02.04.18
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
MONDAY
No. 3,034
MONDAY
N200
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Nigeria Loses $50bn Investments To Absence Of PIGB BY YUSUF BABALOLA, Lagos
Nigeria has lost $50 billion worth of investment in the oil and gas industry as a result of the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB). According to a report obtained by LEADERSHIP
recently, the investment, which was lost in the last 16 years, would have culminated in additional crude oil production of 1.5 million barrels per day for the country. The report revealed that the
loss has significantly affected the growth of the nation’s shipping sector. The report, which is the latest maritime forecast by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA), stated that the PIGB would allow for more oil production, which means more crude oil tankers for export. “Nigeria exports 100 per cent of its crude oil by sea, so,
LEADERSHIP Very Credible Media Outfit, Says Air Peace Boss ➔ Pg. 37
an additional 500bpd of crude oil production in the next one or two yeas will amount to 182,500,000 barrels per year or 25,347,222 MTS of cargo per annum. This volume of cargo will require a minimum of 91voyagies of a very large Crude carrier (VLCC) vessel to ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Oluwo Of Iwo Denies Adopting Emir Title 6
Says he only encouraged Yoruba Obas to imbibe Northern Emirs’ attitude of unity, tolerance
FG Releases More Names Of Alleged Looters List not arbitrary – Lai Mohammed BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja
The federal government yesterday released another list containing names of the second batch of those who allegedly looted the nation’s treasury under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted in a statement that names earlier released was based on verifiable facts and that the names earlier released highlighted the date, the amount ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua, flanked by the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun (right) and his father, Mr. Robert Joshua, after defeating Joseph Parker, to win the WBO title at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday.
Allegation Of PMB Shielding Killer 4 Data Mining: FG Probes Herdsmen Uncharitable – Presidency Cambridge Analytica 4
We Must Encourage New Generation To 4 Take Over – IBB
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our stand
Monday, April 2, 2018
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Need For A Rethink On AfCFTA Agreement
L
ast week, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy backtracked from signing an agreement to create the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at a summit of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda. The agreement was signed by 44 African countries. Though 10 other African countries including South Africa also did not sign the agreement, Nigeria abstaining came to most as a surprise. It is projected that the AfCFTA will boost intra-African trade and probably be the biggest trade agreement since the formation of the World Trade Organisation. The AfCFTA is also expected to remove business and import restrictions within the continent. Also, 27 member states signed a commitment for the free movement of persons. President Muhammadu Buhari said the federal government wants to consult widely before signing the agreement. He also disclosed that he will not agree to anything that could undermine the local manufacturers and entrepreneurs, or lead to the country becoming a dumping ground for finished goods. To the local manufacturers, who have been urging the federal government not to sign the agreement, nothing could gladden their hearts than such a news of Nigeria not signing the AfCTFA. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) had frowned on the contents of the agreement, noting that it will lead to gross unemployment in the country as most manufacturing companies in the country will be made to die quick death. The Association’s President, Frank Jacobs vowed that the body would not support federal government’s adoption and ratification of the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) until issues of market access and enforcement of rules of origin were addressed.
Similarly, the organised labour, through the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had pleaded with the federal government not to sign the CFTA, warning that it would destroy the nation’s economy. However, some experts believe it is befuddling that Nigeria would pull out of a landmark, historic agreement like the CFTA. According to them, it was absurd
that the federal government would shy away from a regional agreement that could potentially open up Nigeria’s market to the rest of the continent and beyond and improve the nation’s balance of trade. They said in a global and competitive market, protectionism benefits no one. As the federal government continues with its consultations, we applaud its decision to err
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Dele Fanimo
POLITICAL DIRECTOR/ STATE HOUSE Jonathan Nda-Isaiah EDITOR Muazu Elazeh
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Christian Ochiama
DEPUTY EDITOR Raliat Ahmed-Yusuf
ASS. MANAGING EDITOR George Agba COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD Suleiman Abdullahi
GENERAL EDITOR Silas Ezeugwu
GROUP LTD CHAIRMAN Sam Nda-Isaiah GMD, LEADERSHIP GROUP Abdul Gombe GMD, LEADERSHIP HOLDINGS David Chinda GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Dele Fanimo Felicia Ogbonlaiye Geoffrey Essien HR DIRECTOR Solomon Nda-Isaiah CHIEF PROCUREMENT & ASSETS OFFICER Mrs Zipporah Tanko DIRECTOR, HAUSA PUBLICATIONS Mubarak Umar GENERAL MANAGERS Ibrahim Halilu Femi Adekunle Ebriku John
LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital. We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed. We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being:
For God
and
Country!
on the side of caution. It would have been a great error if the government had gone ahead with signing such an agreement in a hurry. This is because as a country, we are not competing efficiently and signing the AfCFTA will open the nation’s economy to all sorts of things. Also, Nigeria should only sign economic partnerships based on mutually beneficial considerations and after due diligent assessment. After all, it is not how far but how well. Nigeria signed the World Trade Organisation’s partnership in 1995 but China did not sign it until 2000 while Russia signed it in early 2000 and that did not stop these countries from having great economies today. Nigeria has infrastructure deficit and the real sector is having difficulties competing because the country produces raw materials and hardly adds value to the mainstay of the economy, petroleum products. Furthermore, there are countries looking for ways to enter the Nigerian market and if measures are not put in place, such an agreement may open the back door for them to enter and reverse the gains made especially in the area of agriculture. It appears there had not been adequate consultation on the Continental Free Trade Area. It was after the endorsement that serious engagements began with the stakeholders, particularly with the manufacturing sector. So, there was a need to have a rethink. The manufacturing sector in Nigeria is focused more on the domestic market and if this market thrown open to all comers, the sector will practically collapse because it cannot compete internationally. After due diligence, the country can still join other nations if it is convinced signing the agreement is in its best interest. The AU said countries that have reservations and have not finalised their national consultations, could still be part of the agreement as the AU will have another summit in Mauritania in July where such countries are expected to also sign. If all 55 African Union member countries eventually sign up, the AU said the CFTA will create a bloc with a cumulative GDP of $2.5 trillion (2 trillion euros) and cater to a market of 1.2 billion people.
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Group News Editor: Ekele Peter Agbo We Must Encourage New Generation To Take Over – IBB BY ABU NMODU, Minna
Officers of the Nigerian Air Force engaged in the fight against insurgency in the North East, having Easter lunch organized by the Chief of Air Staff, at the Yola base yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN
Allegation Of PMB Shielding Killer Herdsmen Unfair, Uncharitable – Presidency BY JONATHAN NDA - ISAIAH, Abuja
The Presidency yesterday described the allegation against President Muhammadu Buhari shielding killer herdsmen as unfair and uncharitable. The senior special assistant media to the president, Garba Shehu noted that the problem between farmers and herdsmen predates the independence of Nigeria. He explained: “This is an administration that has done so so extremely well and to a president who has sworn to an oath to defend the constitution and protect every life and property, it is very unfair and uncharitable to say that he will shield anybody. This is as he said that President Muhammadu Buhari richly deserves a second term in office. In an interview with State House correspondents, the pres-
idential spokesman noted that Buhari’s giant strides, especially in agriculture is a pointer that the president needs to seek re-election. On Buhari’s chances in 2019, Shehu said, “yes I will because he richly deserves a second term in office. On former head of states, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida urging Buhari not to run, he said ;my response to them is that if they like they can come and contest against president Buhari. He will defeat them, all of them. According to him, “with all the noise the PDP is making, even during their tenure as president did they give breakfast, lunch and dinner to every citizen? Is there any country in which someone does not go hungry? I am not saying it is perfectly in order but they are just politicising these issues. “This is a government that
has removed this country from the shame of food importation, every state of the country now is into rice production, and we are feeding not only Nigeria but to West Africa. “And the government is working on having respectable prices for food items, food inflation is coming down grossly. Everyone complaining of hunger should go and work. And you know that this is the only government that has introduced social investment schemes, we pay out now for the poorest of the poor, the least they will get is N5,000 and a lot of these job that are been created are from loans with little or no interest from the central bank, Bank of Industry, Banks of Agriculture, Development Bank and the rest. So there is a lot going for people who really want to go out there to work especially in Agriculture. In any case, the president controls only one layer of author-
ity, what are the governors doing, is the social media also saying that the governors are protecting the herdsmen from the law, are they saying the local governments are also protecting them? “You see it has to take everyone at various levels of authority to shield somebody from the law in those circumstances, and the president himself, his passion is for the country, this is a president whose passion is not even for the office, even when everyone is asking him to go for a second term he is keeping quiet because his focus remains the nation and the problem of the country. On the amnesty offered to Boko Haram, he said, “Whoever is peddling these rumours that Boko Haram is being granted amnesty and so on I would ask them who doesn’t want to make peace with the enemy?
Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babaginda, yesterday, reaffirmed his stand on the need to encourage younger generation of Nigeria to take over leadership. IBB said the old generation must encourage the younger generation to take over because the latter has held power for long and overstayed in the corridors of power. He stated that in doing that the old generation should pave the way for the younger ones to steer the ship of the state aright from where the old stopped with more zeal. Receiving a new political movement, the New Nigeria led by the leader, Moses Siloko Siasia at his Hilltop residence in Minna, the former military president recalled that he and other like minds proposed as long as 1989 , the possibility of handing over the country’s leadership to younger people who have the passion and zeal to propel it on the path of development and growth. He, however, stated that even then the members of the older generation were not at home with the suggestion and were against the idea . While saying experience has shown that a nation develops and progresses better with younger generation in charge , IBB said younger generation would be more adventurous and full of fresh ideas. IBB said at 31, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon performed creditably in keeping the country together and developed infrastructure that were still enduring up till date. According to him, “some of us assumed leadership at a very young age.The older generation must give way for the new one. We have become analogue but this is a digital age; so the young people should be supported to use their digital knowledge to move the country forward,”. Consequently, he lent his support for not ‘Too Young To Run’ Bill as presented on the floor of the House of Representatives,adding that “some of us believe in that aspiration and would support its realisation.”
FG To Probe Cambridge Analytica Attacks On Nigeria BY JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH AND CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja
The federal government is scrutinizing the reports of the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica, which swiped the data of more than 50 million Facebook users to sway elections in many country including Nigeria, where it waged a campaign to perpetuate discord and hack into personal records of the then leading opposition Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. A presidency source informed Sate House correspondents at the weekend that the federal government has set up an in-house committee to investigate whether Cambridge Analytica’s work for the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2007 and 2015 general elections campaigns broke the
laws of this country or infringed on the rights of other parties and their candidates. Depending on the outcome, this may lead to the appointment of a special investigator and possibly, criminal prosecutions by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. A whistleblower, Christopher Wylie who worked with a Cambridge University academic to obtain the data, told the Observer, a UK newspaper that : “We exploited Facebook to harvest millions of people’s profiles. And built models to exploit what we knew about them and target their inner demons. That was the basis the entire company was built on.” Among those whose personal data was hacked into in 2015 was the then opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
Cambridge Analytica, according to the reports, worked with Israeli hackers who were instructed to get dirt on Muhammadu Buhari during the presidential campaign. According to those reports, SCL Elections, a public relations firm that later became Cambridge Analytica, manipulated Nigeria’s 2007 by organising campaigns to weaken the chances of opposition parties.As part of its engagement, the company organised “anti-election rallies” to demoralise opposition supporters from voting in the elections, which saw the emergence of Umar Yar’Adua as Nigeria’s president. The Cambridge Analytica team came up with a video to portray Candidate Buhari as a leader who would enforce Sharia Law in Nigeria. It was intended to sway the minds of millions of Nigerians and vote for the
PDP candidate. Currently, the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook are the focus of an inquiry into data and politics by the British Information Commissioner’s Office, the United States Special Counsel Robert Mueller and, separately, the U K Electoral Commission is also investigating what role Cambridge Analytica played in the EU referendum. Contacted over the issue, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said that although he had not been briefed on the issue, Nigerians deserved answers immediately from the PDP administration, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica on how and why they improperly obtained and used data to interfere in Nigerian elections. But in a swift reaction, the opposition
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its federal government are chasing shadows. PDP likened the planned probe to a desperate plot to implicate the opposition. The party said while it welcomes an open investigation into the Cambridge Analytica saga, it demands that such inquest be extended to cover the sources of the looted funds used to prosecute President Buhari’s campaign in 2015. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the APC is merely seeking to divert public attention from its manifold failures and scandals, as it is already public knowledge that neither the PDP nor any of its officials or members were ever linked or indicted in any way, in the said saga.
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Oluwo Of Iwo Denies Adopting Emir Title BY JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, yesterday debunked report suggesting that he has adopted the Emir title, explaining that he only said he would embrace their attitude. Akanbi told LEADERSHIP that contrary to the media report, what he meant was that henceforth, he will imbibe the attitude of the Northern royal fathers who, he noted, are united and show great respect for hierarchy. The monarch stressed that Northern Emirs’ penchant for respecting each other and having high esteem for hierarchy are part of the things that stand them out in the traditional institution. The Oba said Emirs do not begrudge each other and as such, they always speak with one voice, adding that, “This is the type of attitude I want Yoruba Obas to imbibe”. Also in a statement issued yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi described the report that he adopted the Emir title as a product of misconception utilised by the enemies of Yoruba race to demean the revered paramount stool of Oluwo. The royal father said he only disclosed that he could also be called an Emir by his Muslim admirers, especially the Hausas who cannot pronounce Oba correctly. He noted that those condemning him for the report are ignorant of his true position, even as he implored public commentators to acquaint
Akanbi
themselves with the correct position before launching negative comments. Maintaining that there was never a time the Oluwo dropped Oba title for Emir, Ibraheem challenged those
who reported the story to come with the factual evidence of the purported adoption. The statement made available to LEADERSHIP reads in part: “Oluwo
never adopt Emir title; he only said he can also be called an Emir by the Hausas and ardent Muslims. Oba Akanbi is an Oba for the nation with special attachment to the Yorubas. He promotes Yoruba culture to the admiration of many youths. Just because of Oluwo dressing codes today, many children are attracted to Yoruba culture by wearing Aso Ofi”. Ibraheem quoted the monarch as saying: “I said so to integrate Nigeria as an indivisible entity. All working tools are available for the integration and unity of our dear country. I`ve visited the North several times. Core Hausas hardly pronounce Yoruba words correctly. They call me Emir when I am with them. Is there anything wrong in answering to such? Even the Hausas in Iwo here call me Emir. Will I stop them from addressing me as such? No, I am a father to the nation being a first class paramount ruler”. He stated that his total conducts are tailored towards the promotion of Yoruba traits as laid by Oduduwa, the founding father of the Yoruba land. “My dress is a respect to Yoruba. Yoruba heritage is the best worldwide. We are the hope of not only Nigeria but also the black race. Our conducts are undeniable. The corruption part of it is what I am checkmating”, the statement further quoted the Oba as saying. Oba Akanbi was reported to have adopted the title by virtue of his status as an Islamic monarch of high repute in Yorubaland at the installation of Sheik Yahqub Abdul-Baaqi as the first Waziri of Yoruba land.
FG Releases More Names Of Alleged Looters FROM COVER
in question, who collected the loot and from where it was taken. The minister wondered what the PDP was expecting when it challenged the federal government to name the looters of the public treasury under the party’s watch. He said those complaining that the first list was too short apparently did not understand that it was strategically released as a teaser. “At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it was a tip of the iceberg. Apparently, this does not mean anything to people whose style is to comment on issues they barely understand, or just to shoot down anything coming from the government”, Mohammed said. He noted that the federal government has a large number of alleged looters on its list, just as he slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for daring to challenge the federal government over an issue that the party knows is its weakness. ‘’What was the PDP expecting when it challenged the FG to name the looters of the public treasury under the party’s watch? Did the PDP actually believe that the massive looting under its watch was
a joke? Did they think it is April Fool?” He queried. In the new batch Mohammed said former NSA Sambo Dasuki, based on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigations and findings alone aside the ongoing $2.1 billion military equipment scandal, looted a total of N126 billion, over $1.5 billion and 5.5 million British pounds was embezzled through his office. He noted that a good number of these monies were simply shared to persons and companies without any formal contract awards. He lamented that in just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving former Petroleum Resources minister Dieziani Alison-Madukwe, about N23 billion is alleged to have been embezzled. Mohammed said she is also involved in the ‘Strategic Alliance Contracts’ of the NNPC where the firms of Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko got oil blocks but never paid government taxes and royalty. He said about $3 billion was involved and the federal government is charging Omokore, Aluko and will use all legal instruments, both local and international, to ensure justice. The minister also said N13.9 billion, including N4.8 billion, was allegedly recovered by EFCC in cash and property
from Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah (rtd). He pointed out that PDP’s reaction to the looters’ list has shown that its recent apology is an election-induced act, contrived to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to vote for the party in the 2019 general election, even when it has not come clean on its looting spree during its time in office. The minister continued: “The hysterical and panicky reaction from the PDP has shown that the party is not at all sincere about its choreographed apology. Were it not the case, the party would have followed in the footsteps of one of its leaders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who simply owned up to his role in the party’s rigging in the past elections and said he had turned a new leaf. ‘’It is said that a true confession is done in humility with an attitude of repentance. It is clear that the PDP does not know this, hence its resort to hubris instead of humility and genuine penitence”. Mohammed said the federal government will neither be intimidated nor blackmailed into silence, adding that it will also not rest until all those who looted the public treasury have been brought to justice. He listed names of alleged looters as follows: “Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika: N4.5 billion. N29m recovered by the
EFCC so far. Alex Barde, former Chief of Defence Staff: N8 billion, and EFCC recovered almost N4 billion in cash and property already. Inde Dikko, former CG Customs: N40 billion, and N1.1 billion recovered in cash and choice properties. “Air Marshal Adesola Amosun: N21.4 billion. N2.8 billion recovered in cash. 28 properties and 3 vehicles also recovered. Senator Bala Abdulkadir, former FCT Minister: N5 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured. Senator Stella Oduah: N9.8 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured. Former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu: N1.6 billion - from NSA. Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion. Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance: N1.5 billion, $829,800 recovered. Senator Peter Nwaboshi: N1.5 billion. “Aliyu Usman: Former NSA Dasuki’s aide: N512 million. Ahmad Idris: Former NSA Dasuki’s PA: N1.5 billion. Rasheed Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor: N500 million. Tom Ikimi: N300 million Femi Fani-Kayode: N866 million. Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Goodluck: $1.7 million. Nenadi Usman: N1.5 billion. Benedicta Iroha: N1.7 billion. Aliyu Usman Jawaz: Close ally of former NSA Dasuki: N882 million and Godknows Igali who alledgedly looted over N7 billion.”
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NEWS 7
Police Debunk Plot To Eliminate Whistleblower The Zone 5 headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, Benin, has debunked any plot to eliminate one Ovie Osiebe-Franklin, an alleged whistleblower, and one other Anodeh Brave. This is contained in a statement released by DSP Emeka Iheanacho, zonal police public relations officer (ZPPRO), in Benin, yesterday. Iheanacho said that the alleged whistleblower was a suspect in a case of alleged false information investigated by the FCIID, Abuja. He said that debunking the alleged elimination plot was imperative following a publication by an online publication on March 28. He said the saidpublication had alledgedly reported that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, AIG Rasheed Akintunde was
plotting to eliminate the whistle blower. Akintunde was also alleged to be plotting to kill Anode Brave, a member of Delta State Polytechnic Governing Council, OtefeOghara. He said that the AIG was committed to professionalism and intelligence-led policing. “TheAssistant InspectorGeneral of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, AIG Rasheed Akintunde wishes to reaffirm his commitment to professionalism, and intelligence-led policing. “He also wishes to reaffirm his respect for fundamental human rights and observance of rule of law in the discharge of his duties at all time. “It would be recalled that sometime in 2014, the school authority terrminated Ovie OsiebeFranklin appointment as as
academic staff of the Delta State Polytechnic. “He was alleged to be involved in acts of corruption, extortion of students, sexual harassment of female students and examination malpractice. “Since the termination of the suspect’s appointment by the Governing Council , he has been on vengeance mission against the authorities of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara”, the statement said. Iheanacho further said that in 2014, Ovie OsiebeFranklin wrote a petition to the Inspector- General of Police against the Rector and other members of the Governing Council including Anodeh Brave, Esq. There, he alleged misappropriation of the the institution’s fund, it said. “At the end of the investigation, a legal advice
from the Commissioner of Police Legal Department, Abuja, directed that the said Ovie OsiebeFranklin (suspect ) should be arrested and charged to court for false information”. He, however, said that on Feb. 20, 2018, another petition was written to the AIG, Zone 5 Headquarters, by Anodeh Brave Esq. He said that it was against the supposed whistleblower over allegations of corruption and extortion, impersonation of EFCC officials, assassination of characters and threat to lives. The ZPPRO said that based on the petition which was presently being investigated at the ZCIID, the supposed whistleblower had continued to evade police arrest. He said that every
Idris
effort made to arrest and prosecute the suspect had failed. He said as a responsible law enforcement agency, the zone would like to reassure members of the public that it would continue to discharge its functions within the
confine of extant laws. He advised the general public to disregard the said publication as there was no truth in it. He appealed to the public to assist the zone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the supposed whistleblower.
