BusinessDay 28 Apr 2019

Workers’ Day: Exciting moment as Labour basks in new minimum wage P. 21 How my defection to APC sunk PDP in Lagos – Salvador P. 34

President Muhammadu Buhari (r) meets Biodun Otunola, CEO of Planet Projects Limited which built the world class Oshodi Transport Interchange commissioned on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. In the middle is Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, watching with excitement.

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Vol 1, No. 261 N300

inside Fela father’s heavy cane made me what I am today - Soyinka

P. 7

Apapa: Waiting for ‘Next Level’ CHUKA UROKO & AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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papa, Nigeria’s premier port city, has been in the news for the wrong reason in the last 10 years as the most difficult destination in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre. But life and living in the sprawling city continue because its Continues on page 3

L-R: Halima Aliko Dangote, group executive director, Dangote Industries Limited; Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister, guest speaker; Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, guest speaker and Aliko Dangote, president/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, at the 2019 Women Corporate Directors Lecture sponsor by Aliko Dangote Foundation, theme ‘The courage to Lead; Inspiring Others, Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success’, in Lagos on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Ministerial appointment President urged to avoid errors of 2015 ZEBULON AGOMUO month to the inauguraA tion of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office, Nigerians have

begun to express concern over the calibre of individuals that would make the President’s cabinet.

Those who spoke with BDSUNDAY said they expect to see ministers that would

serve the Nigerian people above self, and also appointments that would be devoid of clannish and other parochial considerations.

Nigerians are indeed very inquisitive over the constitu-

tion of the next cabinet. The major concern arose from the deep perception that it has been largely four years of inactivity, occasioned by late

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Ministerial appointment Continued from page 1

appointment of ministers and seeming

lack lustre performance by most of them.

They would also like to see a deviation from the alleged nepotistic considerations that threw up some of the ministers and the faulty distribution of portfolios.

In his advice to President Muhammadu Buhari recently on the quality of ministers Nigeria needs at this time, Tunde Bakare, serving overseer, Latter Rain Assembly, urged him to appoint the best, brightest and fittest into his administration as he takes oath on May 29 for his second term in office.

Bakare was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

He noted that Nigeria had enough assets for the development of the nation, expressing the optimism that with the right men on the driver’s seat at the various ministries, departments and agencies, Nigeria’s myriads of problems would become surmountable.

“I pray that President Buhari will do his best in the second term to appoint the best, the brightest and the fittest, so that you will see Nigeria turn around as we maximise the potentials of the nation,” he said.

One of the areas that attracted severe criticism to President Muhammadu Buhari in his first term ending May 29 was the late constitution of his cabinet. Smarting from the aroma of victory in 2015, the President was quoted as saying that he did not need ministers, who were “noise makers” but would prefer to work with civil servants.

Close to three months after his inauguration, Buhari had travelled to France, where he spoke exclusively to a local television.

When specifically asked if the absence of a Finance minister was affecting the Nigerian capital market and economy, he said: “It is what we know- and which we learnt from the western system. The civil service provides the continuity, the technocrat.

And in any case, they are those that do most of the work. The ministers are there, I think, to make a lot of noise; for the politicians to make a lot of noise. But the work is being done by the technocrats. They are there; they have to provide the continuity, dig into the records and then guide us (those of us) who are just coming in”, he said, adding, “…I think this question of ministers is political.

People from different constituencies want to see their people directly in government, and see what they can get out of it.”

When he eventually decided to appoint ministers, it came six months after the inauguration of his administration, a delay many people believed was a false start in an economy that needed urgent attention.

The lost ground was never recovered. That Nigeria slipped into recession was also blamed on that delay.

The appointment also did not excite many Nigerians as most of those that made the list were not the quality of heads and brains that were expected to do the kind of magic the people had wanted to see, in line with the vaunted “Change” mantra.

Calls for cabinet reshuffle never struck a chord with President Buhari. There had been legions of speculations that the President was going to drop some ministers but they never came to pass.

The consensus opinion in the polity is that most of the ministers were there just to fulfil all righteousness as there were no

signs of input in the government. Some of the ministers, it was argued, would never be removed as their current beat was a compensation for their huge financial contributions toward the election of the President in 2015.

Some analysts have however, said that the problem of non-performance should not be blamed on the ministers as some of the ministers are allegedly unhappy at the way things are going in the government.

A credible source told BDSUNDAY that it is the system rather than the ministers that should be blamed for the seemingly nonperformance of members of the cabinet.

“I can tell you for free that some of the ministers are so dissatisfied with the state of things that they are eagerly waiting for the end of the term. I can tell you for free that many of them do not get to see the President one-on-one to discuss ideas, no matter how noble such ideas are. And they don’t dare implement anything without approval. So, people may think that all the ministers are in the same basket- without ideas. No, I tell you even those with brilliant ideas don’t get to implement them,” a source who claimed to be close to the corridors of power said.

The source also claimed that, “Things were so bad that even before the elections, a number of them wanted to resign, but you know here is Nigeria. People never resign in government no matter how frustrating things are, except they are being pressured to resign. There are layers of reporting. That you are a minister does not give you the unfettered access to the President. So, our ministers go through some powerful cabal, who have the ears of the President. They present to him only what they want him to hear and not what he should hear. That is the problem that we are in. I am not sure that pattern will change in the next term.”

According to the source, “We have a number of ministers in the cabinet that are hotheads; people with a track record

of good performance. But it appears they have been incapacitated in the last four years. They have been trying their best, but you know, a drop of water cannot make an ocean. Nigeria’s myriad of problems needs a radical approach. I wish something better will happen this time around, in terms of appointment and openness.”

Another issue that is agitating the minds of many Nigerians is the readiness of the President to shake off the cloak of nepotism that characterised his ministerial appointment in the first term.

Timothy Ayuk, a Lagos-based education consultant, urged President Buhari to avoid the huge mistake he made in his appointment last time.

“There were some obvious mistakes in the appointment last time, which unfortunately the President refused to correct despite all the hue and cry. For instance, his decision to assign threebig and most important ministries to one person. I am talking about the Ministries of Works, Housing, and Power to BabatundeFashola. There is no doubting the fact that the former governor immensely contributed hugely to Buhari’s electoral victory in 2015, and there is also no doubt that Fashola is a good hand to handle a ministerial job, but saddling him with the three ministries was ill-advised,” Ayuk said.

He also said that had the ministries been split and assigned to other people, Nigerians may have benefitted better.

“In the real sense of the word, there are three ministries that Fashola is handling.

Housing is a full-fledged ministry that demands all the attention that government should give it, considering the housing need in the country. Had these ministries being split and some parts given to other people, Nigerians would have been well-served.

Fashola has done well, but he could have done better if he did not have so much encumbrances,” he further said.

Ayuk urged President Buhari to avoid

such costly mistakes this time around.

“If we must really get to the ‘next level’, the President must get it right from the constitution of his cabinet- not only the personnel, but also he must be time-conscious.

The delay of 2015 should not be repeated this time around. He must hit the ground running,” he said.

Recall that the decision of the President to sideline some sections of the country in the allocation of important portfolios attracted and have continued to attract criticisms.

Already, some party members have begun to tell the President to re-enact the lopsidedness in appointment that put the government and the party in bad light, but some pundits say that would be detrimental to the President and his party.

On the contrary, they have advised the President tobroaden the base of appointment, choose those that can deliver and be ready to give them free hand to do their job.

Celestine Etim, a public affairs analyst, told BDSUNDAY that 97-5percent sharing formula used in 2015 in the appointment should be discarded in the interest of the country.

“Last time, the President operated on the formula he created- 97percent against 5percent, in favour of those he said gave him winning votes. But I am impressed by what he said shortly after he was declared winner of the 2019 presidential election, that he would run an inclusive government.

If that is the case, he must look for the best hands from wherever they may be found.

Nigeria needs to move forward. Things are just not okay; we can feel it. This is not time for politics. Politicking time is gone and should be seen to have gone for good. This should be the ‘doing time’. All the promises must be fulfilled and all hands must be on deck. No matter how little the votes from other zones were, they were the things that counted for the victory of Mr. President. We need Nigerians to work for Nigerians, not self-serving politicians,” Etim said.

On the quality of ministers that Nigerians are expecting to see, the public affairs analyst said: “The President cannot go to the moon to get the ministers, they must come from among us. But he must look for those who have not spoiled themselves with politics or who have not been destroyed by politics. There are dangerous politicians with parochial views and reasoning, who only think about themselves and about their party. Nigeria of today needs broad-minded individuals who want the good of every citizen of this country, irrespective of party, religiousor ethnic leaning.

The country’s unity has been badly bruised in the last four years; we must speak truth to ourselves. So, the ministers must be more of unifying factors than divisive factors.”

Advising the President on the need to appoint credible hands, a pro-Buhari group, No Alternative to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 (NATBO 2019), said that President Muhammadu Buhari must exercise great circumspect in the composition of his new cabinet.

NATBO in a statement by its National Coordinator, Vincent Uba, explained that the advice had become necessary in view of the expectations of the populace that the Next Level slogan of the APC would not just be a mere slogan but a battle cry that will launch Nigeria into unprecedented higher level of security of lives and property, economic growth and development devoid of corruption.

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Apapa: Waiting for ‘Next Level’ Continued from page 1 inhabitants see hope of a better tomorrow.

Increasingly, hope is becoming synonymous with living in Nigeria. That is, however, understandable in a country that has been adjudged the headquarters of poverty and the 6th most miserable in the world, all summing up the level of suffering in an otherwise well endowed and well located country.

Though President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘Next Well’ remains largely nebulous and confusing, Nigerians are settling with that mantra simply because it is predicated on hope of better things to come and, consciously or unconsciously, the citizens have allowed themselves to be guided and even ruled by hope which, in religious parlance, is called faith.

The Christian book which serves as a code of conduct for the faithful, The Bible, remains the best literature ever written by man, more so in the exactitude and authority of its teachings, especially as they touch on man and his condition, hopes, aspirations, expectations and even frustration.

When Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Roman converts (Rm 5: 3-5), admonished them to “rejoice in your suffering, knowing that suffering begets endurance; endurance begets character, character begets hope, and hope does not disappoint us,” little did he know that his admonition, given over 2000 years ago, would garner as much universal relevance as suffering has become a universal phenomenon.

In Nigeria, hope, as elucidated by Paul, is a potent survival weapon because it is the reason many families are still clinging onto life in spite of suffering that has pushed them to the brinks, almost to the point of implosion. Hope remains the reason many prisoners of conscience, such as Leah Karibu, have continued to endure excruciating pain.

That hope, which underlies Buhari’s Next Level, is also the reason Apapa, where pain is palpable, suffering is pervasive just as environmental degradation is deep, still retains residents and keeps business owners, port operators and motorists expecting a better deal in the Next Level.

One taskforce after another and several stakeholder meetings dating back to 2010 when Goodluck Jonathan was president and Mike Onolememen was Minister of Works, Apapa remains a national disgrace, according to Kabiru Gaya, chairman, Senate Committee on Works.

Since 2012, vehicular movement in and out of Apapa metropolis, which houses the major economic gateways, Apapa and TinCan Island seaports, has been tough as the traffic gridlock into the port city, worsened without any hope in sight.

Alarmingly, the traffic situation continued to increase by the day as majority of the trucks going to the seaports and oil tank farms scattered all over the city were forced to pass through Ijora-ApapaWharf road, following the Federal Government’s inability to repair the failed Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, alternative access into Apapa.

Also, the failure of traffic managers put in place by the Federal Government to control traffic on the bridges and roads in Apapa, compounded the traffic situation. The situation was such that the recently introduced manual call-up system for trucks, to streamline the number of container-carrying trucks and trailers on the bridges to Apapa, also failed.

BDSUNDAY investigation shows the Federal Government is yet to be committed to repairing the roads as well as ameliorating the plights of Apapa residents and port users, who spend substantial amount of their daily manhour on the road, in order to have access into Apapa.

It has become very worrisome that government generates trillions of Naira from the ports annually, but has failed to invest a fraction of that revenue into the development of road infrastructure leading to the ports.

For instance, in 2017 and 2018 alone, available statistics revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated over N2 trillion in revenue and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) declared revenue of over N350 billion.

This is aside the hundreds of billions of Naira worth of revenue generated annually by agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

“Seaports in Nigeria are the goose that lay the golden eggs for the Federal Government, yet the government has failed to invest in the development of port infrastructure especially roads”, said Tony Anakebe, managing director of Gold-Link Investment Ltd, a Lagos-based clearing and forwarding company.

Anakebe noted that many Nigerians have lost their lives due to the risk involved in travelling on the bad roads in Apapa amid tankers and trailers. He added that government must wake-up to their responsibilities of fixing the

roads and providing transit parks for heavy vehicles, if Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business Ranking must improve.

BDSUNDAY also discovered that the persistent traffic congestion on the port roads has been piling up cost of doing business for shippers and manufacturers, whose goods and raw materials spend days and weeks before getting to their warehouses.

If these consignments spend longer days in the ports without clearing, it compels shippers to pay more to shippingcompaniesasdemurrage for not returning the empty containers as and when due, and they also pay storage charges to terminal operators for occupying space in the terminal.

Recall that prior to port concession, Apapa port used to accommodate almost 60 percent of the trucks that are parked on the highway today. Then, truckers had holding bay inside the port, where they parked pending when they got another job after offloading the empty containers.

“Port terminals were concessioned, without reserving holding-bay for truckers to park”, said Jonathan Nicol, president, Shippers Association of Lagos State, who advised the incoming government to expedite action in building truck transit parks around the ports.

He said the parks would enable truckers and port authorities to make use of electronic call up system in streamlining the number of trucks coming into the ports vis-à-vis Apapa metropolis on a daily basis.

Pundits have also blamed the indiscriminate licensing and locating of oil tank farms around the Apapa metropolis for adding to the Apapa traffic problem, which port users and commuters face on the roads to Apapa.

Based on that, President

Muhammadu Buhari administration in the next four years needs to either revive the refineries or make use of pipeline in evacuation of petroleum products to stop tankers from coming to Apapa.

“If the Federal Government reconstructs the bad portions of the roads leading to Apapa up to LagosIbadan Expressway with these tank farms still here, the tankers will continue to convert the roads to park and Apapa problem will persist,” Anakebe said.

In terms of cost implication on haulage, it has been discovered that moving import and export cargoes in and out of the ports in Apapa and Tin-Can Island have more than doubled in recent time largely due to the persistent traffic congestion.

For instance, taking 20 foot containers from TinCan and Apapa ports to any warehouse in Lagos that used to cost between N80N120,000.00, now cost N400,000.00; while 40 foot container that used to cost like N250,000.00, now cost N700,000.00 On the other hand, moving 20 ft and 40 ft containers from Lagos to the north that used to cost between N500,000.00 and N600,000.00; now cost between N900,000.00 to N1 million and N1.3 million in some cases while consignment to the south-east, which used to cost N250,000 now cost between N550,000.00 and 750, 000.00.

BDSUNDAY findings have shown that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the agency in charge of developing the rail system as well as rail operations, has failed to tap into the opportunities inherent in the movement of over 120 million metric tons of cargo available to be moved annually across the country.

As a result, businesses especially exporters and im-

porters record losses due to high cost of moving their cargoes from either the hinterland to port cities or port cities to the hinterland.

Therefore, if the incoming government pays serious attention to having an effective railway system, shippers would save lots of money on haulage of cargoes.

“Time has come for the Federal Government to fully involve the private sector in the development of railway system. Over the years, the Federal Government has been making plans to concession the management of the railway to private operators.

Thus, the need to fast track this move for greater benefit for Nigerian businesses,” said Emma Nwabunwanne, a Lagos-based importer.

There has also been the existence of multiple security checkpoints manned by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Army and other security operatives along the roads leading to the Apapa Ports, which has started taking toll on businesses.

Originally, security operative were installed on the port roads by government to ensure sanity through proper control of traffic congestion within Apapa metropolis but the essence is becoming almost defeated as these officers use the opportunity to feather their own nest.

“These multiple checkpoints that came up in the last three years have helped in increasing the rate of corruption in the port system”, Anakebe confirmed.

“Corruption will continue to thrive in our ports if these checkpoints are allowed.

It has become very absurd that when a Custom officer releases a container in Apapa, on getting to Area B, which is few meters away, the truck driver will encounter more

than three Customs’ checkpoints and the cargo owner must grease their palm before passing,” he disclosed.

When Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President, came to Apapa and gave a 72-hour order to the security agencies to clear the gridlock on roads and bridges in the port city to no avail, all stakeholders, especially the residents and the stakeholders, knew that it would take long before respite came their way.

But disillusioned as they are, all eyes are on Buhari’s Next Level because, until the Senate Committee visited at the weekend to seek solution to the gridlock, nobody seemed to be interested, at all government levels, in Apapa and its choking problems.

“We have more or less resigned to fate in the matters of Apapa; we have been told that things will get better when we get to the next level; even if we have our doubts, we have no choice but to believe them because all stakeholders, except the government which has all the powers, are at the end of their tether in terms of solution to this problem,” lamented a resident who craved anonymity.

According to him, the Next Level solution to Apapa gridlock should be looking at a whole lot of issues beginning with infrastructure and port access. Expectedly, the new Trailer Park on ApapaOshodi Expressway will be completed and opened by month end while the reconstruction of the expressway is underway.

But that will not be all.

Though Ayo Vaughan, chairman, Apapa GRA Resident Association says Apapa master-plan has been distorted, the Next Level approach to the problem should revisit its regeneration strategy which seeks to restore the original structure and feature of the port city.

“Revisiting the original master plan and following it through, just like providing the necessary roads infrastructure, may not be the solution to this problem, but just a part it. The numerous tank farms and indiscriminate building of structures even on rail lines have to be reconsidered with a view to doing away with them,” the anonymous resident said.

CHANGE OF NAME I, OJIEH ONYIBUCHI ADISON, wishes to state that I am the same person bearing Ojie Onyibuchi Adison and Ojieh Onyibuchi Adison, as respectively stated in my June, 2007 West African Examination Certificate (WAEC), of Certificate Number: NGWASSCS 9519066, and, my West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, (WASSCE) 2017, result for private candidate examination, result.

Yaba College of Technology, Akoka, Please take note.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

News

Lagos PDP crisis: Factional chairman petitions CP, demands Adewale’s arrest Iniobong Iwok

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he crisis rocking the Lagos chapter of the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, worsened at the weekend, with one factional chairman petitioning the police against the other.

Agboola Dominic, the incumbent, petitioned the Commissioner of Police, alleging that a claimant to the chairmanship of the party in the state, Segun Adewale, broke into the party’s secretariat, and called for his arrest.

The two factional chairmen have been at loggerheads in recent weeks over who is the authentic chairman of the party in the state and in control of the party’s secretariat.

Adewale, however, took control of the secretariat last week and is laying claim to the chairmanship position.

He alleged that the tenure of Dominic expired last December, and based on the 2016 state congress of the party, he was the legally recognised chairman.

L-R, Nneka Chidoka, pharmacist, Pharmetro Pharmacy Limited, Victor Etuokwu, executive director, retail banking Access Bank Plc, Safa Khoury-Nyako, pharmacist, Pharmetro Pharmacy Limited, Voke Isivore, external director JNCI and Sufiyanu Garba, regional sales director, Abuja and North West Access Bank Plc during the ‘The Business of Health’, Access Business workshop held in Abuja.picture by TUNDE ADENIYI.

However, Dominic in the petition to the CP in the state, a copy which was sent to BusinessDay at the weekend, alleged that Adewale was not a member of the party and was illegally parading himself as the chairman of PDP in the state.

The factional chairman added that Adewale’s group had on another occasion broken into the state secretariat of the party, urging the police to immediately arrest him to prevent further crisis in the state.

FG to exploit policies to grow economy through diversification in agric UDOKA AGWU, UMUAHIA

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he Federal Government has said its major task is to access extant policy with a view to growing the economy through diversification in Agriculture and create employment for the teeming population in the country.

Mohammed Bello Umar, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry Agriculture and Rural Development, stated this in Umuahia at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Regular Meeting of the National Council in Agriculture with the

theme ‘Consolidating the Strategies of Agricultural Promotion for Economic Diversification’.

Umar, who was represented

by Amin Badeji, a director in the Ministry, said that Federal Government was poised to providing machinery to farmers for hiring to avoid farmers spending too much during production.

“Our target is to reduce cost of evacuating produce from the farms and reduce post harvest damage,” he said.

He noted that at the end of the meeting far-reaching decisions would be reached that would stand Nigeria out as the engine room of

Agriculture in the global map.

The Permanent Secretary said that concentration should be given to crop commodities for optimal food security and export.

“Agricultural sector is meant to provide adequate food for our growing population, supply sufficient raw materials to grow the industrial sector, expand market for agro industries, diversify the resource base of the economy and create employment opportunities,” he said.

Chinedum Elechi, the Abia State commissioner for Agriculture, in his speech said the meeting, taking place in Abia which is Agriculturallyendowed, was a milestone in the history of Abia.

He said that the forum had brought the best brains and talents in the ever-expanding national Agricultural sector for the formulation and implementation of sustainable Agricultural policies and programmes that would contribute in providing a solid economic base for the country.

Elechi noted that dwindling petroleum oil prices, displacement of farming populations as a result of insurgents, Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants, farmers-pastoralists conflicts, among others had further orchestrated the economic downturns being experienced in the country.

He said that the leadership of the party had tried to maintain peace by restraining its members from taking laws into their hands and would not be held liable for any crisis that erupts.

“Please, be reminded that this

occasion is not the first that Segun Adewale, aka Aeroland, is breaking into our party Secretariat in this manner, which prompted our Party’s National leadership, in a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police dated Tuesday April 16th 2019, to request that Segun Adewale, not being a member of our party, should be apprehended for breaking into our party secretariat,” he wrote.

“Having got information of Adewale’s impending invasion again today Friday 26th April, the party state chairman had earlier alerted both the police D.C. Ops and the DPO Ikeja division.

“Our party leaders have been hard-pressed restraining our party’s youths from rising to defend our secretariat and staff; in which case there would otherwise have been a breakdown of law and order, and possibly bloodshed.

“This, as responsible party leaders, we want to avoid at all cost; and therefore, we are imploring the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command, to apprehend Segun Adewale in order to maintain the peace, and protect our properties and our law-abiding members.”

Governor commits to new minimum wage despite over N2bn increase in Anambra wage bill Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka

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overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has said he would abide by the new national minimum wage despite the increase of over N2 billion on the state government’s monthly expenses.

Obiano disclosed this at a get together with some staff of the Anambra Broadcasting Service and members of the Government House Press Corps.

Speaking at his residence at Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, Obiano said though huge, he would pay the new minimum wage as he promised workers.

Obiano

He called for concerted efforts towards improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to aid the government in carrying out other important expenses for enhancing development of the state.

The governor, who said that he was impressed with the current output of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, noted that he has put machinery in motion to ensure that the station is accommodated on DSTV. Obiano noted that he watches ABS on YouTube and commended the staff for their hard-work and resilience, especially the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Uche Nworah.

He said that the state government had invested over N2.9 billion to give the ABS its present digital status.

Obiano revealed that after the implementation of the new minimum wage which he said would add over N2 billion to the state government’s wage bill, he would do more interventions for the ABS and its staff.

On his part, a member of the Board of Management of the government owned electronic media and the traditional Ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local Government area, Igwe Roland Odegbo, thanked the governor for the commendation.

Sunday 28 April 2019

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Ikpeazu inaugurates ‘works & prospect evaluation’ committee …Aba shoe industry to take off soon UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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overnor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has inaugurated a 6-man Works and Project Evaluation Committee with a charge to evaluate on-going projects and provide solutions on how to fast-track their completion.

During the inauguration, Ikpeazu directed the committee while carrying its duty, to also proffer solutions on how to resuscitate moribund industries in the state.

Th e g o v e r n o r, w h o spoke through his Deputy, Ude Oko-Chukwu, charged the committee, Chaired by Eziuche Ubani, commissioner for Works, to oversee and monitor on-going projects, especially road infrastructure and moribund industries and report back to government on how to go about the completion and resuscitation, respectively.

The Abia State Governor directed the committee to pay particular attention to

Ikpeazu

some major roads which include Ururuka, Etitiama, Nkporo, Obikabia, Osusu, Eziukwu, Aba-Owerri, Aba and Aba road, Umuahia, among others which are all on-going projects.

He also charged the committee to come up with solution on how to set up the Aba Shoe Industry.

The committee has John Okiyi Kalu, commissioner for Information, as the secretary, while other members include Emma Nwabuko, principal secretary to the governor; Chinenye Nwogu, Aham Uko, commissioner for Environment and Obinna Oriaku, commissioner for Finance.

While responding on behalf of the committee, Ubani thanked the governor for finding them fit for the job and promised that the committee would do its best to accomplish the task ahead of them.

Ubani in an interactive session with journalists shortly after the inauguration said the committee would be meeting as soon as possible because of the limited time given it to accomplish the task ahead.

He disclosed that the shoe industry would be established as a pilot project and the onus lies on the committee to advise government on how to start it off.

Ubani hinted that the state government had taken the delivery of machines to establish the shoe industry since December last year.

The committee chairman also said that those named projects were not abandoned but government wanted to hasten their completion.

Obiano urges sustaining of Igbo cultural heritage Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka

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illie Obiano, governor of Anambra , State has called on Igbo people to sustain and promote their rich cultural heritage.

Obiano made the call at the Ito Aro (retirement ceremony) Ogidi Cultural Festival, held at Ogidi Town Hall in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

He stressed the need for the Igbo nation to encourage and sustain culture that celebrate people while alive, rather than honour them in death.

Obiano commended the organisers, especially traditional ruler for the colourful and orderly nature of the event.

Traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Oyido, said the Ito Aro is an age-long traditional observance in Ogidi which had been abandoned for quite a long time.

“Ito Aro is deeply rooted in the age grade system in Igboland.

“Age grade in Ogidi has been very influential and impacted positively on communal discipline, community development and engineered healthy competitive spirit among the youth,” he said.

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BDSUNDAY 5

News We completely reject proposals to increase VAT by FG – NLC Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

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he President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba has stated that the union completely rejected the proposals to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) which the Federal Government said was a means of funding the 2019 Budget.

NLC equally warned that any increase in VAT or PAYE would not only rob workers of the minimal relief from the increase from the national minimum wage but would also leave the nation’s economy in dire straits.

Wabba, who was represented by Uche Ekwe, HOD, International Relations NLC on the occasion of the NLC state delegates conference held in Lokoja, Kogi State, also urged the Federal Government to consider other progressive ways of financing the budget, saying “Government should adopt progressive taxation in a manner that captures more people in tax and also ensures that the rich and luxury items are properly taxed.”

“We have crossed the bridge of debate whether state governments can pay the new national minimum wage or not. The feedback we got from the nationwide rallies for new national wage which took place in January 2019 indicated that most state governments are willing to pay the new national minimum wage once Mr. President grants

Ayuba

his assent. The truth is that if state governments cut down on high cost of governance and corruption, they will be more than able to pay the new national minimum wage of N30,000.

“We have demonstrated tenacity in the pursuit of a new national minimum wage for workers. We have held several rallies, protest marches at both federal and state levels and even embarked on a few strikes to press home our demand for a new national minimum wage. A few weeks ago, the two chambers of the National Assembly passed the National Minimum Wage

(2019) Amendment Bill.

The bill was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18, 2019. There cannot be a more perfect May Day gift for Nigerian Workers,” he said.

“Well, the upward review of the national minimum wage is not so much a gift as it is the right of workers. This right was delayed for too long. As Mr. President ordered during the signing into law of the National Minimum Wage (2019) Amendment Bill. I urge the incoming leadership of our state council to make the immediate payment of the new national

minimum wage of N30,000 and review of monthly pension by state government your top priority, “ Wabba said.

He equally hinted that at the June 2015 and 2016 Strategic Leadership Retreats of NLC, they made a collective pledge to return to funding principles of their movement, adding that their resolve in that regard was supposed to find expression in the renewal of their commitment to genuine struggle for social justice, workers’ right and human dignity.

He said that he expects that this conference would awaken a fresh passion that seeks to invest workers completely in the fight to improve their collective working and living conditions, as he urge every delegate, labour leader, organiser, women and youth leaders to leave the conference asking ‘How can I be of better service to Nigerian workers, the labour movement and to the Nigerian State?’

Wabba also hinted that this clarion call to service makes no better appeal at no other time than now when the nation is confronted with myriads of social, economic and political challenges.

“Some of our state governments are still owing arrears of salaries, pension and gratuity,” he said, stressing that this ugly situation has persisted despite Federal Government’s bailout and budget support initiatives which at the last count is close to two trillion Naira.

Labour restates stand in Taraba, as Gambo is returned state’s NLC boss Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

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he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it has rejected proposals by the Federal Government to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT), to fund the 2019 Budget.

The National President of NLC, Ayuba Waba, disclosed this Friday in Jalingo at the 12th delegates conference of the Taraba State chapter

of NLC. Ayuba whose speech was read by Salisu Abubakar the national trustee North East of the union, described the delegates’ conference as timely as it came at both on the heels of Nigeria’s general elections and the celebration of the International Labour Organisation( ILO) centenery.

Meanwhile the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Taraba State council has returned Peter Gambo as the branch president for a sec-

ond term of four years.

Ga m b o w i l l h e a d a 12-member Taraba State Administrative Council (NAC), of NLC, who were equally elected with him to administer the affairs of NLC for the next four years.

The state president of Nigeria Union of Local government Employees, Mamud Musa and that of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Peter Vau, were elected as treasurer and auditor 1, respectively.

In his acceptance speech, Gambo said the next four

years would be to ensure that workers are treated as human beings.

He urged the members to be ready for the battle of struggling for the welfare of members, adding that any attempt to shortchange Taraba workers will be resisted.

Gambo promised that the Labour movement in Taraba would continue to take instructions from the national body and would always speak truth to the powers to protect the interests of the working class in Taraba State.

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Ondo 2020: PDP guber aspirant promises to industrialise state YOMI AYELESO, Akure

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head of the 2020 governorship election in Ondo State, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA) has said that there were potentials in the state that could help in transforming the lives of the people.

The entrepreneur-turned politician has promised that if given the mandate in next year’s election, he would change the state from the

current civil service state to an industrial haven.

Akingboye spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital while meeting with the forum of PDP’s House of Assembly Candidates in the just the concluded 2019 election.

He solicited the support of the forum to join hands with him in rescuing the state, adding that potentials of the state must be properly harnessed.

“I am here to seek for your support in my quest to rescue this state. We have enough of potentials untapped and it will take someone who has

Akingboye

the knowledge for it to be harnessed,” he said.

According to him, “It is high time we changed the narrative about our state being a civil service state.

We need to industrial this state with someone that can think outside the box. Governance is a serious business and we need a business man to handle the state.

“I am offering myself for this onerous task and I know I have all what it takes to lead the state.” He disclosed that he would support and work for whoever would emerge from the party’s transparent primaries in order to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the Forum, Kolade Fasua described the PDP governorship aspirant as a man qualified to govern the state.

Fasua , who was the House of Assembly candidate for Akure South Constituency One noted that the forum would ensure the party conduct free, fair and transparent primaries.

He however, urged Akingboye to accept the outcome of transparent primaries, saying the party can’t afford to approach the 2020 poll with a divided house.

CHRCR calls for sack of Kogi administrators or fresh council election Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

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uman Right Activist and Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Miliki Abdul, has condemned in strong terms the blatant refusal of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello to conduct elections into the local government councils in the last three years.

This was made available to newsmen in Lokoja in a press statement personally signed by Abdul, as he lamented that since the expiration of the last democratically elected councils in May 2016, there has been no effort by the present administration to conduct council election.

He stressed that the government has consistently denied the people of Kogi State their constitutional right of electing their local government officials through democratic means.

“The current Assembly under the leadership of Rt.

Hon. Mathew Kolawole, as the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, has consistently conspired with the Executive Arm of government in perpetrating illegality in respect of Local Government Administration in Kogi State, despite the fact that they were also democratically elected.

“The current extension of tenure of the illegal administrators was carried out on October 11th, 2018. And by that extension, the tenure of the illegal extension expired on the 29th of March 2019.

“Although no further extension has been carried out, they have remained in office

Idris Miliki Abdul

illegally and illegitimately under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole,” he said.

Miliki Abdul noted that Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution stated clearly that there shall be democratically elected local government councils in Nigeria, adding that both the High Courts in the state and the Supreme Court of Nigeria, have pronounced that caretaker or any other nomenclature other than a democratically elected council, as illegal.

“Also, in the 5th Assembly in Kogi State, under the Leadership of Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Bello, a resolution was passed affirming the provisions of the Constitution that Caretakership at Local Government Council in the state was illegal.

“We therefore, call for either the sack of the entire administrators by the Kogi State Assembly under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole or the House should compel the governor to conduct election for the councils,” he said.

Anambra govt urges training of security operatives to enhance proficiency Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka

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nambra State government has emphasised the need for the training and re-training of security operatives in the state to enhance proficiency.

The Commissioner for Justice, Uju Nwogu made this known during a oneday seminar organised by the Ministry of Justice and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for all the security agencies in the state, in Awka.

According to her, the seminar was organised to equip the security agents with the relevant sections of the constitution on how to go about in doing their jobs.

Nwogu explained that the seminar would also provide them with vital information on how to continue to provide adequate security to the state.

She affirmed that the importance of the event could not be over emphasised, considering that the law enforcement agents were being educated to deal with suspects, defendants and

victims in the course of their jobs.

Nwogu said the state was currently reviewing the state laws, Administration of Justice Act, administration of law and the torture act.

A participant and Commander of NDLEA in the state, Sule Momodu commended Gov. Willie Obiano for his massive interest and investment in security and for sponsoring the event.

“Notwithstanding that the participants were all Federal Government agencies,” he said.

Abia Police Command launches ‘Operation Puff Addar’ in Aba …to combat resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area GODFREY OFURUM, Aba and UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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he Abia State Police Command has launched ‘Operation Puff Addar’, in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, to rid the area of the resurgence of kidnapping and armed robbery in the commercial city and its environs.

The launch of the operation, at the Aba Area Command, saw the coming together of stakeholders in the state, including traditional rulers, market Union leaders, politicians, sister security agencies and the clergy.

Ene Okon, commissioner of Police, Abia State, explained that Mohammed Adamu, the acting inspector general of Police (IGP), directed all zonal and state commands to launch the operation to eradicate violent crimes in the country.

He noted that Tijani Baba, an assistant inspector gener-

al of Police in charge of Zone9, on April 17, 2019 launched the exercise in Umuahia, the state capital, stressing that the state command is keying into the vision of the IGP to ensure a crime free Nigeria.

“Today, Abia State Command is launching its own operation Puff Addar in the state to curb armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes within the state,” he stated.

The Abia CP attributed upsurge of criminal activities in the state to hoodlums, who may have assisted some politicians in the state to carry out some duties during the concluded elections, but now have nothing to do, except to terrorise innocent citizens.

According to him, “This is a veritable way of telling the members of the public that increase in crime rate in Abia, is not tolerated by us, as such, something has to be done and that’s why we have to key into the vision of the IGP

by flagging off this operation.

“This is not a mere ceremony. It’s an operation that will be carried out throughout Abia State. We have deliberately decided to pick Aba, as the venue for the launching, because of the peculiar nature of the city and increase in crime rate.

“You’ll agree with me that, the past one-month, people have being very apprehensive, due to incessant kidnapping and armed robbery cases, which is not giving us a good image.

“Flagging off of this operation today, is aimed towards eradicating the aforementioned crimes. We have all the strategies put in place to curb them all”.

He revealed that Operation Puff Addar in Abia State will be anchored, by Area Commanders and tactical Commanders, who would be in charge of carrying out an already drawn operational order, which would last for a long time.

Women urged to explore international opportunity, operate within principle of work-life balance Ngozi Okpalakunne

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areer women have been urged to explore and exploit local and global opportunities so as to be successful in their chosen fields.

They have also been advised to allow the principle of worklife balance moderate their endeavours.

President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Felicia Agubata who made the call during the association’s courtesy visit to NACHO Aviance, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), affirmed that

when professional women discover and utilise international opportunities they will inspire others to follow their footsteps.

