the opportunity for Diaspora and Millennial participation on political and economic development, good governance, unity, and equal opportunity in Africa. ‘’MacDella Cooper has

Cooper

been appointed based on her bold, tireless and tenacious hunger to bring sustainable development and worldclass education across Africa’’ Okere, said. Cooper, who is reputed as ‘’Liberia’s Angel” , was born in Monrovia, Liberia , in 1977. She was raised in a family of comfortable means, but her life changed forever with the first Liberian Civil War in 1990. Cooper was among thousands who fled the conflict that killed more than 200,000, as she lived

as a refugee in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) before migrating to the United States of America. She is a notable philanthropist and the founder of the MacDella Cooper Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of the Children and Women in Liberia. This was said to be one of the factors that motivated her to run for the Presidency of Liberia in 2017. As “Continental Vice President’’ for Africa , MacDella Cooper will put together forums with continent leaders, business executives, non-profit organizations, and foreign missions, Okere said in the statement. The United People for African Congress is the unique voice of Africans aims to use the platform to help identify, train, engage, empower and help put the right individuals into office that will promote good governance, democracy and human rights across the African Continent.

Desperation makes Boko Haram amnesty ... Continued from page 1 anything which will take them back to their farms. Whatever the cost, even if it is amnesty, let the farmers go back to their farms. This is my wish, sincerely,” Abdulkadir Jidda, chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Borno State chapter, told BDSUNDAY. “People are increasingly suffering from hunger, and you will see people farming all over the country but no food here because we can’t afford to buy it,” he said. Abba Gambo, a member of the Elkanemi Royal Family and professor at the University of Maiduguri, said if the Federal Government could talk to Boko Haram for the release of some of the abducted girls over time, it was possible for the government to talk to the sect to end the whole madness. “If you can talk to them and they accept to release certain number of abducted girls, why not as well talk to them; please can we stop this? It is just logical. “If the government can ask them in whatever way possible to cajole them to release some girls, then I believe the same government through the same method they are using for release of the girls can also talk to them

so that the whole insurgency should just stop,” Gambo said. The plight of people in the region apart from being sad, is also ironic, as they appear to have been so mentally defeated to the extent they would even consider supporting pardon for their oppressors. The carnage by Boko Haram may also not be completely brought to a halt unless some fundamental economic issues are addressed. “Poverty, drying of the Lake Chad, high illiteracy rate in the northeast zone, all contributed to what we are having today. You know we have the least educational institutions, highest maternal and child mortality, the least number of industries, processing plants, roads, and very important; we also have the least number of healthcare facilities,” Gambo said, advising some Nigerian state governors on agriculture. “So, by the time you look at all these indicators, even under the UN index for economic development, you find out that the Northeast was a fertile ground for something like this to happen, and it had been postulated long ago,” he said. Even in management of relief items at present, it appears the pangs of hunger

could drive more people into crime, and the luring arms of Boko Haram. Unless the government decides to combat abuse, diversion, and corruption in the administration of relief items. “TheFederalGovernment sends foodstuff and so many things which don’t reach the farmers, but nobody cares. So you see a farmer going round, begging for food. Even from the NGOs, they may not get anything in as much as three months; and they don’t know whom to complain to. They have lost their source of livelihood, and very few people care about that, which is very dangerous,” Jidda, the Borno AFAN chairman, explained. “They are very vulnerable, and the youths among them can be used for anything. If you see your father dying of hunger, whatever thing comes your way, you (may) just grab it, and maybe it is how the insurgency is getting more recruits. That is my own perspective, and I hope something fast can be done to stop it. Whatever cost (has to be paid) is not too much; at whatever cost, let them stop it,” he said. e terrorist group granted amnesty. There is little hope that the military and government’s repeated promises of victory over the sect, would

yield results any time soon. “As a leader of the farmers, and the way I see them suffering now, I will support anything which will take them back to their farms. Whatever the cost, even if it is amnesty, let the farmers go back to their farms. This is my wish, sincerely,” Abdulkadir Jidda, chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Borno State chapter, told BusinessDay correspondent. “People are increasingly suffering from hunger, and you will see people farming all over the country but no food here because we can’t afford to buy it,” he said. Abba Gambo, a member of the Elkanemi Royal Family, and professor at the University of Maiduguri, also said “if the Federal Government can talk to Boko Haram for the release of 100 girls, for the release of Chibok girls, Dapchi girls, we are thinking, why won’t the Federal Government talk to them, for the overall end of all this madness? If you can talk to them and they accept to release certain number of abducted girls, why not as well talk to them; please can we stop this? It is just logical. “If the government can ask them in whatever way possible to cajole them to release some girls, then I be-

lieve the same government through the same method they are using for release of the girls can also talk to them so that the whole insurgency should just stop.” The plight of people in the region apart from being sad, is also ironic, as they appear to have been so mentally defeated, to the extent they would even consider supporting pardon for their oppressors. The carnage by Boko Haram may also not be completely brought to a halt unless some fundamental economic issues are addressed. According to Gambo, who also advises some Nigerian state governors on Agriculture, “Poverty, drying of the Lake Chad, high illiteracy rate in the northeast zone, all contributed to what we are having today. You know we have the least educational institutions, highest maternal and child mortality, the least number of industries, processing plants, roads, and very important; we also have the least number of healthcare facilities. “So, by the time you look at all these indicators, even under the UN index for economic development, you find out that the Northeast was a fertile ground for something like this to happen, and it had been postulated long ago,”

he said. Even in management of relief items presently, it appears the pangs of hunger could drive more people into crime, and the luring arms of Boko Haram. Unless the government decides to combat abuse, diversion, and corruption in the administration of relief items. Jidda, the Borno AFAN chairman, even explained that “the Federal Government sends foodstuff and so many things which don’t reach the farmers, but nobody cares. So you see a farmer going round, begging for food. Even from the NGOs, they may not get anything in as much as three months; and they don’t know whom to complain to. They have lost their source of livelihood, and very few people care about that, which is very dangerous. “They are very vulnerable, and the youths among them can be used for anything. If you see your father dying of hunger, whatever thing comes your way, you (may) just grab it, and maybe it is how the insurgency is getting more recruits. That is my own perspective, and I hope something fast can be done to stop it. Whatever cost (has to be paid) is not too much; at whatever cost, let them stop it.”

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News

Firm partners waste management society on environmental sanitation CHINYERE OKEKE

Bukola Saraki, Senate president (m), flanked by Olumide Akpata, chairman, NBA-SBL ((l), and Seni Adio (SAN), vice chairman.

How fourth industrial revolution can be positive for African manufacturing - Study MIKE OCHONMA

new study into prospects for manufacturing in Africa offers a relatively upbeat assessment of the industrialisation opportunities that could arise, should governments move decisively to harness the disruptive trends associated with the unfolding fourth industrial revolution. Titled ‘Made in Africa: Manufacturing and the Fourth Industrial Revolution’, the report was written by the Institute for Security Studies founder and chairperson, Jakkie Cilliers, with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. It concludes that, while the contribution of manufacturing to gross domestic product has stagnated since the mid-1980s, Africa will not close its income gap with the rest of the world in the absence of greater industrialisation. The report also warns that the current rapid expansion of retail services is retarding growth. “Rather than improving productivity, Africa’s structural transformation from low-productivity agriculture to low-productivity urban-based retail services has therefore been ‘growth reducing’. This is because the share of workers employed in high-productivity sectors such as manufacturing is declining, offsetting positive ‘within sector’ productivity growth.” The study stressed that

the labour and capital-intensity of manufacturing was decreasing. Nevertheless, without moving up the productivity value chain “Africa will remain poor”. Reversing the prevailing trend of premature de-industrialisation would require a “huge effort” by governments in support of the expansion of their productive sectors of economy. Furthermore, the social and economic rewards associated with targeted interventions to support industrialisation could increase Africa’s average yearly growth rate to 2040 by two percentage points to 6.5 percent and reduce, by 200 million people, the number of Africans living in absolute poverty. The fourth industrial revolution offered Africa opportunities for “leapfrogging”, as well as to take advantage of the likelihood that some goods would be produced and consumed in regional rather than global markets. “African countries must begin by trading among themselves, integrating their isolated markets.” Such an approach, he argued, would eventually make it possible to modernise African agriculture, potentially an important source of food, income and employment opportunities. The first industrial revolution spanned 1760 to 1840, epitomised by the steam engine. The second started in the late 19th century and made mass production possible. The third began in the 1960s with mainframe computing and semi-conductors. The argument for a new category – a fourth industrial

revolution – is compelling. New technologies are developing with exponential velocity, breadth and depth. Their systemic impact is likely to be profound. Policymakers, academics and companies must understand why all these advances matter and what to do about them. Perhaps most importantly for African countries, then, renewable energy offers the possibility of devolved, deep and broad access to electricity. Many have still not enjoyed the benefits of the second industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution may finally deliver electricity because it no longer relies on centralised grid infrastructure. A smart grid can distribute power efficiently across a number of homes in very remote locations. Children will be able to study at night. Meals can be cooked on safe stoves. Indoor air pollution can basically be eradicated. Beyond renewable energy, the Internet of Things and blockchain technology cast a vision for financial inclusion that has long been elusive or subject to exploitative practices. And also beyond all the positives that go along with the fourth revolution, there are some elements of risks involved and these come in different dimensions. No revolution comes without risks and one of these is rising joblessness. Developing countries have moved away from manufacturing into services long before their more developed counterparts did and at fractions of the income per capita. The employment shares of manufacturing, along

with its value addition to the economy, have long been declining in industrialised nations. But it’s also been declining in developing countries. This is unexpected, because manufacturing is still the primary channel through which to modernise, create employment especially by absorbing unskilled labour and alleviate poverty. Looking ahead, African countries should avoid a proclivity back towards the import substitution industrialisation programmes of early independence. The answer to premature deindustrialisation is not to protect infant industries and manufacture expensively at home. Industrialisation in the 21st century has a totally different ambience. In policy terms, governments need to employ systems thinking, operating in concert rather than in silos. Rapidly improving access to electricity should be a key policy priority. Governments should view energy security as a function of investment in renewables and the foundation for future growth. More generically, African governments should be proactive in adopting new technologies. To do so they must stand firm against potential political losers who form barriers to economic development. It pays in the long-run to craft inclusive institutions that promote widespread innovation. There are serious advantages to being a first mover in technology, and as a result of this, governments should begin to start building clear strategies that entail all the benefits of a fourth industrial revolution. If not, they risk being left behind.

n a bid to create a deep sense of environmental cleanliness in the society, Getjama Limited, a data management firm, recently collaborated with the Waste Management Society of Nigeria to clean its surrounding environment, the Jakande Beach Road located in Etiosa Local Government Area of Lagos State. The exercise was part of activities marking the 2018 World Environment Day. Nnenna Igwe, marketing and communication strategist, Getjama Limited, said the exercise was carried out as a way of giving back to the society in fulfilment of the firm’s corporate social responsibility. “In order to give back to our society, we not only collaborated with WASPA, but also with Tiva’s Group, the parent company of Getjama Ltd, NOK360, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Lagos State Ministry of Education, and Gbopa Senior Secondary School to not only clean their immediate environment, but to also raise the initiative level of Nigerian youths about environmental sanitation, plastic pollution, waste management and the likes,” Igwe said. “This is a community engagement programme that

seeks to raise environmental sanitation literacy level and also instill a sense of cleanliness within the residents of the environment,” she said. Speaking during the event, Omutunde Adeola, Lagos State counsellor, Waste Management Society of Nigeria, said that cleaning the environment and creating awareness on plastic pollution was the best way to celebrate the World Environment Day. “In order to celebrate the World Environment Day, we partnered with Getjama and came up with a theme, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, to address and orientate the students, youths and society at large of the risks and health hazards inherent in plastic pollution,” Adeola said. “We believe that the youths are the agents of change all over the world. Therefore, we have involved the students of Gbopa Senior High School, the youths from other partnering companies to actively join hands to clean their immediate environment. This would definitely be a take-home lesson for them all. We have also challenged the occupants of this environment to take proper care of their environment, having explained the dangers of having drainages blocked by plastics which are exposure to diseases such as typhoid and malaria,” she said.

St. Racheal’s, HealthPlus partner to promote life expectancy in Nigeria ANTHONIA OBOKOH

t. Racheal’s Pharma, an emerging manufacturer of antibiotics for African pharmaceutical market, and HealthPlus, a leading retail pharmacy chain in West Africa, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to improve life expectancy in Nigeria and other African countries by providing access to top quality and affordable pharmaceuticals. At the signing ceremony at St. Racheal’s African Headquarters in Lekki Lagos on Thursday, both companies announced that the collaboration would ensure that all St. Rachael’s brand of antibiotics get to patients at half the price of competing products in the market through the HealthPlus outlets. Akinjide Adeosun, chairman/chief executive officer of St. Racheal’s Pharma, in his remark said the agreement is designed to put the patient first which is in line with the company’s goal of helping to improving life expectancy in Nigeria and other African companies. “Our collection of antibiotics are currently avail-

able in all the fifty premises of HealthPlus Pharmacy in Nigeria and there is a commitment to high shelf pressure and pharmacovigilance reportage of our brands by HealthPlus,” said Adeosun. “This significant milestone in the history of our organizations will ensure improved access to medicines and is in tandem with our philosophy of Patient First. Today, by signing this memorandum of understanding (MoU), we have begun a symbiotic/ mutualistic relationship putting the patient first. Access to medicine will be improved in communities as HealthPlus pharmacies are situated across the length and breadth of Nigeria thus ensuring the improvement in the knowledge-base of healthcare workers who look after our patients with the ultimate goal of improvement in treatment outcome,” he said.

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NewsFeatures ‘NBA-SBL annual conferences have produced measurable outcomes’ ...as 2018 edition returns to Abuja CHUKS OLUIGBO

embers of the legal profession, the business commun i t y, r e g u l a tors, policymakers and other concerned stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond will this week converge on Abuja for the 12th Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL). Themed ‘Bringing Down the Barriers: The Law as a Vehicle for Intra-Africa Trade’, discussions at the conference, slated for June 27-29 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will revolve around intra-Africa trade against the backdrop of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) recently signed by 44 countries. Over the years, the annual NBA-SBL conference has continued to be a platform for business lawyers within and outside Nigeria to network and engage on issues relevant to their fields as well as to establish a thriving relationship between the business community and government institutions. As the date for the 2018 conference draws close, the leadership of the NBA Section on Business Law and the conference planning committee have reiterated that the annual conference, far from being a talk-shop, has produced far-reaching impact over the years, especially in the area of law reforms that lead to improved doing business environment. “Nigeria has moved up in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking. That is directly the work of SBL in cooperation with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC),” Okey Egbuchu, chairman, 2018 conference planning committee, told journalists at recent press conference in Lagos. “When Vice President Yemi Osinbajo got into power, we consulted him as one of us and advised him on many of the steps he has to take to make sure that doing business is enhanced in Nigeria. He listened to us, he took note, and he said so at two SBL conferences that he attended as keynote speaker. And we have seen the result today,” he said. Apart from the collaboration with the executive arm of government, Egbuchu informed that the SBL also cooperated with the federal legislature through the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable

Laoye Jaiyeola, MD & CEO, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG); Adenike Kazalma-Mantey of DFID-ENABLE-2, and Seni Adio (SAN), vice chairman, NBA Section on Business Law, at an event to mark first anniversary of National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable.

(NASSBER), which saw the emergence of the new Companies and Allied Matters (CAMA) Bill that was recently passed by the Senate. The new CAMA Bill is currently awaiting harmonisation and passage by the House of Representatives before it goes for presidential assent. “All these are direct results of activities of SBL as acknowledged by the minister of trade and investment. These are outcomes from our conferences, as well as our stakeholder engagements outside our conferences. The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is a better place today as a result of cooperation with SBL, and CAC is also a member of the SBL council,” Egbuchu said. “So, we do expect that after the 2018 conference, we will still engage with government and stakeholders to see that we get the best possible benefits from the AfCFTA. SBL and the legal profession will take a stand and liaise with all stakeholders to make sure that we benefit from AfCFTA. Forty-four countries have signed; so whether we like it or not, it is going to go on. The question is whether we want to be part of it or we want to step out and watch free trade go by us,” he said. Corroborating, Olumide Akpata, chairman, NBA-SBL, said the section was instrumental to the emergence of the new CAMA Bill. “I can say without fear of contradiction that the NBA-SBL was very instrumental to the emer-

gence of that piece of legislation and we are indeed proud of that outcome. We do engage with government, we do engage with regulators regarding some of the issues that we bring to the fore in our conferences,” Akpata said. The SBL chair said that the 2018 conference, for instance, was endorsed and supported by the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations. He added that Chiedu Osakwe, the chief negotiator, would be speaking at the conference opening session. “We are working as partners to ensure that there is a better understanding of the proposed AfCFTA. We are working with

The NBA-SBL is a special arm of the Nigerian Bar Association which engenders the development of commercial law and specialised commercial law practice in Nigeria

them and, in fact, they would like to use our conference as another platform for consultation and information dissemination. So they will be there to speak to the issues,” Akpata said. Lending his voice, Seni Adio (SAN), vice chairman, NBA-SBL, said that every year, the SBL has ensured that the business law conference does not end up as a mere talk-shop but has always worked towards tangible outcomes. In view of this, Adio said, the conference has over the years produced reports that were submitted to government for action, while the NBA-SBL has constantly engaged with government and its relevant agencies with the aim of coming up with right actions that will ensure the general wellbeing of the nation’s economy. “With respect to NASSBER, which is a collaboration between the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG); it may not be the first time there is going to be a structured collaboration between the public sector and the private sector, but it has worked beautifully,” Adio said. “As many of you may recall, last year the keynote speaker was the Senate president. The collaboration has been very impactful. What they have done is that they have basically asked us to come and help with reviewing bills and to be part of the process,” he said.

Adio said apart from the CAMA Bill that was passed by the Senate, there were other very significant bills that were pending. These, according to him, include the Investment and Securities Act, the new Railways Bill and the Arbitration Bill that have been passed by the Senate and waiting to be harmonised in the House of Representatives, as well as certain tax laws that are under revision. When passed into law, he said, these various significant pieces of legislation would not only improve Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index but would also hopefully translate into meaningful economic impact in terms of improving the lives of the populace. “So, it’s true that the SBL has been very impactful in terms of law reforms, so to speak. Of course, we also know what the executive has been doing through PEBEC. Again, for various reasons, a lot of credit should be given to both the executive and the legislature in terms of law reforms; we must recognise that they have been working harmoniously,” he said. The NBA-SBL is a special arm of the Nigerian Bar Association which engenders the development of commercial law and specialised commercial law practice in Nigeria. It currently has 19 committees focused on specialized areas of commercial law practice and addressing issues from different sectors of the Nigerian economy. Through its committees and strategic partnerships with government parastatals and/or legislative bodies, the section organises regular workshops, seminars and training programmes for members, with a view to promoting commercial and business interests in Nigeria. The 2018 conference, which begins on Wednesday with an opening dinner, will feature different sessions with a wide array of topics that include ‘Law Practice in the Time of the African Continental Free Trade Area: Reimagining African Lawyers’, ‘Financing Intra-African Trade and Development’, ‘Continental Trade and the Imperative of Unimpeded Movement of Goods, Labour and Services’, ‘Enhancing Transport Connectively in Africa’, ‘Marching in Lockstep – Building Sub-National Competitiveness for Global Investment’, ‘AfCFTA and Transformative Industrialization in Nigeria’, ‘Standardizing Continental Regulations on Consumer Protection and Competition Law’, among others.

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2019: How ready is the ... Continued from Page 1 for them to actively participate in the next election by getting their permanent voter cards (PVCs), which is a sine qua non. But despite these efforts, nearly 8 million PVCs are still lying uncollected at INEC offices across the country. “My worry is that the voters who are supposed to prepare for the exercise are not even ready. What we hear all over the place is too much talk, and when you ask those who are talking tough about the election how prepared they are, you discover that they don’t have the requisite tool to exercise their franchise,” said a Lagos politician who does not want his name in print. “They have no PVC and many of them have not even registered for the first time since the return of civil rule in 1999.” In March, John Ibenu, a bishop and chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi State chapter, decried the apparent lack of commitment by Nigerians to collect about 8 million PVCs in centres across the country. He, however, called on INEC to step up sensitisation campaign on the need for people to collect their PVCs ahead of the 2019 elections. “We read in the dailies that about 8 million PVCs have not been collected, largely 70 to 80 percent of which are from the Middle Belt down to the South South,” Ibenu said when he and his team paid a courtesy visit to INEC office in Lokoja. “I remember that in the last elections, Borno State, where the Boko Haram insurgency was prevalent, the rate of collection of PVC was 89 percent. We want you to

do that magic for us; the magic that the insurgency did not stop them from collecting their voter cards,” he said. Some pundits, however, said the fouryear period of election has a way of discouraging people from participating and is also affecting INEC in its efforts to live up to expectations. They said that a situation where elections are held at just one particular time in four years makes it cumbersome and stretches the human and material resources. Donald Duke, a former governor of Cross River State and presidential aspirant, in a recent interview with BusinessDay, said waiting for four years before a general election was not the best for Nigeria. He faulted a situation where everybody is expected to mass out for a general election every four years, pointing out that the method being adopted is cumbersome and puts a strain on resources. The numbers Out of about 8.3 million uncollected PVCs in 2016, only 121,097 PVCs had been collected as at March 22, 2018, according to statistics released by INEC. This leaves a total of 7.9 million PVCs uncollected. Eight of the 36 states of the country account for more than half (56 percent) of the 7.9 million uncollected PVCs as at March 2018, with five of these eight states being in the South-West states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Osun. The other three states are Edo, Imo and Rivers. A state-by-state breakdown of the figures showed that Lagos State, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, leads in

terms of uncollected PVCs, with about 1.40 million PVCs lying uncollected at the various INEC offices in the state, as against 1.42 million PVCs as at 2016. Oyo State comes second, with 647,586 uncollected PVCs as at March, relative to 663,053 uncollected PVCs as at 2016. In Edo and Ogun States, a total of 449,001 and 426,890, respectively, were yet to be collected as at March. Anambra, Kogi, Ebonyi and Bayelsa States had recorded improvement in terms of PVC collection rates, with 51 percent, 14.2 percent, 14 percent, and 12 percent rates, respectively, according to calculations by BusinessDay. On the reverse side, states with poor collection rates include Zamfara (0.1 percent), Taraba (0.4 percent), Niger (0.6 percent), Sokoto (0.7 percent), and Kaduna (0.8 percent). The PVC collection rate was measured as the proportion of total collected PVCs in 2017 and first quarter 2018 to the uncollected PVCs as at 2016. Hitches remain Before now, there had been widespread complaints from Nigerians, as well as groups, over difficulties encountered in the process of PVC collection as well as INEC’s handling of the ongoing continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise. Some Nigerians who spoke with BDSUNDAY confessed that they were yet to get their PVCs. They, however, blamed it on the difficulty encountered as their previous efforts to collect their PVCs have not yielded any fruit. BDSUNDAY visits to some centres

across the country threw up issues such as inadequate personnel and machines resulting in long queues and delay, unfriendly attitude displayed by some INEC officials, while some officials were accused of capitalising on the process to do shoddy business by colluding with some agents to extort money from members of the public. INEC had responded by assuring that it was tackling the challenges that had plagued the exercise in several states across the country. Despite these assurances, however, the hitches remain. In an interview with a national daily in May after a tour of the eight local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District of Ogun State, Adekunle Osibogun, a lawyer and convener, Young Progressive Nigerian Initiative (YPNI), said red-tapism was largely responsible for the low rate of PVC collection in the South-West states compared to states in the North. “I haven’t surveyed the northern part of Nigeria to know the reason for the high PVC collection rate there, but I can speak about the low PVC collection rate in the southern part of Nigeria. I will attribute the primary reason for the low PVC collection rates to bureaucracy and red-tape. We have citizens who wake up as early as 5 am to go and queue at INEC offices, spend the whole day there and may still be unable to pick up their PVCs. Now, that is discouraging,” Osibogun said “For us to encourage ourselves to pick up our PVCs, which is a civic duty as we all know, it is important that we make the

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process a lot easier and more seamless. Without a shadow of a doubt, there is a need for more registration machines,” he said. He gave INEC a 50 percent pass mark for its efforts so far, especially for its strategy on PVC collection nationwide, adding, however, that the commission can do more. “INEC can do more, especially in the South-West region because the level of PVCs collected in the South-West as a whole compared to the growing population of the South-West is very low. It is, therefore, urgent that INEC now pays special attention to the registration and collection of PVCs in the South-West to ensure the general elections in the SouthWest region are a true reflection of the hopes and aspirations of the people.” In Lagos, our findings show that despite the rotation of the registration centres among the wards in most of the local government areas, the long queues have not disappeared at local government headquarters and several public schools which have been designated for the exercise. A school proprietress in Surulere area of Lagos, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she had tried several times to get her PVC but has not been lucky enough. “Before the 2015 election, I went to where we registered around where my school is located (Ilasamaja); they continued saying come today, come tomorrow. At the end of the day, I could not collect my PVC and my husband too did not collect. This time they said they were registering people again, we made several attempts, but as I speak with you now, we are still without the PVC and we really want to vote this time around,” she said. Reminded that the continuous voter registration is still ongoing, the proprietress said: “I think the INEC itself is not sincere with the process down South here. I hear that in the North they give the Emirs these PVCs to distribute to their people, but here in the South, they make

the process very difficult to discourage people. It may not be exactly what we think but that is what it seems. Some of us want to participate in this election but the way I am seeing it, we may be shut out.” A resident of Alimosho Local Government Area, who spoke on the exercise, said most of the residents had to be on the queues from 4am to take numbers. This, according to her, has discouraged several people. She charged INEC to revert to the former method where registration was done in the polling unit in the various wards. “Most of us come here to register from 4am; that is when we take numbers, but if you come here by 10am to register, you

Thugs have become part and parcel of the electoral system in Nigeria and there is nothing anybody can do about it. I think our system is encouraging it

may not get the chance because of the large crowd,” she said. “The problem is that INEC doesn’t have enough staff here, as you can see. Let them bring more machines, that is why people don’t want to come because you can’t leave your work and come and stay here all day,” she added. Some Nigerians also pointed out that there seems to be an information gap between those who are yet to collect their PVCs and INEC itself, arguing that despite the so-called sensitization, most Nigerians are unaware of the whole electoral process vis-à-vis when and where to pick up their PVCs. They suggested that INEC should step

up its game by capturing phone numbers and email addresses of registered voters so as to notify them when their PVC is ready and where to pick it up. We’re on top of the situation – INEC Reacting to the complaints, Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to INEC chairman, told BDSUNDAY over the telephone that the commission had deployed more machines and personnel to various states across the country, and that it was also partnering with religious organisations to increase sensitisation about the exercise. Oyekanmi said INEC had registered more than 9 million voters since the exercise began in April last year, stressing that the commission could not continue with the former method of carrying out registration in polling units because of the shortage of funds. “We are on top of the situation. Across the states we have deployed more machines and personnel for the exercise. If you notice, we have several awareness programmes ongoing in the country, and because we realised that we are able to reach people through churches and mosques because of their influence, we are using them and we are able to reach more people,” Oyekanmi said. “It is not possible to go to the local government areas because of shortage of funds and personnel. In some states we have established mobile centres, but Nigerians are not interested; they prefer to collect the PVCs just for other personal purposes. For now, the commission can’t go to the 774 LGAs because of funds,” he said. On the allegations of sharp practices by INEC personnel at some registration centres, an official of the commission in Ikeja, Lagos, said he had no knowledge of such sharp practices. He added INEC had deployed more logistics to the three centres in the local government area, which are public schools. “It is not true what they are telling you. Go to the three centres in Ikeja, we have provided more logistics. We have a standby generator. We are not asking anybody to wake up and come and take number by 4am; we start registration here by 10am,” said the INEC staff, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. ‘Area boys’ upbeat about the election Although campaign has been on against the use of thugs by politicians this time around, BDSUNDAY gathered that the street urchins are looking forward to reaping hugely from the 2019 polls. “Thugs have become part and parcel of the electoral system in Nigeria and there is nothing anybody can do about it. I think our system is encouraging it,” a Lagosbased politician, who would not like his name in print, said. “When you have an army of able-bodied young men roaming the streets without jobs, they easily fall prey to people who can hire them for illicit services. The existentialism theory must take its course. People must survive either by hook or crook,” he said. He said sometimes it is not as if politicians deliberately want to use such thugs for ulterior motives but for protection against opponents. “You know in politics, as in all battles, you must expect anything and everything. So, as we are preparing for free and fair elections, some people are out there seeing only money to make in the process,” he said.

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Government agencies and the scramble for presence at the ports AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

ay back in 2011, the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team led by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, then Minister of Finance, pruned down the number of Federal Government agencies that were participating in cargo clearance at the seaports, from 14 to seven. The action of government at that time was largely due to the difficulties faced by shippers (importers and exporters) in clearing their cargoes from the ports. Then, it was discovered that importers spent as much as 30 days and above to clear their consignments from the ports, following the cumbersome port processes and the delays that come with the presence of multiple agencies at the ports. Furthermore, the situation created huge cost for shippers, as many paid hundreds of billions of naira annually to shipping companies and terminal operators as demurrage and storage rents, for not taking delivery of their consignments as and when due. Okonjo-Iweala’s directive listed seven agencies permitted to operate within the ports to include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); the Ports Health; the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Security (DSS). While the others not on the list, including the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); the Sta n d a rd s Org a n is a t io n of Nigeria (SON); Nigerian Quarantine Service; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and others, were asked to vacate the ports and only call there on invitation of the Customs, when necessary. After the directive was put in place, some of the sacked agencies started lobbying from the National Assembly

to be restored in the ports. The agencies that were accused of lobbying at that time were SON, NAFDAC and NDLEA. After the lobbying, some of them were restored at the ports until in mid-2017 when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came up with an Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business at the ports. In the new Order, the Federal Government mandated the NPA under the administration of Hadiza Bala-Usman, to cut down the number of agencies at the ports. As a result of the mandate, the NPA in June 2017 released a list which reiterated that there were only seven agencies approved to be at the ports and they were the seven authorised initially by Okonjo-Iweala in 2011. Two days after the NPA re-introduced the Federal Government directive that streamlined the number of government agencies at the ports, the NDLEA issued an alternative directive, claiming it had the mandate of the government to operate at the ports. Ofoyeju Mitchell, who was the head of Public Affairs of NDLEA at that time, said in a statement that the Federal Government, through the NPA listed eight agencies to

NDLEA has been cleared by the Presidency to work at the seaports. This official position must be respected by all port agencies and stakeholders. Attempt to violate this directive shall be considered as a conspiracy to advance the nefarious activities of drug cartels to the detriment of our national security

operate at the seaports. “The Federal Government has endorsed the operations of the NDLEA at the seaports. This clarification was openly made by Bala Usman at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos sequel to the implementation of the executive order issued by the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo on the Ease of Doing Business at the ports,” Mitchell said in the statement.

“NDLEA has been cleared by the Presidency to work at the seaports. This official position must be respected by all port agencies and stakeholders. Attempt to violate this directive shall be considered as a conspiracy to advance the nefarious activities of drug cartels to the detriment of our national security.” In February this year, NPA issued another statement that reiterated that only eight Federal Government agencies with NDLEA inclusive were allowed to operate and have physical representation at all port locations. Abdullahi Goje, general manager, corporate and strategic communications of NPA, who stated this in a statement, said that other agencies not mentioned in the list above should remain outside the port premises as the Customs, which is the lead agency for inspection of cargoes, has developed standard operating procedures (SOP) to facilitate their seamless operation especially during examination of cargo as it concerns an agency. Surprisingly in May (last month), the NPA released another statement that again confirmed that eight agencies were allowed to operate at the port but this time, instead of the NDLEA being among the

eight, NAFDAC was chosen in place of NDELA. This is causing fresh concerns among industry stakeholders who believe that the scramble for presence at the ports by government agencies was due to their ‘selfish interest’, which is largely driven by the desire to enrich themselves than to facilitate trade. Paul Usoro, guest speaker, who presented a paper on ‘Federal Government Policies on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria’ during a business luncheon organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos recently, confirmed that the multiplicity of government agencies at the ports, not only delay cargo clearance but has huge cost implications on businesses. Therefore, he advised the government to see to the pruning down of the number of agencies at the ports to facilitate trade and cut down cost for shippers. In his view, Emma Nwabunwanne, a Lagos-based importer, who believes that the different regulatory roles played by NAFDAC, NDLEA and SON at the nation’s seaports, are critical to healthy economic development, pointed out that the three agencies do not need to station in the ports and participate in all cargo examinations, just like Customs men, in order to play those roles. According to him, those roles can effectively be played through occasional visits to the ports, on the invitation of Customs, when the cargo under examination relates to their areas of coverage. This was aside from the fact that Customs on several occasions, has proven to have the eagle-eye to detect offensive imports like sub-standard goods, hard drugs or prohibited items without the agency responsible being around. Therefore, the government needs to take a firm decision on the place of these agencies at the port, if the aim of improving Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business table and making our seaports a friendly business environment, would be achieved.