Nigeria Loses $50bn Investments To Absence Of PIGB FROM COVER
lift, which will generate a lot of activities in the maritime industry”, the report noted. The report stated further that the Nigerian oil industry relies heavily on the maritime industry for its smooth operations and whatever happens in the oil and gas industry affects the shipping industry. It continued: “It is estimated that Nigeria has lost over $50 billion worth of investment in the oil and gas industry since the last 16 years which could have culminated in additional 1.5 million barrels per day crude oil production for the country, which has continued to heighten the agitation for the passage of the PIB. “Also, shipping has always been of strategic importance to the oil and gas industry. Not only is over 70 per cent of all crude oil production transported by ships, more and more oil productions activities are now being carried out offshore. This shows that the oil industry relies heavily on the maritime industry for its smooth operations. Whatever happens in the oil and gas industry is likely to affect the
shipping industry and vice versa”, the report said, adding that the passage of the PIGB would lead to increased Cabotage Activities and demand for crude oil tankers. “The likely impacts of the PIGB include increased cabotage activities and increase in investment in the industry. This means more production
activities and more production activities mean more shipping logistics requirement. The Cabotage trade in Nigeria is 95 per cent within the industry. So, we are likely to see an increase in investment if the act meets the expectations of industry practitioners. “Another impact also includes increased demand for crude oil
tankers due to more investments in the oil and gas industry. There will be more oil production and more oil production means more crude oil tankers for export. Increased importation of oil and gas production equipment will be fuelled by the immediate impact of an increased investment in the oil and gas industry. “This will see more
vessels calling Nigerian ports, more revenue for the government and more business for auxiliary services providers in the industry. We also expect oil rig count to steadily increase on account of improved oil production and demand. Also, greater investments in oil and gas will translate to more demand for offshore support vessels.
“We recommend and anticipate that the federal government would do to more to attract additional investments into the maritime industry, while incorporating newer expansionary strategies for oceanbased industries and the exploitation of the vast resources of the ocean into its broad vision of national economic regeneration”.
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Ateke To Niger Delta Youths: Days Of Arms Struggle Are Over BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, PORT Harcourt
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, answering questions from State House Correspondents, after Church Service to mark the Easter Sunday celebration at the State House, Aso Villa Chapel in Abuja yesterday . PHOTO BY NAN.
Afenifere Hails South West Governors Over Regional Integration BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
The Yoruba social cultural group, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has hailed South West Governors over regional integration, congratulating the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, on the formal admittance of Lagos State into the O’dua Investment family. Afenifere in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary Kunle
Famoriyo also congratulated the DAWN Commission for successfully midwifing the process, saying “it is a precious baby we have been expecting for some time. “This feat is another milestone on the road to achieving the vision that birthed DAWN Commission, which is to project regional integration as the most sustainable and efficient socioeconomic development paradigm for Ni-
geria. “It is also a signpost towards the mission to which ARG has committed itself in the last ten years to engender a society where there is ‘freedom for all and life more abundant. “Our special gratitude, therefore, goes to the governors of the six Southwest States for believing in this vision and providing the leadership that Yoruba peo-
ple need at this time. “We thank all well-meaning Yoruba sons and daughters who have given of their time, resources, and network to support this vision.” They also called on others to come on board, noting that “the race towards Regional Integration has just started, even though we are closer than we were before now.”
Easter: Gov Emmanuel preaches Peace, Love BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has reminded Nigerians, especially the people of the state that the development and progress of the country is tied to unity and love among the citizenry irrespective of political or religious affiliation. The governor who stated this yesterday during an Easter message to the people of the state in Uyo reminded Christians of the essence of Easter, which has remained the substance of the Christian faith built on a foundation of love, sacrifice, hope and spiritual renewal. He said: “No man has had a greater effect on mankind than Jesus Christ. His teachings and life inspired our present civilization. His words have inspired billions throughout the history of mankind and set the parameters for ethics
and morality. Let his life, death and resurrection inspire us to decide that as He died to make us holy, we would live to love each other. “Let our chords of brotherhood never be broken and let us not forget that the peace and development of this state lie in the unity and love we show to one another.” Christianity did not come to us on a silver platter; it came at the hands of stomach-turning torture and harrowing moments of extreme stress and strain. It came at the hands of the most painful form of public execution ever devised by man, and the worst betrayal of a righteous man by an entire nation including those he healed. But while the disciples were in mourning and women came to embalm his body, God turned their mourning into dancing with the resur-
rection of Jesus Christ. Let the lesson go forth to all Akwa Ibom people that, we will never abandon ourselves to despair. That same Spirit which quickened Jesus from death to resurrection is moving in this blessed State and quickening our march to greatness. And so, my fellow compatriots as we celebrate His resurrection and ascension, let us ask ourselves this simple but profound question: Can we serve a cause that is higher than OUR immediate gains like our Savior did? Do we show love to one another? Do we wish our fellow compatriots well in their undertakings, irrespective of their political leanings? Do we care for the poor, the infirmed, and the downtrodden and give our little so these people may have a reason and a cause to hope and dream?
Let the lesson go forth to all Akwa Ibom people that, we will never abandon ourselves to despair. That same Spirit which quickened Jesus from death to resurrection is moving in this blessed State and quickening our march to greatness. Let me end this broadcast by again appealing to my fellow citizens to keep the peace. As the political season dawns on us, let us play politics with a human face, let us not see and regard politics as blood sport; we have enjoyed peace in this State and my recent proscription of cult groups in the State is geared towards deepening this peace and addressing security concerns that may have occurred in one or two spots. There is no political office that should cause the spillage of blood; no ambition should cause us to shed the blood of our dear citizens.
FG Assures Uniuyo Of More Infrastructural Development BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA Uyo
The federal government has assured University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom of more infrastructures to encourage effective teaching learning and research The Senior Special Assistant to President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang gave the assurance at the weekend while commissioning a Mini Water project at the University of Uyo main campus Nsukara Nwaneba road in Uyo.
He said that the water project, a Federal Government initiative was to ensure provision of clean drinkable water for the students. Senator Ita Enang, who said that access to clean water and adequate sanitation has been a great challenge to most institution of higher learning in the country, explained that the Federal Government would not relent in its quest to reverse the ugly trend. The Senior Special Assistant to the president assured the institution of the federal government readiness to assist
in completing some of the uncompleted structures within the University. ‘’ This water project was facilitated and executed through the Cross-River Basin Development Authority CRBDA under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources I therefore cannot take glory for it ‘’ The vision of president Muhammadu Buhari administration in supporting Universities in the country is to ensure that when the door of education is opened to the teaming youths the prison doors could as well be shot’’ he stated.
He commended the authorities of the University for their contributions to the development of education in the country and urged them to do more. Earlier in his address the Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo Professor Enefiok Essen thanked the federal government for the project. He said that provision of drinkable water for student and the entire University has been a major challenge adding that the institution needs over 3million naira to reticulate water within the university.
The traditional ruler of Okochiri Community in Okrika local government area of Rivers State, King Ateke Michael Tom, has told youths of the Niger Delta region that days of using arms to agitate for justice, peace and equity were over in the region. He declared that youths who use arms to seek for government attention as criminals and advised that coordinated dialogue should be employed by aggrieved parties in resolving pressing issues Ateke, who was an ex-agitator spoke at his palace in Okochiri yesterday while reacting to a video clip released on the social media by a militant group in Akwa Ibom State, seeking the monarch to broker peace between them and leaders of their state. While calling on the government not to negotiate with the criminals, the monarch noted that every group that bears arms and wants government’s attention is a criminal group and should be treated as such, adding that days of using guns to get attention was over. He called for an investigation into the released video, adding that he perceives the clip has had a political undertone to denigrating and rubbish individuals it is targeted at. Ateke said, “Ordinarily, I would not have given attention to the clip as I do not identify with criminals, but for the sake of records and integrity.
C & S Urges Nigerians To Emulate Virtues Of Jesus Christ BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja
As Christians and Nigerians across the nation celebrate Easter, the spiritual father Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, His Grace Most Reverend Prophet Dr Samuel Abidoye has called on Christian to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ as epitomised by his passion, persecution, death and resurrection during Easter. In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja, Abidoye congratulated Christians on the completion of the lenten period. He also advised Christians to allow the lessons of arms giving, prayer and righteousness as exhibited during the lenten period continue to resonate in their lives and charged Christians and Nigerians as a whole not to be despaired by the socio-economic challenges in the country, rather remain hopeful and prayerful towards achieving a better country. Abidoye commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent release of the abducted Dapchi School girls, with a charge to him to ensure the quick release of Leah Sharibu, the only girl left still in the enclaves of the insurgents. He also advised the President and the nation’s security agencies to do all that is possible to restore peace and order in the terror ridden regions, and the country as a whole to douse the fears of Nigerians about a possible anarchy in the country.
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Monday, April 2, 2018
Kebbi Council Chair Disrupts Mining Activities
Dr Solomon Yusuf (right) and Yusuf Ibrahim, two of the Universty of Maiduguri Staff of the Geology department abaducted by Boko Haram terroriststs and later freed, during a Thanksgiving service at the church of Christ in All Nation (COCIN) in Gamboru, Jere Local government area of Borno state. PHOTO BY FRANCIS OKOYE.
BY YAHYA SARKI, Kebbi
There was an uneasy calm at Ubege, Bajida mining site in Fakai local government area of Kebbi State as the council chairman, Rabiu Musa Jarma, engages political thugs to disrupt mining activities of A.U.S Gold Nigeria limited . A letter of complaint signed by the managing director of the company, Umar Muhammad and made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi alleged the Fakai council boss, Rabiu Musa Jarma demanded payment of revenue from the the mining company with mining lease number 25116 SSML. The MD quotes as saying in the letter: “The local government authorities have been demanding for revenue from us, we are on negotiations and we have met four times with the local authorities, the chairman inclusive and we did not reached conclusion. “Then the sudden action and threat from the chairman himself on a sudden visit with political thugs to the site on 14th March, 2018 that we should vacate the site within 24 hours or we have ourselves to blame,”. The managing director of the company in the letter further explained that the company complied with all requirements of the law, paid royalties, VAT, environmental charges and was fully registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel and the Kebbi State government. He said the company has employed over 200 young people from the locality who earning a living through the activities of the company.
Shema Seeks Constitutional Role For Traditional Rulers BY YAHYA SARKI, Kebbi
The former governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has called on the National Assembly members to give constitutional role to traditional leaders in order to help in maintaining peace and stability of Nigeria. Shema made the call in Koko town, Kebbi State shortly after the turbaning ceremony of first Wamban Koko, Alhaji Shehu Mohammad and 13 others by the district head of Koko, Alhaji Shehu Salihu at the weekend . According to him the role of traditional leaders in maintaining peace and order cannot be quantified because of their closeness to the people. “Traditional institutions everywhere in Africa always have a role to play in running affairs of the people, they have lot of experience in dealing with people. “I urged the National Assembly to insert role for traditional institutions in Nigeria’s constitution,”he said. He expressed optimism that if given define role in the constitution, the traditional institutions would greatly assist the government in bringing to an end frequent herdsmen/farmers killings and other security crises bedivilling the country. He commended Gwandu Emirate for approving the turbaning of new Wamban Koko, Alhaji Shehu Mohammad, his former ADC. On his part, the celebrant, the new Wamban Koko, Alhaji Shehu Mohammad who is a Chief Supretendent of Police expressed gratitude to God and promised to continue to give his best to the development of his home town , Koko and Nigeria at large.
Borno Celebrates Hitch-free Easter BY FRANCIS OKOYE Maiduguri
Christians all over Borno State yesterday had a hitch-free Easter celebration with faithful moving to their places of worship without any security breach. In Maiduguri precisely, most of the Churches visited were filled with members and clergies dancing to the rendition from the musical section. In his homily, the parish priest of St Mary Catholic Church, Federal Low-Cost, Maiduguri, Rev Fr. Peter Uchebo, urged faithful to use the window of the Easter to return back to God, noting that Jesus Christ has won the victory over
sin and evil on the cross. In the gospel reading, Rev Uchebo urged faithful to emulate Mary Magdalene who was loved so much that she returned the love to Christ by going to annoint Christ in the tomb, but found the tomb empty following the resurrection of Christ from the dead, thus making her the first witness of the gospel of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “As early as possible, she moved to the grave of Christ to annoint the body of the lord, and when she went she saw an empty tomb signifying that the lord has risen. Mary Magdalene then became the first witness of the resurrection of Christ
who passed the message to the apostles and the world. “When we trust in the Lord, the Lord shall suprise us. As Christians, we should use this period of Easter to reflect on some of our actions. We should learn to love and care for one another and trust in God for his mercies”, Uchebo said. Similarly, at the Penticost Believer’s Convenant Church (PBCC City), the general overseer and the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, Bishop Mohammed Williams Naga urged the congregation to imbibe the lessons of Easter such as love, tolerance and humility in their daily lives.
Briefing Journalists in Kaduna, after the ceremony, the Kaduna State commissioner of police, Austin Iwar, said the repentant criminals took advantage of the window of opportunity opened by the government and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. Iwar explained that apart from renouncing violence,the repentant criminals will also hand in their weapons to government. Iwar said, “I assure you very
soon we will begin to recover most of these arms, as some of them have volunteered to handover their arms back, but not in public. “One of the strategies we decided to adopt is to see how we can get across to some communities leaders in the context of community policing programme we are doing. “If you want to solve a problem you have to work with people that created the problem; we also held series of meetings with hunters as
Bishop Naga equally urged Christians and Nigerians to use the period of the celebration to pray for the quick return of the only Dapshi Schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, still in the custody of Boko Haram terroriststs. Also at the Church Of Christ In All Nations (COCIN), the resident Pastor, Rev James Ibrahim, urged members to use the Easter celebration and pray for the quick return of peace in Borno. He prayed God to expose all those responsible for the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno and Northeast even as he thanked God for the lives of those recently freed by the terroriststs.
750 Kidnappers, Bandits Denounce Crime In Kaduna BY AZA MSUE, Kaduna
No fewer than 750 cattle rustlers, bandits and kidnappers in Kaduna have repented and seeked forgiveness just as they swore oaths with the Holy religious books not to engage in criminal activities again. Recall that, the latest ceremony is coming two weeks after another set of 400 bandits and kidnappers similarly swore oaths renouncing crime.
prelude to the series of activities we call Renouncing Violence Strategies. “Having young people that are roaming in the bush committing all forms of crimes to come out and renounce violence, swear by Holy Qur’an that they will not go back to violence again is very important. “You will understand that it is a very difficult decision for a criminal to come out in public and announce the atrocities he has been doing,” Iwar explained.
Easter: Tambuwal Urges Support For The Vulnerable, Downtrodden BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to use the Easter period to stand up for all those who have found themselves in vulnerable situations in the country and other parts of the world. In a message to com-
memorate this year’s Easter issued in Sokoto yesterday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, the governor said all members of the society should make sacrifices that will advance the cause of the vulnerable and the downtrodden. “Easter is a period of divine. We should spread that love around by pray-
ing, and standing up to victims of circumstance that have found themselves in vulnerable situations within us and elsewhere. “We can do this by working closely with charity organisations to give them hope, courage and the will to be strong. Doing this will make Nigeria and the
world a better place to live in,” Tambuwal added. While congratulating Nigerians, especially those of Christian faith for the Easter celebration, the governor restated the commitment of his administration to implementing policies and programmes that will positively impact on the lives of the citizens.
7,000 Yobe PDP Members Dumps Party For APC BY HUSSAINI JIRGI, Damaturu
Massive defection yesterday hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Potiskum local government area of Yobe State, as scores of its members dumped the party for the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC) LEADERSHIP gathered that,
PDP suffered a setback following the defection of over seven thousand people into the APC in Potiskum LGA. The defectors who were led by Alhaji Saleh Jauro (Santurakin Fika) a chieftain of party, described the PDP as house divided against itself with irreconcilable difference, saying that, as it the last couple of
years there where at least two camps with each group aimed to field candidates for 2019 general elections. The defectors were received by the state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Adamu Chilariye, who said APC in Yobe State would carry them along in its programme, adding that they will never regret leaving the
PDP as the party has nothing to offer the people of the state. He commended governor Ibrahim Gaidam for evenly transforming the state from 2011 to date nothing that, “more people will soon join the APC and we will collectively work to ensure the success of the party at all levels during the forthcoming general election.”
Monday, April 2, 2018
Nasarawa SSG Withdraws From 2019 Senate Race BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia
The Secretary to the Nasarawa State government, Barr Mohammed Abdullahi, has withdrawn from the contest for the seat currently occupied by the ex-governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. This was contained in a statement signed by the director general of the SSG campaign organisation Pastor Benjamin Chindo Baka and made available to newsmen in Lafia. The statement noted the SSG’s withdrawal followed the intervention by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who brokered peace between the SSG Mohammed Abdullahi and the current occupant of the seat, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. “Consequent upon the meeting that was called at the instance of His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Almakura, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state, between Senator Abdullallahi Adamu and Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi today Saturday 31/3/2018 at the VIP Guest House Keffi, the Executive Governor has prevailed on Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi, to withdraw from Senatorial race in the western zone in the corporate interest of the State. “As a loyal member of APC, the SSG has respectfully yielded to the entreaties of his principal and has without prejudice stepped down from the contest” the statement said
Easter: DPP Calls For Love, Prayers For Nigeria The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has called on Nigerians to use the Easter period to show love and forgive one another as well as pray for the goodness of the country. The national chairman of the Party, Mr Garshon Benson, yesterday, said Easter should be used to exemplify the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the World and humanity. “As Christians’ we believe that by this reason the blood of Jesus has washed away our sins and we are made clean and free. “It is a time of love and forgiveness. It is a time for reflection. It is a time to embrace one another, because somebody has come to take our burden away from us. “So, you don’t need to hold grudges against anybody. You have to open up your heart. “You have to give back to humanity, which God happened to give to you freely, which is unlimited love, and that is the spirit of Easter,’’ Benson said. The DPP Chairman also congratulated Nigerians, especially the Christians, for witnessing this year’s Easter celebration, advising them to imbibe the legacies and virtues of Jesus Christ while he was on earth.
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Senate Mulls Bills To Fight Drug Abuse
The Senate has developed two draft bills for legislation to tackle drug abuse. This was part of the outcome of the roundtable convened by the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in December 2017 in Kano on the rising drug abuse in the country, The proposed bills are: National Drug Control Bill and National Mental Health Bill. A statement by the Media Office of the President of the Senate said the Drug Control Bill seeks to clarify the mandate and strengthen the capacity of Nation-
al Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to eradicate the illicit production, and trafficking of controlled substances. “It also seeks to establish a central mechanism to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement, regulatory and public health authorities in line with the National Drug Control Policy. “The Bill further focuses on proactive law enforcement and regulatory measures towards the eradication of the illicit importation,
production and trafficking of controlled substances.” The statement further said the bill sought to criminalise the diversion, distribution or otherwise dispensing of controlled substances without a prescription or license. On mental health bill, the statement noted that, in recognition of the fact that psychosocial issues are the key drivers for the abuse of psychoactive substance, the bill was crafted to ensure that standard facilities were available in every state to provide mental health and substance abuse services. The proposed law guarantees
the protection of the rights of people with mental illness and stipulates that mental health practitioners and facilities no longer engage in practices that are harmful to people with mental health and substance use disorders. In recognising the low number of mental health practitioners in the country with the ratio of practitioners at one psychiatrist to 1.6 million people, the draft law makes provision for quality mental health and substance abuse services available for women and adolescents, who are an underserved segment of the population.
R-L: Member of House of Representatives, Hon James Faleke, condoling with wives of the Late House Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Buba Umar Jubril; Miriam Umar Jubril, Hajiya Ramatu Umar Jubril and Hajiya Hadiza Umar Jubril, at his residence in Lokoja, yesterday.
Easter: Gov Ahmed, Speaker Congratulate Christians Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has felicitated with Christians for the successful completion of lent with a call on them to imbibe the spirit of perseverance and endurance as epitomized by Christ. Also, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad has asked the Christians to allow the lessons of Easter reflect in their daily endeavours. The governor’s message was signed by his chief press secretary, Abdulwahab Oba while that of the Speaker was signed his media aide, Shuaib AbdulKadir. Governor Ahmed urged all Christians to be agents of tolerance and peaceful coexistence for
progress and sustainable development of the country. While commending Christian community in the state for supporting efforts of the state government towards ensuring religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, Governor Ahmed urged them to be more dedicated and committed to the service of God and humanity. “Everyone must strive harder in showing love, affection, care and sympathy to all and sundry irrespective of religious and cultural differences”, the governor charged. He said his administration will not shirk from its responsibility of ensuring equity and justice for all. In his message, Speaker Ali Ahmad enjoined Christians to inter-
nalise the lessons learnt during the Lent period by ensuring it impacted on their daily lives. He challenged them to use the season to offer prayers for sustenance of peace and harmonious relationship between the various religious and ethnic groups in the country. Ahmad who noted that the fasting period has not only purified their bodies and souls but also improved them mentally and spiritually encouraged them to do away with activities that could further draw them back to sin against God. He said that it is imperative they imbibe the teachings by striving to always emulate the virtues
as well as various qualities with which Jesus Christ stood for. According to Biblical injunctions, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day.” According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” “It is therefore sacrosanct to ensure that Christ did not die in vain by upholding the tenets of Christianity and continue to serve as examples to the world”, he added. The Speaker, however, admonished Nigerians against utterances that could jeopardise the existing peace and harmony in the country.