While explaining that the visit was part of her organisation’s activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), Agubata described APWEN as a privileged platform of choice for structured growth of women engineers and a potent voice for the advocacy to get the girl-child to go into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“Our mission is to stimulate women engineers to achieve excellence in the profession and in leadership and

to encourage the girl-child to take up the study of sciences (STEM) tailored towards the engineering profession”, she added.

Highlighting the theme of this year’s IWD, ‘Balance for Better’, she said it was very apt as it coincides with the Nigerian election year.

“The time is right to do everything possible to forge a more gender balanced world.

Women have come a long way, but we are not yet where we should be. We need to sustain the push for diversity and inclusion not because we are women, but because we have the required skill mix and competence.

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Fela’s father’s heavy cane made me what I am today - Soyinka ...as Amosun unveils Kuti Heritage House in Abeokuta RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

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o l e So y inka , an Emeritus Professor of Comparative Literature and the Nobel Laureate on Friday disclosed that strict background and discipline he received while growing up with his uncle, father of the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, shaped and toned up his life to have become what he is today.

Soyinka, who is a member of the extended family members of Oludotun and Olufunmilayo RansomeKuti, father and mother of the great musician, relived how tough it was to have spent two years at the Abeokuta Grammar School, a school that had his uncle, Oludotun Ransome-Kuti then, as the principal of the school.

The Nobel Laureate, who was one of the personalities that attended the Unveiling of the Kuti Heritage House

Soyinka

at Isabo area of Abeokuta which was refurbished by the Ogun State Government, said that the two years he spent with his uncle was enough to have toned up his life and made him what he is today though he later escaped to the Ibadan Grammar School.

“I remember my uncle, I

Army appoints new NYSC DG, redeploys 7 generals Stella Enenche, Abuja

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he Nigerian Army Friday, appointed Brigadier General S. Ibrahim as the new director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The new NYSC DG was deployed from the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State.

Ibrahim replaces Major General Suleiman Kazaure, who has been appointed Senior Resource Person at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, The new posting was contained in a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa.

“The Nigerian Army has approved the postings and appointments of some of its senior officers. Those affected by this include, Major General SZ Kazaure who has been posted from National Youth Service Corps to Nigerian Army Resource Centre and appointed as Senior Resource Person, Brigadier General CA Bossman from Nigerian Army Ar-

chives to Command Schools Services and appointed as Director Command Schools Services, Brigadier General E. Angaye is appointed Acting Director Veterans Affairs Department (Army) and Brigadier General BA Tsoho is posted from Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to Nigerian Army Language Institute and appointed as Commandant.

“Others affected in the postings are Brigadier General AA Goni from 82 Division Education to Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs and appointed Director Information, Brigadier General FC Onyeari from Headquarters Nigerian Army Supply and Transport to Defence Headquarters and appointed as Acting Director Catering, Brigadier General S Ibrahim from Nigerian Army University Biu to National Youth Service Corps and appointed as Director General, Brigadier General SS Ibrahim is now appointed Registrar Nigerian Army University Biu. “The postings and appointments are with immediate effect”, Musa said.

remember that he wielded heavy cane, that was what made us. Two years were more than enough to tone me up. I spent two years at Abeokuta Grammar School before I escaped to Ibadan Grammar School, which to him, was an ‘Ajebuta’ school, a school that was only made for “spoilt child”, he said.

While expressing gratitude to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his cabinet for the refurbishing and upgrading of Fela’s family house in Abeokuta tagged, ‘Kuti Heritage House and Museum’, Soyinka asked African government, especially Nigeria’s government, to preserve African culture and tradition by investing in it.

Yemisi Ransome-Kuti noted that integrity, human value, hard work, selflessness and patriotism that were put up by her family to the national development from various fields of human endeavour translated to what the people and government of the state was celebrating and not wealth and position attained by their family.

Yewande Amusan, senior consultant to Ogun Governor on Culture and Tourism, said that Kuti Heritage House was a well thought-out idea and investment to preserve the legacies of RansomeKuti’s family as befitting museum was put up to tell the stories of the Fela’s family and Abeokuta as a whole.

Fight against malaria deepens with Mouka’s research of repellent Temitayo Ayetoto

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oncerned about the susceptibility of 97 percent of Nigeria’s population to Malaria parasite, Mouka Limited, a large scale manufacturer of mattresses and bedding products have introduced a range of mosquito and related repellents from a collaborative research with local institutions.

The innovation coined into Mouka Mozzi Insect Repellents have been designed to approach malaria fight from an eco-friendly angle instead of the common use of chemical toxicity that often causes offensive smells, irritation or worsening of people’s medical condition.

There are an estimated 100 million malaria cases alongside 300,000 deaths per year in Nigeria, making malaria the strongest trigger of mortality after HIV/AIDS, according to the Nigeria Malaria Fact Sheet.

The endemic illness not only contributes an estimated 11 percent of maternity mortality, it has a high prevalence of about 50 percent in children between 6 months to 4 years old in the around

the country.

Raymond Murphy, Mouka’s chief executive officer repellent products which function as a preventive measure rather a reactive action were the company’s contribution towards the global campaign against malaria.

“Mouka Mozzi provides protection from bedbugs, mould, bacteria spores, spiders, cockroaches and dust mites. With each application, a consumer can enjoy 24 hours protection for up to 3 months which is not possible with insecticides,” Murphy said at the launch to commemorate the 2019 World Malaria Day in Lagos.

Omoniyi Yemitan, who conducted the chemical evaluation, efficacy and toxicological assessment of Mouka Mozzi assured that the formation of the products is sensitive to vulnerable classes such as pregnant women and young children.

Yemitan, an associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutic and Toxicology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said the active ingredient in repellent is extracted from plants, making it non-hazardous for humans.

FG in new clean energy drive, to engage 380,000 entrepreneurs in LPG scheme HARRISON EDEH, Abuja

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n keeping with Federal Government’s plan for clean energy drive in the country, the federal Ministry of Petroleum resources has commenced new clean energy drive initiative through Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), penetration which would see the engagement of 380 000 entrepreneurs as micro-distributors.

To drive the scheme, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has confirmed that the government is working with strong incentives to enable them produce LPG cylinder in the country.

He confirmed further that about four of the companies are getting facility of support from the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board to enhance their operations.

Over the years, Nigeria has seen thousands of rural women and men engage in charcoal and firewood business, which does not promote clean energy and adherence to global call in ad-

dressing concerns on climate change.

However, the government is determined to build their capacity, convert them to LPG micro-distributors in all the 774 local governments across the country.

In this new scheme, the Federal Government is targeting 380 000 micro distributors in all the local governments across the country, which would see more opportunities for local gas manufacturing plants spring up in different regions across the country for wealth

creation along the LPG value chain.

It would be noted that Nigeria is the second largest producer of LPG in Africa with only Algeria next to it.

It produces over 2 million tons. However, further findings show that there is only 11percent of LPG utilisation nationwide.

The current penetration for LPG is 11percent, which implies that the nation is only consuming for our domestic production about 225 000 metric tons, says Brenda Ataga, Special Assistant to

the Minister of state for Petroleum resources on Downstream and Infrastructure.

Further findings reveal that Nigeria’s current lack of abysmal use of clean energy sources had led to four diverse socio-economic impacts to the economy.

Brenda noted that “We are currently emitting 200 million green house gases from the traditional fuels that we use-from LGO, Vehicles, kerosene, fuel we are using, charcoal.

“In terms of our environmental context, our deforestation rate was up 67percent and we have lost about 670 000 hectares of primary forest, at the least from the national conservative agency.”

“In addition to that, we have also created a gap in terms of job opportunities; as such we are looking at our youths, who are jobless.

“When we look at healthrelated issues, about 150 000 women and children are affected by indoor air pollution, leading causes of deaths.

Other key social concerns is the time that children and women use in fetching firewood, which deprive them of man hours, which has inadvertently created poverty.

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Labour minister clarifies position on brain drain Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has clarified his position on the issue of international migration by the Nigerian Medical Doctors as contained in his interview on Channels Television live morning programme Wednesday, April 24, 2019 which has been subjected to serial distortion and misinterpretation.

Special Assistant Media to the Minister, Nwachukwu Obidike in statement described the incident as well as the selective reportage which it fueled in the media as unnecessary, calling for a deeper understanding of the issue in question.

The statement added that Ngige, being a patriotic Nigerian, a medical doctor, and one who neither shies away from speaking on the reality of the Nigerian situation nor given to pretences, fully appreciates the sensitiv-

ity of the issue at hand and the consequential negative import of brain drain on national productivity.

“I speak from the vintage position of being a medical doctor and member, Nigerian Medical Association since June, 1979 and enriched by my vast knowledge on health administration, having retired as a Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training from the Federal Ministry of Health in 1998, member of Vision 2010 Committee on Health as well as senior member, Senate Committee on Health 2011-2015.

“Therefore, the truth no matter how it hurts, must be told and reality, boldly faced.

Hence, apart from Nigeria’s non-compliance with the World Health Organisation’s ratio of one doctor to six hundred patients of which I was misquoted, every other thing I said in that interview is an existential reality, useful and constructive facts which every Nigerian that watched the full interview will hardly dispute. I invite

Meristem promotes healthy living with inaugural organic festival, ‘Green Fest’ IFEOMA OKEKE

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Ngige

opinion moulders especially those who have spoken or written on this issue to watch the full clip of my interview with the Channels.

“And it is for this reason that I admitted having a little cause to worry about brain drain among medical doctors. The fact is that while the Federal Government has recorded a remarkably steady improvement in our healthcare system, Nigeria is yet to get there. We do

not at present have enough health facilities to accommodate all the doctors seeking to do tertiary specialist training (residency) in the Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and few accredited state and private specialist centres in the country, where roughly 20percent of the yearly applicants are absorbed while the remaining 80percent, try their luck elsewhere,” the statement said.

USAID partners AUN to boost education in ravaged Northeast

...Partnership to strengthen basic education for 200,000 students Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a new education activity in collaboration with the American University of Nigeria (AUN) to re-establish basic education in the conflict-ravaged areas in northeastern Adamawa and Gombe states.

A statement issued on Friday by the Public Affairs Division of the United States Embassy in Abuja, said that under a three-year, $13.3 million agreement, AUN will collaborate with Columbia and Kent State universities in the U.S. The collaboration also involved local government and community leaders to implement ‘Addressing Education in Northeast Nigeria’ (AENN) to improve the ability of education managers to plan and deliver basic services in-line with the states’ education sector strategy. There will be a special emphasis on training female leaders.

AENN will also address the social and emotional

challenges that both educators and learners face from the disruptions caused by extremist insurgency, the statement added.

“This new activity focuses on some of the most vulnerable areas of Nigeria, where insurgents have made eradication of education a specific tenet of their policy,” said Denise O’Toole, the USAID Education Office Director.

“Our support helps a major institute of higher learning in the northeast re-establish the basics of primary education for thousands of students.”

AENN will address the daunting challenges facing the education systems in Adamawa and Gombe by training 100 education managers, improving the instructional skills of 5,000 teachers, and focusing specific training for female teachers in 200 primary schools. These efforts are expected to improve the learning outcomes for 200,000 primary school boys and girls.

Access to education in the northeast has severely declined since the Boko Haram and Islamic State-

West Africa insurgencies began displacing families and communities a decade ago. AENN will address the resulting acute educational needs while laying a foundation to rebuild and transform the education system.

It will help provide educational continuity, stabilise institutional capacity, improve the quality of teaching and learning, increase equitable access, and integrate peacebuilding and safety considerations into school communities, the statement added.

eristem, a leading bespoke investment firm and capital market conglomerate, is set to unveil the maiden edition of its organic and healthy living festival titled ‘Green Fest’.

The event, slated to hold on June 1st at Muri Okunola Park, is created to encourage the practice of organic nutrition, fitness activities, and overall health consciousness in order to foster personal growth and increased productivity.

The running theme of Meristem Green Fest is ‘Unjunk’ which actively promotes the gradual disposal of artificial and unhealthy living habits and motivates people to adopt healthier lifestyle alternatives to enjoy a longer and happier life.

The goal of the festival is to inspire people to take the necessary steps as individuals and as a community towards a healthy and wellness centric lifestyle.

The festival will effectively showcase the benefits and practicality of this lifestyle change through a wide array of holistic experiences for

families, business owners, young professionals and senior citizens.

Born out of the company’s commitment to empower people through financial growth, Meristem Green Fest, as a platform, is positioned to inspire people to be more accountable for their lives by embracing healthier lifestyle choices as the first step in the journey to true wealth.

Oluwole Abegunde, group managing director of Meristem, said: “At Meristem, we are constantly seeking distinct ways to create value for our clients, and Green Fest is a strong anchor. The Meristem Green Fest was born on the singular truth that health is wealth and if we are committed to growing wealth for people, we must be committed to sustaining health that will allow them to enjoy their wealth”.

Solape Akinpelu, head, Brand Management of Meristem, said that “Meristem Green Fest is a convergence point for businesses in the healthy-living space and the increasing participants who consume their offerings through different means; consumables, natural skin and hair care, physical and mental fitness coaching and more.

Eket remodeling scheme delayed due to litigations by property owners ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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kwa Ibom government has explained the delay in the completion of the Eket urban renewal scheme in which contract was awarded more than three years ago saying it suffered a setback due to litigation by property owners on the project’s right of way.

The project which is being supervised by the Akwa Ibom State ministry of works consists of the construction of dual a carriage way from Atabong to Grace Bill road as well as the construction of a roundabout near Liverpool road in an attempt at the upgrade of facilities in the oil city.

Ephraim Inyang Eyen, commissioner for works who made this known while speaking to reporters in his office in Uyo, the state capital said in addition to the series of litigation, the people in the area are difficult to work with and have made it difficult for the project to be completed in time.

According to him, though the state government is willing to pay compensation to property owners and has paid many of them, they have declined to accept compensation payment and have rather dragged to the state government to court mak-

ing it difficult for many of the structures to be pulled down for the project to carry out.

“If Eket remodeling is delayed, it should be made known that the people of Eket are not supporting us, they are the problem. Until, the cases are withdrawn from the courts, we cannot do anything,” the commissioner said.

He disclosed that even when the state government had paid compensation for the relocation of the Atabong market, the community had rejected all appeals for the market to build in another area, saying the state government paid the construction of the new market through the chairman of Eket Local Government Area.

The commissioner however, expressed the hope that with moves being made to have the cases withdrawn from the court, the project would continue and complete without much delay.

He disclosed that the objective of the state government in construction roads across all the senatorial districts of the state was to create a network of roads for ease of transportation and add value to road transportation. According to him, the state government has taken steps towards the realisation of the Ibom deep seaport, saying that before now, no serious effort was made by the previous administration.

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Appraising reforms in the Lagos’ justice sector

Publisher/CEO

Frank Aigbogun editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

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

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

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

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

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or any government to achieve a safer, secured, nonviolent and more prosperous society, a functioning justice sector that guarantees human rights and freedom, protects investments and encourages economic development is a necessity.

In view of this reality, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, under the watch of the current Attorney General and Honourable Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kazeem Adeniji, SAN, has embarked on significant reforms that have greatly helped in enhancing the administration of justice in the state.

One of such is the establishment of Mobile Courts through which quick dispensation of justice is being ensured.

The courts summarily try traffic as well as environmental offenders and mete out immediate punishments to those convicted. This has helped in decongesting the courts, thereby reducing occurrence of indecisive cases.

Also, an online platform where the Laws of the State could be easily accessed was created. Investors

and prospective investors have tremendously benefitted from this as it enables them to make informed decisions about investing in the State.

Aside this, it has also helped them to appreciate the various legal protections available for their persons and investment. This is particularly a reflection of a strong desire to drive the administration of justice through innovation and technology.

As part of the drive to embrace technology in combating criminal tendencies in the State, a Crime Data Register (CDR) was created.

CDR is an electronic repository of information about suspects and offenders who pass through any of the prisons in Lagos State. It involves the participation of Stakeholders in the criminal justice process, namely; the Lagos State Judiciary, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police and the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service. Any convicted offender in the State will thus have his/her details electronically registered.

Furthermore, the inauguration of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission is a major step towards deepening democracy and the Rule of Law in the state as well as the country. This Commission has the statutory mandate to facilitate the process of reviewing our laws with a view to making appropriate recommendations for the repeal or amendment of such laws or provisions that have become obsolete and bring them in tune with current realities.

Similarly, the state’s Anti Land Grabbing Law reflects the thinking

of the state government in using the instrumentality of the law to reduce the stress that Lagos residents pass through in the hand of land speculators. Interestingly, the state government has been enforcing the anti-land grabbing law against anyone found wanting, no matter how highly placed in the society. This, no doubt, is good for the society.

Similarly, in line with the commitment of the state government to provide adequate support to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on its mission to ensure that tax payers comply with tax laws and ensure full tax compliance through prosecution of defaulters, the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit was set up at the Ministry of justice. This has ensured some level of compliance with tax defaulters approaching LIRS to offset their outstanding tax liabilities.

In an effort to eliminate cases where criminals escape justice due to non-availability of facilities to conduct necessary forensic tests and keeps records of evidences.

The state government inaugurated the Lagos State DNA& Forensic Centre which has aided and assisted law enforcement in the investigation of crimes. The Center has equally helped in training security agencies on methods to secure the crime scene; document same with photography, video and diagrams to ensure the appropriate collection, identification, handling and packaging of forensic evidence.

It is important to mention that in the first six months of operation, the LSD&FC received over 350 applications covering different

cases and has resolved over 50 of such cases as at December 2018.

Other laudable reforms in the state justice sector include the establishment of a Sexual Offences and Child Justice at the State’s Ministry of Justice to monitor the prosecution of Sexual Offences in the State, the introduction of Lagos State Real Estate Litigation Electronic System, the promulgation of new laws such as the Anti-Kidnapping Law, the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law, Lagos State Electric Power Reform Law, among others.

While the state has not really reached Eldorado in terms of adherence to law and order, it is, however, crucial to stress that much has been done to accelerate the dispensation of justice. Perhaps, a major reason why the Lagos success story has not been told from the justice sector’s perspective is because, in our clime, the yardstick for measuring government’s achievements is largely based on physical development.

Ironically, the actual engine that oils the wheel of socio-economic development and growth in the State is at the Ministry of Justice.

People pay tax, which is the golden key to economic development; because the law demands they do so. Equally, physical and social infrastructure development, environment, health, business investment, education and tourism development all have a significant input from the justice sector. Herein lies the significance of far reaching reforms in the state judicial sector.

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

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Sunday 28 April 2019

14 inmates breathe air of freedom after 20 years in prison …as 20 others on death row get life sentence JOSHUA BASSEY

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or 14 inmates of Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos, who had spent years within the facility, Friday, April 26, will remain memorable.

It was the day they walked out of their solitary confinement, enabled by the Lagos State government on the recommendation of the state’s Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The freed inmates convicted for various offences had spent 20 years in the prison while 20 others were awaiting the gallows having been sentenced to death, before they had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

Adeniji Kazeem, attorney general and commissioner for justice, Lagos State, who handed over the order for the release of the inmates signed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to prison authorities on Friday, said it was pursuant to constitutional provision which provides for the constitution of an advisory council and gives the governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the advice of the council.

“Prerogative of Mercy is a right recognised under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Section 212(2) of the constitution provides that the powers conferred on the governor under

section 212(1) shall be exercised by him after consultation with the advisory council of the state on the prerogative of mercy as may be established by the law of the state,” Kazeem explained.

According to the attorney gen-

200 Lagos residents benefit from NAF’s medical outreach

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n furtherance of its commitment to enhanced civil-military relations, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday provided free healthcare services to over 200 Lagos Island residents.

Air O ffi ce r C om m a n d in g (AOC), Abdulganiyu Olabisi, who inaugurated the outreach, said the programme was part of activities to mark the 55th anniversary of NAF’s establishment in Nigeria.

The air force, an arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces, was formally established on 18 April, 1964. The establishment was with the passage of the Air Force Act 1964 by the then National Assembly.

According to Olabisi, who also visited the Oba of Lagos, Rliwan Akiolu, as part of the activities lined up to mark the occasion, explained what the medical outreach entails.

“Patients will be treated and when necessary, some people

may be referred to our medical unit for further checkups. Being a responsible corporate citizen, NAF pays special and particular attention to the relationship between the NAF and its host communities and that is the reason why we are here to show our appreciation.

“We are also here to thank the Oba for receiving us in his domain, this morning,’’ he said.

Representative of the Oba, Obanikoro of Lagos, Adesoji Ajayi, welcomed NAF to the community, adding that the Oba would have been with them but was slightly indisposed.

“The Oba has given his assurances that his people are very peaceful and appreciates your coming here in remembrance of the NAF anniversary,’’ he said.

Ajayi, however, advised residents to use the opportunity of the medical outreach to check their

health status and ensure they were attended to accordingly.

The AOC also said that the medical outreach was NAF’s way to show appreciation, as well as identify with the host communities, their neighbours and the general public.

The medical outreach involved awareness campaign, as well as checking of blood and sugar levels of residents of the Lagos Island communities. Others are tests for malaria and hepatitis; oral and dental treatment, eye tests, and the provision of free drugs and glasses to those who needed them.

A beneficiary of the outreach, Balikisu Saheed, appreciated the NAF medical team for the free drugs, and implored them to make it a regular exercise.

“I am most grateful and touched by this free medical outreach,’’ he said.

Power supply worsens as EKEDC begs customers

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orsening power supply to homes in areas covered by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has elicited appeal from the company to its customers in Lagos.

Godwin Idemudia , general manager, corporate communications, EKEDC, explained on Friday

that the poor supply was due to a fault at the Egbin-Benin 330KV transmission line.

According to Idemudia, the fault has led to mitigated power supply from the Egbin power plant in Egbin in Ikorodu area of Lagos to EKEDC area of operations.

He said that power supply would be restored when the

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) rectified the fault.

Idemudia, however, solicited for the support of members of the public in curbing hazardous and illicit activities within its operational network.

According to him, this can be done through its whistle-blowing platforms which are safe, reliable and confidential.

eral, the inmates were considered to benefit from the gesture after due examination of their case files, which revealed that they have been reformed and ready for re-integration into the society.

Kazeem, who is also a mem-

ber of the council, specifically congratulated the inmates, and advised them to be of good conduct outside the prison.

Also, Oyelowo Oyewo, chairman of the council, said aside its power under the constitution, the setting up of the council also serves as a way of de-congesting the prisons.

He equally congratulated the beneficiaries of the clemency by the fovernor, and urged them to avoid acts that led to into prison in the first place.

Emmanuel Oluwaniyi, controller of prison in charge of Kirikiri maximum, welcomed the state government gesture, saying it would de-congest the prison.

Oluwaniyi, newly posted to the Kirikiri prison, said it was gratifying to commence his stewardship with the release of the inmates just as he admonished them to be of good conduct outside the prison.

Aside Oyewo and Kazeem, other members of the Lagos State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy are Adedotun Adetunji, Musili Onasanya, Olumide Oniyire, Chris Okoye, Bolatumi Animashaun, and Yemisi Ogunlola, who serves as secretary.

STEMCafe, kids learning centre debuts in Lagos

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TEMCafe, a new kids fun learning centre is partnering ENYO retail outlets, to boost children and young adults’ involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Bosun Tijani, founder of STEMCafe, said during the official unveiling of STEMCafe in Lagos.

STEMCafe is a non-linear learning centre where kids, aged 5-18 through play, explored the amazing world of STEM in a fun and interactive way.

Tijani said that the creativity play space would ensure that kids and young adults were innovative.

According to him, STEMCafe was designed to showcase the various engaging activities that would help the kids develop lifelong learning and interest in STEM. He said the kids would spend time creating various projects and a wide array of fun interactive activities at the cafe.

“Kids will also design and print 3D models to experiment with amazing creations and ideas, all under the guidance of trained STEM educators.

“In the modern global economy, STEM is closely linked with a nation’s economic prosperity. Nations which have become global leaders

have done so through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers and innovators.

“Nigeria’s position will continue to decline unless more kids pursue expertise in STEM fields. Nigeria must expand the capacity and diversity of the STEM workforce pipeline to prepare the younger generation for the best jobs of the future that will see Nigeria become innovative, secure and competitive,” he said.

Tijani added that there was an urgent need for an extensive application of scientific and technological breakthroughs to leapfrog development across Africa.

He believed that exposing young people to STEM at an early age was one sure way of building a generation of innovators and thinkers, who would sustain and strengthen the evolving position of Africa in the world.

“I am extremely excited to once again contribute to building a fun platform that will build a new generation of leaders for science and technology across Africa, through the STEMCafe,” Tijani said.

The chief financial officer, ENYO, Fernando Madeira, said that the company would continue to set the technology trends in the oil and gas industry with the launch of the STEMCafe.

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VOXPOP How sustainable is the new minimum wage?

Jonathan Aderoju

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resident Muhammadu Buhari recently signed into law the new minimum wage of N30,000. By this, the Federal and state governments are mandated to pay the new wage. But controversy has continued to trail the development, with some state governments saying it will be difficult for them to pay.

The argument in some quarters is that the possibility of seeing many more defaulting states is high, considering the fact that many states have continued to owe backlog of unpaid salaries of civil servants even at N18,000 minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to ensure the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

Beyond the issue of the capacity of the state government to implement the new wage structure, there have also been questions on how the new minimum wage will impact Nigerians who are not in the public and formal economic sectors.

BDSUNDAY asked some government workers what they think about the new minimum wage, and the possibility of its sustainability.

Mrs Mojiola Moses Talking about the implementation, its lies in the hand of the state government because some state government are still battling with the payment of N18000 claiming that the allocation given to them is not enough and they do not have any supporting revenue to back the state up.

Except if the Federal Government increases each state’s allocation, and grant also given to those states that are having challenges that is when I will say the implementation will take effect. There might be little change in the state salaries which might not be N30,000 and it might not be immediate.

But talking about a state like Lagos where there are other sources of revenues apart from the Federal Government allocation, I will say the implementation might be immediate because they have all the necessary available resources to pay it. Also, I could remember during election campaign, the governor-elect and the present governor promised that they are ready for the payment of the N30,000 only waiting for

the Federal Government’s approval.

So, on the part of the Lagos state, I will say yes it will be implemented immediately and sustained for as long as it lasts, but on the part of other states that do not have supporting means of resources, I will say it might not happen immediately but gradually.

Dr. Fassy Yusuf There are many issues involved. Number one, in a Federal system, it is absurd to legislate the same minimum wage for states like Lagos, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom vis-à-vis states like Zamfara, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Sokoto and Kebbi. The economic and social status of these states varies. Besides, it negates the principle of fiscal federalism.

Number two, sustainability of implementation is variable dependent including affordability, curbing of wastages, economic and financial engineering, financial discipline, taming corruption, and prioritisation of operations/ activities.

Thirdly and lastly, an enabling environment must be created for the private sector to thrive and to stimulate economic growth. We must afford policy somersault and inconsistencies.

Nwanchukwu Charles It will amount to gross misconception for anyone to say that the implementation of the minimum wage will cause more harm than good to Nigeria economic growth or progress of the country.

Nigeria is blessed with all it takes to finance this minimum wage and also ensure that they keep to it till infinity.

For me, I see this implementation as a way of giving the country good image because this will go a long way in aiding the citizens to meet up with their standard of living in one way or the other.

I sincerely applaud the president for ensuring that this implementation is a thing of reality. This will also encourage civil servants to put in their best in their respective are of work.

Abasiama Emmanuel Udoeden It’s painful that the socalled giant of Africa is implanting a minimum wage of mere N30, 000. For a country that has a population of close to 200 million people and recently ranked the world’s capital of poverty, it’s a big shame on the part of our leaders.

The newly implemented

minimum wage is nothing short of a sham and a colossal embarrassment. Looking at other African countries such as Rwanda and South Africa that sometime last year increased its minimum wage to about N200,000 if converted to naira, shows that Nigeria needs a total revamp and proper restructuring.

Oriaku Jennifer Chinecherem When you juxtapose the value of the naira against the dollar before and now, you would see how pathetic the situation is. Naira value has gone down badly but what did they say about half bread? On the growth of the country, I don’t know about that; but I think the false financial security it would give the workers would help them gain more peace of mind from the home-front (their families), that is, if the buying power of their wage doesn’t continue diminishing.

Damilare Asimiyu Well, the new minimum wage bill has only just been signed into law; we await the implementation across the various states.

Having said that, implementing the new minimum wage is a good omen for the country as it will help improve consumers’ purchasing power. This in turn will suppose increased aggregate demand and strong economic growth at large.

Nonetheless, the downside risk factors include the inability of many states to be able to fund the increased wage bill without incurring more debt or laying off workers.

Also, the implementation of the minimum wage will mildly elevate inflationary pressure in the near term. Overall, it’s a good development, provided it is not being accompanied by spike in electricity tariff and petroleum price.

Sobechukwu Eze To answer the question if the new minimum wage is sustainable, we must look at the real value of the N30, 000. The minimum wage was increased from N18,000 representing a nominal increase of about 66.7 percent. But the real question is, what is the purchasing power of N30, 000 today?

If we calculate the real minimum wage today adjusting for inflation in March 2017 and March 2019, you’ll discover that N30,000 today is only worth N23, 792 in 2017 prices.

This informs us that real income has not raised enough

to cater for inflationary pressures. So, as it stands, the minimum wage is not sustainable.

Eniogeru Felix Efosa The new minimum wage is not really a stepping stone for growth. This is because a lot of other pressing factors contribute to the growth of a country, and not necessarily minimum wage of a negligible percentage of the country’s population. Even amongst these same beneficiaries of the minimum wage, there isn’t even a respite in place to indicate that Eldorado has birthed for them through this act. This is due to the fact that the ripple effect of such small increment in wages for workers is often on the adverse side.

In a short while, the prices of other items are going to shoot up, such as house rent, transportation, children’s school fees, etc, couple with the anticipated upward review of taxes/levies on such wages by government. Until the government puts in place a lot of variables to ensure that there’s an appreciable hike in the purchasing power of the minimum wage recipients, in the foreseeable future, we might just see the lamentation of workers in no distant time. And, don’t forget...Minimum Wage in Nigeria - 2010: N18, 000 = $122; 2019: N30, 000 = $82. So, any headway yet? Capital NO!

Eniogeru Felix Efosa

Abasiama Emmanuel Udoeden

Nwanchukwu Charles

Dr. Fassy Oriaku Jennifer Chinecherem

Sobechukwu Eze

mrs moji-ola moses

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Politics Reps Speakership Race: Regional, religious or competence contest?

James Kwen, Abuja

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fter the tension-soaked general election, the Nigerian political warfare has shifted to the search for leadership of the nation’s legislative arm of government, the National Assembly.

Shortly after the polls, several members-elect for the 9th Assembly, particularly in the House of Representatives did not rest from the rigours of election into the lower Chambers of the National Assembly as they joined the race for the Speaker of the House.

At the beginning, about 15 memberselect indicated interest to run for the exalted office of the Speaker of House of Representatives. They were Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos), Abdulrahman Sumaila (Kano) Ahmed Wase (Plateau) Mohammad Monguno (Borno), Olusegun Odebunmi (Oyo), Abdulrazak Namdas (Adamawa), Khajidat Bukar-Ibrahim (Yobe), John Dyegh (Benue) and Yakub Buba (Adamawa).

Others were Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (Kano), Umar Bago (Niger), Babangida Ibrahim-Mahuta (Katsina), Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Abia), Suleiman Aminu (Kano), Abubakar Lado (Niger) and Muhammed Kazaure (Jigawa).

However, sequel to the adoption of Gbajabiamila by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) the number has obviously dropped to four as only Dyegh, Onyejeocha, Bago and of course, the adoptee are still in the contest.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary had disclosed that the decision to adopt Gbajabiamila was reached after deliberation with the APC’s House of Representatives members-elect at a dinner with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa.

Be that as it may, one cannot precisely tell whether the contest for the Speaker of the House is hinged on zoning, religion or competence, more so that APC has not been able to tell Nigerians the basis for which Gbajabiamila is preferred to the other aspirants.

Nigeria is a country where ethnicity as represented by zoning and religion play serious role in the leadership recruitment exercise even above meritocracy or mission of those in leadership positions, though the former (religion) is almost always surreptitiously applied.

Retrospectively, at least in the last 20 years of Nigeria’s democratic rule (1999 - 2019), the leadership of the House is determined by the twin factors of region and religion depending on what is obtained in the executive as represented by the Presidency and the Upper Legislative Chamber, the Senate.

For instance, in 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo, a Christian from South-west Nigeria became President and the Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, a Muslim was from North-east and the Senate President, Evans Enwerem, a Christian was from South-east while the Speaker, Salisu Buhari, a Muslim was from North-west.

Femi Gbajabiamila

Though there were changes but the regional zoning was retained as Buhari was removed following the University of Toronto Certificate forgery scandal but Ghali Na’aba, also a Muslim from the same zone replaced him and was later succeeded by Aminu Massari, another Muslim while Enwerem was replaced first by the late Chuba Okadigbo who was succeeded by Ken Nnamani and they were both Christians.

At the expiration of Obasanjo/Atiku administration in 2007, the late Umaru Yar’Adu, a Muslim from North-west became President with Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from South-south as Vice and David Mark, another Christian from North-central emerged President of the Senate and Patricia Etteh, a Christian from South-west was the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Though Mark retained his Seat from 2007 - 2015, it was not so in the House as Etteh was removed over allegation of appropriating the sum of N628 million for the renovation of her official residence and that of her deputy and awarding contract for the same purpose (though pundits considered it religiously induced) and was replaced by Oladimeji Bankole, a Muslim from South-west.

After the death of Yar’Adua in 2010, Jonathan became President and was re-elected in 2011 and Mark from Northcentral remained Senate President and Aminu Tambuwal, a Muslim was elected Speaker against the then People’s Democratic Party (PDP) preferred candidate, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, another Muslim from South-west.

Umar Bago

In 2015 when APC dislodged PDP, Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim became President and Yemi Osibanjo, a Christian has being vice and Bukola Saraki (Muslim) from North-central emerged President of the Senate and Yakubu Dogara, a Christian from North-east became Speaker.

Now, in 2019, both Buhari and Osibanjo (Muslim and Christian) have been re-elected President and Vice President and APC has endorsed Ahmed Lawan, a Muslim from Noth-east for Senate President and Gbajabiamila also a Muslim from South-west for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The endorsement of Lawan and Gbajabiamila by APC further elicits the question whether the race for House Speakership is a regional, religious or competence contest?

As it is now, Gbajabiamila is from South-west and a Muslim, Dyegh is from North-central and a Christian, Bago is from North-central and a Muslim while Onyejeocha is from South-east and a Christian. Going by this, there are two Muslims and two Christians in the race.

While the other aspirants - Dyegh, Onyejeocha and Bago have made reference to zoning (region) and competence/mission as the cardinal motive for their ambitions, leaving the religious factor loudly silent, Gbajabiamila, the APC anointed candidate, based his ambition on competence/mission and completely left out the serious agitation for zoning to create balance, equity, justice and representation in the power sharing formula and in the spirit of federal character principle.

This is as Gbajabiamila while declaring for office of the Speaker, ahead of his adoption simply said: “With all sense of humility, I seek this office with a rich legislative background and pedigree and having just won a historic 5th term mandate to the House. I have in the last 16 years dedicated my life to the service of my constituents and Nigeria. I have studied and understood the intricate workings of the legislature, a critical arm of government and I have come to understand the imperative of striking a delicate balance in the relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of government without compromising the latter’s independence.

Indeed there is an essential need for a symbiotic relationship between all arms and all tiers of government if we are to make progress in nation building.

“In these 16 years I have been a principal officer for 12 years. I have occupied the office of leader of the opposition and successfully moved my party from opposition to majority in the House and thereafter assumed the position of house leader, placing me in a uniquely advantageous position of understanding the nuances and intricacies of this very critical arm of government and the need for its independence and at the same time interdependence with the executive.

“It is this wealth of experience and a burning desire for good governance that I bring to the table. A desire to take the legislature to the next level, standing tall and shoulder to shoulder with the most advanced legislatures world over.