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Feature Jubilee: Poised to meet Nigeria’s syringe need

WILLIAM ADISA he inability of the Federal Government to resolve the challenges associated with electricity in the country is denying the nation the opportunity to be the real giant of Africa and take the lead in industrial development, despite the high number of literate people. This observation was recently made by Zubeyir Gulabi, managing director, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, while speaking with some journalists after a media tour of the facilities of the company located in Awa, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. According to Gulabi, a Turkish national who has been in Nigeria for the past 20 years, if Nigeria can address the power problem and provide enough power for industries, “Nigeria’s economy will instantly be boosted by at least 50 percent, because of employment, security, community restiveness and all such and Nigeria will become giant of Africa indeed and Nigeria can overtake China, because I believe there are more educated people in Nigeria than China as a nation.” The company’s Chief Executive Officer who spoke on the general operations of the company, which is the biggest syringe manufacturer in Africa and commissioned for full operation about six months ago by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said the major challenge it is facing is that of power, as it has to run two companies in one. “Here we are running two factories, syringe manufacturing and power generating, I want to hand over power generating to government and focus on my job,” he said. Gulabi, who said he spends about N40 million monthly, generating power however commended both the state and Federal Government for putting in place policies that help develop industries, “I am actually happy with what the government has given me, it remains implementation, there is policy paper, there is a technical committee, I am Chairman of Syringes and Needles Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, my group is part of the steering committee.” He noted that the company which produces syringes of various sizes from scratch, with 100 percent local content would do better if the power situation is quickly addressed, but that for now they operate on optimism, believing that government promises will soon start to manifest and things will soon get better. “Sure, every company is running on a very small margin, this is affecting other projects, it is affecting new investments, because a company must have some reserve to re-invest, with this cost I don’t think we have been able to have that reserve for re-investment. Which to me is a sickness, so we can say we have a sickness of cost, it is affecting research and development, it is affecting new investment. “All the investments made are made based on optimism, not a worst case scenario, what the government is saying is that we are working on giving you light within this period, who are we not to believe them, this is government, they are saying they will give you dedicated line, we believe them. All the investment is made on optimistic mindset, not on worst case scenario, otherwise nobody will come and invest in Nigeria. If we

Zubeyir Gulabi

consider power situation in the last 20 years nobody will come or believe any government explanation. “I have lived in Nigeria in the last 20 years as a businessman, not just as an individual, I had businesses, I had manufacturing companies, even so you have to be optimistic for the future, for the past yes we are criticising, but for the future, all the investment rely on optimism, not a worst case scenario. Nobody will come on a worst case scenario, if I have $20 million, which is what we invested here, I can put it in any bank and live like a rich man on the interest and be doing nothing. “The government is trying to subsidise, but government doesn’t pay cash to anybody, government is saying we give you accommodation, we give you this or that, but cash, no. Look, I paid cash in Nigeria 12 months ago, the 2018 budget has just been approved after six months, if my approval comes again after six months, I paid the money 18 months ago, it is not actually helping, it is not helpful for us. Yes on paper there is something.” He also spoke on the Ease of Doing Business policy of government, “Each of the people, from government to the ordinary people, the key word here is optimism, optimistic future. I believe in the optimistic future of Nigeria, Nigeria has a great and bright future. When compared to other African countries, yes, on the paper there is big profit margin, on paper doing business in Nigeria is profitable, because Nigerian market needs many things, Nigeria this year increased on the level of ease of doing business on the World Bank list. The state government is trying, actually, Nigeria federalism is not delegating much power to states, but the state government is trying to be attractive, that is why we are here, optimism of the state governor.”

Also speaking on the challenges the company which had a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government to ensure about 70 of the work force are indigenes of the community, local government and state among other corporate social responsibilities as enshrined in the agreement, is facing, the Production Manager of the company with one of the latest machines in the industry anywhere in the world, Victor George, who has about 27 years experience in syringe manufacturing and manufacturing processes, with international exposure, bemoaned the challenges of finding suitable and trainable hands in such a highly technical sector. George who was trained in Central Institute for Plastic Technology (CIPET), India, one of the best in terms of syringe manufacturing management in Nigeria, with a combined knowledge of quality control and production management, who joined the company based on invitation, said, “The country has had an un-encouraging situation in terms of employment, I happen to be on panels of interviews in my previous employment before joining this company, we have had this challenge of finding vey suitable bands, in terms of technological aspects. “Most people tends to be trainable, but you find out that their trainability index is very low, judging them from their appearance and I had a situation where we had to interview an engineer and the engineer could not differential between a one meter and two meter distance. At another level I have interviewed a quality control personnel who was supposed to have graduated as a micro biologist and she could not tell me the difference between a parogen and a pathogen, we have had cases like that, some cannot

even write to express themselves in words, these are some of the challenges of finding experienced hands in challenging situations like ours here. The company had to send 12 Nigerian engineers and quality control people to Turkey for training to bridge this gap,” he said. Speaking on the production process and how they ensure adherence to optimal quality, standard and first grade hygiene, Quality Control Manager, a graduate of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology, Mary Daniel Mende, said, “quality check is done at the moulding section, which is moulding in process check, from there we go to cerography where you have the barrel being printed, after which we go to the Assembly stage, the moulded parts are assembled to form a whole syringe and also the quality check which is being carried out there. “After that it goes for the packing into the screen lab, then, they are brought out into the screen room and packed into the shipping cartons, arranged in pallets to be sterilised, after the sterilisation which takes about seven to eight hours, products are brought out through the sterile door of the sterilisation chamber and kept in the quarantine for the quality control to carry out the finished goods testing, which will last a minimum time of 48 hours, it is after that that a certificate of analysis is released from the quality control for the product to be moved to finished goods.” The Managing Director of the wholly private company owned by foreign investors, who is a chief in the town, holding the title of Obong Uforo Onna also said he cannot say the quantity of syringe consumption in Nigeria due to lack of statistical data, however he said that there are seven other syringe manufacturing company in Nigeria, though many of them were struggling to survive before Jubilee Syringe entered the market, because of lack of central policy, lack of protection for national interest. He said in every sector, “Nigeria does not have policy to protect self interest,” but now with new policies in place, some of the companies are trying to revive its process because of the collaborative efforts that he introduced in the system, “In the sector, we are a baby, yet we are the mother.” He noted that the installed production capacity of his company is about 350million syringes per annum, while actual capacity is about 75 percent, which means they can meet Nigeria consumption rate up to 25 percent. He added however that the company is constructed in such a way that it can easily add more machines to the production line to increase capacity without necessarily expanding its facility. Noting that before Jubilee started production 95 percent of syringe requirement in the country came in from China, but now the company is working to be the umbrella company for syringe manufacturing in Nigeria. He also spoke about the quality of his product, as according to him, last year they took a sample of the product for the European medical trade fair and one German company wanted to have partnership with them, because the company could not believe that the syringe was made in Nigeria, noting however that whatever quality you parade you must be certificated by the right agencies and countries, before it can be accepted.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

ketches With Zebulon

O, this flesh!

ike play, like play, butterfly has just entered the bush. So sad indeed! What may have been his pastime for many years, but remained secret, has eventually landed him in a heap of shit. The story of Professor Richard Akindele, the sacked lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) over his penchant for anything in skirt, is just a pathetic one. For several months, the story trended and aroused a lot of interest. Blames had been apportioned, rightly and wrongly, in the court of public opinion. Although some people even t h o u g h t P ro f e s s o r A k i n d e l e i s worthy of many stripes, Miss Monica Osagie should not be allowed to go without blame. In the

opinion of some analysts, Osagie may have decided to record the conversation just because the Prof. was not ready to award her more than an ‘E’; it was their belief also that had Akindele agreed to award Osagie an ‘A’ the story may not have been heard in pub-

The rancorous budget

lease, forgive my ignorance as “I no know book” in this matter I want to address now. The nation’s 2018 Budget was just signed into law last Wednesday, six months to the end of the year the budget was meant to serve. The budget started its journey since November 2017 but has continued to go back and forth till this moment. From its conception up to the point the document was signed, it was rancor-ridden! At every point of the budget, the Executive and Legislative arms barked at each other. On some occasions, the document was even declared missing and suddenly resurfaced. While signing the budget the President was full of lamentation that the National Assembly did a lot of “abracadabra” on the document. “The National Assembly made cuts amounting to N347bn in the allocation to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578bn. Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation,” he faulted.

He specifically pointed out that the lawmakers, whose leaders have been at loggerheads with the President and the ruling party, “inserted 70 new roads into the budget without consultation with the executive; increased statutory transfers by an aggregate by N73.90bn (for ‘sugar and sweet’ PARDON my interpretation of “recurrent expenditure”) and that the National Assembly’s budget was raised from N125bn to N139.5bn. Fine. Now that this budget is coming at this time; and seeing that the masses of this country have been suffering because each time they complained that life was becoming too tough for them, somebody would remind them to exercise patience until the budget is signed and approved. Now, we hope money would be pushed, in abundance, into the system. What happens to the timetable of expenditure that may have been drawn long before now? We have effectively four months to implement the budget before government winds down for politics; what will happen to the money budgeted? If I know our brand of politicians and the Nigerian system well, the sizeable portion of this budget is going into private vaults.

lic. Some others however, said that Miss Osagie may have from Day-One determined to nail Akindele, at least, to set an example with him. Whatever is the true position of things; the issue is that a man who had climbed to that high p i n n a c l e i n h i s c h o s e n c a re e r just allowed the flesh to make nonsense of his life. He must have been doing it an going scot free; but on that very day when he entered into the amorous conversation with Miss Osagie, he never knew his cup was filled, to the brim at that. I am very concerned about the wife and children of the Professor, who are now even more traumatised than the man himself. They are also likely to be stigmatised. However, as the

head of the family, they cannot disown him; but should really rally round him in this darkest hour of his life; who knows if by t h i s m o n u m e n t a l d i s g ra c e , h e would surrender himself to the all-forgiving God who alone is able to change his garment of shame. The fate that has befallen Prof. Akindele is a lesson for other predators. There are other thousand and one Akindeles in all sectors of the nation’s economy, who are living big in their debauchery and using their offices to prey on ladies and even married women. It is also a wakeup call for us begin to look at our values as a people, and above all begin to inculcate morals in our children from the home base.

Now, the chickens are coming home to roost

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has always kicked against the issue of restructuring of Nigeria. A lot of argument has been going on over it. Whereas other parties and prominent individuals across the country have continued to make case for restruc-

turing, the leadership of the APC and the Muhammadu Buhari administration had maintained unyielding over it. When the pressure became so much on the government of the day, a committee was set up, chaired by Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, to look into the merit or otherwise of it. But last Thursday, Yemi Osinbajo, vice president, while addressing traditional rulers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, said that government was not opposed to restructuring but was in support of any form of restructuring that would benefit Nigerians. The statement has since set off some reactions as some pundits read several meanings into it. They alleged that it must have been one in the series of volte-face that the present administration will make in the course of its ambition to return to office in 2019. But whether, it is politicallymotivated or not, the clarification is well received.

The cattle ranches’ controversy

ince the President dropped the hint that the Federal Government was going to establish cattle ranches in some states- Adamawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara- discordant tunes have continued to trail the pronouncement. One wonders why government is insistent on going into issues that is obviously volatile. For many years, cattle rearers have been doing their business, but politics appears to have been brought into the entire thing. Critics of the government’s intention say that it was ill-motivated. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned government to tread softly, advising it “to get its acts together and follow all due processes as stipulated by the laws and 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding this issue, in order to eliminate the current disagreements being generated.” Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba sociocultural organisation, was vehement in its condemnation of the move, saying that cattle rearing is a private business and not a national project, and that such huge amount of money could have been used to fund public projects that would have direct impact on the masses rather

than on ranches. President of the group, Reuben Fasoranti, who spoke on behalf of Afenifere, carpeted Buhari administration over its slow response in tackling the killings, while challenging the president to publicly condemn the killings by the herdsmen. “Afenifere do not support such move; why should public funds be used for cattle ranches, which is owned by an individual or few people who are making money into their pocket. Such money can be used to set up projects to benefit Nigerians. “What have they done about the killings, let the government come out and make a pronouncement condemning the killings, whoever wants cattle should fund it from his pocket and not public funds. We are tired of cattle problem,” Fasoranti said.

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Perspective

Why churches are not making desired impact on society AUGUSTINE MBA

ver the years, social commentators have posed the question on why Nigerian society is suffering from outright poor leadership, massive corruption, full-fledged terrorism, banditry, cultism, killings for rituals, out right human wickedness, kidnapping, drug abuse and deadly drug businesses, smuggling, rape and other forms of sexual immorality upon all the Churches that are found at every turn of eyes in the country Onitsha based journalist turned preacher of the gospel Evangelsit Theo Rays Ejikeme has moved to provide the answer by observing that the present set of Christian Churches are not making impressive impact on the society because they concede too much power to money and in the same vein channel their weight to pursuing worldly things that are achievable with money instead of sourcing out spiritual based ideas and knowledge for the genuine conversion of mankind. Speaking at a world press conference he addressed in Onitsha, the Evangelist submitted that the solution to the problems of the people lies in their hands but they must get it right with the process and system made available by God, noting that conceding power to money has made the Church weak and unable to seek and find solution to the myriad of challenges facing humanity outside what money can offer. He observed “Buying lands, building splendid Cathedrals, Mansions, parading flash cars, convoy of sports utility vehicles, expansive schools, private jets, hotels, petrol filling stations,

banks, travelling for pilgrimage, good dressing and of course radio and television houses, these are what money can provide, but obviously they are not the solution to the problems bedevilling the people. But unfortunately these are what the Church is given out to the world “The world needs solution to the challenges bothering on, economy, security, terrorism, hunger, poverty shelter, bad weather condition, sexually immorality, crime, bad leadership, human wickedness and human disability and they have to find the solution in the Church. Christians have to give it to them “he he continued adding “Christians must lead the world in the right direction because the Bible says that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world” He added “Ideas and knowledge rule the world not raising money. These Church businessmen have monetised everything about Christianity, if you want to consult a pastor they ask you to bring money. In the Church they collect what they call seed or offering for everything you wish to ask from God. They collect marriage seed, security seed, travelling seed, school admission seed, examination seed, fruit of the womb seed, business seed, market sales seed and what have you” He attributed the failure of the Church among other failures in the society to poor human mechanism saying that he has the call and the vision to improve on human mechanism among Christians and the blacks in particular and humanity in general. He said “at the moment Christianity and Blacks in particular are suffering from poor human mechanism.

And I have issues to place on the table for study and applications in respect of what to do about it. “The first step to this, is the mechanism to get it right with the Church. We believe in the Church but we are not getting it right in terms of process and system of operation, in terms of immediate interests and in terms set goals. The Bible says that with God all things are possible. The Church represents God and therefore it has to work inline with God’s abilities to make things possible for the good of mankind. Christianity is not about asking people to bring money, it is about exposing people to the real process and system of worshiping God in truth and in spirit. “The purpose of the Church is to reconcile or unite the goods and services of the heaven and the earth to bless mankind. The Church meant to empower and enable us to take full part in both human and divine decisions that effect our lives in right perspective. Church is meant to build people as individuals, families and society where everything associated with God’s fame, human dignity and righteousness thrive. He observed that the Church is suffering from misplacement of service, misplacement of commitments and misplacement of interests toward humanity saying that he is championing a cause of Christian globalisation with a view to galvanise Christian services, commitments and interests into uniformity toward humanity. Most importantly he said, is to champion a kind of Christianity that is capable to seek and find solution outside what money can offer. He said “I create vision and programs that will inspire Christians to expand their view about

God, man and the world so as to learn more, know better and do better than raising money. I get them into a better process of capacity building and a better system of operation and practice. I improve on people ability to pray and get them realise the true worth of our conviction that Jesus is Lord” He pointed out that Christians should retrace their steps to the worship system of truth and sprit as Jesus demands, adding that Jesus is all about process and system that get man hooked with God in truth and in spirit. “Jesus is all about process and system laid down by God to administer life to people. The miracle and healing works of Jesus in his days with the apostles are side attractions not His main assignment” he noted Explaining further he said “Jesus represents the perfection of the Law of Moses, the perfection of the priesthood of Melchizedek and other priests and the fulfilment of the promise of Abraham. That is why it is written that if you believe in Christ you are part of Abraham’s family and entitled to heir according to promise. Believe in Christ means obeying the ten commands and getting the services of the priests and all that facilitate the blessings of God according to the promise of Abraham, And you don’t have to pay money either as tithe or seed to derive blessings from the promise of Abraham” Asked to comment on the way to fix Nigeria, he said he has proffered solution to challenges facing under developed Africans in book he tilted Desert Storm with Nigeria as a case in point. He said that for Nigeria to

get out of the hook of problems bedevilling the country the leaders have to go back to drawing board and reprogram the life and existence of the people both in the rural/urban areas and in the cites. He opined that Nigeria would get better if the leaders can sit back and do introspection with a view to do things anew “I have said it and I will continue to say it that changing Nigeria is not impossible and in my own view, the leaders have to go back to basis, go back to fundamentals to reprogram the life and existence of the people. We have to reprogram the domestic and social sanctuaries. We have reprogram the schools, reprogram the Churches, the Mosques and with new ideas and knowledge of life. This is one “Secondly, reprogram the kind of food we eat and what we drink. Nigeria don’t eat good food. Over half population of Nigerians don’t eat good food. Not only that, there is massive hunger in the land. A hungry man is an angry man and angry man is open to the devil and his agents. A hungry man can easily become a thief, a robber, kidnapper, a cultist, a bandit, can be recruited by Boko Haram agents, can take to Sahara desert and high sea to travel to Europe by road or sea, can be recruited by agents of slave trade and can become a homosexual. “let me inform the world that God has mandated the Churches to invest on Agriculture and go to farm to produce food for the people. Hunger would be given a good fight in one year Nigeria if the Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Redeemed, Winners, Deeper life, the Synagogue, Dunamis, Omga Fire, KICC, Cherubim and Seraphim, the Chris Holy Church and all others go to farm to cultivate and process food, livestock, fruit and vegetables. This is not about a Church leaders telling his flock to go to farm, it is about the Church as a body throwing weight behind farming. “Thirdly, according to the United Nations the well being of a community at all levels including the level of a country depends much on the welfare of the women and children. The condition of women and children in most parts of Nigeria is nothing to write home about towards building a nation. We live in country where a larger number of women as mothers are not capable to groom their children. Only few women like the mother of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have the capacity to groom their children. And no Nigeria leader at all level have a special program towards the welfare of women and their children “When mothers are incapacitated on their children, they lose their children to waywardness such as drug addicts, cultists, slave hunters, terrorists, herdsmen fighters, banditry, stealing and other negative vices. For Nigeria to get better, political leaders, Church leaders, traditional rulers and other forms of community leaders should give attention to women and children and ensure their welfare.

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Nigeria and the ISIS threat alert

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Sunday 24 June 2018

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

ecent reports by a United Kingdom newspaper, The Sun, that leaders of the terrorist group, Islamic State, are making plans to sneak in brutal jihadists from Syria into Nigeria to train terrorists for possible attacks in Britain, should be a source of great concerns to all well meaning Nigerians. According to The Sun, fanatics including Boko Haram insurgents were also being sent to the Middle East for training in a chilling “exchange programme. The report further claimed that there were fears that strong links between Nigeria and the UK would make it easier for ISIS to send its killers to Britain to orchestrate terror attacks, death and destruction. It is feared ISIS would exploit regular flights between Lagos and London to export more evil to the UK. A thorough understanding of ISIS bloody profile would reveal that any threat whatsoever from the organization should not be treated with kid gloves. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, popularly referred to as ISIS, is a Salafi jihadist terrorist organisation and former unrecognized proto-state that

follows a fundamentalist, Salafi/ Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. The organization gained international prominence in early 2014 when it drove Iraqi government forces out of key cities in its Western Iraq offensive, followed by its capture of Mosul and the Sinjar massacre. The group has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and numerous other countries. ISIS is broadly known for its history of beheadings and other types of gruesome executions of both soldiers and civilians, including journalists and aid workers, as well as its destruction of cultural heritage sites. ISIS also committed ethnic cleansing on an historic scale in northern Iraq. ISIL originated as Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in 1999, which pledged allegiance to alQaeda and participated in the Iraqi insurgency following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by Western forces at the behest of the United States. The group declared itself a global caliphate and began referring to itself as the Islamic State (IS) in June 2014. As a caliphate, it claims religious, political and military authority over all Muslims worldwide. Its adoption of the name Islamic State and its idea of a caliphate have been extensively criticized, with the United Nations, various governments and mainstream Muslim groups rejecting its statehood. ISIS is believed to be operational in 18 countries across the world, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, with thriving

camps in Mali, Egypt, Somalia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines. In 2015, ISIS was estimated to have an annual budget of more than US$1 billion and a force of more than 30,000 fighters. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, ISIS claimed responsibility over a number of high-profile terrorist attacks outside Iraq and Syria, including a mass shooting at a Tunisian tourist resort (38 European tourists killed), the Suruç bombing in Turkey (33 leftist and pro-Kurdish activists killed), the Tunisian National Museum attack (24 foreign tourists and Tunisians killed), the Sana’a mosque bombings (142 Shia civilians killed), the crash of Metrojet Flight 9268 (224 killed, mostly Russian tourists), the bombings in Ankara (102 pro-Kurdish and leftist activists killed) and the bombings in Beirut (43 Shia civilians killed). Others include the November 2015 Paris attacks (130 civilians killed), the killing of Jaafar Mohammed Saad, the governor of Aden, the January 2016 Istanbul bombing (11 foreign tourists killed), the 2016 Brussels bombings (32 civilians killed), the 2016 Nice attack (86 civilians killed), the July 2016 Kabul bombing (at least 80 civilians killed, mostly Shia Hazaras), the 2016 Berlin attack (12 civilians killed), the 2017 Istanbul nightclub shooting (39 foreigners and Turks killed), the 2017 Saint Petersburg Metro bombing (15 civilians killed), the 2017 Manchester Arena

bombing (22 civilians killed) and the 2017 Tehran attacks (18 civilians killed). Without a doubt, ISIS is a vicious bloody organization that has the capacity to carry out high profile ferocious attacks in any part the world. It is, thus, crucial that concerned authorities in the country take any threat from the organization very seriously. It is commendable that the federal government has ordered an intensified screening of passengers and luggage on commercial flights across the country. This must be complemented with rigorous vetting of airline personnel and screening of passengers as well as increased vigilance on restricted areas at all airports in the country. Relevant security agencies must do all it takes to strengthen our borders to ensure that no evil group is given the latitude to gain undue access into the country and perpetrate wickedness. Security operatives should be more proactive in dealing with the alleged ISIS threat and other such dangers that could threaten the country’s peace and security. In as much as it is true that terrorism is becoming a global challenge, our security agencies must exhibit more decisiveness and professionalism in dealing with any threat against the country. One primary duty of government, all over the world, is the protection of the citizenry. The present trend that exposes Nigerians to unhindered horrid attacks and premature deaths is, to say the least, intolerable.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

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Financial equality for Africa’s women farmers

SHIRO WACHIRA Wachira is a project specialist on the microfinance partnerships team at One Acre Fund.

round the world, social movements like # M e To o a n d #TimesUp are inspiring important conversations about the inequitable practices women have long faced in every aspect of their lives. In some cases, these discussions have led to measurable changes in how women are treated on the job, at home, and elsewhere in society. Un f o r t u n a t e l y, m o s t o f the focus to date has been on women in the West, or those living in urban areas. Rural women, and particularly poor female farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, have not yet benefited from the recent focus on gender equality. But

SAMUEL EDOZIE OBASI-EZE Obasi-Eze, a student, writes from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

efore we go on, it would be best we have a better understanding of the two contrasting terms. Realism, according to the Oxford Dictionary is “the attitude of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with the situation accordingly”. This means that we see life as it, good or bad, partial or impartial, depending on the situation, and we deal with it accordingly to either change the situation or accept it as fate. Now, this should never be confused with pessimism. Reasons shall be seen in subsequent paragraphs. To thoroughly understand realism, we also have to define idealism. Idealism, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is defined as “the unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection”. This explains that idealism not only seeks attainment of perfection, which is pragmatically impossible, but is also unrealistic. Idealism has synonyms such

if Africa’s gender gap is ever to be closed, the unique obstacles that African women confront must become part of the global dialogue. Sub-Saharan Africa is among the world’s most gender-unequal regions. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), “perceptions, attitudes, and historic gender roles” limit women’s access to health care and education, and lead to disproportionate levels of family responsibility, job segregation, and sexual violence. But perhaps the biggest obstacle to gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa is money; simply put, women have less of it. According to the World Bank, 37% of women in the region have a bank account, compared to 48% of men. And, while the percentages are low for both sexes, what is troubling is that the gap has widened over the past several years, even as total financing available to the world’s poor has increased steadily. Today, women dominate African agriculture, the continent’s most important in-

dustry. But this has not translated into greater control of finances. One measure of this deficiency is rates of borrowing; in East Africa, where my organization works, women borrow 13% less money for farm-related activities than men do. Illiteracy, limited land ownership, and restrictions on agency and mobility all conspire to reduce rural women’s access to farm financing. These barriers have had a dramatic impact on social and economic progress. For starters, the lack of capital makes it difficult for women to buy quality seeds and fertilizer, or even to access farmland, which in turn reduces agricultural productivity. Crop yields in the region lag far behind global averages, in part because women are unable to invest enough in their operations. Gender inequality is also costly on a macro level. The UNDP estimates that failure to integrate women into national economies costs the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa a combined $95 billion in lost productivity every year.

When women living in poverty are unable to work or contribute socially, growth stagnates. On the other hand, when women farmers have access to financing, the benefits go far beyond the fields. Financial empowerment has been proven to increase female participation in community decision-making. Moreover, women’s financial inclusion helps combat social marginalization and improves family wellbeing; when mothers have a degree of control over household finances, their children are less likely to die from malnutrition and more likely to thrive. Given these benefits, the question is not whether women in rural Africa need expanded access to farm-related capital, b u t ra t h e r h ow t o provide it. One solution is to craft programs that consider disparities in education and mobility when awarding loans. Accounting for social discrimination is essential if girls and women are to benefit fully from available financing. Another option is to build on successful mediation efforts that help women discuss financial

inclusion with their husbands. But one of the most important changes would be committed leadership by financial institutions. If banks and lending services offered products that met the needs of women, more women would have access to financial resources. For example, banks could devise specific loan programs for crops that are traditionally grown by female farmers – such as groundnuts or sunflowers. Financial institutions could also encourage female leadership in farmers’ cooperatives, and support markets where women sell their harvests. At current rates of financial inclusion, it will take the world more than 200 years to achieve gender parity. That is unacceptable. Progress toward women’s empowerment does not have to be that slow. If governments, international actors, and the financial industry make a concerted effort to devise and sustain more gender-focused policies, it won’t be.

as totally impossible, and still has faith in Nigeria becoming better one day. As stated earlier, pessimism should never be confused with realism. Though realists view a situation mostly less hopefully when compared to optimists, they never regard a situation as totally hopeless as seen in the case of pessimists. The realist almost never views life as positive or negative, but rather is rational in thinking, making pragmatic choices, rather than pessimists who view the situation negatively. Using the example of the state of Nigeria and its possible development, a realist will never totally condemn the nation, though things may seem bad, but the realist thinks of ways to make it better in a rational manner. However, pessimists, as mentioned earlier, say “things can never get better”, even without looking at the state of things and the potentials of Nigeria , with the opportunities of working towards improving it. Basically, it’s better to be realistic in situations than pessimistic. Researchers have

found that being pessimistic to life makes one less persistent, as when things go bad, pessimists tend to give up, but realists tend to be more persistent, assessing things from both negative and positive points of view. Realists tend to weigh the options, check the odds before making decisions which reduces the level of risks they take. However, in some cases this may seem like a wrong idea, but more often than not it seems to work out, as they take a neutral position to life. Psychologically, it’s better to be realistic to life than to be pessimistic or optimistic, as pessimism makes one prone to giving up easily when things appear to be going bad, while being optimistic might make one set unattainable goals, but the rationality in realism makes one to set achievable goals, and most often achieve them. By my reckoning, being a realist is much healthier because it can help people to be pragmatic and goal-oriented, which does not just offer higher chances of success but also confers improved psychological feelings.

(c): Project Syndicate

Realism, not pessimism as utopianism, daydreaming, wishful thinking, and so on, which point to the fact that they don’t refer to reality. In philosophy lies a better understanding as the two terms are rooted in philosophy. The theory of idealism states that our reality is shaped on the foundation of our thoughts and ideas. However, the theory of realism states that our reality is existent independent of our consciousness, thoughts and ideas. In summary, idealism seeks to explain that our reality tends to be what we want or fantasize it to be, while realism seeks to explain that our reality exists independently on our desires and idea. In other words, idealism relates to what we desire and fantasize about, while realism is related to our actions or situations that make out reality. In layman’s perspective, the two concepts can be viewed thus: idealism focuses on ‘what we want it to be’ and realism focuses on ‘what actually exists’. Practically, idealists are often positive thinkers, viewing life as being full of hope, while realists tend to be

neutral, neither optimists nor pessimists, but rather look at life in relation to the cliché, “hope for the best, but expect the worst”. Pessimism, according to the Oxford Dictionary, can be defined as “the tendency to see the worst aspect of things or the belief that the worst will happen”. This definition, I am convinced, is self-explanatory, but for better comprehension, we can try to explain pessimism as having a negative view to life; always expecting the worst to happen. Its antonym, optimism, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is defined as “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something”. It is clear from this definition of optimism that optimists have a positive view to life. A popular example to better explain these two concepts is the state of the country Nigeria. The popular saying that Nigeria can never get better only shows the pessimistic view of most Nigerians to the development of Nigeria as a nation. An optimist in the situation, however, views nothing

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Interview Abiola’s recognition will boost Buhari’s chances in 2019 - Famurewa Rt. Hon. Israel Ajibola Famurewa, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, at the beginning of the 8th Assembly was a lead contender for the Speakership seat, but acceded to persuasion of APC leadership to step down in the interest of the party. A trained engineer and seasoned politician, Famurewa in this interview with KEHINDE AKINTOLA, speaks on the conferment of the highest national award on the late MKO Abiola; gives insight into the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State and other national issues. Excerpts: How will you describe President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to confer the highest national honour on the late MKO Abiola? was one of the happiest persons. I was happy because the injustice done to a particular person was corrected. If you look at it, since June 12, 1993 this man actually stood for election though the result has not been officially announced but it was on every record that he has won the contest before the military’s ‘abrakadabra’ that eventually annulled the election. And since then, no government has considered it fit to honour the man for the sacrifice he made by paying the supreme price. If Abiola has compromised may be just let the mandate go like that or took money or appointment from the Federal Government, perhaps the military will still be ruling us till today because they will just be changing baton from one military to another. So what we are enjoying today we may not have enjoyed this. So I want to personally commend him (Abiola) for that supreme price paid and since then no government either military or civilian even since 1999 that this dispensation started deemed it fit to honour this man but to me I want to support President Buhari for honouring the late Chief MKO Abiola by giving him the highest title and declaring him as President-elect though he was unable to actually sit on the presidential seat while alive. But at least it will be in the history that at so so period, the man contested an election, he won though could not be allowed to rule. But all the status of a President was conferred on him, and I think this will encourage other Nigerians that if you sacrifice something for this nation, even if presently you are not recognised, one day people will come and open the book of remembrance for you.

Obasanjo was the first person to renounce June 12, Abiola was not a messiah, at that critical stage you will know that even before then; I want to believe maybe there was a rivalry between him and Abiola from their childhood days, they may have some irreconcilable differences that they are just managing themselves. They were colleagues in schools and there was the tendency for them to have something in between them but as God will have it, God has a way of arranging things but I don’t believe that was the reason MKO Abiola has not been recognisd by Obasanjo; I think he has a personal interest. Obasanjo by my own assessment, he doesn’t like anybody that will come and surpass his record, as at that time he was the military head of state for three years and a civilian person from his state is now coming to be the President then, so he kicked against it; he doesn’t like anybody in this region that will meet up his records or even surpass it, he will try as much as possible to bring that person down and I think that was what happened.

Are you saying Abiola’s recognition will boost President Buhari’s chances in 2019? Yes if not for Abiola’s sacrifice and for his insistence that I won the election and I must take the mantle of leadership of the country, that was what led to Abacha’s government to arrest him and detain him. He was in detention until the last minute. To me, I want to believe he was killed, assassinated by the military cabal. As at that time, they saw him as an obstacle to the realisation of their ambition. It was a gang up against Abiola and democracy as a whole. Some people believed President Buhari should have declared Abiola’s running mate as President, so as a lawmaker is the call in the right direction? You see, let’s look at it from this angle. We are politicians and we must play politics, either play politics with it or not, we had some people on that seat in the past that even played politics with it. We have a major beneficiary in person of former president Obasanjo that happens to be Abiola’s kinsman, that even refused to honour this man. So if a Fulani man comes and either playing politics or not, he just woke up one day and honoured this man, I think we need to credit him for that. Will the move boost Buhari’s chances in the South West? Yes, I believe that. For me as a person, that has even increased my interest in Buhari’s presidency for the second term. That singular action has improved and increased my special interest which I have in him. Definitely, it will

Dogara

cut across especially the people of Ogun State and Yoruba nation as a whole because this is one thing we have been clamouring for. I could recollect clearly that in one of our interactions with Buhari when he came on board, they told him that for this June 12, the debacle must be broken, just honour this man, he’s not alive to contest the seat with you, just honour him and let the people know that this man paid the supreme price for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. Since then, he said he would do it, so this is the right time he decided to do it.

out of the conviction is it will send a signal to all politicians that when you are in office you need to be extra careful because going by what Dariye said, he said he was misadvised by the civil servants which means he didn’t do it intentionally but either he was misadvised or not but as at that time he was the chief executive and he will need to answer that query. So I hope he will appeal the judgment and maybe he will receive mercy at the appellate court.

Do you think the former President’s recent cry that the same government which honoured Abiola, will not get the sympathy of the Yoruba nation? I didn’t think Chief Obasanjo can get any sympathy from the Yoruba nation because from Obasanjo’s eight year rule, to me, I don’t think we actually profited anything from it in terms of infrastructure even in appointment and all that. Look at a major road - Lagos-Ibadan road, it’s a major road linking the South West to other parts of the country, Obasanjo was there for eight years he couldn’t do anything about it. Otta-Abeokuta road is his own state, his own base, Obasanjo has a farm in Otta but he refused to do that road. But recently, President Buhari just awarded the contract either one or two months ago - Otta- Abeokuta road. The same thing with Lagos-Ibadan road. So I don’t see any serious thing the South West can claim to have benefited from Obasanjo’s presidency that will warrant that kind of sympathy. To me, I don’t believe there is any iota of truth in the so called ‘frame-up theory’ of Obasanjo!