Mantu’s Claim On Election Rigging Personal, Says PDP BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the advice by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to learn from former Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu’s claims on how he rigged elections. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said Senator Mantu’s reported claims was personal to him and has nothing to do with the PDP, as
the party has never directed any of its members to rig election on its behalf, at any point since its formation. “Senator Mantu spoke about his personal activities and tendencies in the elections where he participated. The PDP has never directed or had any pact with him to rig election on its behalf. Never! “Individuals run their elections on the platform of political parties once they emerge as candidates. In
the PDP, candidates are issued with the party’s Code of Conduct containing the basic rules of electioneering engagements. “There is nowhere in this rules of engagement where candidates or party members are directed to rig elections on behalf of the party. If any member’s conduct transgressed these basic rules of engagement, that individual did not act on behalf of the PDP, and as such the
party cannot be vicariously held responsible. “It will therefore be misplaced for anybody, including the APC, to surmise that Senator Mantu, in the said confession of rigging, acted on behalf of the PDP. “After all, in 2007, Senator Mantu lost his own senatorial election. What, then, happened to his rigging machinery, if he could not deliver himself?
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Obaseki Lauds Oba Of Benin’s Salary Support For Libya Returnees BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City
Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the magnanimity of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewaure II, for placing some returnees from Libya on salary, noting that the gesture was a landmark effort in rehabilitating the returnees. The governor, in a statement, said that the gesture shows Oba Ewuare II’s commitment to seeing that the youths, who have
Enugu Govt Awards N1.170bn Roads Contract BY NNAMDI MBAWIKE, Enugu
The Enugu State government in keeping with the ongoing massive infrastructural development across the length and breadth of the state has awarded contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of more urban and rural roads at the cost of over N1.170 billion. In a similar development, the state government in a bid to reposition the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu to meet with the standard befitting of its three-star status and generate revenue, dissolved the Board of the hotel to enable the government carry out renovation works, accordingly. Addressing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Committee (EXCO), the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji disclosed that the new road projects include the constructions of Achi Akpa –Daughters of Divine Love (DDL) Juniorate Main Entrance, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area; Colliery Avenue to Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Headquarters, Enugu North L.G.A, and Reconstruction of Ezenwani Akpaka and Isukwuato Street/ Ogui road, Asata Enugu at the cost of N46.309m, N32.348m and N19.996m, respectively. Other projects, which took the chunk of the N1.170b, include the re-awarded contract for the completion of Orie EmeneAdoration Ground road (Adoration Ground section), Emene, Enugu East L.G.A and the extension of Nkwo Inyi-Akpugo Eze- Anambra State border road in Oji River L.G.A, at the cost of N418.654m and N653.268m, respectively. The works commissioner explained that the contractor handling the Orie EmeneAdoration Ground road withdrew formally, which necessitated the decision of the council to reaward the contract to another construction company, adding that the beauty of it was that “the government will not spend any extra cost but the balance of the initial contract sum”.
returned home from treacherous sojourn overseas, are catered for and protected from the vagaries of idleness. According to the governor, “I commend the Oba’s support for the returnees. This has shown that the Oba is not just committed to ensuring that our youths break loose from the grip of human trafficking, but that those who survived the hellish experience in Libya are catered for and do not have any reasons whatsoever to go back to their vomit.”
Noting that the Oba Ewaure II’s gesture came at a time the returnees need to be assured that they were not left in the lurch, Obaseki said, “This gesture came at the right time and will further complement the state government’s efforts to rehabilitate the returnees and reintegrate them into society. We are delighted and appreciate the Oba’s support since the onset of the recent campaign to stem the tide of illegal migration and human trafficking.”
The governor said much as the Oba of Benin is to be commended for the gesture, it was imperative to use the opportunity to call on philanthropists, wealthy Edo businessmen and others to support the campaign by also providing such palliative measure in rehabilitating the returnees. “We, at this juncture, want to call on our illustrious sons and daughters to join in this campaign and help our brothers and sisters as they settle back into society.
Uyo Senatorial District Reaffirms Support For Gov Emmanuel’s Re-election BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA, Uyo
Leaders in Uyo Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State have again pledged their solidarity on the administration of the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel and reaffirmed their support for his re-election come
2019. This was the hallmark of resolutions reached during a breakfast meeting held at the instance of the Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, at the Hilltop Mansion, Government House, Uyo. Speaking on the occasion, Governor
Udom Emmanuel acknowledged the support given his administration by the three Senatorial Districts of the state, saying that he is is highly enthused by the overwhelming persuasion from the people for his continuity in office. He said he would ensure implementation
of his development blueprint promised the electorates during his 2015 political campaign and used the occasion to appeal to the Elders to advise youths to shun cultism and other anti-social behavior, saying that the state government is set to clamp down on perpetrators of violence.
Obiano Urges Christians To Heal Nigeria With Love At Easter BY OKECHUKWU OBETA, Awka
The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano says Nigeria is simmering with bitter politics, calling on Christians to use the power of love to heal the nation. Obiano, in an Easter message signed on his behalf by his Chief Press secretary, James Eze, said, “It has been repeatedly proven that true national integration is never forced upon the people by the political leadership but mostly by the little acts of love and kindness that are freely exchanged between the ordinary citizens of the country.” He called on Nigerian Christians to heal the country with Love this Easter in commemoration of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ to mankind as symbolized by the feast of Easter. Obiano said, “The country simmers with bitter politics, rancour and mutual suspicion which can only be healed by unconditional love. “I urge Christians to seize the opportunity offered by Easter to reach out and touch their fellow Nigerians with love.” Obiano said as true followers of Christ, Nigerian Christians “should provide leadership in our country’s quest for peace, turning their swords into ploughshares in the truest traditions of Christianity”.
A/Ibom To Commence Production Of Safety/ Military Boots BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA, Uyo
A cross section of members of Rivers State Traditional Rulers during their visit to Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in Port Harcourt. PHOTO BY NAN
Rivers: 29 Prominent APC Stalwarts To Join PDP Soon BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port
Harcourt
The Special Adviser to Rivers Governor on Political Matters and Strategy, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh, has declared that 29 prominent stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will soon dump the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Emeh, who made the declaration in a chat with newsmen at his residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital, at the weekend, applauded the lawmaker representing Tai Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Dike, for dumping
the APC for the PDP. He said, “What you may consider the highest at the moment is the defection of an APC member in Tai because he is a member of the House of Assembly. There are more viable and utility politicians who have decamped to the PDP before this time. We welcome the young man who had come back to his home because all of us started with PDP. “There is still a group of high profile APC members; I can tell you for free, that there is a group of APC members, about 29 of them who are working to return back to the party. We are working on it and we believe that in no distance time,
such persons will return back to the party. “The governor has shown that the political landscape is big enough to accommodate everybody on the platform of PDP. It has now become obvious that there is no alternative to Wike in Rivers State. So why would anybody, who wants to play politics, waste precious time, in following chunk of people that have no direction.” Emeh, who dumped the APC for the PDP in 2017, said he returned to the ruling party in the state with 8,740 members of the APC, who cut across the 23 local government areas in the state.
Mkpat Enin local government council of Akwa Ibom is to commence production of safety and military boots. The chairman of the Council, Hon. Ekanem Brown who stated this in Uyo while briefing newsmen on his achievement revealed that the shoe factory which has started production will in addition to producing the military shoes produces durable and high quality shoes including safety boots, dressing shoes, leather slippers and sandals, school shoes (Cortina) and canvas, saying it is designed to be one of the best in Africa. The chairman who disclosed that 157 hectares of land had also been acquired for integrated farming programme of the council said that the council is currently cultivating tomato, maize cucumber, which is soon expected to turn in N12m to the council’s treasury after cultivation. Still speaking on his achievement within 100 days in Office, the Council boss stressed that besides completing and reequipping the abandoned shoe factory in the area, he has refurbished a 165 KVA and a 40KKVA generating plants, invested in primary healthcare and grading of rural roads across the area.
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Monday April 2, 2018
BRINGING THE SOUTH-WEST TO YOU
SMARTNEWS New Deep Cycle Solar Batteries Unveiled BY SAMUEL ABULUDE, LAGOS, LAGOS
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World leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, Trojan Battery Company Ltd has unveiled new sets of batteries, saying deep cycle solar batteries are environmental friendly and good for mega cities like Lagos. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, the Director, New Market Development, Mr. Ganesh Balasubramanian stated that the company was working with their Nigerian partners and master distributor, Eauxwell Nigeria Limited to expand their reach and make the newly launched products accessible and affordable to companies and consumers in the different cities. The battery company which manufactures its top of the range products in the United States and is in one hundred and twenty countries stated that its estimated worth was now five hundred million dollars globally. He said, “Our presence in Nigeria for decades has been made possible by the efforts of our partners in Nigeria and distributor. Presently our global worth is $500 million dollars and we want to surpass that. Nigeria remains a key country to do business in and we look forward to do more business with Nigerian companies and expand our reach beyond Nigeria to other West African countries. Our new range of deep-cycle Solar batteries, SAGM 06 315 and SAGM 12 205 is designed for best value in solar and storage applications. The launch held in Lagos afforded partners and distributors to network and seek better ways to develop the market for the solar batteries which is in high demand in Nigeria. Mr. Edwin Enwegbara, Research Engineer of Eauxwell Nigeria Ltd, the master distributor of the products stated that the new line of products is engineered with advanced technologies for high cycle, optimum performance and rugged durability which is a necessity in the Nigerian power landscape.
Experts Lament Lack Of Infrastructure Development
BY HANNAH ONI, Lagos
Experts that converged on Lagos for this year’s International Conference on Infrastructure Development in Africa (ICIDA) have lamented lack of fundamental infrastructure development and management issues in the African continent, saying adequate infrastructure is crucial to Africa's long-term growth. In his address at the ICIDA seventh
conference held at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos, the Chairman, ICIDA 2018, Obuks Ejohwimu expressed the need to deeply find a solution to Africa's infrastructure , noting that it is either at risk or not fit for purpose. Also speaking Laspotech Rector, Samuel Sogunro, said that physical infrastructure covering transportation, power and communication through backward
and forward linkages facilitate growth, while social infrastructure including water supply, sanitation, sewage disposal, education and health which are in the nature of primary services have direct impacts on the quality of life. He said , "Without infrastructure, Africa will not achieve the growth level expected or requested. Infrastructure planning and investment are therefore critical if Africa's huge
economic development potentials are to be realised. Shogunro added that, fixing the problem of infrastructure complexity in Africa is to address the void of fundamental infrastructure development and management issues. According to him, “One of the Africa's top developmental challenges continues to be the shortage of physical infrastructure.
Farmers/Herders Crisis Caused By Population Explosion – Ekiti APC Primary, BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke has heaped the blame of frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country on population explosion. Duke who stated this at a public lecture organized by the Nigeria Movement for Positive Change (NPMC) in Lagos said the development has made it difficult for pastoralists to graze their herds
of cattle. According to him, Nigeria’s population had doubled, adding that the productivity of the country is not commensurate with the population explosion. He said, “unfortunately we are still behaving like nothing has changed. Between 1979 and 1983, our population was about 90m but President Shehu Shagari spent an average of $25bn every year. So in four years, he spent $100bn. “The budget being proposed
to the National Assembly today is N8.6trillion. But in dollar term, it is $23bn. If you divide 8.6trillion by N360, you will get $23bn. “So you have doubled in population but your budget has reduced 38 years after. If after almost 40 years, what you are spending today is less than what you spent then and your population has more than doubled, then you can understand all the crisis that we are facing today.
L-R: Camp Commandant, Pastor Andrew Umoru; church secretary, Pastor Tony Asemota and moderator of the church in Lagos, Pastor Bayo Oyeyemi all of Deeper Life Bible Church during the closing ceremony of the church's 3- day National Easter Retreat held at Deeper Life Bible Church Camp, Lagos - Ibadan expressway, Ogun State, yesterday. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU
Opportunity To Regain Lost SeatBamisile BY ALO ABIOLA, Ado Ekiti
Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Olufemi Bamisile, described the All Progressives Congress (APC)shadow election in this state as an opportunity for the party to regain the governorship seat lost in the 2014 election. Bamisile, stated this while hosting delegates and party members from all the 16 local government areas of the state to an Easter get-together at his residence in GRA, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The governorship aspirant on the platform of the party in the state said nobody can buy delegates at the primary urging all contestants must play the game according to the rules. The former speaker maintained that the APC governorship primary will not be rigged in favour of any aspirant going by the assurance of the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun when he visited the state that a free, fair and credible primary will be conducted by the party. Bamisile said, "Money bags will not have their ways. Ekiti people are determined to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Imbibe Spirit Of Love, Peace, Tolerance For Nation Building – BY FIDELIS UGBOMEH, Lagos
The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has urged Nigerians to imbibe spirit of love, peace and tolerance as taught and practiced by Jesus Christ during his lifetime. The Speaker said this in his Easter message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak. According to him, Jesus Christ
preached and practiced love, peace and tolerance during his lifetime, adding that these are the qualities the people should imbibe and practice to move the great country forward. According to him, Nigerians should show love to one another, eschew violence, do away with actions and utterances that can breach public peace as well as learn to tolerate one another. "Jesus Christ is a symbol of
peace, love and tolerance hence we should strive to emulate him by being our brothers' keepers at all time," Rt. Hon. Obasa said. He urged Nigerians not to relent in their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations at all levels of government, assuring that the government will always put in place measures, policies, projects and programmes that will enhance the
welfare of Nigerians and improve their standard of living. “We are grateful for your support, cooperation and prayers for government at all levels. We will always ask for more support, prayers and cooperation from you while I want to assure you that government at all levels will strive to put in place programmes and policies that will improve the standard of living of our people," he said.
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NATIONAL NEWS 15 Troops Arrest Criminals In “We give glory to Taraba God for without God
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‘Our Captors Were Not Hostile To Us’ BY FRANCIS OKOYE, Maiduguri
The released Universty of Maiduguri lecturers who were abducted last year by the Boko Haram terrorists while on oil exploration have revealed that their captors were not hostile to them while in captivity. The lecturers equally said while thanking God for rescuing them from the jaws of Boko Haram, they as well appreciate the terrorists for not harming
them in their dark days. One of the lecturers , Mr Yusuf Ibrahim said this while fielding questions from newsmen during a thanksgiving service organised for him by family members at the Church of Christ In All Nations ( COCIN) Gamboru in Jere Local government area of Borno state. He noted that the experience of being in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists was better imagined, saying that God
has been faithful for seeing them through while in the custody of the terrorists. “We appreciate God and thank Him because man alone cannot free us. God saw us through everything that came our way. The grace of God actually helped us and our captors were not hostile to us while in their hands . So we need to appreciate them too , because they fed us too,” Mr Ibrahim said. He prayed God to grant freedom to all those still
in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists including one of their staff . “ The God that saved us from captivity will surely save them too .They should be strong and hold on to God . We are living testimonies to the works of God,” he added. Also speaking, Dr Solomon Yusuf, another of the freed UNIMAID lecturers who attended the thanksgiving, praised God for a day like the thanksgiving day.
this wouldn’t have been possible. We are all happy. We thank everyone that made this day a reality. Today is a testimony that we are alive and celebrating,” Dr Yusuf said. Similarly, elder brother to Yusuf Ibrahim who gaced the thanksgiving service, Ibrahim David Ibrahim, described the day as the best thing that has happened in their lives as a family.
Police Begin Illegal Arms Mop Up In Benue BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, Makurdi
In line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris to mop up fire arms, the Benue state police command has warned those still in possession of illegal firearms whether licensed or not to willingly surrender them to appropriate authority or face arrest
and prosecution. The commissioner of police,Fatai Owoseni disclosed this in Makurdi while speaking to newsmen during the display of some of the recovered arms at the police headquarters Makurdi. The commissioner said attention of the police was now focused on the prohibited fire arms as
stipulated in the fire arms act and other weapons that fall within the category of firearms. The commissioner explained that 46 different types of fire arms were recovered across the state, ranging from four AK47 guns, magazines, locally and english made pistols,126 live ammunitions and 5 cartridges.
According to him, a standing taskforce has been put together through the directives of the IGP and the command is working assiduously in strengthening it to be more effective and appealed to those still holding illegal weapons to willingly surrender them, saying the law does not recognize taking to self help.
BY JOY YESUFU,Abuja
Troops deployed for Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA in Taraba State in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police on 31 March 2018 have arrested some criminal elements operating in Mayo Ndaga of Taraba State. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Brigadier General Texas Chukwu on Sunday. Chukwu said items recovered from one of the suspects Amos Titus- 35, include; sheets of zinc, bed and locally made pistol. Other suspects, Palat Jafainal- 20 and Kingsley Benson25 were also arrested and items recovered from them include generating set, sewing machine as well as sheets of zinc. The Director also said one Rapheal Abel- 26 and Yusuf Abdulkareem- 20 from Kaka Tribe were also arrested and sheets of zinc were recovered from them.
Edo Azura Project: Speedy Delivery Demonstrates Investment Potentials BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City
L-R: Commandant ,101 Divisional equipment support, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Col. Anthony Umunnakwe Obiwulu; Head, corporate communication, Peugeot Automobile, Mr. Haroun Malami; Head, commercial PAN Learning Center, Mr. Yakubu Pakshar and Director, General, PAN Learning Centre, Mrs. Elizabeth Mordi during the commandant’s visits to PAN in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO GBENGA FOLORUNSHO ABIOLA
2019: No Alternative To PMB, Forum Tells Northern Elders BY SUNDAY ISUWA,
Abuja
The Northern Alternative Forum (NAF) has urged Northern elders to tread with caution in its quest for a credible presidential candidate from the region ahead of the 2019 general polls, saying there is no better candidate than President Muhammadu Buhari for now. The pro-democracy group gave the advice against the backdrop of recent moves by the elders and stakeholders in the North to get a consensus presidential candidate from the zone other than Buhari. The elders who converged on Abuja penultimate Saturday had said President Buhari and the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, both from the North, were not chosen by Northerners but were
rather foisted on the North and the country in general by some political forces. But speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, national chairman of NAF, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, said the quest for a credible candidate other President Buhari may turnout to be a wild goose chase, as no politician from the region has shown strong political will to change the economic and social fortunes of the country. He said, “After reviewing the outcome of the meeting held recently by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and other interest groups in the North, we in the Northern Alternative Forum have come to the conclusion that shopping for a credible presidential
candidate other than President Muhammad Buhari will only come to a dead end. “Apart from acceptability and credibility, neither the ruling APC nor the opposition PDP can boast of a political figure with the willpower to govern Nigeria with its current complexities. The search in PDP is quite herculean for them and in the APC the case is not different. We urge our very respected elders to tread with caution so as not to return the country to wrong hands like what we saw in the 16 years of PDP misrule”. Ibrahim also urged Nigerians to be wary of political propagandists in the opposition camp who are bent on taking the country back to the era of massive looting by “attempting
to destroy the goodwill President Buhari enjoys among the Nigerian populace” in order to install another corrupt regime. He further noted that the era of siphoning funds meant for arms purchase was over, even as he noted that the oil sector under the current administration had been purged of corrupt elements who squandered the country’s fortunes on frivolities. Endorsing Buhari for a second term, the Northern group said about 15 pro-democracy groups in the country have formed an alliance with it and that it has engaged the services of two ICT professionals from Germany and Switzerland to execute the 2019 campaign for the Buhari/Osinbajo re-election bid”.
Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the successful partnership between the state government and developers of Edo Azura Power Project has further demonstrated how much other investors can achieve if they invest in the state. The governor made the submission during an interview with journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital, noting, “The impact of the Edo Azura project is quite significant because it tells the world that things can be done properly and in line with global best standards in Nigeria, particularly in Edo State.” Obaseki said, “The Edo Azura Power Project signals the opportunities available in Edo State and what can be achieved. On the back of Azura, we have the confidence to continue to develop other ground-breaking transactions with the experience with lenders from the World Bank and other partners who supported us. “If we go out today to talk about investments in Edo, the positive experience of Azura will be referenced. It makes us very confident when it comes to embarking on groundbreaking initiatives or projects,” he added. Obaseki noted that the project signals to the outside world that Edo State is ready and open for investors to do business, as it has key elements required for industrialisation. According to the governor, “The state government that supported Edo Azura project is still open and in place.