“I have spent the last 4 years in doing

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Politics my best to stabilise the House, whilst exploring and studying now how best we as legislators can unleash the full potentials of this country. I have taken copious mental and physical notes and it’s time for implementation,” he said.

According to him, “I have tagged my campaign NATION BUILDING, A JOINT TASK because the task is onerous and can only be completed if we all come together, in line with the legacies of our forebearers and the labour of our heroes past. Our Speakership campaign logo embodies logos of all political parties represented in the House (9th Assembly) and I humbly invite each one of them to join me so that together we can build a more perfect union. I seek the buy-in of all my colleagues, political parties and Nigerians to this Joint Task.

“I seek the office of the Speaker to bring our tendencies together and unite us as country. I seek the office of the Speaker to bring governance even closer to the people. I seek the office of the Speaker to mentor the next generation. I seek the office of the Speaker so I can use the bully pulpit to galvanise Honourable members to make life more abundant for every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religious background or political persuasion”.

But Dyegh during his declaration insisted that the APC National leadership should reverse the zoning of the Speaker to South-West which already has the Vice President, and instead, cede the position to the North-Central.

He argued that, “North-central brought in third highest votes to form the Federal government for the APC and it is not fair to take away the Senate President from the North-Central and take the Speaker to the South-west which already has a Vice President and that is why the North-Central collectively said we should go ahead and seek the party to have a rethink”.

Dyegh recounted that, “On March 19th, 2019, I addressed a press conference urging our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of Speaker to the North Central geopolitical on the platform of the North Central APC Caucus of the House. I am here today to update you on the latest development regarding the contest for the office of Speaker of the 9th Assembly.

My party the APC in her wisdom zoned the position of Speaker to the South West and even micro-zoned.

“I am a party man and my loyalty to the APC is 100percent, however, the North Central zone has not been convinced nor given reasons why their votes should not count and why we should not run and we feel very strongly that there is still room for negotiation because we believe ‘it is not over until it is over”.

“We are therefore, appealing to the party to have a rethink and rezone the Speakership to the North Central for Justice and Fair play. We pray to God Almighty to touch the hearts of our Leaders to reconsider us favourably.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my ambition is also a response to the clarion call by my Constituents, Honourable Colleagues in the Green Chamber across party lines, party faithful and other stakeholders in the North Central geopolitical zone and Nigeria in general, for me to offer myself for this office.

“I am most encouraged by the provisions of Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (As amended), which states that: “the composition of the

Nkiruka Onyejeocha

Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”

“It will only be fair, if the position of Speaker is given to the North Central, having taken away the seat of Senate President to the North East. It is instructive to note that the North Central has neither produced Speaker nor the Deputy Speaker since 1999. We are saying that reward in politics is based on what you bring to the table and the North Central brought the third highest number of votes in making President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term a reality and enabling the APC to form Federal Government”.

On his mission for the 9th Assembly tagged: “House Project for Harmony”, the Gboko/Tarka Representative said, “I am ready to offer my time and talents, and make sacrifices for the good of every Nigerian. The decision to join this race is based on my unyielding faith in a united and prosperous Nigeria.

“We intend to initiate and implement a 7-Point Evidence-based Legislative Agenda which includes: Amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) to ensure Legislative experience counts by extending the Four-year tenure to Six-year tenure for the Legislature.

“To ensure enhanced capacity of Legislators and Legislative support services through training and retraining to enable the 9th National Assembly pass National Priority Laws in critical sectors such as Security, Employment and Productivity, Power and Agriculture.

“To deepen oversight processes of the National Assembly to ensure value for money and project performance

by MDAs in compliance with the Appropriations Act. To ensure openness in

John Dyegh

the financial operations of the National Assembly to guarantee accountability, transparency and responsiveness.

“To initiate Legislative measures and Laws that will promote and engender national unity, providing equal opportunities to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, political, social and religious affiliations; and work with Legislators in a multipartisan manner for the stability of the House and Nigeria at large.

“To create effective collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Groups and Development Partners for active participation of all sectors of the Society in the Law making and Legislative processes.

“To sustain and deepen independence of the National Assembly and ensure harmonious interdependent working relationship with the Executive arm of Government without undermining the principles of Separation of Powers”.

Similarly, Onyejeocha, Member Representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State asked the party to rescind its zoning decision to South West and called on Gbajabiamila, the anointed candidate, to withdraw from the race.

She said: “I am appealing to them that it is not yet late to rescind their decision to include a woman to clip the two geopolitical zones that were left out ab initio. Also the leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, there is time in somebody’s life that any leader should make sacrifice and that time is now for the leader of my party, and the leader of the 8th Assembly.

“He was Minority Leader and now Majority Leader, and so he is a leader in all rights and this opportunity comes once in a leader’s time when a leader will look at self and said it is not about me, it is about Nigeria and Nigeria needs healing and I think somebody has to sacrifice. Even if it means conceding that, let Speakership move to another zone so that the country will move forward”, she stressed.

According to her, “I know that my party has stated indications as to how it would like to see the distribution of key

National Assembly leadership positions, it is however, important to point out the concerns of my people of the South East Geo-Political Zone. We are worried that an inequitable distribution of presiding officers’ positions in the National Assembly, would exacerbate the current deep divides in the country, worsen the sense of marginalisation of the South East in Nigeria and create a lopsidedness in the distribution of the top 6 positions in the country.

“With the North West and South West already taking the first two most important political positions in the country, of President and Vice-President, it would be equitable that the next four positions of Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker, be shared equitably among the remaining four geo-political zones of North East, North Central, South East and SouthSouth.

“The message from my people of the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria is that they demand equity in representation.

“I also think that as a woman, who has distinguished herself and contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria and to the good political and electoral fortunes of my party, the APC, in the South East, leading to our emergence as the party of choice at the national level, the APC should use the opportunity of my expression of interest in the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives to fulfil its promise to Nigerians, that it would increase women participation in the governance of the country”.

On her competence Onyejeocha said: “In my over 11 years of being a member of the House of Representatives, I have served my constituents and Nigeria diligently and with distinction. I have sponsored several motions and bills, conducted oversight over multiple activities and initiatives of government, ministries, departments and agencies and helped deliver meaningful constituency projects to the people of Isuikwuato/UmunneoContinues on page 15

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Politics Between Wike and Amaechi:

…Reconciliation or deconstruction? …What Wike offered; what Amaechi asked for; what the allies say Ignatius Chukwu

S

ince political crisis broke out in 2012 and tore apart two kinsmen and close political allies, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, Rivers State has never known peace. Amaechi is from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Council Area and Wike is from Rumueprikon in Obio/Akpor Local Council, all Ikwerre men and Rivers political leaders.

Both have been allies; Amaechi is believed to have made Wike a local council boss (Obio/ Akpor) against all odds, made him chief of staff and minister. On the other hand, Wike stood for Amaechi when the whole world led by Olusegun Obasanjo seemed to come down on him. Wike fought the fierce battle that won back the governorship from the Supreme Court and formed the backbone in the administration that scared away enemies till Amaechi stabilised.

The rest of the relationship has been toxic, leading to a polarisation of Rivers State into PDP and APC rival camps in the state. Many lives have been lost and much poison has passed between their camps. The result has been that no single election has gone down well in the state for almost a decade.

It is either one party is boycotting or trouble.

Many important persons and thrones in the country are understood to have attempted to reconcile them without success, leading to a notion that when two cocks fight, it can only end when one cock drops dead. No man can separate two fighting cocks, people say.

So, on April 11, 2019, the day the very last cases in the Supreme Court concerning the governorship struggle between Amaechi’s camp in the APC and Magnus Abe’s camp came to an end, Governor Wike made a radio live broadcast where he celebrated the final end and thus offered a hand of reconciliation in what is now called an olive branch to Amaechi in particular and APC in general. Many have jubilated, saying the end of the troubles was in sight. The masses urged Amaechi to reciprocate. Over one week later, Amaechi issued an Easter Message where he talked about peace and reconciliation.

Most persons went into final celebration, saying Amaechi had asked for forgiveness.

Some however, taunted the minister for allegedly causing bloodshed and turning round to ask for reconciliation and forgiveness.

While the reactions trailed along, BDSUNDAY listened hard underground to seek any vibes that suggest that Wike meant well and Amaechi truly wanted forgiveness from Wike and the PDP. This writer said at the onset that the APC did not look in the mood for rapprochement after being forced out of the elections through the courts believed to be the handiwork of the governor working with APC’s Magnus Abe. Both Abe and Wike have severally denied this.

What Wike offered (Government House report of the broadcast) Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to join hands with him to develop the state. Wike

Nyesom Wike

said that Rivers State stands to benefit more if all leaders came together.

He said: “Although the present politics of acrimony and bitterness may have strayed from the noble path of the past, I still believe that we shall be better off standing and working together for our state and our people.

“I therefore, appeal to the APC and the Minister of Transportation to join hands with us to move our dear state forward. We cannot as leaders continue to remain divided and expect government to deliver on its responsibilities to our people. Let us from henceforth, seek the common ground instead of allowing our differences to be exploited to retard our march to progress.

“I appeal to our people to eschew all acts of acrimony, criminality, unrest, and violence throughout the state. I wish to recommit myself to continue to do all that is humanly possible to ensure the unity and peaceful co-existence of all our people irrespective of political affiliation”.

He directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner to review all pending criminal cases linked to politics before the 2019 elections and make necessary recommendations to promote reconciliation.

He said: “I hereby direct the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to review all pending criminal proceedings filed against any person by the state and directly related to political activities prior to the 2019 general elections and make appropriate recommendations to me for necessary action to promote reconciliation among us”.

Governor Wike pledged to run an inclusive government aimed at promoting and developing the state.

“Today, I recommit myself to be the governor for all the people of Rivers State for the next four years. Accordingly, we shall form an all-inclusive government to advance the collective interest of all our people, irrespective of party, ethnic or religious affiliations.

“We have come a long way in the last four

Rotimi Amaechi

years and accomplished a lot to be proud of.

But there’s still a lot more to do to advance and realise the ultimate vision of our founding fathers for a truly united, secure, and prosperous state and we need the support of all our people to realise this bold vision,” he said.

“We salute the opposition for their courage to fight within the confines of the law to the end. Now that the legal battle is over, the task of building the State must take precedence over all other considerations,” he further said.

What Amaechi wants (Easter Message) “No doubt, our state has endured a tortuous political season which saw political parties jostle and cajole Rivers people to make choices. Our state which was known and respected as the Treasure Base of the nation, is now almost always in the news for the wrong reasons. This is not the Rivers State of our dreams. We must find our way back to the path of a glorious future. I am one of you, therefore, as your father, son and brother, I

Although the present politics of acrimony and bitterness may have strayed from the noble path of the past, I still believe that we shall be better off standing and working together for our state and our people

beseech you to be of good courage and join hands to build and restore the glory of our state,” the minister said.

“For us as Rivers people, this is a moment for sober reflection and forgiveness. I will not hesitate to implore that we all ask God for forgiveness and mercy for all the things done or left undone and from the citizens for the pain and anguish that they have brazenly suffered which most times are unreported.

The persistence of gang violence, kidnappings and killings in parts of the state has dealt a telling blow on the psyche of the people.

People no longer feel safe or sleep with their two eyes closed.

“For those of us who feel a sense of personal loss as a result of the last electioneering in the state, I say, don’t despair, you have vital work to do in the Rivers project. Believe me; with wisdom and patience, you will own the future,” he further said.

“Always remember that the task of enthroning a party into power is not as high a calling of patriotism than the task of making personal sacrifices for the peace and general good of the state. Therefore, I appeal to all who truly love our dear Rivers State, to join hands in building the state irrespective of their party affiliations.

“No amount of provocation or even threats should challenge the Rivers spirit of oneness, unity and harmony in you. To the youths, I urge you not to see crime as an escape route from the difficult times we are going through in Rivers State today. I am confident that with resilience and prayer, you can always pull through.

“Remember, resurrection comes in the morning, therefore, have hope and a renewed commitment to wait till the resurrection morning,” Amaechi said.

What Amaechi camp thinks Wike had blamed everything that went wrong in the past in the state on Amaechi, and traced every lost kobo to him. Now,

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Politics

Reps Speakership Race: Regional,...

Amaechi’s camp insists no peace deal is on the table to be considered. A source close to Amaechi told this Reporter that Amaechi was not facing any prosecution that required the Attorney-General to show mercy. Another Amaechi’s aide urged this writer to ignore insinuations that Amaechi seeks reconciliation with Wike.

Amaechi has remained silent on whether he would accept reconciliation or not. He only issued his Easter message which has been taken to different meanings by different camps. Instead, it is others who have spoken for Amaechi even in vitriolic terms, but the minister has not rejected any of what his allies have said.

Chukwuemeka Eze, a media consultant and chieftain of the APC that has been with Amaechi since the defection of the former governor from the PDP to APC, shook the table when he retorted that Wike, by offering reconciliation to Amaechi, was playing a game and that the message (offer) fell below the expected.

He said the address failed to address the critical issues bedeviling the state, especially the issue of insecurity and loss of value for lives. He added that the starting point for the governor ought to have been an unreserved apology to Rivers people because he (Wike) engineered the state of insecurity that had destroyed most communities in the state so far.

Eze reiterated that contrary to the erroneous impression as contained in his state broadcast, that Amaechi had no case that Wike’s Attorney-General has to withdraw or to recommend discountenance.

He advised the governor to quit his latter days sermon on peaceful coexistence and save his energies to face the law, which will decide his fate as beneficiary of a flawed electoral exercise. “One would have expected him to address and proffer solutions on the serious issues facing Rivers State, like how the state has become a slaughter house where indigenes are slaughtered and beheaded as if lives no longer counted in the state. While Wike was reading his state broadcast, medical doctors were protesting non-payment of their seven months salaries, even as pensioners and civil servants are at a loss on who to present their plight of nonpayment of their salaries and pensions for several months to,” Eze said.

Eze, who said neither Amaechi, nor any other leader within the APC in the state had created the atmosphere of rejection that Wike currently face with Rivers people, whom he claimed had voted massively against him, but had been muscled in by the INEC. Explaining further, Eze highlighted what he called 17 facts as the reasons Rivers people would continue to mobilise against the second term of Governor Wike.

N100bn price on Amaechi?

Eze claimed that he had uncovered N100billion war chest to deconstruct Amaechi. “Governor Wike has set aside a whopping sum of N100 billion war chest for a media campaign against the Minister.

“Impeccable sources, who are well informed of the plot, said the governor has already assembled a team of sworn antiAmaechi PDP and other opposition elements (names withheld) with a serving senator as coordinator of the project.”

Eze said Amaechi’s offence was simply for leading President Muhammadu Buhari

campaigns that led to the defeat of an Ijaw son (Goodluck Jonathan), and a repeat of it in 2019.

According to Eze, insiders in the Wike administration in Port Harcourt had been boasting of late that the onslaught against Amaechi this time around would be targeted at damaging his public image, using the media at all levels as well as on multiple platforms. The end result, he said, was aimed to make the minister unattractive for a reappointment in President Buhari’s next cabinet, adding that a mobilisation of N20billion had already been disbursed to the assembled team.

“A whopping sum of N100billion has been set aside for this task aimed at defaming, smearing, disparaging, blackmailing and frustrating Amaechi’s re-nomination into President Buhari’s new cabinet. Available facts indicate that the sum of N20billion has already be released to the committee comprising some states and national commentators, while further disbursement will be done as the committee progresses in its deadly task,” he said.

Govt House: Silence The governor has not bothered to say anything further, apart from urging the opposition to make use of the olive branch. He has also made it clear that the offer was no sign of being afraid to fight on.

Other government image makers have remained silent, but unofficially said that Eze was not to be dignified with response.

What is certain so far is that no media aid has attacked Amaechi since their boss extended the hand of reconciliation. Observers noted that the aides may not want to dance different steps from their boss. “If they give some time and attacks on the governor continue, the aides may peel off the garb of silence and return to the trenches,” someone told our reporter.

Conclusion: Bizarre Could Wike be offering reconciliation with his former boss and ally and still be lining up arsenals to shoot down his ministerial appointment? This seems to be seen as events unfold. Some say Wike has nothing more to lose after serving as governor for two terms.

Others say he be looking for peace to help deliver his projects and leave something behind. Others argue that the olive branch may be diversionary tacks or a kiss of deaths, only waiting to hit harder, soon. They claim that Amaechi remaining in power in Abuja is a big threat to PH and there may be plots to stop him this time around. Amaechi is said to know the moment his camp lost the Govt House in PH in 2015 that his best bet and that of his camp from Wike was to take up ministerial appointment to create a detente or balance of power. Else, he would have preferred to stay out of government to pursue private career waiting for him. So, both Wike an Amaechi therefore, deeply appreciate the importance of ministerial appointment for Amaechi in the political equation in Rivers State. In this case, it is argued, remaining a minister is very critical to Amaechi for the sake of PH, and falling out of power is thus very important for Wike. It is thus what Wike does in the Amaechi quest for minister that would be real proof of the mindset of the PH Govt House in the coming days and weeks, not minding what Chukwuemeka Eze said he uncovered.

Whichever the case, time will soon tell.

Continued from page 13

chi Federal Constituency of Abia State that I represent.

“I have chaired very important Committees of the House of Representatives, including the Committees of Aviation and Women in Parliament.

As the Chairperson of the Aviation Committee of the House for two Sessions now, I over sighted the successful building of the New International Airport Terminal in Abuja, as well as the remodeling and renovation of several other airports and runways across the country.

“I believe that I am very well equipped with knowledge, experience and the integrity needed to manage bigger responsibilities. It is in light of this, that I offer myself for consideration by my colleagues for a higher responsibility as a presiding officer and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 9th National Assembly”.

Reeling out her blueprint, the fourth term member promised, “Improved communications with the general public, improved internal communications and members relationships and adoption of a legislative agenda with clear framework for compliance and monitoring, improved lawmaking, and conclusion of outstanding Priority Bills from the 8th House of Representatives.

“A number of key reform bills were proposed, considered and passed in the 8th House of Representatives. Chief amongst them are the constitution amendment bills which contained significant amendments such as financial independence for our counterpart in the States i.e. State Assemblies. The successful adoption of these laws and their assent into law was indeed a milestone moment for the 8th Assembly, unfortunately, a number of some other constitution amendments were not assented to while some other key reform bills were not concluded or adopted by the 8th House with its term running out.

“Improved legislative oversight: Oversight is an important duty and power we have been given by the Constitution. Our oversight of executive programmes and activities is acknowledged by all as being critical to effective performance and good governance in Nigeria. While I believe the 8th NASS accomplished a lot with respect to oversight, more work needs to be done. For instance, our experience as members has been that often times, we have not performed this role optimally due to our ‘self-censorship’ in order to avoid rocking the boat.

“Strengthened House Committees and Processes.

If I am elected as Speaker, I would work collectively with my fellow members to ensure that our committees’ structure and processes are strengthened for better effectiveness and optimum delivery. I will begin by ensuring that members’ assignment to committees is based on competence, strength and knowledge, taking into cognisance their interest and appreciation of the subject matter or committee’s jurisdiction and their willingness to apply themselves to the task at hand.

I will also work with members and the bureaucracy to ensure that Clerks and Committees are well matched, so that their skills are mutually reinforcing.

“To ensure that our chamber is

Olusegun Odebunmi

truly a modern-day chamber; one that is comparable to other parliaments in advanced democracies, I will pursue the use of ICT in the daily conduct of legislative activities of the House, including developing the e-parliament platform that was promised in the 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda, but not fully delivered. I will aim to achieve an efficient and electronically based chamber that meets the expectation of members, staff and is in line with international standards”.

Also, Bago who represents Chachanga Federal Constituency of Niger State declared that he was coming out to slug it out this time around to correct the “injustice” the North Central zone has continued to suffer in the country’s balance of power, lamenting that the zone had never produced either the Speaker or the Deputy since advent of democracy in the country 20 years ago.

He queried, “What’s the southwest’s contribution to the party’s victory in the last elections compared to that of the North Central? The North Central zone had over 500, 000 votes higher; the records are there for verification.

“As such, we deserve the position, not only as a state but also as a zone.

So, nobody can say he wants to expel us from this party. And no one will singlehandedly take over the structure of the legislature as well as the party.

“Apart from the zoning argument, if you say the South must get something, why insist on South West, why not South-South or the South East? But then, in terms of representation in the party and government, the South-South has the chairmanship of the party, and the Southwest has VP, what does North Central have? Nothing; so, in the interest of equity, justice and fair play, the party should allow the North Central to have the slot in the dispensation.

“North West, South West and North East have all produced 5 different speakers between them. The SouthSouth, North East, South East and South West have also produced 5 deputy speakers among themselves since 1999. What does the North Central has in the entire equation, and they want us to keep mute? Who’s speaking for the zone that has never been recognised for keeping faith with the party”.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Politics Tribunals, here we come!

Are lawyers really smiling to bank on back of election-related cases?

I

IniobongIwok

n Nigeria, as in many other parts of the world, politicallyexposed lawyers are believed to make a kill from electionrelated cases. The consensus is that the degree varies from country to country.

It is probably, more interesting in Nigeria than in most places because of the quest by politicians to hold political posts by all means, which also determines the extent they can go in matters of legal fees to their lawyers.

Every election throws up opportunities for legal tackles, and here, the cases usually last longer than they ordinarily should.

It may be fair to say that such lawyers are not fans of free and fair elections. They want acrimonious polls to enable them ply their trade and make some money.

But some lawyers say that public perception about the huge money lawyers earn from such cases is misplaced. According to them, some lawyers take up such cases pro-bono (without fees). It is the faulty elections in the country that is responsible for these permutations, analysts say.

In its assessment report of the 2019 general elections, the European Union Election Observer Mission in Nigeria stated that the 2019 Nigeria’s general elections were “overshadowed by systemic failings” and emphasised the need for an “inclusive national discussion on electoral reform.”

“The environment for this election has been difficult with cases of violence and intimidation,” Maria Arena,chief observer, said.

Also, the Situation Room, an umbrella group comprising more than 70 civil society organisations in Nigeria equally advocated for a nationwide independent inquiry into the manner the general elections were conducted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to receive knocks over alleged lapses which overshadowed the exercise across the country.

Elections in several states were militarised, marred by high level of voter apathy, violence, snatching of ballot boxes and operational glitches.

This was responsible for the establishment of election tribunals, offering opportunities to those who felt so strongly that they lost the election through some hanky-panky deals or some form of connivance between their opponents and some other corrupt elements within the system, and needing to reclaim such alleged stolen

mandates.

The volume of complaints arising from the conduct of the 2019 general election is an indication that something was wrong with the election.

Before the exercise on the February 23 and March 9, parties had complained that they lacked confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission. But the elections have been held and results declared by the INEC. Those who felt hard-done-by are looking towards the Tribunals to reclaim their alleged stolen mandates.

At the federal level, AtikuAbubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is in court, arguing that he won the election. In many states, some governorship candidates are saying that they were robbed of their victories.

In Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru of PDP is screaming foul over the victory given to Nasir el-Rufai; NsimaEkere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is contesting the victory awarded to Udom Emmanuel of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State; Great Ogboru of APC in Delta State is not happy that IfeanyiOkowa of PDP went away with victory. In Adamawa, the incumbent governor, Ibrahim Bindow of APC is contesting the victory won

by AhmaduUmaruFintiri of PDP and UcheNwosu of Africa Action Congress (AAC) is protesting the victory of Emeka Ihedioha of PDP. Thousands of candidates for the National and State Assembly elections are also at the tribunals across the country either defending their victories or arguing that they were robbed of their victories at the polls.

The battle has since shifted to the tribunals and courts. In most cases, the financial strength of a politician

to hire some of the country’s best and most experienced lawyers and pay high legal fees naturally play a major role in their victory at the tribunal and court, eventually.

BDSUNDAYgatheredthatknown lawyers, including the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), charge up to N40 million for gubernatorial case at the tribunal, while cases involving a National Assembly candidate could cost up to N15million or more if it involves a sitting candidate.

The charges depend on the negotiation power of the client, the pedigree of the lawyer and relationship with the candidate and above all the intricacy of the matter at hand.

Some lawyers who spoke to our correspondentsaid that election petition cases in Nigeria are for few lawyers who had re-circled themselves over the years and are charging exorbitant fees.

Ayo Kusamotu, asenior lawyer and political analyst, said that legal fees by lawyers for election petition matter was not fixed, but based on several factors, such as the pedigree of the candidate, the political party and experience of the lawyer.

Kusamotu, however, said that the election petition cases were for a special set of lawyers.

He said that a presidential candidate may spend up to N700million to N800 million on a case depending on the pedigree of the lawyers handling the case.

According to him, “The amount a candidate pays for election matter is not something that is fixed; it is based on negotiation, economic viability of the candidate. But it is a circle of lawyers that is into election cases in Nigeria.

“Personally, I don’t do election matters, it is not for everyone; it usually involves a circle of lawyers; I agree this may be business time for them.

“We all know election matters are expensive; for example, in a governorship petition case, a candidate can spend up to N200 million; if it is an incumbent it can go up to N300 million”.

Activist and constitutional lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), disagreed that lawyers were being paid high legal fees by candidates and political parties, noting that in some instances lawyers take up the cases for free (pro-bono).

“There is a myth surrounding election petition tribunal cases, people think lawyers are paid handsomely but that is not true. There is also a myth that when you represent an incumbent governor for example, you are paid highly, in most cases the candidates don’t even have money, they beg us to take these cases for free and some would promise to pay you later.

“I have been involved in election petition cases for more than 30 years;so,I know what I am saying.

When I did the court case for Jonah Jang in 2003, I was paid N4 million. But even if what you are saying is true, the reason we went to school was for us to reap from our hard work.”

Agbakoba, however, faulted INEC on the conduct of the 2019 general elections, noting that the large volume of candidates and political parties going to the election tribunal to reclaim their mandate was an indication that the election was not free and fair.

According to Agbakoba, “1998 election was the worst election of the electoral process; it still has record cases of election petitions. But in 2007 and 2011 it dropped, except for the Peter Obi of Anambra case.

“This means that public confidence in the electoral process increased; politicians saw that the umpire was free and fair. But the 2019 election is the worst election in Nigeria’s history; the perception is that INEC was not free and free. A political party is challenging in Plateau State that their logo was not on the ballot paper; that is what we are seeing.”

An analyst, who spoke to BDSUNDAY on condition of anonymity, said that the desperation of politicians, particularly, the incumbents, to retain their positions makes some of them to pay amount of money that may sound unbelievable to the ear, to their lawyers.

“Recently, it was reported that constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was paid N75 million legal fees

by a former state governor in one of the South-western states.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as a result of that huge payment, had then frozen Ozekhome’s account alleging that the money was got through fraudulent means. But the man insisted it was a part payment of his legal fees. So, that can give people the idea of how much the lawyers representing the President and AtikuAbubakar are being paid.

“Mind you, if you look at the list of the lawyers representing President Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku, and some governors, they are the A-list of the nation’s lawyers and you can imagine the huge legal fees going to them,” the pundit said.

DapoOjo, lawyer and former president of CivilLiberty Organisation (CLO), noted that election petition cases in Nigeria were only for few lawyers who are experts in it, stressing that electoral law gives room for candidates to personally present their cases at the tribunal if they cannot afford a lawyer.

“The charges are different, it depends on your status as a lawyer, your experience and the candidate involved. But the law makes provision for candidates to defend themselves at the tribunal; that is, if they can’t afford a lawyer, but very few lawyers do election matters, it does not bother me,”Ojo said.

According to him, “It is good that the candidates are going to tribunal than hire touts to go and cause crisis. It is the right of people who are aggrieved to seek redress in court.

Even Buhari went to court three times to challenge the result of presidential elections in the past”.

Activist and constitutional lawyer, IdowuOmolegan, however, noted that the high number of candidates approaching tribunals to challenge the result of elections across the country was a result of failure of INEC to conduct credible elections.

He added that the flawed election trend portends danger to the nation’s democracy and advocated for a reform of INEC. “We have high number of cases at the tribunals because of the way the 2019 general elections were conducted.You saw it. Personally, I am not happy with the way INEC conducted the election; look at what happened in Kano and other places,” Omolegan said.

“The election was a setback from 2015. INEC has to be reformed; we cannot continue this way, it portends danger,” he further said.

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Feature

Passengers set to board the Abuja-Kaduna train

Control centre of Abuja train station

Abuja-Kaduna Railway services in high demand after 1,000 days operation Innocent Odoh, Abuja

O

n Thursday, April 18, 2019, officials of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, among others trooped to the Idu Railway station, Abuja, to mark the 1,000 days of “safe operation of the Abuja- Kaduna train service” offering services to over 1.5 million passengers so far.

The $1.457 billion Abuja-Kaduna Railway Project, constructed by the CCECC, officially commenced commercial operation on July 26, 2016, becoming the first modern railway in operation using China standards in Africa even as the NRC became the actual entity in charge of the operation of the project, while the CCECC provides technical support, training service and assistance to the commercial operation.

The Abuja-Kaduna Railway, Abuja Rail Mass Transit and Abuja New Terminal, constructed by the CCECC, form up important parts of the capital city’s Threedimensional Transportation Net, specifically ‘trunk railway+ urban light rail+ urban aviation+ urban public transport’.

The surge in the patronage of the rail services as observed by BusinessDay may have been attributed to its safety, comfort, convenience and perhaps affordability, which have drawn many commuters following the high risks on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway that is threatened by kidnappers, armed robbers and other kinds of criminals.

Speaking to reporters during the event, the Managing Director of the NRC, Freeborn Okhira, expressed satisfaction that the operations have for 1,000 days without major accident, without major disruption in the operation adding that there has never been any threat of the workers downing tools, describing it as “a major achievement.”

He however, assured the commuters that whatever shortcomings witnessed in

the provision of service will be improved upon saying, “we are promising them that this year we will increase the number of trains we run before the end of the year. We will be able to target every hour train availability, one train up and one train down- that is our target and as you are all aware, we have already ordered for more coaches and they are going to be more beautiful than what we have and more relaxing.”

The NRC boss also assured that the issue of e-ticket is at an advanced stage adding the whole thing will be streamlined to make it better even as he added that the government still subsidises the railway operations.

In his remarks the Managing Director of the CCECC, Jiang Yigao, said the AbujaKaduna Rail Project is “a significant achievement under the Belt and Roads Initiative between China and Nigeria.”

He added that the NRC and CCECC have been working together to provide safe, comfortable and convenient service for all the passengers. He expressed satisfaction at the level of the commercial operation of the project and assured that “in the near future more and more modern railways will be built. And more and more Nigerians will enjoy safe, comfortable and convenient service by the railway” “By April 22, 2019, this project has been in safe operation for 1,000 days without any passenger casualties or traffic accidents providing travel service for over 1.5 million passengers. A one-week passenger satisfaction survey conducted on July 5th, 2017, showed that more than 95percent of passengers expressed high satisfaction with the railway service. Another survey conducted on April 8th, 2019 showed that more than 98percent of passengers expressed their satisfaction with it,” Yigao added.

In the area of economic importance, the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Project, according Yigao, has created a major transportation channel from capital city Abuja to the important industrial city Kaduna, which has improved the investment environment, promoted

business trade, travel and cargo transport between the two major cities in the country. It has also boosted economic development along the railway line and nearby cities.

The CCECC MD said that Abuja Kaduna railways is the first phase of the Nigeria railway modernisation, the second phase- Lagos-Ibadan Railway is under construction and the progress is going well.

Speaking to BusinessDay on Thursday, one of the regular users of the Abuja-Kaduna train service, Charles Onunaiju, acknowledged the efficiency of the service. Onunaiju, who is the director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), an Abuja-based intellectual think tank, however, urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the Belt and Road initiative to access loans from Silk Road Fund as well as the Asia Investment and Infrastructure Bank, to replicate the projects across the country, especially in major cities to “create more employment opportunities for the teaming population and ease congestion on the roads.”

Another passenger, who preferred anonymity, lamented lack of adequate trains to cater to the growing number of people, stressing that “it is taking the government so long to bring the new coaches” which he added keep many passengers waiting for too long.

Overview On October 30, 2006, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria entered into a contract agreement concerning the construction of Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project, which is from the Southern city of Lagos to the northern city of Kano. While AbujaKaduna railway section is the first section of the Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project, using China railway technical standards, and connecting the capital city of Abuja, the state of Niger and the state of Kaduna, with a total length of 186.5km and a maximum speed of 150km/h On July 26, Abuja-Kaduna Railway Project officially commenced commercial operation, becoming the first

modern railway in operation using China standard in Africa. At the moment, NRC has 534 employees working for the operation of the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Project (including station service, train service, Communications service and signal service), covering actual routine operation work and regular maintenance work.

Employment According to the CCECC in the construction period of the project, an average number of 2,391 local employees were directly employed each year, and a total number of 16,738 local employees were employed cumulatively. Since the commencement of operation, this project has directly provided about 1000 jobs, covering NRC staff, railway police, security guards, cleaners, and railway daily maintenance personnel.

During the construction period and the 1000-day safe operation, the project according to the CCECC, indirectly created about 150,000 jobs, mainly covering the fields of material production, subcontracting works, equipment manufacturing and related services. This railway project is seamlessly connected to the international airport, satellite city, industrial zone and downtown through Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project, which can effectively alleviate the traffic pressure on existing Municipal roads.

Abuja Light Rail As the first light rail in West Africa, Abuja Rail Mass Transit also constructed by the CCECC provides the state with fresh means of travelling. It connects two other projects implemented by the CCECC: Abuja-Kaduna Railway Project and Abuja New Terminal project. It is available for passengers to transfer from Airport station to new terminal, and from Idu light rail station to Idu national railway station, building up a multi-dimensional and interconnected transport system of “trunk railway+ urban light rail +air traffic +city bus” to integrate land and airport. The concept feathers inter-connectivity and efficiency, making Abuja a hub and gateway linking to other parts of Nigeria, West Africa and even the world.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Feature Experts give insight into how PIGB can transform oil and gas sector, boost economy

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James Kwen, Abuja

xperts in the oil and gas sector have asserted that the passage and enactment of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB can transform the oil and gas sector, thereby boosting the Nigerian economy as the sector is the country’s main foreign exchange.

According to the experts the provisions in the bill such as the restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC by splitting the assets and liabilities of the company, reduction of the powers of the Minister of Petroleum, shareholders participation and flexibility of granting licenses would enhance production that could make the 2.3 million barrels per day bench mark of the Federal Government in the 2019 budget realizable.

The bill seeks to create efficient and effective governing institutions with clear and separate roles for the petroleum industry, establish a framework for the creation of commercially oriented and profit driven petroleum entities to ensure value addition and internationalization of the petroleum industry, promote transparency and accountability in the administration of petroleum resources of Nigeria; and foster a conducive business environment for petroleum industry operations.

The PIGB was first passed in 2018 by the National Assembly but it was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari who declined assent to the bill. The PIGB as passed in 2018 made provisions that focused on the following key areas: Phasing out NNPC and introducing NPC The provisions of the regulatory bill state that NNPC will be restructured by splitting the assets and liabilities of the company. This essentially means that much of what comprises NNPC today, including the refineries, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd and the joint venture (JV) assets, will be transferred to the proposed National Petroleum Company (NPC). The NPC will not be subject to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007.

New Entities The bill proposes the establishment of the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NPRC), the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) and the incorporation of three commercial entities including the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Company (NPAMC), National Petroleum Company (NPC) and the Nigeria Petroleum Liability Management Company (NPLMC).

The NPRC which will be formed by merging the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). It will be the regulatory entity for the whole industry. The NPAMC will manage production sharing contracts and back-in rights provisions, while NPC will be in charge of current NNPC joint ventures with international oil companies (IOCs) upon incorporation.

Funding the New Entities The bill states that the funding of the NPRC shall be from the Appropriation Act through the national assembly. A five percent levy on all fuel sold and distributed within the federation will finance the PEF, subject to appropriation by the national assembly. The NPAMC will be funded by the national assembly appropriation for the initial capitalization and

subsequent financing of the company while NPC will also be funded by appropriation through the national assembly for the initial capitalization.

The Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) PEF will ensure “economic balance of petroleum prices across all regions”. Uniformity is meant to be achieved through re-reimbursement of oil marketing companies for any loss that they incur solely and exclusively as a result of the transportation of petroleum products and for their provision of financing for infrastructural development throughout the federation. The PEF will determine the amount of reimbursement due to any oil marketing company for the purposes of equalizing products prices.

Regulatory Overlap Full responsibility for environmental matters in the petroleum industry is now vested in the NPRC and not the federal ministry of environment. The NPRC is toensure strict implementation of environmental policies, laws, regulations and standards as it pertains to oil and gas operations. The regulatory body will also promote the healthy, safe and efficient conduct of all petroleum operations in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. However, the bill adds a clause that includes a voluntary collaboration of the commission with the Ministry of Environment.

Reduction of Minister’s Powers The Minister of petroleum was stripped of absolute power to incorporate other entities to assume and manage some of the liabilities of the NNPC. Under the petroleum act and the oil pipelines act, the regulatory functions of the minister of petroleum resources will be transferred to the NPRC, which will be governed by a nine-man board with a fixed tenure. The board’s composition includes one representative each from the ministries of petroleum resources, finance, and environment.

The commission is vested with the power to make regulations, similar to the powers of the minister of petroleum resources under the petroleum act but the PIGB enables the minister to retain certain powers of discretion to “do all such other things as are incidental and necessary” for the performance of his ministerial functions.

Expanded Representation The number of executive directors of the NPAMC increased from three to four. Similarly, the NPRC will have a governing board made up of 11 commissioners. The number commissioners also increased from nine to 11 in order to ensure proper coverage of the industry regulatory functions while the number of non-executive commissioners

increased from 1 to 2 in order to strengthen the board. The bill requires that the principles of federal character in making the appointments into the governing board. Appointment and removal of the commissioners are subject to senate approval.

Increased Shareholders Participation PIGB requires federal government to divest 10 percent of shareholding in the NPC in a transparent manner, within five years from the date of incorporation. An additional 30 percent is to be further divested within 10 years from the date of incorporation. This means that citizens can own a stake in the national oil company subject to any terms put forward for the privatisation exercise.

Alignment to Public Procurement Act The NPRC is subject to the public procurement act and a corporate governance code will be defined for the Nigerian Stock Exchange for the NNPC successor companies.

The, NPC however, will not be subject to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007.

Buhari had declined assent to the bill, on the ground that, if signed into law, it would whittle down his power as Minister of Petroleum and that he did not see any “fiscal content” in the bill.

Following the Presidential decline of assent, the National Assembly, particularly the Senate set up a Technical Committee on Declined Assent to Bills by the President, chaired by Senator David Umaru (APC, Niger East) and the Committee submitted its report in March while the Senate vetoed the President and passed the bill in accordance with the observations and recommendations of the President Wednesday, 17th April 2019.

President Buhari had also refused assent to the PIGB in August 2018, because of the provision permitting the Petroleum Regulatory Commission (PRC) to retain as much as 10% of the revenue generated, and the provision expanding the functions of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), the Senate agreed with the President’s submission and reduced the amount retained from the revenue generated by the regulatory Commission from 10% to 5% while it expunged the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) from Part IV of the new bill passed.

Prior to the passage of the reviewed version of the PIGB, experts at the just concluded content development workshop on oil and gas sector reform organised by the Facility for Sector Transformation (FOSTER) affirmed that the bill when fully passed, enacted and implemented would act as a catalyst for the revolution been expected in the petroleum industry which is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.

Israel Aye, Senior Partner, Energy and

Commercial Transactions Primera Africa Legal postulated that, the policy and legislative framework of the Petroleum industry is more focused and support the need to redirect petroleum to act as a stimulant or catalyst for economic development, particularly focusing on midstream activities such as refining and processing as well as encouraging domestic utilization of petrol sources and its derivatives.

According to Aye, bidding policies and legislative frameworks such as the PIGB are fundamental for maximizing the potential of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.

Analysing the bill further, he said, “Nigeria Petroleum Regulation Commission(NPRC) shall award mainstream licenses through an open, transparent and competitive bidding process- details of the process is documented in the bill.

“The President may direct the Commission to negotiate and award petroleum licenses to qualified persons outside of a bid process for strategic and bilateral considerations.

“The award of petroleum licenses to existing holders of OPLs who should ordinarily convert to oil mining leases, will not require a bidding process. Holders of these licenses would be converted to petroleum licenses commencing prior production period once they have achieved the necessary conditions for conversion.

“The bill requires that the prior consent of the Commission be given for certain transfers of licenses : Any assignment of interests in whole or in part in a petroleum license. The farm-out of a field or prospects within license.

“The creation of a security interest in a license; change of control in the holder of license and such change of control will be deemed to have occurred where; a transaction involves or granting of a beneficial interest of more than 50% of the shares in the licensee.

“The transaction vests the right to a majority of the votes at a general meeting.

The transaction enables appointment or veto over the appointment of the majority directors.The transfer of majority shares in a holding company where it’s subsidiary holds petroleum license”.

The energy legal expert concludes that, the bill would among others, “enhance value creation and addition to stakeholders, reduce cost, ensure accountability and transparency, regain and sustain competitive advantage and eliminate barriers to entry and create level playing fields”.

Also, Joe Nwakwue of Zera Advisory Consultancy, identified the strengths and opportunities of PIGB in the transformation of the oil and gas sectors to include; institutional and governance, role separation and clarity (Commercial/Regulatory policy) and removal of overlaps.

“Robust qualification standards for leadership and entities, transparency and reporting standards, creation of super regulator, streamlined regulatory function(Upstream/ Midstream/Downstream. Creation of oil and gas infrastructural fund and better legacy liability management framework”, he stated.

Nwakwue stressed that the fundamental reform of the Nigeria oil and gas industry through the enactment of PIGB is urgent and vital to survival of the industry and the country.

He noted that the reforms could bring about, “increase oil and gas production and government take, reserves growth, enable more investments through FDI, catalyze midstream development, reduce development cycle and cost competitiveness”.

Sunday 28 April 2019

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BDSUNDAY 19

PhotoSplash

L-R: Qazim Elegbede, brands and marketing director, Startimes; Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Bundesliga Legend, and Henniny Brickmann, manager sales Europe/Africa Audiovisual right Bundesliga, at the Bundesliga legend tour press briefing in Lagos.

L– R: Kehinde Salami, MD/CEO, Ideas House Marketing Communications Limited; Bukola Akingbade , MD/CEO, Neukleos ; Lanre Adisa , jury president and MD/CEO, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited ; Chuddy Oduenyi, MD, Compact Communications Limited, and Femi Adelusi, MD, BrandEye Media Limited., during their inauguration as Jury members of Marketing Edge 2019 Brands & Advertising Excellence Awards in, Lagos .

L-R: Jonathan Samuel, chairman, Omodayo Owotuga Foundation; Peter Odetoyinbo, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta; Roseleen da Silva , Chief Matron, Sacred Heart Hospital and Mobolaji Agnes Ehinmowo, daugther of the deceased, at the official commissioning/hand over ceremony of Omodayo Owotuga Centre to Sacred Heart Orphanage, Lantoro Abeokuta to mark the 10th year remembrance of Matthew Omodayo Owotuga.

Tolulope Oluwole, head, investor relations, FBN Holdings standing corporate leadership in growth and development of the nigerian capital market award from the Chief Executive Officer Plc receiving the long of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Oscar Onyema, at the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria award in Lagos.

L-R: Tobi Bakre, media personality; Sandra Amachree, brand PR and sponsorships Manager; Kelechi William-Nwankwo, assistant channel and category manager, and Josiah Akinola, brand manager, Amstel Malta and Hi-Malt, at The Avengers (End Game) Premiere With Amstel Malta.

Kenneth Ekhuemelo, Hymnodia 2019 winner (middle), flanked by his fellow Hymntestants during the grand finale of Hymnodia, the first-ever reality TV show created around hymns and worship in Lagos.

L-R : Tolu Olanipekun, senior marketing manager, Mouka Limited; Jimi Shodipo, chairman, committee on young doctors of the Nigeria Medical Association (Lagos State chapter); Raymond Murphy, MD/CEO, Mouka Limited and. Abimbola Osinowo, programme manager, Lagos State Malaria Elimination Programme at the press briefing on the 2019 World Malaria Day in Lagos.

L-R; Babafemi Olabiyi, chief marketing officer, retail and commercial, OVH Energy; Oyet Gogomary, group head, external relations and communications, OVH Energy; Hyginus Omeje, sector commander, FRSC, Lagos; Huub Stokman, chief executive officer, OVH Energy and Ayotunde Adewoye, group head, customer service, OVH Energy during its 2019 truck driver’s training opening ceremony, at the OVH Energy Training School, in Lagos.

Pic by Pius Okeosisi

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Feature

When Delta community celebrated monarch, honoured sons and daughters Mercy Enoch, Asaba

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s Christendom commemorated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, last week, the season offered golden opportunity for many to engage in various ceremonies and the people of Ebu Community in Delta State were not exception.

They set aside Easter Monday, April 22, 2019 to celebrate their traditional ruler, Paul Opili, and also honour some of their distinguished sons and daughters by conferring on them chieftaincy titles.

Among the awardees was Shimite Bello, the executive secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA), who was honoured with Akpeli Ugo Fufu I (First White Eagle) of Ebu Kingdom.

Opili, who is the Onu of Ebu Kingdom, marked his one year anniversary of the coronation and presentation of staff of office and the people were very much pleased he stayed up to a year on the throne.

“What we are here to witness is the triumph of goodness over evil and the gratitude to the Most High for keeping our most cherished king till date. This event is most dear to the community because we have gone through trials and tribulations as a community with regards to the longevity of our kings on the throne”, said Kimashinor Nwakalo-Imu, presidentgeneral, Ebu Development Union.

He recalled that the predecessor to the current king was only four months on the throne before he passed away. Therefore, the first anniversary of the reigning king on the throne means so much to the community and worth celebrating, he said.

Nwakalo-Imu, who made this known in an address, said that with the emergence of the Onu, Ebu has witnessed for the first time in a long while a peaceful co-existence with all the villages as well as with its immediate neighbours as he has been a rallying force and a father to all. The monarch, he said, has consistently maintained that he shall be

Shimite Bello bows before Ebu Monarch, Paul Opili during the conferment of Akpeli Ugo Fufu I title on her on Easter Monday.

fair to all and ensure that rapid development comes to the community.

He turned to the chieftaincy title awardees and congratulated them. He declared to the mammoth crowd that gathered at Ubueni Primary School field, Ebu, venue of the event, saying, “They (the awardees) are all worthy sons and daughters of Ebu who have contributed in no small measures to the community and therefore, deserving of the titles being conferred on them.

He called on the awardees to set higher targets for themselves with regards to development of the town. I congratulate and pray that they may deploy the titles to the glory of God and humanity.

Bello was distinguished for serving humanity through her God-given talents. She was said to have touched lives right from her teenage age in areas of tourism, entertainment, trade and commerce etc.

She is seen as having touched lives of grassroots women and youths in financial literacy, gender mainstreaming, financial inclusion in the areas of Agriculture, solid

minerals, information communication technology (ICT) and agency banking, amongst others.

As a political appointee to the Delta State Government, she is seen to be efficient and effective with proper guidance from her boss, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to disburse funds across the various traders and occupations to all 270 wards in the state, including other schedules given to her to execute per time.

Notable amongst the schedules is the Delta State Food Export Initiative, Job Creation Steering Committee, Agricultural Marketing Board as well as Delta State Focal Person to the Federal Government Intervention – N-Power, Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the SocialRegister and Cash Transfer.

Bello is renowned for her intricate knowledge of micro finance, Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development, human capital development, financial literacy training, mentorship, job and wealth creation through innovation in the agricultural

and solid minerals value chain, utilising grassroots women and youth entrepreneurs as drivers of the process.

Bello is a multiple award winner in the areas of community development, micro finance, youth and women development, media and agricultural development.

The community extolled her sterling qualities just as guests, including government functionaries, friends and wellwishers took turns to eulogise her during the entertainment segment.

In an interview with newsmen shortly after the ceremony, Bello vowed to go higher in serving humanity. “My community offered me the chieftaincy title and I willingly accepted it. So long as I am in this state, I will keep having responsibilities in this community.

So, whether I am a chief or not, the responsibilities will keep growing.

And I will not say no to my people.”

She was seen to be the youngest of the awardees and the only female conferred with the Akpeli title.

“When I work, I work as a

human being. I don’t work as a man or a woman. Whatever anybody can do, I will”, she said, noting that she thought that’s the reason her community distinguished her for the title.

She strongly believes in fighting against evil to ensure things are rightly done.

Election violence and all forms of evil are resisted as long as she is concerned.

“Whether it is ensuring that my own job in Delta State Government is done, I’m always ready for a fight and I’m always ready for a settlement. I don’t hold a grouse. So, when monies are meant for people, I believe it should get to where it should. That’s why I think they (my people) believe I can fit into the council of elders.”

With Bello, Ebu people and indeed Deltans are hopeful of more positive things coming to them, especially as the Okowa-led administration comes back to power on the 29th of next month (May) for another four years.

For Bello, it is indeed, a case of a prophet with honour in her own home.

Sunday 28 April 2019

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SpecialFeature

BDSUNDAY 21

Workers’ Day:

Exciting moments as Labour basks in new minimum wage

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JOSHUA BASSEY

hen Nigerian workers file out on Wednesday, May 1, to mark this year’s May Day (also known as Workers’ Day), they are not likely to wear mournful looks or agitate for an upward review of wage. They are also not likely to spew abusive words against government officials or pelt them with pebbles or sachet water. It will be a moment of celebration for a dream come through.

Agitation for wage increase had characterised all previous celebrations of the day in the last four years.

On Thursday, April 18, President Muhammadu Buhari granted organised labour’s long expectation when he signed into law the recently approved N30,000 national minimum wage.

Since assenting the bill which had earlier been passed by the bi-cameral legislature (House of Representatives and Senate), there has been an air of excitement in the three major labour centres and their leadership.

They include Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) led by their respective presidents- Ayuba Wabba, Bobboi Kaigama and Joe Ajaero.

Also, there has been no less joy among many other unions affiliated to the three labour centres, especially those in the public sector such as the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and their junior counterparts in Nigerian Union of Civil Servants (NUCS).

Perhaps, what labour unions would be eager to hear from the government on Wednesday, would be the effective date for the new wage.

But whether or not the implementation date swings in favour of labour, many of whom believe it should take effect from April 2019, a major hurdle has, however, been crossed and Nigeria, no doubt, has moved a step closer to paying a ‘living wage’ to its millions of workers.

At the former N18,000, Africa’s biggest economy, paid one of the least national minimum wage in the world. According to available statistics, the country’s N18,000 (about $58 a month), which came into effect on January 1, 2011, ranked below that of Algeria- $2,145, which came into being on January 1, 2012. It also trailed far behind Angola’s $1,625 (2014); Benin- $812 (April 1, 2014; Botswana - $652 (2015); and Burkina Faso-$703 (April 1, 2012).

Also, compared with Cameroon’s $736 (effective July 1, 2014); Cape Verde at $1,353 (January 2014); Egypt-$732 (January 1, 2014); Ethiopia- $252 (2015); Ghana-$558 (August 1, 2015); Kenya-$665 ( May 1, 2015); Liberia$435 (2014); Niger $610 (August 17, 2012 and Rwanda- $900 (2013), Nigeria’s $58 was far below peers in Africa. It is against this background that the excitement within labour could be understood when President Buhari signed the N30,000 (about $98) new national minimum wage, even though it is still a far cry from the initial figure demanded by labour.

Indeed, the journey to the new wage did not come easy. There have been strikes, agitations and protests by labour and its civil society allies that rattled the nation’s economy.

Recall that even before the 2015 presidential election, Labour had started to put the government on notice about the need to return to the negotiation table, as the N18,000 minimum wage with a lifespan of five years was due for a review in 2016. Unfortunately, the Nigerian economy slipped into recession shortly after Buhari assumed power; compounded by a fall in prices of crude oil in the international market, upon which the country’s economy is heavily dependent.

It became clear that an upward review of

the N18,000 minimum wage would be an herculean task, especially viewed against the fact that many of the 36 states of the federation could not pay salaries and allowances of their workforce.

But amid labour’s growing agitation and national discourse on new minimum wage, the Federal Government, in 2017, constituted a 30-man National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee headed by a former federal permanent secretary, Ama Pepple. The committee drew its membership from the Federal and State Governments, Organised Private Sector (OPS) and labour.

At the inauguration of the committee on November 27, 2019, President Buhari urged the committee to consider the issue of a national minimum wage and all matters ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the workforce but the effect on the country’s economy. The President said since national minimum wage is within the Exclusive Legislative List, Nigeria should aim to go above the basic social protection floor for all workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay.

“I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and as such should be anchored on social justice and equity,” said the President.

Buhari had also expressed the hope that the committees’ full consultation with social partners and their direct participation would be utilised, “bearing in mind the core provisions

‘‘

I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and as such should be anchored on social justice and equity

of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria), which thrives on tripartism and collective bargaining agreements.

According to him, the committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new national minimum wage.

But the work of the tripartite was made more arduous, as labour and government, especially the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) constantly disagreed regarding what should be the appropriate figure to be paid as new minimum wage.

Whereas the organised labour put N65,000 on the negotiating table and the Federal Government proposed N24,000, the governors variously argued for N22,000 and N21,000, leading to back and forth argument/negotiation which dragged on for about one year before the consensus figure of N30,000 which the committee submitted in its report to the Presidency in November 2018 While submitting the report, the chairman, Pepple said: “While we note the offer of N24,000 by government, the panel recommends N30,000 as the new national minimum wage of the country.”

But this did not go down well with the NGF who argued against the ability of many of the states to pay N30,000.

While reacting to a comment by Peter OzoEson, the general secretary of the NLC that governors opposed to the N30,000 were diverting bailout funds received from the Federal Government to pay wages and that the union expected the ICPC to probe such governors, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, head, media and public affairs of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in December 2018, said the governors would have been happy to pay the amount but were constrained by limited funds amid other areas also requiring funding.

“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) wishes to make it categorically clear that the insinuations by the NLC that governors are refusing to pay the N30,000 national minimum wage as demanded by NLC, is not only mischievous, but misleading and in bad faith,” the statement read.

“Governors have collectively made it abundantly clear that they would have been happy to pay workers the N30,000 but times are hard and because of financial constraints and other limitations, many states cannot afford it, for now.

“The N22,500 was arrived at, after extensive deliberations among all 36 governors, outlining

their financial capacities and liquidity, considering the economic situation of the country and the states’ other obligations to the majority of the people of their various domains,” BelloBarkindo said.

“Governors also emphasised that N22,500 is a ‘baseline threshold’, meaning that any governor who can pay more than N22.500 is therefore, free to go ahead and do so. To put the records straight, governors are not under any obligation, by law, to show their books to the NLC. “But they have, in their pursuit of the understanding of the union, done so, not once, but several times over, with a view to letting labour know that what they are asking for is neither realistic nor sustainable,” he further said.

Interestingly, however, and unlike in the past when labour and the OPS have been seen to be at each other’s throat, employers in the private sector of the economy had been consistently supportive of the need to raise the earnings of workers over and above the hitherto N18,000 threshold just as they lauded President Buhari’s signing of the new wage.

Timothy Olawale, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), a key member of the OPS, while reacting to the signing of the law, commended Buhari and pledged support.

“The organised businesses wish to commend the President for attending to the national minimum wage bill as sent by the National Assembly. It shows that he cares for the welfare of the masses and working class in particular.

We believe that the implementation date will be the date of assent,” says Olawale.

The DG explained that the national minimum wage was not a general salary increase but a wage below which no employer should pay.

According to him, employers who are already paying above N30,000 are not obligated to comply while urging other social partners to respect the position of the law so as not to jeopardise the peace in the private sector.

The NECA boss believed that organised businesses would be committed to the implementation of the new national minimum wage to ensure industrial harmony. He wants employers to take note of the date of implementation and seek further clarification, when in doubt.

Bashir Lawal, the General Secretary of ASCSN, said workers in the public sector were hopeful that with the signing of the law, implementation would commence immediately so as to put would-be beneficiaries in the position to better take care of themselves and their families.

Sounding satisfied over the minimum wage increase, Ayuba Wabba, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), recently hinted in Lokoja, Kogi State that this year’s Workers’ Day would be celebratory.

“We have demonstrated tenacity in the pursuit of a new national minimum wage for workers. We have held several rallies, protest marches at both federal and state levels and even embarked on a few strikes to press home our demand for a new national minimum wage.

A few weeks ago, the two chambers of the National Assembly passed the National Minimum Wage (2019) Amendment Bill. The bill was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18, 2019. There cannot be a more perfect May Day gift for Nigerian Workers,” Wabba said.

Recall that on May 1, 2017 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, angry workers had booed Ngige and pelted him with sachet water. Last year, it was also not so a pleasant celebration as leaders of labour had tasked government on issues of workers’ welfare and protection.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Arts

Queen Moremi The Musical, still enthralling more on stage OBINNA EMELIKE

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t was an exciting Easter holiday for theatre lovers in Lagos, especially the opening of Queen Moremi The Musical on April 18, 2019.

Over the Easter holiday, Queen Moremi The Musical, threw the audience into frenzy of excitement and enthralling stage performances at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The opening of the show, produced by The House of Oduduwa, saw the 400-seater capacity Terra Kulture theatre thrill the discerning audience with an enthralling stage performance of the legendary Queen Moremi Ajasore’s story. The musical is a fusion of drama and ‘batta’ genre of dance on stage to showcase the rich Yoruba cultural heritage.

At the first show of the stage play, the stellar cast offered a superlative performance amid a stunning setting that depicted the original location in the then ancient Ile-Ife, Osun State.

From the awesome rocks, fearful forest and cultural themes, the setting made the play more natural and authentic to the audience. As well, the make-up and costume worn by the cast revealed precision tailoring by the designers.

Queen Moremi is story of selfless sacrifice and leadership. She was a queen who over a thousand years ago offered everything she had to Ile-Ife people by sacrificing her only son (Ila) to save her kingdom from destruction by the neigbhouring cities and towns.

Though a queen, Moremi was also a married woman and mother. She was a woman that believed that her kingdom deserved any great sacrifice to salvage it from their enemies.

The ancient Ile-Ife was subjected

to captivity as the young men and women were taken away by their enemies and mothers were deeply troubled weeping at the king’s palace and sought an end to the menace.

Tension arising from insecurity threw great panic to the kingdom that even the Kabiesi was overwhelmed with the situation.

The Kabiesi consulted the Ifapriest to enquire from the spirit a solution to the lingering threats. Four virgins were sacrificed based on the message of the Ifa-priest from the deity, but all to no avail.

As the insecurity increased, some warriors were sent on rescue mission

of the land by the Ifa-priest. They were given very difficult conditions; to capture alive a tiger, elephant and leopard. But they returned home to king’s palace unsuccessful.

Challenged by unwarranted deaths of young people of Ife, Moremi decided to confront the reality in order to put an end to the menace.

She asked her husband for permission to fight to rescue Ife Kingdom; a mission the men were scared of. She was required to go to land of the spirits to find out the conditions for restoring peace to the kingdom.

However, it was more exciting seeing the performance than hearing

the story.

One highlight of the stage play this Easter was on April 22, 2019 whne Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, headlined a distinguished audience of traditional and community leaders to see the musical at Terra Kulture. His presence was in affirmation of his passion to support women in leadership, as symbolized by the exploits of Queen Moremi over 1,700 years ago.

Speaking on the musical, Olufunso Amosun, the Moremi of Yourba Land, said, “I know that I am not worthy to hold a candle to the magnanimity of the Queen Moremi heroine being

celebrated. I therefore take solace in the belief that promoting the legacies of Queen Moremi provides to the unanimously acknowledge and celebrate all women that believe in and represent core values of womanhood, women that exemplify and promote integrity, dignity, courage, hard work, sacrifice, contentment, justice, humanity and love.”

She added, “The purpose of this project is to celebrate women and to proudly showcase our history and project our vibrant rich culture to the entire world; to keep our identity, values and traditions alive especially amongst the youth, our upcoming next generation.”

For Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi, Global Ambassador of Queen Moremi Ajasoro Brand, the Moremi concept is a franchise of the House of Oduduwa Foundation and a number of projects were initiated by the foundation in order to immortalize the legend.

“We are dedicated to telling our story and the story of Queen Moremi is about ultimate girl power, and a woman who dedicated her life to ensure that her home town of Ile Ife was safe from invaders. She was an epitome of great female leadership as great leaders would always put the love of their people before themselves”, Ademiluyi said.

Expressing their delight over the superlative performances, the executive producers of the musical, which include; the House of Oduduwa Foundation, Rejevenee and Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, promised more breathtaking performances.

Queen Moremi the Musical stage play, which opened on April 18 and runs until May 5, 2019, hopes to reopen again to the public across the year at Terra Kulture.

Funke Treasure releases a ‘Pronunciation Guide’ Series

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unke Treasure, foremost broadcaster, has released two books; The Clergy and The Spoken Word Industry.

They are foundational resource materials for her ‘Pronunciation Guide’ Series on pronunciation skills for Second Language Speakers of the English Language.

Funke Treasure says the books were developed out of her twentyfour-year practice as a broadcaster who grew from being an announcer and presenter to supervising presentation units and programmes department, at different levels to heading a radio station.

“In my experience as a speech coach and trainer, I had observed that clients often relapsed to the pre-elocution state because of the paucity of materials tailored to our environment. I realised that preparing handouts was not enough for the scope of what needed to be covered. These two books, in my Pronunciation Guide series, therefore double as workbooks during elocution training and resource manuals afterwards,” she explains.

According to her, there are many wrongly pronounced words in the

communicative cycle in Nigeria.

“As you would find out in the book, this is partly due to the influence of our indigenous languages and pidgin English amongst other factors. This has continually impacted negatively on the crop of students studying languages, mass communication and arts in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria. These books, therefore, address the retrogression in the proper pronunciation of words by on-air personalities, comperes, trainers, motivational speakers, the clergy and other gatekeepers in the Spoken Word industry.”

She believes colleagues in broadcasting and elocution training would find these books needful in reversing this unwholesome trend in their professional practice.

The new books have received good reviews from veterans in the industry. Rt. Revd. Akinpelu Johnson, Bishop, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Anglican Communion, says: “the book is both theoretical and practical, highly illustrated, making it simple for the individual user to practice set exercises.. .”

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor Trinity House, Lagos has de-

scribed ,‘The Clergy’ as “a must have to the discerning and those in the profession of ‘talking’ and largely those in search of knowledge.”

According to Stella Awani, a renowned broadcaster and broadcaster who retired from Radio Nigeria in the 80’s as First Controller, Spoken Words and Manager, National Programmes “Funke Treasure, the author of the book under review addresses the challenge,

Funke Treasure

(we) second language speakers of the English language face. She has painstakingly and with much dedication, fact finding and research put together a must read for those who wish to get it right. Her illustrations are composite and down to earth.

She simplifies the use of symbol, stress that guides articulate speech with all its colourful nuances; in particular pronunciation; and has incisively treated the complex tonal variations of our major languages and multiple dialects.”

“The book should be recommended text for students of linguistics and Mass Communication in our universities!” says Ibiyemi Olufowobi, director, Network Operations, Raypower FM. “We need a book like this . . . for practitioners in the broadcast business, veterans inclusive as there are so many things we still take for granted, a lot of us are living on past glory. And the majority of us are not refreshing our skills”, Ambrose Somide, director, Radio Services, Raypower FM. A former acting Director General of FRCN, Mrs Maria Odeh, says the book “will assist anyone who aims

to be not only a more proficient speaker of the English language but also better understood by an audience or congregation”.

Published by Illuminate Nigeria Development Network, the public presentation of the books, is slated for Saturday May 4, 2019. Top clergymen, media personalities, colleagues and friends are scheduled to attend. These include broadcast veterans such as Bimbo Oloyede, Soni Irabor, Tokunbo Ojekunle, Boma Kalaiwo, Femi Sowoolu, Sydney Ufeli, Sulai Aledeh and top civil servants at the federal and state levels. Nigeria’s foremost performance poet, Akeem Lasisi, Afro highlife musician, Edaoto and emerging poet, Uche Uwadinachi are billed to perform.

The trailers for the two books were officially released on 25th April 2019 and are available on the author’s YouTube Channel.

The author’s name as seen on the book is Anike Ade Funke Treasure, she says, she wishes to be so addressed as a writer.

It would be recalled that Funke Treasure’s debut book, Memories of Grandma, a childhood memoir, was presented to the public in 2015.

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Arts Alexis Galleries debut IRIRI (experience), a solo exhibition of paintings

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lexis Galleries is delighted to announce ‘Iriri’ (experience), a debut solo exhibition of paintings by Oluwole Omofemi, a contemporary Nigerian artist, which opens on Saturday, May 4 to May 11, 2019, at Alexis Galleries.

Omofemi’s artistic imagination is fed by childhood experiences in the back street of Ibadan. His works betray a soft spot for women and children and genuine concern for the underprivileged children in the society.

His works frequent resonates with a deep appreciation of African fashion, rediscovery of forgotten hairstyle and Afrocentric pride. He enjoys expression in acrylic and oil paint, which are his media for vibrant expressive creativity. He is interested in historical themes and early childhood experiences.

“Iriri (experience) is an art exhibition that focuses on the different life stages such as childhood, adolescent stage, adulthood and old age. The works which will be on display will mostly show the basic life stages in the female gender (adolescent/puberty stage precisely). The stages in the life of a female gender is

Alexis Galleries

quite interesting. Right from infancy to the adolescent and puberty stage, then to the adulthood, which helps them into motherhood. This stage is quite an interesting and intense stage. She begins to develop into a woman and becomes more

conscious of her physical appearance, starting with her hair and outfits,” says the artist.

Omofemi’s works depict everyday occurrences and seeks to correct social vices that are vast spreading in the society and he aims to deploy

the influence of visual art to better the lot of children and revived the neglected beauty of African fashion.

“The Afro is a symbol of the black beauty and a neglected hair fashion of Africans. It dates back to the 50s and 60s when Af-

rican women wore their natural hair gorgeously. The unstretched Afro (kinky) hair was a way to celebrate the culture and uniqueness of the black race. No wonder women feel their hair is a “crowning glory” as this phrase dates back to the Biblical times. According to 1Corinthians 11:15, “ but for a woman, if her hair is abundant, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.” A woman’s hair is the first most noticeable part of her beauty. Thus, this helps us to understand the mystery behind every woman’s beauty and to further understand the interest of the artist on this regard and why he decided to be so emphatic on this. Ejire (twins) is a perfect example of this.

The twins are seen wearing their Afro gorgeously. Their choice of outfits and colours also depicts their temperament and lifestyle,” he adds.

Born in the late eighties among the rusty-roofed dwelling of the ancient city of Ibadan, he had his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Fine Art at the Polytechnic of Ibadan.

He is a member of the world touring art group ‘Coure de Diona’ based in Italy and his works are widely collected in Nigeria and out-

side Nigeria. Omofemihas participated in many group exhibitions both home and internationally.

Iriri is sponsored by Tiger, Pepsi, Mikano, Delta Airline, Wazobia TV, Nederburg, Cobranet Internet Service Provider, Cool FM, Art Café and the Homestores Limited.

For this exhibition Alexis Galleries is partnering with Braille Book Production Centre, a place that provides educational services for blind and visually impaired pupils and adults and equip them for an independent life via educational services for the blind with the aim of assisting blind persons to become self-sufficient adults in the communities in which they live and work.

The centre was set up by Nigerwives, a not for profit association of non-Nigerian women married to Nigerian men who reside in Nigeria in 1995, and has pioneered the computer production of brailed textbooks in Nigeria.

The association was founded by Jean Obi, a British by birth, in 1962. She moved to Lagos and joined the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) where she taught herself Braille.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the centre.

Nigerian hospitality industry, as the board and management made a corporate decision to officially embark on an eco-friendly way of life. Concerned about its immediate environment and the global community, Eko Hotels is determined to make considerable investment in ensuring a more eco-friendly culture is embedded into the daily operation of its business.

To this extent, they accept they have a responsibility not

just to their shareholders, but also to their host community, future generations and the larger society, so they are committed to ensuring that their environment is preserved and properly catered to, promoting a healthier, safer and more sustainable business space”.

The chairman explained that the hotel staff have undergone several weeks of training and re-orientation to make them environmentally responsible and conscious of how we affect our environment.

“They are being equipped with the necessary tools required to aid them in leading the change towards an eco-friendly hotel and they are championing the eco – friendly drive with keen interest. Energy consumption has significantly reduced, several water conservation practices have been adopted, gradually, utensils/ amenities are being replaced with biodegradable options and hundreds of children are being sensitized on the need to reduce our carbon footprint,” Chagoury concluded.

Eko Hotels rewards winners of its eco-friendly art competition

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young Master Adegoke Ademola , 14-year old student of King College, Lagos, has emerged the winner of the just concluded eco-friendly art competition held to round up series of programmes initiated by Eko Hotels Limited in a bid to go green. The eco-friendly art contest held at the hotel on April 22, 2019, however, signaled the grand finale of the hospitality giant’s effort to reclaim the seemingly polluted environment that gives credence to climatic change.

Schools that made it to the final contest comprising British International School, Holy Child College, Kings College and others were among the selected schools that registered interest to participate for the competition before final selection.

The students who were given free hand to conceptualise and paint scenes in conformity with going green initiative had a swell day as they experimented in various media available to them.

The contest was conducted

by Eko Hotel’s go green team

and panel of judges comprising Christopher Chagoury, chairman, Eko Hotels Limited; Caline Chagoury Moudaber, diretor, Eko Hotels Limited, founder and director of Art TwentyOne; Ghassan Faddoul, managing director, Eko Hotels, Adesegun Oniru, chairman, AAO Consulting; Taiwo Adewole, environmental sustainability expert and Olu Amoda, professor of Art and renowned artist.

At the end of the painting competition, Adegoke Ademola’s painting was adjudged the best, having captured the required concept with his mastery of lines, perspectives and use of colour. He was reward with a prize cheque of N200,000 and a trophy. The second best went to Akindele Abdulazim, 14-year old student of British International School, Victoria Island, who went home with N150,000 while the third best went to another 14-year old Olugbenga Ayoluwa of Holy Child College, Lagos who won N100,000 respectively.

In an opening remark

by Christopher Chagoury, chairman, Eko Hotels Limited, said, “We are far more than just a global and local leader. We are the equivalent of a community that hosts over 500,000 clients each year providing them with water, energy, food and a hospitable environment.

With ‘Eco’ right in our DNA, the board of directors decided it was time to expose our guests to a more caring and greener lifestyle. We want

to share the opportunity to experience what a greener world could be”.

Chagoury further charged the general public to ride with Eko Hotels on the green side as they join hands to contribute their quota to make our environments green.

Speaking further, he said, “In its characteristic pursuit of growth and excellence, Eko Hotels and Suites is set to raise the bar a lot higher in the

Adegoke Ademola, winner, Eco-friendly art contest

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Travel Save big on your next flight with these insider tips Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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ravel plans can quickly become expensive, making budget vacations extremely desirable. But such trips aren’t possible if you pay too much for airfare. And unless you know where to look, finding cheap flights can be a huge hassle.

“For the airlines, it’s about getting you to pay the most you’re willing to pay, which is the opposite of what the consumer wants,” Joe Brancatelli, publisher of the travel website JoeSentMe.com said. On a single flight, he adds, there can be more than a dozen pricing categories. “On a 150-seat plane, there could be 50 different prices,” he says.

Brancatelli adds that each of those passengers may be paying for a different array of a la carte add-ons such as priority boarding or baggage fees. “The key thing to know about airline prices,” he says, “is that the fare is where you start, not where you finish.”

With summer right around the corner, U.S. News spoke to Brancatelli and other travel industry experts about the best ways to stretch your travel budget. Here are seven insider secrets to booking cheap flights: Book seven weeks in advance Passengers pay the lowest price – nearly 10 percent below the average fare if they buy 50

days before their flight, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation. The data were compiled by examining 2017 ticket sales from online and corporate travel agencies in the U.S. for the top 500 origin-and-destination markets. But the seven-week rule isn’t a sure-fire strategy for snagging the cheapest fare.