The 8th Assembly has just finished three years remaining less than one year, given the experience how would you assess the 8th Assembly compared to the previous ones? The 8th Assembly started on turbulent note, crisis here and there; we started with the crisis of leadership, who will lead us, immediately after sorting that one out then who will be the principal officers of the House and that was another thing that actually generated a lot of crisis then. But I think we were able to overcome that one and we threw that one behind us and we started working. I can say that in this Assembly we have really worked and I think that there is no Assembly that has passed a number of bills into law like this 8th Assembly; there is none and we have a lot of things to show for it in the last three years, our achievements surpassed what other Houses have done in four years. I want to commend the leadership, at least within their knowledge and understanding, they have been able to paddle the canoe of the House and I pray God will still lead them to the end. We hope that the 9th Assembly will be better than the present

What is your take on the fight against the corruption by the present administry? Are you satisfied the way this fight is being carried out? It is not that the Federal Government is not ready to fight corruption but in a democratic setting you need to give people fair hearing and in doing that you allow the court process to take the normal course and taking the normal course will take a longer time for judgment to be delivered. I think one thing I can take

In some other quarters there is this argument that Obasanjo probably did not recognise MKO Abiola because he was his tribe’s man because if he had done that they would have said it is tribalism and his relations with him and all that and probably that was why he never recognised MKO Abiola? I want to disagree with that; if you know Obasanjo very well, if you know his antecedents he always stands against the interest of the Yorubas and I can mention instances.

What are the things you have done in the last three years that you have been here for your constituents and do you have any special message for your constituents? In the last three years if you look at it, basically I am here to represent the interest of my people and when I was coming I told them quality representation that their interest would be my uppermost interest and I think we have been able to do some, not much but the little we could. We have a hospital in my place, there was a motion to that effect to convert it to federal medical centre and work is going on it right now. The motion was properly raised on the floor, it was supported by my colleagues and a resolution was passed to the ministry of health and they are working on it now. I think that was a major achievement in this House. Apart from that there are a lot of things I did, like I have a special interest in education, I have a lot of schools, built schools, renovate schools, supply educational materials to students and all those things and I can count up to six or seven schools in this Assembly not in the 7th Assembly, some are even going on presently as I am talking to you now presently. Then we have a lot of water projects; in my constituency I have two urban, two rural, we have a lot of water projects going on in the rural areas, solar powered borehole, hand pump borehole and all those things, we have a lot and if you are counting we have about 15 or 16 of that in different parts of the constituency. In terms of power I think we were able to install few transformers to some communities to be able boost the power supply in those areas, so that was what we did and as we are talking now we have about 500 youths undergoing different kind of vocational training, very soon in the next one month, we will have a proper graduation for them. They started January 2017 and this June 2018 will give them 18 months to learn the training. Some are learning fashion design, tailoring, some tiling, hairdressing, all those things, we have about 500 of them and the graduation ceremony will be in the next one month and at the graduation ceremony we are going to give them equipments that they will use to set up their own business.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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Interview ‘Financial capital not major problem of people but mental capital’ Onyechenaru Chukwuochie, national president of Foundation for Unemployed and Empowerment, a non-governmental organisation, in this interview with REGIS ANUKWUOJI, takes a look at the unemployment situation in the country and the contribution of his foundation to the national economy. Excerpts:

hat is this organisation up to?

Our NGO believes in empowering the unemployed people in Nigeria especially on the informal sector of the economy. It gives grants to unemployed but skilled people in Nigeria and beyond and our programmes are small scale business enterprise programmes, where we train people who have the skills but do not have the fund to start up business, we support them with a grant of N250, 000. 00 (Two hundred and fifty thousand naira). And we also do what we call graduate employment programme by trying to add more value to whatever skillsthey must have acquired while in school, We h a v e a l s o f a r m e r s ’ empowerment programme where we empower farmers who are interested in our value change which are rice, maize, poultry, cassava and aqua-culture. These are what we do and have been doing it for over the years above five years and we have our donors who sponsor these programmes. Because we told them that what we need is grant because Nigerians are not good at paying loans for now and to encourage any entrepreneur the best to do is to give them grant. It stands as a start-off capital to thrive in every sector of the economy How do you monitor the beneficiaries to ensure t h a t t h e g ra n t s a re n o t misused? Like what we do in the farmers’ empowerment programme, we monitor the farmers through their coo p e ra t i v e s ; f a r m e r s h a v e cooperatives and we monitor through their leadership because each cooperative has their group head so we monitor them through the group heads; because they have by-laws; so we get a responsive and responsible input on whatever we give out to them, that is what we have been doing and on the side of small scale enterprises they must have a company

even if it is a business name. Any person that wants to engage in any thing must have something to start with, we come together to liaise or to partner with the person; the most important thing is for you to start.You cannot say you are doing empowerment when you have not empowered yourself. Empowering yourself means acquiring some kinds of skill so that it will enable you thrive, so if you are prepared with the oppor t uni t i es, su ccess is inevitable. Your organisation is into training; what is the duration of the training? Anyway, the kind of training we do now is that we are focusing more on the people who have the skill but they lack the fund to thrive; we do train the trainer programme in management skill on how to manage what would be given to them, let them have a timeline, some people are not good in fund management;so with this we tap into their skill by giving them fund. Capital is not the major challenge people have; attimes mental capital are the challenge they have, because mental capital is for you to begin to think outside the box, that is the way I see mental capital, you begin to think outside the box before the start off capital which is called the fund. This is because many people always say they do not have startup capital but when you begin to look into their case you discover that they do not even have the mental capital. The enthusiasm is there but the willpower is lacking;so we train them specially on fund management. Do you have target as per the number you can empower this year? We can empower as many people as possible, but this particular programme will end in August 2019; it is a 5-year programme and we started since 2014 so for now we are looking at empowering 3000 people across board to enable us meet the donors’ target. Which are your target states? We i n t e n d t o c ov e r a l l

Trading going on at the Stock Exchange

Empowering yourself means acquiring some kinds of skill so that it will enable you thrive, so if you are prepared with the opportunities, success is inevitable

the states if they are willing because there are so many NGOs around and because they are so many they have programmes and objectives. Our own foundation intends to cover so many states as possible depending on who wants to partner with us. We have been doing sensi-

tisation using the media but the response we are getting is not encouraging but notwithstanding the people we have at hand we are working with them so we are interested to work with state that is interested to work with us and make sure we achieve sustainability. For the past six years, may we know the figure that benefited from your NGO? Ye s , o v e r 2 5 0 0 p e o p l e have benefited and it is a process and more are indicating interest by special grace of God more people are going to benefit. In the area of agriculture; to what extent have you affected the people?Do you assist in creating markets for the produce? Agric business is very complex because from production to processing and marketing, our value chain like I said are Rice, Cassava, M a i z e , A q u a c u l t u re a n d p o u l t r y . T h e c o o p e ra t i v e heads we have been working with are reliable and everything is moving smoothly. What is your advice to Nigerian youths? To my fellow youths there is no hidden money any-

where and there is no way you can earn money without working for it; there is dignity in labour. As a youth, I worked for people and today people are working under me. It all boils down to determination and being upright in whatever one is doing. To me I would not like to die as a man but as an institution. You know the youths are the key to the development of any society so this kind of programme is what I expect them to cash into and become employers of labour tomorrow. Yo u r o rgan isatio n recently made some book donations to a school in one of the communities in Enugu State; is education development among your programme? When we talk about education, it is the bedrock for human existence, if you are not informed, you are deformed; that is part of our education support programme. We did it to empower our people and also to contribute our small quota in fighting illiteracy in the country. It is part of our own cooperate social responsibility and we intend to do more.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

TheWorshippers Archbishop Alaba Job: Celebrating God’s General at 80 Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, Felix Alaba Adeosin Job turns 80 today. SEYI JOHN SALAU writes on the many giant strides of the first Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese.

hristendom in Nigeria is blessed with men and women who have dedicated their all to the service of God and the gospel, people who for the gospel’s sake have given up everything in search of a better kingdom. One of such Generals in God’s Army in Nigeria is Most Reverend Felix Alaba Adeosin Job, the Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, who turns 80 years old today. Born June 24, 1938, Archbishop Job was ordained a Catholic priest on December 24, 1966 (being the Christmas Eve) and was consecrated a bishop on July 4, 1971. He grew to be the longest serving bishop in the Nigerian Catholic Church where he served for 43 years – 23 years as bishop and 20 years as Archbishop of Ibadan. Felix Alaba Job, as he is fondly called, became a bishop five years after his priestly ordination at a young age of 33, making him

the youngest Yoruba bishop ever consecrated. In 1994, he became an Archbishop, making him the first Archbishop of the Ibadan Archdiocese. He retired on October 29, 2013. A father to all For many of the faithful of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Felix Alaba Job was a man who epitomizes the gospel in all his dealings. He was said to be a father to all within and outside the archdiocese, whether he was dealing with those in the Catholic Church or adherents of other denominations, connecting with their faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour. As a testament to his fatherly stance in the church, Archbishop Felix Alaba Job wrote an enthusiastic letter of endorsement for the fifth Marian dogma when he served the church as the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. Also, in his humble state as man of dignified integrity, as he was about to retire from his role as the Archbishop of Ibadan, Archbishop Felix Alaba Job wrote: “I am finally in the twilight of my Episcopal Ministry as the Local Ordinary of Ibadan, a mission which I have exercised these past 43 years. I thank the Good Shepherd who has chosen me as Shepherd of his flock here in Ibadan. I thank you also Priests, Consecrated Persons and Laity of Ibadan for your cooperation and support all these years. Truly, as the Yoruba will say, ‘Eniyan laso mi’; we have opened our door to all to come to Ibadan. “I am graciously having a countdown and anxiously waiting for the day I will take a glorious bow out of office. What a day 24 January will be.” In his farewell address during the installation of his successor, Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, Archbishop Job went down memory lane on his servanthood to Christ, thanking God for choosing him as the youngest Nigerian bishop ever and the longest serving bishop. In the address entitled “Feeding the Flock of God – The Journey of My Life”, the emeritus archbishop described his 48-year journey of service in the Lord’s vineyard as long but fruitful, tedious but rewarding. “The journey has been long but fruitful; tedious but rewarding. I marvel at what the Lord has done, the wonders He has accomplished

CAN debunk endorsing Buhari for 2019

he Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has debunked claims that it had endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 presidential election, dissociating itself from the endorsement of Buhari by a political group, Change Advocates of Nigeria (CAN), with similar acronym with the Christian body. Supo Ayokunle, President, Christian Association of Nigeria in a statement said the attention of the Christian body has been drawn to the report that says ‘CAN says no vacancy in Aso Rock, endorses Buhari, Oshiomhole’ as published on some online media platforms. “We wish to reiterate here that the Christian body has not endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari or any other presidential aspirant for election. We wish to urge the general public to discountenance the claim

because it did not emanate from Christian Association of Nigeria at all,” said Ayokunle. Ayokunle explained that “CAN recognises the right of political groups to perform their activities and also endorse whoever they deem fit in support of their political aspirations” but dissociated its members from the political group with the same acronym as CAN. The group added, “While we are presently making enquiries to determine the circumstances behind a group deploying our acronym for political mileage, we call on Nigerians once again to dismiss the alleged report as coming from CAN. “We pray for all that are contesting for one position or the other including the incumbent President that the will of the Lord will come to pass in their lives and that the best person in the mind of God would emerge victorious in the name of Jesus.”

Felix Alaba Adeosin Job

through me, an unworthy servant! Like David, the youngest ‘son’ of Archbishop J.K.A. Aggrey; the youngest Nigerian ever to be appointed a Bishop; it has pleased Him to make of me the longest serving bishop,” he said. He prayed God to grant his successor the wisdom of Solomon “to build our God a temple that David could not build”. He recalled that he rejected the offer of appointment as bishop but that God had His way in his life. “After one and a half months, I finally succumbed to the Lord’s call to feed His flock, and this I have done with all my heart and strength for the past 43 years,” he said at the ceremony in 2014. Archbishop Job expressed gratitude to his predecessor, the late Bishop Richard Finn, whom he said started the diocese on a good

foundation in 1953. “He began the task I have tried to develop over the past four decades. Today, as I look back, I remember with nostalgia taking over with just two diocesan priests and now leaving behind 87, apart from the five who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. “We have tried to keep pace with the physical expansion of Ibadan, so that from about 15 parishes, the archdiocese now has 43 parishes, countless outstations with numerous religious houses offering our Catholics opportunities to attend mass regularly,” he said. As Archbishop Felix Alaba Job turns 80 today, ‘The Worshippers’ wishes him more graceful years. And may the giant strides he recorded in the service of God remain landmarks for generations to come.

Motailatu C&S at 54 ordains 12 bishops

otailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) recently ordained 12 bishops in celebration of the 54th founder’s day of the C&s Church in Lagos. Israel Akinadewo, Prelate and Supreme Head of the church, in a statement said the ordination was to position the church for bigger harvests of souls and expansion of God’s kingdom. Akinadewo however charge the newly ordained bishops to consider their elevation as a call for greater sacrifices and service, as he urged them never to rest on their oars. The Prelate in a paper titled, ‘Church leadership and administration: Beyond academic qualifications’, said the MCCSW remains committed to reforms in the white

garment movement, lamenting that many churches within the movement have embraced strange doctrines and practices that have dragged the name of God into the mud. The new bishops are: Superintendent Joseph Akinadewo Diocesan Bishop/ Coordinator Training and Seminar; Superintendent Zacchaeus Akinadewo, Dicoesan Bishop/ Supervising Prophet; Superintendent Jehoshaphat Akinadewo Diocesan Bishop/ Choirmaster General and Apostle General Michael Ogundimu Bishop Transportation and Social works. Others are: Apostle General Gabriel Afolayan Bishop Special Duties; Apostle General Jimmy Ajayi Bishop, Ecumenism and Interfaith; Apostle General David Oyewole Bishop Administration and Apostle General Felix Akinbobola Bishop Church planting and Expansion.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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Inspirations All I have is yours (part 1)

PASTOR I.S JAMES TEXT: LUKE 15

t is one of the most profound stories ever told. The story has layers and layers of remarkable truths. It is the story of two brothers and a fascinating father. A father certainly like no other father,A father that dwarfs every other father in stature, conduct and essence. Surely, we would qualify as being among the most truly influential were our lives to reflect just a tiny fraction of what is put on display here by the father of the prodigal son. There are so many things to take away from him but before I get into the gist and focus of this message, which is something he said to the elder son, who prided himself on his conduct, let me draw your attention to his exchange with the returnee son. The fellow came to his senses when out of deep starvation he remembered the condition of his father’s hired servants. He remembered that they had food to eat and to spare whereas he was dying from hunger in a strange land. So driven by hunger (NOTE: not by a feeling of having let down his father) he arose to go to his father with a prepared speech he expected would move his father to take him in as a hired servant (so that he could have access to good food and quench his hunger). Of course, his father did not give him the pleasure of finishing his prepared speech. He embraced him and commenced his process of full res-

toration and reintegration into the family. The parable speaks of “a certain man who had two sons.” The man in the parable represents God the Father and the sons are representative of everyone in the world. The two sons typify the two main kinds of people in the world, one group being rebellious and worldly while the other groups are dutiful and pious. They might have different characteristics and failings, but they still remain sons of the father. There are five major character flaws associated with the younger son, he was: Self-centred; he was selfish and thought of himself alone, this was evident in his demanding for things that he believed he was entitled to even though he hadn’t worked for it. • He was pleasure seeking. There’s nothing wrong with pleasure, but you’re in trouble when pleasure replaces God in your life. You weren’t made to seek pleasure alone, but to give glory to God. Lovers of pleasure are never satisfied by pleasure. • He wanted independence too soon, and for the wrong reasons. While there’s nothing wrong in desiring independence in life, but independence without accountability is a prescription for chaos. • He was also rebellious. He rebelled against authority figures in his life. What authority figure is superior to that of a father? He despised his father’s authority and opinion. His state of mind was that “no one is going to tell me what to do.” • Also, he displayed his immaturity. One of the first signs of immaturity is

instant gratification. Persons afflicted by the bug want all they want NOW! They seek to gratify the flesh above all else immediately. Every other thing, feeling, consideration can wait. They must have it when they feel it and not at any other time. “Give me” he told his father as if commanding him. As if he was his father’s business partner who was entitled to a portion because he made some contributions to the wealth in the family. Thank God when he returned his statement changed to, “Make me…, not “Give me” like he said when he was still in the grasp of immaturity. We should seek to make ourselves into someone of worth instead of having a sense of entitlement demanding that someone give us things we think we deserve. Having an entitlement mentality is why many have remained in the level of mediocrity. Persons who cuddle the entitlement mentality hardly ever take initiative for some daring move or adventure. History has proven that fortune favours the brave. Those who venture without holding themselves back by the entitlement mentality. What was Jesus response once when a certain man came to him and pleaded that he should intervene and prevail on his brother to share the family inheritance with him? What happened eventually to Esau when he stopped bemoaning the trickery of his brother, and threw from his shoulder the weight that a feeling of entitlement had created for him after the sad episode of losing the father’s blessing? He became very successful. Please do a quick audit and see what areas the entitlement bug might be holding you captive. Get rid of

it fast. On the other hand here are some character flaws in the life of the older son. He was: Resentful and bitter. Why allow the attitude of someone else to control and determine your own outlook and view of life. You might feel aggrieved by what others might have done, but you shouldn’t let this colour and influence your own choices and lifestyle. You have to live your life for yourself and not based on what others might or might not have done. He was hateful and unforgiving. He was pained by the actions of his brother and he held onto that instead of letting go of the pain. If you refuse to let go of the pain you’re going to allow other people influence and control your life. He had the holier-than-thou attitude. He considered himself better than his brother (others), believing that he had not sinned. Do not be arrogant and look down on other people. Also, he was timid. He was timid and afraid to ask for what he wanted, which was actually his right to claim (like his brother did). He was waiting to be given (to receive) instead of demanding for what was rightfully his. In both cases with either of the brothers, the father intervened. The father’s love was available to both of them and was the redeeming factor in their lives. • To be continued…

Dr. Iruofagha James is the Founding Pastor, Glory Christian Ministries, Odo-Olowo Street, Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Ijeshatedo, Lagos. www.isjames.org Tel: 08060599144

Eli; the family affair

REV. YOMI KASALI

@rev.yomikasali

n the spirit of the just concluded Father’s Day, I got thinking about some fathers in the bible and how their leadership skills and qualities shaped the life of their children either for good or for evil and Eli was top on my list. It is important for you to know that we all are under some form of leadership somewhere out there in market place, in church or at home. We

have out there celebrities who through the media, form and shape our opinions about life. They are the people who consciously, unconsciously or subconsciously tell you what is good and bad, they mold economic policies, make decisions, influence us either deliberately, directly. These set of people are called Leaders. Have you wondered why God did not mention the name of Adam after Genesis? It is because as far as heaven is concerned he was a bad leader and father, he did not lead well, though he was a prosperous person but he did not lead well. You won’t find his name anywhere, In Hebrews 11; hall of faith, you will not find Adam’s name there. The salient question now is; who is leading you? 1Samuel 2:12 “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.” That is a very strong phrase, in other words verse 12 is like a summary of the entire Chapter 2. Two things were mentioned there: The sons of Eli were corrupt They did not know the Lord. They were serving the Lord, priest unto the Lord yet they did not know the Lord, they did not have a relationship with God. Is that possible? YES, Why? -the bible says so. There are many sons and daughters you have outside your flock that look up

to you, so you have to be careful not to be an Eli, so you do not have sons who are corrupt who will not know the Lord. Maybe they were corrupt because they did not know the Lord or whichever way you want to put it but those phrases stand out in 1Samuel 2, sons of Eli were corrupt and they did not know the Lord. They were priests, they worked for him, served him on a full time basis, they lived off the altar yet the bible says clearly that they did not know the Lord, there must be something about knowing God that we don’t know. They did not have experiential, practical knowledge of God, they may know about God, they might be taught about God but did not know God.

In 1Samuel 2:22, Eli did not sin, commit adultery, steal, mess up or abuse the offerings, the bible did not say Eli was corrupt but his sons, Eli did not do anything as a person. Eli failed at home and he failed at work. Today I write you about bad leaders; we have bad leaders politically, spiritually and financially, we have bad leaders in market place, work, pastorate, church and everywhere. Leadership is a very serious business, it is not about doing your own. God blamed Eli for not taking care of his children, God said he had sinned by not training them, by not removing them because part of his work was to ensure he protects and preserve the priesthood. The reason he did not do it was because it was a family affair. If it were not his sons in that position, he probably would have changed them. I don’t want us to fail. I am a father both biologically and spiritually, I also have moral children outside my spiritual oversight. There are people out there that look at me and say they love me and want to mold their lives after me. Blessings and Be Inspired. Rev. Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Politics The struggle for Bayelsa Government House begins SAMUEL ESE, Yenagoa

he governorship election in Bayelsa State may be over a year and half away, but interestingly, the roll call of those itching for the number one seat has started, although some political watchers say it is too early, given the fact that the 2019 general elections would take place before the state goes to the polls. Among the names being touted for the governorship race are former Government House Transport Officer, Abel Ebifemowei of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) and Timi Alaibe of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Others are one-time Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly and former Deputy Governor, Peremobowei Ebebi, Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Friday Benson, Keniebi Okoko, a young businessman and Reuben Okoya, an architect all of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), among others. Alaibe has been in the ring before as a member of the PDP, when he contested the party primaries against former President, Goodluck Jonathan, while he was governor of the state; he was also the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the 2007 governorship election before contesting the governorship primary of the APC in 2016. At one time, he was seen as the only man capable of leading Bayelsa State as he had all the credentials, especially due to his time at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as Director of Finance and Administration and later Managing Director. Ebifemowei is not new to politics in the state: as the cousin of the late governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, he was in the corridors of power, a kingmaker in the PDP with a large following before spending time as Chairman of the Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority under Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. From Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in the Central Senatorial District, his political journey took him from the PDP to the APC before berthing in the YDP where he is about throwing his hat into the ring to contest the highest seat in the state. For his part, Ebebi was the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, from where he became Deputy Governor to Jonathan after the impeachment of Alamieyeseigha and still continued as deputy to former Governor Timipre Sylva before he was impeached. A lawyer by profession, Ebebi has remained a political heavyweight in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa West Senatorial District and in fact, the entire state; and has been instrumental to the victory of the PDP in several elections even at one

Governor Dickson time nearly losing his life during one of the general elections. Benson is a three-term member of the state House of Assembly and is in his second term as Speaker, while Okoko, who is believed to be the youngest so far, among those being touted for the governorship position is somewhat new to the state politics. But one name that has continued to reverberate around the state is Reuben Okoya, a onetime Commissioner for Special Duties under former President, Goodluck Jonathan when he was governor of the state, due to the untiring efforts of a nongovernmental organisation, Campaign for Democracy and Development in Bayelsa (CDDB). Okoya boasts of an impressive curriculum vitae as he was also Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chairman, Committee on Security Requirement for Public/Private Institutions in FCT, Chairman, Steering Committee on the FCT Public Building Safety Scheme, Vice Chairman, FCT Taskforce on City Clean up and Chairman, Committee on Mass Housing Scheme, FCT. Due to his handling of tough tasks in both the state and centre, it widely agreed that he is a hard working and dedicated professional with considerable international experience in the management and delivery of architectural, engineering and construction projects to demanding time and budgetary constraints. Since his adoption and presentation to Bayelsans as the man who ticked all the boxes to govern the state, members of the CDDB, which has a formidable network in the local gov-

ernment areas, constituencies, wards and communities across the state have been marketing him in various ways. So, even as formal preparations for the forthcoming gubernatorial election are yet to begin, Okoya is already becoming a household name, while his qualities and capacities are being touted by the CDDB. Already, the CDDB has offered the two major political parties and others the opportunity to unilaterally endorse him as their governorship candidate and save the state the pain, misery, mourning and destruction of lives and property that was witnessed during the past governorship election in parts of the state. Such a move, if it materialises, could see a drastic reduction in issues of conflict and therefore violence

In Bayelsa, we are few, we know ourselves. A lot of them have one issue or the other. They are not clean. They are not clean. And if someone who is not clean decides to lead the people, they will end up sharing the monies and looting the monies

during the election, deepen democracy and garner united support which is of immense benefit especially during post election era to usher in development and progress. Supporters of the architect agree that Okoya possesses skills in feasibility studies, strategic planning, master planning, construction management and conflict resolution, while combining a committed and creative approach with strong technical aptitude, along with the ability to manage and motivate. Okoya is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Royal Institutes of British Architects and Nigerian Institute of Architects and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, masters degree in Architecture and looking forward to a doctorate degree in Environmental Management. Bannerman Embiowei, a gospel artiste and stakeholder in the Bayelsa Project, in a recent interview in Yenagoa, the state capital, told BDSUNDAY why he has thrown his support for Okoya’s governorship bid and why he is joining others to mobilise support for him. Embiowei explained that Okoya is from the Yenagoa axis of the Central Senatorial District that ought to produce the next governor of the state and that if someone from the area becomes governor, he could develop the capital the way Governor Dickson has transformed Toru-Orua his country home. He expressed disappointment at Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for allegedly stating that his successor would

come from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area which is contrary to the zoning arrangement in the state, since the area had produced the first civilian governor in late Alamieyeseigha. “The Southern Zibai people are clamouring to produce the next governor which is wrong. Even Dickson went to the Ebenanaowei of Amassoma’s palace and promised that the next governor is coming from Southern Ijaw, which is wrong. The next governor should come from Kolokuma/Opokuma or Yenagoa local government areas,” he stated. An outspoken man, Embiowei also stated that unlike most of the others who are nursing governorship ambition, Okoya does not have any issues alleging “in Bayelsa, we are few, we know ourselves. A lot of them have one issue or the other. They are not clean. They are not clean. And if someone who is not clean decides to lead the people, they will end up sharing the monies and looting the monies.” He also explained that as an experienced architect, Okoya has the capacity to develop Bayelsa State the way Governor Nyesom Wike is doing in Rivers State and Akinwunmi Ambode is developing Lagos State and that the state needs someone like him to be at the helm of affairs. Embiowei further described Okoya as a sympathetic man who does not turn away the needy, does not cage himself with security, is accessible and God-fearing, and is quite unlike other politicians in the state in a number of ways. He recalled that in 2015, he accepted to step down for the incumbent, when party leaders prevailed on him due to his humble character stressing, “we need that kind of cool headed person.” He further said: “In the past, all the persons that had become governor, from Alamieyeseigha, had issues bordering on forgery, drugs, fraud; we don’t want such issues again. Some pretend to be Christians, but still have Indians and native doctors around them. That is why I prefer Reuben to any other person. He is a workaholic.” He stressed that Okoya’s “mission is to stimulate and sustain the overall development of both human and material resources of Bayelsa State and at the end establish a culture of social justice, good governance, democracy and development. “He shall mobilise and organise the people to take active part in the development of the state by first assisting the people to develop their goals and aspirations in life based on the idea of mass participation in development.”

Sunday 24 June 2018

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Politics ‘Politicians running from party to party to avoid prosecution, a blow to EFCC’s fight against corruption’ John Ayah is the Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese. In an interview with a group of journalists, he talks on contemporary issues affecting Nigeria, including the fight against corruption and others. Ayah who has been a bishop of the Catholic Church for over eleven years also cleared the air on the membership of CAN by the Catholic Church. ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK was there. Excerpts:

o far, what are your experiences since you were ordained as bishop and the things you want to change or improve on in your diocese? Well, the only phenomenon that is permanent in life is change and one that brings meaningful orientation in people’s lives. When I began in Ogoja, Cross River State as the bishop, there were just about 67 parishes. Before I left the diocese I created forty-seven more. We were also blessed with vocations to the priesthood. That means we had the manpower, thus I had priests to send into these newly created parishes. But as our Lord tells us in the Gospel: The harvest is rich but the labourers are few. We need more priests, because the people are yearning for the word of God. We need to bring the word of God to a world soaked deep in corruption, vices and materialism. Change in this regard is really necessary. I personally pray for a positive change of heart, beginning with us who are the preachers of the word, so that we can be the epistle that people read and learn to truly love God and our neighbours in their lives. What is your assessment of the president’s fight against corruption? The president has tried in his own way, no one is perfect. But from what one reads in our daily tabloids, one observes that many of our corrupt politicians run from one political party to another, where they feel they can be shielded from the long arm of the law. There have been concrete cases where people have moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). By making this move, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not even dared to investigate, because if it starts probing those people who run into his party it will be like it is fighting or battling with itself. I thought APC, for instance, could have put forward some stringent conditions, prescriptions or laid down rules about people defecting into its fold. That in part explains why many run away from other parties into ther APC to find refuge. The fight against corruption is a tactical one; it is not something you can just win overnight. Corruption is endemic in this country and for any government that intends to fight it successfully, it needs to study the trends surrounding it very carefully ask questions on how other democracies in the world have come to grips with this hydraheaded monster. The answers deriving therefrom will then guide the government on how to go about this fight. As for our president, it may have been easy for him to fight corruption as a military head of state. The state in which he finds himself today is quite different. Any move he intends to take must be given the go ahead or approval by the Senate. Therefore, if the Senate fails to give its approval, he will obviously encounter some bottlenecks which will create problems for him politically. A further pressing problem in

John Ayah this country is centred on security. We are reliably informed that most, if not all of our security chiefs in the country are persons belonging to a particular religious persuasion as our president himself. In other words, they are all Muslims, and may be Fulanis. Does it mean no other tribe in the country is fit to be included in the job of securing our beloved country? People seem to think that he is paving way for his second term bid by featuring only people of his tribe and religion as the Chief Security officers. Many questions are being asked and I think there is an urgent need for him to provide answers. Briefly put, there is a break in communication between the leader and the led. Linked further to security concerns are killings being carried out by Fulani herdsmen. Until this moment, the President has not made any major statement on the killings in question. It was only yesterday he said he was going to pursue all those who are killer herdsmen and we, the Catholic Bishops, are asking if he really means what he is saying. We are doubtful of this, because the statement is too vague. Many Nigerians think he is just making a political statement. I accept that many of the Muslim brothers and sisters have been victims of these killings, but I dare to say that the heaviest casualties have been borne by Christians in different parts of the country. The recent killings in Makurdi, those in Southern Kaduna, and in Jalingo – Taraba state bear testimonies to this. In most of these killings, Muslims have been protected. As you talked about the killing of Christians by herdsmen and the President’s inability to tackle the menace, what action do you expect him to take? First of all, the killings have gone on for a long time. The president should have stemmed the tide long ago when he came into power, just as he did with Boko Haram. That explains why we are complaining about his security formations. He

should have included Christians as part of the security apparatus of the country. In a press conference with President Trump, he remarked that the attacks in the different parts of the country were carried out by insurgents from Libya. And we are all asking: How could insurgents from Libya penetrate the borders of this country and carry out killings in the different parts of the country? But his statement reveals that there is a major crack in the security apparatus of the country. To correct some of these anomalies, he should begin by calling on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to answer to the Senate that has requested him to appear before them. I personally commend him for handling the Boko Haram phenomenon so tactfully. He should consider the case of the little Christian girl Leah Shaibu, who has professed to remain a Christian. Our President should consider himself as a leader, not only for Muslim Nigeria but also for Christian Nigeria. In the light of what is happening to Christians, what would you advise them to do? Our Christians shouldn’t take up arms. You know, when a mad man behaves in a mad way, you too should not behave in the same way, else people will think you are mad yourself. If we behave like them that means we are not different from them. We are on our knees praying. We are praying and this is when they will know that prayer works and we advise Christians to be very fervent and serious with their prayer lives. It is worrisome when we observe many of our Christians paying mere lip service to the practice of their faith. I think people should practice their faith with exemplary lives. You can recall that the other day, we (Catholics of Uyo Diocese) marched to Government House, the government of our nation, that it was enough with killings carried out so far. I was at the forefront of the march. If I were to be at the spot of the killings, I would be ready to take

the first bullet. I am ready to die as a martyr than to die holding a gun to kill the enemy; vengeance belongs to God and not to man, so we keep praying and when we pray, God will answer us in his own way. What is the position of Catholics over their involvement in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) because we hear of an ongoing negotiation for them to re-join after pulling out about five years ago? The Catholic Church in Nigeria initiated the idea of CAN. It was Cardinal Dominic Ekandem’s brainchild, founded as an ecumenical association to unite other Christian bodies. Bishop Sunday Mbang of the Methodist Church also featured prominently as a founding father. With time, Cardinal Ekandem also brought other Christian bodies such as the Anglican Communion, the Apostolic Church, and the Presbyterian Church. At a later stage, our Pentecostal brethren indicated interest to join this body. The body was doing so well and featured as a conscience to government and to our politicians. Of late the association has been tainted with some abuses of which the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria has temporarily withdrawn her membership to allow for some proper reorganisation of the body. Furthermore, the Catholic bishops have invited the Pope over the killings of Christians in some parts of Nigeria, so what significance would it serve? Let me correct an impression. We are not inviting the Holy Father because of the killings. We are inviting him to come and bless our country. We pray he honours our invitation. It doesn’t mean that he must come. I know he will first of all study his schedule to see if it is convenient for him to honour the invitation. But if it is not possible for him come to our nation soon, then he may have to shift the v isit to next year or whenever it is convenient for him. But all the same, we pray that

he visits Nigeria as he has visited other countries. I know his visit will bring a lot of benefits to our nation. Everyone is calling for the restructuring of the country as the only viable solution to our crisis, what is your take on that? Yes, the idea of restructuring should subjected to a debate. It is a healthy situation for our democracy that people from the different climes of our polity sit at a round table and talk about restructuring. Also there should be a credible opposition that can help to check the excesses of the political party in power. I must state that a credible opposition is the conscience of any credible democratic system. Permit me to digress a little. I entertain a big fear that as elections are drawing nearer, most of our politicians would recruit children from poor homes to attack their opponents, leaving out their own children studying in famous institutions of learning abroad. In situations like these, it is children from poor homes who run around and get killed at the end of the day. We must strive hard to protect our youth, keeping them from harms way. You talk about Nigerian youths, what would you advise them to do? I want to tell our youths that they are not lazy. We love and appreciate them. We are and will continue to talk on their behalf. Our own time is up, we are not getting any younger. We want to let them know that they the ones that take up the mantle in this country. The “Not too young to run” bill signed into law by the president should serve as an encouragement for them. If we, the older folks, have made mistakes in running the affairs of this country, I pray that they do not make the same mistakes. They can build up Nigeria to be a healthy country and the envy of other nations. They should copy designs from other democratic countries that have succeeded in agriculture, in power generation and in so many ways to keep democracy alive and see how they can move the nation forward. Are there regrets for being a Catholic priest? As old as I am? Well there is no aspect of life you don’t have sorrows and joys, that is what makes life meaningful. I had my own challenges as a young priest but I gradually grew up to surmount them. It is not an easy task to manage human beings. It is even more difficult to be a leader because most of the time people are out to criticise and pick holes in what you do, sometimes even with the best of the intentions. I must also remark that there are some who will always appreciate your efforts. In leadership, one must learn from the past in a bid to move forward. We must pray for the grace to accept and work with the critical remarks people make about us. As leaders, we are not perfect. We equally have a lot to learn from the people we lead. I have no regrets for being a priest, if I were to come back in the next world I will also like to be a priest.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Politics ‘For progress, Nigeria needs a system that creates good, accomplished leaders’

An accomplished lawyer, exceptional manager of resources and a transformational leader, Akinfela Akoni’s great achievements in his over 20 years working experience, impacts positively on mergers and acquisitions, telecoms law, corporate finance law, regulatory affairs, litigation, investor relations and even the medical field. In this interview with Seyi John Salau, the immediate past President of Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria and Chief Executive of WOODBERG, a niche corporate advisory organisation facilitating investment and development in Africa, speaks on education, the role of Nigerian youth in leadership, nation-building and how Nigeria can surmount its myriad challenges. Excerpts: The leadership problem is generally perceived as the bane of Nigeria’s unsteady pace of development, causing its socioeconomic and political setbacks. Do you think we still have selfless and committed individuals who can be entrusted with leadership? The perennial question of whether leaders are born or made comes to mind. Whichever you believe in, there is certainly time to produce the right type of leader to develop the Nigeria we all desire. Can we attribute Nigeria’s current challenge of lack of leadership to the brain drain since large number of promising young Nigerian professionals would rather abandon the country to begin a new life in other countries? It is always good to travel – see the world as they say. The decision to emigrate however, is normally because of one seeking better opportunities (education or for economic reasons mainly). As we know, the population of Nigeria is now approximately 180 million. We cannot possibly attribute the lack of leadership to brain drain because the percentage of Nigerians in the diaspora is relatively small compared to our current population. The real issue is that we need to create a system in Nigeria that creates good and accomplished leaders. By that I mean, our education system needs to be more robust, our work environment needs to be more disciplined and we must return to and uphold our cultural values. Poverty seems to be a factor which is exploited by our politicians in order to earn support of the masses and in the end, these elected leaders fulfill their personal needs and enjoy flamboyant lives, forgetting the electorate. What should the electorate look for in their leaders? We are all aware of the different leadership styles – democratic, autocratic, transformational, laissez-faire etc. The people should be electing the leader that best suits their needs. Do you think the people know what their real needs are? Isn’t that the key issue – politicians feed poor people fish (for a day) instead of teaching them to fish or to build a fish farm. For Nigeria today, it seems we are still in the development phase. Therefore, we need leaders that are able and willing to transform Nigeria. Take for example, Singapore: Lee Kuan Yew was a type of leader needed to create and stabilise the Singapore that his son, Lee Hsien Loong, can comfortably govern. It took decades for Lee Kuan Yew to achieve this, but he surely did. By the way, I do not particularly agree that politicians are exploiting poverty for their personal gain. The issue is one of real lack of accountability, although with the recent convictions of high profile politicians, we will soon be seeing the effect on the type of individuals pursuing political ambitions.