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AN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE 11-year-old Jamila Needs N5m For Stem Cell Transplant
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t the tender age of 11, pretty Jamila Umar Mohammed is battling with sickle cell anaemia and more than ever before needs the assistance of kind hearted members of the public. Born with sickle cell anemia and her parents getting to know about it when she was about six months old, Jamila suffers severe body pains and organs disorder anytime the ailment begins. This entails that she has to be admitted to the hospital a couple of times in a year to be treated for hand-foot syndrome occasioned by swollen hands and feet. Miss Jamila who is currently undergoing treatment at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City, needs N5 million as hospital bills for transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation. According to her father, Umar Mohammed, while Jamila needs N10 million to be treated, he has been able to raise the sum of N5 million through the benevolence of some members of the public, with which she has successfully undergone stem cell transplant at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City while the results are awaited from Basel University, technical partners to Celltek Healthcare. “We are seeking the help of public spirited individuals to help us raise the balance of N5 million to cover for the cost of transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation”, Mohammed noted in a letter he sent to LEADERSHIP. He further noted that the family has expended all its funds; hence, the appeal to the public to further assist. He said willing donors could support by contributing their widow’s mite.
Donations could be sent to the following bank account: Account name: Umar Mohammed. Bank: Zenith Account number: 1003926359 For further enquiries, please contact Mohammed on: 08035888894
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politics today Monday, April 2, 2018
REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS
GROUP POLITICS EDITOR: MUYIWA OYINLOLA 08054701492 (SMS ONLY )
APC, PDP And The Spoils Of War
In the past few days, the APC and the PDP have been engaged in a media war over certain actions that are linked to their respective administrations. JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH, in this report, attempts the role of an unbiased umpire by weighing some of the allegations raised in the brickbats on the scale of truth.
APC and the PDP traded accusations against each other over the apology tendered by the opposition party, with each party accusing the other of looting public funds
It is a general perception that a vibrant opposition is good for any government in power. This is so because it is the duty of the opposition to put the government of the day on its toes. In Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the major opposition party that fits in that role. After promising to rule Nigeria for 60 years, fortune played a sad tune for the PDP in 2015 when it woefully lost the presidential poll. Sadly, it found itself struggling to survive as the opposition party. Just as one would have expected that the party was gradually recovering from disengagement trauma, the PDP got embroiled in a leadership crisis that almost tore the umbrella apart. A verdict of the Supreme Court, however, saved the party from going into extinction. Since the highest court in the land delivered that landmark judgement, which marked the end of the Senator Modu Sheriff-led leadership of the party last year, the PDP has been playing the opposition role as if the life ambition of its members depend solely on it. The ongoing media war between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP attests to this. Political observers posit that the recent media tirade is a welcome development. The thinking is that politics is not all about accentuating the weakness of your opponent but to also create vibrancy in the polity. So far, it has been a game of wits between the two parties. With less than a year to the 2019 general election, both parties have upped the ante of accusations and counter-accusations, with no sign that the media attacks will abate soon. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last week fired the first salvo when he disclosed that two weeks before the 2015 general election, sums of a N100 billion and $295million were fretted away by a few persons in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The occasion wasvthe 7th Presidential Quarterly Business Forum for Private Sector stakeholders at State House Conference Center, (the old Banquet Hall), presidential villa, Abuja. Citing the Strategic Alliance Contract with the NNPC and NDDC where the promoters of the companies made away with close to $3 billion, almost a tenth of the country’s reserves, Osinbajo said grand corruption was the order of the day in the last administration. He contended that there was no way a country will not have a major economic shock with the grand corruption that took place in the last administration. He said, “I must ask again what was wrong with the Nigerian economy and
Osinbajo
what do we need to do to correct the flaws. There are several issues, many of which have already been articulated, but I want to talk about what I think is the biggest problem which for some reasons we hardly talk about when discussing our national economy. “This is grand corruption in the public finance space. Sometimes the way we talk about the Nigerian economy it does appear as if it is the economy of say Norway or somewhere where all things are equal. Even when we refer to what has taken place in our economy we almost sound as if this is in every sense a very normal business environment, a very normal public finance environment but that is not the case. “I do not think that any consideration about our economic development can be properly and honestly done without fully analyzing corruption, especially grand corruption in the public finance space. You see that despite record high levels of oil prices, very little was invested in infrastructure and a record level of leakages were recorded in the past few years. “This is the fundamental issue in our economy. Corruption affects everything. It affects even judgement as to what sort of infrastructure to put in place or whether infrastructure will ever be complete. It is so fundamental that you can’t even think of our economy without thinking of what to do about it. “Sometimes when we talk about our
Tinubu
economy we talk about the fact that we have relied on single commodity and that is one of the reasons why we are where we are. Yes, that’s quite true but the fact is that proceeds from that single commodity was regularly hijacked consistently by a few. That is really the problem. If we had spent the proceeds from that single commodity the way we ought to, we won’t be where we are today”. Aware of the weight of the allegations by the VP, the PDP challenged the Osinbajo to name corrupt members of the party and provide proof of his allegations against them. Faulting the vice president’s allegations, PDP’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan argued that as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Osinbajo ought to have substantiated his allegation by providing names. Ologbondiyan argued that the Buhari administration which the VP is a part of should have used the evidence it had, if it actually had any, to arrest and try the members of the PDP it said were corrupt. He advised the vice president to stop blaming the party for corruption over the years. The PDP spokesperson said, “We challenge him to stop branding figures. He should mention names of those whom he claims corrupted themselves. If he cannot mention their names, and he cannot cause their arrest and he cannot even list these people, he should keep quiet.
“Our advice to the Vice President, as a professor of law, he knows the pathway to follow when you accuse somebody of corruption. It is not enough to come to the public arena, more so as a man of God, and begin to make an allegation about corruption always.” On the vice president’s claim that the Goodluck Jonathan administration allocated just N99 billion to three critical ministries – power, works and housing (they were separate ministries then) in 2014 when oil price range from between $100 and $114 per barrel, Ologbondiyan contended that the money in question was not released for the PDP’s use. He added that rather than continue trying to drag PDP’s name and those of its members in the mud, the APC-led federal government should tell Nigerians its achievements in the three years it has been in power. Soon after that heated exchange, APC and the PDP traded accusations against each other over the apology tendered by the opposition party, with each party accusing the other of looting public funds. PDP had admitted that its 16 years in power was characterised by misrule and impunity and begged Nigerians for forgiveness. But the federal government, in its reaction, told the PDP that its apology to Nigerians was not sufficient, but that it should go the whole hog by return➔ CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
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APC, PDP And The Spoils Of War ➔ FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE
ing funds looted on its watch during its 16 years in office. In a statement issued in Abuja, the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, challenged the PDP to show the genuineness of its apology through a discernible change of attitude. He said, ‘’The PDP presided over an unprecedented looting of the public treasury, perhaps the worst of its kind in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. Therefore, the best evidence of penitence for such a party is not just to own up and apologise, but to also return the looted funds. Anything short of that is mere deceit. ‘’Even with the paucity of funds, this administration has spent an unprecedented amount of money on infrastructural development and Social Investment Programme, among others. Returning looted funds will provide more money for these programmes and make life more meaningful for Nigerians. There is no better apology than that’’. Mohammed also reminded the PDP of the quote, ‘’If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging,’’ saying it applies to the PDP at this time. The minister told the PDP to stop sab- Secondus otaging the work of the current administration in its effort to clean the filth it left behind intending over the looting of our common through reckless statements and unfounded patrimony.” allegations. The PDP added that even international But fuming as a result of the sting from the bodies, including the Transparency InternaAPC government, the PDP chided the feder- tional (TI), had rated the APC low on integal government for accusing it of using looted rity, with the latest report showing that corfunds to put President Buhari in power during ruption and sleaze had escalated on the watch the 2015 elections and turning a blind eye to of the APC. its officials who are indicted of corruption. It “This is the same government where minasked the ruling party to end its false sancti- isters and officials indicted of corruption and mony and immediately return all stolen funds looting of public funds, particularly in the oil used to finance President Buhari’s election in and gas sector, which is directly under the 2015 to the Federation Account. purview of Mr. President, are shielded and The PDP told the APC-led federal gov- condoned.” ernment that it could not continue to play the The PDP urged the minister of informasaint when state governors, who stole hun- tion to direct his demand for return of lootdreds of billions of naira meant for the de- ed funds to the presidency and the APC “as velopment of their states to fund President Nigerians are expecting them to refund the Buhari in 2015, are still enjoying cover as stolen funds they used to scheme themselves members of the Buhari kitchen cabinet, de- into office in 2015.” spite outrage from Nigerians. Nigerians watched with keen interest as PDP spokesman, again in a statement, as- the ruling party and the opposition party took serted that there was no evidence that the each other to the cleaners. On one side of the PDP, as a party, looted public funds, just as divide, political analysts called on the APC he alleged that the APC and President Buha- to stop bringing up the past looting of PDP, ri campaigned for the 2015 presidential elec- noting that that was the reason the PDP was tion with looted billions of naira meant for voted out and the ruling party was brought the provision of essential amenities for ordi- in to clean the augean stable. nary Nigerians. But VP Osinbajo would not any of that, According to the party, the minister of in- as he vowed on Thursday that no matter the formation and culture, Mohammed, mis- antics of the opposition party, the governing fired in his outburst that the PDP should party will continue to talk about the corrupreturn alleged looted funds when the only tion perpetrated under the Goodluck Jonaparty known to have used looted funds was than administration. the APC. At the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium in The PDP statement reads in part: “It is, to Lagos, to mark the 66th birthday of the forsay the least, despicable that the APC and mer governor of Lagos State, Osinbajo said its federal government, in their arrogance, the Buhar administration was determined to would always try to play the saint when they change the narrative of Nigeria, known as a were elected with stolen fund and have con- country where corruption is perpetrated with tinued to reek with filth and sleaze. impunity Osinbajo, who described corruption “Nigerians are aware that prior to the 2015 as an existential problem for Nigeria, said, election, President Buhari had stated that he “The corruption of the previous five years was insolvent. He, however, took Nigerians destroyed the economy.” by surprise as he enjoyed one of the most exAt the same event , national Leader of the pensive presidential campaigns in the history APC, Tinubu, echoed the same sentiment, of our nation, while turning a blind eye to re- saying they would continue to talk about the ports of massive looting of funds from APC- alleged corruption of the PDP era. He said, “I controlled states. can see what the government is doing with so “Indeed, if there is any party that should little resources. But the idea and the fact that refund looted funds, it is the APC which di- they are doing it with beneficiaries and the rectly used stolen money to scheme in the fact that it is demonstrated in practical terms election of President Buhari in 2015, while is what we need to get our country from the known culpable persons now sit comforta- hook of corrupt officials. bly around the presidential table, still super“They even said that we should not talk
Ologbondiyan
about it. Seriously, what should we then talk about? After we came into office, we discovered the looting. After assuming office, we should then join you in the act and encourage such act?” On PDP’s apology, he said, “Please forget those parties. They will not come back to power. There is no nation that is not facing challenges. Even America is facing its own. Then who are we? How many years of democracy have we practised? We did not say that Nigerians will not enjoy. But we have to report back to the millions of Nigerians that elected us into office that this is what we found when we assumed office. “It is not an easy task at all. Dear Nigerians, do not take their apology. They lied. They falsified. They even changed figures. For 16 years, they made fake promises and gave us fake figures. And they said we should not talk about it. It is like saying after all they did wrong, do not look at me. Just steal your own. “We will not take it off the table…no matter how twisting the mind of PDP and their supporters may be. We will continue to talk about it because you wasted our resources. You did not do what you promised Nigerians, what you said you would do when you were in office. The market gave you the maximum and production was also at maximum.” But in a swift reaction, the PDP cautioned the APC national leader, Tinubu, to stop playing god because Nigerians have the faculty and freedom to determine the leadership that best suit their desires without anybody’s control. The party also advised Tinubu not to allow himself to be used a second time as he still bears a gross part of the blame for the enthronement of the incompetent, divisive, nepotic and inherently corrupt administration of President Buhari, which has brought the nation to its knees in three years. PDP national publicity secretary, Ologbondiyan, while responding to Tinubu’s speech at his 10th colloquium, said the comments of the APC chieftain ended up amplifying an admittance of the failure of President Buhari and the APC administration rather than being a damage of the PDP. The opposition party said without listening to the prompting of any politician, Nigerians across board have taken the liberty to accept PDP’s apology, which was made pa-
triotically in the overall interest of national healing, reconciliation, unity and cohesion. He stated: “The PDP watched with amusement as Asiwaju Tinubu struggled with words to appease President Buhari and give him assurances that he can win a second term election in the face of mass failure both in governance and in their discredited, rejected and troubled platform. “It was a direct admittance of failure and indictment on President Buhari’s administration, when Asiwaju pointedly told the President that the ship of the nation, under his (Buhari’s) watch, still needs to be rescued, almost three years down the line. “It is tragic that Asiwaju had to tutor his visitor, who had no policy direction since his election in 2015, by engaging in a revision of the programmes and policies of the PDP, such as the leasing system, the mortgage and pension schemes which boosted the economy and directly impacted on the lives of Nigerians. “More pathetic is the fact that the APC leader presented the PDP programmes as if he was introducing novel ideas in the economy. This clearly stood with our position that the APC government is incompetent and lacking in ideas of how to move the nation forward. “While we congratulate the Lagos Governor Emeritus on his birthday, the PDP considers it needful, to forewarn him to study the current ambience of Nigerian politics as it relates to the failures of the Buhari Presidency and the fact that the citizens have since rejected this Presidency and the APC, so that Asiwaju will not find himself swimming against the tide.” The PDP also admonished Vice President Osinbajo to stop diminishing his office and person by joining in the bandying of unverified figures and making unsubstantiated allegations of corruption against the PDP. It said, “The PDP challenged the vice president to name any corrupt individual in the rebranded and repositioned PDP or show any proof that the PDP, as a party, had ever been charged, indicted or convicted of any act of corruption. “The party noted that this would be a final caution to the vice president, who it also advised not to allow himself to be used by the APC as a puppet to peddle lies, falsehood and propaganda to Nigerians.”
Nigerians watched with keen interest as the ruling party and the opposition party took each other to the cleaners
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FEATURE
Monday, April 2, 2018
10 Things To Know About Lagos State’s Waste Struggles
Effective waste management is one of the basic services expected to be provided by any good government; this is no different for the Ambode-led Lagos State Government. Although the task is enormous, the government seems poised to deliver a clean and healthy city. Here are TEN things to know about how far Lagos State has come in the waste management journey:
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No fewer than 4 agencies have been responsible for waste management in Lagos State.
agos State is managing waste generated by over 20 million residents. It is not news that Lagos is Africa’s most populated city. Any individual or body managing a project involving this magnitude of people should be commended for even having the courage to dare, as the prospective challenges are bound to be numerous and unavoidable. With the rapid urbanization of Lagos, waste generation in the state has been on a significant rise. Lagos State is managing 13,000 metric tonnes daily with old infrastructure. The figure above means that 80% of the waste generated in Lagos state is derived from residential waste, i.e. waste from individuals and households. 13 million kg of waste is being managed by infrastructure constructed in the 1970s for a population of 3 million. What happened to LAWMA and PSPs? PSPs have not been forced out of operation, they are now called Waste Collection Operators. They have been recertified, licensed and provided with a loan facility by the Lagos state government for repairs and purchase of new equipment. WCOs (former PSP operators) are now focused on commercial waste, Visionscape is the WCO in charge of Residential waste. All Waste Collection Operators will be regulated by LAWMA. The previous system was working. Why change it? While waste was disappearing from the roads and our houses, it was building up elsewhere and constituting potentially catastrophic incidences. Ideal-
ly, waste sorting, recycling and disposal should occur at an Engineered landfill but for decades Lagos only had dumpsites at Olusosun, Solous, Ikorodu, and Igando. It was necessary to upgrade existing infrastructure, redesign the components; and increase efficiency. The Olusosun dumpsite is 25 years old and a ticking time bomb. This dumpsite which has stared at all entrants into Lagos in the face for years now had long been marked for closure. Although contractors intensified construction of the Transfer Loading Stations and engineered sanitary landfill at Epe to relieve the Olusosun dumpsite; the recent fire at Olusosun was catalyzed by methane gas combustion, not waste burning – a situation that the CLI is designed to prevent. The reforms under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative are proactive and when fully implemented would prevent similar occurrences. No fewer than 4 agencies have been responsible for waste management in Lagos State. Over the years, Lagos State has created several agencies to tackle namely: Lagos State Refuse Disposal Board (LSRDB), 1977; Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (LSWDB), 1981; Lagos State Waste Management Authority, 1991; and Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), 2007. Despite these, infrastructural gaps persisted - waste management facility commissioned in 2011 were dilapidated by 2016. The Cleaner Lagos Initiative is a waste management reform in Lagos State. To achieve bet-
ter results in waste management, the State government created the Cleaner Lagos Initiative geared towards addressing, enforcing and regulating the challenges in solid waste management systems. The CLI aims to protect the environment, human health and social living standards of Lagosians. 2500 Compactors are needed to effectively manage waste in Lagos State. At the point of inception, the total number of waste trucks in Lagos were less than 500. The CLI is working with over 400 contractors with the addition of 900 Compactors into the system. This number will continue to grow. All contractors under the CLI are working to upgrade their equipment and operations. The CLI is providing jobs and a boost the economy. Offering not only environmental, but also significant economic benefits, the CLI is poised to deliver over 27,500 direct jobs and 6500 indirect jobs. Most of the contractors under the scheme are local companies. Lagos State is driving behavioural change as an integral part of the CLI. To make the CLI work, Lagos State plans to campaign for behavioural change among residents, to embrace the three R’s concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycling of waste and conserve the environment. In the 21st century, Resource management is the goal! Ok, this is all great, I just want to know, why is Lagos still dirty? When the Cleaner Lagos Initiative was introduced, it was
agreed that PSP operators would transition from residential waste collection to commercial waste collection and work closely with the new residential waste collectors to ensure that there were no gaps in service delivery. Unfortunately, there was dissension between PSP operators and the government which led to a court case instigated by the PSPs who the withdrew from waste collection in the state leaving the yet to be announced Visionscape Sanitation to handle roadside waste heaps and residential waste collection simultaneously. However, although the expected “handshake” wasn’t initially as smooth as expected, these PSPs (now WCOs) have now reached an agreement with the state government and entered into a partnership with Visionscape Sanitation to work to rid Lagos of the unsightly heaps of waste dotting the city. The waste situation has and will continue to improve considerably as all WCOs work closely together to achieve the primary goal of a Cleaner Lagos for all. Right, I’ve heard- why are the reforms taking so long? As with any systemic change, plans earmarked for a longterm period can hardly be carried out as swiftly as would be preferred. A standard engineered sanitary landfill takes 18-24 months to construct; as this goes on in the background, bin distribution to households, roadsides, markets for large volume collection are taking place simultaneously. A reformed system cannot be delivered in the short term, patience and support of citizens is required!
business
Monday, April 2, 2018
NEWS
MONEY
CAPITAL MARKET
INSURANCE
INFLATION RATE (%) 2016
August September October
17.61 17.85 18.33
INTERVIEW
2017
16.01 15.98 15.91
ANALYSIS
Leadership Newspapers
INTER BANK LENDING RATE (AS AT MARCH 28) RATE CHANGE (%)
ON 1M 3M 6M
11.9500 15.0514 16.0237 18.4272
-13.60 -0.03 -0.27 0.15
We’ll Make Judicious Use Of ICD Facility – Jaiz BY MBAKAAN KWEN, Abuja
The managing director/chief executive officer, Jaiz Bank PLC, Mr Hassan Usman has promised that the bank will make judicious use of the $20 million line of agreement it signed with Islamic Corporation for the Development of Private Sector (ICD), the development arm of Islamic Development Bank (IDB), last week. According to the bank, the loan is meant to finance Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in order to promote financial inclusion and development of the grassroots. It also states that the line of financing would cover sectors such as industry, communications, technology, health, manufacturing, agriculture among others. He said: “We would ethically deploy the funds to develop SMEs which is our focus area. We are going to use it to finance the retail end of the economy with the hope of bringing financing to those financially excluded, in line with our mission of making life better for people through ethical financing.” The ICD management said the reason for extending such financing to some Nigerian Banks was because SMEs have crucial role to play in a country’s growth and development and “ICD has big plans for them.” “This is an important niche in all the member countries, especially in Africa. ICD is now focusing on increasing access to funding to the private sector by channeling the funds to established financial institution in its member countries,” ICD said. Group Business Editor Bayo Amodu 08118672002 Business Editor (Lagos) Chima Akwaja Assistant Business Editors Kingsley Alu Tony Awunor Correspondent Chika Izuora Reporters Festus Okoromadu Mark Itsibor Mbakaan Kwen Bukola Idowu Olushola Bello Abah Adah Chika Okeke
L-R: General manager, Small and medium Enterprises(South), Bank of Industry,Mr AbdulGaniyu Mohammed;executive director, SME, BoI, Dr. Waheed Olagunju; executive director, Large Enterprises, Mr Simon Aranonu,and general manager, SME (North), Mr Omar Shekarau during the Interactive session on the operation of the Bank’s Business Development Service Providers (BDSP) Scheme held in Lagos. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU.