“This is just a trend,” explains Chuck Thackston, ARC’s managing director of data science and research. “Airlines will make valuable deals available all the time. But, on average, we see this [50-day] approach works.”

Best time to book flights: Tuesdays at 3 p.m. EST If you don’t find the discounts

FG reiterates commitment to first class radio communications for Airspace

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he Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to a safe and efficient airspace reinforced with a first rate radio communications system for the country.

Fola Akinkuotu, the managing director/CEO of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency who stated the government’s position, also vowed that all challenges experienced in the area of communications were being tackled with relentless vigour.

Akinkuotu was addressing an Air Controllers/Pilot Interactive Session in Lagos with the theme “Enhancing Safety of Flight Operations.”

Radio communication is a critical factor in pilots-air traffic controllers and pilot-pilot exchanges during flight operations.

The NAMA Boss told the session that Nigeria’s airspace deserves the very best radio communications system, and that government was working to deliver it.

Vowing that there was no going back in achieving an efficient ra-

dio communication, he said: “We have made inroads in the area of radio communications but there are challenges. I want to assure my colleagues, the pilots and the controllers that efforts are being made and we are not going to stop. I am not going to stop, so long as I am in NAMA, from trying to deliver an optimally functional radio communications system for our airspace.”

Akinkuotu, who has a rare distinction of being a pilot and an aeronautical engineer, explained that it was essential for communication between the pilots and air traffic controllers to be crisp and clear, stressing, “Part of NAMA’s job is communication. We will keep trying; we will not rest until we fix it. We will fix it.”

He said although there have been “attestations that they have been some remarkable improvements,” he would not be satisfied until peak efficiency was attained. “For me, good is not good enough,” he said, “why not the best?”

you’re looking for in the early morning, a study by FareCompare.com says the best time to buy airline tickets and shop for travel (domestically) is on Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST. However, George Hobica, travel expert and journalist, argues that the best deals vary frequently, so there’s not one specific day or time of the week to buy.

Cheapest days for flights: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday According to a FareCompare. com study, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday for domestic travel. “Flying on these days of the week is almost always the cheapest option in the U.S.,” according to the website.

For international travel, weekdays

are usually cheaper than weekends, FareCompare says. Friday and Sunday are the most expensive days for domestic travel.

Fly out early The cheapest flight is typically the first flight of the morning. “Yes, that means you have to get up at 4 a.m.,” says Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com.

The next-cheapest flight times are during or after lunch or at the dinner hour. “There’s a general rule of thumb, which is ‘fly hungry,’” Seaney says. That’s because flyers tend to not want to travel at inconvenient or uncomfortable times, he says.

Check low-cost airlines individually

Comparison sites like Kayak don’t necessarily do all the work for you. Some low-cost airlines, like Southwest, don’t allow their tickets to be quoted on popular comparison websites, Seaney says. So be sure to check them separately. And do your homework to understand what extra charges, such as carry-on or checked baggage fees, might increase the cost of your ticket.

Sign up for free alerts Almost every major online booking site offers airfare alerts that ping you when fare prices fall. Popular digital resources such as Hitlist, The Flight Deal and Secret Flying offer quick alerts on good deals. If you sign up for fare alerts from Kayak or Google Flights, you can specify certain routes and travel dates.

Travellers shouldn’t overlook online travel agencies such as Expedia and Priceline. “They sometimes buy seats from the airlines in bulk and sell them for whatever the market will bear,” he says. That can result in savings if they’ve over purchased a particular route.

Build a relationship “The question isn’t how much is it to fly from here to there, the question is, ‘Who’s asking?’” Brancatelli says. If you carry the airline’s credit card, you automatically have a leg up on other travellers. Credit cards tied to airlines now offer perks that were once standard, such as free checked bags, priority boarding and seat selection, so they may be worth signing up for if you fly frequently on one airline.

Virgin Atlantic appoints new Commercial Manager for Nigeria …Virgin Atlantic will celebrate eighteen years flying the Lagos-London route in July 2019

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irgin Atlantic has announced the appointment of Justin Bell as the airline’s Commercial Manager for Nigeria. Justin will be responsible for the airline’s daily commercial activity in the region and will commence duties in June 2019. Justin will be familiar to many in Nigeria, having been Virgin Atlantic’s Airport Manager in Lagos for the last six years.

Justin boasts an impressive resume in his 29 years at Virgin Atlantic, starting in reservations and working his way up through the organisation. Managing the airline’s biggest Clubhouse in Heathrow, regionally managing Virgin’s northern airports including Manchester and Glasgow, and then establishing superlative levels of operational performance in Lagos, consistently achieving over 90 percent on time performance and ensuring record levels of reliability, currently tracking at 500+ days without a cancellation.

The move sees Samuel Lindfield, Virgin Atlantic’s present Coun-

try Manager, return to the United Kingdom. Over the 2.5 years of Lindfield’s tenure, the airline’s commercial performance has grown from strength to strength. From the midst of the currency crisis in 2017, Virgin Atlantic has emerged financially healthier than ever on the route, with record passenger numbers, and a commercial performance trajectory that sets the airline up for continued success.

Justin Bell, Commercial Manager, Nigeria for Virgin Atlantic commented, “I am delighted to be taking up this new role for Virgin Atlantic in a region that Virgin Atlantic has served across two decades. We have built an incredibly positive commercial and operational trajectory, which I will look to develop through my time in role. I have lived in Nigeria for the last six years, and I see the immense potential each day, I look forward to working with our partners in Nigeria to harness that potential into a new reality” “I am also delighted to continue working with ALML Nigeria - they

have supported us since day one and continue to offer an amazing service for our customers as we work hard to achieve our ambition to become the most loved travel company, in Nigeria and across the world.”

Virgin Atlantic offers daily service between Lagos and London using a mix of Airbus A330-300 and A340-600 aircraft, and has served the route for almost eighteen years, an anniversary it will celebrate in July this year. All aircraft boast Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class, Premium and Economy Light, Classic and Delight offerings.

With complimentary food and drink on board, over 300 hours of entertainment and wifi, the LagosLondon service offers a consistent long haul experience for those customers connecting from Lagos seamlessly via London Heathrow to destinations throughout North America across the Virgin Atlantic network including New York and Boston, the leading commercial and educational cities of the US East Coast.

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Travel Travel gets better at innovative airports While waiting with itching ears for their transiting time or boarding announcement at the airport, some discerning passengers now engage in acts that enhance their health and lifestyle, observes OBINNA EMELIKE.

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owadays, air passengers who are anxiously waiting for their flights are tired of just relaxing at the lounges or just sit and watch airport scenes.

Taking advantage of the seeming boredom, most airport operators are now encouraging businesses with innovative ideas that will engage passengers better than before.

The development has resulted in a new trend in some top international airports; the spa offering.

To enjoy the period of time you will spend while transiting from one airport to the other, or even boarding the airplane to your destination, these innovative businesses are wooing passengers to relax and treat their body at the spas.

As well, airlines that operate some long-haul flights have provisions for spas that offer passengers opportunity to rejuvenate their body at cheaper rates at the airport instead of onboard.

Larger airports, usually those where airlines have hubs, may offer showers, steam rooms, saunas, and even hair-cutting services.

The mini spa services are really popping up at busy airports around the world in good numbers.

The commonest of them are the public airport spas where anyone can take advantage of spa services if they can afford the generally reasonable prices. Not only do public airport spas sell services, but at many of the larger airports, they also sell beauty care supplies.

The next time your flight is delayed or you have a layover with a couple of extra hours to kill, check whether the airport has spa services. You will not find everything that a full-service day spa offers, but your body will thank you if you take advantage of some of these modified services such as chair massage. It is the commonest at most airport spas with vibrating chairs for a quick stress-reducing back buzz and a massage therapist who is able to perform the massage. This simple technique requires only that you lean forward in a chair that has a cutout for your face. The massage therapist starts the treatment at your neck and moves down your spinal area. You wear your clothes and there are no lotions involved.

Another one is oxygen therapy

Heathrow G5 Art Gallery where you could breath fresh oxygen-rich air into your lungs in an instant, rejuvenating therapy to counteract the side effects of stale, unhealthy pressurized airplane cabin air.

Clients sit in a chair and breathe through flexible plastic nose tubes that can be scented with essential oils. A 15-minute treatment relaxes your body while supplying an energy boost.

Also, when your feet hurt, your mood sours, what you need is what experts called foot reflexology.

The premise of reflexology is that your feet are the road map to the rest of your body. A massage of the specific trigger points on the bottom of your feet relaxes you so you can catch your next flight feeling less stressed.

Another way to rejuvenate you body and soul before and after your flight is through manicures/ pedicures . Maybe you were in such a hurry to get to the airport, you neglected to get your nails done. For passengers with time to kill, many airport spas offer manicurist services. Having a manicure and/or a pedicure will make you feel polished and confident when you arrive at your destination.

The next time you find yourself with a long airport layover, take a break and enjoy your airport spa’s relax before you travel services. If a chair massage or

other spa service helps make your long and tedious trip more enjoyable, it will be worth the extra cost to pamper yourself.

For instance, at the Dubai International Airport, which Nigerian travellers have had to talk about, lavish facilities exist with gifted international spa therapists and a soothing ambience combine to create tranquil sanctuaries away from the busy airport environment.

Located on the First Class Lounge, Business Class Lounge and the Airport Hotel, these idyllic facilities provide a wide range of rejuvenating services that will

leave you feeling recharged, refreshed and ready for your flight.

On the First Class Lounge, while you are waiting for your boarding call, enjoy a well-deserved express relaxation treatment. These are also complimentary for Emirates First Class customers.

For guests in the Business Class Lounge, an extensive menu of signature beauty treatments, massage therapies and hairstyling services is available for a nominal charge. Rejuvenate yourself with luxurious beauty treatments using world-famous brands such as Babor, Sodashi,

Massage at Dubai International Airport

Timeless Spa Traditions, Creative Nails and Kérastase.

As for the Timeless Spa at the Airport Hotel, if you have more time before your flight, you can pamper yourself with the extended treatments provided at the Timeless Spa at the Airport Hotel.

Here, you can enjoy a wide range of signature therapies for wellness, rejuvenation and beauty including massage, and body and facial treatments.

The spa welcomes all Emirates customers and treatments are provided for a nominal charge.

While yoy arrive at London Heathrow Airport, you could also spare some time to relax and enjoy. Whether you are looking for a relaxing massage treatment, or want to go to an art gallery or a couple of hours in a YOTEL pod, it is all there at Heathrow.

Terminal Five (T5 Gallery) at Heathrow, which is described as an oasis of calm in the Visitors Book, offers a cultural artistic experience, providing wonderful artwork, as well as, offering a contemplative space to either browse or purchase. With artwork from international young emerging artists adorning the walls and monumental sculpture at the core of the space, the T5 Gallery provides artistic inspiration.

The T5 Gallery is one of the first in an international airport and fits in perfectly as art has the ability to transcend across all languages and cultures.

If you do purchase any of the pieces, there are a variety of shipping and delivery options.

In addition, the gallery offers a commission service, so whether corporate or personal, the T5 Gallery can accommodate all your artistic needs.

At the terminals, try out one of the many beauty services available in World Duty Free. Whether it’s a five-minute makeover at Bobbi Brown or a hand and arm massage at Jo Malone, the award-winning specialists will make you feel like a star before you fly with services such as complexion enhancement; hand massages; makeovers, skincare consultation, among others.

So, from spa, art gallery and even hotel services, there are things to engage your time while waiting at airports nowadays.

Ekiti to harness tourism potential to consolidate revenue base ...As hikers from South Africa, UK storm the state Akinremi Feyisipo.

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uyiwa Olumilua, Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Values, Ekiti State, has declared that the state is capable of generating over a $US1 million every month on tourism alone.

The commissioner stated this

in his office in Ado Ekiti while meeting with a team of young Ekiti indigenes who paid him an advocacy visit.

The delegation was in the office of the commissioner to intimate government of a mountain hike expedition that would come up in Ado-Ekiti.

While commending their creativity and introspection,

Olumilua believed that such projects would not only open up new frontiers in the state to get the youths effectively engaged, it would also enhance the development of its economy.

Olumilua, who noticed the derivation of the state’s name from ‘Okiti’, meaning mountain, stressed government’s

readiness to harness and expand the tourism frontiers of the state taking the advantage of its beautiful scenery and topography to make it a destination of choice by tourists.

The leader of the delegation, Peculiar Ekiran, said ‘Discover Ekiti and Hike Mountain Safari’ was borne out of desire to explore and discover the unusual

tourism destinations in the state.

Ekiran added that the event, scheduled to hold on Tungba Mountain in Ado Ekiti will attract hikers from within and outside the country, especially South Africa and the UK. Other members of the team are Afolabi Osho, Jide Fajuyi, Opeyemi Agbaje, and Dauda Opeyemi.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Entertainment Why you need to listen to Teebee’s music

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Obinna Emelike

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hile in secondary school, he used to tease his friends that he would become a musician one day. Then, they laughed at him because he was a very bright science student. On gaining admission into a university to study Biochemistry, he still found time to attend shows, events and visit music studios.

Barely months after graduating with good grades from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Osun State, he abandoned his degree certificate and followed music-his passion.

For him, choosing Biochemistry over Medicine, which was his first career choice, was strategic.

“I had wanted to study Medicine, but ended up with Biochemistry. I decided that should I go for Medicine, the music in me might die. So, I had to focus on music”, he explains.

He recalls with nostalgia, some discouraging remarks from his friends, especially the closet among them who asked him why he wasted his parents resources and his time studying at the university when he knew he would not need the certificate after all.

However, due to his unwavering passion for music, the Biochemist turned musician, has been on the rise since entering the music scene in 2009 with his first single, ‘Gbadun u die’.

Welcome to the world of Teebee. Born Abiodun Akinpelu, the Oyo State indigene who went on break after the release of his first single is back and better now.

His recent release titled “Alagbon” is all over the airwaves.

Teebee, who describes himself as Afropop artiste, will be releasing the video of the ‘Alagbon’ soon while looking forward to a collaboration with David-O because he likes his style.

Happy with the feats he has

achieved so far, the Afropop artiste attributes his success to passion. “It is all about passion.

I released “Gbaduwe” while in school. During my NYSC, I was recording and writing music almost daily, but did not drop any singles. I needed that pause in order to go back to the drawing board and come back big and better”, he says.

One intrigue of Teebee is that despite an array of music record labels that support good music, especially YBNL, EME, Melvin and EMW, the afropop artiste, is not signed into any of them. He is taking his time, build his brand and wait for the right time and opportunity.

As well, his family is very supportive now after failing to dis-

courage him earlier. The typical Nigerian parents are skeptical about some courses particularly music and theatre arts - acting.

Then, my parents objected to my choice of career instead of Biochemistry, which I studied. They asked me, “Abiodun why go into Music? But you are a brilliant boy.

“My parents, the good people around me and my personal business are my source of support”, he says.

But while the economic hardship bits, Teebee is encouraging Nigerians to listen to his music and watch his video, especially Alagbon, which is working to a national anthem, because his music is all about happiness and the right message.

Femi Kuti, Alexandre Deniot, others call for enhanced quality of Nigerian music to encourage business opportunities

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emi Kuti, afrobeat musician and Alexandre Deniot, CEO of MIDEM, have called for concerted efforts by industry stakeholders in Nigeria to ensure high quality content as a means to positioning the Nigerian music industry for greater business opportunities. They both took the position at the second edition of the MIDEM African Forum, which held in Lagos recently.

The event was attended by music industry stakeholders, tech gurus, entertainment lawyers, talent managers, PR agencies, artistes and music lovers and also featured two panel discussions that addressed issues around the way forward for the African music industry as it continues to grow its presence across the world.

After tackling the discussions on the theme, “Changing the narrative of African music on the global stage”, the first panel,

‘4th Republic’ reflected the violence and irregularities in the concluded 2019 election

which include speakers such as Wale Davies, Yemisi falaye, Micheal Ugwu, Laverine Thomas and Waje Iruobe, shed light on the relevance of labels set up to deliver 360 deals with the evolution of independent artistes and labels in Africa.

Right after the first Panel was a Q and A session by Buki Izeogu of BukiHQ MEDIA, with Efe Ogbeni of Stealth Management. Ogbeni shared stories his journey so far, his relationship and work with Davido, Nigerian hip-hop act and other major clients, challenges he has faced and how all the mistakes and experiences culminated in his success story.

The Second Panel followed with discussions around “charting a course for the African digital market”. The panelists broke down the importance of data in applying new tools and perspectives for music in a digital world.

They went further to discuss ways to apply the tools and concepts to the music industry. The panelists were Thibaut Mulling, Tosin Sorinola, Oye Akindeinde, Bizzle Osikoya, Chidi Okeke and Kelvin Orifa.

Another engaging Question and Answer session with Taiye Aliyu of Effizie Records was conducted by Tokunbo Komolafe (ACAS LAW). He shared his experience as a music executive.

He also advised on ways upcoming talent managers can become better and gave pointers on steps to take.

Attendees were later engaged in closed work group sessions, which discussed and presented ideas towards building innovative business models adopted to local realities, embracing tech and digital to reach local and global audiences, structuring the local industry and capacity development.

shaya Bako’s ‘4th Republic’ no doubt demonstrates how art can be used in interrogating social reality, make ideological statement, and serve as the lighthouse that guides the societal ship safely to the ideal destination. Known for his provocative enterprise in film making particularly with his 2012 documentary ‘Fuelling Poverty’ which was banned by the censors board for an overt inciting material, Bako with 4th Republic has proven he is more concerned with his films as tools of ideology and pragmatism. 4th Republic had contents that re-evaluated politics, political participation, and political violence.

For its creative content, thematic preoccupation, and convincing performance, I rate the movie 8 over 10.

It is by no means an accident that ‘4th Republic’ was released after the 2019 general election in Nigeria, one that was marred by so much violence, fraud, and all sought of electoral malpractice.

Bako perhaps has made statements and given his verdict on the 2019 election; and also fashioned out a solution he located in the persistent participation of well-meaning Nigerians in politics, and in the judiciary as the final hope in the restoration of political justice.

Bako’s dramatization of ideology as the major conflict in ‘4th Republic’ reflects his personality as an ideologue. Kate Henshaw was a convenient choice for that role because of her sterling abilities as a performer with the right voice, stiffness, and facial expression that sold her as a political demagogue in the film. Her role as the central character and a female gubernatorial contestant in a Nigerian environment where women seldom seek high political office opens a new vista in the consciousness of the viewer.

She was not just a candidate; she was a popular and strong candidate, a reflection of the film makers’ desire to disrupt stereotypical depictions of women in stories of power play. In one of the local governments where her campaign manager Sekiru (Jide Attah) was assassinated, we discovered the brokering of raw power wielded by a woman leader in an attempt to influence the election. Whether in positive or negative light, Bako’s depiction of women in the political terrain is refreshing.

‘4th Republic’ funded with a grant from John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation reflects the true socio-political reality of Nigeria by exposing the epileptic power supply, the corrosive corruption that has characterised institutions of the state including the electoral body, police and judiciary. 4th ‘Republic’ joined in the debate of what Nigeria needs most, whether it is good leadership or followership. It was also revealed in the film however, that when there is effective leadership, the followers will emulate as seen in the infectious incorruptibility that shaped Mabel King’s loyal aides Ike (Eyinna Nwigwe) and Bukky (Linda Ejiofor) in making personal and collective decisions.

Bako is known for quality which also translated in the production quality of ‘4th Republic’ in sound,

picture quality, and cinematography. The performances were superb with attendant dialogues that ring in the viewer’s mind particularly at the scenes where Mabel King preaches against corruption. I love the code switching and code mixing of English and Igbo/Hausa.

It is our film, it is important our voice is heard in our very own languages.

There were grammatical errors in the rendition of spoken English in the film for instance when the eye witness of the violence said ‘me and my friend’ during her testimony at the tribunal.

The radio announcements or interjections were managed very well. There was accurate lighting when the electric supply was interrupted at the scene where Ike was with his siblings. The special effect during the shooting at the primary school and the arson were convincing and appeared real. The media people lived up to expectation, their re-enactment in the movie was true to how they operate in real life.

The Election Day scene was too mechanical particularly when people where shown to be queuing to cast their votes, they were too fast. Even the location (the primary school) where the malpractice and violence took place appeared different when Ike and Bukky went o visit there in the day time. It was a wrong choice as such location was too opened and close to a major road to have been used as a place for electoral malpractice.

It was not enough to showcase the socio-political reality of Nigeria in the film; Bako went ahead to sug-

gest that the Nigerian system must be made to punish offenders with the poetic justice that was brought upon Mabel King’s rival and the incumbent, Idris Sani (Sani Mu’azu) whose victory was upturned by the tribunal. His hit-man and associate, St. James (Bimbo Manuel) met the same fate with his violent death. Through the dénouement of ‘4th Republic’, Bako suggested that justice is possible with responsible citizenship as Ike’s Law School rival, Danladi (Yakubu Mohammed) who was on the other side of the aisle decided to jettison his own inordinate ambition and pursue justice. We are shocked at the end with the dramatic irony and shocking discovery that Mabel King is after all not as impeccable as she appeared. ‘4th Republic’ is worth your time, money and popcorn.

Destiny Isiguzo Follow on instagram @destinyisiguzo and on twitter @isiguzocid

Sunday 28 April 2019

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Mobile: 08053859391, email - iambolatito@gmail.com twitter - @iambolatito

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Access Bank has taken the driver’s seat in the banking sector in Nigeria nay Africa.

This, although not really amplified by him, but through his body language and gestures, this has always been his dream since he took over the headship of Access Bank less than a decade ago.

As the Chairman of Access Bank, his dream obvi-

ously has come to reality, given the momentous applause and grandstanding the merger received just after the merger took effect. It’s about seeing Access Bank being the focal point and determinant of all banking functionalities in the continent and even the world over. Aig Imokhuede is not a run-of-

the-mill banker, having cut his teeth as a lawyer with the defunct Continental Merchant Bank during his NYSC in 1986.

He fully started his banking career at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc where he resigned as Executive Director in March 2002, after which he became the leader of the 2002 acquisition team of Access Bank, ultimately becoming Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank till December 2013. He retired as President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2017, but he remains on the National Council as an ex-officio.

His achievements and awards as an astute banker and philanthropist also speak volumes, and these cannot be contained in one piece like this. He is a Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CON. His sole initiative, Access Bank conglomerate is now the leader in the pack, and this is no hyperbole.

Dangote’s daughter, Halima makes him proud again

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arents are always proud when their children make them proud, especially when such children are offshoots of industry giants like Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Little wonder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the billionaire owner of Dangote Group, grinned from all ears when one of his favourite daughters, Halima, brought him joy and unquantifiable satisfaction during the recently-held Women Corporate Directors Lecture, sponsored by the Aliko Dangote Group, at the instance of Halima.

From hindsight, Aliko and his daughter, Halima, appear to share an uncom-

mon bond and chemistry, and this is not to downplay other daughters of the quintessential billionaire industrialist.

Halima, the Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Halima

Aliko Dangote, was able to bring to the event prominent women like the wife of former British Prime Minister, Cherie Blair, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, as guest speakers among oth-

ers women directors across the globe, who savoured the apt theme of the lecture, “The Courage to Lead; Inspiring Others, Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success.’’ Speaking poignantly at the event, Alhaji Aliko Dangote disclosed to the inspired audience that the idea of hosting and sponsoring the event was at the insistence of his daughter, Halima, and that after perusing her reasons for such venture, it dawned on him that if women were given similar opportunities in businesses and other climes, there won’t be the incessant cases of gender inequality and women have proved over time that they are up to the task.

Oil baron, Femi Otedola, a cheerful giver

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t is not always a daily affair to see some stinking rich men or women tending to the needs of the have-nots, especially when such needs border on health and physical challenges. But Nigeria’s irrepressible businessman and philanthropist of note, has been exceptional in his unquenchable thirst for assisting hugely the underprivileged in areas of succour to them when they are down medically and need a substantial

BDSUNDAY 27

Bolatito Adebola

Aig Imokhuede: The Corporate Guru that saw tomorrow coming elf discipline is an act of cultivation. It requires you to connect today’s actions to tomorrow’s results. There’s a season for sowing and that for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which. But for formidable banker extraordinaire and business icon, Aig Imokhuede, his precious dream from humble beginnings, with an audacious mindset, was to change the face of the banking sector-cum-quality financial services in Nigeria, to meaningful ways to make the brand, Access Bank, the very best in the world, through strong governance and great risk management, and to bring firstclass banking to financial institutions and commerce alike are immeasurable and unquantifiable.

On the heels of this assertion, the latest megamerger Access Bank had with Diamond Bank, it goes without saying that

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amount to remedy their health challenge. He is a very charitable person and he will stop at nothing to do the best for the lessprivileged. In the last six

months or thereabout, the first son of the late former governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, has been doing these for many in need of huge amount for medical treatment in Nigeria and abroad, the recent of which was the donation of a whopping USD50,000 to the ailing former Super Eagles Captain, Christian Chukwu for speedy medical treatment in India, a gesture that has been applauded from many quarters. Add this to a previ-

ous and similar gesture of another USD100,000 donation to foremost and veteran actor, Victor Olaotan, who needed such amount to get back to his feet after involvement in a ghastly motor accident that almost claimed his life.

Hints have it that Otedola is not yet done on this philanthropic spree to others in similar conditions, as he sees this as another move in the Otedola family as a way of giving back to the society.

Enyo Oil boss, Abayomi Awobokun, prolific oil and gas player

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n the oil and gas sector now, one name that has been resonating like an anthem is that of Abayomi Awobokun, the founder and CEO of Service Liquids & Gas (SLG.) Just like a thunderbolt, this guy suddenly stole into the consciousness of everyone in the industry and has since not looked back, making waves here and there with his rare acumen and industriousness.

His new ‘baby’ Enyo Retail and Supply Ltd., an indigenous oil and gas, and a customerfocused company has been redefining petroleum products marketing by pioneering a technology-driven fuel retailing revolution in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector. The company has also announced its rapid expansion plans across the country as it just acquired new retail stations to provide Nigerians with trusted fuel and other quality petroleum products and services. Recently, the company launched its Fuelled

by Trust – ‘1-litre is 1-litre’ initiative, which is targeted at ensuring consumers are provided with the value of their products worth. Leveraging on the words ‘trust’ and ‘fuel’, Enyo Retail & Supply is

reinforcing its commitment as a true customer-focused brand. Its continuous delivery of authentic and innovative products/services is fuelled by the positive customer and stakeholder experiences.

Abayomi Awobokun is a 2016 recipient of the Young Global Leader award from the World Economic Forum (WEF) and was nominated by the Choiseul Institute in Paris as one of the top 100 under 40 business leaders in Africa. Awobokun has a BSc in Pure & Applied Mathematics from the University of Ibadan, and an MSc in International Business from University of Surrey, UK.

Amazon of business, Bola Shagaya plans big for 60th

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lthough, still few months to roll out, the high society is set to witness another opulent shindig, as quintessential business woman of substance, Hajia Bola Shagaya inches towards the diamond jubilee age of 60 come next October; and feelers have it that the popular socialite and some close allies are leaving no stone unturned for a wow birthday celebration. Hajia Bola, we gathered, is in also in her own capacity silently bigger plans to throw the biggest bash of the year in celebration of life, love and all-round sound health despite the troubles of recent. Her children aren’t left out of the planning either. According to those who should know, they have

already gathered substantial resources to be lavished on giving their mother a befitting and memorable shindig that will be talked about for a long time. It is an event that will surely shake the entire social circuit to its foundations. Bola Shagaya is the CEO/Managing Director of Practoil Limited, one of Nigeria’s largest importers and distributors of base oil. Not only is she a household name in social and business circles, she maintains a deep web of connection with those at the summit of power, and is anlaw to a couple of big wigs in the political arena of Nigeria, like the former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and current Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

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Methodist Girls’ High School Old Girls to erect new building

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NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE

he Methodist Girls’ High School Old Girls’ Association, (MGHSOGA), Yaba Lagos, is set to raise a new building within the school premises having recently demolished the centenary block of nearly 140 years old.

Speaking at an event organised in Lagos by the association to mark the demolishment of the old building that was erected in 1951, MGHSOGA President, Oluyomi Afolabi said it was necessary to raise a new building as the old one was reported to be structurally defective in 2015.

“The Old Girls’ of this great school at home and in the Diaspora jointly decided to give back to their alma mater, there was no going back. This was because in 2015, the old block had been reported to be structurally defective, we reconfirmed this through our own various independent tests and yes, we know this was it. We decided that the building will not collapse, rather we would pull down and rebuild”, Afolabi added.

While sympathising with the families of children who lost their lives recently in a collapsed school building and others who have lost their lives as a result of collapsed building, she affirmed that such incidents can be preventable when appropriate action is taken.

However, she appreciated God for His divine mercies and expressed gratitude for the experience and privilege to be a proud student of the school.

“We are proud to have received undiluted training and nurturing in the hands of great teachers. Indeed the old order changes, giving way to new building”, she said.

Also speaking, the head of the media team, MGHSOGA, Tinu Odugbemi pointed out that the association had discovered two years ago that the centenary block of the school had some

structural defects.

“The centenary block of the school is almost 140 years old.

So, it is really an old building and the students have been moved out of the building for safety. Already, each set has been asked to contribute the sum of N5 million and the target is to raise N100 million from the Old Girls Association”, she said.

The school, she further explained, had also produced eminent Nigerians who have contributed greatly to the socio-economic development of the nation.

In her words: “The Old Girls Association of Methodist Girls’ High School abounds in several fields and industries, and their performance encourages us to do more.”

On her part, the vice -president of the fundraising committee, Adetola Ola, who is of the 79/84 set, said she was proud to be a product of the school and that the values she got from the school really influenced her life.

She said: “Individual sets have done quite a number of things for the school, including the setting up of an e-learning classroom. Some sets also brought the laboratories to state-of-the-art level. We have also organised workshops to be able to know what challenges the girls are going through.”

Also speaking at the event, the principal of the school, Adenike Oluyemisi Idowu described the appellation of the old building as appropriate and added that among all the infrastructures within the school, the building is the oldest.

“The old block, a true relic, serves an important function in the history of the school and is indeed the school’s pride.

“Due to the building’s historical value and significance, it was a herculean task to give in to the proposal to have it pulled down.

However, history should not deter progress and change is inevitable.

Story of the Selfish Giant

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very afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant’s garden.

It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve peachtrees that in the spring-time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. “How happy we are here!” they cried to each other.

One day the Giant came back.

He had been to visit his friend the Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years. After the seven years were over he had said all that he had to say, for his conversation was limited, and he determined to return to his own castle. When he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden.

“What are you doing here?” he cried in a very gruff voice, and the children ran away.

“My own garden is my own

garden,” said the Giant; “anyone can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but, myself.” So he built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board.

TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED He was a very selfish Giant.

The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on the road, but the road was very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did not like it. They used to wander round the high wall when their lessons were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside.

“How happy we were there,” they said to each other.

Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds. Only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children, and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful flower put its head out from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to

Kiddies having fun at Q.Brat Zoo, Badagry.

The old block has truly outlived its lifespan, as the derelict infrastructure has, according to experts, failed integrity test and its continual usage is a threat.

“One cannot help, but be sentimental knowing that in a short while the relic would cease to exist.

“But we take solace in the Old Girls’ assurance that a modern replica would be erected in its place,” Idowu added.

Prelate Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Chukwuma Uche lauded the decision of the Old Girls’ to raise a new structure, saying it is commendable for the rebranding and beautification of the school.

On her part, president MGHSOGA, United Kingdom and Ireland chapter, Bukky Durojaiye congratulated their members all over the globe, saying that the decision to raise a building that will cost over N350 million is a step in the right direction.

According to Durojaiye, it is a significant symbol of the OGA’s aspiration to give back to the school that had nurtured them.

Methodist Girls High School was established in 1879 to give girls such an education that would enable them to contribute in a practical and meaningful way to the stability of family life within the society.

sleep. The only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost. “Spring has forgotten this garden,” they cried, “so we will live here all the year round.” The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down. “This is a delightful spot,” he said, “we must ask the Hail on a visit.” So the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice.

“I cannot understand why the Spring is so late in coming,” said the Selfish Giant, as he sat at the window and looked out at his cold white garden; “I hope there will be a change in the weather”.

To be continued

Riddles/ brain teasers Q: I’m light as a feather, yet the strongest man can’t hold me for more than 5 minutes. What am I? Breathe.

Q: Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday?

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Q: Timmy’s mother had three children. The first was named April, the next was named May. What was the name of the third child?

Timmy of course!

Q: What kind of coat can only be put on when wet?

A coat of paint.

Q: What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment, and never in one thousand years?

The letter M. Q: What has three feet but cannot walk?

A yardstick.

Q: What runs, but never walks, often murmurs – never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, has a mouth but never eats?

A river.

Q: If you are running in a race and you pass the person in second place, what place are you in?

Second place.

Q: What gets sharper the more you use it?

Your brain.

Q: If I have it, I don’t share it. If I share it, I don’t have it. What is it?

A secret.

Q: What can you catch but not throw?

A cold.

Q: How many months have 28 days?

All 12 months!

Q: They come out at night without being called, and are lost in the day without being stolen.

What are they?

Stars.

Q: What is full of holes but can still hold water?

A sponge.

Q: Two in front, two in behind, and one in the middle. How many are there?

Three

Sunday 28 April 2019

Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

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

I’m not competing with anybody – Guchi

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udding singer, Guchi, has said no matter how fierce and stiff the music industry in Nigeria is; she is not in any form of competition with any other singer.

Even as her newly released hit single, No be Jazz has taken over the airwaves in recent times, the young singer said she is all out to face any challenge that comes with the music industry.

In a recent chat with Bliss, Guchi said, “I am not competing with anybody. I am just on my own lane. But I know that what I have is good. When you come out with good stuff, you stand on your own, you don’t have to compete with anybody for people to know you, it comes out on its own. I sound like me, I don’t sound like anybody.”

Born Ugochi Onuoha 22 years ago, the afro-pop singer said she has been singing professionally since 2012 but decided to come out fully when she got really ready to be in the industry.

“I started music in 2012 but I didn’t really come out. It is because I wanted to be fully prepared. For me to come out now, that means I am ready.”

Guchi said music is her life and as much as she could remember, she has done music right from when she was a kid.

“It was something I grew up knowing. I was in the choir. At seven, I could sing in public. I have passion for music. When I was growing up, my dad was always listening to Michael Jackson’s songs.

I have always loved his music. I would say my dad is a music lover and I took that from him.”

As much as her single has take the industry by storm, Guchi said she is not a ‘one hit’ singer as she still intends to ‘shock’ music lovers with her vibes.

“I want to be bigger than I am al-

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ready. The only way I can stand out is for me to keep working hard and keep dishing out good music and I intend to do that. I have recorded so many songs that I would be dropping back to back. I will drop another single next month and subsequently, I will keep dropping singles. But before the end of the year, I would release full album.”

Currently signed to a management company MVP, the young artiste said she has every intention of collaborating with bigger stars soon.

“Actually, I was supposed to feature Falz in No be Jazz even though we didn’t contact him. But somebody in my team suggested that I come out alone first and then I do another song with a big artiste.”

Formerly an undergraduate of Edo State University, Guchi said she had to leave her school in the

South South zone to come over to Lagos just because of her music.

“The hub of entertainment is Lagos. I had to come back to Lagos. I am starting all over again in University of Lagos to study Theatre and Media Arts. The course relates to music. I didn’t register for full time. It is just for the love of music. My family believe I know what I am doing so they didn’t have a problem with my decision.

At first, it was really hard leaving 300 Level to come back and start afresh but I know it is for good.”

Guchi has an aspiration and that is to remain in the music industry for a long time.

“I want to be stuck in the minds of people. I intend to create a brand for young people who would listen to my kind of music. I want people to know Guchi and I want the name to become a household name.”

Hymnodia: How Kenneth beat Olumide at the final battle

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t was a fierce battle last Thursday as Hymnodia finally came to an end after 14 weeks.