Debate and MayBall. In addition, we have launched The Oxford and Cambridge Club (OCC) Scholarship for a Nigerian to attend Cambridge University to study for a Masters Degree. In addition, the Club is working on establishing a similar scholarship for a Nigerian to attend Oxford University. I also read with pleasure that the new leadership of The Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria is looking to establish an endowment to fund the club’s education initiatives – this is a welcome development.

Akinfela Akoni

What is your viewpoint about the cost of running government in Nigeria – allowances of executives, legislature, security votes, constituency allowance, Senior Special Advisers, aides etc.? The cost of running government is evidently bloated. I think the real question is why governance is so bloated in Nigeria? The entire system is set up to be bloated. Too many layers of government and everyone in Nigeria wants to be a ‘big man’. Therefore, to be a ‘big man’, you need funds. We are talking billions of naira being allocated to legislators and public officers. Again, there must be better accountability of these funds and if not utilised for the purposes allocated, they should be prosecuted. What has been your experience about leadership, especially in your role as three-term president of the Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria? My experience of leadership started very early in life – from being captain of my school’s sport teams, school prefect and of course, Oxbridge Nigeria. In the latter role, I was relatively young (by Nigerian standards) to be entrusted with the Presidency of our Club. Notwithstanding, the old adages of ‘who the cap fits wears it’ or ‘to whom much is entrusted, much is expected’ come to mind. The one reverberating thought in my mind during the six years was ‘Fela, you cannot fail!’ To that end, it was important to build the trust of the members. As you may know, we have a rather diverse group from nonagenarians to recent graduates (with a very demanding well accomplished professional group in between). My experience of leadership

is very simple –be respectful, be thoughtful and above all, be focused. To what extent is the club contributing to leadership and nation-building? Let’s take nation-building first – the club hosts three key events – the lecture or debate attracting international speakers and where topical issues are discussed. These events do not change the world but rather, have the potential of setting the agenda for all to ponder on. I think you must see the roll call of our membership, grand patrons, former presidents and trustees to realise the huge depth of leaders in our midst. I also think The Oxbridge Club is doing its bit to develop leaders and I am quite proud of the pipeline of potential leaders ready to take on the responsibility of leadership when fortunate to be so elected. On nation-building, we have a tried and tested events – Spring Lecture, Oxbridge

We need to strengthen the three arms of government – executive, legislative and judiciary, particularly to be more accountable to the electorate

What machinery of nation-building should forward thinking Nigerians, organizations and the government strengthen in order for the country to attain its objectives? We need to strengthen the three arms of government – executive, legislative and judiciary, particularly to be more accountable to the electorate (and not necessarily to each other). At the same time, the people must be more demanding – use social media to educate, peaceful demonstrations and generate constant debate on topical issues in order to improve our society. We should also remember that governance is not only in the centre. The people must be involved in their local environment – you will be amazed at what can be achieved at the local level – changing perception on schools, hospitals and security, to name but a few. The Nigerian youth seem to have lost hope in the current set of politicians that we have in political parties now. Do you think the “Not too young to run” Act can deliver the aspirations of the Youth? As alluded to earlier, being young is not a terrible thing for a leader at all – with youth comes energy and dynamism. The real question is what do you do with power once entrusted with leadership? Any leader must be equipped to lead. They must be prepared for leadership, there must be accountability and we desperately need a more acceptable mechanism to change our leaders if they are not performing! What country or individuals can Nigeria and Nigerians turn to for great lessons in governance, leadership and nationbuilding? I am not sure we need to look anywhere but within. All we need is a system that works for us as Nigerians. There is no point in importing an external process which will only fail. I recall advising multinationals coming to Nigeria for the first time. These large organisations will also state that they have tried and tested systems operating in several countries already and all they want to do was to rollout the same in Nigeria. My response: remember the ‘Naija factor’! Leadership is tailored to the circumstance and you need leaders that can adapt to that situation.

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Politics

Is Wike also among the prophets? ...As governor goes to Winners Chapel to win again

is your business. That is why politicians take you for a ride. Let all your members see what will happen in 2019. Do not just cry that things are bad. Decide who will rule Rivers State and Nigeria, else, blame yourself.”

IGNATIUS CHUKWU

he man standing in the middle of one of the largest church auditoriums in Port Harcourt some weeks ago was Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State. Winners Chapel is one of the biggest churches in the Garden City, with an expansive and imposing auditorium on Kaduna Street near the Fruit Garden Market (close to the Catholic Cathedral). Those who knew Wike heard his familiar voice but some others heard the voice of the Psalmist across Psalm 92: through verses one to five. There, it was proclaimed that ‘It is good to thank the Lord.’ Wike is not the pastor of the church that David Oyedepo founded decades ago. The pastor in charge of Rivers State is Isaac Folaji, but Wike acquired the ordained right to read the scriptute to the congregation, and so well that many wondered if he was also among the prophets! Most political opposition members do not respect Governor Wike’s new-found love for the church and Christianity. His bitterest opponent, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor, is not one. He warned his All Progressives Congress (APC) family in Rivers State at the onset of Wike’s romance with the church to follow him and do so. His argument was that God was so merciful that He could easily forgive anyone who truly sought for him and grant the former sinner’s request. Amaechi once went to God in his own days of travails and God answered him through some prophets. He was not comfortable with Wike’s fierce fall into the body of Christ in the state. So, on this Sunday morning, Wike dragged almost who is who in Rivers State to the Living Faith Church (aka Winners Chapel) to thank God for three solid years in office contrary to the expectations of most Nigerians. When the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to which Wike belonged lost the 2015 presidential election, most persons pitied Wike, believing he would lose the state. He won. The APC went to the tribunal and Wike lost. He continued the losing spree until the Supreme Court said he won. It was shocking. The apex court rejected the reliance on the card reader and thus threw out APC’s petition on the ground that what the manual voting system turned in was what the electoral law then permitted because the electronic system was not known to the electoral act. This was at a time when other PDP persons lost their cases and reruns were ordered. Wike escaped the trap and won. The APC had banked on a repeat which never came. To prove their hope real, most others whose elections were repeated lost. This is why Wike showed profuse thankfulness to God and to those he said helped him to victory. Amaechi may be right. Wike is now the rallying point of the Christian family in Rivers State and beyond, just as he is also the voice of the opposition in Nigeria. At the end of Folaji’s exhortation and teaching, Wike mounted the rostrum again and taught politics and religion. He

R-L: Patience Jonathan, Suzzette Wike, Gov Nyesom Wike, and deputy governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo with other leaders during the Thanksgiving Service

greeted the former first lady and made it clear that Goodluck Jonathan, the modern Azikiwe, is the symbol of unity in Nigeria, recalling how the then sitting president broke record by being the first president to lose to a challenge and also the first major presidential loser to concede and congratulate his opponent. Wike: Come and see with your eyes Wike moved into his other sermon and talked about one man (Amaechi) who, on May 27, said, ‘let’s see where they will get money to pay salaries, let alone do projects.’ Rivers State had crashed from N25Bn per month to as low as N6Bn when salaries and overhead were up to N9Bn. Amaechi must have felt that staying afloat would be a miracle. The governor said; “I therefore called on God and entreated Him thus; if it is you that put us here, show yourself. Indeed, he has shown Himself.” First, Wike revealed, “We handed the state to the Creator. Now, I owe no apology to anyone, Rivers State is a Christian State. So, we are born to win and to reign; we are no ordinary person. We are destined for greatness. My joy is this: while other states are commissioning wheelbarrows (Benue?), we are inviting people

Before they went to court to get search warrant to go to my Abuja house to plant millions of Dollars, and AK 47, I shouted. They said to each other, how did he know

to come and commission real projects. Those who do not see them are simply not seeing well. If God has given you eyes and you say you don’t see, may you never see again. It’s not a curse.” At this point, clerics began to shift in their chairs. Wike is on the podium. The governor must have caught himself. He said; “We are here to thank God.” His next line of talk could have explained his outburst. “If you see the extent of attack on us, you will only thank God.” He went on: “Before we came, killing and kidnapping were the other of the day. We ran for help, they said no. Why I chose Winners Chapel is because the bishop, Oyedepo, is one of those praying for this government. He invited me and told me something. Everything he told me is manifesting. So, I come to thank God.” The governor charged on: “As FG refused to give us support, we prayed to God. Then, trouble enveloped the nation. They are now full of troubles. We now have peace. I say, until they repent and understand we are special state, they will not have rest.” Wike said: “God usually revealed their plans to us. Before they went to court to get search warrant to go to my Abuja house to plant millions of Dollars, and AK 47, I shouted. They said to each other, how did he know? When I traveled, they planned to do the DSP Alamieseigha formula, I shouted, they said, how did you know? I said, well, join us so you can know. Just yesterday, we got hints that they want to use accidental discharge but I said no way; what is in me is greater than them. There is huge gang up against the state. Politics is about trying to get elected and when you get elected, you try to develop the people, not to push evil. So, continue to intercede on our behalf, we will not disappoint you.” He revealed what most of his followers may not know: “Somebody said, whether by blood or by crook, they will take this state. I say, its their blood. Christians, I say to you, prayer is good but there is a day for examination. Christians have kept quiet for too long. God did not say you should keep away from the affairs of the state. It

Folaji: The secrets of wealth Folaji took time to trace the secrets of prosperity. He said: “One word can change the life or destiny of a man. Just pray that that one word should drop on you. It is one word that went to Jacob and changed his name to Israel. One word can terminate your suffering. I say to you, people from here will be raised to build roads, to build orphanage homes, to build hospitals, to create values”. There was loud Amen. He titled his sermon as ‘Working in Financial Dominion’. Many persons seemed to love the idea. They desired financial dominion. Being in poverty is against the will of God. This church is anointed to prosper. No debt, no borrowing amongst us. We are financial giants. The wise one does not lack. This is because the wisest man that ever lived, Solomon, is also the richest man that ever lived. Following God does not reduce a man; it always elevates him above all nations. Giving thanks is counted as wisdom. Every instruction given by God is for man’s profit; none is for God or to bless God but man. If God be for you, no man can be against you. Thanksgiving is a spiritual preservative. Many roared at the sound of God being for any man. To sleep and wake up is not by anyone’s power or plan but a blessing. It’s a circle of success. Thanksgiving multiples a blessing. It brings fresh anointing, and such anointing makes you an impossible case for your enemies. Turning people to salvation is a wise act. The greatest good is to connect a person to eternity; to change a man heading to hell to heaven. Financial dominion: Way of God leads to Acts of God. Key: Giving because ‘Give and it shall be given unto you’. Poor or rich, giving is compulsory. Key: Giving to the poor is lending to God. God repays. The liberal soul shall be fat. You can give your way out of poverty and out of calamity, into long life, and into prosperity. How? Giving by faith: Cast your bread upon the waters. Do not give by persuasion or grudgingly, but willingly, in love. Eschew bitterness before you give, and give cheerfully. Adopt sacrificial giving. Give until your point of rainfall because as you give, it goes to heaven to make it heavy, then when it is saturated, it falls back manifold. Solomon gave until prosperity fell, Job gave until heaven stirred. Name of Jesus is weapon of war. Blood of Jesus destroys gods. Anointing is strong because of the spirit of God, but first, be born again. Give your life to Jesus. That is the greatest giving to God. (The hall went sober! Is this is easy here, is it possible?) Conclusion: When you see Gov Wike these days, do not be surprised by what you may find. He is totally sold to Christ. He has been crowned the Apostle of Peace by the Christian Association of Nigeria (Rivers branch).

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Politics APC crisis seriously affecting governance in Imo – Agbim, minority leader Kenneth Agbim is representing Ahiazu Mbaise Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly. He is one of the three People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House; he is the minority leader in the house. In this interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO inside his office at the Assembly Complex, Agbim, among other issues, spoke about his resolve to remain in the PDP; some of the impacts of his representation on his constituency; his re-election ambition; the determination of his party to take over governance in the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the negative impact of the alleged crisis in the APC in the state on governance. Excerpts:

May we know if you have any political ambition in 2019? y aspiration is to return back to the Imo State House of Assembly for the second time. I am already talking to my constituents about that and of course, it is a gradual process and demands some level of consultations. I have done a lot of consultations and I am also doing consultations. I am yet to formally declare, but I have plans to run for second term. On what platform? I am a member of the People’s Democratic Party and still remain a member of People’s Democratic Party. I intend to still run on that platform. Do you think you can still muster a winning vote seeing that APC is gaining more ground in the state and APGA is also powering very strongly? What have you seen that convinces you that you will still make it? I decided to stick to my party because PDP still remains as one of the biggest parties in the country despite the fact that in the last three years I have been in the opposition. I believe that PDP is the biggest party in Nigeria, if not in Africa. I can still speak authoritatively on that. PDP remains the most organised political party in the country; the most democratic and also has an ideology that can actually say what a party is all about. I still do not see APC as a political party; I see it as a gathering of strange bed fellows that want to take power. Of course, every Nigerian has seen that APC was not prepared for power. They took power with a lot of promises and Nigerians thought they were going to bring a real change; but today, without sounding political, we can see very clearly that things have gone worse than when PDP was in power.PDP made some mistakes which it has come to realise and has also apologised for such mistakes. I believe PDP will do better now. Of course, when PDP realised that it appeared Nigerians were getting tired of them, they willingly and easily relinquished power; and decided to go back to the drawing board. After three years, PDP has learnt their lesson, and are willing to make corrections. I also believe that PDP showed more signs of leadership even in the fight against corruption and provided protection for Nigerians in terms of economic protection; social security and security in the real sense of it in the form of security of lives and property. Yes, there was also some form of corruption; but corruption is not just something that is necessarily PDP, it is in every facet of the Nigerian life – civil serve; etc. PDP just took the heat as a

Agbim

ruling party then. Today, we have seen that corruption is not a PDP thing; APC seems to be even more corrupt according to Transparency International (TI). So, it will be a suicide mission leaving PDP to go to APC, knowing fully well that Nigerians are going to reject APC in the next election. I am not campaigning, but just stating the obvious. If you compare when PDP was in power, and now in relation to the basic things of life like rice, sugar, salt, kerosene, petrol prices (those things are today times two what they were then; for instance, the pump price of petrol from N87 to N145, sometimes N200. For a very long time in Imo

My party is very, very prepared I must tell you because we are taking note of all the things that are happening in the state that we think are not right and our party had its own crisis sometimes ago, two years back or three years back or there about; but right now, the party is united together and organised

State we are buying petrol N175, N185. So, the comparison is very clear that things are worse now than they were under PDP. I believe that PDP still has a chance to come back and give Nigerians what they expect. I tell you if things are done properly; if the elections are free and fair, PDP is going to win a chunk of the states in the country, even the presidency; if PDP presents a very good candidate which I am sure they will, we are going to achieve victory all round. How prepared is PDP to take over Imo State? My party is very, very prepared I must tell you because we are taking note of all the things that are happening in the state that we think are not right and our party had its own crisis sometimes ago, two years back or three years back or there about; but right now, the party is united together and organised. The party is going to the grassroots talking to the people about the need to see governance as something that all of us are part of and not just for a few elite who are in power that governance should involve everybody; and everybody should make contributions. When PDP was in power, we used to have local governments, and local government is what gives people opportunity to access governance quickly. It is easier to get to your councillor; local government chairman and lay your complaints if there is any crisis such as erosion challenge; you can quickly go to your councillor who resides in the same

community with you; you can quickly go to your local government with your bike or motorcycle but before you can go to Owerri to lodge such complaint it will take you more time. PDP is a party that provided opportunity for such and made local government relevant, and where power devolved to the people. Under APC, we never had local governments in existence, what we have been having is transition chairmen whose activities are based on whims and caprices of the governor and whatever they do is what the governor wants; they don’t have independence. So, PDP is a party that organises local government elections and you have democracy to the grassroots of course. In terms of preparation, I think our party is more than prepared. We can’t wait to take over governance from the APC government. We have taken note of our past mistakes; of course, we are not saints, we have learnt our lessons and we want to make things right. Talking about APGA, yes APGA is getting stronger; but I can tell you that those going to APGA are those who feel that there is no space in PDP and that they are not going to be able to compete in PDP; so, they are looking for other platforms.The way I see them; it is not necessarily that APGA is strong; no; what you see there is a gathering of strange bed fellows. Once their primaries are over and they are sure they are not going to get the ticket; I am sure they will come back to the PDP and work. You know that PDP is so big and can accommodate everybody. Once you come in,

Sunday 24 June 2018

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Politics you are accommodated. So, we are not scared of APGA. We also know that APC is campaigning for us by their activities. To what extent has the crisis in the APC in Imo affected governance in the state? Of course, without being told, it has affected governance in so many ways; the governor is spending much of his time trying to wrest the party structure from other party members that seem to have taken the structure from him. In doing that, of course, he will be shuttling between Owerri and Abuja and also to meet other stakeholders he will be trying to lobby to get their support; so, in doing that the state will suffer; governance will suffer. The meetings he should be holding with other executives of his government to move things in the state; he has so many projects going on in the state but running around trying to capture the party back from those who seem to have taken it away from him, he will definitely abandon his work and at the peril of the state and the people. So, seriously, in the last few months since this thing started the state has been standstill. It is also more worrisome when the deputy governor is part of the people he is struggling power with. So, when he is not around, his deputy is not also there as he also is shuttling between the state and Abuja working with the other group; it becomes almost like there’s a vacuum; even the Chief of Staff who, based on the governor’s plan, is supposed to be the party’s candidate is also involved in the struggle; and is also shuttling, and in doing that most things that should happen for the good of the state will not happen because they are not there. So, what is the role of the State House of Assembly in all of this? The majority part of the House of Assembly is also part of the struggle. Majority of them are working with the governor, and of course, they go to Abuja with him and for other party meetings, and all that we are supposed to be doing in the House of Assembly now (Wednesday, June 13, 2018), you can see that there’s no activity going on; we are supposed to have sitting today but we are not sure yet. Because if the speaker is not there; the deputy is not there, the House cannot sit; and of course, the majority leader also. In the House, we are 27; it is only three of us from the minority and of course, we cannot sit; so, you find out that the House is also affected in the midst of all these crises. You hope to return to the House to represent your people once again; what are you going to offer differently from what you have done in the last three years plus? The only thing I am going to promise them is more experience. My people have sent me here in the last three years; I think they sent me to a school to learn and I want to tell you that I have learnt a lot in terms of how to balance power and how to have a good relationship, especially when you are in the opposition. I want to believe that my coming back will offer my people in Ahiazu more effective representation and also a bigger opportunity for me to play a bigger role there; coming back as a ranking member of the House. In parliaments,

seniority is important in terms of the kind of committee you chair, in terms of your voice in the executive session and in the plenary; even in the state generally. An experienced legislator, you cannot compare me with those who are coming newly because I can tell you that the next governor that is going to come will have to rely on people like us to be able to do certain things. We also have to perform oversight function which must tell you in this dispensation is not really what it should be, because the party in power which is the governor’s party is in control and the opposition doesn’t have the number to actually offer effective opposition because you have three out of 27. But of course, I am coming back to the House believing that we are going to be in the majority by the grace of God; you will now be able to effectively assist the governor. You know when you have absolute power as a governor you tend to make mistakes because you think you can do whatever you like; you can make mistakes that could be embarrassing when nobody can call you to order and say; you can’t do this; because absolute power corrupts and may not even know when you are making mistakes and even when people around you try to correct you; you tend not to listen to them; believing you are right. But when you have a situation where the legislature has experienced people and the balance, then the House can actually offer help to the governor. Good thing; recently we have been offered financial autonomy which was the biggest challenge the House of Assembly was facing. When a governor has to pay your salary, even if you want to cut the grass in your environment, you have to wait for the governor to approve. Now the next Assembly (the 9th) will be more effective; just like the National Assembly; irrespective of the fact that majority of them are of the ruling party and from same party with the president, but they were able to tell the President you can’t do this. And they demand for certain rights. Sometimes, blanket support for the governor because he is of your party does not augur well for governance. So, I believe that coming back as an experienced legislator will be for the interest of my people because they will now have

more mature mind, more vast person in the house; have some more of influence to get the governor to do certain things for the people; because despite all the autonomy; the executive also has a major role to play in terms of things that happen in the rural areas. In the last three years in the house; have you at any time felt alienated by virtue of your belonging to the opposition? Of course yes. What I will say is that in terms of my salaries and allowances, I get what belongs to me. But of course, most meetings we are not invited because we are in the opposition; and those meetings are where decisions are taken; decisions about things that happen to my people. So you find out that the most senior political aide of the governor from my constituency is the person who attends those meetings and wields the kind of influences I am supposed to wield. The leverages I am supposed to have; I don’t have them because I am not in the same party with the governor. You find out those things affect your performance as a legislator. If the governor wants to do certain things in your local government, and you are not the one supervising it, it takes away the shine off you. What is your advice to potential voters

I believe that Nigerians now know better the power of PVC and the need for them to vote; that it is not just complaint and saying things are not going well

in terms of their conduct during the polls and even before the election on the issue of collecting of PVCs and other related matters that affect voting? I believe that Nigerians now know better the power of PVC and the need for them to vote; that it is not just complaint and saying things are not going well. It is very important for them to be part of the process that brings the change that we are talking about. So my advice for them is that they should go and get their PVCs; those who have moved from one point to the other since the last election should go and regularise their data with the INEC and make sure they are part of the system; so that they can vote. I also want to encourage the INEC to give Nigerians free and fair election; not to be partisan. I think also that some people who are working with the INEC are Nigerians and they are feeling the pains other Nigerians are feeling. Sometimes, I hear some people say that the ruling government would use the security operatives to rig the elections, but I am wondering; are the security people not Nigerians? Do they like what is going on in Nigeria? Are they happy with the killings? Are they happy with the way things are going in the country? Nigeria is more divided now than when PDP was in power. There are now more agitations for one thing or the other. They were thesre before, but not as pronounced as they are now; look at the APC government where all the security chiefs are from the North; that is not democracy; that is not federation. You have a security meeting and you speak only one language because the other people are not involved. That is not right. No matter how you want to look at it; it is not fair. You must encourage and allow other federating units to have representation; so that they can have their own input. This is just one example that we have a leadership that does not listen to people and does not care. You see a situation where 40, 45 people are being killed and government pretends as if nothing has happened. I was listening to the news the other day somebody was saying that the same day it was being reported that 45 people were killed by herdsmen; the vice president was busy talking about list of corrupt people. Look we are not sober; something has died in us. Look at America; wherever an American dies in such attack the president most times visits the scene and makes a broadcast to show that America is not happy. That is respect for sanctity of life. But there is nothing like that here in Nigeria under the government. It has become the usual thing – herdsmen kill 12; herdsmen kill this and nobody is bothered about it. I mean how did we get to this point? This is just an indication that this present government is not what Nigerians are looking for. We need to go back to the PDP that has the plan. The only major issue Nigerians had about PDP was corruption; but at a point Nigerians began to cry out, give us back our corruption; because if you said we are corrupt but people can eat; fuel their vehicles; pay their bills and do other things; then what are you talking about? I know that corruption is wrong; but which country would you not see some elements of corruption even in the United Kingdom and United States; but a system is put in place that can check all these things. That is what is lacking here.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Politics Scorecard: 8th session of House of Representatives and effective representation Without much ado, the 8th session of the National Assembly ceremoniously completed the third year in office on Saturday, 9th June, 2018. In this report, KEHINDE AKINTOLA, examines some of the landmark legislative achievements of the 8th session of the House of Representatives.

he take-off of the eight session of the House of Representatives was stormy, sequel to the unprecedented tussle over the leadership positions in the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration which dislodged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after 16 years rule. While the leadership of the party endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila (APCLagos) as speaker who had served as the Minority Leader for two terms, majority of the lawmakers from the opposition parties especially PDP rallied support along with some APC members for the enthronement of Speaker Yakubu Dogara (APC-Bauchi). Though it took quite some time to stabilise the House, Speaker Dogara and his cabinet convincingly paddled the affairs of the Lower Chamber with great courage. Going through the profile of most of these lawmakers who were commissioned into office after being voted by their various constituencies across the 360 federal constituencies, the current House of Representatives is dominated by professionals. Some of them are certified accountants, engineers, seasoned journalists, lawyers, and business administrators. Of course, by providence, they are now representing the interests of over 190 million Nigerians at the federal House of Representatives, alongside their compatriots who represent the 109 Senatorial Districts of the federation. In any government formulation, the Parliament stands for Democracy, and by conventional definition, government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Section 4 (1-9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides: “(1) The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. (2) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part I of the Second Schedule to this Constitution. (3) The power of the National Assembly to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List shall, save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, be to the exclusion of the Houses of Assembly of States. The Section continued: “(4) In addition and without prejudice to the powers conferred by subsection (2) of this section, the National Assembly shall have power to make laws with respect to the following matters, that is to say: (a) any matter in the Concurrent Legislative List set out in the first column of Part II of the Second Schedule to this Constitution to the extent prescribed in the second column opposite thereto; and (b) any other matter with respect to which it is empowered to make laws in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. (5) If any Law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other Law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. The Dogara leadership set the ball rolling with a detailed Legislative Agenda which

Dogara

served as template that would guide the activities of the Lower Chamber throughout the four-year term. This include: public engagement through Civil Society, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Women and Youth Groups, National Assembly Business Environment Round-table (NASSBER) - a private sector initiative inaugurated in March 2016, among others. As promised in the Legislative agenda read in 2015, Dogara pledged that the “8th House shall strengthen its processes, Rules and internal structures to support its oversight and investigative activities and ensure full access to all government financial information. It shall also develop mechanisms to sanction those who do not cooperate with its oversight or investigative activities or who refuse to implement legislative wishes or resolutions.” Likewise, the House in symbiotic relationship with the Senate, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, embarked on public hearing on Appropriation bill, with the view to give Nigerians the privileges of making inputs into national budget. This of course, was applauded not only in Nigeria but by international observers. In the course of carrying out its statutory mandates as guaranteed by the 1999 constitution (as amended), the House of Representatives according to records, succeeded in passing 222 bills including Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) while three additional bills namely: Petroleum Industry Fiscal management Bill, Petroleum Industry Administration Bill and Petroleum Industry Host Community are expected to be passed before the expiration of the 8th Assembly. Though quite a number of Nigerians are still having some misgivings about the Legislature perhaps as a result of over 20 years of military rule, however, most Nigerians align with the National Assembly in “celebrating three years of effective representation, robust lawmaking and efficient oversight.” Stewardship: As a way of measuring the impacts of the legislative activities carried out within the period under review, the 8th session of the Nigeria’s House of Representatives thrives above its contemporaries in the African continent and other democracies, with a landmark of 222 bills, over 1,000 motions passed compared with the previous Assemblies.

Notable among the bills passed by the House and Senate have been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. These include: ‘#NotTooYoungToRun’ Act; Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act (otherwise known as Collateral Registry Act) and Credit Reporting Act. Between October and December 2017, both Chambers passed the conference committee report on Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, which sought to repeal the Consumer Protection Act, establish the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as the Consumer Protection Tribunal. According to experts, all these economic legislations are expected to promote healthy business competition, strengthen consumer rights, improve ease of doing business and take Nigeria out of recession. Other bills passed by the House and indeed National Assembly are: National Inland Waterways Authority Bill; Petroleum Industry Governance Bill; Federal Roads Authority Bill; Nigerian Independent Warehouse Regulatory Agency Bill; Nigeria Railway Bill; Nigerian Ports and Harbours Authority Bill; Nigerian Postal Commission Bill. Some bills which are still in the works include: National Roads Funds Bill; National Transport Commission Bill; Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) (Amendment) and Investment and Securities Act (Amendment) Bill as well as National Development Bank of Nigeria Bill. If passed into law, experts say the bills will help create 7.5 million jobs and reduce poverty by 16.4 percent. Between the space of two years, some essential legislations promoted by Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) were passed by the House. They include: Pension Rights of Judges Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Federal Capital Territory District Courts Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; National Transport Commission Bill, 2015; Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Bill, 2015; Nigerian Institute of Social Work (Est, etc.) Bill, 2015; Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission Bill, 2015; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Prevention of Crimes Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Water Resources Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; and

River Basins Development Authorities Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015. Far-reaching steps were also taken by the 8th Assembly in terms of oversight which will help Nigeria in terms of effectively policy formulation and socio-economic development. Recall that the Speaker in company of some members of the Lower Chamber embarked on oversight or working visit to the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, in Kogi State which has the capacity to generate over 100,000 direct and indirect employments as well contribute to the country’s industrialisation. With the herculean efforts of the House, Federal Government according to the Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari is already taking steps to revive the steel plant. As major stakeholder in the three arms of government, the House and indeed the National Assembly did not lag behind in engaging the Executive and Judiciary in the bid to ensure that the dividends of democracy is delivered to Nigerians across the country. In the course of the Fourth Alteration of the 1999 Constitution, the 8th Assembly successfully broke the age-long jinx of subsuming the State Legislature under the Executive Arm, by ensuring that the State Houses of Assembly and Judiciary secure financial autonomy, henceforth. This and other bills passed namely: the Electoral bill which reduced the days and time of determining pre-election matter to ensure that pre-election matters in courts do not get into the time of election and do not tend to thereafter. President Buhari also signed the bill which provides that where a Vice-President succeeds a President or a Deputy Governor succeeds a Governor can no more contest for that office more than once more. Also passed under the period was Bill No. 9 which gives the Independent National Electoral Commission sufficient time to conduct bye-elections. On comparative basis with previous Assemblies, the House and indeed the 8th session of the National Assembly surpasses the achievements of the past, thanks to the legislative agenda set out at the inception of this administration under the leadership of Speaker Yakubu Dogara. As part of efforts being made to cure the public distrust, the leadership of National Assembly will between 25th to 29th June, 2018 interface with various segments of the Nigerian society during the maiden edition of ‘National Assembly Open Week’. Some of the activities scheduled for the four-day event are interactive session with the Executive arm of government on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP); interactive session with Judiciary arm of government on pre and post elections adjudication and constitutional separation of powers; interactive session with trade unions on economic growth and industrial relations; interactive session with traditional rulers and pressure groups and interactive session with civil society organisations on accountability and service delivery in governance as well as interactive session with women, youth and student groups. According to the organiser, the Open Week was aimed at fostering public perception and involvement in political dialogue, ensure greater public trust in governance, promote transparency and accountability in the Legislative arm of government.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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Politics 12 senators face probe, trial …Ordeals threaten their political feature

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

s the 2019 general elections draw near, there are alignment and realignment of political forces among political gladiators. Friends have become foes and vice versa. Although the guidelines and schedule of activities released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that campaign primaries would begin from August 17 to October 17, 2018, politicians have commenced consultations across the country. Already, most serving federal lawmakers have indicated interest of seeking reelection in the next elections, even as governance has been relegated to the back stage. No fewer than 12 senators are either being investigated or tired. Bukola Saraki Bukola Saraki, is the first serving Senate President to be docked in the Code of Conduct Tribunal on corruption charges. Since 2015, the nation’s Number Three Citizen has been shuttling the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Appeal Court and Supreme Court over charges of false assets declaration. On July 6, 2018, the apex court will deliver judgment on whether or not there is sufficient evidence for the trial before the CCT to continue. It would be recalled that the Danladi Umar-led CCT had, in June last 2017, terminated the trial upon an application by Saraki. The decision was based on the grounds that the Prosecution failed to lead any credible evidence linking Saraki to the 18 counts preferred against him. However, in an appeal filed by the Federal Government against the decision of the CCT, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruling on December 12, 2017, restored three out of the dismissed 18 counts and ordered Saraki to return to the CCT to defend the three charges. But both Saraki and the Federal Government were dissatisfied with separate parts of the Court of Appeal’s judgment. While Saraki had appealed to the Supreme Court against the part of the Court of Appeal’s decision restoring three of the 18 counts, the Federal Government had cross-appealed against the part of the decision affirming the tribunal’s dismissal of the rest of the 15 counts. Ike Ekweremadu In March this year, the Federal Government approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja praying for an order of forfeiture of 22 properties belonging to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. The Federal Government had listed in Schedule A, properties declared by Ekweremadu in his Assets Declaration Form and Schedule B, properties not declared in the Assets Declaration Form. Out of the 22 undeclared assets, nine are located in Abuja; two in London; eight in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and three in Florida, United States. Eyinnaya Abaribe On Friday, June 22, 2018, the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly arrested the Chairman, Senate Committee on

Saraki

Ekweremadu

Melaye

Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Eyinnaya Abaribe. The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District was arrested in Abuja at a popular hotel located at Maitama District. He was believed to have come under the watch of the DSS since standing as surety for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who hasn’t been seen or heard in public since the Army invaded his home last year.