Loan Loss Provisioning: 4 Banks Set Aside N297.9bn BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos
The implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9 which became effective in January this year, is beginning to take effect on the books of banks in the country as they set aside more funds as impairment on loan losses in their 2017 financial results. The 2017 full year audited report of four banks which have so far released their results showed a 12.7 per cent rise in loan provisioning from N264.38 billion to N297.902 billion. With the exception of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) which saw a drop in its impairment on loan losses, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank and Access Bank all saw increases in their loan loss provisioning. Approved by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in 2008, the IFRS 9 became operational on January 1, 2018, requiring commercial lenders to change their impairment model from backward looking to forward looking. With implementation of IFRS 9, banks now have to make provisions for excess credit loss rather than incurred loss, as the new policy wants them to take into account their operating environments in making bad debt
provisions. Analysts said the implementation would affect the ability of banks to lend as they would become more selective in their lending. Commercial banks in the country have in recent times adopted a more conservative loan book growth, as they look to trade in government securities to boost profitability. A look at the 2017 results of the four banks show that the impairment on loan losses of GTB, Zenith Bank and Access Bank had grown by 426, 203 and 57 per cents while that of ETI had dropped by 49 per cent in the last financial year. GTB made a provisioning for loan losses of N65.29 billion in 2017 as against N12.408 billion which it made in 2016. The managing director and chief executive of the bank, Segun Agbaje had noted that the increase in collective impairment was borne out of the prudent stance of the bank. The loan book of GTB had expanded by 15.9 per cent from N1.371 trillion to N1.589 trillion as at the end of the 2017 financial year as deposits from customers grew to N1.986 trillion, an improvement of 23.3 per cent over the 2016 figure from N1.610 trillion. Zenith Bank had also made a provisioning of N98.227 billion in its 2017 financial compared to N32.35
billion which it made in 2016. The bank had cut back on its loan book which was down by 8.2 per cent from N2.289 trillion to N2.1 trillion as at December 2017. The bank had last year grew its deposit base toN3.437 trillion a 15.2 per cent improvement over the 2016 deposit base of N2.983 trillion. The increase in the impairment of Access Bank was lower compared to GTB and Zenith as the bank made a N34.466 billion impairment on loan losses for the 2017 financial year as against N21.952 billion it made in 2016 representing a 57 per cent increase. The bank had grown both its loan book and deposit base by 10.2 per cent and 7.4 per cent respectively. Its loan book had grown to N1.995 trillion form N1.809 trillion as deposits from customers rose to N2.244 trillion from N2.089 trillion. ETI on the other had saw its loan loss impairment drop from N197.68 billion in 2016 to N99.91 billion 2017 as its lending to customers rose slightly to N2.86 trillion form N2.82 trillion while deposit base rose to N4.65 trillion form N4.11 trillion in 2016. A financial analyst, Panafrican Capital Plc, Moses Ojo, explained that “IFRS 9 compels banks to provide for items they have not been making provisions for before and would eat more deeply into their profits.”
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Business 101 with MBAKAAN KWEN
Ways To Prevent Cyber Crimes From Derailing Your Business One of your major concerns of a business person is how to make your business immune to exposure from cybercrime and its effects. Your fears are well-founded considering the increasing cases of cybercrimes, with many entrepreneurs forced out of business due to this nefarious act, Toby Nwazor highlights some effective ways to solve the problem thus; •HYPE UP YOUR SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS: This is an ironic statement, but your employees could be the biggest threat to your business. While they may not be directly involved in the crime, they are usually the door through which hackers have access to your information. For instance, when employees use poor passwords on their files or computers, they make their computers sitting ducks for hackers. Within a few minutes, the computers can be hacked. To prevent this, train your employees to make security their watchword. • ACCESS TO SENSITIVE INFORMATION: Making all the sensitive information about your business accessible to everyone is a good recipe for vulnerability. It is not wise to not know who accessed what and when. More so, if few people have access to such important information, it will reduce the chances of exposure to unauthorized individuals with evil intent. Restrict access to such sensitive information to the few people who have a business need to access it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY Association of Licenced Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) members have been inundated with incessant summons from different committees of the NASS.’’ National chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said.
Adebayo
28 MONEY MARKET
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Monday, April 2, 2018
Interest Rate Will Come Down Gradually – Martins STORIES BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos
Amidst calls and anticipation of a rate cut by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), director of Other Financial Institutions Department, OFID, CBN, Mrs Tokunbo Martins has disclosed that the apex bank is working on a gradual lowering of interest rate. The MPC meeting is scheduled for this week after it missed the first one in January because a quorum could not be formed. The National Assembly had recently consented to the
appointment of member of the committee and deputy governors of the CBN. Speaking at a stakeholders’ luncheon and introduction of the N1 billion Investment Note of Crownrise Finance Plc, Martins said there is a concerted effort by the CBN and the government to increase lending to the private sector. She noted that aside plans by the CBN to cut benchmark interest rate, the government is working on reducing its local borrowings so as to channel funds to the real sector. The director, OFID, however cautioned that a lowering of rates
would be a gradual process. She said: “Now the inflation rates have come down for fourteen consecutive months and currently at 14.33percent, I am sure those interest rates would come down gradually. I cannot promise it would come down immediately like we all want. “The federal government and the central bank of Nigeria are doing everything possible to bring down interest rates. For instance, if you look at the yield for the 20 year federal government bond, it has come down from almost 20percent to 13 per cent. “Even the yields on treasury
bills is coming down and the reason for this is because the federal government is making a deliberate effort to reduce borrowing internally and increase borrowing internationally for two reasons because they don’t want to crowd out borrowers here and because it is cheaper to borrow abroad. Crowding out borrowing here means the interest rates so much higher for borrowers locally. So, I think that is one step in the right direction.” Speaking on the proposed bond sale by Crownrise, Martins said, “I am very excited about this because this is the first feat of this nature in this sub sector of this issuance of N1 billion investment notes by Crownrise
finance plc. This is an exciting feat and would mark a turning point in this sector because it relates to funds mobilisation, financial intermediation and income generation.” Furthermore she said: “The loan portfolio has just been growing. From 2016 to 2017, it grew by 55percent and that was at a time when borrowing declined by 5percent in this sub sector. If borrowing declined by 5percent and the loan portfolio grew by 55percent what would have happened if borrowings actually grew? So a N1 billion bond into the market is a starter of how much more the loan portfolio would grow and if you have many more of this, it can only be good news.”
L-R: Publisher, The Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike; managing director, Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Ifie Sekibo; non-executive director, Heritage Bank, Mr. Timi Alaibe; chairman, Condero Engineering Services, Mr. Idaere Gogo-Ogar and chief executive officer, OSB Lifestyle Group Limited, Mr. Ben Owuapu Willie, during the SEKI, a Pantomimic Dance Drama which traces the American tap Dance to indigenous people of the lower Niger Delta Area, at the Victoria Island, Lagos, at the weekend.
NPLs: Ajibola Calls For Stricter Sanctions For Banks The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Professor Segun Ajibola has called for stricter sanctions for bank managements as well as more accountability from regulators in the event of bad loans that lead to crisis in the industry. An accumulation of toxic loans in the books of banks had led to the 2009 banking industry crisis. Professor Ajibola in his remarks at the launch and presentation of two of his books, Lending and the Nigerian Banks – A Practitioner’s Experience and
The Structure of Nigeria’s Economy (1960-2017) said a repeat of the crisis could be averted with stricter sanctions. The International Monetary Fund had recently raised the alarm over the rising rate of non-performing loans in the country which according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Financial Stability Report for the first half of 2017 had risen from 12 per cent to 15 per cent. The IMF in its own report which covers up to October 2017 noted that the level of NPLs in the banking sector
has risen to 15.5 per cent as at October 2017 with solvency ratios declining form 14.8 per cent to 10.5 per cent between December 2016 and October 2017, “reflecting difficulties in four small and mediumsized undercapitalized banks including one insolvent bank.” Ajibola who stressed the need for the Nigerian banking industry to return to basics, said “my findings show clearly near a total disrespect for the basic rules of credit in our clime. I watched helplessly how risk management was relegated to the background.
He said: “I made enemies out of the system by canvassing adherence to the rules of the game. I listened with pains and anguish how a preference for returns at the expense of capital was rationalized. For sanity to return to bank lending in Nigeria, thanks though to recent regulatory stance, we must return to the basics. The simple rules of credit codified as canons of lending, Cs of credit, etc. can only be ignored at a lender’s peril.” He opined that whenever a bank or lending institution runs into crisis, traceable to
bad loans, everybody that played one role or the other in the loan approval and management chain should be called to question whether or not such a person is still in the system. “Likewise, the regulators should be made to explain what escaped them during the cause of their inspection/ examination and supervisory visits to such banks/financial institutions. Our approach to meting out punishments during cases of bank distress has been too simplistic, and at times unjust,”he said.
VAIDS: Fidelity Sensitises Customers On Tax As the grace period for tax evaders to get on the right side of the law under the Voluntary Assets and Incomes Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) ended, Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Andersen Tax Nigeria has embarked on a sensitisation programme aimed at enlightening the bank’s customers, including its High Net worth Individual (HNIs) clientele on changing trends in Nigeria’s tax landscape. The Bank’s Divisional Head, Private Banking, Mrs. Chioma Nwankwo, who spoke at a recent tax advisory forum organised by Fidelity Bank said it was designed specifically to educate customers on the current tax system and its attendant impact on their businesses and financial wellbeing. “In view of the fast approaching federal government’s Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) deadline and the lack of preparedness of taxable Nigerian citizens, Fidelity decided to partner with Andersen Tax to enlighten customers on what is taxable and other related tax issues, including consequences of missing the deadline as stipulated by government”, said Nwankwo. He also pointed out that the Bank organised two streams for customers from branches within the Lagos and SouthWest region, while another session was held exclusively for the Bank’s HNIs. Speaking at the Forum, senior manager, Private Clients/Family Wealth, Andersen Tax, Mr. Israel Koledowo advised customers to conduct tax health checks to ascertain their financial status and minimise potential risks associated with noncompliance with tax requirements. While restating the federal government’s resolve to clamp down on tax offenders, Koledowo however pointed out that tax health checks will assist the customers understand inherent gaps in tax compliance. He urged customers with irregularities in tax compliance to take advantage of government’s VAIDS before the expiration of the deadline.
Markets
Monday, April 2, 2018
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STOCK INDEX (AS AT MARCH 27) Gainers
Symbols CP % change Custodian 4.96 9.98 Fidelitybk 2.68 8.06 Wemabank 0.99 6.45 Vitafoam 3.15 5.00 Mobil 185.80 4.97
Losers
Symbols CILeasing Japauloil Champion CCNN Jaizbank
CP % change 1.72 -9.47 0.59 -9.23 2.40 -6.98 18.70 -4.83 0.81 -4.71
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CAPITAL MARKET 29
STOCK INDEX (AS AT MARCH 27) ASI (Points)................................................................ DEALS (Numbers)..................................................... VOLUME (Numbers million).................................... VALUE (Nbillion)....................................................... CAP (Ntrn).................................................................
41,504.51 4,368 272.61 3.72 N14.993
Stocks Market Rebounds By 0.08% On Consumer Goods Stocks STORIES BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos
The Nigerian stocks market last week rebounded by 0.08 per cent amid bargain hunting activity, especially on heavyweights in the consumer goods sector. The holiday-shortened week closed on a positive note, halting two consecutive weeks of losses, as the AllShare Index inched higher by 0.08 per cent to 41,504.51 points, while the Year-to-Date gain increased marginally to 8.53 per cent. However, the Month-to-Date return remained negative at 4.21 per cent, marking the second consecutive month of loss. Also, market capitalization gained N11 billion to close at N14.993 trillion. Last week’s positive close was aided by a last-sessiongain of 1.72 per cent, which outweighed a three-session cumulative loss of 1.62 per cent, following bargainhunting. Among sectors, the Consumer Goods index was the sole gainer of the week with 1.73 per cent. The Industrial Goods led the losers chart with a decline of 3.98 per cent. Oil and Gas index followed with a decline of 3.75 per cent, Banking index shed 3.09 per cent, Industrial Goods depreciated by 3.98 per cent and Insurance index down by 1.18 per cent. Forty equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than 33 of the previous week. Forty equities depreciated in
price, lower than 49 equities of the previous week, 91 equities remained unchanged higher than 89 equities recorded in the preceding week. Glaxosmith led the gainers by 33.33 percent increase to close at N34 per share. Wema Bank followed with a gain of 32 percent to close at 99 kobo, while Custodian and Allied appreciated by 20.98 percent to close at N4.96 per share On the other hand, Japaul Oil led the losers table by 14.49 percent to close at 59 kobo per share. Diamond Bank declined by 13.49 percent to close at N1.86, while Champion Breweries shed 11.44 percent to close at N2.40 per share. Meanwhile, a total turnover of 1.541 billion shares worth N16.647 billion in 18,805 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.328 billion shares valued at N28.927 billion that exchanged hands previous week in 25,530 deals. Outlook For This Week This week, stocks market analysts expected bullish activity in the market as investors re-position to take advantage of the lower prices amid good corporate results released last week. Analysts at Cordros Capital said “still-positive macroeconomic fundamentals continue to strengthen our medium-to-long term outlook for Nigerian risky assets, while lower prices of value stocks suggest likely bargain-hunting in the short term.”
Dangote Sugar Posts N54bn Profit Before Tax In 2017 Dangote Sugar Plc has posted a profit before tax of N53.599 billion in its full year ended December 31, 2017. The company’s result released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange at the weekend revealed that profit before tax for the period increased by 173 per cent to N53.599 billion from N19.614 billion recorded in the corresponding period of last year. Also, the sugar refiner’s group profit after taxation for the year increased by 176.3 per cent to N39.78 billion compared to N14.395 billion in 2016, while its earnings per share rose to N3.31 from N1.20 in 2016.
The management of the company proposed a final dividend of N1.25 per share, bring the total dividend for the 2017 business year to N1.75 per share. The company had earlier paid interim dividend of 50 kobo per share. Furthermore, Dangote Sugar grew its revenue for the period by 20.44 per cent to N204.42 billion from N169.72 billion a year ago, which was driven by price of refined sugar. In the financial results, the firm said its gross profit increased for the period by 121.8 per cent to N50.99 billion from N22.99 billion recorded last year as a result
of different strategies the management put in place to save cost. The Group liquidity position improved from N35 billion to N41 billion as at December 31, 2017. The company’s EBITDA up 113 per cent to N51.4 billion from N24.14 billion, while EBITDA margin stood at 25.15 per cent up from 14.2 per cent. Speaking on the results, acting group managing director, Abdullahi Sule, said, “we are very pleased with the 2017 business year, with an increased revenue growth of 20.4 per cent over N167.7 billion recorded during the
same period in 2016, and N28 billion gross profit increase of 121.8 per cent, the best recorded in the history of the company.” For 2018, Sule said “our focus remains the actualization of our Backward Integration Programme (BIP) plan with focus on the achievement of 1.080 million metric tonnes (MMT) sugar from our BIP sites in the next 6 years.” He added that while concerted efforts are being made to leverage our strengths and maximise every opportunity to increase the company’s market share and create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
Nigerian Breweries Restates Commitment To Corporate Governance Standards Nigerian Breweries Plc has reaffirmed its commitment in ensuring good corporate governance standards. The new managing director of the company, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel made this known at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos, recently. Also, the chief executive officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Ony-
ema commended Nigerian Breweries for its commitment to corporate governance standards. Onyema who was represented by executive director, Regulation, NSE, Ms. Tinuade Awe described Nigerian Breweries as an exemplary corporate citizen. Awe explained that part of the Exchange’s core mandate
is to ensure that it continues to provide a robust platform that will attract the confidence of local and foreign investors. In his remark, the managing director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel acknowledged the pivotal role the Exchange has been playing in the sustained growth and development of the capital market and
the Nigerian economy in general, over the years. While restating the commitment of Nigerian Breweries to sustaining its relationship with the Exchange, Bel added that the company has over the years excelled in compliance and corporate governance matters. According to him, we have over the years received awards
and recognition from the NSE including the NSE President’s Merit Award in the Brewery Sector, the NSE Quoted Company of the Year Award and the NSE CEO’s Distinguished Award for Compliance, and the NSE CEO’s award as the Most Compliant Listed Company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He pledged the commitment
of the company to sustain its high performance in matters of corporate governance and compliance. Bel also commended the Exchange for the recent historic high equity market capitalisation of N15 trillion and for being the best performing Stock Exchange in Africa and third in the World in 2017.
30 NEWS/BUSINESS
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Heritage Bank Showcases Nigerian Culture At Terra Kulture BY KEHINDE SALLAH, Lagos
L-R: Paul Richardson of World Finance; deputy managing director, Wema Bank, Ademola Adebise and executive director, Retail, Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, at the presentation of the Best Digital Bank, Nigeria, 2017 and Best Mobile Banking App, Nigeria, 2017 by World Finance to Wema Bank, recently.
Telcos Drag NASS To Court Over Incessant Oversight Functions BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos
Telecommunications companies in the country have sued the national assembly (NASS) over incessant and overlapping oversight functions being carried out by various committees of the two legislative chambers. The suit which was filed at the Federal High Court Abuja, is seeking the court’s interpretation of the provisions of the constitution on the extent of the national assembly’s oversight functions on private companies, particularly telecom companies which are already subject to regulatory oversight by regulators. It is also asking the court to determine the specific nature of information which the NASS can lawfully request from private companies including telecommunications companies,
and whether it includes companies’ confidential information and information within the purview of government agencies. Also, it urged the court to determine specific nature of directives that can be made by NASS pursuant to the outcome of their investigative activities as well as declaration on the proprietary of the NASS to issue these summons and insist that telecom companies are represented by their CEOs and not senior management representatives whose job function deal with the subject matter of investigation. The suit filed by the on behalf of the telecom firms by its trade body, the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) is also seeking an order restraining the NASS from serving any further summons on
telecommunication companies pending the determination of the action. Briefing the media at the weekend on the matter, national chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said “ALTON members have been inundated with incessant summons from different committees of the NASS served on their chief executive officers to appear before several National Assembly committees, which negatively impact on ability to focus on their business operations. “The NASS’ insistence on attendance of CEOs at such session is without consideration of these CEOs reasonable schedule conflict or the fact that other senior management staff may be better versed and suited due to the nature of their job roles vis-avis the subject matter of investigation,” he said.
9mobile Debunks Claims Of Unethical Practices, Indolence BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos
The chief executive officer, 9mobile, Boye Olusanya, has restated the telecom company’s unwavering commitment to integrity and best practices as gold standards across its operations. According to Olusanya, 9mobile will continuously review its internal control and processes to protect the business as well as the interests of other stakeholders by ensuring it checkmate fraudulent activities that can compromise its operations. Commenting on enquiries regarding an incident in Kwara State, Olusanya affirmed the company’s zero -tolerance
for unethical practices. He said management has consistently dealt with all forms of malfeasance amongst its agents and staff as part of proactive measures to stem sharp practices. He said: “At 9mobile, we frown at indolence whilst encouraging maximum productivity, which comes with rewards. 9mobile has zerotolerance for all forms of unethical and fraudulent activities. In the rare instance that such occurs, we come down very hard on the culprits in line with due process.’’ Commenting on the incident, Olusanya noted “this was an incident which occurred in 2016; we asked the police to investigate the activities of a
Retail Advisor in one of our experience centres in Kwara State following the discovery of a fraud that was carried out via a compromise of our ‘WIN CASH’ application. “Nine staff were initially involved but only one was found wanting; the implicated staff was handed over to the Police to conduct their investigation.” Reacting to the import on subscribers, Olusanya noted that it was an internal issue and no customer was affected in any way. 9mobile’s primary focus remains superior customer experience, as such we ensure effective security features on all applications and go the extra mile in ensuring safety and security at all times,” he said.
BEDC, Partner Security Agency To Tackle Electricity Vandals BY CHIKA IZUORA
Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) has given a fillip to its fight against vandalism of power equipment across it network by partnering with a security agency; Operation Thunderstorm in Benin; a Nigerian army outfit set up in support of civil authorities to maintain law and order in Edo State . The executive director, Commercial, BEDC, Mr. Abu Ejoor, was quoted in a statement to have said
this at the presentation of some tyres to the Edo State Command of the Operation Thunderstorm to support the squad. Ejoor described vandalism of power equipment as a menace disrupting power supply to the public and causing customers unnecessary inconveniences due to prolonged blackout. He said: “It also deprives service providers the needed revenue, which could be used in network expansion and not for replacement of vandalised
items from these power installations.’’ He added that the donation was geared towards strengthening the operation of the squad to enable it to fight power equipment vandals. According to the statement, the command commended the BEDC for the gesture, saying it would enable it to patrol high-risk areas where power installations could be exposed to the activities of miscreants who steal cables and other accessories from transformers.