Indeed, the duo of Olumide and Kenneth shook the auditorium with their powerful voices that it was just so difficult for the judges, and perhaps, the viewing public, to decide who would go home with the grand prize.

But the grand finale wasn’t about the duo alone. It was really an evening of hymns, performances and more hymns that entertained and lifted the souls of so many people.

Several choirs from different denomination performed at the event, which had guests raising their hands in worship and asking for more.

The evicted contestants also thrilled with their individual performances and it was incredible and absolutely wonderful.

However, when the main ‘war’ started, it was indeed a battle of voices.

The top five finalists were

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reduced to four and the last four had to sing out their hearts in order to clinch the grand prize.

The lady with the sonorous voice, Mobolanle kicked off the battle with her rendition and she got a great applause.

But when Olumide came on the stage, it was incredible! The hall erupted with shouts of praises and his great baritone voice could reach the heavens.

As so many people felt that nobody could beat Olumide, Kenneth came on the stage and poured ‘petrol’ to the already charged hall. The young man with his bass voice shook the hall.

The judges, who included Onyeka Onwenu and Miss Ige, were confused as they didn’t know who would come out tops eventually.

However, at the end of the show, expectedly, Abigail came fourth; Mobolanle came third while Olumide came second.

And as Kenneth was declared the winner, the hall was set on fire as his family and fans and even other guests went wild with joy.

And for being the winner, the young man went home with a brand new car, the Asaph, and N5m.

The executive producer of Hymnodia, Mr. Kufere Ekanem, congratulated the contestants and the eventual winner and enjoined them to make good use of their talents.

his Easter period last weekend was jam-packed with fun activities and multinational brand, Maltina, made sure that most residents of Lagos and Ibadan partook in this fun. It was bliss galore.

Indeed, two comedy festivals, AY Live and Laff Mattaz that the brand supported, would remain memorable in the lives of so many people who attended the event which witnessed the perfect blend of music and comedy held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos and the iconic Jogor Centre on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, respectively.

For six years, Gbenga Adeyinka, the self-proclaimed Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic (GCFR) has been going around the South West, sharing happiness through his Laff Mattaz comedy show courtesy of premium malt drink, Maltina. AY Live on the other hand, has for over four years, been powered by the brand, in a bid to foster its stance on sharing happiness.

Fulfilling the promise to make everyone in attendance

smile, laugh out loud and forget their worries for at least 24 hours were music and comedy superstars–DJ Jimmy Jatt, 2Baba, Ruggedy Baba, Chinko Ekun, Omobaba, Alariya, Terry G, the Small Doctor, Chi Young, Madiba of Comedy, Shete, Akpororo, Funny Bone, Helen Paul, Dr Smile and Peteru, who delivered great doses of music, humor and excitement to the people of Lagos and Ibadan.

Laff Mattaz has been the biggest family event for the people of Ibadan over the last six years like AY Live in Lagos, with Maltina sharing happiness at the different shows.

Speaking on this, the Portfolio Manager, Non-alcoholic drinks, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ngozi Nkwoji, said: “We’re always excited to be a part of shows like AY Live and Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laff Mattaz, as they align with the brand’s commitment to sharing unending happy moments with families and friends across Nigeria.

We always look forward to being a part of these events as we have in recent years.”

Kids Funderland 2019 ends in Style in Lagos

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he biggest family-centric event during the Easter Celebration, Kids Funderland, recorded huge success as children and parents were treated to varying degrees of light-hearted pleasure in Lagos and a family will spend a weekend at the Federal Palace Hotel, VI, Lagos.

The event which was organised by Bavent Street Live and supported by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) took place between Good Friday, 19th and Easter Sunday, 21st of April at the Lekki Special events Centre, Lekki 1, Lagos, Nigeria.

At Kids Funderland, children were able to reenact their fantasies as they were treated to thrilling magic shows and amazing performances by celebrity dance group, Dream Catchers.

Tech enthusiasts were not left out as they got first-hand beginner’s lectures on robotics,

coding and capped these with Virtual Reality games.

FCMB lived up to their customer focus mantra by putting smiles on the faces of some families at Kids Funderland through discounted ticket sales and exciting giveaways.

PS Luxury and Knicks and Knacks also played a part in delivering fun-filled experiences to families and kids within various age groups, by curating and ensuring logistical support.

Commenting on the success of the event, Founder, Bavent Street Live, Hakeem Condotti said; “We realize that we are all busy and more often than not, life just gets in the way, however creating family moments such as this, particularly during the festive season, is paramount. The kids had so much fun and we can’t wait for the next edition as we promise much more.”

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Interview

Ninth Assembly: Why party supremacy should override all interests - Tunji-Ojo Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is the member-elect for Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State. In this interview with OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, the APC member who doubles as Chairman, Forum of First Time Members of House of Representatives speaks on the leadership contest in the Ninth National Assembly. Excerpts:

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here are over 10 members-elect jostling for the Speakership seat of the House of Representatives. What is the position of your Forum on this?

Our position as a Forum is not different from the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC). I am a party man through and through. I have the blood of the party running through my vein. The Leader of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken, the National Chairman has spoken, the NWC has spoken and all other organs of our party are fully aligned to the choice of the party which is Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. On that position of the party we stand.

But some members of your party still ignored the decision of the party on the anointed candidate.

To me, I don’t think their agitations or their position is tenable and I will tell you why. One, the party has to zone the position because of fairness and equity. It is hypocrisy for you to say the party must zone the position again to the North. That is a peak of hypocrisy. Having said that, we all know that Nigeria is broken down into two different parts. That is, Northern and Southern regions.

The North has the Senate Presidency already, so it will be just fair if the highest position in the House of Representatives should go to the South. If you look at it critically, Mr. President is from the North, while the Vice is from the South. Likewise, the Chairman of the National Assembly is the Senate President. The position has been zoned to the North. And the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. And this has to go to the South, so that both regions can balance. There should be no marginalisation. I do not see any contestation or issues on that.

Part of their disagreement with the arrangement of the party is that ordinarily, the position of the Speaker should have been given to the North Central or any other zone apart from the South West that already has the Vice President. What is your reaction to this?

Let me answer you. Whenever politics is on ground, we politicians play with figure and statistics too much. Firstly, Nigeria is broken into the North and the South. Whether North West, North Central and North East, they are all North. For South, whether South East, South West and South-South are all South. The Senate Presidency, to the best of our knowledge, has been zoned to the North. Particularly, it has been zoned to the North East. It is just normal, just fair that the Speakership should come from the Southern part of Nigeria. When it comes to the Southern part of the country, we have Southeast, Southwest and South-South. I think the party, maybe, looked at the strength of their party in various zones. This, I don’t know. APC has only four members in the entire Southeast. In the South-South we have just seven members. I think we have about 39 or 49 from the Southwest. Apart from that, the party looked at the personality involved. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has been in the House for the better part of 16 years and 12 years out of the 16 years, he has been there as a Principal Officer. He was the Minority Whip, Minority Leader and is the current Majority Leader. He has the leadership experience. It is just conventional when a party on the opposition wins majority in the House, the minority ordinarily becomes the Speaker. So, this is just normal. He has the experience.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

No doubt that all the contestants are qualified, but even in the animal kingdom where all animals are equal, some are still more equal than the others. Gbajabiamila is much more qualified by the virtue of his experience at leadership positions, by virtue of bills, motions and his interpersonal relationship with all members of the House. For us as a Forum, we are happy that the party took a right position. We are happy that the party gave us somebody that can be a bridge between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government.

Don’t you think that the way things are going with the APC, more members in the House, the repeat of the 2015 scenario is imminent?

Anybody that thinks that will happen must be day-dreaming. The indices are not the same. Yes, the two scenarios might be similar, they might be identical, but they are not the same. One, APC has about 225 members in the House of Representatives now and PDP has about 119 members if I am not wrong. With the crop of Representatives on the platform of APC that I see, I can bet it with you that we don’t have legislators that will rock the boat. We are united in our quest to position the party effectively.

Secondly, we have 165 members in our Forum. Out of the 165 APC first term members, I tell you we are united in making sure that the party position prevails. In any developed democracy in the world, the party is always stronger because it is the party that has the manifesto.

Government is meant to implement the manifesto of the party. So, the party is in position to know among its members who is the best person that can implement the manifesto of the party to reposition Nigeria. Don’t forget that I as Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was not on the ballot paper. My name wasn’t there, neither my picture appeared on the ballot paper. My constituency voted for APC and voted for the broom as a logo. We have had Supreme Court interpretation saying that it is the party that wins elections. It means that people voted for the manifesto and they entrust the party with their mandate to be able to better their lives. If a particular candidate disappoints

the people, it is the party that has disappointed.

The party has a lot to lose if anything goes wrong.

The party has a lot to gain if everything works out fine. So, it is just normal that the party must take centre stage and take charge of the situation like this because the party is going to be affected either positively or negatively.

For us, I want to assure you that we are all loyal party members and I want to tell you that even our PDP members will join us because a lot of them want this government to go to the next level. They do not want constant confrontations between the Executive and Legislative arms of the government. A lot of them are not happy with the delay of budget passage for seven months out of twelve months. A lot of them are not happy with unnecessary clog in the wheel of the country’s progress. A lot of them are not happy that many of the nominees of Mr. President were not confirmed which is the core responsibility of the National Assembly. We have so many nominees for strategic positions that have not been confirmed. I believe that a lot of our PDP brothers are not in alignment with that type of style. Most of them that genuinely love this country perhaps more than us, will join us in making sure that the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila is properly enthroned for the betterment of Nigeria and above all to give a better country and future as a people.

What are you doing to pacify those that are not in line with the party on the choice of Gbajabiamila as the next Speaker?

I am not speaking for the party, but I know that we have very responsive leadership in the party led by our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. We have a lot of confidence in his ability to troubleshoot. Don’t forget that he was a former labour leader and crisis resolution is part of his calling, area of competence. I want to assure you that a lot of work is going on behind the scene. At the end of the day, you will be shocked that we will go into the election as a united family.

What kind of house are you looking forward to in the Ninth Assembly?

An interesting house. A house that will do things

right for the betterment of Nigerians; a house that will prioritise the interest of Nigerians and in all, a house that will be loyal to the people of Nigeria. Above all, we are looking forward to harmonious relationship with the executive arm of government. To me, you don’t need a rubber stamp parliament to have harmonious relationship. The executive should be able to complement the legislative arm and the legislative arm should be able to complement the executive arm of government. Don’t forget, we are still talking about separation of power. We focus much on separation of power and we forget the interdependence of government. That is, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. Although, we are arms of government but we are still one government. The ability to work together, putting the interest of Nigerians as a common force is what will actually move Nigeria to the next level.

So, I am looking forward to a house that would be able to come up with bills, motions and resolutions that will take Nigeria to the next level. We can’t continue to crawl as a country.

If we can’t fly now, at least we should be able to run. Yes, criticism is allowed. Executive can criticise us, we can criticise them, but it has to be constructive. Criticism that will bring out better result. Nigerians are not interested in this petty fight; they are interested in having a better life.

They want the economy to be better, they want jobs to be created, they want secured environment, they want this country be the country of their dreams and that is what the Ninth National Assembly should focus on.

Presently, the country is facing serious security challenges. Some people are of the opinion that the Federal Government is not doing enough. Do you have any plan to bring this to the House when you are inaugurated?

The Federal Government is trying to address some of these security challenges. We have to understand that Nigeria is a diverse and very big country. And the security situation before this government came on board had deteriorated so much that we lost so many territories in terms of local government to insurgents. The level of crime was at alarming rate before this government came on board. But now, we have no territories under the control of terrorists and that is a big plus for this government. Moreover, security is a continuum. Every day of our lives we have to keep improving on security because the insurgents are also improving on their methods.

And I think our armed forces are doing very well in adapting to the new challenges of security.

Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement. We cannot say we have gotten there but as a government, I think we are doing very well and I think the next National Assembly will be able to collaborate with the executive towards bringing up innovative ideas that will give us a better result in our security challenges. The government is doing very well. We can do better but we are not doing badly.

What should people of your constituency expect from you when the House resumes

by June?

I aim to give them voice at the national level which I think I have started doing, and I will continue to do so and improve better. Two, I hope to give efficient and effective representation and facilitate developmental projects to my constituency. One of such which is very important to me is the road between Ikare to Oke-Agbe to Oyin to Omuo. It links the South West region to the North Central region. It is a death trap. Our people are suffering and it is a federal road. We will ensure that government intervenes.

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31

Interview ‘New government in Kwara must get priorities right for improved revenue, development’ Muritala Awodun is a professor of International Business and Entrepreneurship, and the chairman of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS). In this interview with SIKIRAT SHEHU, Kwara State correspondent, Awodun spoke on expectations of Kwarans and what the new government being led by All Progressives Congress (APC) must do to ensure that Kwara State improves on collection of internally generated revenue and general development of the state. Excerpts:

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wara was ranked 10th out of 36 states in 2017, in terms of internally generated revenue collected and it has been on log since aiming to be first five revenue agencies in the country; how can KWIRS improve on that, especially with the coming of new government?

We are trying to see how we could push the state revenue service further up and that is depending on the strategies that the revenue service is allowed to put in place in the years to come.

How have you been tackling challenges confronting Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS)?

Based on the fact that I am the head of the agency, some of these things we have imbibed it as a culture, that’s why we have what we call core value because we know that where there are no values, you know, you will lose it.

You have to work together based on certain agreements, something must bind it together, the Do’s and Don’ts, set it right approximately, that why we have our core value, so, in the agency that’s why we talk to ourselves, that’s why we train ourselves regularly, that’s why we have our feedback on a monthly basis, so that we begin to find an avenue to change these lost values and on that I think we have done well within the limited capacity that we have in the agency.

Kwara is about to have a new government, what is your advice on how to improve the state economy?

To improve economy of Kwara State, we must get the leader right. If we get the leadership of the state right, and the leadership can come with a clear vision of where they are taking the state to in the next 20 years or thereabouts and work through the process of accomplishing that vision, then, the state will be better; looking at it from a small scale. We wanted to start Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, came up with clear vision with plan of what and what we are going to do to be able to accomplish that vision. We started implementing them and we can see the result. That’s just the same thing that can happen at the macro level; that is the state level. A state must be able to sit down and say where are we taking the state to in the next four years for instance, what and what will be our priorities? What are the resources?

What are we going to apply those resources to? And that’s what we would be accomplished, so, we won’t be over promising and under delivering. If we know what is available and know what we will be able to do with what is available that is what could be expecting

Muritala Awodun

and we should be able to communicate regularly to the people. The government should not be too far away from the people, they should interact and interact and interface with the people at the point of planning what to do for the people, the people should be there, at the point of implementing what they want to do for the people, the people should be involved, at the point of appraising what they have done for the people, so, there should be constant interaction. They should also see that they cannot achieve anything without a clear vision. Their vision must be right; they must get the right kind of people to help them accomplish that vision.

Nigerian youths are yet to believe in entrepreneurship and use entrepreneurship to empower themselves and boost gross domestic product instead of searching jobs where there are none; what is the way to go?

Nigeria generally has lost what we call value. Nobody is running after value any longer. We run after things that are not of value as such. We don’t find a situation where they will say, somebody finished from the university and made first class and because that person made first class is given a brand new car; you know he was celebrated

even by a company; to say okay come and all that; that will make others to aspire to make first class. But you will see a company that is well established - telecom companies, food companies and the rest like that, celebrating or partnering Big Brother Africa where ridiculous things would be done and they will give them N50 million.

Those are the values that are being celebrated now as against values that will move the person and the nation forward. So, loss of value has made us to lose our priorities. So, our priorities are not right and that is what has affected the youth. Nobody is ready to be patient to start something, nurture it and watch tomorrow, that’s why we are poor in agriculture. Not that we don’t have the land but nobody wants to be patient to plant, water and wait for the thing to germinate before you harvest, so, we are looking for ready-made rice instead of planting our own rice. We are looking for readymade cassava instead of planting our own and that is a problem because all the values are lost, so, we have to go back and look at that and begin to re-orientate ourselves and start taking it step by step. So, that is what the problem is. Entrepreneurship has been promoted in the last one

decade in Nigeria very well and a lot of people have come to see it as a way out but the majority of the people are yet to accept it as the solution to their problems because they have lost value.

Nobody even gives those values in the first instance, so we threw the values in the ocean and then there was no value for the Nigerian youths. The value they met is job must be available, money must be available, everything must happen quickly. These are wrong values; not knowing that all these things you really have to make them happen.

So, that’s where the problem is. If you ask 10 Nigerian youths now that if I give you N1million now to empower you for you to start something and that would be the end or I give you a job where there will be N50,000 every month, majority of them will choose the job of N50,000 every month. Those who will choose to take N1 million to start something will take that N1 million not with the intention of starting something to grow it but they will take the money and if you go back in three months time, they would have used the N1 million to buy iPhone, to buy things that will actually not produce anything. They would have consumed the money. So, we really have to work on that. Reorientation at our various levels, it doesn’t have to wait for the national level. In our state, how do we re-orientate the youths? In our schools how do we re-orientate the youths? In our homes how do we re-orientate the members of our families? We need a reorientation and must start from us.

What will be your general advice to the youth and Nigerians generally?

Nigerian leadership must tell us where they are taking us to and then plan to achieve it through implementation. Choosing the right people and be committed to it, so that at the end of the day, even if there are challenges on the way, they will appreciate there are challenges, because if we all know where we are going, and then we meet some obstacles on the way, we all know that Okay there are obstacles that’s why we are unable to get there and then other people will continue the journey from there. But where is Nigeria heading to? Nobody knows, there is no clear vision, that Okay, this is what Nigeria wants to do, this is where Nigeria will be in the next 10, 20, 30 years, nobody knows. So, it is applicable to state, it is applicable to local government, it is applicable to even organisations even families so, we really have to set target, be clear about it, work towards achieving it and then we get it.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

EquityMarket

Oando posts N5bn PAT in Q1 2019 as production rises by 11 percent Stories by TELIAT SULE

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n eleven percent increase in production in the first quarter of 2019 significantly improved the bottom line of Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil and gas firm, Oando Plc. Unaudited results announced last week for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 showed that gross revenue for the period rose by12 percent to N168 billion from N150.6 billion a year ago.

Production increased to 43, 745 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the first quarter of 2019 up from 39,556 boe/day same period in 2018. When decomposed, crude oil production was 16,815 bbls/ day in the first quarter of 2019 compared with 14,823bbls/day in similar period in 2018, representing an increase of 13 percent, quarter on quarter. Natural gas liquids were down by 39 percent to 2,403 boe/ day during the first three months of 2019 as against 3,915 boe/day in Q1 2018. Production natural gas liquids rose by 18 percent from 124,910 million cubic feet/day to 147,163 mcf/day in 2019.

Wale Tinubu, group chief executive office attributed this improvement to reduction in debt overhang and stability in crude oil prices at the international market.

“Our results reflect the progress made over the last few quarters and provides an indication of our expectation for the year. Now that our debt profile is down by 78% from $2.5billion as of December 2014 to $558million currently, and

our de-leverage program is 90% complete with most of our non-core operations divested for good value,

we can now focus on steady growth in our upstream entity.

“With ICE Brent Crude Oil price

CAP board increases 2018 final dividend by 16 percent

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oard of the Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc has increased the final dividend for the period ended 31 December 2018 to 290 kobo per share. This is 16 percent higher than the initial 250 kobo dividend per share recommended by the management of the company. The decision to raise the final dividend was reached at the meeting held on Thursday 18, April 2018 meant to review the first quarter unaudited financial statement for the period ended March 31, 2019.

“This is to inform the Nigerian Stock Exchange and all the investors, that the board of Chemical and Allied products Plc held its quarter 1, 2019 board meeting on Thursday 18 April 2019. “At the meeting, the board review and approved the company’s quarter 1, 2019 unaudited financial results.

The board further reviewed the company’s dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2018 and resolved that no dividend should be retained. Therefore, the 290 kobo earnings per share for

2018 should be recommended to shareholders as dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018.

This is 40 kobo higher than the 250 kobo earlier recommended and advised. Consequently, the proposed dividend for the financial year ended 31, December 2018 is 290 kobo per share of 50 kobo each”, a notice signed by Rose Hamis, company secretary to the NSE stated.

The qualification date of May 24 2019 and then closure of register date of 27 to 31 May, remain unchanged.

In 2018, CAP realised N7.76 billion as revenue, which was higher by 6 percent than N7.11 billion realised in 2017. Operating profit for 2018 at N2.28 billion was better than N1.98 billion made in comparable period in 2017 by 16 percent. Finance income rose by 44 percent from N226.7 million in 2017 to N327.25 million in 2018.

Similarly, profit before taxation increased by 19 percent from N2.18 billion in 2017 to N2.60 billion in 2018. Profit after tax leapt by 35

percent from N1.50 billion in 2017 to N2.03 billion in 2018.

The first three months of 2019 showed the management of the firms has raised the bar. At the end of the first quarter 2019, CAP raked in N2.12 billion representing 8 percent increase over N1.96 billion made in similar period in 2018. Increase in operating profit was marginal at 1 percent as it stood at N615.14 million as at the end of the first quarter 2019 compared with N611.16 million same period in 2018.

Finance income for the period was up by 69 percent from N70.08 million in 2018 to N118.56 million in Q1 2019. Other income for the period stood at N18.67 million as against N15.31million same period in 2018. Both profit before tax and after tax profit increased by similar margin of 8 percent during the period. PBT at the end of the first quarter of 2019 was N733.73 million compared with N679.85 million same period in 2018. Profit after tax for the quarter was N498.94 million in contrast to N462.3 million in Q1 2018.

currently at a decent level of $74.48 per barrel, our efforts will be geared towards increasing our production

to sustain profitability and position us on the path to resumption of dividend payment to our shareholders”, Wale Tinubu said.

Operating profit rose by 15 percent from N14.9 billion to N17.1 billion during the period. Profit after tax leapt by 11 percent to N1.63 billion from N4.19 billion during the reference period. The compny expect better results in the remaining quarters of the year.

“Oil prices have recovered to over $74 per barrel as at the end of April 2019 after reaching a low of just over $50 per barrel at the end of 2018. We expect prices to remain at their current levels in the near term. As a business, our focus will be largely on driving profitability via growth in our upstream business and achieving further reduction of borrowings.

“In the upstream, we will pursue production growth initiatives through strategic alliances, whilst ensuring operational efficiency and fiscal prudence. We will also continue to work with our partners to achieve cost optimization on our Joint Venture operations, ensuring the gains from higher revenues are not lost to increasing operating costs. Our trading business’s primary focus will be geared towards growing our existing market share in Nigeria while leveraging on our relationships with international financiers”, Ayotola Jagun, company’s secretary said in a note to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Oando Plc’s share price closed last week at N5.30 per share as investors traded 4.5 million shares last Friday. Year to date, the stock has appreciated by 6 percent.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated appoints Aasim Qureshi as a non-executive director

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cobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI or the Company), parent company of the Ecobank Group, has appointed Aasim Ahmad Qureshi to its board of directors as a Non-Executive Director and nominee of Qatar National Bank, and to replace Abdulla Al Khalifa on the board of directors of the company.

Aasim has over 20 years’ experience in senior positions across investment banking, law and medicine. He is currently managing director, investment banking at QNB Capital LLC, and holds a senior executive position in QNB Capital in London and Paris. He is also a member of the investment committee of a multi-million-dollar Qatar Central Bank Regulated Fund and oversees a significant European real estate portfolio.

Prior to joining QNB Group

in 2008, he was an investment banker at Nomura Code Securities Limited and a lawyer with CMS Cameron Mckenna LLP advising private and listed corporate clients. He holds various postgraduate qualifications in Law, Management and Medicine.

He has significant capital market experience having raised over US$50 billion in corporate and sovereign bonds and US$4.5 billion in primary and secondary Initial Public Offers. He is a highly experienced adviser to private and listed companies on all aspects of corporate financing strategies, oversees Mergers and Acquisitions transactions from origination to close and manages complex corporate restructurings.

Aasim replaces Abdulla M. Al Khalifa as Qatar National Bank’s nominee, who had been on the ETI board since 2015.

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BDSUNDAY 33

Health&Science Jericho Businessmen Club lifts Oniyanrin Comprehensive Heath Centre

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AKINREMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan.

non-partisan club made up of Ibadan indigenes, Jericho Businessmen Club (JBC) has handed over the renovated Oniyanrin Comprehensive Heath Centre, Ibadan to the authority of Oke ‘Badan North Local Council Development Area.

The health intervention initiative to the hospital according to JBC President, Adele Adeniji was part of the corporate social responsibility of the club to give back to their fatherland.

The club in addition to the health intervention has also established a perpetual bestin-class Scholarship Scheme for the benefit of intelligent but indigent indigenes of Ibadan land studying in various institutions of higher learning. Many beneficiaries of the Scheme had graduated in flying colours and currently contributing to the economy and the GDP of Nigeria.

Present at the handing over of the renovated health centre included the Vice Chairman of the LCDA Adegboyega Alabi who represented the Chairman of the LCDA, Kola Ajadi, Executive Secretary of

the state Primary Heath Care Board Lanre Abass and members of the club.

Speaking during the handing over,Adeniji maintained that the club spent millions of naira to embark on the total facelift of the heath facility which is the second maternity home in the whole Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

He said that part of the projects embarked upon by the club included, “Reactivation of the borehole system for improved water supply and hygiene, alternative power supply via a hybrid power solution of the grid, generator (7.0KW), inverter & batteries, and solar connection. This guarantees 24hrs availability of electricity to some critical areas and appliances and construction and installation of the main gate for improved security and safety”.

Also,provision of new beddings and mattresses (3nos.) in the ward, repair and reactivation of existing beddings and couches, masonry works of the car ramp and water storage stanchion, replacement of some lighting bulbs to LED bulbs to reduce the electrical load on the inverter, painting of most parts of the building for facelift, provi-

L-R Christy Irogbu, administrative secretary, NAIP, Pharm. Richard Ladapo, finacial secretary, NAIP, Pharm. Ignatius Anukwu, national chairman, NAIP, and Pharm. Sola Adeniola, Internal Auditor, NAIP, during a press

sion of large scale drug listed separately and miscellaneous maintenances.

“Today is a day of joy, we are here to hand over the renovated Oniyanrin Comprehensive Heath centre. This is our own little way to give back to our community because we are all from here.

“This is part of our collective effort to support the government to improve the living condition of our people in the area of health. We want to give back and developed and give back to the people

of Ibadan.

“We are here to commission some of the facilities we provided as part of efforts to uplift health care delivery in Ibadan land. We will not talk about figures because it is intervention. If we look at the figures we won’t GI our of this place. So it is not the question of the figures but the intension behind the figures.

“We have a lot of programs on ground. This one will not be the first and will not be the last. From here, we are moving to another centers. It is service

to humanity too, to give back to our motherland.

“The motivation element borne out of the fact that we have a committee on health.

We went round and saw the process of health care delivery in the state especially Ibadan land. So the committee recommended what can we give back to the people. We can’t just be a businessmen, we can also give back to our society too.

Alabi who spoke on behalf of Ajadi thanked members of the club for the gesture.

How Herbal Medicine can eliminate Nigeria’s Reliance on Crude Oil

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raditional medicine according to the World Health Organization (WHO) refers to the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in the maintenance of health and in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Herbal medicine is a natural remedy derived from medicinal herbs in the management of disease. It is a part of traditional medicine and is the aspect that can be the most standardized and generalized of all aspects of traditional medicine.

Over 60 per cent of the entire world’s population utilize traditional medicine, with over 80per cent of Africans depending on herbal medicine for treatment of disease as a first point of contact.

Herbal medicine which is the use of medicinal plants, have been found to have been used as early as 5000 years ago in places like ancient Egypt and Sumeria.

Surprisingly, Nigeria has one of the highest volumes of biodiversity in the world in terms of the availability of medicinal plants of which many are yet to be studied or even discovered.

The benefits of traditional medicine are not to be underestimated as we will discuss it and how it can eliminate our reliance on oil. Herbal medicine and traditional medicine will be used interchangeably for the purpose of this article.

Herbal medicine is more affordable than prescription medications. It is easier to obtain that prescription medication especially in Nigeria. Medicinal plants grow like weeds in Nigeria

so to find it just require little to no effort.

Herbal medicine stabilizes hormones and improves metabolism. Something as simple as wild yam root extract can help alleviate fertility problems in women. Following the conventional medical route, the woman will have to use dangerous synthetic hormones which are full of dangerous side effects. Herbal medicine promotes natural healing and strengthens the immune system. As of now, there is yet to be a pharmaceutical drug that helps the immune system for normal people without causing any dangerous side effects.

On the other hand, several medicinal plants show strong immune boosting qualities. Traditional medicine generally has fewer side effects. This is due to the fact that they are not

synthetically derived, the active ingredients are at lower concentration and therefore the side effect profile is also reduced.

Finally I base my conclusion of this; if Nigeria wants to eliminate our need for oil, investing in the development of traditional medicine is the way to go. Our current oil economy is declining; we produced just $17 billion worth in 2017.

However, the current herbal medicine industry is worth about $117 billion. If Nigeria becomes one of the world’s major exporters of herbal products producing just 40percent of the world’s herbal products, we will already be at $46 billion USD! The morphine industry used for managing post-operative pain and chronic pain is a $10 billion industry and already, there are natural alternatives to morphine found in

Nigeria that can offer even better pain relief without the dangerous side effects such as addiction and respiratory failure. Imagine combining that with a multibillion dollar food export economy and the sky is the limit for us.

Traditional medicine if properly developed and standardized can be used in collaboration with conventional medicines to treat malaria, diabetes, sickle cell, and hypertension and even possibly cure HIV/AIDS. Let us all look inwards and find ways to improve the Nigerian economy, and the first step is to develop ourselves and develop our natural resources.

Contributor Tobi Ayodele Keeney Managing Director Quincy Herbals email: tobi@quincyherbals.com

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Sunday 28 April 2019

SundayInterview

How my defection sunk PDP in Lagos - Salvador Moshood Salvador, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State is also a former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he spoke on the just concluded general elections, the call for restructuring, state of the PDP in Lagos, among other issues in the polity. Excerpts: The PDP in Lagos State performed poorly in the just concluded general elections; looking back are you happy you took a right decision to defect to the APC? t would have been the best election for PDP in Lagos State to shine, but unfortunately, they did not. Recently, I was watching an interview on TV and the politician being interviewed said, United Arab Emirate is a desert, yet it is the quality of leadership that has taken them this far. If the PDP had good leadership in the 16 years it ruled the country, we would not have been where we are now.

I told you before the election that I will make Lagos State a one party state and you can now see that promise has been accomplished.

In the 2015 general elections, the PDP and APC had 96 percent of the total votes cast in Lagos State; it was like two of them sharing the votes and the other parties were just there.

Before this election, we had a lot of PDP agents moving into APC because of the behaviour of the leadership of that party; they often think they are bigger than what they are. That is the problem PDP had, if people are moving en-masse into APC like that, there would be nothing left for them again. So what do you expect? That is what I analysed and predicted before the election and that is what we saw. So, there was nobody left again in the PDP in Lagos State because of these defections. In the last election, the difference between the two parties in Lagos was just 100,000 but in this election it was a landslide.

Three, four days before the election, we saw how PDP was moving into APC, they were coming to me and we organised their defection at the APC secretariat at ACME road.

This people included their party agents.

Now that the election has been won, the best thing is to advise APC not to abuse the opportunity; they should protect the opportunity and make it a permanent situation.

be sincere if we want to move this country forward. People just like controversy, what are we going to do with all this controversy? He should have resigned and they may now tell him, put health excuses, put that excuses, his resignation would be accepted because he has pleaded leniency.

But what all these people are just saying is unnecessary things.

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Were this agents’ defection done to purposely sabotage Agbaje as an individual or the PDP as a party?

I told you that most of the agents were the agents I organised for PDP for the general elections, and it was not a surprise that they left and they lost that way.

Would the PDP have done better in Lagos State if you had not defected?

I can assure you it will not have happened like this if I was in PDP. APC would not have found it so easy. They found it so easy when the main commander was not in APC. I had my strategy to defeat APC in Lagos State but it was obstructed by Olabode George by lying against me.

A chieftain of the party admitted in an interview with me recently that some leaders worked against Agbaje?

When mature and elderly person like them in the party are talking like that, such is an empty talk. He should talk about the interest of the party rather than talking about individual. It is not about what happened to him, it is about Agbaje, they know what plan they had and made against Agbaje, but all of them are going to suffer for it.

What happened to PDP in Lagos State is because they have terrible elders in that party; they should give the youth a chance

How do you describe the recent nullification of Osun governor’s election by the tribunal?

You know the way tribunal judgments often go in Nigeria; the tribunal chairman was not in support of the judgment and it is not a popular judgment.

Moshood Salvador

to move that party ahead.

Buhari won a second term; you where one of his campaign directors in Lagos State; what do you think should be his immediate task?

Buhari is now a seasoned politician. People often call him a military man, and it is a lie.

He knows where the success he had came from and that is why you can see him coming to Lagos and the South-western states to commission projects.

Buhari knows he has done well; that is why you see him coming. In the next four years, he has to focus on the economy; if you say you want to have good health, its means you have to eat good food. You have to exercise; and so if you talk of economy we are talking of power and industry and so many other things that go along with economic development in a nation.

Every time you see the man talking, he talks about security and you know that if you want economic success, you have to provide security. There is no rich man in the world that does not provide extra security in his domain not to talk of his country; because the people that would aid the success of your country would not be able to come if there is no security. So, it goes hand in hand. The issue of security must be taken seriously.

What is your assessment of the conduct of the presidential election; was it free and fair?

Good; very free and fair. I gave you the analyses of the election, how it would be won and lost weeks before it commenced. I am not just talking; I have an MSc in Political Science and I told you what would happen, the whole thing happened and manifested itself just like I predicted. I was talking to you with figures of registered voters in the whole country and I told you the number of registered voters in Lagos and Ogun states; upon all that they did, the APC still won in that state; that is to tell you the popularity of APC in Ogun State.

But Atiku disputed the result of the presidential election; he said he won with the result on INEC server?

Who gave him the server result? They are controversial people; where there is no

trouble they would create one and they have just created one, controversy is not what anybody can take to court and win.

If he does not go to court his followers would say he has accepted the result of the election and did not challenge it and he accepted it so easily. So, going to court for him as a leader is necessary. Buhari would win at the tribunal and court hands down.

The APC has been accused of intimidating the judiciary?

Those talking about that and the Onnoghen issue should be ashamed of themselves. Somebody that was accused of not properly declaring his assets and he said he forgot it at the initial stage because he saw some people who are not peaceloving encouraging him and he taught he has a case for the position of a Chief Justice of the Federation. Instead of tendering apology and looking for soft landing and everything for success on the issue, you now allow them to be pushing you up and down. I have learned one thing in this political game; look at Abiola’s death, it is not just that he died; it is because he did not do things smartly. At the same time Nigeria was holding its election in 1993; same presidential election was held and annulled in Haiti, but the candidate who won the election left the country and appealed to the United State president to come and help him.

The US president just asked New York governor to take over the issue; the governor sent some military men and they removed this general and they took him to Panama and the man was sworn into office.

This is what Abiola should have done, if you allow society to decide for you; that is what you will get and same goes for other leaders. Once you allow the society to use their selfish interest and push you around you would become a caricature. The same thing happened to Onnoghen. How do you forget such; because one governor is saying they would not remove you.

That is why I said it is not wisdom; they go to school from childhood and still no wisdom. You know this thing and you did not do it and you are arguing; ignorance is not excuse in law.

Who set him up who asked him to open account and have properties? We have to

Afenifere said they would not recognise Buhari beyond May 29; how would you react to this?

What recognition does he need from them, old men who are saying they are representing Yorubas, but they are rather the people working against the interest of Yoruba nation. In the real sense, a Yoruba man is the number two in the country; we don’t have a Yoruba as the president of the country, but we have a Yoruba man as vice president and you want to stay with the Igbos and drag your tribe’s man to nothing; that is what they are doing presently.

But their main point of supporting Atiku is that he is in support of restructuring?