Peter Nwaoboshi In April, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Peter Nwaoboshi, was arraigned in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud of N322 million. In the charge No: FHC/L/117C/2018, the EFCC alleged that the senator representing Delta North Senatorial District committed the offences between May and June 2014 in Lagos.

Specifically, she was accused of diverting N3.9 billion from the N9.4 billion meant for the installation of security devices at 22 airports.

Dino Melaye The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dino Melaye is currently on trial in three courts for various charges. In March, the Kogi West senator was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on two counts of giving false information about an assassination attempt on his life to the police in April 2017. The embattled lawmaker was arraigned before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck for falsely incriminating the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Edward Onoja in the said assassination attempt. The controversial senator, was also arraigned before a Kogi Senior Magistrate Court, Lokoja on a stretcher on charges of criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and illegal arms dealing. In the same token, in May, he was arraigned before the Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on charges bordering on his alleged escape from a police vehicle in Abuja on April 24, 2018. The case was adjourned till July 6 for trial.

Buruji Kashamu In May 2015, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) laid a siege to Kashamu’s residence in Lagos in a bid to arrest and send him to the U.S. to face drugs charges. He is wanted to face trial in the United States even though he has continued to deny this. He refused to submit himself. Instead, he approached the Federal High Court to prohibit his arrest. His prayer was granted. However, in May, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal nullified the ruling by the Federal High Court saying the senator is ”not above the law and should be arrested if there is a need,” thus clearing the path to his possible extradition. The senator has consistently maintained his innocence.

Jonah Jang In May, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former Plateau State governor and serving senator, Jonah Jang, for alleged corruption during his tenure in office. Jang, who represents Plateau North Senatorial District, was charged alongside a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Yusuf Pam. They are accused of diverting N6.3 billion belonging to the Plateau State Government while serving as governor of the state. Although granted bail, the case has been fixed for July 17, 18 and 19 for trial.

David Mark The immediate past Senate President, David Mark, was questioned by the EFCC in 2017 early 2018 over receipt of illegal funds in the build-up to the 2015 elections. He was grilled over alleged payment of N2 billion into the National Assembly account by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for distribution to senators. The Benue senator has since denied receiving such fund but the 2015 campaign finance by the PDP has continued to be a subject of intense interrogation by law enforcement agencies. Stella Oduah Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, is not also left out. Early this year, the Anambra North Senator was questioned by the EFCC for alleged money laundering. The embattled senator is being investigated for allegedly awarding dubious contracts worth N9.4 billion as Aviation Minister in the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Danjuma Goje The chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations and former Governor of Gombe State, is currently facing a fraud charge filed against him by the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Gombe. The senator and four others have been embroiled in a six-year-old money laundering case preferred by the anti-graft agency. The EFCC accused Goje of conspiring with four officers of his administration to defraud the state of N25 billion via illegal acts, contrary to, and punishable under sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2011 (as amended). Abdullahi Adamu The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, was in 2010 arrested by the EFCC for allegedly misappropriating N15 billion alongside 18 others. He was subsequently arraigned on a 149-count charge of fraud to the tune of N15 billion alongside his co-accused. The case is yet to be concluded. In February 2018, the EFCC arraigned Nuraini Adamu, a son of the senator, and one Felix Onyeabo Ojiako before judge, Farouq Lawal of the Kano State High Court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence. Abdulaziz Nyako The senator, representing Adamawa Central, Abdulaziz Nyako, is the son of former Governor Murtala Nyako. He is facing trial on N29 billion fraud charges against him by EFCC. He is being prosecuted alongside his father, and two others on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money-laundering. Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds – Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Politics

Who is in control of Imo? ZEBULON AGOMUO

or some time now, Imo, the only state in the South East geo-political zone under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been embroiled in political brouhaha. The crisis is self-inflicted. Imo became an APC state in 2015 following the merger in February 2013 of a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on the platform of which Rochas Okorocha won the gubernatorial election in 2011, with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In 2015, Okorocha had handed the governorship ticket to Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law and chief of staff, to hold on for him in case he lost the presidential nomination of the APC that took place in Lagos. When he failed in his ambition, he quickly rushed back to Owerri and Nwosu stepped down for him. In an apparent move to compensate Nwosu, who has remained the governor’s chief of staff, Okorocha has since endorsed him as successor and this decision is not well received by many stakeholders in the party in the state. Our correspondent, who was recently in the state to feel the pulse of indigenes and residents, said the twin reasons for the crisis in the state chapter of the APC were the insistence of the governor on installing his in-law and his refusal to respect the zoning arrangement in the state. According to those who spoke with our reporter, it is the turn of Owerri zone to occupy the seat, as the two other zones- Orlu and Okigwe- have both had their fair shares. Until the national convention of the APC, which held in Abuja yesterday, the party in the state had two factions- one controlled by the governor, and the other under the thumb of some Abuja-based politicians, particularly those at the National Assembly. Ex-commissioner, others say ‘No’ to imposition Best Mbanaso, who served Okorocha as a two-term commissioner and in other capacities, said he recently fell out with the governor over his advice against the planned succession in the state, which according to him negates the principle of justice and equity. Mbanaso, who was also a Mayor of Orlu, said he was advised by the governor to resign after he told him to rescind his decision to install Nwosu. According to him, “The reason was that I said to him, your son-in-law cannot be governor after you. He cannot succeed you as the governor of Imo State. This is because I believe in equity; justice and fair play; because Orlu has ruled this state for 16 years; by the end of May 29th when this government would wrap up; Orlu would have completed 16 years. Okigwe has also done 8 years. Four years during the time of Sam Mbakwe and four years during the administration of Ikedi Ohakim. Then Owerri zone; I

Okorocha

can say that they have not even ruled under a democratic setting. Evan Enwerem ruled the military which was only for a period of 18 months (one year and six months). So, for me, for the sake of equity and justice, Owerri zone should have it this time around; since 1998 till date Owerri is the state capital; and they have not produced the governor of Imo State. So, for me I said, no; I stand for an Owerri man to be the governor of Imo State. I met the governor first, second and third times and said to him, Sir, you are my ‘oga’; but I am opposing the idea of your son-in-law to be the governor of Imo State at this time. He said I should resign my appointment; but I said, no; you are the one that hired me and you have sworn me into different appointments six times within the seven years; so, you have the right to terminate my appointment. “But the advice I gave my brother, the governor, is a very good advice. He has a committed deputy governor, Eze Madumere. Madumere was chief of staff when I was deputy chief of staff, operations. He is a very good team player. He is an administrator; a stabilizer; a man that can take this state to another level.” On whether or not the governor has lost control of the party in the state, he said: “Well, he is the one to say whether he has lost out or not; but I know as at today he is not in charge of the APC structure in Imo State; Congresses have come and gone but he is still giving hope that he is in charge. It is not true. “As at now, I can say that the governor does not even know the ward chairman of his own ward. He does not even know who the party’s chairman in his local government is; which is not supposed to be so. But the good thing is that the party has returned back to its owners. You know, party is for the people and it is supreme. So, what is happening in Imo State today is good for our democracy. It is also a lesson to the in-coming governors that you don’t joke with the people- the masses that voted you into power.” Speaking in tandem, Love Udensi, newly elected party chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area of the state, claimed that Okorocha was alone in his succession plan with his in-law. Udensi, who claimed that everybody in the state was against Gover-

Madumere

nor Okorocha, said even the breeze that “blows in Imo” is aware that the governor has missed the mark. “Even the breeze; the air we are breathing now; if it is possible to ask the air in this state the situation of things here; it will tell you the same thing I told you, that Okorocha has made a serious mistake. I must tell you that the people you see around the governor today are all sycophants. They are not really with him in truth; and I am not a sycophant,” Udensi said. PDP says ‘APC on its way out’ Kenneth Agbim, representing Ahiazu Mbaise Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was prepared to take over the governance of Imo State. “My party is very, very prepared I must tell you because we are taking note of all the things that are happening in the state that we think are not right,” Agbim said. The Minority leader further said that the crisis in the APC was adversely affecting governance in so many ways. According to Agbim, “The governor is spending much of his time trying to wrest the party structure from other party members that seem to have taken the structure from him. In doing that, of course, he will be shuttling between Owerri and Abuja and also to meet other stakeholders he will be trying to lobby to get their support; so, in doing that the state will suffer; governance will suffer. The meetings he should be holding with other executives of his government to move things in the state; he has so many projects going on in the state but running around trying to capture the party back from those who seem to have taken it away from him, he will definitely abandon his work and at the peril of the state and the people. So, seriously, in the last few months since this thing started the state has been standstill. It is also more worrisome when the deputy governor is part of the people he is struggling power with. “When he is not around, his deputy is not also there as he also is shuttling between the state and Abuja working with the other group; it becomes almost like there’s a vacuum; even the Chief of Staff who, based on the governor’s plan, is supposed to be the party’s candidate is also involved in the struggle; and is also shuttling, and in

Ihedioha

doing that most things that should happen for the good of the state will not happen because they are not there.” Emeka Ihedioha campaign organisation hopeful of change in Imo Chibuike Gideon, campaign aide of Emeka Ihedioha, who spoke with BDSUNDAY, said the former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, was in the governorship race to win. Ihedioha is an aspirant on the PDP platform. “Our chances to winning this election are not only because of the crisis in the APC. If you have been following events you would notice that PDP has rebranded. This is a reformed People’s Democratic Party, both at the national and state levels where the party has come back to the true owners of the party, reflective of its real name, the People’s Democratic Party. It is unlike what happened in the past when few individuals would sit at the comfort of their bedrooms and determined what would happen in the party. That didn’t help PDP; it made the party to struggle so much, only that we controlled the Federal Government and it was easy for us to mobilise, in terms of funding,” Gideon said. According to him, “Now, given the fact that we are in the opposition; the party needed to trace its roots back to the people; and that is what is happening.” On Ihedioha’s chances, he said: “Not forgetting the contributions of His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha; who as the founding member of the party has remained steadfast and in fact, he is the single largest financier of the party in Imo. As Deputy Speaker, he made sure that the party did not feel so much the impact of Ohakim’s loss. He attracted so many Federal Government appointments – Boards and parastatals. Then as deputy speaker, his representative was very robust in terms benefits to the party and infrastructure wise in the state. It was as if PDP had a governor in the person of Emeka Ihedioha.” “We did not lose the 2015 governorship election in Imo. In fact, PDP won by popular vote cast; the records are there in INEC. We went to INEC and collected the certified copies of the true result with which we pursued our case in the tribunal up to the court; our matter was not heard; it was struck out on technical basis. So many things

happened then and I don’t think this is the forum to say them. But he won the popular game and the good will continues. He never rested. “We have continued to mobilise. We have started our ward-to-ward consultations. We are consolidating on our good will and the relationships we built over the years and achievements. Most importantly, we are consolidating on the fact that Imo has gotten worse than it was when PDP was in charge. PDP is ready. People are looking for a shorter cut to get the party ticket because they can’t compete. Across board, it is looking good. Ihedioha understands the depth of the problems in Imo and has solutions to such problems. He has the good will; both in Abuja and here. He is very well respected,” he further said. Is APGA dead in Imo? Our reporter, who visited the Imo State Secretariat, Owerri, spoke with some young men at a newsstand located in front of the complex. They said the state was going to be returned to APGA in 2019 and that they have had enough of PDP and APC. But the Minority leader in the state House of Assembly, who spoke with our reporter in his office, a stone throw away from the secretariat, said: Yes, APGA is getting stronger; but I can tell you that those going to APGA are those who feel that there is no space in PDP and that they are not going to be able to compete in PDP; so, they are looking for other platforms. The way I see them; it is not necessarily that APGA is strong; no; what you see there is a gathering of strange bed fellows. Once their primaries are over and they are sure they are not going to get the ticket; I am sure they will come back to the PDP and work. You know that PDP is so big and can accommodate everybody. Once you come in, you are accommodated. So, we are not scared of APGA.” M.C. Ahamefula, the campaign director Ugwumba Campaign Organisation, for Uche Nwosu, who though promised to have a meeting with our reporter, never did. Sam Onwuemedo, chief press secretary of Governor Okorocha, said he had no time to speak. This report was written before the National Convention of the APC held yesterday.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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AssemblyWatch From the Red Chamber With

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE

t’s less than two months to the commencement of party primaries and eight months to the 2019 general elections and the political atmosphere is already gathering steam. Seven months after President Muhammadu Buhari submitted a draft copy of the 2018 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, he finally signed the appropriation bill into law but not without the usual controversy that has characterised previous budgets in the current administration. Playing to the gallery, the President opened the Book of Lamentations when he criticised the National Assembly for unilaterally introducing 6,403 new projects in the budget worth N578 billion. He listed some of the affected projects to include: Mambilla Power

Buhari, National Assembly and 2018 Budget Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail project among others. He also questioned the rationale for raising the National Assembly budget from N125 billion to N139.5 billion “without any discussion with the Executive”. Why did Mr. President append his signature to a document he considered fraudulent? Let us first examine the legal perspective of the National Assembly’s action. The provision of Section 80 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) vests the National Assembly with powers to alter, increase, reduce or even introduce new items in the budget. This constitutional provision is not only aimed at ensuring that the Legislature is not a rubber stamp but also acts as checks and balances in the power sharing arrangements between the Executive and the Legislature. The President must realise that we are not in a military regime where the Executive combines its functions with the Legislature. Truth be told, we have a President that has lost control of his government. Mr President sees himself as the only Nigerian with his ‘integrity’ still intact, hence would not negotiate with the Na-

tional Assembly leadership. We have a President that never hides his disdain for the Legislature. For instance, last month, when he hosted some of his supporters at Aso Rock, he questioned the role of parliament. Hear him: “What have they (federal lawmakers) been doing? Some of them have been there for 10 years. What have they been doing”? If the President had his way, he would do away with the legislative arm of government. If I may ask, what was the essence of the budget meetings between the President and the leadership of the National Assembly if not to lobby them? During the consideration of the budget by the National Assembly, the President held several budget meetings with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, at the Presidential Villa; the last being on May 7, 2018. The most potent function of the Legislature is its power of appropriation. It is the major tool with which lawmakers assert their powers over the Executive. It goes without saying that an Executive arm of government that carries holierthan-thou image and fails to engage the Legislature does so at its own peril. As powerful as the United

States President, Donald Trump, he still negotiates and lobbies the Congress to have his way. This he did effectively early this year when US Congress approved a deal to avoid government shutdown. But here in Nigeria, we have a President that has replaced lobbying with blackmail and propaganda, a President that demonizes the other two arms of government as being ‘corrupt’, a President who has a penchant for taking credit for signing a private member bill into law even when he never made any input. We have an administration that promised to reform the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy but failed to forward any of the Petroleum Industry Related Bills to the National Assembly for enactment. Even when Buhari appointed himself as Petroleum Minister, all four PIBs from the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), Petroleum Industry Fiscal Framework Bill, Petroleum Industry Administration Bill and Petroleum Industry Host and Impacted Communities Bill are private member bills. Legislators are not ministers or heads of parastatals who read the body language of the President. He had adequate time to negoti-

ate with leaders of the National Assembly at budget meetings but stood aloof when it mattered most. The same scenario that played out during the emergence of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly when he opted to stay ‘neutral’ has reared its ugly head once again. Judging by the June 9, 2015 experience where most members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defied the governing party to elect a different leadership, I thought the President would have learnt his lessons by now by coming out of his shell but that is not the case here. Although the two legislative chambers are controlled by the APC, the stiffest opposition to the President comes from his own party members, no thanks to the kind of politics employed by the President. His admission that the budget which he signed into law would be difficult, if not impossible to implement, is a clear indication of failure of the appropriation act. His statement will only exacerbate the cold war between the Legislature and the National Assembly and this is one of the biggest tasks before the newly elected National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

2018 Budget imbroglio: Who shall we believe – President Buhari or National Assembly? From the Green House

igerians are getting more confused day after day over the controversy trailing the alleged insertion of N578 billion projects leveled against the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari. In his speech at the signing of the N9.120 trillion budget for 2018 fiscal year, Buhari publicly accused National Assembly of cutting N347 billion allocated to 4,700 projects submitted to them, but allegedly “introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578 billion.” The statement has brought the Legislature to disrepute before the entire Nigerian public again. I recall that the current Assembly suffered similar fate during the 2016 fiscal year and still battling with the backlash. But with the latest news coming from the National Assembly, the National Assembly who spoke through the chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives’ Committees on Media and Publicity accused President Buhari of “unduly” exaggerating the facts! Mr. President argued that ‘many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement

With

with the reduced allocation. Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute. Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required. As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened. However in its reaction, the National Assembly argued that there was no iota of truth that the national Assembly made substantial reduction on quite a number of critical projects as alluded to by Mr. President. Going through the submissions of the National Assembly, I sincerely feel someone is taking a ride on Nigerians by using the budget issue to score undue political points! Somebody needs to vet the content of the handout handed over to Mr. President with the view to allay the fear

of over 200 million citizens. To s u b s t a n t i a t e t h e i r claims, the scribes of both chambers argued that: “these reductions of N347 billion were made from low priority areas to higher priority areas to support the generation of employment for our youth by MSMEs. We took the decision to reduce the funds in some areas in order to ensure balance and equity in the spread and utilization of our national funds. Additionally, the figures given amounts of the reductions made by the National Assembly were unduly exaggerated as we did not make any substantial reduction on any project to the extent of affecting its implementation.” Mr. President also needs to respond to the position of the National Assembly that the “N12.5 billion and the N7.5 billion appropriated for the Second Niger Bridge in the 2016 and 2017 budget by the National Assembly were never utilized for the project.” With all sincerity of purpose, I concur with the National Assembly that the sum of N3,956,400,290 reduced from the counterpart funding of Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/Ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-

Ibadan Express Road and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project cannot in any way affect the implementation of these high priority projects. Drawing from my over 8 years experience covering the activities of various Ministries, departments and Agencies (MDAs), I’m aware lack of capacity of these agencies, as well as indiscriminate release of funds play major role in the poor budget implementation. Though the President painted the Legislature black before the cameras, but what about allocation of the sum of N3.9 billion saved from various projects which were channeled to ensure successful take-off of 15 roads which were awarded by the Federal Executive Council with no budgetary provisions in 2017? These projects include: the rehabilitation of IkoroduShagamu road in Lagos State; the rehabilitation of 9th MileOrakam to Benue Border; and the general maintenance of Pankshin - Ballang - Nyelleng - Sararele - Gindiri road in Plateau State, etc. “These are the projects purported to be “project inclusions without conceptualization.” On these projects, the National Assembly needs to be commended by Mr. President for helping to support the take-off of

KEHINDE AKINTOLA these awarded but unfunded projects.” For me and other concerned citizens, some of these issues playing out from both arms of government are unhealthy for the well-being of this country. Of course, it goes a long way to give Nigeria bad reputation among comity of nations. I wish to observe very strongly that, Mr. President should have called for closed door discussion with the leadership of National Assembly to trash out these grey areas rather than washing their dirty linens before the world. Similar ly, b o t h p ar t ie s should improve on the soar relationship in the interest of our dear nation.

30 Inside Lagos

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Lagos sources for investors in development of semi-mechanised abattoirs …proposes modern slaughter slabs for Ikorodu, Ajegunle, Badagry, others Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

agos State is seeking for private sector’s buy-in to develop semi-mechanised abattoirs in Epe and Ojo, a move aimed at ensuring the delivery of wholesome meat to homes, restaurants and hotels in the state. The mechanised abattoirs are proposed as the government has declared zerotolerance for illegal development of slaughter slabs, with officials empowered to close down and arrest operators of such facilities in and around the state. “We have just closed down one in Lekki and intend to comb the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure that no illegal abattoir is allowed,” said Olayiwole Onasanya, the permanent secretary in the Lagos State ministry of agriculture, in an interview with BusinessDay. In addition to the proposed semi-mechanised abattoirs, the government is also

looking to building 10 other smaller abattoirs in partnership with the private investors, all aimed at meeting the meat consumption need of the growing population. The state’s population is estimated at 21 million people. Onasanya said the two semi-mechanised abattoirs

are designed to slaughter 800 to 1000 cattle (each) per day, in line with industry operating standards. According to him, they are to be delivered on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The other 10 smaller abat-

13 new bus terminals ready December 2019 …as BRI set to take off

ll new 13 bus terminals being constructed to bolster the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) being embarked upon in Lagos would be completed by December this year, Ladi Lawanson, the state commissioner for transportation, has said. Under the BRI, the state government is bringing in 5,000 high capacity bus with the plan to scale up to 7,000 in what would to the gradual phase out of the rickety yellow buses. The new buses have started arriving the state ahead of official launch of initiative within the next few weeks. The new environmentallyfriendly air-conditioned buses are equipped with modern facilities to ensure comfort and seamless travelling experience for commuters.

Lawanson said at the opening of “construction summit 2018’’ organised by the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos, on Friday that some 3,000 jobs would be created at the completion of the bus terminals. According to him, efficient transportation system is essential for economic development of any nation and needs to be given adequate attention. The commissioner said that the bus terminals were part of the current admin-

istration’s plan to upgrade public transportation system in the state. “The terminals will put an end to insecurity, unreliability, accident, traffic jam and mugging associated with the current commercial bus system in the state,” Lawanson said. The state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode during the commissioning of Ikeja bus terminal by President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 28, assured that the state government would be taking delivery of some of the buses in June. Ambode said the BRI would go a long way in enhancing connectivity across Lagos. The state, he said was also developing an intelligent transport system mechanism which will aid Lagosians plan their journeys.

toirs are proposed to have capacity for 200 to 400 cattle per day and would be executed through “defined negotiated periods.” In addition, the investors would be required to ensure compliance with all state statutory requirements and relevant procedures. “All required designs and

construction shall be in compliance with the industry best practices. The operation of the projects shall be subject to regulations and standards issued by the ministry of agriculture or any other relevant statutory regulatory agency,” Onasanya said, adding that Ajegunle, Oshodi, Badagry,

Ikorodu are among the areas listed to site the smaller abattoirs. Among things expected to be done in bigger abattoirs in the state including the one in Agege include the installation of facilities for waste conversion (Bio Gas Plant), construction of transit camp, provision of general cleaning services, construction of stripe processing facility as well as rehabilitation and maintenance of waste recycling plant. The way and manner animals are slaughtered, processed and delivered to homes and restaurants in many Nigerian cities, has been and still a going concern to meat consumers. In Lagos, notwithstanding measures by successive administrations, there are still concerns about the handling of meat in the state. According to the government, the proposed new abattoirs and upgrade of facilities at the existing abattoirs is to check the menace of unhygienic processing and transportation of meat.

Health officers clampdown on food vendors

nvironmental Health Officer of Nigeria (EHOAN) has begun the clampdown on unhygienic food vendors in Lagos. Akin Akingbehin, chairman, Lagos State of EHOAN said the action was in furtherance of the zero tolerance campaign against food sellers operating in open places in the commercial city. “What is of utmost importance to us is the control of sales of food at open places. We are embarking on total clampdown on unhygienic display of food for public consumption. By this exercise, we are trying to prevent food-borne diseases, taking note of the fact that food is a veritable vehicle by which a range of illnesses which affect man are spread. “The concern, therefore, is to take our safe campaign to

places where food are being grown, transported, stored, handled, processed, prepared and also served. This will assist to ascertain their hygienic standard, not leaving out the food handlers themselves,’’ he said. Akingbehin added that the exercise also entails clearing all accumulated refuse around drains and waterways and concentration of attention on unauthorised places, like road verges, top of drains, parks and garages and under bridges. The exercise started

at Obafemi Awolowo Way and Computer Village, both in Ikeja. Akingbehin urged the residents of the state to stop patronising roadside food vendors, and eat at appropriate food canteens or restaurants to avoid diseases. “People should also stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains. We also call on house owners to provide toilets for their tenants at business premises. This will help to forestall indiscriminate open defecation,’’ he said.

“They also provide protection against windstorms, absorb the pressure from bad weather and also provide shade for cover for residents,” Abiola said. She also said “trees filter

the air within the environment and remove harmful particles that can cause cancer and other respiratory diseases.”

Agency wants residents to embrace tree planting

agos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has urged residents of the state to embrace the culture of planting trees to protect the environment.

Bilikis Abiola, the general manager of LASPARK who made the call said that trees could also aid good health for residents. “Trees are very important because they provide

so many benefits to humanity. It has been proven that human beings breathe out carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen; and trees provide about 40 per cent of the oxygen we inhale on earth.

“Trees also provide food and ground water for humanity. “When it rains, trees actually absorb the rain water and sinks into the ground and become a source of water for man.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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BDSUNDAY 31

SundayBusiness ‘Super Lotto will change the gaming narrative in Nigeria’ As economic hardship continues to bite, many Nigerians, particularly young adults, have continued to take solace in gambling. Femi Umar-Lawal, chief executive officer and managing director for Super Lotto, in this interview with CHINYERE OKEKE, speaks on the industry in general and the company’s mission to make many Nigerians millionaires. Excerpts: Could you tell us more about Super Lotto? What does the brand have to offer? uper Lotto is an offshoot of Imperial Gaming Limited, an online gaming company established to carry out Public Online Lottery business in Nigeria. It was launched at the Three Arms Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on June 4, 2018, with “Super Lotto” as its trading name, under the supervision and control of the Lagos State Lotteries board. Super Lotto is a new, groundbreaking lotto company offering exciting online, mobile and retail gaming with much better odds than other lotto operators. The Super Lotto brand offers exciting e-games similar to classic mobile devices but with the difference of giving large cash rewards to lucky players; a facet that has never been seen in the gaming community. Super Lotto currently features five e-games on its website and promises to add new games each week. The Super Lotto gaming platform introduces ground-breaking technology tailored to the Nigerian and African market at large. Furthermore, to ensure best practices are upheld, our platform has been built taking GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) standards into consideration, hence making our lotto software one of a kind in the West African market.

Femi Umar-Lawal

What’s the striking difference between Super Lotto and other gaming companies? Super Lotto is the first of its kind in the lottery gaming platform for many reasons. First, Super Lotto boasts of e-gaming as well as live gaming portals, which no other lottery brand in Nigeria possesses. Secondly, the ethical gaming positioning of Super Lotto means that

there are in-built mechanisms in the system that prevent addiction to it. This ethical gaming stance is also the reason why we have put extensive CSR programmes including scholarships, MedicAid and entrepreneurial training for players and agents alike. What do players stand to benefit in the long run? Apart from a staggering win of

N46 million with as low as N100 spend, it has also been reported that the odds for their 5/90 game combination is the best in the decades-long history of lotto in Nigeria. Thousands of potential punters may now look forward to trying their luck at winning this and other cash amount on their various products whether online, on their phones or via retail outlets. This category of punters is particularly excited that Super Lotto games can be played both online and in retail outlets around the country. What are the maximum winnings in this game and what is the guarantee that the winners will get their money? Our international partnerships with financial institutions guarantee that up to N9 billion is available for lucky winners every year. Super Lotto is here to change the gaming narrative and ensure that the middle class have fun while exploiting their opportunity to play the games, whether in the comfort of their offices, homes or handheld devices. We have invested heavily on the www.superlottong.com site and the experience is second to none. How are the losers compensated? There are actually no losers in this game. Every Lagosian and Nigerian at large can find fun and

entertainment on our platform, as we connect the benefits we offer to those they enjoy. Our platform is such that drips of intense fun and rewards with our uniquely-driven e-games and live games, making winners every minute. Super Lotto is introducing a new era in Nigerian lottery combining fun, profit and social responsibility. Will this bring about any progress in the area of employment? This will go a long way in providing jobs to the populace because we have direct sales agents whom we rather call partners. They will be working alongside us, bringing out our core values to the populace. Some of these values include being innovative, as well as accountable with a high sense of integrity and profitability. Fusing all of these together will enable us bring goodies to Nigeria, thereby increasing our standard of living. What are your plans for corporate social responsibility? As a responsible gaming company, we plan to support government’s internally generated revenue by paying a portion of gross revenue on every ticket to them to enable them do more for the populace. Super Lotto commits a part of its collections to what we call ‘Good Cause Projects’ such as education, prisons, health, etc. That is, you win even when you don’t win.

I stand my ground to protect investments and lives in Eleme - Okparaji Godwin Egba, Port-Harcourt

very visionary leader is armed with his or her agenda and mission for the people he wants to lead in governance. Philip Okparaji, a barrister and current People’s Democratic Party [PDP] chairman and 2019 chairmanship aspirant Eleme Local Government Area Rivers State says he is a choice for his people come 2019 general election. Okparaji, in his mid-40’s, hails from Aleto Community in Eleme and from his leadership antecedents is likened to a child of destiny who enjoys his masters’ reward as fall-outs of his unalloyed loyalty to them. These are his political leaders and fathers in the persons of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Chief Felix Obua, Rivers State PDP chairman; Chief Ejor Ngowa, former chairman Eleme Local Government Area, and an Eleme PDP chieftain, chief Olaka Nwogu as wel as other PDP chieftains, members and supporters in Eleme. As a sitting Eleme PDP chairman as well someone who served one term as Eleme Care-TakerCommittee [CTC] chairman under

Governor Wike, he is now desirous to not only deliver PDP in Eleme to the governor in the 2019 election but also to take the mantle of leadership as the Area Council Chairman. In the just concluded PDP chairmanship primaries across the state, Okparaji won the endorsement of his party leadership includ-

Okparaji

ing Governor Wike who saw that other Co-aspirants from Eleme stepped down for him. From available records, he has proven to be a tested political figure that can deliver the governor in his domain as over 100,000 voters across the Eleme ten communities or wards are already rooting for him and the governor. Apart from his loyalty in all ramifications, he is a well baked academician with envious credentials from prestigious institutions in the country. A peep into his academic journey has revealed that the young politician is a holder of MSC in International Relations, Masters in Public Administration, a post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism; and he is rounding up his Ph.D in International Law/ Jurisprudence and Human Rights at the Rivers State University. The unassuming barrister while responding to an interview said with all the above qualifications his nature has not made him to become puffy and become proud because his successful journey in life is guided by unquestionable loyalty to both his public and private figures. In his further reaction to his humble and obedient nature, the

barrister defended himself thus, “There is no doubt about my loyalty to my masters and leaders alike in the course of my political career and service to humanity. Even a wife and husband are loyal to each other because it is a prerequisite to success of individuals in life”. A cross-section of political analyst’s in Eleme are of the opinion that the chairmanship position Okparaji is gunning for should have been an opportunity for another Eleme PDP members from other communities other than Aleto. Their argument is that the Barrister has enjoyed CTC chairmanship once and still the current PDP chairman in Eleme Area Council. However, what is paying out for the astute politician is destiny endorsed by God Himself otherwise the PDP leaders in the state could have in a stroke of pen told him to drop the ambition for equity, Fairness and justice to hold sway for other eligible contestants. However, the chairmanshiphopeful who says he is not losing sleep over his critics opinion said, “my aim and objective as the chairman of the party is to make sure by 2019, Eleme should be able to

deliver PDP for his Excellency, the governor of Rivers State unlike what happened in 2015 when PDP was defeated in Eleme. We are still carrying the shame but I want to say by 2019, we will deliver Eleme for PDP, so there is no rancor or division”. He continued, “I am in the race and have supporters in all the ten Eleme communities and my trust is in the Lord because leadership comes from God. More so I’m determined to address the challenges confronting the Eleme ethnic-nationality and restore the dignity of Eleme people, I will not disappoint them”. “I repeat, power comes from God and I have what it takes. I’m confident in my emergence, because I have an agenda, a vision for the Eleme people. Not just Eleme people but also to none indigenes doing one business especially the teaming investors”. The Barrister echoed that he has his uncompromised agenda to protect lives, investments and to deliver robust governance to Eleme people, stressing that the Eleme-industrial-rich land should be security zero tolerance, where security of lives and property is sacrosanct.