Heritage Bank Plc, has partnered with Yibo Koko in association with Bolanle Austen – Peters Productions to showcase some of Nigerian cultures to the world through presentation of a dance drama known as Seki in Lagos. The event which held at the popular Terra Kulture Arena was graced by members of the diplomatic corps, bank officials and lovers of arts and it featured notable celebrities like Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda Coker, Ibinabo Fiberisima, Julius Agwu, Ovunda Ihunwo, Peace Christian, Deborah Job, Opereke Jamabo Foh and Mercy Albert among others as casts. Speaking on Heritage Bank’s involvement in the project, the bank’s managing director/chief executive officer, Ifie Sekibo said, “Heritage Bank is doing this to preserve the culture of our people, the wealth of the people is in our culture. Heritage is what makes us who we are. So it is that heritage we are preserving so that we can transfer it from generation to generation. “We know this is entertainment industry and is a very big industry out there and there are so many ways we can capture the essence of who we are, our tradition, our values and this what they are conveying through this dance drama.” Seki, which is created and directed by Yibo Koko, a notable film maker;
is a pantomimic dance drama which traces the America tap dance to the indigenous people of the lower Niger Delta area of Nigeria and it is fused with cultural heritage. On what inspired the dance drama, Koko who used to be the head of production of African Magic with Multichoice said the idea “is to start our own thing without necessarily relying on the white race for the interpretation of our culture.” He said Seki, “is to show how rich we are as a people, how we can embrace our culture that it is not fetish but it is colourful, beautiful and wonderful and something we can sell to the world.” On why it was performed in Lagos, the director said, “It is to showcase what we have at first to a large audience so that they will not always associate the Niger Delta region with militancy, adding that there are a lot of positive things for them to come and witness in the region. Seki, the dance drama which was originally created in 1998 as, OwuAmaputi, was an official entry to the 10th anniversary of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. “It is a collaborative rhythmic agreement of dance patterns of different ceremonial dance groups predominantly from the Okrika, Kalabari, Bonny and Ikwerre ethnic groups in the lower Niger Delta Area of Rivers State, Nigeria,” Koko said.
We Train Emirates Cabin Crew To Be Competent, Confident – Manager BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos
Training manager, Induction Crew Training at Emirates Airlines training school in Dubai, Violet Anyonge has said that, apart from teaching their cabin crew skills in terms of knowledge, the airlines has a system whereby the crew are trained to be competent and also confident in carrying out what they are supposed to do physically. Anyonge who made this known while taking some Nigerian journalists round their training facility at the Emirates Aviation College (EAC) in Dubai recently, said EAC - Crew Training has thousands of attendees in various training courses, covering different disciplines from Safety & Emergency Procedures, Medical Training, Service and Image. She said: “Apart from teaching them the skills in terms of what they need to evacuate passengers in times of emergencies; for us it is also important for them to practice so that when they go out, they will be competent in terms of knowledge and also confident in carrying out what they are supposed to do.” Anyonge also said that the training college caters for both new cabin crew recruits as well as existing crew. Opened in 2007, Anyonge said the EAC Crew Training facility supports training in a number of key learning areas for new recruits, the ab-initios,
who undergo an intense 8 weeks of training, adding that the training centre houses a variety of specialised training rooms and equipment to support learning in the areas of: Safety & Emergency Procedures; Medical Training; Security Training, Cabin Service Training, and Image & Uniform amongst others. Anyonge also said that in the course of the training, there is also a dedicated Induction team who take care of the new recruits as they arrive and settle into Dubai, introduce them to the city and guide them on the culture and traditions of the region. According to her, Emirates training has both theoretical and practical components and the courses are conducted by highly qualified staff, many of whom are former cabin crew themselves. She also took the team through the EAC Crew Training facility is equipped with advanced full motion simulators including A330/A340, Boeing 777 and A380 that makes emergency scenarios for new cabin crew very realistic. She further added that service training in mock aircraft across Emirates’ fleet types and cabins makes sure that crew are familiarised with the aircraft in a true-to-life environment, while they practice serving different types of meals and responding to service requests from customers.
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FG Road Projects Will Boost Agriculture, Nation’s Economy – Minister The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Suleiman Hassan, says ongoing road projects across the country by Federal Government will boost agriculture and enhance the economy. Hassan said this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Sunday. Hassan said that the Federal Government was committed to improving roads, rail lines, waterways to enhance economic growth. “Our government is committed to improve on our roads, new rail way lines and more efficient waterways for navigation to explore economies in the hinterland to bring prosperity to this country. The minister said that all the ongoing road projects were to boost
agricultural potential of this country. “So that what is being produced from agricultural areas are evacuated to the industrial areas and markets for agro-processing, agromarketing. “And this improves the welfare and economy of those farmers and the industries that are processing these produce, even exporting them so that we can earn more money for Nigeria. He stressed that the Federal Government had made significant of progress on the ongoing road projects in the country. Hassan said that a lot of economic activities were also ongoing along the roads apart from creating employment opportunities for people working at the sites. “We
have made a lot of satisfactory progress in the past one to two weeks we inspected the work. “I just returned from Oyo State where I looked at the roads on Ibadan-Oyo and Ogbomosho. Work is going on and the quality is high and people are engaged. “A lot of economic activities are going on along these roads. Look at all the geo-political zones, you will see activities going on. “If you take a look at KanoMaiduguri road, Kano Western bye-pass, Kaduna Eastern bye-pass, work is going on earnestly,” he said. He expressed happiness by the way the contractors engaged people to work, saying that some were artisan, engineers and unskilled workers.
Prices Of Foodstuffs Crash As Nigerians Celebrate Easter BY CHIKA IZUORA, LAGOS
Traders of perishable farm produce especially vegetables are counting losses as farmers now flood markets across the country with their harvests which has significantly brought down prices. LEADERSHIP conducted a survey of markets ahead of Easter celebration and it observed that major receiving points in Lagos like the Mile 12 market are now flooded with tomatoes, cucumber, onions, cabbage, green beans among other farm produce thus crashing the prices just as traders lament they are not making sales. Mohammed Abdul secretary of the Arewa Perishable Foodstuffs Association in Mile 12 in Lagos, stated that because of bumper harvest farmers have flooded the market with tomatoes few days to the Easter. According to him, in the last two
days there was influx of trucks with tomatoes and because they didn’t have storage facilities, the traders were forced to sell at giveaway prices. “Before now a basket of tomatoes is sold for either N12,000 or N13,000 depending on the grade, but as of today, a basket sells for as low as N3,000 per basket. We buy each basket between N7,500 and N8,000 from the farmers and we are now losing about N6,000 on each basket which include N2,000 for transportation cost. “We also have realised that many of the trucks are meant for Eastern market, like Onitsha, Aba, Port Harcourt and other major markets in that region but they decided to bring them here. In this market, the capacity can take about 30 trucks and each truck carries about 400 baskets and each of the baskets weighs 40 to 50 kilograms, so we don’t have the market for all these volumes”, he lamented.
Also, Alh. Saidu Husaini, chairman, Vegetable Association of Mile 12 market said the Easter season has brought some shortages to them as lack of storage facilities has forced them to sell off their products without bargaining. For Cabbage, Husaini said the price was previously N3,000 to N3,500 but now it sells for between N4,000 to N4,500 per sack, while Cucumber which was sold for N2,500 and N3,000 now sells for N3,500 or N4,000. Green pepper sells for N6,000 and N6,500 per carton as against N8,000 before depending on the grade. The Green Pepper comes from Jos, in Plateau state. He said, Green Beans also from Jos, prior to Easter period sold for N8,000 per bag but now sells for N7,000, while Water Melon which sell in trucks has come down to N35,000 but he did give figure before Easter. He said each truck, (Canter) carries over 1,700 pieces of the product.
CIBN Holds AGM, Elects New Office Holders The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has announced that it will soon hold its annual general meeting (AGM), election of new office holders and other elective positions in its Governing Council, who will run the affairs of the Institute for a period of two years. According to CIBN, the AGM and election of officers scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2018 will take place at Ijewere Hall, Bankers House, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 10 am and 12 noon, respectively. According to a statement from CIBN, the president/
chairman of Council of the Institute, Prof. Segun Ajibola, FCIB, will preside over the Annual General Meeting. ‘‘The Institute has reviewed its current electoral system by leveraging on information technology thus, optimizing the process and giving its targeted audience access to a transparent, accessible and cost effective electoral process for a democratic selection of its leaders. ‘‘Electronic voting has been considered to be an efficient and cost effective alternative to the current classic voting procedure
which is expected to attract specific group of people, like young electors/voters to participate in the election. The proposed solution also aims at eradicating all known challenges and providing a complete solution with adequate level of security, anonymity, authentication, data security, tractability etc. ‘‘The system is designed for online voting from any part of the globe, hence, giving more members the power to choose even at the comfort of their homes and wherever possible,’’ the statement read in part.
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Energie Platform Honours Chevron With Media Award BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has received an oil and gas company award for the best company in Media Relations and Support during the Energie Platform Lecture and Award event organized by D’Alphaxristi Limited, a media/business development outfit in Lagos. The award was presented by a Deputy Director in the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Mrs. Pat Maseli at the event. On hand to receive the award on behalf of the company was Mr. Victor Anyaegbudike, the External Communications Coordinator, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA. In their citation, the organizers noted that the award was presented to CNL in recognition of its contribution to the sustenance of effective
media relations and contribution to media capacity development in Nigeria. The award followed a rigorous process of entry submission by different oil/gas companies and transparent authentication by an independent consultant, Energy Compliance Limited (ECL). Speaking on the award, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) noted that the company values the role of the mass media in setting the agenda for public discourses and moulding public opinion on variety of critical issues. “It is our practice to partner with relevant stakeholders (including of course, the media) and as a responsible organization, we have initiated and continued to implement programmes that aim at building the capacity of our media stakeholders to effectively
discharge their journalistic duties,” he explained. He mentioned some of these programmers as the Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) enhancement programme been implemented in partnership with the Pan Atlantic University and other partnership initiatives such as the capacity building programmes for media correspondents in the States constituting the areas of our operations in the Niger Delta region. Mr. Brikinn noted that since the inception of the AWARES programme in 2012, over 80 journalists from the print and broadcast media have participated in the programme adding that many of the participants attest to the value-addition of the programme in honing their writing skills as well as their proficiency in research and critical thinking.
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Expanding Insurance Adoption Through New Microinsurance Licencing Regime The current move by the insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to create a special licencing regime for microinsurance is expected to increase insurance penetration and adoption, especially, in the grassroots of the country, in the near future. ZAKA KHALIQ writes. The federal government through the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) recently launched a revised Microinsurance Guideline to cater for about 80 million low income earners in the country asb part of its efforts to increase insurance penetration among the grassroots in the country. The current insurance companies have, somehow, restricted the low income earners from the insurance system, running after conglomerates, government and juicy sectors, such as, Oil and Gas, Maritime and Aviation. But with this new guideline, however, microinsurers are expected to simplify insurance policies, make it affordable for low income earners and the poor, thus, deepening insurance acceptance in the country. The new move, it was learnt, is expected to increase insurance penetration from 0.6 per cent it is currently to over two per cent in the near future, as well as increase the annual premium income of insurance industry to N1 trillion by Year 2020. Investigation revealed that NAICOM has received applications from some microinsurance investors, with more applications expected in the coming weeks. To this end, NAICOM, who regulates the microinsurance sub sector of the insurance industry has lowered the capital base of microinsurance outfits to make it easier for many investors to come in. The revised guideline also classified Microinsurance operation into Unit, State and National License. For a National Insurer, such composite microinsurance operator is expected to be capitalised to the tune of N600 million, while N400 million minimum capital base is needed from a General microinsurance operators and N200 million for a Life microinsurer. According to the guideline, national operators are allowed to have presence in at least six states within the three geopolitical zones of the federation. For a State Microinsurer, the minimum capital base is pegged at NI00 million, while the regulator expects such underwriter to operate only in one State of federation with at least three branches or office locations, each in a different Local Government Area. For a Unit Microinsurer investor, such investor must be capitalised to the tune of N40 million, with operation in one location within a local community.
The regulator has therefore made it mandatory for these microinsurance outfits to make themselves visible and must be seen to be serving the low income earners grassroots. To this end, the commission had warned these outfit to stick to their civic responsibilities, while failure would lead to appropriate sanction. Microinsurance is an insurance developed for low income populations, low valued policies, micro and small scale enterprises provided by licensed institutions, run in accordance with generally accepted insurance principles, and funded by premiums. Microinsurance products are insurance products that are designed to be appropriate for the low income market, low valued policies, micro and small scale enterprises in relation to cost, terms, coverage, and delivery mechanism. Insurance Brokers, Agents Show Interest There are strong indications that insurance brokers and agents are showing interest in microinsurance in their plight to i ncrease insurance penetration in the grassroots. Investigation revealed that insurance agents are already nursing the idea of applying for microinsurance license. Some operators in the insurance agency system, it was learnt, are planning to pool resources together to meet the required capital base and apply for microinsurance licenses, wherein the partnering agents are major investors. This is because the capital base is too expensive for an agent to have one. Moreover, since insurance brokers act mainly as an intermediary between insurance companies and the insured, some brokers are showing interest in being shareholders in some of the microinsurance outfits, by the time NAICOM issue licenses to standalone microinsurance investors. They have, however, promised to market the products of these microinsurance outfits, even though, some brokers are already selling microinsurance policies of some conventional insurance companies. Speaking on behalf of brokers, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Fatai Adegbenro, said since insurance brokers are acting as a viable intermediary, there would be no need to apply for fresh microinsurance licenses, especially, since
some brokers are already selling microninsurance products of insurance companies. He did not rule out the fact that some brokers might want to buy stake in some of these microinsurance outfits by the time they come on board, but that, there is a percentage of shareholdings they can have in insurance companies, including microinsurance outfits. Meanwhile, the Chairman-inCouncil, Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN), Mr. Gbadebo Olameru, said the agents hope to collectively examine the recently released revised guideline on microinsurance and determine how to maximize opportunities therein. The guideline, he said, is one of the best legacies the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, has done for the industry, adding that the guideline has provided a platform for professionals to contribute more to the industry, whilst encouraging professionals to take advantage of the initiative to better their lots and increase insurance penetration in the country. Stakeholders’ Reactions On his part, the Managing Director, Lancelot Ventures Limited, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, urged professionals to leverage the guideline to deepen insurance at the grassroots, while cautioning the would-be microinsurance operators to avoid mistakes made by some microfinance operators, who left their core area of business to operate like conventional banks. Speaking on this development, Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Technical, Mr. Sunday Thomas, said, the categorisation and low capital base were meant to ensure influx of investors in this new microinsurance landscape, while allowing the conventional insurers to concentrate on their core business, thus, leaving microinsurance operation to these new outfits. Thomas added that the regulator has the needed capacity to supervise these firms coming up, as there are plans by the commission to float more branches and recruit new staff across the country to have a closer monitoring of not only these microinsurance outfits, but also the conventional insurance companies. He said the new arrangement will ensure that innovative Microinsurance products are designed for the low income market, low valued policies, micro and small scale enterprises in relation to
cost, terms, coverage, and delivery mechanism. He pointed out that the regulatory body is already receiving application from investors in a bid to deepen the insurance penetration, especially, in the grassroots, adding that, the contribution of the insurance industry to the Gross Domestic Products(GDP) will improve significantly as a result of this development. In the same vein, the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, has charged underwriting companies in the country to shift away from corporate to the retail segment of the insurance market. Kari, while speaking at the First Annual Insurers’ Committee Retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently, noted that the growth of
the industry lies in embracing financial inclusion products in the country. According to him, “It is this realisation that led the commission into introducing financial inclusion products into the market a few years back. We are glad that Takaful and Microinsurance is now taking firm root in the industry. It is also noteworthy that insurance companies have started to make good attempts at shifting focus from corporate segment to retail segment of the market. Earlier, the Managing Director, Universal Assurance PLC, Mr. Ben Ujoatuonu, applauded the categorisation of microinsurance licensing into Unit, State and National,saying, this will allow investors to play in the microinsurance market, depending
on the level of their capital. Stating that insurance industry is now serious about penetrating the grassroots through microinsurance, he noted that the highest percentage of the Nigerian populace lives in the unorganised sector of the economy, where microinsurance outfits are expected to play in. According to him, “The capital base is going to give opportunities for investors to come in, but there must be a defined strategy and products that will reach low income people so that we, as an industry, will reap the benefits of the huge population of this country. This business line will lead to rapid insurance penetration in both rural and urban areas and increases insurance contribution to GDP.”
L-R: Head, Research & Strategy Management Department, National Pension Commission(PenCom), Dr. Farouk Aminu; acting director-general, Aisha Dahir-Umar; company secretary/legal adviser, Mohammed Sani and head, Corporate Communications Department, Peter Aghahowa at a meeting in PenCom’s head office in Abuja, last week.
AIICO Pension To Train Unemployed, Underemployed Youths On Career Choices BY ZAKA KHALIQ, Lagos
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), AIICO Pension Managers Limited is set to train unemployed and underemployed youths on career development, so that they can make informed choices in life. The one-day workshop, expected to hold in Lagos later in the month, is themed ‘‘Preparation Meets Opportunity: A Window To Excel’’. The initiative, according to AIICO Pension, is primarily aimed at helping a large number of the unemployed youths make smart career choices by
exposing them to the rudiments of job search, expectations of employers in the 21st century job market, and appropriate self-branding. The event, the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) said, will also serve as a springboard for participating organisations to access a pool of diverse employable talents and trainable graduates with unique value propositions, which they can tap into when looking to employ top-end entry level executives and trainees. According to the firm, “We expect to have four main speakers who are experts in their respective fields to deliver papers relevant to the
theme of the workshop and a guest appearance by our brand ambassador, Ms. Ajoke Silva.” Moreover, it said there is also going to be an opportunity for one-on-one sessions with HR managers from over 20 organisations, thereby affording participants networking opportunities and a platform towards a successful career development.AIICO Pension Managers Limited (AIICO Pension) was incorporated in February 2005 and licensed in April 2006 as a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) under the Pension Reform Act 2004 now Pension Reform Act 2014.
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L-R: Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates; Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and president, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote at an event on polio eradication, recently.
Dangote Intensifies Effort In Making Nigeria Polio Free
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BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos
We are close to stopping polio on the continent but we are not done yet. We want to save the lives of 250, 000 child with application of right vaccines
enultimate week, Aliko Dangote, the African business mogul and his American counterpart, Bill Gates embarked on troubleshooting trips across and beyond Nigeria in their quest to ensure Nigeria becomes polio free. For the Africa’s riches man, “It is quite embarrassing that Nigeria is one of the only three countries in the world that are yet to be certified polio free.” The other two being Pakistan and Afghanistan. Therefore, for the whole week Dangote Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which have been at the fore front as private sector partners in the process of elimination of polio, went on assessment of the situation in the areas earlier affected by the disease and the neighbouring Chad Republic, where the two and their teams met with President Idris Deby and other key government officials in Ndjamena. Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. It is an infectious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause temporary or permanent paralysis, most especially in the leg. Children not older than 5 years are more likely to contract the virus than any other group, therefore the epidemic inflicts economic loss of colossal dimension on a nation as youths, the future generation, which forms a plank of the productive population are affected. Polio is caused by a highly contagious virus specific to humans. The virus usually enters the environment in the feces of someone who is infected. In areas with poor sanitation, the virus easily spreads through the fecal-oral route, via contaminated water or food. In addition, direct contact with a person infected with the virus can cause polio. The infection with poliovirus and direct contact with persons increase the risk.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), a country is regarded as polio free if no cases have been detected for a year. However, no cases of the virus have been reported in the last sixteen months in Nigeria but it is feared that it is still possible polio circulates under some prevailing circumstances as was the case, where a particular strain of virus resurfaced after five years in 2016 which professionals adduced to inadequate surveillance and undervaccinated populations. Even a single case is considered an epidemic. Over the years, Dangote Foundation has been involved in causes that guarantee healthy life for the Nigerian child and reduce extreme poverty among the vulnerable especially women. It was in this spirit that he had deployed his resources, for critical interventions, among which issues are bordering on nutrition, routine immunisation and commitment to eradicate polio. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) described as multiple factors hampering eradication of the virus especially in the North. Many of the factors, it stated in one of its report on Polio eradication, are embedded in the country’s broad socialpolitical dynamics and enduring chasm between the governed and the government and a decentralised governmental system that often neglect service delivery to marginalised communities. Some of the obstacles to polio eradication in Nigeria as in many other countries are the lack of basic health infrastructure, which limits vaccine distribution and delivery, the crippling effects of internal strife occasioned by insurgents’ activities which has turned some areas in the North-East as hard-reach. The visit to Chad was necessitated by the fact that Chad is next to Nigeria from North East axis where immunisation penetration has been very difficult. Any movement of the virus across the border might put Chad
into jeopardy hence the need to intensify immunisation in the country especially in the islands close to the insurgents’ enclave. Besides Chad is said to be spending less than before on vaccines and routine immunisation operational costs, both in absolute terms as well as a proportion of total expenditures. Therefore, both Dangote and Gates were able to obtain commitment from President Idris Deby to personally track the ability of the polio program to access and actually go to all 800 Chadian islands in the lake Convince with a promise to step up his political and financial support for routine immunisation. The Chadian President then signed a declaration, committing to increase immunisation rates in Chad and end polio in the region. Though Chad has not seen a case of wild polio since 2012, a 2016 polio outbreak in Nigeria placed those in neighbouring countries at risk, particularly children who live on the hard-to-reach islands of Lake Chad. President Déby reaffirmed his support to the region-wide effort to stop polio, saying “improving the health of Chad’s children is critical. I am committed to working with neighbouring governments to end polio for good in Africa, and to protecting more of our country’s children with vaccines against other deadly diseases.” After the signing Dangote said all countries in the region including Chad share a responsibility to protect every child with polio vaccine. Until this happens, the risk of wild polio cases spreading remains. Dangote said, “We are close to stopping polio on the continent but we are not done yet. We want to save the lives of 250, 000 child with application of right vaccines. Unless we protect all children in Africa with the polio vaccine, the risk of the virus spreading will remain. That is why the Dangote Foundation is determined
to continue working with Nigeria’s neighbours including Chad, to improve immunisation rates and end polio for good.” He stated that Polio eradication is a must because it is a disease that causes paralysis and in some instances, death. He explained that thirty years ago, it paralysed an estimated 350,000 people, last year there were just 22 cases confined to Afghanistan and Pakistan, a record low. But, the fight against polio is not over until there are no cases anywhere in the world for at least three years. “As a Nigerian, I feel that I have a special responsibility to make sure that Africa is free from polio since my country has been the one exporting the virus for so many years. “The polio outbreak in Borno a year and a half ago was a big setback. And a lot of work has been done to get it under control. Including your country. But I am concerned especially about the risks that still remain. Nigeria cannot reach thousands of settlements, and its islands in Lake Chad because of Boko Haram. And until we do, you will need to be super vigilant on your side.” Meanwhile, at the Sokoto Government house six governors of Kaduna, Bornu, Yobe, Sokoto, Bauchi and Kano signed a Memorandum of Understanding extending their commitment to counterpart responsibilities including funding to deepening coverage of immunisation in their respective state. Dangote urged the governors not to be distracted by the coming electioneering but to keep focus on the polio endgame. “That means we should keep the counterpart funding commitments; that we ensure the April and May campaigns are done well, and that LGA Chairmen and District Heads are involved in preparations and implementation of the campaigns,” he said.