What is restructuring? I would not bother myself because they are old people. I have explained to the public, it is reorganisation for better effectiveness that is what restructuring means. Reorganisation is necessary everywhere; when you are talking about a nation’s political restructuring, economic restructuring is important too.

So, it is a vain statement for someone to say I would do restructuring. I told them the last time that Atiku has no power to carry out restructuring of the country. Even if he becomes president, he has to carry out a referendum, and he does not even have the majority to carry out a referendum. It is not something one man can say I promise you restructuring.

Awolowo knew that he had no power over political restructuring; it is economic restructuring that he did and in the Southwest region, they are still benefiting from the economic restructuring he did till now.

What would you benefit from political restructuring that economic restructuring cannot give you? The present constitution allows more than one states to join hands for economic purpose, to develop their region. So, what are you looking for with all this opportunity? People would just sit down and talk; some people would keep talking about restructuring for 50 years and they don’t get anything from it. Nobody is saying restructuring is not good, but you need to reorganise first.

Are you looking forward to any appointment at the federal level after contributing to Buhari’s victory?

Look at me; I am not that kind of person that works for the party because they want a position as a Minister or Commissioner.

My effort is for the people; when you give my people positions; let them have what to eat, they would be happy. Forget about me, I am not bothered, except the President specifically requests for me.

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BDSUNDAY 35

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Assessing Big Brother Naija contribution to Nigerian Economy

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he fourth season of Big Brother Naija will be held in Nigeria. This will be the second time the popular reality show will hold in the country. The first edition was in Ikeja GRA, Lagos in 2006. That edition featured Katung, Francisca, Ify, Sandy, Frank, Joseph and Helen. It also had Ebuka, who has been the anchor for the last two seasons, Gideon, Maureen, Joan, Chinedu, Yinka, and Ichemeta.

But after a ten-year hiatus, the second edition tagged See GoBBe held in South Africa in 2017 and featured an all-Nigerian housemate such as Efe, Tboss, Bisola, Soma, Gifty, Uriel, Debbie-Rise, and Kemen. Others are Bassey, Bally, Miyonse, Marvis, and Thin Tall Tony.

During the Double Wahala edition, as the 2018 season was tagged, there were numerous calls for the return of the reality show to the country. Viewers took to social media to state their displeasure about a Nigerian show holding in a foreign country thereby enriching them. Even the Nigerian Government weighed.

This year, Nigerians were appeased when Multichoice announced that BBNaija was coming back to Nigeria. Speaking on its return, Martin Mabutho, the

Chief Customer officer of Multichoice Nigeria had this to say: “It made sense that we bring it here” So, what does this homecoming mean for Nigerians economically?

The show while focused primarily on entertainment has a multiplier effect that resonates across industries and value chains with significant impact on the

nation’s GDP which is currently worth $397.472 billion.

The gains accrue in sectors as far-flung as entertainment and telecoms, fashion and hospitality, tourism and media with significant opportunities for local and international brands to reach a continental-wide audience and a key demographic group. For instance, last year it was revealed

that 170 million votes were cast in the course of the season providing huge revenue earnings for the telecom providers. The winner is determined via votes which can be cast through text messages or online. Votes via text cost N30 each. Conservatively speaking, if 10% of the 170million votes which was cast last year was done via SMS, that’s 30 multiplied by 170million!

A show like Big Brother Naija requires an army of cameramen, and technicians of various stripes to get made. These crew members are quartered and catered too. Add to that number DJs, artistes and the media who are flown in to perform and cover the event especially eviction weekend. They are lodged in hotels.

The show runs for 3 months, so each week, hotels see an influx of artistes and their company, media and their crew, and DJs who jam at the parties.

This season’s BBNaija will be bringing jobs to Nigerians. Starting with the building of the set - In the past, the organisers of the reality show cited the impracticality of duplicating sets as one of the reasons for hosting the show in South Africa. But with this new development, it means Nigerians will be earning some cool cash from the set building for the show.

MultiChoice has always maintained that the production crew of the BBNaija show is 90% Nigerian.

Hopefully, with the return of the show to the country, the number will peak at 100%.

Production crews are vital to the realisation of the show.

Someone has to set the camera and hidden microphones that put the housemates under constant surveillance. There is the content producer that scripts the direction of the show for each season.

Makeup artistes and costume designers will also experience a boost in business as they will be contracted to clothe the host and the housemates.

More apparent is how BBNaija empowers its housemates through the fame they get from being on the show, giving them a springboard to launch careers in the Nigerian showbiz industry.

Easy examples are Ebuka Obi Uchendu who has parlayed his Big Brother stint into a lucrative career as a television host and Gideon Okeke who is a household name even though he is not a Nollywood staple.

All in all, Big Brother Naija’s return to the Motherland is a step in the right direction for Nigerians with evident gains for the economy.

Africa’s digital revolution can unlock inclusive growth, job creation

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rowth in Sub-Saharan Africa has been downgraded to 2.3% for 2018, down from 2.5% in 2017, according to the April 2019 issue of Africa’s Pulse, the World Bank’s biannual analysis of the state of African economies released this week.

Economic growth remains below population growth for the fourth consecutive year, and although regional growth is expected to rebound to 2.8% in 2019, it will have remained below 3% since 2015. This issue of Africa’s Pulse also looks at how fragility is holding back sub-Saharan Africa, and how the digital economy can help the continent move forward.

“The digital transformation can increase growth by nearly two percentage points per year and reduce poverty by nearly one percentage point per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. This is a game-changer for Africa,” said Albert Zeufack, World Bank chief economist for Africa.

The slower-than-expected overall growth reflects ongoing global uncertainty, but increasingly comes from domestic macroeconomic instability including poorly managed debt, inflation, and deficits;

political and regulatory uncertainty; and fragility that are having visible negative impacts on some African economies. It also belies stronger performance in several smaller economies that continue to grow steadily.

In Nigeria, growth reached 1.9 percent in 2018, up from 0.8 per-

cent in 2017, reflecting a modest pick-up in the non-oil economy.

South Africa came out of recession in the third quarter of 2018, but growth was subdued at 0.8 percent over the year, as policy uncertainty held back investment. Angola, the region’s third largest economy, remained in recession, with growth

falling sharply as oil production stayed weak.

Growth picked up in some resource-intensive-countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger, as stronger mining production and commodity prices boosted activity alongside a rebound in agricultural production and public

investment in infrastructure. In others, like Liberia and Zambia, growth was subdued, as high inflation and elevated debt levels continued to weigh on investor sentiment.

In the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, a fragile recovery continued as reform efforts to reduce fiscal and external imbalances slowed in some countries. Non-resource-intensive economies such as Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and several in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, including Benin and Côte d’Ivoire recorded solid economic growth in 2018.

Africa’s Pulse also found that fragility in a handful of countries is costing sub-Saharan Africa over half a percentage point of growth per year. This adds up to 2.6 percentage points over five years.

“The drivers of fragility have evolved over time, and so too must the solutions,” said Cesar Calderon, lead economist and lead author of the report. “Countries have a real opportunity to move from fragility to opportunity by cooperating across borders to tackle instability, violence, and climate change.” Culled from Bizcommunity

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Sunday 28 April 2019

TheWorshippers ‘A time comes in life when we forget wilderness experiences and move forward’

Covenant Christian Centre announces date for ‘The Today, All Saints’ Anglican Parish Church, Ikosi, Ketu is celebrating its 40th anniversary and the Vicar of the church, Venerable Platform’ 2019

Ariire Ayo Kolawole spoke with SEYI JOHN SALAU on the significance of marking the event. Excerpts: How does it feel like being here at a time when the church is celebrating its 40th anniversary? t gladdens my heart; it is just like some people laboured, planted, watered, and it geminates and I have come now to reap the fruits of what others have done in the last 40 years. So, it gladdens my heart to be the one taking the glory of the labour and sweat that others have done. So, I quite appreciate God to have really given me this great opportunity because it is quite rare to enjoy such opportunity and I am very happy for it.

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The last 40 years might have been challenging for the church; but here we are celebrating 40 years of its existence. So, what really are we celebrating and what would you want to be remembered for?

Somebody once asked on the radio – is it really good for the church to celebrate 40th anniversary in an elaborate way; are we not like emulating the world and being extravagant? And I said no, that is not the reason. We are celebrating for so many reasons: number one is that 40 as a number is quite significant and very symbolic biblically. Number two is that what the church is really celebrating is not the age but the goodness of God – it is what the Lord has done in this last 40 years; like you have said, there could have been challenges but what we have looked at is that in the last 40 years we have had what we called the wilderness experience.

Ven. Ariire Kolawole, the Vicar, All Saints’ Anglican Parish Church, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos

The children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, got to the wilderness but when they crossed the Red Sea it was like we have gotten it all just to enter into Canaan, and never knew it was not like that. At a time in the wilderness there was no water for them to drink; at a time for them in the wilderness there was no food to eat; at a time they had no clothes to wear; but at every stage in this wilderness experience God was proving himself – the same has happened to the church. When the church was founded, you can be sure 40 years ago, Ikosi was not

what it is today; and you can be sure the church did not have this kind of edifice and it was not the same people. I remember from the history of the church that 12 people actually started the church. The first service was attended by 12 people and the whole income that day was about N1,200, so they have faced a lot of challenges. The church building you see today was not the first building – it is actually the third church building; it started from a very small and humble place within the street somewhere under a block-made shield; and it has gone from that very small church to this permanent site and later metamorphosed to be what it is today. At a time in the church history, the church faced some attacks and issues with the government. The first church to be built was almost at the completion stage and the military government in Lagos then came to demolish the building. At that time the church was totally frustrated and it was like let us close this church; after all many of us have our former churches, we can go back: but they have to encourage themselves again. Now, our case is like 40 years is over - like the children of Israel fought a lot of battles and after 40 years; what happened to the children of Israel was that they crossed into the Promised Land. We already have our promised land, and so this is the time that we are crossing into the promised land and the glory that has been hidden in the last 40 years; it is now time for it to begin to reveal and radiate all over the world.

What message are you passing to the parishioners as they celebrate?

As we celebrate like I have said, we cannot thank the Lord enough for what he has done. And of course, these 40 years is just the beginning of whatever the Lord is still planning to do. My message to the church as we celebrate our 40th anniversary is never to look back and never to give ourselves to the challenges we might have had in the past but to move forward. Like I told you; we have just entered into the Promised Land – in the Promised Land the bible says the land was full of honey and milk. We have just entered; the labours in the 40 years are all past – it is another 40 years to reap, another 40 years to rejoice, another 40 years to celebrate, another 40 years to be alleviated, and another 40 years of breakthrough, promotions, and open heavens like it happened to the children of Israel; there was no food but God provided miraculously and we never had any challenge that the children of Israel faced in the Promised Land, that is one good thing about the Promised Land and of course, there were real land owners before they came to possess the land; who could have been enemy to them but God fought for them. They never fought any battle in the land – God fought for them; that is what we are looking at. All our members should just see themselves as entering into their harvest season; entering into their joy because we are already in our Promised Land.

‘As Christians, we are to be ambassadors of Christ’ SEYI JOHN SALAU

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or many in the Catholic faith, Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, known as ‘Mother Theresa’ (1910–1997), a Roman Catholic nun who devoted her life to serving the poor and destitute around the world. Mother Theresa, an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary, was later honoured by the Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

However, the story of Jesus Girls International Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) like that of Mother Theresa, shares the vision of reducing poverty among vulnerable children and women, especially persons living with disabilities (PWDs).

“Mother Theresa is one of my mentors and there is no particular preference for why it must be here. I was here for my birthday; came with my family and few of my friends, and I did promise them that as a group we are going

to come again,” said Sarah Godfrey Emmanuel, the president of Jesus Girls International.

In commemoration of Easter, the group visited Mother Theresa

Orphanage Home to celebrate and spread the love of Christ with the less privileged.“All we seek to do is to cloth and make that impact – this is the Easter period: the true essence of Easter is love. For love he came and died; and that is what makes Christianity different from other religion.

“Christianity is not a religion as it were; Jesus emptied himself of all but love; that through him the world might be saved. And he said when I was sick, you visited me; for those who did that, there are rewards in whatever we do - Life is all about impact,” Sarah said.

According to Sarah, Jesus Girls are ambassadors of Christ and had brought emotional healing to the orphanage. “We are to be ambassadors of Christ; everywhere Jesus went he did good – our coming here as you saw brought hope, it brought joy, it brought encouragement; which was what Jesus stood for. We brought food items, clothing, but most importantly we Pastor Sarah Godfrey Emmanuel, the presibrought emotional healing, which dent Jesus Girls International

money can’t buy,” said Sarah stating that the group seek to do something that will last a while.

Mother Theresa Orphanage depict the colour and beauty of children who daily seek to connect with the outside world, with hope and love that radiate beyond the physical.

“When we came in those children were happy, when we were about moving out; some of the children refused to lift their head because they want to connect with the world out there, they want to feel belong, and a lot of them have questions in their heart, while some are going through what they did not know about,” she stated.

However, Sarah opined that the group, which is currently in 10 states in Nigeria, 8 countries and still spreading, seek for collaboration with people that have the heart; “we are not asking for cash – if you are ready, this is it launch in,” said Sarah stating, “for us, it is a win-win, and we are happy to be here”.

ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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s the nation transit in the socio-political atmosphere of the 2019 post-election, it is important that the church takes the lead in national development discourse, hence the Covenant Christian Centre has announced that the 2019 edition of ‘The Platform’ will hold on Wednesday May 1, focusing on three key indices of growth at all levels.

The Covenant Place will play host to the event as seasoned speakers are lined up to drive the conversation on the theme –‘The Drivers, Enablers, and Obstacles to our Growth.’

Poju Oyemade, the convener and senior pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, said The Platform is an institution designed for public enlightenment. “We are opening up, and working towards public enlightenment, and education through The Platform,” he said.

According to Oyemade, this edition is to show people what will drive their personal, organisational, and national growth, and what will enable it – the things that they can put in place to enable it, and the things that might be obstacles to the growth that they might not be aware of.

“So we want individuals to come to this meeting and understand these are the things that will drive my growth, these are the things that will enable my growth, and these are the things that will stand as obstacles to my growth,” said Oyemade.

The Platform was designed to facilitate growth in personal capacity and productivity, as well as to foster national development within the country.

The Platform which started 12 years ago holds its events twice a year. Originally, it serves as a platform for discussion of ideas among people to form public enlightenment.

“The first Platform we had, we were concentrated on people. So to think that it is now a political platform is because they don’t know how it started,” said Harold Obasohan, the group chief operating officer, Levene Energy Group.

“This was not the intention at all.

It is just something that has evolved and I actually thought about it, that something corrective has to be done to make it clearly stated what it is about.

“This wasn’t designed to talk to the government and try to address government officials. What we want to do is create robust discussions of ideas, and then those things become popular in the culture of the people, and then from there it can influence,” said Oyemade.

Responding to questions on steps taken beyond the conversation and knowledge sharing to equipping people, Chuka Nwobi, Founder, Decagon Institute, revealed that The Platform trains young professionals through its Young Professional Boot Camp initiative.

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BDSUNDAY 37

SundayBusiness Local preservation and packaging of fruits and vegetables Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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he tendency to produce excess crops, especially fruits and vegetables during the rainy season and their perishable nature underscore the need to preserve them. Being living tissues they respire rapidly and so deteriorate easily after harvest.

However, advanced preservation methods are too sophisticated and expensive for the rural farmers.

More so, they lack steady electric power supply at the farm centers and most rural settlements. Yet, they have to store the excess and transport them to markets especially at urban centres. This process may take some days.

In the course of transportation, the desirable attributes and qualities of colour, flavour, texture and nutritional values maybe impaired or lost. To prevent these, agriculturists and food technologists have designed local methods to extend their

shelf lives. They are easy-todo-it-yourself methods, which farmers can take full advantage of. Be that as it may, each has its advantages and disadvantages.

The relevant ministries should organized seminars and workshops to sensitise farmers on these methods.

Let us start with vegetables The HESSIAN/POT method involves the preservation of wet, leafy vegetables inside earthen pots. The open top of the pot is covered with a wire mesh, above which a wet jute bag is laid. The humid nature of the surrounding atmosphere keeps the leaves fresh due to reduced water loss.

The advantages include the local availability and cheap source of the materials. The vegetables so stored can remain fresh for between 6 to 7 days. There are no major disadvantages. This method is therefore, highly recommended to the rural farmers.

THE MOIST STEM CUNCH method involves the keeping of leafy vegetables inside a polythene bag, within a basket with a jute bag covering the top. A rectangular plastic container with vertical baffles on the opposite, narrower sides would confer similar keeping qualities on the vegetables, which can remain fresh for upward of 6 days. It has similar advantages as the Hessian/Pot method.

The PRE-STORAGE DRYING method can be done using a multipurpose dryer. The diced vegetables are kept on top of the wire mesh, with the source of heat a few centimeters below. Cutting the vegetables into pieces increases the surface exposed to heat, and therefore the dehydration effect.

This lowers the water activity or

its availability to spoilage microorganisms. Such vegetables can be stored for weeks.

The desirable food values such as colour, flaour, texture and nutritional qualities are largely retained when cooked. Its disadvantages include its loss of freshness and the need for special techniques on drying which may vary from one type of vegetable to another. For instance, amaranths should be dried at 39oC plus or minus 1oCelcius.

For those with access to a refrigerator, fresh vegetables can be kept inside freezers to be cut into pieces, wrapped with newspapers and covered with polythene. This method prevents freeze-drying.

Similar to this is the BLANCHED/FROZEN method.

The vegetables are first blanched before keeping them inside polythene bags and kept in the freezer compartment. Blanching involves bringing the vegetables in contact with hot water (93.7oC – 99.2oC), or Steam (100oC), for some minutes, or even an hour. Blanching has many advantages. Oxygen is driven out. This prevents oxidation, browning and other enzymatic deterioration. The heat prevents microbial growth on the surface.

Blanching prevents the toughness of the texture while retaining its colour, flavour and nutritional values.

The subsequent freezing further enhances the keeping qualities, since it slows down the growth of both bacteria and fungi. Despite the obvious disadvantage of the need for a refrigerator, this is one of the best methods of preserving vegetables.

The evaporator coolant structure method includes the

Respite for aspiring landlords, as Pennek offers affordable housing promo Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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he need for affordable and qualitative housing has always been a serious concern for most Nigerians. Considering the bottlenecks in property acquisition, Pennek Nigeria Limited, a leading real estate company in Lagos, has brought respite to property buyers with its ongoing property promo offering affordable housing projects along the Lekki-Ajah axis of Lagos State.

Speaking to journalists about the property offer, Kennedy Nnadi, managing director of Pennek Nigeria Limited, said the company is offering prospective property owners a great deal in ‘The Estate’, strategically located at Lekki Scheme 2, a quick 5-8 minutes’ drive from Chevron. The 72 acres of dry table land is sold in plots of 500sqm and comes with a good title of a Governor’s Consent at N18,000,000 if paid off out right. However, with only N3 million in down payments and a flexible plan that allows you to spread the balance across six months to a year, the company has lowered the bar for luxury property ownership.

“The presence of many players in

the property business has also made the pricing highly competitive. Our goal is to change the dynamics of the industry with our pricing and with offers like a free plot of land,” Nnadi said.

“We live in the same environment and understand the demands on our limited resources.

Pennek’s goal is to make it easy for people to live in their dream homes, or make the best real estate investments as the case may

be. This offer is one of the ways we are making luxury affordable for more Nigerians. This is one of the goals the company aims to achieve,” he added.

Pennek Nigeria Limited is a real estate investment firm that specializes in the procurement and offering of choice plots of land in areas proven to yield the highest returns on investment (ROI) in the rapidlydeveloping Lekki and Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos State.

pot-in-pot, tin-in-tin or metal-inmetal preservation techniques. The leafy vegetables are kept inside the inner container but are kept moist always with constant addition of water. The advantages are that they can be used by anybody anywhere because the materials are available locally and need no supply of electricity.

Presevervation of fruits Preservation of fruits is a slightly different ball game. To start with, the saying that “one bad apple spoils the bunch” holds true for fruits. It is therefore, imperative to remove the injured, spoilt or diseased ones from the rest, from onset. Fruits respire more rapidly than vegetables and are more susceptible to spoilage, as their stored nutrients are partly used up, after harvesting.

Climacteric fruits which exhibit such sharp rise in respiration include bananas, plantains, African mango, apples, pears and oranges.

However, several methods can be used to inhibit their ripening. These include their storage in low ethylene atmosphere, within polythene bags, the use of candle wax and controlled atmosphere.

The latter which requires low oxygen tension and higher concentration of carbon dioxide above their natural atmospheric concentrations, may not be readily made available to rural farmers.

Some do keep freshly harvest fruits inside ash to stimulate this.

Direct packaging of fruits in baskets is cheap and easy to construct. They are easy to pack since the baskets are light in weight.

However, they have low tensile strength. As such they should not be stacked during loading. The disadvantage is that the baskets are difficult to clean, making the

fruits susceptible to contamination with spoilage micro-organisms.

More so, the fruits have soft outer covering or epicarp which can be easily bruised by the sharp ends of the raffia basket.

The delayed ripening technique is the packaging of fruits like oranges, mangoes, bananas and plantains inside polythene bags containing ethylene absorbent.

This method extends the shelf life of fruits and delays the onset of storage deterioration. It allows the transportation of fruits in wholesome conditions, and ensures regulated ripening for use. The disadvantage is that if too many fruits are used at once, some may fail to ripen afterwards.

Fr u i t w a x i n g t r e a t m e n t method involves the rubbing of fruit cover with candle wax, bee wax or a combination of both. This is best for enhancing fruit keeping qualities. The advantages include the reduction of moisture loss and prevention of its deterioration.

It allows its transpiration and retention of its wholesome condition.

The dufaylite cell packaging method uses circular plastic compartments, joined together, with each containing a fruit. This physical separation prevents contact and contamination.

It allows for aeration, but raises extra costs and labour during transportation.

Fruit packaging in perforated carton is as its name suggests. The holes at the sides of the carton encourage aeration or ventilation.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Food enthusiasts converge on Lagos for 4th GTBank food and drink festival SEYI JOHN SALAU

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igerian food enthusiasts have converged on Lagos for the 4th edition of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) food and drink festival, which begins today in Lagos.

The annual food exhibition and sales event aims to project the diverse angles of the food industry by connecting various small businesses involved in the food and drinks valuechain, starting with the production stage to the final consumers of foodrelated products.

The four day event which includes 15 masterclasses to educate local food vendors on how to scale their businesses up to meet internationally accepted standard, and exhibitions that will help increase brand visibility and boost sales by opening the small food vendors to other markets as they showcase the latest products, trends and innovation in the Nigerian food industry.

The food and drink fair provides a platform for small food vendors to improve their culinary to international standard. Also, it is an avenue to celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant food culture and in turn promote enterprise in the small business sector of the food industry.

Oyinade Adegite, head of communications and external affairs,

Guaranty Trust Bank, said the vision behind the food and drink initiative is to promote enterprise by focusing on small businesses in the food industry.

“As an organisation we believe that banking and the way we do banking as changed; and so, this is one initiative where we think about the value proposition for our customers and stakeholders,” she said.

She further said that the carefully selected small food businesses will offer the best culinary experiences for the Lagos food fair. According to her, the 4-day event is free for all to attend and provides small businesses with a free and vibrant platform to connect with a wider segment of their target markets as well as experts in the food and drink industry.

According to Adegite, the goodwill that comes with initiatives like the food and drink fair has been the sustaining faction for the fair since it started, hence the need to scale up to four days. She however said the bank will continue to put measures in place to help moderate prices, even though vendors are expected to react to demand and supply.

This year, the GTBank Food and Drink Fair will feature series of masterclasses in the art and business of food and drink whilst treating attendees to a host of live cooking demonstrations of their favourite delicacies by renowned international and indigenous chefs.

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Sunday 28 April 2019

SundayBusiness Model mortgage: Who holds the gear lever?

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iven the seriousness that attended the idea of a model mortgage system in Nigeria, expectation was high that, by now, whatever was there to be derived as the motivator of the idea should be showing impact on both the mortgage and housing sectors of the economy.

Talk, it is said, is cheap, but one thinks that dreaming is even a lot cheaper which is why individuals and institutions never cease to dream.

At individual level, dreams can be as frivolous as they can be ludicrous and serious depending, however, on the subject. But overall, dreams are elevated, especially at institutional level, where organizations set goals and work hard to see such goals through to fruition.

The dream of every adult Nigeria is to own a home he or she can call his own. But for reasons of finance and others, these dreams are largely unrealized, leading to the desire by those wishing to build or buy homes that there are functional mortgage institutions that can create a model system that will respond to their dreams and desires.

When therefore, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) was set up as a secondary mortgage institution, expectation was high that it could be part

of a systematic approach to creating a model system that would help solve the country’s intractable housing problem.

Essentially, NMRC is Nigeria’s private sector-led secondary mortgage institution with public purpose. It may not have been a smooth sail for the company in terms of meeting people’s expectations, but it is not resting on its oars. Riding on the relative successes it has achieved in the past few years of its establishment, the company went out on an aggressive drive towards the adoption of a model mortgage and foreclosure laws.

The company is said to be driving a legislative reform in the mortgage sector by proposing a model mortgage and foreclosure law by key pilot states including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states.

According to one of its directors, whose primary mortgage bank (PMB) is a major shareholder in the company, NMRC is out to get various states houses of assembly to pass foreclosure laws as a prelude to a mortgage-backed affordable housing delivery.

This is good news for home seekers who need mortgage facility because foreclosure law, upon adoption, aims to fast tract the process for creating legal mortgages, ensuring timely reso-

Procurement and Supply Chain

with Gob-Agundu Uche Branch chair (CIPS), Nigeria

Ajayi Alfred Agboola

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ecent economic indicators concerning the Nigerian Ec o n o m y p o r t e n d some dangers that if left unaddressed could lead to another wave of economic meltdown thus reversing all the efforts put in place by the current administration to rejuvenate our economy. Without the active participation of various professionals, it is impossible for government to deliver the gains of democracy like the advanced democracies.

However, it is clear that professionalism in our country has been on the declined in recent times as the lure to corrupt practices and unethical conduct has derailed many professionals from the path of honour in both public and private sectors. In other words, professionalism is consistently compromised. This does not go well for the growth of the economy.

Professionals and professionalism

Pr o f e s s i o n a l b o d i e s a r e organisations whose members are individual professionals. In some professions like Law, it is compulsory to be a member of the professional body for you to practice, while in some others, like Procurement and Supply Chain it is not. This usually depends on whether or not the profession requires the professional to have a ‘licence to practice’, or to be on a professional register, in order to do their job. It is related to how the profession is regulated i.e. who is responsible for making sure that professionals are doing their jobs properly.

A Professional is a person who follows an occupation or calling togetherwithotherpeoplewhohave the same calling. It assumes some form of educational experience.

Professionals use their knowledge and skills to earn their living. They work hard, serve other people and are depended upon for their good judgment because they provide thoughtful technical insights. With the rise of the information age, professionals have gained increased social importance and they are part

lution of disputes and creating an efficient foreclosure process.

But there are concerns now.

This very good initiative seems to have become a mere dream because not much is being heard about it, hence the question as to why it is a fading dream. Experts are of the view the initiative is commendable but much needs to be done.

According to the authorities of the mortgage refinancing company, the model mortgage and foreclosure law is in its final form for engagement with 21 pilot states committing to the implementation of an enabling environment for the development of the mortgage market. But the market is becoming impatient.

“We will be embarking on an aggressive drive towards the procurement of an ICT infrastructure for the mortgage industry, the completion of our second tranche equity capital raise, and most importantly the completion of our first round of mortgage refinancing; we will work hard to meet our mandate to revolutionize the Nigerian mortgage landscape”, Charles Inyangete, former CEO, assured.

Arguably, the company has demonstrated uncommon resolve to live out its mandate with refinancing of some mortgage institutions whose existing mortgages have been refinanced.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) Mortgage operators have described this refinancing as a milestone and, according to Ben Akaneme, Imperial Mortgage’s managing director, “this is an outstanding achievement in the march towards the realisation of affordable and single-digit interest rates for mortgages in Nigeria, and assured that the bank would continue to strive to achieve its mission of enabling easily accessible and affordable mortgages to Nigerians in order to ensure housing for all.

NMRC seems to be conscious of the demands and obligations inherent in the Nigerian business environment and says it will continue to anchor all its services on global best practices, good corporate governance and strict risk management practices.

NMRC came into the Nigerian mortgage market on a very high pedestal, promising a major shift in the interest rate regime in the market. But the authorities of the company have said that, though it

is a partnership between the government and the private sector, the company is private sector-led, relying on the market to determine interest rate on mortgage loans, meaning that the rate that applies to commercial loans also applies to its mortgage.

“The desire of NMRC, the Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to achieve single digit interest rate, but we are not there yet because the market does not allow single digit interest rate”, the former CEO once told BusinessDay, adding, “as it is today, we cannot meet the single digit interest rate until we are able to reach that point where the market allows it”.

Right now, the company is working under market conditions hoping that, over time, as the market deepens and grows, the issue of single digit interest rate will be expected. It assures that whatever the rate is today, its desire is to drive the rate down to single digit.

Role of professionals in driving and growing Nigerian economy of the back bone of any modern economy.

In similar vein, Professionalism entails possessing specialist knowledge and following a standard operating procedure based on ethics that govern their practice.

Professionals provide essential and valuable services to any society. It is for this reason that the public depends on them more and more as economies advance.

Therefore, professional status is an implied social contract to deliver near perfect service. In this regard, a professional carries additional moral responsibility and is honest, objective, and impartial with high integrity.

Professionals’ contributions The contributions of professionals in the development of any society cannot be over emphasised. Professionals bridge the knowledge gap in the Society by applying their technical knowledge to solving societal developmental challenges. Professionals could be well placed to play a wider role in the country’s economy, politics, civil society etc. They help generate wealth, sustain prosperity and competitiveness of local economy as well as help political leaders initiate policies and legislations.

Supporting capacities for economic development Professionals are well known for their role in supporting capacities for socio economic development. They make contributions in several ways.

Professionals deploy their capacity to assess situation and define

vision and mandate; Support public administration reforms including the Public Procurement Act of 2007; Capacity to link local development processes to national strategies; Capacity to budget, manage and implement; Capacity to manage for better service delivery; Capacity to develop local leadership; Mobilise resources and develop partnerships; Capacity to create multi-disciplinary teams; and Capacity to work as a collective body.

What is economic development?

Ec o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t is a sustainable increase in living standards that implies increased per capita income, better education and health as well as environmental p r o t e c t i o n . Th e e c o n o m i c development process supposes that the legal and institutional adjustments are made to give incentives for innovation and for investments so as to develop an efficient production and distribution for goods and services.

Economic activities In elementary Economics, we know that economic activities are classified into three major parts namely primary sector, secondary sector and tertiary sector. For each of these sectors to work productively ad sustainably, the role of professionals is paramount.

Primary sector Simply speaking primary sector refers to that sector of the economy which uses natural resource to produce goods. Natural factors play crucialroleintheproductionprocess.

Agriculture and allied activities like mining, fishery, forestry, dairy and poultry are included in this sector.

Secondary sector Secondary sector is also called manufacturing sector or industrial sector. The sector which transforms one physical good into another is called secondary sector. The manufacturing,electricity,gas,water supply etc. are included in this sector.

Tertiary sector: Theservicesectoroftheeconomy is called tertiary sector. Services of various kinds like education, health, banking, insurance, trade and transport are included in this sector. In advanced countries, the contribution of tertiary sector to national income is the highest.

How can we get there?

Previous efforts of governments geared towards achieving economic development had relied on the use foreign aid, investment in machines, fostering education at the primary and secondary levels, controlling population growth, and giving loans and debt relief on reforms to stimulate the economic with a view to achieving self sufficiency. These efforts have not yielded much. It is my candid opinion that the active participation of more professionals in the development process will harmonise all efforts to achieve the desired results.

Being excerpt from a speech presented Ajayi Alfred Agboola, Esq, deputy governor of Ondo State at the 2019 Summit of Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, Nigeria Branch held at Radisson Blue Ikeja on April 17, 2019.

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SundayBusiness Hayat Kimya deepens hygiene option for customers with innovative products AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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a y a t Ki m y a , Turkish leading company in the FMCG industry, as part of effort to create convenience for its female customers, has launched more innovative sanitary products into the market and unveiled its first ever brand ambassador.

Th e c o m p a n y s a y s MOLPED cotton soft sanitary pads represent a solution to every lady’s challenge with irritation and roughness from using sanitary pads.

Research has shown that the Nigerian consumers of sanitary pads have over the years mostly being dissatisfied with their Sanitary Pad brands with their concerns ranging from itchiness to heat, irritation, and leakage.

Roseline Abaraonye, marketing manager while speaking at the unveiling of the products in Lagos, said that unlike other regular brands in the market, MOLPED sanitary pad has specially designed absorbent channel system that are made from SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) which keeps the liquid locked in thereby offering 100percent leak protection, and non-irritation because of its unique cotton-soft and nylon-free features.

AbaraonyesaidMOLPED brand comes with features give female ages 15 to 35 one less thing to worry about when they are on their monthly cycle.

Anthony Nlebem

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A c c o r d i n g t o h e r, “MOLPED comes in two variants MOLPED Ultra Soft Sanitary Pads for ladies who prefer ultra-sanitary pads and MOLPED Maxi Thick with side wings for ladies who prefer thick pads, across multiple pack sizes”.

To further aid brand communications in the country, Chidinma Ekile, multi award-winning singer and songwriter was unveiled as the first ever brand Nigerian ambassador and social media influencer for the newly released pads.

Hakan Misri, the managing director, Hayat Kimya Nigeria said, “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Ekile as she captures the beauty, strength, modernity and boldness of every woman that MOLPED recognises. This move encapsulates MOLPED’s emphasis on high performance. Whether it’s our product or the people that represent our brand, we want the best of the best.”

“Chidinma has quickly settled into her new brand ambassador role and will begin appearing on behalf of

MOLPED across all media platforms beginning May 2019”, Misri said.

Ekile said she was genuinely excited to be selected as a brand ambassador and media influencer, adding that it will afford her the opportunity to share her stories and experiences which she says will provide comfort and inspiration to millions of women and girls who have also shared the same struggles with finding the right pad for those days.

“Nigerian consumers especially myself have mostly being dissatisfied with the sanitary pad brands available for purchase here with adverse reactions ranging from itchiness, to heat irritations and most especially leakages,” she said.

Ertunga Kut, the global marketing director, in a speech at the event said “Since coming to Nigeria in 2015, we have kept on growing in leaps and bounds.

Nigeria, Nigerians carry special importance in the growth potential for Hayat Kimya in strategic locations in West and Central Africa.

Baru tasks petroleum engineers on energy security Innocent Odoh and Harrison Edeh, Abuja

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he Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, has challenged members of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) to come up with a blueprint for energy security and sustainability in Nigeria.

Baru gave the charge at the 2019 annual Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum in Abuja, a statement issued weekend by the Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, said.

In a presentation titled ‘Energy Security and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Way Forward’, the GMD recounted the huge national energy deficit, stressing that as the second largest econ-

Endless champagne cocktails flow as Lagosians toast to Easter

omy in Africa, demand for energy was growing at a very rapid rate.

“Despite abundant Oil and Gas reserves, Nigeria experiences shortages in electric power. Based on Nigeria’s Energy consumption current and forecast, available statistics showed an increase from 6 GW in 2015 to 30 GW by 2025 with the primary source of the current power supply being from hydro and gas. The future consumption which is expected to drive growth by 2025 would need aggres-

Baru

sive development of gas and renewables projects to meet the exponential demand”, he stated.

He listed efforts by the corporation to bridge the energy supply-demand gap to include accelerated development of gas resources and facilities, rehabilitation of existing refineries, investments in renewable energy projects, and focus on exploration of the frontier basins to boost reserves.

The NNPC helmsman noted that Nigeria was facing a new challenge in the form of competition from new oil production centres across the globe, particularly Africa, adding that there was need to “unlock new barrels as quickly as possible to stay relevant in the new emerging world”.