32 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 24 June 2018

SundayBusiness The challenge of rice smuggling Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

he painful paradox of want in the midst of plenty, with over dependence on the importation of sundry items, including raw food materials underscores one’s support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s policy to ban rice import through Nigeria’s porous borders. There may be structural challenges to fully implement this but we must learn to begin now from somewhere. For instance, we have crude oil in abundance but over 57 years after political independence we still wait for refined products from foreign lands! It would be recalled that during his 2018 New Year broadcast Buhari said that: “We have got to get used to discipline and direction in

economic management. The days of business as usual are numbered. Two years ago I appealed to people to go back to the land. I am highly gratified that agriculture has picked up, contributing to the government’s effort to re-structure the economy. “Rice imports will stop this year. Local rice, fresher and more nutritious will be on our dishes from now on. By the same token, I am today appealing to enterprising Nigerians with ideas and unemployed graduates and other able-bodied and literate men and women with ideas not to just sit and wait for employment from the government or the Organized Private Sector. According to experts on agricultural production, as at 2003 Nigeria was capable of producing 18 million metric tons of rice but our farmers yielded a paltry 3.2 million metric tons! In fact, the statistics on undue rice importation are both startling and scandalous. By 2002 we were spending, or rather wasting a whopping N60billion yearly on rice importation. In fact, Nigerian rice merchants imported 24 million metric tons of rice valued at $8.86 billion (N1.77 trillion) from Thailand, Pakistan, India, United States and Vietnam, in nearly a decade. The imports were shipped between 2006 and 2015. As expected this affected the pprice index. In January 2006, the price of the commodity soared from $284.45 to $369 per metric ton. Statistics revealed that in 2006, the country imported 1.5 million metric tons;

1.8 million metric tons in 2007; 1.75 million tons in 2008; 1.75 million metric tons in 2009 and 2.4 million metric tons in 2010. In 2011, the nation also imported 3.2 million tons; 2.8 million tons in 2012; 2.8 million tons in 2013; 3.5 million tons in 2014 and 2.5 million tons in 2015. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Nigeria spent a whopping $2.41 billion on rice importation between 2012 and 2015. He revealed this at the New Telegraph Economic Summit held in 2016. That amount was spent between January 2012 and May 2015. Unfortunately, he noted that the trend had resulted in huge unsold stock of paddy rice cultivated by Nigerian farmers and low operating capacities of many upscale integrated rice mills in Nigeria. The sad situation is similarly worsened by unbridled smuggling of rice. Some drastic action had to be taken by government. After about six months of lifting the ban on importation of rice through the nation’s land border, the Nigeria Customs Service reintroduced the restriction order on the staple food with effect from March 17, 2016. According to him, at a review session held with Comptrollers of border commands and Federal Operation Units held in Abuja, the service also noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders do not match the volume of rice that landed in neighboring ports.

During the five-month period when the restriction was lifted (October 2015 to March 17, 2016), a total of 24.992 metric tonnes of rice valued at N2, 335,131,093 were imported through the land borders. Within the same period, total revenue generated amounted to N1,685,112,810. However, an upsurge in the number of the seizures was reported across the land borders since January 2016. In the first two months of the 2016, a total of 9238 bags with Duty Paid Value of N64,666,000 were seized by the Customs anti-smuggling patrol teams of Federal operations and border commands. On a brighter note, the laudable initiative of the LaKe Rice project by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and his Kebbi State counterpart, Abubakar Bagudu, as well as that of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State have since changed the narrative. According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh the volume of rice importation dropped from 644,000 tons to 20,000 tons between 2015 and 2017. The report came from the Thai Rice Exporters Association indicated significant drop in rice importation. He pledged to support local farmers across the country with rice milling equipment like de-stoners and threshers, to help them reduce cost of production and consequently bring down the local price of rice. Certainly, we cannot continue on the path of the import/smug-

gling profligacy. On this, experts such as D.O. Onu, K.C. Obike of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, have advised that policies aimed at reducing rice imports in Nigeria should consider those significant price and non-price factors that determined rice imports in Nigeria in both short and long terms. A restriction of rice imports through the use of import taxes, increased government support to domestic rice farmers through provision of credit and subsidies for rice farmers is advocated. This came from their extensive study entitled: Empirical assessment of the trend in rice production and imports in Nigeria (1980 – 2013). As rightly noted by Governor Ambode, local rice production would boost food supply, reduce dependency on imported ones while the mill would create jobs for the farmers, millers and marketers in the state. In addition, the rice farmers in the state would no longer have to travel far in search of milling facilities. On the economic front, huge import dependency, especially on products we could easily produce locally exerted pressure on foreign reserves. This dips the value of the Naira with resultant outsourcing of agricultural work to foreign countries, whose citizens we empower to our own detriment.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media

Industrialists desert Irette industrial estate over alleged Imo govt’s neglect SABY ELEMBA

ess than one year to the end of the present administration in Imo State, led by Governor Rochas Okorocha, the promise to create jobs through industrialisation by making the environment conducive for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive is yet to be realised. Instead of putting the state on the industrial wheel, government activities have only left the Onitsha road industrial layout, lrette, near Owerri a shadow of itself. The layout had over 100 manufacturing companies during the late Samuel Mbakwe administration but investigations by BDSUNDAY revealed that over 95 percent of the SMEs have deserted the industrial layout and that those struggling to maintain their presence are not working up to 30 percent of their installed capacity. The most worrisome about the problems facing SMEs in the industrial layout is the road network, and some of the industrialists who are there are still hoping that Okorocha can make good his election promises to revamp the place.They complain that they cannot access their factories now because the only accessible road

has completely gone bad. Recall that last year, BDSUNDAY had ran several stories on the deplorable condition of the area but the problem was not mitigated. Stories were also published on the relocation of many industrialists from the industrial estate toAbia State and Omuko in Rivers State. The SME sector has been recognised globally as the engine of economic growth and development but it appears the sector is viewed differently and not given the desired attention in the state. Observers say had the sector been recognised, many jobs would have been created there which would have in turn check some anti-social behaviours of jobless youths in the state; it would have also increased the state’s internally generated revenue(IGR). The terrible condition of that road in the estate is discouraging business. Some business people who spoke with our correspondent said that government can urgently the imminent extinction of the industrial estate by carrying out the necessary rehabilitation work. The Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA) has also been challenged to borrow a leaf

from its peers like the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA). The OCCIMA is expected to lead strongly the organised pri-

vate sector (OPS) in Imo State and articulate the industrial pathway of thestate and also endeavour to influence the government’s decision, industrially. OCCIMA must indeed, as the

apex trade organisation in Imo, act as the mouthpiece of the OPS as well as the watchdog of the state government’s economic policy and environmental dynamics in Imo State.

Ooni presenting gift to the vice president of Rio Research Institute, Marcos Menezes, shortly after signing agreement that would see Nigeria’s herbal products being sold in Brazil.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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BDSUNDAY 33

SundayBusiness Understanding EDGE as green building certification model

reen building which is an evolving trend, especially in emerging economies, has made housing development not only more valuable, but also certification of those buildings not only necessary. A few certification models are already in place and one of such models is the EDGE—an acronym for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies. EDGE is an innovation of International Finance Corporation (IFC) created to respond to the need for a measurable solution to prove a financial case for building green and to help jumpstart the proliferation of green buildings. It helps property developers to build and brand green in a fast, easy and affordable way and it is supported by free software that encourages solutions to reduce energy, water and the energy used to make building materials by, at least, 20 percent, which is the standard for EDGE certification. Growing population and rising urbanization contrasted sharply by gross lack of critical infrastructure has made the development of green building important more so with its busi-

ness/economic benefits. This has also brought to the fore the need for housing investors and developers to make a paradigm shift and embrace the new order. Available statistics show an urgent need for emerging economies like Nigeria to start building green. About 50 percent of the world lives in cities today and 70 percent is expected to live in urban areas by 2050. The world population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, about 34 percent higher than what is presently available. Growth will be fastest in poor countries like Nigeria where population is expected to actually double. Critical infrastructure, especially power, energy and water are still a huge challenge in most cities. It was against this backdrop that the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and IFC gathered together housing industry stakeholders in Lagos to discuss and point the way forward for green building development and its certification using the EDGE model. As a private sector-driven mortgage refinancing company with the public purpose of promoting home ownership for Nigerians while deepening the primary and secondary mortgage

market, the vision of NMRC is to be the dominant housing partner in Nigeria, while its mission is to break down barriers to home ownership by providing liquidity, affordability, accessibility and stability to the housing market. On the other hand, as a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group, IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. It works with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. Along with SGS, the certification provider for EDGE in Nigeria, the two institutions held two workshops in Lagos and Abuja recently on EDGE adoption and implementation. NMRC and IFC share a common aspiration to move the building construction industry on to a lower carbon, more resourceefficient path. Through their partnership, they are set to work together to promote sustainable design practices in Nigeria. This will include NMRC recommending EDGE certification to clients to increase the value of their green properties. According to Chii Akporji,

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) NMRC’s Executive Director for Policy, Partnerships and Business Development, “NMRC is proud to partner with IFC to launch and operationalize EDGE in the Nigerian market. Through its value chain approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian housing sector, NMRC looks to collaborating with its member banks and other stakeholders to catalyze sustainable green buildings in Nigeria, to unlock the benefits of same to the housing industry and to the country’s GDP.” IFC aims to transform 20 percent of the construction market in rapidly industrializing countries with the support of industry leaders, governments and financial institutions. Resourceefficient buildings provide a tangible value that can be passed from property developers to their customers through utility savings. Green buildings also have less negative impact on the environment and reinforce a more sus-

tainable corporate brand. They also enable homebuyers to make a difference through choosing green homes for their families, which have the potential for higher re-sale values. “Going green and affordability are not mutually exclusive – both are possible. We know from our global experience that we do not have to give up one to achieve the other. What we need is a way to put buildings onto a greener path with solutions that are sensible in the Nigerian context. EDGE can help accomplish that.” Eme Essien Lore, IFC’s Country Manager, Nigeria, noted IFC has a green building investment portfolio of more than $3 billion, which includes its own direct investments and mobilized financing. Complementing its investment work, IFC advises governments on green building regulations in Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Panama, Peru, the Philippines and Vietnam.

FCT charges ministries, agencies to regularise land titles James Kwen, Abuja

inister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello has charged ministries and agencies that have lands allocated to them under the FCT Master-plan to regularise such parcels of land by processing their titles. According to Bello, this is one way of safeguarding such titles against encroachment or inadvertent re-allocations. He gave this charge when Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja. The Minister disclosed that FCT Administration was working to recover all lands in Abuja that were originally designated for Ministries and Agencies in the Abuja masterplan but were unwittingly allocated for other purposes. “With respect to allocation of land to Ministry of Interior and many other ministries that are not housed in the main secretariat, we are working at the areas at the Ahmadu Bello and Shehu Shagari ways, especially trying to identify land within the designated areas that were originally meant for Min-

istries but over the years were inadvertently allocated for other purposes. Wherever it is practical and possible, we will try to recover these lands”, Bello noted. He also disclosed that the FCT Administration is also trying to revive the project for the expansion of the Federal Secretariat to provide

Muhammad Bello

befitting office accommodation for other ministries that are not housed in the main secretariat. “Again, there is a project that was commenced many years ago as an expansion of the Federal Secretariat which apparently has been stopped. We will look at it also. We will look at numerous options to

be able to see that we are able to get proper office accommodation for the Ministry of Interior and one or two others, including Ministry of Agriculture….”, he assured. Earlier, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau urged the FCT Administration to have a closer look at the small markets that are springing up around the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the FCT, saying some of the markets have been turned to platforms for sale of dangerous and prohibited drugs. “Some of them will claim they are IDPs from the Northeast; of course, there is need for us to accommodate these displaced persons but we have to do it in a way that it does not have negative consequences on security. I thought I should seize this opportunity to bring it up so that we can put heads together and know precisely how to deal with the situation,” he said. On the Old Secretariat building housing the Ministry of Interior, Danbazzau said, the Ministry is looking for a befitting area to erect a new Ministry Secretariat that would reflect the image and importance of the Ministry. He said the Ministry warehouses the five major paramilitary organi-

zations charged with the responsibility of maintaining the internal security and public safety in the country and hoped that they should be properly accommodated to perform their functions effectively. “We have tried everything we can do on our own to renovate the old building. We have carried out an extension from the main building with the permission of the FCTA, which we are still working on. Still it’s an area that we thought we should be able to relocate. We want to make that request for land for a new secretariat. “We have received approval to build both maximum and minimum prisons in Abuja as well as renovate and reconstruct existing facilities. It’s very important that we build that because Kuje houses all manner of convicts and those awaiting trial. We have suspected Boko Haram persons, we have very dangerous criminals that awaiting trial all in the same place. “We have high profile convicts in the same place and we have those who committed offences that should keep them in prison for probably six months. We have all kinds of mix which we think is not the standard we should achieve”, Danbazzau stated.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Equity Market Market sentiments fall as equities lose N386bn … Loss attributed to hike in rates in US, positive sentiments in Europe TELIAT SULE

takeholders in the nation’s capital market are presently searching for the formula that is required to revive local and foreign investors’ interests in equities following another dismal performance by stocks in the week that just ended. From 16 percent market returns in January 2018, which amounted to over N2 trillion gains in market capitalisation, the Nigerian stock market closed last Friday at -1 percent year to date. The All Share Index (ASI) of the NSE closed last week Friday at 37,862.53 points as against 38,928.02 points a week before. This amounted to a loss of 1,065.49 points week to date, and that translated to -2.74 percent returns week to date and -1 percent year to date. Consequently, the market capitalisation of listed stocks ended the week at N13.72 trillion compared with N14.10 trillion a week before, translating to a loss of N385.98 billion in just a week. Thus the market capitalisation closed week to date at -2.74 percent and 0.78 percent year to date. At present, only the NSE Pension, Insurance, Premium and Banking closed in the positive territory. By last week Friday, the NSE Pension Index returned 7.39 percent; Insurance, 7.23 percent; Premium, 5.61 percent and Banking Index, 1.23 percent. When these returns are compared with the benchmark interest rate, which is the Monetary Policy Rate at 14 percent, it is certain that investors will look elsewhere for other investible assets. Furthermore, when compared with the same market about this time last year, the nation’s equity market then had posted 19.53 percent returns year to date, while the NSE Banking, Pension,

Industrial and Premium Indexes gained by 40.90 percent; 38.98 percent; 25.30 percent and 20.52 percent respectively. Meanwhile, analysts have attributed the downward movements in market performance in Nigeria’s equity market to hike in rates in the United States and positive sentiments in the European Union (EU). “Foreign and local investors are withdrawing from the market because of hike in rates in the United States and positive sentiments in Europe. Those developed markets have better financial structures, breadth and depth than ours. The general feelings are that, with hike

in rates, they would rather invest in those markets than ours”, said Fola Abimbola, an analyst with CSL Stockbrokers. “Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in May indicates that the labour market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a solid rate. Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has declined. Recent data suggest that growth of household spending has picked up, while business fixed investment has continued to grow strongly. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and

inflation for items other than food and energy have moved close to 2 percent. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance. “In view of realized and expected labour market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1-3/4 to 2 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting strong labour market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation’, FOMC press release states. “Apprehension that the forthcoming general elections may not be peaceful is another factor,”

Abimbola added. Meanwhile, the market has presented opportunities for retail investors to come in following the slide in prices of equities which means more units will be bought given the same level of investible funds now compared with same period January this year. “This is the best time for retail investors to come in as there are some good stocks that they can buy because when the market picks up those stocks will be out of reach of retail buyers”, Abimbola suggested. He encouraged investors to look at consumer goods stocks particularly Dangote Sugar, Flour and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

ETI to organise fixed income investors’ meetings in UK, US

cobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a leading pan-African banking group with a presence in 36 African countries, rated B (stable) and B- (stable) by Fitch and S&P respectively, has mandated Deutsche Bank, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered Bank as joint bookrunners to arrange a series of fixed- income investor meetings in the UK and US commencing on 18 June 2018. Subject to market conditions, a Rule 144A/Reg S 5-year USD denominated senior unsecured bond offering will follow. The proceeds

from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes which may include the refinancing of debt. FCA/ICMA stabilization applies. This announcement is directed only at persons (i) outside the United Kingdom; (ii) that have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); (iii) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Order or (iv) to whom this announcement may otherwise be

directed without contravention of Section 21 of the Financial Services and IVlarkets Act 2000 (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. In member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), this announcement is directed only at persons who are qualified inves-

tors” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended. Manufacturer target market (MlFlD II product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRllPs key information document has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA. This announcement does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where it is unlawful to do so. The securities to which this

announcement relates have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended or with any securities regulatory authority of any state of the United States or other jurisdiction and may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), except pursuant to registration or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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BDSUNDAY

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

‘Business should breathe independent of owner’ – Deji Agboade Deji Agboade is the CEO of BPI Advisory and a sustainable business growth advisor, a firm that helps businesses reach their peak. This role is significant especially as businesses globally seek diverse ways to grow their products and platforms. In this interview, Agboade who has over 16 years’ experience in helping businesses grow and improve efficiency shares profound ways entrepreneurs can sustain their business and compete globally. Excerpts With your years of experience in the business world, how can solo-preneurs and SMEs weave sustainability into the fabric of their business? Business sustainability is about building businesses in a way that ensure they survive and thrive over long term. You may start up as the solopreneur doing everything in your business, but you should aim to move out of that very quickly by putting structures in place and hiring great people. When you listen to most solopreneurs talk about their business, you hear statements like, ‘I have to do it myself because it’s quite technical’ or ‘If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself’ or ‘They will do it when I am there but things go crazy when I turn my back’ etc. Somewhere in their minds, solopreneurs and indeed some entrepreneurs think that doing the work themselves is what keeps their customers coming back. And while they may have a point, the truth is that the customers will always come back when value is delivered irrespective of who delivered it. Consider the fact that most of the things you use or buy are not made literally, by the owner of the brand. Think about it, the highest paid person in any organisation does the least amount of operational work. The highest paid person on any project does the least amount of day-to-day work. Why? Because organising people, thinking and strategizing about the future work is often

At this point in our existence, we need a paradigm shift in our value system with regards to the use of plastics and we are advocating the general idea that if you cannot reuse it, refuse it

much more valuable than doing the actual work today. It’s the way our world is wired. The problem is that many people have allowed themselves to think they have to do everything themselves but the reality is that’s not necessary. As a matter of fact, I argue that that’s actually what is limiting your growth. To grow therefore, business owners must grow to the point where they are able to engage other people to do the day to day work their business requires in order to free the business owner up for more strategy and brand building work. The guys in operations are critical to our business but they are only focused on what happens today. And since what happens today ends today, the manager who can see ahead to create the future will earn more than the fellow who only sees as far as today goes. What features are must-have for businesses owners? There are two features I recommend that every business must have if they are to build a business that’ll grow exponentially. First, the business must be designed in a way that’s replicable and second, the business must be financeable. As simple as these two features sound, they are very powerful. Having a business model that’s replicable refers to the ability to take a business model to a different location and still be able to produce the same result while being financeable means the business owner is able to answer the question: how would you grow this business if I gave you a million dollars? A business that is replicable is a business that can be scalable. Just like McDonalds, you must design your business model in such a way that it works independent of you. Imagine designing a car that requires the help of the manufacturer every time you have to start the car. That’s the way many people have designed their businesses today. The business can’t breathe without the input of the owner and just like the car, no one wants that kind of product. Some businesses are difficult to fund. Generally speaking, relationship based business tend to be difficult to scale because it takes too long to build relationships in a new market. To scale a relationship based business therefore requires that you design the business model

Deji Agboade

differently such that clients can still be attracted even if you don’t really know anyone. What needs to be done if a brand must compete favourably in a globally competitive world? In my opinion, every company that must compete favourably in our world today must either be an industry leader or a fast follower – globally or locally. Those are the only two places to play. Every other business is a laggard and the problem with being a laggard consistently is that others will leave you in the dust in no time. Every industry has a leader and a group of followers per time. Interestingly, the industry leaders often share the number 1 spot among themselves from time to time, almost like they’re rotating it. Think about Apple and Samsung, Uber and Taxify, MTN and Airtel, Unilever and PZ, Coca-Cola and Pepsi etc. – your guess is as good as mine as to who the industry leader is and who the follower is per time. What strategy do you prefer engaging to grow a business? This is a tough question and the reason is simply because there is no one strategy that delivers growth. The way I like to say it is that when it comes to growth, there are no silver bullets. There

are however, a number of things that must be done for growth to happen. So at BPI Advisory, we deploy a tool we call the Growth Track which helps us define our goal when it comes to a growth project, generate ideas and initiatives that can help achieve that goal, monitor and analyse the feedback from deploying those ideas, eliminate the things that are not working while emphasising the ones that are. If you think it sounds too good to be true, just give us a call and find out. How does the activity of BPI advisory benefit private/public sector in Nigeria? Every organisation whether in the private or public sector desires growth but it appears so elusive to many. In fact, did you know that 8 in 10 thriving businesses today will be gone in 5 years? And what’s worse is that their owners/ managers won’t see it coming. Against this backdrop, we developed a business health assessment tool on BPI Advisory’s website under health check category and that can help an organisation take their first steps towards turning things around within their organisation. We are convinced that this tool is a great first step in changing this mortality narrative in our environment.

NBC emerges best Environmental Friendly Company at LASEPA Award

on-Alcoholic beverage giant, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (NBC), has emerged the best environmental friendly company at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency Award organized as part of activities to mark the 2018 World Environmental Day. Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Ifeoma Okoye who represented the Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Sade Morgan, in a statement described the recognition as a welcome development adding that it is a big motivation for the company to invest more in keeping the environment safe and sustainable. Morgan who attributed the honour to the invaluable contribution of staff and the management stated that NBC is fully committed to contributing its quota through various partnerships to prevent environmental pollution. Speaking on the 2018 theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, Okoye noted that it has become increasingly imperative for companies both local and multinationals to collaborate by devising innovative ideas that can help combat the challenges associated with waste particularly plastic bottles. ”We have great minds of students and professors who can help develop innovative ways and methods to improve the existing procedures attainable now. We must understand the impact of waste and make effort to drive discussion around finding solutions towards it. We have to drive ideas that are not limited to our markets but can be useful and will connect with the rural areas. We also have to create a disposal system that supports ongoing initiatives. Therefore, I believe the main challenge to multinationals in this society is collaboration and coming up with ideas. I believe when we work with others, we can achieve more” she said. Presenting the award to the NBC, The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Ayodele Antonio, appreciated the significant effort NBC has played over the years to keep the environment more sustainable and safer for Nigerians. He said: “We are all aware of the harmful effects of plastic pollution in our environment. While plastics have many valuable uses, we have become over reliant on single use or disposable plastics with severe environmental effects. At this point in our existence, we need a paradigm shift in our value system with regards to the use of plastics and we are advocating the general idea that if you cannot reuse it, refuse it”. He further challenged other corporate bodies to emulate the efforts of NBC and be more proactive in addressing similar issues saying that there was the need for a call to action to avoid severe environmental consequences.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Life&Living

Natural hair doesn’t have to be expensive to maintain JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

s most of us already know, we are going through a natural hair craze in Nigeria currently and most women have abandoned the use of relaxers for permed hair and resorted to going back to their natural hair. However, because we are Africans (Negroids), we have tightly coiled, kinky hair, which is usually very difficult and more expensive to maintain and that is why hair relaxers became very popular amongst black people who wanted something to soften their hair and make it easier to manage. In the 90’s some relaxers containing acidic chemicals that caused scalp damage and loss of hair to thousands of users were withdrawn from the market and that opened the eyes of African women who then realised that these dangerous chemicals and alkaline used to straighten their hair was causing much more harm than good for them. As a result, many people went back to keeping natural hair, some companies decided to start making products most suitable for natural hair as they saw the need for such products in the market, but we can all agree that these natural hair products are not cheap. Recently, I have realised that there is a reason why it is called

“natural” hair. We definitely do not need any fancy product on the shelf of your local supermarket with a nice name and package for your natural hair. We can use natural products on hair to keep it healthy, nice and long. Here is a list of natural products to regularly treat your hair with. Avocado and egg mask: Repair damaged hair with avocado by mashing a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply this home remedy to wet hair. Avocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids, and minerals that will help restore luster

to your hair and eggs enhance the protein in your hair. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and once a month for healthy hair. Organic oils: Make sure to have a hot oil treatment at least once a week. Mix in organic oils such as olive, coconut oil, castor oil and shea butter. Warm them in your microwave for about a minute and mask your damp hair with these oils, making sure that you rub them in, wear a plastic cap and leave to steam for about thirty minutes before rinsing out

the excess oil. To keep the moisture in your hair, use an old T-shirt or old cotton fabric to wipe your hair rather than a towel. Natural black soap: You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive natural shampoos for your natural hair. African black soap is perfect for your hair. It is a natural source of the vitamins A and E. It also contains iron oxides and it has natural healing properties. It is one of those lost hair“miracle growth” products. It doesn’t magically grow your hair or anything like that, but because of all of its healing vitamins and minerals, it

makes it very hard for your hair not to thrive and grow in a nourished, clean and healthyenvironment. Honey: If you have dry or damaged hair, honey can help. A natural humectant, honey attracts moisture. It’s also full of antioxidants and nutrients to feed hair follicles that house the live part of hair, encouraging hair growth. Vinegar and lemon juice: Applying a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar to your hair removes residues left by shampoo and hair products like hair spray. It will also moisturise your hair and help prevent dandruff.

How mobile internet, connectivity is changing lifestyles IFEOMA OKEKE

o doubt, internet has become a part of our everyday routine; even if we do not practically write out the routines. It is no longer strange to see people using their phones while eating, discussing, walking, driving and even using the rest rooms - as funny as that sounds, amongst others. This trend is motivating top companies across the world to invest in telecommunications as they consistency see a future in technology. No wonder, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has unveiled a new Television Commercial (TVC), ‘Meet the in-Laws’, which demonstrates the power of mobile Internet as a phenomenon that enriches life and keeps everyone connected irrespective of age, class, tribe or gender Following the success of “Data is Life” campaign in 2016, the new campaign is an incremental build

that further expresses “Data is Life” in a more culturally relevant way, using insight true to a typical Nigerian family. The new campaign emphasizes that like love; mobile Internet connects the world, brings people together, inspires new stories and helps to forge harmonious bonds. In continuation of its awardwinning “Amin” TVC, Segun is now married to Amaka and the new couple has just been blessed with their first child. In line with local custom, Segun’s mom, renowned Nollywood actress, Idowu Philips aka Iya Rainbow; his mother-in-law, Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu aka Mummy Peace and father in-law, actor, Dele Odule aka Papa Amaka came visiting ahead the christening of their beloved grandchild. To ensure peace and tranquility in the house, Segun made sure that all necessary household items were distributed evenly, especially items common to both mothers-in-law - Iya Rainbow and Mummy Peace. Expectedly, the rivalry between

the mothers-in-law went from bad to worse as they contended for virtually everything – including bed rooms, personal effects, mobile Internet (Airtel router), baby care, etc. On the day of the baby Christening, Iya Rainbow took over the dance floor, becoming the cynosure of all eyes while twirling to the beats of the gangan drummers. But arrival of Mummy Peace in elegant native attire with family and friends grooving to the afro-pop song of

Small Doctor – “Penalty” - swayed the attention of the guests. Mummy Peace attracted the trendy and classy audience with her ‘life-of-the-party’ show - live streaming and smartphone selfies’ session. To demonstrate equal aptitude, Iya Rainbow also brought out her tablet smartphone for selfies, also getting similar attention from invited guests. The new TVC, which was delivered in a comic and rich musical

rendition, depicts the passion, love, and rivalry that exist in larger family settings. It also expressed how data has become a critical part of our life. Airtel appears to be speaking to two major themes with the new TVC. The first idea is the posturing of the telco to occupy and own the ‘Data is Life’ narrative. Consistently, Airtel has spoken to this theme and the ‘Data is Life’ sequel offers glowing testimony to the company’s narrative that data is not just the new oil but it equals life. Indeed, a life without data leaves so much to be desired. The new TVC also captures Airtel’s intent to democratize data. The cast for the new TVC shows that regardless of age, social status and location, everyone has a strong craving for data. The mothers-inlaw fully depict that social media is no longer the exclusive preserve for younger people. More than anything else, Airtel is promoting togetherness, family values and demonstrating the immense influence and power that mobile Internet now commands.

Sunday24 June 2018

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Kiddies

BDSUNDAY 37

King Emmanuel School holds spelling Bee competition ...Rewards winners NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE

n order to inculcate a strong hunger for learning and passion for correct grammatical expressions, King Emmanuel Nursery and Primary School, Ayobo Lagos recently organised a Spelling Bee competition for their pupils. The annual event which had forty-one pupils in participation was part of the school’s activities to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration. Speaking at the event, Headmaster of the school, Oluyemi Baiyewu said the event since its inception had impacted the pupils positively in terms of spelling and spoken English. Baiyewu regretted that many school leavers, undergraduates and graduates cannot speak good and correct English Language, adding, “We live in an age and time when many secondary school leavers, undergraduates and half-baked graduates cannot express themselves in simple and correct English, they also commit lots of grammatical errors.” “In order to avoid all these verbal errors, we deemed it fit to put together this event to widen the word bank base of our pupils and their pronunciation skills”,

Word Search Puzzle

The Winner,Uwasomba Idiebube, flanked on the left by the First Runner-Up, Akpunonu Chigozie, and on the right by 2nd Runner-Up, Adekalu Samuel

Cross section of the contestants and moderators

he stated. According to him, students fail in examinations like West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) not because they do not know what to write, but because of spelling and grammatical errors. He however, stressed the need for both private and public schools to ensure that spelling of English words are taken seriously so that school children will learn how to spell words correctly and speak good English as well. “To salvage the remnant of our decaying educational system, there is an urgent need for the management of both private and public schools to ensure that school children are well grounded

the “Spell it” TV show at Lagos State Television. “The school hopes to raise a new generation of dependable citizens and worthy ambassadors”, he said. Some of the parents, who spoke at the event, commended the school for organsing the competition, adding that such effort will increase the children’s knowledge academically. The overall winner at the competition, Master Idiebube Ugwumsinachi Uwasomba who spoke in an interview with BDSUNDAY Kiddies, expressed his gratitude to the school management for given him the opportunity to participate in the competition. Uwasomba attributed his

https://www.puzzles.ca/wordsearch/kids_fruits.html

Free Printable Word Search Puzzles

Fruits Find and circle all of the fruits that are hidden in the grid. The words may be hidden in any direction.

APPLES APRICOTS BANANAS BLUEBERRIES CANTALOUPES CHERRIES

in spelling and spoken English because it is our lingua franca,’’ he noted. Recalling some of the achievements his school had recorded in the past, he said that the school has always been in the fore-front at inter-schools Spelling Bee competitions. “The pupils’ feat is a re-enactment of the myriad victories in the past when the likes of Master Elias Akpunonu and Miss Sylvana Ufomadu won the second and third positions in a Spelling Bee competition organised by Ogun State Television (O. G.T.V) in which over fifty schools participated. “In the same year, the college representative, Miss Ginikachi Uwasomba won a gold medal in

GRAPES KIWIS LEMONS NECTARINES ORANGES PAPAYAS

success to his ability to study hard and determination to come out in flying colours, adding, “I studied very hard, went through the word bank, made sure I memorised every single word there. In fact, my parents, older siblings, class teacher and home lesson teacher all encouraged me to make sure I won. Above all, I prayed to God and He answered.” Advising those who did not win, he said they should not be discouraged, but ensure they study harder. It is interesting to know that Uwasomba who is in Grade 3 did not miss a single spelling during the competition and thus won the star-prize of a tuition free term. He has the desire to become a lawyer in the future.

The story of the clever woman

ong ago, there lived a lazy man. He never wanted to work, and was always looking for an easy way to get food. One day, as he was passing by a temple, he saw a mango tree full of juicy mangoes. He climbed up on the compound wall of the temple to steal the mangoes. The temple also had a pond full of fish. As soon as the lazy man noticed the fish, he jumped into the compound. Being lazy, he didn’t even bother to bend. He used his hands to pluck the mangoes and his feet to catch the fish. Stuffing both in his bag, he ran home. “Here, I have brought some good food today,” he said to his wife, taking out the fish and some mangoes from his bag. At first, his wife excited to see such delicious food as they had not eaten mangoes and fish for a long time. But then she thought,” he never goes to work; how did he manage to bring home the mangoes and the fish?” She took the bag from her husband and asked,” Where did you

get these from, dear?” The husband said with pride,” I stole them from the temple compound.” The wife was shocked to hear this!” Earlier my husband was lazy, now he has become a thief too! How shameful!” she thought. So, the clever wife decided to teach her lazy husband a lesson. She pretended to be happy and said,” Good that you stole from the temple compound; there are plenty of mangoes and fish there. I will prepare a delicious feast today. Go and take a bath in the meantime.” With happy thoughts of the feast, the man went to take a bath while his wife went into the kitchen to cook the fish. As she prepared the meal, its mouth-watering aroma spread in the entire house. “Hair can’t resist the temptation!” thought the lazy man, finishing his bath, quickly. His mouth began to water. “Come quickly, dear!” called out his wife. “The food is almost ready.” Just as she heard her husband’s footsteps, she quickly untied her

hair, picked up the pan of fish in her hand and stood up. As soon as her husband entered the kitchen, he saw a horrid-looking figure staring at him. “How dare you steal from my temple?” yelled the wife. “W...What! Your temple!” asked the man, scared. “Yes, I am the goddess of the temple,” replied the wife, angrily. “I saw you stealing from my mango tree and my pond! Now I have taken possession of your wife’s body. And I am going to kill you!” Hearing this, the man fell to his knees and begged for mercy.” Then go and throw this vessel of fish into the pond and swear by me that you won’t be lazy anymore, and that you will work hard, and that you will never steal again,” said the wife. “I promise, O goddess!” said the man. He threw the vessel of fish in the pond and vowed never to steal again. From that day on, he was a changed man and not lazy anymore. Thus, the clever wife had taught her husband a valuable lesson.