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THE NATION’S
N E W S A R O U N D T H E C A P I TA L C I T Y Kuje: CAN Urges Residents To Promote Peace, Unity BY TARKAA DAVID
The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kuje area council chapter has advised all the residents to work for the interest of promoting peace and unity in the area. In his Easter message, the secretary of CAN, Kuje chapter, Sir Henry Ugbaja, described the period as a time when Christians must renew their commitments and follow the lifestyle of Jesus Christ. Ugbaja noted that without hatred and selfishness among the people, meaningful development would be achieved, while urging Christians within Kuje area and beyond to always stand up and fight for their faith through good works. He said that Easter period is a victory and redemption for mankind, noting that by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, He has paid the price and solved all our problems, as well as brought a new order.
FCT Security Committee Sets To Curb Kidnapping, Crime BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Security Committee said it is set to combat the rising cases of kidnappings and criminalities in the outskirts of the nation’s capital. Speaking at the end of the security meeting, held at the weekend, minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, disclosed that security agencies have been mandated to
strengthen joint patrols and to undertake other measures designed to curb any negative development. Bello gave an assurance that all areas identified to be harbouring criminal elements, especially around the Mogadishu Cantonment in Asokoro, Kugbo and other flash points in the territory, would be evacuated. The minister noted that although the FCT has remained largely peaceful, the increase
in small crimes have remained a source of worry, just as he assured that the administration is working hard to eliminate them. He expressed the gratitude of the administration to all the security agencies, as well as FCT residents for their support and contributions to the maintenance of peace in the territory, urging them to cooperate with the administration in its efforts to ensure the security of life and property.
Dikko Raises The Alarm Over Invasion Of Abuja Grazing Reserve BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI
Chairman of Bwari area council, Hon. Musa Dikko, has raised an alarm over the invasion of Kawu Grazing Reserve, located in the area council, by unidentified Fulani herdsmen. Speaking when he received the members of the ministerial committee on farmers/herdsmen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the council secretariat, Dikko disclosed that these herdsmen, who are not members of the community, have taken an advantage of the porous security in the area to take over the reserve. The chairman stated that his office has applied severally for police division to be in-charge of Kawu and Shere axis, which has borders with Niger, Kaduna and Nasarawa states, but to no avail. He noted that the Kawu Grazing Reserve was created in 1981, but frowned that as today, no meaningful development has been carried out in the area, adding that the facilities, which are supposed to be there, are not in place. Dikko therefore called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take the necessary measures to check the security of life and property in the area.
L-R: Chairman, Atiku Support Group, Mr Oladimeji Fabiyi; national president Turaki Youth Ambassador, Mr Ayokunle Akins and coordinator, Atiku Media office, Mr Paul Ibe, during a symposium organized by Turaki Youth Ambassadors in Abuja, yesterday.
Candido Warns Against Indiscriminate Giving Of Chieftaincy Titles BY TARKAA DAVID
Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has advised traditional rulers in the council against indiscriminate giving of chieftaincy titles to individuals within their respective domains. Speaking at a ceremony that marked the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of the Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa, at the weekend, Candido said that traditional titles should based on the contributions of the recipients to development of the chiefdoms.
He maintained that traditional titles should be given to individuals in the spirit of unity, so that they can continue to making inputs in the development of the area. “I will seriously point out that traditional titles shouldn’t be just an anyhow gift, rather it should be something that has to do with the developmental contributions from people in the society.” He added that traditional title holders should be seen contributing to the development of the respective chiefdoms and the area council as a whole. While congratulating the vice chairman of AMAC, Lawrence
Onuchukwu, who was among the recipients of chieftaincy titles, from Jiwa Emirate Council, Candido stated that the chiefdom expects more from him, not just in his official capacity, but even after leaving office. Responding, the vice chairman, who was turbaned as the ‘Jarumin Gabas of Jiwa’, pledged to redouble his loyalty and commitments towards the rapid and comprehensive development of the chiefdom. Onuchukwu thanked the chiefdom for recognizing his astute loyalty and quality service to humanity at the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the current
Bank Donates Food Items To The Needy BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI Ecobank Nigeria Plc has donated different food items, including three 50kg bags of rice, five cartons of peak milk, 20 cartons of noodles, three bags of garri, and vegetable oil, among others, to the less-privileged in the society, through an Abujabased nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Helpline Foundation for the Needy. Presenting the items to the president of the foundation, at the weekend, Ecobank Bank human resource manager, Mrs. Jemimah Pelem, explained that donation was part of the effort of the bank to partner with NGOs to strengthen its corporate social responsibility in the country. Pelem noted that the foundation has done tremendously well in the area of empowerment of rural women, especially widows, across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). She commended the initiative of the president of the foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, for what she described as “unparalleled gesture” in reaching out to the less privileged in the society, just as she assured the foundation of future partnership. Pelem used the occasion to call on other NGOs in the country and government at all levels, to initiate policies and programmes aimed at empowering the less privileged in the society. Earlier, president of the foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu thanked the financial institution for the donation, just as she assured the bank that the items would be judiciously distributed to the widows, while soliciting for a more robust partnership. Ahmadu stressed that the foundation was encouraged by the donation, adding that some of the items would be used to stock the foundation’s food bank, located in Kuje.
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35
Frontal Action Against Illegal Migration Recently, the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced sensitisation programme on the dangers of illegal migration. DAVID ADUGEANI writes on the essence of the exercise A recent statistics, released by the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has revealed that more than 1,100 people arrived in Europe by sea in the first two weeks of 2017, compared to 22,590 for the first 12 days of January, 2016. Also, of the 181,436 migrants who arrived in Italy in 2016, IOM said the largest number came from Nigeria (37,551), accounting for more than 20 per cent of total arrivals. In 2017 alone about 2,400 Nigerian illegal migrants were believed to have died, trying to reach Europe, while others were forced into hard labour, abducted, abused and sold as slaves. A fourth night ago, IOM also reported that 21 migrants were missing, and had probably drowned, after two boats, a rubber dinghy and a wooden boat, set off from Libya for Italy and capsized. IOM spokesman Joel Millman told a news conference in Geneva that 132 other people on the rubber dinghy had been rescued. Millman explained that there were one pregnant woman and 14 children with no family among the survivors, adding that the victims came mostly from West Africa. Last year, thousands of migrants were feared dead after their rubber dinghy sank in the Mediterranean Sea. Rome spokesman for the IOM, Flavio di Giacomo, told newsmen that harsh weather conditions were probably the cause of the shipwrecks. Apart from the harvest of deaths of migrants, trying to cross through the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, there are also the heartbreaking reported cases of how Nigerian and other African immigrants are sold as slaves for a mere $400 in
Illegal migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. North Africa. A new documentary captured by the IOM has revealed how Nigerian immigrants are sold for $400 in some North African countries, particularly Libya. According to the documentary that was run by the CNN, the thriving slave market is a well-organised syndicate where the male immigrants are sold to work in farms and mines, while the ladies are sold as sex slaves. The IOM statement had posited that its staff in the Niger Republic and Libya documented the shocking events on North African migrant routes, which they have described as slave markets tormenting hundreds of young Africans desperate to get to Europe through Libya. Worried by this phenomenon, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) recently commenced a sensitisation workshop of youths, drawn from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on the dangers of illegal migration. Declaring the workshop open in Abuja, the secretary, SDS, Alhaji Oladimeji Ali Hassan, noted that the reason given by illegal migrants that Nigeria’s economy is harsh, was not a justifiable excuse for them to endanger their lives on such tortuous journey across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea. In 2013 global slavery index estimates that about 29.8 million people are held in one form of slavery or the other worldwide. The victims, often economically disadvantaged young girls/boys and women are lured with promises of good paying job, education and better lives in civilized western countries, end up being maximally exploited, devastated and demoralised.
At destination countries, their travel documents get confiscated and with no money, no shelter and no one to turn to, they are left at the mercy of those who trade in humans. Children are subjected to involuntary servitude as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, agricultural workers and many times they are also sexually abused by their owners. They are usually subjected to physical and psychological torture in addition to threats of physical harm to their relatives in their country of origin. Once effectively trapped, they are forced to work under brutal and inhuman conditions. Some of the jobs performed by the victims are forced labour (at mines and in agriculture), forced begging, organ trafficking, unpaid domestic work, forced prostitution, sex tourism/ entertainment, pornography, bonded labour, begging among others. Delivering a speech at the workshop, the director general, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okah Donli, noted that the reasons for taking the risk of living illegally in another country are not only the expected improvements in income and living conditions, but also the hope of eventually being allowed to remain in the country, legally as there may be a path to becoming naturalized. Donli said that victims on transit en route their destinations are sometimes kidnapped for ransom, tortured, raped and killed, while some are forced into sexual slavery and labour exploitation, adding that the search for better standard of living is central to illegal migration, who works in dangerous industries, such as agriculture and construction.
Represented by the director, public enlightenment of NAPTIP, Mr. Arinze Orakwe, the director general revealed that prisons of South Africa, Malaysia and China etc, are filled with Nigerians who are illegal immigrants who also involved themselves in anti-social activities, such as drug peddling, internet fraud, human trafficking, prostitution etc. “Illegal migrants are perpetually watching out for police raids, which are regularly carried out and during which many of them have to be repatriated back home, when caught. In some circumstances, illegal immigrants have their organs harvested and sold in black markets,” she added. She also noted that the menace of illegal migration is dangerously trending in Nigeria so much that the citizens strive by any means possible to leave the shores of the country to find a better means of livelihood. A 21-year-old Nigerian immigrant, in a detention camp, in Libya, identified as Victory, said he left his hometown in Edo State and had spent more than N1 million and 16 months trying to reach Europe before he was captured and sold at a slave auction. However, a new dimension was added last week when a Nigerian jumped down from Nigerian-bound plane at Heathrow airport, London and died instantly, because he was about to be deported. Marking the World Day of Migrants and Refugees at the Vatican last Sunday, Pope Francis called for more action to vulnerable child migrants, in particular, adding, “We must do everything possible to guarantee the protection and defence of child migrants as well as their integration.” Hassan therefore called on relevant government agencies, as well as non government organisations (NGOs) to key into the sensitisation effort at educating the citizenry on the dangers of illegal migration. He also stressed the need for youths to look inwards and to use their potentials to realise their dreams in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria is a land of abundant resources which are not yet tapped.
In 2017 alone about 2,400 Nigerian illegal migrants were believed to have died
36 NEWS /FCT WATCH
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Candido Hails Minister For Adopting Community Upgrade BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido has commended the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for advocating community upgrade, as a solution to the lingering agitations by the FCT natives. Speaking during a meeting with members of the ministerial committee on farmers/herdsmen in the FCT, Candido noted that the policy of community upgrade in the territory would put a stop to unnecessary agitations and protests by the Abuja indigenes. According to him, “Community upgrade, as per the views of the FCT minister is a way of finding a lasting solution to the lingering issues that have to do with the Abuja natives. The indigenes have been advocating for reintegration, and the minister came with this beautiful policy of community upgrade. It would solve the problems of removing people and then bringing another set of people. The minister has found a solution to an age-long issue that previous
administrations have failed to resolve.” He reiterated that authorities of the council would never relent to keep advocating for peaceful coexistence among the people, just as he urged all and sundry to do everything possible to live peaceful with one another. Speaking earlier, the chairman of the committee and secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Alhaji Olademeji Ali Hassan, had informed the meeting that the committee was formed as a preventive measure against any crisis between the herdsmen and farmers in the FCT. Hassan stressed that without peace, no human endeavour can thrive in any society, hence the need for all residents of the territory to keep the peace at all cost. Also speaking, Sapeyi of Garki, Usman Nga-Kupi, called for attitudinal change, in order to promote peace, and pave way for the development of the people and society at large. Nga-Kupi also called for the promulgation of a law against carrying of fire arms by civilians, especially farmers and herdsmen, to reduce the propensity of violence.
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Food Bank Initiative Donates Items To UniAbuja Students BY TARKAA DAVID The Food Bank Initiative (FBI) has, at the weekend, donated food items, such as bags of rice, vegetable oil, drinks and other condiments to some students of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) in Gwagwalada, to enable them celebrate Easter. Presenting the food items to the students, a representative of FBI, Mr. Adewole Stephen, explained that the donation was part of the organisation’s
corporate social responsibility, aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden in the society. Stephen explained that FBI was formed in 2014 as a platform to give back to the society, adding that its concept is to make the world a better place, noting that the only way to make the society better is for the wealthy people to give back in form of services. According to him, “The idea of setting up the organisation dated back in 2014. And the whole
concept behind the setting up of the Food Bank Initiative is to give back to the society from the small I have gathered. I believe the society will be a better place if the wealthy among us can throw back to the society by way of rendering services to the people,” he said. Responding, the students thanked the organisation for remembering them, just as they called on other well meaning Nigerians to recognise the plight of students.
Clergyman Urges FG To Equip Security Agencies BY TARKAA DAVID A member of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Palace of Healing, Chukuku in Kuje area council, Deacon Amos Adeniyi has tasked the federal government to do all within its powers to provide adequate equipment for security agencies to enhanced their efficiency. Adenyi, also appealed to the government to allocate more resources to security
outfits to upgrade their equipment, especially the police, saying that provision of modern equipment and adequate training would boost protection of lives and property. He noted that the Nigeria Police and its personnel lack observatory skills and proper training programme that would give them the mental, required to keep tap on criminal gangs. The clergy said security
of lives and property should be given priority by the government, calling for a special training to equip the police and other security agencies to enable them identify criminal gangs. Adeniyi also urged the government to investigate the recent killings and attacks in some part of the country with a view to bringing those behind it to book.
Ohaneze Suspends Eze Igbo Of Abuja BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI The Conference of Igbo Community Assembly Executives (CICAE), Abuja chapter, which is an arm of Ohaneze Ndigbo, has announced the suspension of Eze Igbo 1, of Abuja, HRH, Eze Nwosu Ibe. Coordinator of the conference, Engr. John Ogbu, who disclosed this, alleged that the Eze Igbo has refused to tender account of his activities in Igbo Community Assembly in the past years as requested by the conference. Ogbu also alleged that the Eze Igbo had floated another parallel association, known as Igbo Community Association, against Igbo Community Assembly and installed himself as their leader. He continued: “He has caused a lot of disunity and anomalies among Ndigbo in FCT. Against the FCT Ohaneze Constitution, he
has single handedly created extra 67 units, added to the existing 27 units. In these newly created units, he had installed Ochigbos and Anyigbos without regard to the Constitution of Ohaneze Ndigbo in FCT. “The problems he had caused for Ndigbo in FCT will take time to be settled. The FCT indigenes have only 17 graded chief headed by the Ona of Abaji and we the Igbo should have followed suit by having 17 Ochigbos and several Ayaigbos under them.” However, in his reaction, HRH Eze Nwosu Ibe told LEADESHIP that the CICAE is an illegal group that does not have any right to suspend him as the paramount ruler of Igbo community in Abuja. Ibe said he is yet to receive any suspension letter from this group, which he described as faceless and nonexistent, adding that he still remains the Eze Igbo 1of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Artists from Aqui Agora entertaining people during the Easter holiday at the Millennium Park in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO NAN
National Identity Number Will Curb Illegal Migration – FCTA BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has maintained that the ongoing registration of national identity number (NIN) by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is a vital tool in checking the
influx of illegal immigrants in the country. Speaking during the flag off of a public awareness exercise put together by the FCTA in conjunction with NIMC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Abaji at the weekend, the acting director, FCTA chieftaincy
affairs and community development, Alhaji Jubrin Shaba, explained that the exercise was targeted at the grassroots in a bid to educate them about the immense benefits of having their national identity number. Shaba called on residents of the area
to register along with members of their households, including children. Also speaking, a staff of NIMC, Mrs. Jemila Ahmad Muhammad stressed the important for every Nigerian to take part in the exercise, adding that a time is coming when it
would be compulsory for all Nigerians to have the national identity number. The Ona of Abaji, HRH, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa urged residents of Abaji to ensure that they are captured in the exercise so that they can be recognised as citizens of Nigeria.
Yunusa appealed to the Imams and Pastors to educate their congregation on the exercise, just as he urged NIMC to employ indigenous youths in community awareness programmes as they would be better equipped to educate people in their various communities.
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NATIONAL NEWS 37
Reps Urge PMB To Sign Roads Reform Bill ADEBIYI ADEDAPO, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Works, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Federal Roads Authority, (FRA) bill into law, so as to ensure rapid transformation of the Nigerian roads sector. Chairman of the committee, Hon Toby Okechukwu gave the advice in a chat with journalists, weekend in Abuja. He noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration stands the chance of rewriting the history of the the Nigerian roads sector if he endorses the bill immediately. According to him, the bill, if passed into law will manage the federal roads network so that it’s safe and efficient with a view to meeting the socioeconomic demands of the nation and promote the sustainable development and operation of the road sector. “This piece of legislation has been on a legislative sojourn since 1971 and has failed to see the light of the day until we decided to hold the bull by the horns and passed it just last week. As a Committee we are grateful to the Speaker because he had to take the Bill himself in the absence of the deputy speaker, we actually had to amend our Rules for him to be able to sit as Chairman of the Committee to consider the report. The Federal Roads Authority Bill is one of the reform bills that have passed through the House, actually we are concurring what the Senate has passed,” he said. “We had earlier on passed the Roads Fund Bill, these are fundamental reform bills that will make it possible for us to perform in accordance to what happens in other jurisdictions; it means the road sector will now be functional, they would be able to raise funds through other sources, they will be able to commercialize the roads, they would have road user charges that would eventually seed capital for funding the road sector. Essentially what we do annually is to intervene through appropriation and most of the times you will find out the contractors know the budget more than you who is preparing it; once the road is not in the budget they will disappear, they will down their tools but with the seed capital which you can get from the Roads Fund, it will now be possible for you to have fund even if you are raising about a 100billion, the combined effect of that with annual Appropriation Bill will be significant in such a way that you would be able to maintain your roads, you will be able to develop new ones,”he added.
R-L: Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya during the activities marking the latter’s 40 years on the throne in Bauchi State on Saturday.