He, therefore, called on the SPE and its member to “proffer an industry road map to guarantee energy security and sustainability for the nation”.

n a perfect Easter’s Sunday, in an elegant, sophisticated yet down to earth location, Champagne Canard Duchene hosted a Brunch to Launch Chef Fregz, Fregz a Porter, in Partnership with The Temple Management Company Founded in 1860’s from vineyards in Montagne de Reims, Canard Duchêne was created purely out of love, when a barrel-maker called Victor Canard met a winemaker’s daughter called Léonie Duchêne, they fell madly in love and through their great passion for wines they worked together to produce their own unique Cham-

pagne, Canard Duchêne.

“Till Today, Canard Duchêne still stays true to the heart of its heritage, mixing family history, with a passion for the finer things, this was why we decided to partner as sponsors of Chef Fregz, Fregz a porter, because of the brands appreciation and passion for family and values”, Larry Maduagwu, managing director, Canard Duchêne, West Africa, said.

Music filled the air as guests were treated to cross cultural culinary delicacies, while sipping on gorgeously mixed champagne cocktails thanks to the sponsors— Canard Duchêne,Present at the Launch which took place at The Metaphowere some familiar faces including Mo Abudu, Dodos Uvieghara,

Adebola Williams, Funke Adepoju, Bolanle Olukanni, Oluwakaponeski (Mama Tobi) Mo Cheddah, Toke Makinwa, Mimi Onalaja and Sophia Ike-Onu. Also, at the Brunch Style launch event were loyal Champagne Enthusiasts and connoisseurs looking forward to tasting Champagne that’s different from all the other brands presently oversaturated in the Nigerian market.

In the future, Champagne Canard Duchêne, hopes to become a brand that’s enjoyed by Nigerian’s not because of its superior taste but more importantly because of the brands heritage and unique passion for family values that has allowed it to stand the test of time.

Fight against malaria deepens with Mouka’s mosquito repellents Temitayo Ayetoto

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oncerned about the susceptibility of 97 percent of Nigeria’s population to Malaria parasite, Mouka Limited, a large scale manufacturer of mattresses and bedding products have introduced a range of mosquito and related repellents from a collaborative research with local institutions.

The innovation coined into Mouka Mozzi Insect Repellents have been designed to approach malaria fight from an eco-friendly angle instead of the common use of chemical toxicity that often causes offensive smells, irritation or worsening of people’s medical condition.

There are an estimated 100 million malaria cases

alongside 300,000 deaths per year in Nigeria, making malaria the strongest trigger of mortality after HIV/AIDS, according to the Nigeria Malaria Fact Sheet.

The endemic illness not only contributes an estimated 11 percent of maternity mortality, it has a high prevalence of about 50 percent in children between 6 months to 4 years old in the around the country.

Raymond Murphy, Mouka’s chief executive officer repellent products which function as a preventive measure rather a reactive action were the company’s contribution towards the global campaign against malaria.

“Mouka Mozzi provides protection from bedbugs, mould, bacteria spores, spiders, cockroaches and dust mites. With each application,

a consumer can enjoy 24 hours protection for up to 3 months which is not possible with insecticides,” Murphy said at the launch to commemorate the 2019 World Malaria Day in Lagos.

Omoniyi Yemitan, who conducted the chemical evaluation, efficacy and toxicological assessment of Mouka Mozzi assured that the formation of the products is sensitive to vulnerable classes such as pregnant women and young children.

Yemitan, an associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutic and Toxicology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said the active ingredient in repellent is extracted from plants, making it non-hazardous for humans.

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LifestyleHomes&Suites

Sunday 28 April 2019

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

Miami style house glows in Royal Gardens Estate

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eated on 1550 square meters of very and precious and expensive precious land, the’ Miami Style House’ is a tastefully built and heavily pampered 6- bedroom luxurious open plan house in Royal Gardens Estate located along the Lekki expressway. It is an alluring, well appointed house with various perks of luxury put at the disposal of the occupiers.

All bedrooms are ensuite and the living room with large dining area is double the regular size. It comes with a guest suite with its own living room, bedroom and

bathroom as well as a 2-bedroom boys’ quarters. There is a large foyer with exquisite staircase leaving upstairs. All bathrooms are equipped with ROCA sanitary wares. Aside an outdoor kitchen, the indoor Kitchen is a Pedini luxury kitchen coated in royal white with attached breakfast room and lounge.

There is an inverter room with 15kva inverter which indicates that power outage has no chance here.

Laundry services are undertaken in the laundry/utility room.

Indoor entertainment receives elaborate attention with a gym

and private sound-proof studio.

Outdoor is an array of recreational facilities. This includes a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, with covered poolside bar area big enough for a party for 50 guests. Nature also gets good attention with massive high garden connected to the pool area big enough for a party for

250guests. This garden is approximately 450 square metres with built in speakers exotically inside the grass.

The entire house, pool and garden are equipped with Nuvo Entertainment system, which can be remotely controlled from anywhere in the house with an IPAD, notebook, laptop, phone

or touch pads, installed in 8 zones within the house and pool. It is certainly, a digital housing space.

Security is boosted with a CCTV device while the personnel co-ordinate their own beats from the gate house. The house carries a hefty N250 million price tag. The ample car park can accommodate 15cars.

Sublime Oxygen Apartments in Lekki

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xygen Apartments is one development that would take away a beholder’s breathe because of the innate beauty and magnitude of real estate finesse deployed in a single location. It is an ongoing development located in Periwinkle Lifestyle Estate in Lekki Phase 1 consisting of iconic twin block on 10-floors.

Oxygen Apartments are the latest efforts in the exclusive and serene water view of Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The ten floor edifice is a selection of one, two and three bedrooms, each having generous layout with wide terraces, unrivaled opulence and grandeur in an enchanting contemporary design. The apartments are designed and built with a mixture of elegance, class, style amid nature to give perfect blend to live, work and play environment.

Lekki Phase 1 neighborhood of Lagos is currently the biggest real estate attraction because it offers investors harvest of return on investments at the shortest possible time. Oxygen Apartments are the latest development in the exclusive and serene water of Lekki Phase 1 with 10 percent of the beautiful units sold out within one week of commissioning.

The two blocks, East and West

of Oxygen Apartments sit on 4,000 square meters of high value land. The two wings are suspended nine floors with the ground floor designated for parking and recreation. The facilities and infrastructure planned for the high rise residences include

good access road, power supply round the clock 24/7, potable water from bore hole and treatment plant, central sewer, telecommunication and security.

The proximity of Oxygen Apartments to upscale shopping malls, fine restaurant, lounges, bar,

exquisite cafes and world class cinemas emphasize a deliberate model to promote lifestyle.

The project is being undertaken by Czar Projects Limited.

Conscious design efforts were made to emphasize the green environment around the building a welcome deviation from the “concrete jungle” phenomena in Lagos. The large windows make for an even more pleasant view of the surrounding environment which includes the Lagos Lagoon and the well planned landscape.

A lawn tennis garden/park was envisioned for the adjacent lot.

Dark anodized Aluminum frames would equally draw attention to its sleek nature. Czar Projects’ objective is to deliver contemporary lifestyle estate with flawless finishing. The interesting detail and attention paid to the interiors featured wall cladding in the lift lobby, a feature which is easy to maintain in public areas.

The bathrooms are elegantly designed with dark large size wall tiles to give a more luxurious feeling of space. Wall mounted rain shower fillings complement the glass cubicles of this landmark development.

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NewsXtra Game changing malaria vaccine signals hope for Nigeria . . . World leader in malaria with 55m cases in 2017 CALEB OJEWALE

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he launch of the world’s first Malaria vaccine in Malawi, to be followed in the coming weeks in Ghana and Kenya, is offering a ray of hope for Nigeria, which currently leads in the global malaria burden.

Nigeria accounted for about 55 million malaria cases, which represented 25 percent of cases worldwide according to the 2018 World Malaria report. Five countries accounted for nearly half of all malaria cases worldwide, with Nigeria accounting for 25 percent of this, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 11 percent, Mozambique five percent, India four percent, and Uganda four percent. Fifteen countries in subSaharan Africa and India carried almost 80 percent of the global malaria burden.

This week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) welcomed the Government of Malawi’s launch of the world’s first malaria vaccine, in what has been described as a landmark pilot programme. The country is the first of three in Africa in which the vaccine, known as RTS,S, will be made available to children up to 2 years of age.

The malaria vaccine pilot aims to reach about 360,000 children per year across the three countries.

Ministries of health will determine where the vaccine will be given; they will focus on areas with moderate-to-high malaria transmission, where the vaccine can have the greatest impact.

Following a request by WHO for expressions of interest, the pilot countries were selected from among 10 African countries. Key criteria for selection included wellfunctioning malaria and immunization programmes, and areas with moderate to high malaria transmission.

The 10 highest burden countries in Africa reported increases in cases of malaria in 2017 compared with 2016. Of these, Nigeria, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the highest estimated increases, all greater than half a million cases. In contrast, India reported 3 million fewer cases in the same period, a 24 percent decrease compared with 2016.

“We have seen tremendous gains from bed nets and other measures to control malaria in the last 15 years, but progress has stalled and even reversed in some areas.

We need new solutions to get the malaria response back on track,

and this vaccine gives us a promising tool to get there,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The malaria vaccine has the potential to save tens of thousands of children’s lives.”

As WHO reiterates, malaria remains one of the world’s leading killers, claiming the life of one child every two minutes. Most of these deaths are in Africa, where more than 250,000 children die from the disease every year. Children under five are at greatest risk of its lifethreatening complications. Worldwide, malaria kills 435,000 people a year, most of them children.

The WHO-coordinated pilot programme is a collaborative effort with ministries of health in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi and a range of in-country and international partners, including PATH, a non-profit organization, and GSK, the vaccine developer and manufacturer, which is donating up to 10 million vaccine doses for this pilot.

Thirty years in the making, RTS,S is the first, and to date the only, vaccine that has demonstrated it can significantly reduce malaria in children. In clinical trials, the vaccine was found to prevent approximately 4 in 10 malaria cases, including 3 in 10 cases of life-threatening severe malaria, according to the WHO.

Obigwe emerges Abia NLC chairman for 2nd term

U

chenna Obigwe, incumbent chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Abia State council, has been re-elected for second term to pilot the affairs of workers in the state.

Obigwe in a keenly contested election of the Council held at Kolping society of Nigeria, Umuahia, at the the weekend, garnered a total of 225 votes to defeat his closest rival, Eze Idima, who scored a total of 160 votes.

While addressing newsmen soon after he was declared the winner, Obigwe said: “It is not going to be business as usual; we will do all things humanly possible to ensure that Abia workers are paid their salaries as and when due.”

He reiterated his commitment to workers’ welfare, adding that the issues of all the arrears of salaries owed to Abia parastatals and pensioners would be addressed.

“This time around, all hands must be on deck to ensure that Abia workers’ benefits are properly taken care of,” he assured.

On the issue of the N30,000 minimum wage, Obigwe said that the new executive would ensure that the normal thing would be done, and maintained that he would ensure that there would be nothing like Abia formula again while harmonising salaries,” he promised.

Hope Ekwuribe emerged as the vice chairman.

Oyo condoles NBC, family over Zonal Director’s demise Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan.

T

he Oyo State Government will be meeting Labour tomorrow (Monday) to open up discussions on the modalities for implementing the new minimum wage.

President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019 approved and signed the new minimum wage bill into law for immediate implementation.

According to the State’s Information Commissioner, Toye Arulogun, government had opened its doors for negotiation on the minimum wage in response to an earlier letter from the labour union.

While congratulating the newly elected officers of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, led by Titilola Sodo as chairman, in an election which held at Adamasingba Stadium, Arulogun said that the labour and the state had agreed to meet on Monday on how to implement the new wage.

He commended the union for a peaceful transition from one leadership to another on the same day Governor Abiola Ajimobi in-

augurated a first-of-its kind joint transition Committee to midwife the handing and taking over of the reins of government in the state.

The commissioner commended the state chapter of the NLC for its cooperation with the government in the last eight years of the Ajimobi administration.

“The Oyo State Government is impressed with the hitch-free elections of the NLC and the peaceful leadership transition which is in tandem with the ideals of the Ajimobi administration on a day when the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi inaugurated the joint transition committee comprising of top government officials and the nominees of the Governor-Elect.

“We commend the immediate past executive of the union led by Waheed Olojede for the cooperation and support given to the Governor Ajimobi administration.

They appreciated government efforts in deploying 100percent of the state’s Federal Allocation to pay workers’ salary which has helped in the regular payment of salaries despite the economic downturn in the country,” he said.

World Bank Group President to Visit Madagascar, Ethiopia, Mozambique L-R: Hezekiah Oyedepo, husband of the deceased; David Oyedepo, bishop and founder of Living Faith Church; Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture; Grace Gekpe, permanent secretary, ministry of information and culture, and Iyedele Oyedepo-Bolaji, daughter of the deceased, during the minister’s condolence visit to the Oyedepos in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Lai Mohammed condoles with Hezekiah Oyedepo over wife’s death

T

he Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, weekend condoled with Hezekiah Oyedepo over the death of his wife and General Manager of the National Theatre, Stella Oyedepo.

This was as the minister led top management officials of the ministry to the family house of the Oyedepos in Ilorin, Kwara State, to commiserate with the family.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ms Grace Gekpe, Directors and Special Advisers to the minister were in the delegation.

Mohammed described the death of the National Theatre boss as “sad and shocking,” adding that the entire ministry had lost a great administrator in her.

He said the deceased was a great enthusiast of culture who left good footprints on the sands of time and beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“I am here with the top management of the ministry to condole with you on the tragic and sad loss of one of the CEOs of one of our parastatals, the National Theatre.

“The late Dr. Stella Oyedepo was a colleague, a friend, a woman who

had infected us with her enthusiasm about positive attitude about life.

“We were all shocked when we heard the news of her death, but we must accept that God has destined it to happen,” he said.

The minister said that the deceased left very big imprints in the national eco system of the creative industry.

“In the one year she spent as the CEO of the National Theatre, we will continue to remember her enthusiasm, passion and resolute decision to move the establishment to greater heights.

Cynthia Egboboh, Abuja.

T

he World Bank Group President, David Malpass has hinted of his plans to visit Madagascar, Ethiopia and Mozambique as part of his plans to deepen the bank’s effort in promoting economic stability in the countries.

David Malpass in a statement from the World Bank group on Friday said that the visit will focus on the World Bank Group’s work with African countries in promoting economic stability and building resilience. The visit will also help in strengthening the institution’s support to the world’s poorest countries through the International Development Association; and the potential of private sector partnerships to attract and build the resources necessary to help people

reach their development goals.

He said, The World Bank Group’s mission is more urgent than ever, by 2030, nearly 9 in 10 extreme poor will reside in sub-Saharan Africa. I have chosen the African continent for my first official visit as World Bank Group President, recognizing the difficult challenges for leaders in promoting economic growth, security, and good governance” According to the statement, Malpass will meet with leaders and other stakeholders in Madagascar, Ethiopia, and Mozambique to discuss on how the bank group can further assist in meeting the challenges of climate resilience, job creation among other identified challenges.

“We must increase Africa’s development momentum to foster broad-based growth, raise median incomes, create jobs, tackle climate resilience, and incorporate women and young people in economies.

42 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 28 April 2019

Sports Premier League wage bill climbs to £2.9bn as revenues hit record £4.8bn …. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Tottenham account for 89% of pre-tax profits

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Stories By ANTHONY NLEBEM

remier League clubs’ wage bill rose by 15% to £2.9bn in the 2017-18 season. The combined revenues of the 20 clubs in England’s top tier clubs rose to a record £4.8bn in 2017/18, up 6% on the previous season, according to figures collated by Deloitte.

But the collective wage bill rose 15percentto£2.9bn,pushingdown operating profits across the league.

Having five teams each reaching at least the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League helped push revenue to £4.8bn, according to analysis from Deloitte.

Butthehightransferfeespaidout by clubs also helped push up wages.

Profit before tax was down to about £400million for the clubs, a reduction from about £500m a year earlier.

Tim Bridge, Director, Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: “The increased wage expenditure was expected given the busy transfer market in the 2017-18 season, with two record transfer windows driving estimated Premier League gross spend of £1.9bn.”

However, he said, broadcast fees are only likely to rise by a small amount in the next three years.

“With the emphasis now on clubs to generate revenue growth from sources other than central broadcast distributions, it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax profit diminish over the next few years,” he said.

The “big six” clubs; Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham accounted for 89% of the league’s pre-tax profits, according to financial data firm Vysyble.

They earned more than £53.4m a week between them, up from £48.4m the previous season, while the other 14 sides made a combined £39.4m a week, down

£200,000 on the year before.

Premier League clubs paid out more than £260m to football agents in the 12 months to the end of January 2019, an increase of £49m on the previous year, according to documents released by the Football Association.

Liverpool were the highestspending club in the top flight, paying £43m to agents in that period.

Chelsea (£26m) and Manchester City (£24m) were the next biggest spenders.

Fees to agents went up despite spending on transfers falling by more than £500m when compared with the previous season.

Okocha, Bundesliga partner Lagos SWAN

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igerian football legend, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha accompanied by representatives from the German Football League, Bundesliga, paid a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter) on Thursday to initiate a partnership with the Association and sporting press to promote and increase the followership of the German league in Nigeria.

Manager international Marketing, Bundesliga International Daniel Donaldson said the Bundesliga has enjoyed huge followership in Nigeria following the exploits of former Super

Eagles captain in the Bundesliga.

Speaking during the visit, Donaldson said Okocha and other Nigerian exports have all created a market in Nigeria with a deliberate effort to take the relationship to greater heights.

“We know Nigeria’s love for the Bundesliga since the days of Okocha and we want to rekindle that love for the league by partnering with the Lagos SWAN to help promote the league.”

“We hope to provide human and material resources to aid the media tell the Bundesliga stories, exposing members of the association to international media trainings to improve their techniques and methods delivery.”

In his response, the Lagos SWAN Chairman, Debo Oshundun pledged the total support of the association to lead the Bundesliga movement.

“We appreciate the Bundesliga and Okocha for the visit today. I am pleased to let you know that Lagos SWAN which boasts of over 300 members is throwing its weight behind this partnership. “ With the partnership between Bundesliga, Startimes and Lagos SWAN which is the most vibrant sporting press in the country, you can be rest assured of the maximum awareness for the Bundesliga going forward”.

Oshundun said.

L-R: Kunle Solaja, (Sportsvillagesquare); Ben Memuletiwon, (The Crest); Shina Philips, President of Nigeria Pitch Awards; Toyin Ibitoye, Super Eagles Media Officer; Godwin Enakhena (Sportsplash) and Dapo Sotiminu (Sports Compass) at the Nigeria Pitch Awards Press Conference held recently in Lagos.

Aiteo, Musa, Gov. Okowa, others make Pitch Awards shortlist

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rganizers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards have announced AITEO Group, Nigeria’s leading energy solution and Premium Sponsor of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles trio of Ahmed Musa of Al-Nassr, Odion Ighalo of Shanghai Shenhua and Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City FC have been shortlisted for the King of the Pitch Award for the 2018/19 edition of the awards. This announcement was made at media briefing in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, expressed gratitude of the organizers and award partners to all sport journalists, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and SIAO Partners for their support for the awards since 2013.

Philips stated that organizers were working on a plan to overhaul the organization specifically with

with Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and the only Gunner (Arsenal FC) in the Super Eagles, Alex Iwobi in the Midfielder of the Year category.

In the Striker of the Year category, former Kano Pillars striker, Junior Lokosa will sludge it out with Shanghai Shenhua striker Odion Ighalo and the Super Eagles vicecaptain and Al-Nassr striker, Ahmed Musa.

In the women category, multiple award winner, Asisat Oshoala of Barcelona Ladies, Francisca Ordega of Shanghai shengli and Super Falcon new sensation, Rasheedat Ajibade of Avaldsnes IL will vie for the Queen of the Pitch award.

a view to reducing the number of categories.

“We are planning a major reorganization with respect to the number of categories we have. By next edition, we will certainly have fewer categories. We believe this will make it easier for our voters to complete their votes,” Philips said.

Nneka Eneli, Head of Corporate Services who represented Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the Managing Partner of SIAO Partners said the shortlist of potential winners was drawn from the votes cast by sport journalists across the country between February and March 2019.

“Voting for the 6th edition of the awards took place between 1st February and 1st March 2019.

We assure all voters of the Nigeria Pitch Awards that their votes have been adequately captured and the results you will get today are the wishes of all who voted. Let me stress again that the entire process was professionally handled by our team of accountants and auditors without any form of interference from the organizers or sponsors.”

Eneli said.

Reeling out the list of nominees in all the categories, Toyin Ibitoye, Super Eagles Media Officer, stated that Nigeria Pitch Awards is noted for its transparency in the voting process. In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Katsina United FC, Theophilus Afelokhai of Enyimba F.C and Francis Odinaka Uzoho of Deportivo La Coruna/Anorthosis Famagusta were shortlisted. Brighton and Hove Albion FC defender, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong of Udinese FC and Kenneth Omeruo of Leganés FC will compete for the defender of the year award.

Pitch awards voters have recognized the growing influence of Stoke City midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo by nominating him along

MVP in the NWFL: Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons), Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels) and Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes IL) Coach of the Year: Thomas Dennerby (Super Falcons), Gbenga Ogunbote (Enugu Rangers) and Solomon Ogbeide (Lobi Stars) Club of the Year: Akwa United, Enugu Rangers and Lobi Stars National Team of the Year: Super Sand Eagles, Super Falcons and Super Eagles Referee of the Year: Ogabor Joseph Odey, Adebimpe Quadri and Ferdinand Udoh Sam Okwaraji Awards: Kunle Soname (Chairman, Remo Stars/ BET9JA, Amaju Pinnick (President, NFF) and Seyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President, NFF) State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme: Delta, Rivers, Lagos States Football Friendly Governor of the Year: HE Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), HE Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and HE Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) Football Journalist of the Year (Print): Tunde Liadi (The Nation), Johnny Edwards (Complete Sport) and Tana Aiyejina (Punch) Football Journalist of the Year (Radio): George Iniabasi Essien (Comfort 95.1 FM), Tony Bekederemo (Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM) and Olawale Adigun (Top Radio 90.9FM).

Football Journalist of the Year (TV): Cecilia Omoregbe (Channels TV), Mozez Praiz (Supersport) and Austin 0kon-Akpan (Channels TV) Football Journalist of the Year (Online): Tobi Adepoju (naijafootballplus.com), Kunle Solaja (sportsvillagesquare.com) and Samuel Ahmadu (Goal.com) Corporate Sponsor of Football: Coca Cola, AITEO Group and Nigerian Breweries Plc.

Nominees for the other categories are: MVP in NPFL: Godwin Aguda (Enugu Rangers), Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars) and Mfon Udoh of Akwa United

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports

X-raying the origin of EPL players Stories By ANTHONY NLEBEM

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iven the Brexit context, a possible limit on the scope of international recruitment may oblige the majority of English Premier League teams to modify their transfer strategies. The rise of a new generation of very promising English players suggests however, on strictly sporting terms, that such a change may not negatively affect the competitiveness of Premier League teams. It could even strengthen the national team.

The proportion of UK and Irish nationals in the English Premier League has strongly declined over the past decade to the advantage of players having grown up in continental Europe (France, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, etc.).

According to its impact on professional football, Brexit may have major consequences for the teams in the top English division, according to CIES Football Observatory report.

However, the excellent results obtained over the past few years by youth English selections bears witness to the conscientious efforts regarding training.

As to sporting competitiveness, this work will probably cushion an eventual blow linked to the introduction of more strict criteria for the importation of players from abroad.

Independently of the conse-

quences of Brexit, another indicator suggests that English players have positive future ahead of them. Though less present on the pitch than ten years ago, they are nowadays much younger: 27.49 years of age on average in 2009/10 as opposed to 26.95 years in 2018/19. This is the lowest average age among all the zones of origin analysed in this report.

UK Players Between 2009/10 and 2011/12, players having grown up in England have always accounted for at least 40% of minutes played in the Premier League. Over the seven last seasons studied, this threshold was only breached in 2014/15. Up until the 15th February 2019 of the current season,

the percentage of playing time of nationals was 35.2%. This is the lowest value ever recorded during the period covered by the Report.

The percentage of goals scored by Englishmen has decreased. In this case also, the lowest value was observed during the current season. Over the whole of the period analysed, the percentage of goals scored was always lower than that for minutes played. This result reflects the over-representation of national players in defensive positions.

Other UK players In ten years, the Premier League playing time of footballers having grown up in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales has fallen

NIMASA’s Jeremiah Ikoko retains Ships & Ports Table Tennis trophy

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eremiah Ikoko, an employee of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has emerged winner of the Ships & Ports Table Tennis Tournament for the second consecutive time.

Ikoko defeated Philips Ambe of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in three straight sets 11-2, 11-3 and 11-4 to claim the ‘Prince Olayiwola Shittu Trophy’ and a prize of N100,000.

Also, Sunday Otaru of Bollore Group defeated Kehinde Borokini of NPA, former four-time champion, to win the third place match of the keenly contested tournament.

The 2019 edition of the Ships & Ports Table Tennis Tournament, which was the seventh in its series, was sponsored by top dredging firm, Lagos Channel Management(LCM)andSkelasGroup, The tournament, which was held at the Apapa Club, Lagos, had 51 players drawn from NIMASA, NPA, ENL Consortium, Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT), LCM and other top maritime organisations.

Speaking on his victory, Ikoko, who works in the Yenegoa office of NIMASA, said, “I am happy to have come all the way from Bayelsa to Lagos to win the trophy the second time. I want to thank Ships & Ports

by over half. During the current season, the amount of minutes played by nationals from these countries reached a lowest level of 3.0%. A strong declining trend was also observed at the level of goals scored: from 4.7% in 2009/10 to 3.2% up until the 15th February of the current season.

During the decade analysed, the percentage of minutes has fallen for all of the three nonEnglish UK nations. Players having grown up in Northern Ireland and Wales have almost disappeared from the Premier League.

The Scottish remain present although less so than in the past.

Similar to the UK players, the percentage of minutes played by footballers having grown up in Ireland has fallen sharply: from 4.6% in 2009/10 to 1.5% during the current season, according CIES football observatory monthly report.

Europeans The proportion of players having grown up outside of Great Britain in UEFA member countries has steadily increased throughout the decade analysed. New records have been measured during the current season both at the level of the percentage of minutes (45.0%) and at the level of goals scored (43.3%). Henceforth, continental European nationals are more numerous on Premier League pitches than UK players.

The percentage of minutes for footballers having grown up

Nigeria get $260,000 CAF payments for 2019 AFCON preparations

T Bolaji Akinola (r) CEO of Ships & Ports, presenting the 2019 Ships & Ports Table Tennis Tournament trophy to the winner, Jeremiah Ikoko of the NIMASA (m), as Timothy Olatunbosun (l) Operations Planning manager of TICT, watches, at the end of the tournament in Apapa, Lagos recently.

for putting up this kind of tournament together.”

Bolaji Akinola, chief executive officer of Ships & Ports, who hosted the competition, commended all the players who participated in this year’s tournament.

“The aim of this annual tournament is to contribute to the development of the game of table tennis in Nigeria and most importantly, to encourage competitive sporting activities in the maritime sector,” Akinola said during his opening remarks at the event.

He said the annual event is a good way to encourage healthy recreation and socialisation among the employees of the various or-

ganisations in the maritime industry.

“Physical activities and exercise of this nature promotes the development of the maritime industry because a healthy workforce is a productive workforce. The more you encourage your staff to exercise through tournaments like this, the more calories they burn and the more they improve their health and reduce the risk of sickness and diseases,” he said, Akinola said all the matches in the tournament were officiated by certified umpires drawn from the Table Tennis Umpires Association of Nigeria.

in France has remained stable at around 9% throughout the decade covered by the study. The strongest increase was observed for the second most represented country of origin: Spain (from 2.5% to 7.2%). The presence of Germans in the Premier League has also strongly increased from 1.1% to 4.8%. Although well represented, the Dutch and the Belgians are currently less numerous than in 2015/16 or 2016/17.

Non-Europeans The percentage of minutes played in the Premier League by footballers having grown up outside of UEFA member countries has remained stable during the period analysed. On the other hand, the percentage of goals scored by non-Europeans has strongly increased from 17.3% to 22.8%. Over the whole of the decade, non-Europeans played 16.2% of minutes and scored 20.6% of goals. This result reflects their over-representation in offensive positions. In 2017/18, 27.4% of minutes for forwards were played by nationals from countries outside of UEFA. The Brazilians and Argentinians are by far the most represented non-Europeans in the Premier League. The proportion of Argentinians reached a peak in 2014/15 (4.7% of minutes), and fell thereafter. The Brazilian presence however, has never been as great as up until the 15th February of the current season: 4.9%.

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has paid Nigeria and each of the 23 participating countries in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) $260,000 to finance their preparations for the tournament taking place in Egypt from s 21st June – 19th July.

The aim of the advance payments is to help federations with smaller budgets to meet the expenses of their preliminary prepa-

rations.

However, the amounts will be deducted from the premiums to be received by each country at the end of the tournament.

The premium bonus ranges between $4.5m for the winner and $475,000 for the teams that will be eliminated at the group stage.

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group B alongside Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi.

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Truth to power: Omotola on my mind “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak.

Not to act is to act.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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ame it: Brilliance, beauty and boldness, she has it all! But deep down, something is missingsome vital ingredient in the pot pourri of true nationhood. It is more like a noble, connecting chord that offers inner satisfaction between the leaders and the led majority when things go on well with the country one calls his/her own.

But not a few aspects of governance in Nigeria have since gone wrong -as they have been over the decades, spanning successive administrations. These span a wide economic spectrum, from security, through infrastructural development, education and healthcare delivery to job creation and national unity. And the patriot in question is not one to keep quiet, or wallow in self deceit, pretending that all is well with us.

The person we are talking about is none other than multiple award-winning and globally recognized star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde, Member of the Federal Republic (MFR). She recently stirred the hornet’s nest by saying it as it is, through a post that she tagged both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

“The country under your watch is hellish. The lack of money in circulation coupled with continuous assault and killings by uniformed men will make this country implode! It is unbearable. Do something. Insecurity, fear and desperation everywhere,” she said.

As expected, the apologists of the current administration went on a tweeting spree, unleashing their vile vituperations on the messenger instead of focusing on her poignant message, as if she had told

some lies. And as if they live in another country, instead of Nigeria. How can we be comfortable with Benue, Adamawa, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states turned into killing fields? What about the increased spate of extra judicial killings coming out of attacks by some security operatives, erroneously taking laws into their hands and considering innocent citizens guilty outside the law courts?

Should we shield ourselves from the pervasive poverty ravaging our land?

Has the World Poverty Clock not rated Nigeria as home to the largest number of the extremely poor in the world? Has the punishing penury not led to mass misery? Has our dear country not been ranked as the sixth most miserable to live in according to Steve Hanke, an economist from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States, amongst others such as Venezuela, Iran and Brazil?

This scary scenario raises the fundamental questions: Does the country belong to only those in authority, members of the party in power and their supporters at the exclusion of the mass of citizens? No! Should our political leaders be held in such alarming level of awe and fear, kowtowed to and worshipped instead of being loved on account of their people-oriented policies, programmes and performance? What is the role of the average citizen under a democratic dispensation if not to assist the leaders to actualise their dreams and vision, to meet their needs, from a bottom-up approach instead ramming their greeddriven antics down their throats?

Should governance not be sustained as a continuous process, instead of the politicians remembering the electorate only during electioneering campaigns and elections? Does it help our leaders to grow when their supporters highlight the failures of past administrations once you point out their faults? If so, why make

yourself available for political contest if you are neither prepared for, nor going to make the desired change?

This is one wrong mindset foisted on the pauperised people by the political elite that must be done away with.

So good, that Omotola has taken up the gauntlet.

She explained it thus in a recent media chat: “ It is very bad for people to want to compare negatives of different administrations, times and people…A lot of people follow the bandwagon…they have been programmed to only engage in comparison. They feel that it can never get better”. But she believes that it can and I do too. With good leadership and restructuring of the political economy in favour of the people; why not? Insecurity would have been better managed by community policing. Also, the gold wealth from Zamfara State now stolen by foreigners in collusion with illegal miners would have served the people much better.

If only our past leaders had listened to, and acted on the suggestions of great entertainer cum activist such as Fela Anikulapo Kuti we would have been saved the recurring ugly decimal of ‘Sorrows, Tears and Blood’ ,which is the politicians’ usual trade mark. And of course, from the hands of ‘Jeun kokus’ and ‘Vagabonds in Power’ (VIP) still with us till today.

Perhaps, if they had watched and got touched by the gripping features film entitled: ‘Squandering of riches’

by Onyeka Onwenu on the massive waste of our oil wealth during the Second Republic they would have had a second thought before pillaging our common patrimony. For instance, when in August 2017 the violent outbreak from a “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally that

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

took place in Charlottesville, led to the deaths of three people, with dozens left injured, several celebrities took to social media.

They did so to share their outrage and disappointment. The hateful event had spawned a greater divide among Americans and beyond. Lady Gaga mirrored similar emotions saying: “I know we are not created to hate each other, but to help and love.” Another celebrity, Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram with a photo of a Stop the Hate sign that: “Do not listen to evil no matter how loud it gets”.

In all sincerity, the government should listen to Omotola because she has spoken out of her love for the country. She has this to say: “Do you know that when I had cause to speak up against previous governments, I was attacked? Not by words alone. But my business, my personal life, my finances were attacked.”

Undeterred she added that: “I don’t have a choice than to speak the truth. I live here and a born activist. Anybody who knew me as a child will tell you that.”

My piece of candid advice therefore, is that the President should invite her and other patriotic activists, as the father of the nation to find out their proffered solutions to Nigeria’s myriad of institutional challenges. As the wise ones say: “A true friend is that fellow who would tell you the truth at the risk of losing your friendship.”

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

Gombe Xmas day tragedy : NSCDC operative or suicide bomber?

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he tragic event of the Easter Monday in which about 11 people died and several others injured in Gombe State when a man said to be a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deliberately rammed into a procession of Christian youths bore a signature of suicide mission.

According to the story, the driver who initially had an altercation with some of the youths said to be members of Boys’ Brigade of ECWA Church, Bamusa, Barunde, Madaki, and St Peter’s Anglican Church, gave away his mission, when he drove past the procession and reversed, turned off his light and fiendishly rammed into the crowd from behind.

That incident shows how inhuman and low people have descended. For such wicked people, killing has become a normal thing and they care less about it. Little

wonder the country has suddenly become a killing field.

The Gombe episode seems to me a suicide mission and not just a momentary madness.

The killer Civil Defence man so-called, was simply on a mission to kill, otherwise, he could not have taken his time to reverse and now knowing that the youth were not expecting he could come back, he took them by surprise, and mowed many of them down.

He must have been inspired and possessed by some blood-sucking spirits beyond the human realm.

He could as well be a member of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. He may be covering up and wearing the badge of Civil Defence.

Without pre-empting the outcome of the investigation already mounted by the Acting Inspector of Police, Mohammed Adamu over the sad event, it may not be out of place to say that what happened that day was a pure

case of terrorism. It is possible that he was a religious fundamentalist, who hated other religions other than the one he practised, otherwise he would have had some measure of tolerance for other people’s style of worship.

By the same token, the so-called accident in Adamawa State, involving a passenger bus, the same Easter Monday, may have been pre-meditated. How could a bus driver run into a procession of Christian worshippers at about 10am of the fateful day? It will be good for the relevant security agencies to dig deep into these bizarre occurrences with the aim of finding the truth about them. It is dangerous to take anything for granted in Nigeria at this time. The level of hatred for one another and for one religion or the other is so high nowadays that safety has become a very scarce commodity.

$4.5bn

This is the total commitments, as at March, of the African Development Bank in Nigeria in 60 operations.

Medicine after death

Nearly seven years after a fatal air crash by the late Taraba State governor, Danbaba Suntai, and close to two years after his demise, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) came up with belated information that he was “Not Competent, Not Certified” to pilot an aircraft. Suntai crash-landed an aircraft he flew on October 25, 2012.

He died five years later.

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