PEACHES PEARS PLUMS RASPBERRIES STRAWBERRIES WATERMELONS

L-R: Joe Tohme, Co-Founder of GCP21; Malachy Akoroda, director Designate, GCP21; Alfred Dixon, Awardee of Golden Cassava Award; Hernan Ceballos, awardee of Golden Cassava Award; and Claude Fauquet, director of GCP21, during the award to Drs Dixon and Ceballos in BeniN recently.

5th left: MOmowale Ogunrinde, Executive Director, “ Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical & Entrepreneurship Institute with the staff of NAGODE group of Industries during the graduation and grants awards ceremony organised by the Institute in collaboration with NAGODE recently in Lagos.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Arts At home with the mix-media artist OBINNA EMELIKE

ith the constant honing and mastering of his craft, Alex Nwokolo is one artist you cannot ignore . The celebrated painter is known for his figures, portraits, natural landscapes and rooftop cityscapes, as well as, mixed media work. He is better described as a mix media artist going by the range of techniques and genres that he has worked in, producing both realistic portraits in oil paint on canvas and totally abstract wall installations in metal. The artist, who was born in 1963, expresses his art through an I nstinctive and methodological system which he has mastered over the years. His experimental and uniquely compelling approach with the use of creative coloring and the effect of light and dark on colors. It marvels to see him use a laced textured canvas and paint applied masterfully and boldly as a thick impasto, by strokes with a palette knife in repeated planes, into a thick carpet of lights and shade. One of his works probes controversial social and global issues about the environment and economic stability, and also explores Nigerian politics and urban aesthetics. Alex Nwokolo is undeniably one of the Nigerian contemporary artists motivated by the use of ordinary discarded materials to create extraordinary pieces. He joined other three artists last year in an exhibition themed ‘Metal Fusion’ to celebrate new expression in Nigerian metal art with his layered metal montages, which he titled ‘Tree of Life’, a lone baobab tree made up of finely layered pieces of flat painted

Alex Nwokolo

metal. He recalls that the inspiration for the work came from his unhidden fascination for trees.

In a review of Yellow Market, of the breathtaking paintings of Nwokolo, Rasheed Amodu, artist, art historian and critic, said,

“Yellow Market” is a yellow dominated market scene. It is an interesting dilly-dallying between different stylistic tendencies. A scenic impression of endless hustling from one end to another was successfully created. As well, “Cathedral in the City” by Nwokolo is a work in which he attempted to globalized religious and other issues from a Nigerian perspective, while “Power Play” is a mixed media whereby Nwokolo folded papers into desired shapes and paints to create simplistic figures of four with some assumed but unseen crowd in the background of the power players. The painting is probably a socio-political commentary on the ethnic political rivalry in Nigeria. The widely exhibited artist is a member of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists, as well as, a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists. He received the Rector’s Certificate of Excellence and the American Ambassador’s Award in 1991. He also received the Guinness Nigeria Plc Certificate of Merit in 2004. His works have been widely collectors by discerning collectors locally and internationally. He obtained a Higher National Diploma with a distinction in Painting (1991) from Auchi and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Benin in 2000. In 2010, he won the Exceller’s Award from the same institution. He has participated in five solo exhibitions and many local and international group shows. However, the artist hopes to unleash more of his creative ingenuity with breathtaking works “I am still unflinchingly committed to my desire for adventure. I’m still seeking and configuring media for the dramatic and dynamic surprises they bring to my surfaces,” he said.

Devil’s Pawn, a decade old story, wins GTBank’s Dusty Manuscript Contest

manuscript written almost ten years ago has been selected as the winner of the Dusty Manuscript Contest; a prize organized for budding Nigerian writers. Written by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, the winning manuscript, titled Devil’s Pawn clinched the top prize ahead of The Orchid Protocol by Onoche Emeka Onyekwena and The Other Side of Truth by Nneoma Anieto, which came first and second runner-up respectively. Organized in partnership with Kachifo Ltd. and Okadabooks, the Dusty Manuscript Contest is the latest in a long line of GTBank’s YouREAD initiatives aimed at fostering the culture of reading and creating a platform for the appreciation of Africa’s literary excellence. As part of the contest, Nigerians were invited to submit their unpublished stories and stand a chance to getpublishing deals for their works. The contest received over 1,000 entries and had a panel of four judges made up of authors Eghosa Imasuen, Yejide Kilanko and Toni Kan and Ainehi Edoro-Glines, assistant professor of English. As part of the prizes in the Dusty Manuscript Contest, the authors of the top 3 manuscripts received 1,000,000, N500,000 and N250,000 respectively, as well as, publishing contracts with Kachifo Ltd. The authors of the 10 manuscripts also received

e-publishing contracts with OkadaBooks, while the authors of the top 20 manuscripts were hosted to a two-day intensive writers boot-camp to sharpen their literary and business skills. Speaking about the winning entry, the

The winners of the contest

lead judge, Ainehi Edoro, said; “Devil’s Pawn was a unanimous choice. Told in a fast paced narrative style that keeps you glued to the pages, the story is a gift that keeps giving’’. “The Orchid Protocol is an intriguing detective story, call it CSI Lagos and you won’t be

too far off the mark,” said Eghosa Imasuen, one of the judges. “The Other Side of Truth presents a woman’s life, without judgement. In making the case for the novel a single word comes to me: Empathy,” added another judge, Toni Kan. Commenting on the Dusty Manuscript Contest, Segun Agbaje, the managing director, Guaranty Trust Bank, said; “At GTBank we see Art as not just a medium for creative expression but also as a means of livelihood, and by organizing the Dusty Manuscript Contest we are helping budding writers share their stories with the world whilst providing them with a platform to build successful writing careers.” GTBank is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run African financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation. The Bank’s footprints in Corporate Social Responsibility are guided strategically by its decision to operate on four major pillars: Education, Community Development, Arts and the Environment, which it believes are essential building blocks for the society and prerequisites for economic growth and societal development.

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Arts The Future Masters: Building on tenetes of arts

OBINNA EMELIKE group of nine potential future Nigerian artists, that chose to be known as: ‘The Future Masters’, are building on the sound art practice, based on foundational principles of observation, creativity and skill. The Future Masters in line with the traditional values of arts want to showcase their abilities to the society, while standing in what they believe individually as artist. The nine Future Masters include: Salako Olajide, Raji Mohammed, Olufemi Oyewole, Damilola Opedun and Emeka Nwagbara. Others are; Funke Oladimeji, Segun Fagorusi, Ezekiel and Chinedu Uzoma. The artists have acquired the basic skills in arts through various trainings for some years and are determined to make their marks in the creative industry and leave a legacy. From what they have learnt in arts over the years, the Future Masters, insist that cutting corners by not following the principles of arts is abuse of the profession.

A painting by Emeka Nwagbara

Recently, Mydrim Gallery unveiled the nine Future Masters for forthcoming exhibition tagged “Generations - Future Masters” series. Mydrim Gallery is convinced that the young nine artists have acquired the ba-

sic skills in arts through years of training with reputable art galleries, and are determined to make impact in creative arts. “Mydrim Gallery is concerned about the arts skills and training in arts. The gal-

lery is promoting people who have gained the necessary training in arts and it is creating a platform for artists to leverage on the profession. The skills of an artist determine how far he can go.’’ Says Hanna Oghene, art manager,

CIS hones students’ creativity with art exhibition

hildren’s International School (CIS) has once again offered its students veritable platform to express themselves in the arts through the 2018 edition of the annual CIA Art Exhibition. The annual event, which held from June 4-5, 2018 at the school in Lekki Phase1, Lagos, was put together by the department of Art & Design to enrich the learning experience of the students, as well as, to embed the 21st century learning in them, which features creativity. The trust of this year’s exhibition targeted at sharpening the students’ art and designing skills while they explore the real world of art, was on combining efforts with the United Nations to realise the sustainable development goals. In view of this, the students unleashed incredible creativity on canvasses, cartons, boards and other mediums, to produce works created out of recycled materials ranging from plastic to acrylic; newspaper to stationery paper; toothpicks to pencils; discarded hair extensions to buttons; metal bottle caps to plastic bottle caps among others. They addressed the UNSDGs through brilliant artistic expressions. Special attention

was paid to goals 12 and 13 which focus on Responsible Consumption and Production otherwise known as recycling, and Climate Action respectively and line with the theme of the exhibition: ‘Dynamic Metamorphosis’. Looking at the art works, one can only guess how far the students must have traveled down inspiration lane to come up with such fantastic pieces. The charismatic expression of the young people’s concern for a better society speaks a lot about their sensitivity and understanding of the UN’s objective. It also extends further to give hope for a bright future; for great leaders in the near future. An

in-depth review of the initiative reveals much more than a campaign for goals 12 and 13 as identified earlier. It otherwise addresses Quality Education; Good Health and Well Being; Industry Innovation & Infrastructure; Reduced Inequalities and Partnerships for the Goals. These are goals 4, 3, 9, 10 and 17 respectively. The interpretation is as expressed below: It can only take quality education to help young people discover and hone such skills, putting plastic to other good use will ensure a healthier society and our environment can be cleaner if all plastics are collected for recycling rather than make them litter items.

Presently, one of the students is an ambassador of Goal 17 on an initiative towards the 17 goals which CIS is actively involved in. This same ambassador also took active part in the art exhibition. The event’s opening was graced by celebrated artists and gallery owners including; Polly Alakija and Jumoke Sanwo. Delegates from the United Nations Information Centre were also there to appreciate the students’ works, and they were amazed at how the students were able to design artworks that aptly represent the UNSDGs in focus. The students’ artistic mastery was also lauded by Geodetic Offshore Services Limited; a key sponsor of the exhibition. Through the exhibition, the students further displayed their prowess and high competitiveness in art and design. “Their performance in the project is proof again, that CIS delivers 21stcentury learning. We are very proud of how well they assimilate and how they are able to impact the society with initiativesinspired by their rich learning experience. We wish them all the best as they march on to become global change makers”, the school said.

Mydrim Gallery, said. Segun Fagorusi, one of the Future Masters, remarked that that ‘’the Gallery appreciate the fact that they (their group) still follow the tenetes of creative arts; drawings, figures, compositions and everything that make arts.’’ In recent times there has been a trend in the visual art circles for the promotion of art that does not place any particular emphasis on the fundamental principles of art enumerated above. These forms of art work have received publicity through social media and other aggressive promotion platforms. Although this form may gather momentum and become established over time, it will be a disservice to place more value, economic and otherwise, on this than the work of deeply talented artists. For Mydrim Gallery, the danger of allowing the trend to happen would diminish standards in art. And this informs the reason Mydrim organized the annual exhibition titled, ‘GENERATION - Future Masters Series’, to celebrate and promote artists who have resolved to

maintain the true and well tested foundational principles of sound art practice against all odds. The exihibition of the ‘Future Masters’ showcases the beautiful paintings of the nine creative and talented artists, carefully selected and mentored by Abiodun Olaku, a renowned Nigerian artist who is also working hard at maintaining high standards of professionalism in the practice of visual arts in Nigeria. Mydrim Gallery is confident that the group of nine artists would be among Nigeria’s future masters who will also be celebrated and advise the public to invest in their work and patronize them. It would be recalled that Mydrim Gallery recently celebrated twelve masters of the Nigerian visual artists in an exhibition titled The Masters, held to commemorate her 25th anniversary. The Masters, through their doggedness paved the way for future generations of arts who today are well organised, enjoy a huge profile and are well compensated financially.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wins PEN Pinter prize

himamanda Ngozi Adichie, outspoken Nigerian novelist, has emerged winner of the the PEN Pinter Prize 2018 for her “refusal to be deterred or detained by the categories of others”. The annual prize is given to a writer from Britain, the Republic of Ireland or the Commonwealth who, in the words of Harold Pinter’s Nobel speech, casts an “unflinching, unswerving” gaze upon the world, and shows a “fierce intellectual determination … to define the real truth of our lives and our societies”. Praised by the judges for being “sophisticated beyond measure in her understanding of gender, race and global inequality”, Adichie will collect the accolade at a public ceremony at the British Library in October, where she will deliver an address and alsoannounceherco-winner,the International Writer of Courage 2018, selected from a shortlist of internationalcasessupportedby English PEN. This year’s judges, who named Adichie the winner of the prize, were President of English PEN Philippe Sands, historian, biographer and widow of Harold Pinter Antonia Fraser, writer and critic Alex Clark, poet, playwright and performer Inua Ellams, and chair of Judges and

chair of trustees for English PEN Maureen Freely. Freely said of Adichie, the winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, the Orange Prize, and the US National Book Critics Circle Award: “In this age of the privatised, marketised self, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the exception who defies the rule. In her gorgeous fictions, but just as much in her TED talks and essays, she refuses to be deterred or detained by the categories of others. Sophisticated beyond measure in her understanding of gender, race, and global inequality, she guides us through the revolving doors of identity politics, liberating us all.” Byatt, director of English PEN, said Adichie’s writing and activism showed us what is important in the world, calling her “a very worthy winner of this extraordinary prize”, to which Fraser, Harold Pinter’s widow, added: “Not only is Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie a brilliant, compelling writer but she embodies in herself those qualities of courage and outspokenness which Harold much admired.” Adichie commented: “I admired Harold Pinter’s talent, his courage, his lucid dedication to telling his truth, and I am honoured to be given an award in his name.”

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Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

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

No comedian is a threat to me – Tomiwa Sage

omiwa ‘Sage’ Kukoyi is one comedian in Nigeria who is living his dreams and making people laugh in the process. In a phone interview with BD Bliss recently, the comedian cum MC said he is not threatened by the numerous comedians in the country. “I don’t feel threatened. I don’t think that we have a lot of super stars in Nigeria. Some people can even count the number of superstars in Nigeria. In the US, it is not like that. Not many people knew Ellen DeGeneres. People like Steve Harvey weren’t known but they have been in existence since. Everybody come with a distinct style. There is absolutely no need for me to feel threatened,” he boasted. Also an actor, the comedian who has graced TV screens with his roles in movies said he actually started as an actor before comedy came on board. “I was first an actor before comedy came. When I was younger, I used to be a talkative. Professionally, I started as an actor. I won awards when I was in secondary school for acting. I played extra roles in a Super Story series back then. That was how I started.” And now that he is into comedy, Tomiwa said he is not likely to quit any time soon. “There are lots of reasons for comedy to thrive right now. Comedy is actually needed now because people are angry. People are sad and confused. They need comedy, they want to smile and laugh and forget about the bad economy. There

Sunday 24 June 2018

No comedian is a threat to me – Tomiwa Sage

Why people felt Odunlade was my baby papa – Bukola Adeeyo

ust as soon as actress, Bukola Adeeyo gave birth to her daughter last year, so many people went to town with the story that popular actor, Odunlade Adekola, had put her in the family way and was the father of the baby. The actress, who had long denied the allegation, informed BD Bliss in a recent chat that many people felt that way because of the closeness she shared with Adekola. “People felt he was the father of my baby because I was always in his films. We used to stay in the same area as well. But I didn’t allow the rumour to change my relationship with him. He is still my boss and he is like a brother to me. Whatever people say can’t ruin our relationship. It is not a must that people must know who my husband is. My husband is not

in the same industry as I am,” she said. Bukola confessed that if not for Adekola, she probably would not have been in the movie industry as he was the one that discovered her. “When I was growing up, I had wanted to be a banker. I had felt being a banker would make me be a millionaire because bankers always count money. I only saw money inthe banks. But then, in 2006, that dream changed. Adekola asked me if I could act and I told him I didn’t want to. He encouraged me and said I should try it out and I started. If not for him, I wouldn’t have considered acting. I would have remained in one office or the other.” And since then, the actress said she has yet to have any regret when it comes to her chosen profession.

“I love my job. I am always happy when I am on set. My family supported me and the still support me and my uncle (Adekola) supported me big time. Someone can just stay and fabricate stories about you. I always overlook such; I don’t intend to fight anybody. Even at that, I have so many fans. Dealing with the males among them is not a problem. Most of them turn to my friends.”

Marriage not on my plans now – Queeneth Hilbert is joy in watching people enjoy themselves.” One of the eligible bachelors in the entertainment industry, Tomiwa who was in a relationship before now, said he is single at the moment. “ I used to have a girlfriend but something happened. But then, I can assure you, I intend to get married soon but it depends on the political terrain of our country. I don’t see myself as a celebrity. The way you see yourself is what matters. I mingle well with the daughters of eve and I know when to draw the line. I don’t even have to be a comedian for females to admire me. But really, I am seriously working on getting married,” he said.

ven as she is a single mother of one, pretty actress, Queeneth Hilbert has said she is not ready to get married anytime soon despite the challenges that come with single parenting. In a chat with BD Bliss recently, the actress said she is more focused on her budding career rather than marriage. “I know it is not easy to be a single mother. I am not giving up on marriage but for now, I don’t want any distraction, I want to be focused on my career. I have not even seen the man yet, if I see him, I will know what to do,” she said. Though evasive when BD Bliss asked her about the father of her child, Queeneth talked a bit why she didn’t settle down with him. “I have a son. I didn’t get married to the father of my child. I can’t, because I had a relationship with you and you feel I would be

Tekno must apologise to me for stealing my copyright – Professor Linkin

elf acclaimed Jogodo Master, Professor Linkin is still not happy with popular musician, Tekno. According to Linkin, Tekno ought to have taken permission from him before releasing his (Takno’s) latest song, Jogodo. Linkin claims the title of the song is his copyright. “My management has tried to reach out to his management but they are not responding. I need them to know that this is not a child’s play. I am not dead. I cannot do a foundation and somebody will now come and build a house on it, I will not be happy. It would seem as if I am nobody or I am useless. Is it because I am from Ajegunle? The boy is a small boy. He is ‘carrying shoulder’ because he has money.” But when BD Bliss reminded him

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that Tekno has reportedly settled with his fellow Ajegunle music contemporaries, Mad Melon and Mountain Black (Danfo drivers exponents), who had also accused Tekno of plagiarising that same song, Linkin said it didn’t matter to him. “Danfo Drivers are my friends. It was the same godfather that dug us up. I am the second in command and they are the third. I actually asked them when Tekno ‘saw’ them, why they didn’t tell him about Jogodo and also clarify to him that they are Kpolongo and not Jogodo? I am Professor Linkin, Jogodo King and they are Danfo Drivers, Kpolongo crooners. “How can I be in water and soap will still enter my eyes? It would seem as if I am a mugu. My music has been making waves since 2003 that I released it. Why didn’t Tekno use another hook

for his song? Jogodo is the hook and the title of his song. Everybody knows that is my song and I coined that word, Jogodo. It is my copyright. He should have used Kpolongo. It was alleged that he settled Danfo Drivers with N2m” But when asked if he wants his own N2m from Tekno, Prof Linkin claimed he didn’t want any money. “I don’t want his money, his money cannot make me big. I only need his respect and for him to acknowledge my brand that he copied. I need him to apologise for not recognising me. How much does he have that I should tolerate and ignore him?” Reacting to Prof. Linkin’s claims, a source in Tekno’s camp who refused his name to be mentioned in print, said Tekno was “too busy” to react to “such stories”.

you wife, then you expect me to stop acting, something that gives me joy. That was actually what happened and I had to be on my own.” Apart from her personal life, the fair complexioned actress also

hinted she had issues with her colleagues when she joined the movie industry. “Coping with my skin colour in this industry when I joined wasn’t easy. There was a lot of envy. Most actresses felt it was my beauty and skin colour that got me jobs. But after a while, they had to accept me for who I am and the talent I have. There is nothing anybody can do about the colour of my skin. “It was even worse when I was nominated as the most beautiful girl in Nollywood. I later understood that the viewers wanted me, it was their decision and there was nothing we could do about it. I don’t even listen to what anybody says about me. I don’t care about scandals. I have developed thick skin. I try to stay on my own and people would always find something to talk about me,” she said.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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Entertainment World Music Day: MTN Music+ celebrates milestones CHUKS OLUIGBO

uke Orsino, in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, said, “If music be the food of love, play on / Give me excess of it.” As music continues to bring the world closer, it is no surprise that a day has been set aside by music lovers worldwide to celebrate its existence. The World Music Day, also referred to as ‘Fete de la Musique’ after a music festival that began in France in 1982, is celebrated annually on June 21. To commemorate this year’s edition, MTN Music+ joined other brands in over 120 countries across the globe to celebrate this unique event. It is no secret that MTN is the main catalyst is propelling African music to the global arena with its MTN Project Fame - more than N1 billion was invested in talent discovery and development through this platform, which ran for nine seasons (the show gave us pop idols like Iyanya, Chidinma & Praiz) and also the MTN caller ring back tunes (which made it Africa’s groundbreaking digital music service). In joining the rest of the world to celebrate, MTN Music+ maintains its stance in changing the face of Africa’s music industry; by pioneering the transformation of the industry from a production-led industry to a distribution-led industry. Speaking on how MTN Mu-

sic+ continues to sustain its position as the undisputed king of digital music streaming in Africa, Richard Iweanoge, GM, Brands and Communication, MTN, stated that MTN Music+ had from the beginning always made its mark as the largest digital music distribution platform in Africa. “In 2014 alone, MTN generated over N5 billion for the music industry through the monetization of Caller Ring Back Tunes utilizing local musical content,” Iweanoge said. He added that MTN Music+’s commemoration of World Music

Day “further reiterates the platform’s celebration of music”. “What is World Music Day without the biggest music streaming platform in Africa celebrating it? We are excited to join the rest of the world in celebrating one of life’s greatest gifts … music!” he said. MTN Music+ reinforces its leadership by guaranteeing Nigerian artistes can receive their hard-earned income and counter the effects of piracy through its core services: talents investments, talent empowerment, distribution and monetization.

The music industry has generated over N500m from Brand Ambassadorship, appearances and performance fees on MTN Music+. “Apart from our other platforms like the Caller Ring Back Tunes and the streaming opportunities of international song catalogues, subscribers also have access to millions of songs from key Nigerian and African artistes already available on the platform,” Iweanoge said. “It should come as a surprise to no one that MTN is the No. 1 digital distributor of music in

Nigeria! MTN has changed the face of Nigerian music industry by pioneering its transformation from a production-led industry to a distribution-led industry with its groundbreaking digital music service, MTN Music+,” he said. MTN Music+ recently signed a historic first-of-its-kind-in-Nigeria deal with Sony Music Entertainment. Through the partnership, customers can stream over 3 million international hit-songs from A-list artistes like DJ Khaled, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, French Montana, Travis Scott, Bryson Tiller, etc.

Beverly Naya

Beverly Osu

AMVC Awards 2018 set to unveil nominees June 30

ominees for the sixth edition of Africa Magi c V i e w e r s ’ Ch o i c e Awards (AMVCAs) will be announced via a televised broadcast on all Africa Magic channels on Saturday, June 30. Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Channel Director, Africa Magic, said that close to 3,000 entries were received across the continent, adding that the judging panel spearheaded by veteran film-

maker, Debbie Odutayo, painstakingly reviewed each of the entries to arrive at the final shortlist of nominees. “We are honored to showcase and celebrate the creative industry each year on the platform of the AMVCAs. In the past five years, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to nurture and showcase indigenous talent from across the continent. Join us on Saturday, 30 June as we

reveal the nominees for the sixth edition of the Awards,” she said. Launched in March 2013, the AMVCAs continue to celebrate contributions of African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the success of the continent’s film and television industry. For the 2018 edition, a number of awards will be presented in 27 categories, with seven categories open to public voting and 20 being categories to be decided by the AMVCA panel of judges. The full list of nominees will be published on the Africa Magic website, and social media platforms following the announcement. Viewers can also join the conversation using the hashtag #AMVCA2018 and follow @ dStvng, @gotvng and @africamagictv for live tweets. According to the organisers of the event, popular Ghanaian actress and TV host, Joselyn Dumas and Nigerian comedian and actor, Bovi will reveal the nominees for each category. The 2018 AMVCAs is brought to viewers across the continent by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice and the sponsors, Airtel and Konga.

Iyanya, Beverly Osu, others to appear on MTV Base ‘Fit Fam’ new season

TV Base’s adorable VJ, Folu Storms, is back with a brand new season of the MTV Base’s hit show ‘Fit Fam’. The new season will feature a number of celebrities working up a sweat as they show their fans how they get their bodies ready for summer. The new season of the show will up the ante as A-list celebri-

ties such as Eva Aloridah, Beverly Osu and Iyanya will all appear. The third season of the show will feature even more cardio, lifting and, of course, gisting, than the previous ones. All gym enthusiasts out there can expect to be thrilled with this new season as Fit Fam takes things to a whole new level. So, catch the new exciting show on MTV Base

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Sunday 24 June 2018

THINGS TO DO IN LAGOS

t’s the weekend after the long weekend and even if some people might have had such a great time 7 days ago, the fun never stops. Today instead of jumping on Bikes and riding in your cars looking for food, why not head out to the Muriokunola Park in Victoria Island for the Make Music Festival: Lagos Shutdown. It starts at 4pm and promises to be a blast this year. With lots and lots of guest artistes, you really don’t want to miss out on this event. And if you just want to sit pretty and eat popcorn, head out to any of the cinemas around you and watch Oceans 8. We promise you won’t ask for your money back.

Be determined! OMOWUNMI MARTINS

“F

irmness of purpose; resoluteness.” That’s what it means to have determination. How many of us can say we are firm in our purpose? What drives you? What is it that makes you want to strive for more? Why do you set goals? As the first child of my parents, my first source of determination was to set a great example for my sisters however, my ability to think big and understand my responsibility came from my mother whose determination has made me the woman I am today. I was 7 years old when my uncle came on holiday to Nigeria from “The United States of America.” My grandmother was so excited, it was his first time back from school since he went away to study and he had completed his degree. My granny was a proud mother. Her son had gone to study abroad and come back to Nigeria. Wow! She called everyone and anyone that cared to listen that her son was a graduate from the US. I remember when we picked him up from the airport, he had an aura about him; I

wanted to have that same aura. I looked at this man that lived in my house prior to moving to the US like a stranger. Indeed, he was a stranger. He had changed. My uncle was around for almost a month and every single day, people trooped into our house to have what seemed to a 7-year-old like “serious conversations.” I was quite envious of all the attention he was getting. My mother, a proud sister, liked the maturity her brother came back with. There and then, my mother decided she would do anything to ensure her children would be exposed in the way my uncle was. She told me then, your uncle has made everyone proud and someday, you will do the same. A few years went by but my mother never stopped reminding me that if I wanted to be like uncle x, I had to be smart and excel in your secondary school exams. I think I did as well as I knew to do then. My mother got me the best tutors and enrolled me in the best programs because she was determined to see me succeed and celebrated. What my mother did was draw up a plan and she worked towards it relentlessly until she was able to provide

the opportunity for her children she had seen her brothers have. My mother’s determination led her to start a business that took her everywhere and anywhere. When she was asked why she worked so hard, she would say “I want my children to have the best” or she will say “I want my girls to go further than me in life.” I remember when I came back to Nigeria after I completed college, my granny with the same excitement she had twenty years prior came out running and jumping. I knew at that moment that my mother’s goal had been accomplished. I am proud to say today that one woman’s determination, persistence and hard work led to 3 women attending college and now, excelling in their respective careers. My mother was firm in her purpose to get her children further than she got and she didn’t stop until she made it happen. She was determined. Today, I ask you, what are you determined about?

Sunday 24 June 2018

This is why the US government needs to put a check on the licensing of guns

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BusinessDay marketplace with Andela’s senior success manager, Damilare Lana

ithin the last six days, two young and vibrant American rappers were gunned down in broad day light. It’s even more sad because their deaths happened within one hour. Xxxtentacion was shot as he was leaving a motorcycle dealership in South Florida. The rapper was only 20 years old. With his music he had tried to touch lives, especially the youths. Although controversial, he had it in for the young suicidal adults. His death particularly hurt most people, because maybe knowing the kind of world and country he lived in, he predicted that he will die a tragic death. Shortly after, Pittsburgh rapper by the name Jimmy Wopo (whose real name is Travon Smartshot), was shot dead while travelling with another male in a white Mazda SUV. The pair were shot at, at about 4:22 p.m. in the Middle Hill neighborhood. Many can own guns, but not a lot can handle what they do with the guns. There have been many unnecessary killings in America and while we tackle the one we have in our country: Nigeria, we hope America can sort out theirs too.

hat’s Andela’s Story? Andela is a 4 year old company, that means we started out in 2014. We started out to advance human potential, by empowering today’s team and invest in tomorrow’s leaders. At the very beginning when Andela came into Africa and we’ve been able to build our own developers. Some of them, who are core staff today, didn’t even know how to code at the very beginning. All that ties into the whole goal of what Andela is about. There is a global technology shortage at the moment, in the US, each developer has a minimum of 5 jobs and from the basic economy perspective, the demand outstrips the supply, this is where Andela comes in. For four years, Andela in a nutshell has tried to bridge this technology gap. So we started from the fore front with 0 developers and now we have 600+. What is Andela’s mission? Andela’s mission is to advance human potential by empowering today’s team and investing in Tomorrows technology leaders. As the senior success manager how would you define business success? Let me tie into the mission that I mentioned earlier, part of which is to empower today’s team; this simply means that the partners that we work, with have a business goal that they need to meet and that business goal ties into their need for developers. Before they partner with us, that business goal which is to capture the technology needs, is clearly defined. Because Andela is trying to advance, we define success as the ability to meet the technical business needs of our partners and at the same time, help the developers to grow, while embedded in those teams to become technology leaders. Once that is achieved we consider ourselves successful. What’s your biggest drive to success? My biggest drive to success at the moment is for us to hit the goal of building those technology leaders. Like I said, there is a global technical shortage, so our drive to success every year, from the perspective of Andela is, how are we bringing down that shortage? Take for example, as of 2017, we had a goal of a race to 300 (300 technical talents – developers that are ready for the global market), which we met and now we have a new one of 500. Success is defined in a way that aligns to our mission. How does Andela generate revenue? We currently generate revenue from placement of developers (embedded team members in partner organizations). When partners come to Andela, they require services, these services are not software products, what they require are the developers. So there’s some market repunions and then there are some charges. What the partners pay Andela’s services, is where the company gets money to foot nontechnical operations and also pay wages of the developers themselves. Who are your partners? We have one in San Fransico, by the name Es Gusto, under which we have four developers placed with them. We also have another based in Texas, called Zebra and we have more 13 developers with them. Has the business always been profitable? Andela hasn’t always been profitable, but the good side is we are a start up and our investors know this. They know that we are on a mission and we are not just trying to make money. There is an end game, which is to to have a business plan and generate a particular amount of revenue every year. From the financial modelling perspective and from the perspective of our CFO, we are actually meeting our

target. So yes we are not profitable yet, but our target revenue target keeps our investors happy. It’s so good that Andela is competing favourable with already established companies. What challenges does the company face as a business? Our challenges again ties into our mission. It’s important for us to maintain a standard of talent development, since we are trying to fill a global technical shortage. As of this point, we’ve had over 75,000 applications, but only 1% of them were successful. So one hand we want to make the opportunity available for everyone who wants to join us in Africa, but on the other hand we also need to maintain the quality. This balance that Andela constantly tries to strike is our first challenge. The second one is, we are operating in a shifting technology ecosystem, where distributed team is seen as a new best practise for a lot of companies based in Africa, USA and Europe. So we are growing as a start up and at the same time creating a blue print of showing the global market that remote teams do work and this is how you get it to work. We’ve had a couple of mishaps along the way but we’ve been able to make it work and we’ve gladly shared our ideas on this with our partners. Where do you see Andela in 5 years and what’s been put in place to achieve this? To answer that question, let me paraphrase an industry example, there is a person called Elon Mosk, he started out with Pay Pal and from pay pal he was working with other technology leaders there and at a time, they all branched out to. Now he is the CEO of Tesla and Space X and some other companies which we know and he’s been successful with both. This is the model Andela is looking at for the long term. Remember I mentioned that one of the core goals of Andela is to build a network of technology that works, that’s us basically looking long term to achieve same model. We want the seeds that are planted within Andela to branch out and set up more opportunities for talent development. Interview by Akumah Uzochikwa

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Travel A look at UNWTO call for action on tourism statistics OBINNA EMELIKE

hile over 1 billion people travelled around the world for tourism last year, only 63 million visited Africa, representing 5 percent of the world total. Though little when compared with international arrivals from other parts of the world, the number showed a sustained growth in tourism in Africa in the past decades. The growth, which is about 8 percent above the 2016 number of overnight visitors to Africa, is expected to continue at a rate of between 5-7 percent in 2018. According to the UNWTO longterm outlook tourism towards 2030, the number of international arrivals is in Africa is expected to reach 134 million in 2030. Sadly, the share in worldwide tourism does not fully reflect the huge potential of tourism on the continent. However, there are efforts geared towards helping Africa to take advantage of her huge tourism potential to woo the world and further develop. Foremost of the efforts is the United Nations World Tourism Commission for Africa Meeting (UNWTO/CAF), which holds regularly across destinations in Africa. At the 61st edition of the meeting, which held in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 4-6, 2018, about 26 ministers of tourism, representatives of national tourism administrations and other related sectors discovered that statistics is crucial for sustainable tourism development. In one of the seminars of the meeting in Abuja entitled: “Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development”, the stakeholders called for action on the development of tourism statistics in Africa. The meeting acknowledged that data is crucial because tourism is a transformative socio-economic

Darkey Africa, Consular General of South Africa in Lagos; Derek Andre Hanekom, Minister of Tourism, South Africa and Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa, SAT’s trade relations manager, West Africa, at the dinner.

sector that can contribute substantially to the diversification of national economies and the improvement of livelihoods in African region. The Meeting stressed the need to better measure tourism with high-quality official statistical information covering all dimensions of sustainable tourism: economic, social, and environmental in order to develop the potential of tourism in Africa, better plan and manage the sector and support effective evidence-based policy decisions in line with the African Union Agenda 2063. As well, the UNWTO/CAF Meeting recognised that beyond being a technical exercise, the development and implementation of a sound system of tourism statistics is a political and strategic endeavour, requiring wide and consistent stakeholder engagement, collabo-

ration, inter-institutional coordination and leadership. It also recognised that the development of tourism statistics requires the collaboration and coordination amongst all relevant national institutions (such as the National Administration, the National Statistical Office, the Central Bank, the Immigration Authority) and the private sector involved in the compilation and dissemination of tourism statistics due to the cross-cutting nature of tourism. The summit strongly commit to implement the two official UN statistical frameworks for measuring tourism adopted in 2008: the International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008, and the Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008. The statistical frameworks,

according to UNWTO, enable countries to produce data that is credible and comparable across countries, over time and in concert with other standards. The Meeting reaffirmed commitment to produce appropriate and reliable data that adhere to the 10 Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, notably the use of international concepts, classifications and methods in order to promote the consistency and efficiency of our statistical systems at all official levels. Other decisions reached at the Abuja seminar include: To unite behind the Manila Call for Action on Measuring Sustainable Tourism adopted at the 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics, Measuring Sustainable Tourism endorsed by the UNWTO General Assembly and to advocate for the extension of tourism

measurement beyond its primarily economic focus, in order to incorporate environmental, social and cultural dimensions through the development and implementation of a Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainable Tourism. The UNWTO/ CAF extended its gratitude to their host, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for its warm welcome and outstanding organisation of the seminar, as well as, for strongly voicing that robust statistics are key to manage a sustainable tourism for development in Africa. Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, assured on sustained efforts at developing tourism in Nigeria, especially with the ongoing investments in infrastructure that enable tourism, visa on arrival and waivers on importation of tourism equipment. But stakeholders think, the country and Africa as a whole need to get serious with actions to back the decisions reached at the UNWTO CAF meeting in Abuja. For them, the continent can sustain her tourism growth even from within. “If 10 percent of Africa’s over 1 billion population travel within Africa, the continent will grow. Europeans travel within to sustain their tourism. We can also learn from East Africa, especially Kenya where 78 percent of her total tourism arrivals is domestic”, Abeku Amah, a Ghanaian tourism investor, urged whilst at the UNWTO CAF meeting in Abuja. Beyond statistics, Ikechi Uko, a Nigerian tourism expert who is championing seamless travel within Africa, said African countries need to break all barriers, from visa to open skies, encourage continent-wide tourism and trade to exchanges, repackage or develop products that will appeal to global tourists and also policies that will encourage investments in tourism infrastructure, especially low cost airlines within Africa.

Sun International, City of Tshwane set to thrill West Africa travellers

un International, premium luxury hotels and resorts brand, has partnered the City of Tshwane, to create awesome travel experiences for West Africa travelers to the forth coming World Choir Games scheduled to take place in the City of Tshwane from July 4-14, 2018. The City of Tshwane, home of South Africa’s seat of power, will record another first in Africa by hosting the 10th World Choir Games, which promises to be a celebration of global choral music and entertainmentworkshops. Travellers for the World Choir Games will be spoilt for choice at the recently opened The Maslow Time Square, offering an entirely new concept in hospitality. A first for South Africa, the 238-room specialist business hotel, offers multi-level accommodation options – from standard to premium – all under one roof. The 17-storey hotel is packed with state-of-theart facilities and technology. The Foundation Level, offering a full range of amenities that exceed basic accommodation needs, is designed to deliver excellent quality service, design and physical attributes to meet guest

expectations. The Median Level offers a deluxe experience, with a wider range of facilities and superior design qualities that meet the needs of discerning guests. On the Median Level, guests have access to a well-equipped, modern gym, The Maslow Hotel pool and a conference centre. The Zenith Level offers an exceptional range of facilities and

premier services that are not only comprehensive, but also highly personalised and prudently crafted to provide the most exclusive experience. The Zenith Level features butler service, a fully stocked mini bar, the Luminary Lounge, the Solis Bar and infinity pool, and conferencing facilities. The guests’ rooms are The Maslow Time Square’s perfect response to a full day of pro-

ductivity. Each room is elegantly designed with air conditioning, flat screen TVs, luxurious linen, and world class amenities to ensure guests’ every comfort. The Maslow Time Square goes beyond what is has traditionally been expected from accommodation for professionals, creating an environment in which ideas can be both conceptualised and realized. Dining at The Maslow Time Square is uncomplicated, relaxing and above all else, delicious. The hotel’s Tatso, which means “taste” in Sesotho, is where guests can enjoy a generous buffet featuring a diverse selection of dishes influenced by different cuisines. The hotel’s Lounge Bar offers a fusion of cosmopolitan energy and feel-good cuisine. For guests who will be infusing business with leisure, every meeting room at The Maslow Time Square is innovatively designed to be a game-changer – a place that fosters success. The rooms are conducive to productive workshops, strategic thinking, effective team building and well-deserved relaxation, while offering inspiring locations to do

business in the heart of Menlyn Maine. Boasting spacious facilities, the array of meeting rooms can accommodate events large or small. Specifically, The Sun International travel package to wow West Africa travellers for the World Choir Games has been carefully created to cater for all the needs of the travellers. From a return flight ticket to dedicated meet and greet on arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport and private transfer from the airport to The Maslow Time Square, all has been catered for. In addition, travellers will also have the opportunity to participate in the World Choir Games special workshops and actual choral musical events, as well as, tour of the City of Tshwane inclusive of a shopping voucher. At the Tshwane 2018 World Choir Games, seven choral groups will be representing West Africa. They include; New Wine Ensemble; Mountain Top Chorale; Halifield School Choir; Musica Casa Chorale; Riverbank School Choir; Lagos City Chorale; all from Nigeria and Harmonious Chorale from Ghana.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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BDSUNDAY 45

Travel

Airports slot allocation achieves unprecedented choice, competition in Europe Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) provided evidence that the current system for allocating capacity at Europe’s airports is benefiting consumers with greater choice and expanded connectivity. Air passengers in Europe are enjoying an unprecedented level of choice and competition in air travel, despite the constraints imposed by a lack of new airport capacity. Passengers and the EU economy are benefitting from new routes and the growth of low-cost carriers and other new market entrants. Analysis by IATA reveals that airports classified at the highest level of congestion in Europe added 2,000 more routes in the 2010-2017 period. Over the same period the number of long-haul routes grew by 27%. 30% of European routes are now operated by two or more carriers, an increase of 5 percentage points since 2010. A recent study commissioned by Airports Council

International (ACI) Europe, from consultancy ICF, shows the more than 55% of seat capacity on intra-Europe routes is competed between and full-service carriers and low-cost carriers, which have grown rapidly since the turn of the century. Over the past 20 years there has been a near-doubling in city-pair connections within Europe and between Europe and the rest of the

world. “European consumers have greater choice and more competition than ever before when deciding how they travel within or beyond Europe. This is no small achievement when you consider that Europe’s airports are among the most congested in the world,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO said.

Etihad Airways passes biennial IATA safety audit

tihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has once again successfully passed the biennial International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). The Abu Dhabi-based airline met all required standards – with the highest possible result of zero findings and zero observations – after the IOSA team examined more than 800 of the airline’s safety procedures and processes in detail. IOSA seeks to ensure that airlines are compliant

with safety requirements and recommended practices determined by IATA and is the most important examination of Etihad’s operations. Richard Hill, Etihad Airways’ Chief Operations Officer, said: “Safety is Et i h a d ’s n u m b e r o n e priority and the IOSA results are testament to our all-encompassing safety culture. “Our highly professional staff continue to implement, enhance and deliver the most exacting safety processes and procedures in everything we do.”

IOSA is mandatory for all IATA member airlines, reviewing standards in eight operational areas, including operations management, flight operations, cabin operations, maintenance, flight dispatch, ground and cargo operations and security. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 93 international passenger and cargo destinations with its fleet of 110 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, was established by Royal (Emiri) Decree in July 2003.

The ACI Report and IATA’s research confirm that the rules for allocating scarce capacity at Europe’s congested airports are fostering competition and growing connectivity. Europe has more than half of all the world’s slotconstrained airports. The European Slot Regulation ensures that these airports provide opportunities for low-cost and full-service

carriers to enter the market and provide competition and choice for passengers. “The real solution to Europe’s aviation capacity crisis is to build more airport and air navigation infrastructure. But we are already on the back foot and capacity is not keeping pace with demand growth. The European Slot Regulation has been successful for two decades—fairly allocating scarce capacity in line with global standards, enabling new entrants and strengthening connectivity. Most importantly it provides consumers with reliability and competitive choices. We strongly recommend that it remains a stable, consistent, and leading example of global best practice,” said de Juniac. Although the European Slot Regulation is working well, the airline sector recognizes that it could work even better. It is important that slot rules find a balance between protecting the interests of incumbent carriers and consumers who value the services incumbent airlines provide; accommodating the desire of new entrants to enter the market and provide market competition;

and enabling the market to adapt to changing consumer demands. To further these objectives IATA, ACI and the independent slot coordinators have formed a working group to look at improvements to the current system that is due to be reported to the ICAO Assembly in 2019. The slot rules can only make best use of the declared capacity at each airport. The inconsistency in declared capacity between airports of similar size is a clear sign that opportunities to unlock more capacity exist. “Airports must do more to increase the operating capacity of existing infrastructure and governments need to encourage and facilitate timely and cost-effective expansion of congested airports and airspace. But this cannot work without the consistent application of transparent methodologies for determining available capacity. There is room for improvement. Only through regular and impartial analysis can all capacity become available for more slots to be allocated,” de Juniac said.

Conflicting passengers’ statistics: Stakeholders urge ministry of transport to re-evaluate figures

viationstakeholders and professionals have called on the Ministry of Transport under whose purview the agencies operate a consolidated passenger statistics and ticket sales figure to re-evaluate the figurespresentedtothepublic due to the large differential when compared to figures given by independent bodies such as National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies and FOS. While noting that this development has become imperative as the figures are used for planning, to attract investors and often times used for the assessment of industry performance, they stressed that the country must get it right. In a communique issued at the end of Aviation Round Table quarterly business breakfast meeting in Lagos with the theme: ‘Evaluation and Security Performance of Aviation Agencies in the last four years’, the participants urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to improve on economic regulation of the industry and review upwards, the two-aircraft, Air Operators Certificate, AOC condition

for establishment of airlines. As the federal government works towards the establishment of a new national airline, the aviation stakeholders also called for a level playing field to be provided for all players in Nigeria’s aviation industry to thrive. The meeting emphasized the need for increased inter-agency relationship on data gathering to avoid future conflicting figures in passenger, ticket sales and other necessary statistics. The participants also called on the Aviation agencies to conduct a study ontheroleofowner-manager syndrome in the collapse of local airlines over the years, with a view to addressing it. Th e a g e n c i e s w i t h technical shortfalls are

advised to explore training opportunities in various fields as aviation waits for nobody. The organisations are also encouraged to look inwards where human capacity is insufficient in line with the various Executive Orders on local content. Other decision contained in the communique include: That the Nigerian judiciary should be notified on the implications of issuing court rulings that defy the Cape Town Protocol, an international agreement to which Nigeria is signatory. That as the NCAA issues licenses for operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), there is a need to go beyond just licensing and putting measures in place to avoid incidence of drone jacking.

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Sunday 24 June 2018

Health&Science

Sickle Cell Disorder: What options are there for warriors?

SEYI JOHN SALAU

rowing up with Sickle Cell Disorder for Chimezie Agumbah, a Lagos based warrior used to be liken to living with a death sentence hanging over her head. This pathetic victim of circumstance who was just so unlucky used to throw countless pity parties, while the only people that turned up were pain, sadness, grief, doubt and a deep dark fear of what might or might not be beclouding her sense of judgment. While narrating her warrior story, Agumbah said, “I can categorically state that this journey hasn’t been one bit easy, but one thing I never asked was why me? Because I wouldn’t pray this on anyone else especially my siblings. I used to wish I could take their pain and add it to mine; sometimes I felt their pain, by mere association”. “In secondary school, there was this literature book we were reading titled “Mezie the ogbanje boy”, my classmates changed it to Mezie the ogbanje girl because of how I would be healthy one minute and reeling in pain the next, an endless circle which most people didn’t understand,” said Agumbah . Speaking further, she opined that her journey was uncertain and scary; however, she enjoyed the best support system from her parents. “My family is the best, and my very small circle of friends. My parents care tactics is on point, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Somethings I have been tempted to just blame them and withdraw, but their love and care won’t even give room for that. I don’t regret being born with SCD, my only regret is that I let my insecurities and fears keep me down for a long time. “I have always been closeted about SCD, but I feel now is the right time to come out and lend my voice and support in any way I can. Encouraging others is akin to encouraging myself because the battle is real. I’m a warrior and warriors don’t cringe from battle, but most importantly I’m a victor because God’s got me. My faith…His mercy, I don’t want to die fighting, I want to live winning. “Near death experiences, major

surgeries, organ removals, the stigma and shame, the fear that keeps us from soaring and just being who God has called us to be; this and countless more can’t be said in one sitting, all warriors have a different story to tell and need to tell it, the world needs to hear us. “Even with all the awareness out there, children are still being born with SCD…the people doing this need to hear and see what “We” go through so we can end this once and for all. Everyone should be allowed to come into the world with a chance at living and not a death sentence hanging over their head,” said Agumbah as she calls for support to eradicate SCD. Living with a cell disorder could be a challenging moment for parents, care-givers, and guardians. However, to help reduce and share such burden, the global community comes together June of every year to create awareness on Sickle Cell Disorder, cell distortion that is caused by inherited abnormal hemoglobin, which causes the oxygencarrying protein within the red blood cells to malfunction. 19 June is therefore celebrated as World Sickle Cell Day, a day set aside by the United Nations to create awareness about sickle cell disorder. The World sickle Cell Day is to spread accurate information about sickle cell anemia, aimed at educating the public on the misinformation about sickle cell as a death warrant that has been widely held among the generality of Nigerians. Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2018 World Sickle

Cell Day as designated by the United Nations to draw attention and create necessary awareness to the problems posed by sickle cell disorder. Toyin Adesola, Chairperson, Coalition of Sickle Cell Disorder NGOs, Lagos State/Executive Director Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiatives (SAMI) in commemorating the World Sickle Cell Day said the coalition is working to sensitive Nigerians on the need to recognise the disorder as a major public health problem in Nigeria. According to her, about 1-in-4 people in Nigeria are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene and over 150,000 children are born annually with symptomatic sickle cell anemia, which corroborates with Kharya statement on the high prevalence of sickle cell in Nigeria. Annette Akinsete, National Director/CEO, Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria said the Red Umbrella Walk is to mobilise everyone including the government to pay attention and fund projects on sickle cell disorder. “The coalition of NGOs is to strengthen our campaigns and we believe that this will make our voices to be louder to attract the attention of the government and corporate organisations,” said Akinsete. Sickle Cell Anemia: disease or myth? Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease) is a disorder of the blood caused by inherited abnormal hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein within the red blood cells). The abnormal hemoglobin causes distorted (sickled) red blood cells, which make the sickled red blood

cells fragile and prone to rupture. When the number of red blood cells decreases from rupture (hemolysis), it results in anemia. This condition is referred to as sickle cell anemia. The irregular sickled cells can also block blood vessels causing tissue and organ damage and pain. Sickle cell anemia is one of the most common inherited blood anemias. The disease primarily affects Africans and African Americans. Over the years many people have held the opinion that sickle cell is an attack from the village, with little or no knowledge that it is actually an inherited disease that affect the red blood cells in the human body. Sickle cell anemia is inherited as an autosomal (meaning that the gene is not linked to a sex chromosome) recessive condition. This means that the gene can be passed on from a parent carrying it to male and female children. In order for sickle cell anemia to occur, a sickle cell gene must be inherited from both the mother and the father, so that the child has two sickle cell genes. The inheritance of just one sickle gene is called sickle cell trait or the “carrier” state. Sickle cell trait does not cause sickle cell anemia. Persons with sickle cell trait usually do not have many symptoms of disease and have hospitalization rates and life expectancies identical to unaffected people. When two carriers of sickle cell trait mate, their offspring have a one in four chance of having sickle cell anemia. (In some parts of Africa, one in five persons is a carrier for sickle cell trait.) Options available for warriors Gaurav Kharya, Senior Consultant, head pediatric hematology oncology, immunology and bone marrow transplant, Artemis Hospital, in a statement said 85per cent of sickle cell carrier are in Africa, while Nigeria has the highest burden of sickle cell globally. According to Kharya, genetic matching is key to bone marrow transplant; however, there is currently no local registry for voluntary donor, which is a major challenge in finding donor for bone marrow transplant. Kharya recounts how blood transfusion was administered two months earlier to bring down his patient’s sickle cell level as direct transplant would

Boska holds pain free day exercise in Mushin, Lagos ANTHONIA OBOKOH

exa Medica, makers of Boska brand of pain killers, recently conducted another round of its Pain-Free Day to provide free drug, health counselling, and other interventions in Ojuwoye market, Mushin, Lagos on the 22nd of June, in order to help consumers from different works of life stay healthy. Tunde Ojedokun, Brand Executive Dexa Medica said, the Pain-Free Day initiative is designed to improve consumers’ health and raising awareness of the risks associated with inadequate care of oneself. “We are offering people from different facets of life free health services while they save up and

invest in other areas to make living comfortable and health tips to stay strong during the rainy season,” said Ojedokun. The Pain Free Day event was attended by hundreds of market users and residents from communities of Ojuwoye market. According to Ojedokun, “From qualitative findings, we observed that consumers need to be aware of how to take care of themselves, and to know that Boska brand is available to help them stay fit while saving up to attend to other areas of needs. ‘’ I am confident that Dexa Medica will continue to improve the delivery of quality health care for consumers in the months ahead”

Dexa Medica team administering free health service to Lagos residents

he said. Ojedokun further said that DexaMedica has a strong track record of developing superior quality drugs that have helped consumers measurably improve their health.

“The result of ignoring one’s health is the recipe for sudden system break down which may lead to some form of sickness or the other,” he added. According to the Boska team,

have increased a chance of rejection. According to him, the patient’s father (donor) had to undergo high resolution Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) to check bone marrow compatibility. “After 14 days, his chimerism (DNA testing) showed 99.45 per cent bone marrow precursor cells from his father. The patient showed very good recovery and new marrow started working on day 12. He was discharged on day 20, having sickle haemoglobin level decreased with 10 per cent posttransplant. It is almost three years now and the patient has not shown any signs of a relapse,” said Kharya. According to Kharya, with halfmatch bone marrow transplant, even patients who have no siblings to donate bone marrow for them can be benefactors of this treatment. Speaking on the success rate of the bone marrow transplant, Kharya who have been involved with Nigerian warriors in the last three years have a 75 percent success rate, while his patients have enjoyed improved quality of live with no risk to the donor. “Interestingly, 70% - 80% of donors are carriers,” Kharya remarked. Conditions that promotes Sickle Cell Red blood cells are manufactured in the bone marrow. Their unique biconcave shape increases their storage capacity for hemoglobin molecules that carry oxygen. They also make the cells pliable and soft so they can squeeze through the tiniest blood vessels in the body. In sickle disease, the red blood cells form an abnormal crescent shape that is rigid, causing the red blood cells to be damaged. The cells are not malleable enough to get through tight spaces, and this can increase the risk of forming blood clots in the small capillaries of different organs causing the potential for organ damage. However, the sickling (distortion) of the red blood cells in sickle cell anemia? Sickling of the red blood cells in patients with sickle cell anemia results in cells of abnormal shape and diminished flexibility. The sickling is promoted by conditions which are associated with low oxygen levels, increased acidity, or low volume (dehydration) of the blood. These conditions can occur as a result of injury to the body’s tissues, dehydration, or anesthesia.

a qualitative finding shows that approximately seventy per cent of consumers often catch the flu during rainy season resulting in body breakdown if not attended to. It was also proved that a lot of people engage in strenuous activities directly or indirectly and rarely prioritize their health because of the cost associated with health check. The Pain-Free Day program provided the opportunity for consumers to meet health experts who provided full range of health services. This included administering drugs and focal glasses for eye correction, ear and nose defects. Besides rendering free health services, the Dexa team also leveraged the opportunity to educate consumers on how to live stressfree while at their various duties.

Sunday 24 June 2018

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BDSUNDAY 47

Sports

Russia bans alcohol, barbecue at World Cup venues Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

inally, Iranian women cleared to watch 2018 World Cup matches Iranian women were allowed into Tehran’s Azadi Stadium for the first time in 37 years to watch Iran’s FIFA 2018 World Cup clash against Spain on television. Iranian women have also travelled to the World Cup in Russia in numbers to see their team take on Spain at the Kazan Arena. Sports writer Ian Herbert said there were as many women in Kazan as men Women are not allowed to enter stadiums in Iran, but permission was given for female fans to support their national team’s efforts in Russia, per Open Stadiums:Women/ families finally entered to Azadi stadium after 37 years of ban, to watch #IRNESP on screen.The move follows pressure from Iranian women who have used the World Cup to protest against their ban. Banners were unfurled during Iran’s opening World Cup game against Morocco. The reason is that Sara is in reality an Iranian woman and therefore barred from soccer stadiums in Iran, where women have been forbidden from attending soccer matches and other male-only sporting events in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. So it was an unusual experience for her when she entered Saint Petersburg’s Krestovsky stadium last Friday to watch Iran’s national team win against Morocco in its opening World Cup game. She is among a group of Iranian women who have traveled to this year’s World Cup bringing with them a campaign demanding that women be allowed into soccer stadiums at home. “It was amazing,” she said of entering the St. Petersburg stadium, when she met an ABC reporter in Moscow this week. “It was like the Truman Show -- when you enter the TV. When two dimensions become three dimensions.” On Wednesday, the women’s World Cup visit though coincided with a breakthrough in the campaign to lift the stadium ban — for the first time since it was imposed, women were let into a Tehran stadium to

watch a soccer game alongside men, after a local city council agreed to allow women to attend a screening of Iran’s match against Spain. The mixed screening reportedly almostdidn’tgo ahead, after authorities tried to halt it last minute, citing “infrastructure problems,” the Washington Post reported. But hundreds of female fans arrived in any case to demand entry to the Azadi stadium and organizers eventually relented, allowing women in to watch the game, which Iran lost 1-0 to Spain. The event was hailed by some Iranian observers as a notable step forward in the effort to end the stadium ban. Iranian women have been excluded from soccer games since 1981, as the country’s new religious government applied a hardline interpretation of Islamic customs, declaring stadiums inappropriate places for women. In fact, there is no law against women attending games, but authorities have imposed a de facto ban, with women instead turned away and sometimes arrested. As a

result, women wishing to enter have resorted sometimes even to disguising themselves as men. In May, half a dozenyoungwomenbecameheroes among Iran’s secular community after they successfully sneaked into a game of Tehran’s Persepolis club by wearing elaborate fake beards. Foreign women are allowed to attend games, which is how Sara found herself hiding among a group of Koreans during her first stadium game in Iran. Sara — a pseudonym for the activist who fears punishment for her or her family in Iran — has been running a group called Open Stadiums and campaigning against the ban for 13 years. At the World Cup game in St. Petersburg last week she and another activist, Maryam Qashqaei, attracted attention internationally after they unfurled banners protesting the ban inside the stadium, the first time Iranian women have made such a protest at a World Cup. A sign is held by fans in support of Iranian women in football during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran

at Saint Petersburg Stadium, June 15, 2018, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. more + On Tuesday though, even as they celebrated the mixed screening in Iran, the activists ran into resistance in the Russian city, Kazan, where the Iran-Spain game was being hosted. Qashqaei said she was detained by security at the stadium and had her banner confiscated from her. Sara was also stopped and body searched for 15 minutes, she told ABC News. The women were stopped even though they said they had received authorisation for the banners from FIFA, the World Cup’s organiser. The activists have focused on FIFA recently, trying to push the body into pressuring Iran by linking the issue to the country’s participation in FIFA competitions. The organization has said it wants Iran to lift the ban. In 2017, FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino told reporters that Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani had “promised that women in Iran will have access to football stadiums soon.” In Iran, however, authorities have

Africa must consider joint World Cup bids - Nyameya

am Nyameya, the former president of the Kenyan football federation believes that African nations should consider joint World Cup bids in future if they’re to bring thetournamentbacktothecontinent. Morocco missed out on the chance to host the 2026 tournament after being outbid by a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico at the FIFA congress on Wednesday, as Africa’s wait for a second World Cup continues. The North African nation were defeated 134 votes to 65, and even failed to consolidate the African vote, leaving Nyameya convinced that the right bid won. “It is unfortunate that Morocco was representing a bid for Africa but their loss should also be a learning experience,” the former Kenyan FA chief said in a statement, as per Goal. “Africa should in future present a joint bid and prove they are ready

to meet the required standards,” he added. A joint African bid has been mooted in the past, with Tunisia and Libya’s joint bid to host the 2010 World Cup rejected by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter. “Personally, if I were to be among the voters, I would have voted for the joint bid of the North American nations because of their infrastructure,” Nyamweya continued. “USA, Mexico and Canada have proved they were worthy candidates and deserving winners to win the hosting rights for the championships due to the kind of infrastructure they have in place,” he concluded. “FIFA will not have a difficult time havingtomonitorpreparationsforthe 2026 competition.” Kenya’s football federation, currently under the presidency of Nick Mwendwa, placed their backing behindMoroccoinWednesday’svoting.

met challenges to the ban with arrests, treating attendance as a political demonstration. When Infantino attended the Tehran game last year, 35 women were detained outside the stadium. Supporters of lifting the ban say they believe the government fears that lifting the ban will fuel demands for change on other restrictions, around requirements on headscarves for instance, which have seen prominent protests recently. Before travelling to the World Cup, Sara said she had feared she wouldbearrestedinIranandstopped from going. She said she worried still that she could be detained when she returns to Iran. “It is really sad that for such a simple thing you have to be worried,” she said. Before she was stopped in Kazan, Sara had also criticised FIFA’s efforts as largely words without actions. But on Wednesday she said she hoped the mixed screening at the Tehran stadium would mean a big step toward ending the ban. Infantino has defended FIFA’s efforts by arguing engagement with Iran’s authorities on the issue is more productive than simply threatening punishment. Lifting the ban has acquired support among some parts of the Iranian ruling class. Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2006 issued a decree lifting the interdiction on female fans. But weeks later, the country’s supremeleader,AyatollahAliKhamenei, restored the prohibition. But in the years since support for ending it has built in Iran. When Iran qualified for the World Cup last July, its team captain Masoud Shojaei used a meeting with Rouhani to ask the Iranian president to let women into stadiums. On Wednesday, the Iranian team’s official Twitter account posted a photo of a female fan in the stands at the mixed screening in Tehran. “Azadi stadium now!” the Tweet read.d through Saeid Ezatolahi only to see the goal ruled out for offside by VAR. It’s a historic moment for Iran although it remains to be seen if there will be a permanent change and women will be allowed to enter stadiums to watch live sporting events going forward.

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SUNDAY 24 JUNE 2018

Another budget of political abracadabra!

he heated debate generated by President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s concern raised over the National Assembly’s upping of the 2018 Budget from N8.5 trillion to N9. 12 trillion by the injection of ‘strange’ projects requires a holistic appraisal to find out if indeed, such was done in the national interest. Or, as some people insist, if it came out of sheer greed, self-aggrandisement and pure political mischief. Given the persisting face-off between the executive and the legislative arm of the current All Peoples Congress-led administration and with the 2019 general elections getting closer by the day, the plot playing itself out is not unexpected. Even in the previous years of 2016 and 2017, Nigerians were treated to some political comic strips with accusations of ‘missing budget’ and ‘padded budget’. With the undue delay before this year’s budget was signed into law middle of the year, we do not need any rocket science to understand that the full implementation would be one Herculean task. In his words, Buhari lamented that the legislature “made cuts amounting to N347 billion in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578 billion”. Besides, “some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualised, designed and costed, and will therefore, be difficult to execute.” And he regretted that: “Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation”. Such sad development has no doubt elicited emotions from some concerned Nigerians, who know that truly when two elephants square up for a bruising battle, the grasses are bound to suffer! As rightly noted by a civil society organisation, Socio-Economic Rights, and Accountability Project,(SERAP) the National Assembly violated the fundamental rights of Nigerians by cutting the proposed allocations for essential public services, including health, education, housing and security, to the tune of N19.15billion in the 2018 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari. The group expressed dismay that the federal lawmakers “padded” the 2018 Budget to the

tune of N578billion by inserting 6,403 projects of their own. Similarly, not a few Nigerians keep wondering why the National Assembly should slash N115 billion from capital projects such as the construction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project meant to fast track infrastructural development. How justifiable is their action to cut as much as N5 billion from Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment while it raised its(National Assembly) budget from N125billion to N139.5billion? What informed such self-serving move? Still on the controversial alterations, many are piqued by the cutting of as much as N7.45bn from the health budget and another N8.7bn from the National Housing Programme by our lawmakers? Certainly, this as well as reducing the budget for security infrastructure in 104 Unity Schools by N3bn is both inexcusable and unjustifiable. On the other hand, however, some economists have questioned the rationale behind the president’s earmarking a whopping sum of N4 billion to refurbish and secure the United Nation’s building in Abuja, using loans at a time some 20 million citizens are without meaningful jobs and about 140 million Nigerians caught in the terrifying trap of poverty. And from the perspective of the National Assembly, all the members have done is, according to the Deputy Senate Leader, Alhaji Bala Ibn Na’ Allah a balancing act. Said he:“The job of parliamentarians is a very difficult one. If we had allowed it(the budget) to go that way, we would have been in trouble with those who elected us. You have to balance between the six geo-political zones.” He added that Mister President has proposed to come forward with a supplementary budget, as a result of their observations. Agreed, that there is the rule and the law for the separation of powers which states that the rule of law is the opposite of the rule of power. According to Denise Meyerson, it stands for the supremacy of law over the supremacy of individual will. But to say this is to speak only in the most general of terms. The separation of powers doctrine is also a complex and contested notion. What matters is that the right thing must be

AYO OYOZEBAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

It is the failure to decisively address allegations of padding of the 2016 budget that has allowed the practice to continue with almost absolute impunity

done. SERAP may therefore, have its point by urging President Buhari to move swiftly to enforce the judgment delivered last month by Justice Mohammed Idris in Suit No: FHC/L/ CS/1821/2017. That is, by ordering him to ask anti-corruption agencies to forward reports of their investigations into allegations of padding and stealing of some N481 billion from the 2016 budget, and to ensure effort prosecution of suspects. “It is the failure to decisively address allegations of padding of the 2016 budget that has allowed the practice to continue with almost absolute impunity.” On the way forward, one is of the candid opinion that restructuring of the polity would give a breath of fresh air to the recurring faceoff between the executive and the legislature over budgetary allocations. Why should the federal government continue to control 56 per cent of the income to the Federation Accounts, with a paltry 24 and 20 per cent to the states and the local government councils, respectively?[1992 No.106. S.I.9 of 2002]. Methinks that it makes more economic sense for the states to control much of their resources and pay about 25 per cent tax to the centre. It gives ample room for a more creative, healthy competition. We would be in tandem with reality and do away with the so called Federation Account , from which many state governors collect monthly allocation but divert much of it to feather their nests. At the end of all the debate, what is of utmost significance is budgetary performance, that is timely, based on the people’s most pressing needs with their input through their legislators. We have had enough of the annual ritual of the greed-driven altercations that are more political than of economic impact on the people’s quality of life.

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Averting the ‘Armageddon’ in Ekiti

n July 14, 2018, the people of Ekiti State will go to their polling units to elect a new governor. The forth-coming exercise is already generating tension within and outside the state. Interested parties are waiting in the wings to take the spoils of war. For the incumbent Governor Ayodele Fayose and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it is a fight to finish because Ekiti has effectively remained the second headquarters of the opposition party after Rivers State where Nyesom Wike holds sway. On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to stake anything and everything to wrest the state from Fayose’s grip. Although the incumbent governor is not directly recontesting, it is believed that a vote for Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the PDP candidate, is a vote for Fayose. And the APC seems

not ready to continue to bear the taunting of a governor groomed by Fayose, hence its determination to win the state clean and square. The election is also crucial to the APC because of the shame of defeat four years ago, when the PDP candidate came from outside government and sacked Fayemi who was the incumbent. Observers say that the former minister may not have recovered from the trauma of that defeat, and is desperately trying to take a pound of flesh this time around. It was said that the determination of Fayemi to redeem his pride was responsible for his emergence at the tension-soaked and keenly contested governorship primary recently. For some time now, both parties have been talking tough; each trying to accuse the other of plotting to employ foul means to achieve victory. While Fayose has raised

the alarm that the APC was planning to use the federal might to wrest power, Kayode Fayemi, candidate of the APC, on the other hand, said that Fayose must be hatching a sinister plan for that day. Last Thursday, Fayemi said that Fayose would not be allowed to move about on the Election Day. He was quoted as saying that Fayose would be allowed to vote and go back to his house in Afao-Ekiti. The other day, Fayose placed a curse on anybody who would try to rig the election or foment trouble on the Election Day, including himself. We urge all parties to tread cautiously and maturely. It is hoped that the election will be prosecuted peacefully and that at the end of the day the people are happy and better for it.

Number of Nigerians captured by the National Health Insurance Scheme since 2014

Zamfara Governor threatens to ‘resign’ over killings in the state “We have been facing serious security challenges over the years, but in spite of being governor and chief security officer of the state, I cannot direct security officers on what to do nor sanction them when they err. As chief security officer, the nomenclature in just a name .”

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