Ekiti Guber: Fayemi Set To Declare Interest BY ALO ABIOLA, Ado Ekiti
Indications have emerged that Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi will soon declare his intention to contest the July 24, Ekiti state governorship election. Fayemi who was the governor of the state between 2010-2014 in an interview with newsmen at his Isan Ekiti country home yesterday hinted that his formal notification of intention to the APC leadership would be followed by a public declaration rally at a date yet to be announced.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said his formal declaration at the state party secretariat will be held at the appropriate time as he does not want to disregard the directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He premised his decision to vie for the seat again on what he described as the pangs of poverty, frustrations and misery of Ekiti people and not just his personal ambition. Fayemi had earlier on Saturday evening met with members, ward, local government and state execu-
tives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cautioned members and aspirants against campaign of calumny. He enjoined them to shun acts of discord and work towards a common goal to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July. The minister also issued a red card to the party amidst cheers from the mammoth crowd of party supporters that graced the meeting. “Whoever we are supporting, let them tell us their manifestoes and what they intend to do for the people
to the public and not to bring down other aspirants. Election can’t be won on social media. Let us mobilize our people to come out and vote for APC. What we must not do is to denigrate any aspirant because he is not our preferred candidate. Party is owned by both members and aspirants and not the other way round. “We must follow and adhere to INEC rules and regulation and constitution of the party. The electioneering according to INEC will start April 14, exactly three months to the election.”
LEADERSHIP Credible Media Outfit, Says Air Peace Boss BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos
Chairman/chief executive officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema has described LEADERSHIP Group Limited as a very credible newspaper, stressing that it is the credibility of the newspaper that made him embrace the LEADERSHIP Award extended to the airline. The
Nigeria’s most influential newspaper had recently announced Air Peace as the ‘Company of the Year 2018’ in its LEADERSHIP Award series to be held soon. Speaking on the upcoming award, Onyema said that Air Peace decided to accept the ‘Company of the Year Award’ because LEADERSHIP Newspaper is one of the most serious media outfits in the country. Onyema
said, “it is a very credible media outfit and it gladdened my heart when we received the award letter notification. We didn’t know how it was conducted and the time it was done because we were not approached and no money exchanged hands. They did this on their own.” The airline operator pointed out that getting an award like this from LEADERSHIP is something Air Peace
will celebrate because the recognition is coming from a very credible source which means the airline is doing something right. He said Air Peace is happy being associated with this award and that it is going to motivate the carrier to do more. “It is going to be a challenge to us not to drop the ball but to continue doing what gave us this and we hope to receive it in 2018 again”, he said.
2019: PDP Alleges Clampdown Plot On Opposition, CSOs, Others BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged plot by what it called certain agents of the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to clamp down on key members of the opposition parties ahead of the 2019 general elections. According to the party,part of this hei-
nous plot is also to arrest members of the civil society, opinion leaders, the media and professional groups who refused to buy into the fabrications, lies, deceptions and propaganda of the APC and the federal government. A statement by PDP national publicity secretary, Kola Olagbondiyan, said they have been reliably informed that the plot against opposition will be hinged on trump up charges of corruption, allega-
tions of plotting to disrupt the processes leading to the 2019 general elections as well as alleged politicisation of security issues in the country. The statement added, “the first leg of this scheme is to commence a vicious intimidation and harassment of PDP members who have refused to succumb to pressure to join the APC in their undemocratic quest to create room for a one party state in Nigeria.
“This will be followed by arrests, detention as well as jailing of members of the opposition and others perceived to be opposed to the interests of the APC ahead of the elections. “It is important to state that the trajectory of our political history neither provides a space for a one party state nor a self-succession shenanigan that seeks occupation of political offices without elections,” the major opposition party said.
99% Of Our Elites Don’t Invest In Nigeria –Bishop Kukah BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah yesterday lamented that, Nigeria and Nigerians are poor because a good percentage of her elites invest outside the shores of the country to the detriment of Nigerian people. Kukak, who insisted that Nigerian elites were making other nations’ economy blossom, however appealed that they should have a rethink towards making the nation better.
“While there are hunger, poverty, under-development in the land, the economy of India is growing courtesy of rich Nigerians. Ninety-nine percent of our elites are the ones keeping the economy of South Africa,” Kukah said. Speaking during the celebration of Christ Resurrection Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas’s Chaplaincy, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, (UDUS), Bishop Kukah advised Nigerian leaders and other influential political figures to embrace integrity
and abandon the culture of personal enrichment. The revered Bishop further blamed poor parenting for some of the challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation. While admonishing Nigerians to start thinking of a new country where laws and orders are supreme, Kukah said poor parenting was a reflection of the country’s leadership. He also decried how Nigerian leaders could not meet up with the basic needs of her citizenry, despite the abundant human and nat-
ural blessings endowed the country by God. “It is quite unfortunate that we have to rely on the benevolence of former US President, Jimmy Carter and Bill Gates to fight hook worm and polio”. Bishop Kukah also appealed to all Nigerians to respect the provisions of the constitution, saying, hence it’s clear on some issues that guarantee peace. “The greatest threat to us as a country is the inability to live according to the letters of our constitution.”
38 NATIONAL NEWS No Going Back On Making Lagos Waterways Safe – Ambode BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said that his administration will make the right investment in the coastline asset of the state to make it cleaner and safer to boost water transportation and tourism. Ambode, who said this at the 2018 edition of the annual Lagos Boat Regatta held at the Lagoon Waterfront in Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, said though there had been significant investment in waterways, the State Government nonetheless would continue to make further investments and partnerships in the channelisation of the water routes, as well as provision of more standard jetties and ferries. The governor, who was represented by the deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, recalled the last time a boat regatta was organised simultaneously in four locations across the state as part of activities to mark the Lagos at 50 celebration last year, saying that the success of the event again brought the treasure of the waterways in the state to the fore, and the need to invest more in the sector. He said, “We have expanded the scope of this wonderful fanfare last year when we held the boat Regatta parade simultaneously at four different venues to celebrate the golden jubilee anniversary of the creation of our state. The success of that experience reassured us of the treasure that our waterways represent and why we must nurture this God-given asset as a major tourist attraction. “We have made a modest investment in a few luxury boats that are meant to target tourism promotion. The Lagos lagoon boasts of perhaps the busiest water route in West Africa. There is a vibrant boat club with members’ boat collection that is astonishing; there is a growing interest in surfing and our waterways are acknowledged as one of the best for scuba diving in the world. “This is why our determination will not waver in making our waterways cleaner and safer with further investments and partnerships in the channelisation of the water routes, in the provision of more standard jetties and ferries.”
Monday, April 2, 2018
Easter: Nigeria On The Path Of Resurrection, Progress – Osinbajo
BY JONATHAN NDA - ISAIAH, Abuja
As Christians in the world celebrate this year’s Easter, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said Nigeria is on the path of resurrection and progress. Osinbajo made the remark in a chat with the State House Correspondents shortly after the Easter Service at the Aso Villa Chapel, Abuja. He said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ implied that the country is moving out of its present challenges to a greater hope and peace. ‘’The resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a strong and powerful message to the nation. ‘’The message is that our nation
is on the path of resurrection, the path of progress and the path of elevation. ‘’We are moving out from all our challenges and we are going to a place of greater hope, peace and prosperity and abundance for all of us,” he said. The Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, who delivered a sermon on: “The Temporary Hour of Darkness,” said Nigeria is going to rise again. He said that the resurrection of Christ signified that darkness can only reign but for a while. ‘’According to the message, today, darkness only reign for a while. No natter the evil, the problem we are facing, just as Jesus only laid in
the grave for three days, all these will be over. ‘’As long as Jesus rose from the dead, we are going to rise again, even all of you listening to me,” he said. He called on all Nigerians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind. He said: ‘’In terms of sacrifice, we have to emulate the life of Jesus Christ ‘’He sacrificed for mankind. And we are liberated and celebrating because he paid the sacrifice. ‘’We are all call to do our role in giving that sacrifice that will bring the liberation, the greatness of our nation.”
Kebbi Deputy Gov Knocks TY Danjuma Over Self-defence Call BY YAHYA SARKI, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State deputy governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe Dabai , has condemned Gen TY Danjuma for chastising the military and urging Nigerians to defend themselves in the face of herder attacks across the country. Dabai described the the speech by Gen Danjuma at the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University (TSU) in Jalingo as un-
called for and capable of plunging the country into state of chaos and anarchy. According to Dabai , the military general was wrong by disregarding the constituted authorities especially the military he served as Chief of Army Staff to call on people to take up arms and defend themselves. ‘’Honestly, I feel disappointed that a senior officer of his rank and status in the country is saying
the military has connived with the militia to launch attack on Nigerians, how can that be possible. “Why is TY Danjuma calling on people to carry arms and defend themselves, i think the general should think twice and apologized to the military, he should understand the kind of complexity, the kind of battle the Nigerian army is facing now is quite different from his time as the military Chief,” he said.
Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called for support for autistic children and their parents, for braving the odds in society and building meaningful lives despite the scarcity of support structures for people living with the condition. The governor, who said this in commemoration of the World Autism Awareness Day 2018, marked by the United Nations, said that
BY YAHYA SARKI, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State police command has confirmed the release of the Chief Imam of Senchi in Danko/ Wasagu local government area, Alhaji Mode Senchi. Senchi was kidnapped by unknown men on March 18. The commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Kabiru, made the confirmation while addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday. “The Chief Imam Senchi, Alhaji Mode Senchi, who was reportedly kidnapped on March, 18 was rescued on March, 28, in good health and has been reunited with his family,” he said. According to him, efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects connected with the incident. Kabiru recalled that the chief Imam was earlier abducted in 2017 by unknown men, adding that he had to pay N13 million ransom before he could be released. “But this time around, no ransom has been paid and we will soon get the suspects as our men will not leave any stone unturned for any criminal in this state.” He also disclosed that the command arrested three suspected armed robbers on March, 28 with three locally made guns, based on intelligence report, adding that investigation had commenced on the matter.
Kogi Gov’s Wife Urges Christians To Embrace Lessons Of Easter BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja
The spirit of Esther celebration Fish mongers on Holiday in Lagos. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU
Obaseki Calls For Support For People With Special Needs BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City
Kidnapped Kebbi Chief Imam Regains Freedom
the state government was reforming its health and education sectors to meet the needs of persons in society with autism and related health conditions. According to him, “On this day, it is important to acknowledge the strength and determination of children with special needs, especially autistic children, to carve out a living despite the odds in society. Their strength and bravery are worthy of commendation.” Obaseki said the parents of
these children, who have toiled day and night, must be saluted as they have shown tremendous support and resilience in ensuring that their children do not feel left behind. “Their sacrifices, even in the face of trauma and stigma, their bravery in the pursuit of comfort for their children should not go unnoticed. These parents are super, in all ramifications,” he added. He said the state government is working on reforms that
will meet the needs of people with special conditions, adding, “We are determined to support children and others with special needs.” The governor also regretted and condemned obnoxious practices of people who over time have stigmatised autistic patients, noting that the obnoxious practices that led to the dehumanisation of those who require special care was uncalled for and must be abolished in its entirety.
The wife of Kogi State governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, has urged Christians to embrace love, one of the lessons of Easter’ by showing it to one another always. Bello gave the advice in her Easter message yesterday through her media aide, Mrs Olamide Adesoro. She enjoined everyone to learn from the teachings of the season and show love, tolerance, respect for persons and those in authority. According to her, Christians should use this season to exhibit oneness and fairness as this will help them to foster peace in the state. Bello said that persecution of Jesus Christ, through sadness, pain and despair of the Crucifixion on Good Friday embodied hope, liberation and victory as evidenced in his resurrection on Easter Sunday. She added that Easter was a pointer to the power of hope, and also a season for sober reflection, as well as to remind people of collective resilience which she described as bigger than the challenges. She congratulated Christians on this year’s Easter and wished all Christians in the state and the country a happy celebration.
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Easter: Adeboye Calls Out Christians On Triumphant Living L-R: Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFund, Dr.Abdullahi Bichi Baffa, Chairperson of the governing council Hajia Aisha Tahir and Rector federal polytechnic Bali ,Taraba State Dr. Saidu Umaru among others during the commissioning of the TETFund projects in the Institution recently.
Chams Group Restrategises To Improve Products, Services BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja
Chams Group has introduced a more improved and innovative products and services that will surpass the expectations of its customers in both public and private sector. The company disclosed this in a review of the company’s group accounts for the year ended December 31, 2017 signed by its executive director, Mrs
Mayowa Olaniyan and made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday. The review averred that the board of directors and management shows an improvement in financial performance when compared to the corresponding year 2016. It said: “The company had a revenue of N1.96b in 2017 as against N1.48b in 2016 which is 32% increase in revenue in 2017, the gross
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profit increased by 7% to N743m in 2017 as against N693m in 2016. “Loss for the year after taxation reduced by 17% to (N1.3b) in 2017 as against a loss of (N1.5b) recorded in 2016.” It noted that the loss was as a result of further impairment charges made on some of its investments in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS)
on investment. “These were investments made in our subsidiaries for a seamless execution of the concession on the National Identity Card project which, regrettably, became a subject of mediation/arbitration. “This products are technology driven business intelligent solutions that will bring speed, convenience and security to transactions across a broad spectrum of our national economy,” it said.
The general overseer of the Redeemed Christians Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday, advised Christians to emerge victorious in trying times, just as Jesus Christ conquered death on the cross of Calvary. Adeboye gave the advice during a sermon he delivered at the RCCG national headquarters in Ebute Meta, Lagos, to mark Easter Sunday. He said that every Christian’s greatest sacrifice was x-rayed on Good Friday which marked the sufferings, passion and death of Jesus. Adeboye, however, urged Christians to be steadfast and emerge victorious during pressing circumstances; same way as Jesus when he rose from the dead. “Let us enforce victory over every situation that is going on in our country as we celebrate the risen Christ” he said. He urged all Christians to be bold and perceive every trying situation as a “horse” which could be divinely used in obtaining victory. Adeboye urged the congregation to engage in the proclamation of the gospel of Christ on earth, and herald his resurrection.
AMCON: Attitudinal Change As Antidote To Bad Debts BY BASHIR IBRAHIM HASSAN
Yes, Nigeria’s banking sector was embroiled in bad debt -- or their more fashionable name of nonperforming loans (NPLs) -back in the calamitous period of 2008-2009. Then, not only this nation but other nations of the world were submerged in the deluge of the infamous financial tsunami called meltdown, with the epicenter traced to US mortgage re-financing marketplace. Nigeria’s response was quite innovative -- the establishment of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) with mandate to mop up the NPLs from the banks and stabilize the economy in 2010. It is used it as a vehicle for stabilizing the economy. But, evidence that the root cause has not been adequately addressed is provided by the fact that NPLs are now on the rise again at an alarming rate At the risk of encouraging growth of bad loans, AMCON has stopped taking in fresh NPLs from around 2013. Doing otherwise would amount to a reversal of the raison d’être for its establishment. But bank loans are the lifeline of modern business financing. They are inevitable and inversely a part of the many challenges AMCON is facing in executing its mandate. Another challenge is the spiraling interest on NPLs,
which is making the whole work of AMCON a more daunting task — the case of shifting the goal post in the course of a match! But the key challenge of fighting bad debts remains the attitude of the obligors and the sluggish judicial processes. Added to our not so rosy economic situation, the bleak picture of the task of recovering the bad debt as onerous task is complete. The attitudinal dimensions to fighting bad debts were brought to the fore by AMCON Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed LawalKuru, during a recent interview with the press. Hear him: “The challenges that we currently have are in two folds: the first has to do with willingness and ability; the second has to do with the state of the economy.”The former borders on attitude of the obligors and, before them, that of the bank directors and management, who allow infractions to subsist; the latter has to do with our economy and all its vulnerability to global market price fluctuations. The two infractions that always lead to NPLs are insider dealings (bank directors approving loans for themselves) and poor structuring of the loan facilities in the first instance. Psychologists define attitudes as a complex combination of things we tend to call personality, beliefs, values, behaviors, and
motivations. As for the two infractions we highlighted above, our bank managements need to encourage risk management training, which will help staff responsible for negotiating facilities do a good job of professionally structuring the facilities so that nothing goes wrong when it comes to recovery. The tendency to promote only the staff members bringing in the fattest accounts to the bank to the detriment of those in the risk assessment department, for example, tends to stack the top hierarchy of our banks with people not well grounded in risk assessment to professionally structure facilities that goes out of the banks. It is the height of corruption for directors to take loans from their own banks. AMCON’s Kuru’s opinion on this matter is thus: “For good corporate governance, you should not take a credit from an institution that you sit on its board. You cannot give yourself contract from the agency that you superintend. It is simple logic and that is best practice. Before, when things were okay, we said the only requirement was to declare an interest. But we should go farther than that -you should not even take. If you are a director and responsible and you believe in the viability of your project, go and market it to another financial institution as there are many around but
not the one you superintend over.” Despite all these challenges, the management of AMCON headed by Ahmed Lawal-Kuru is surging ahead. A humble leader, Kuru has decided to make his actions speak louder than voice. With about N300billion in debt recovery so far, the Kuru is bringing to bear his vast experience as a risk management expert. Back at the defunct Bank PHB, risk management, compliance, commercial banking, public sector financing, and multilateral Agencies of the bank were under his purview as an Executive Director. With three years to go out of the 10 years target period given to AMCON to achieve its key objectives, nothing short of a miracle will see it accomplish them. But Kuru is not about to give up. Instead, he is trying his best to churn out strategies that will help AMCON meets it mandate. For example, this year, the corporation’s focus is to create relationships so that it can package related businesses and attract foreign investors as well as discuss with them how to take over some businesses, especially in the areas of power, oil and gas. The plan is to repackage these businesses and assets so as to attract third party interests. The MD/CEO is cashing on the silver lining appearing on the
horizon now; our foreign reserve is going up, foreign exchange is stabilizing, and other indicators are becoming more positive for investors to come in. And the targeted investors Lawal-Kuru is eying are those long-term vision and objective and he confessed to the press that “quite a number of them has shown interest; we are currently working on how we can partner with them.” It is on record that, as an institution, AMCON has taken acquisition of over 13,774 NPLs worth N3.6 trillion from 22 commercial banks in Nigeria and provided financial accommodation of N2.2billion. It has protected about N4.7trillion worth of depositors’ funds and interbank takings, as well as saved approximately 14,000 jobs. Of course, no one can deny the fact that, through the efforts of AMCON and other strategic stakeholders, the Federal Government has successfully managed our debt crises and saved our banking system from imminent systemic collapse. But this achievement will not be complete until bad debts are recovered in the interest of the public, whose taxes were used to purchase them. In all these the attitudes of obligors, bank managers and our judicial officers need to significantly change for Nigeria to become investors’destination in Africa. – Hassan is a financial analyst based in Abuja
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Germany Gives Maritime Security Equipment To Assist ECOWAS BY OMONU NELSON,
Abuja
Germany has handed over maritime security equipment to the Multi-national Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) in Accra, Ghana to assist ECOWAS maritime security measures. The equipment donated to the Centre is one of the efforts of Germany in consolidating its maritime safety support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The equipment, worth 1.2 million Euros, consist of 18 items-a Barrett long range telecommunications device including nautical and marine radio facilities, satellite communication radio, computers, monitors and voltage regulators, a Mast as well as minibus and their accessories. The MMCC will help among others, to promote cooperation among Member States’ Navies and maritime law enforcement agencies and augmenting marine capabilities among naval forces in order to protect their exclusive economic zones (EEZs). It would bolster the ECOWAS security architecture with enhanced maritime security through joint
operations. At the handing over ceremony, the ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Gen Francis Behanzin lamented that the maritime domain which is the backbone of West African economies has been severely threatened. He said, it was threatened in recent years by illicit activities such as crude oil theft, hostage taking, smuggling, drug and human trafficking, illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, illegal migration, piracy attacks and dumping of toxic waste. This, he said has resulted in huge loses of revenues in billions of dollars to coastal countries in the region in addition to hampering the gateway to global markets for exports, imports and other trade facilitation to landlocked economies. Speaking through the Head, ECOWAS Regional Security Division, Col. Dieng Abdourahmane, the Commissioner noted that the zone F handing over ceremony is a testament of ECOWAS’ progression in the operationalization of all the maritime Centres with the support of its strategic partners.
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Pope’s Easter Message Urges ‘End To Syria Carnage’
The Pope has called for an end to the “carnage” in Syria during his Easter message from the Vatican. He also asked God to heal the wounds in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and urged dialogue on the Korean peninsula. Pope Francis said the power of the Christian message gave hope to the deprived. This included migrants and refugees who he said were “so often rejected by today’s culture of waste”. Thousands of people were in St Peter’s Square to hear him speak from the balcony of the basilica. “Today we implore fruits of peace upon the entire world, beginning with the beloved and long suffering land of Syria whose peo-
ple are worn down by an apparently endless war,” said the Pope. “This Easter may the light of the risen Christ illuminate the consciences of all political and military leaders, so that a swift end may be brought to the carnage in course; that humanitarian law may be respected; and that provisions be made to facilitate access to the aid so urgently needed.” During the first five years of his reign, Pope Francis has been consistently outspoken in condemning the Syrian conflict. In 2013, he was credited with leading moral opposition to Western military intervention, according to BBC Vatican correspondent David Willey. Turning to the wider region, he said on Sunday: “We beseech fruits of reconciliation for the Holy Land,
also experiencing in these days the wounds of ongoing conflict that do not spare the defenceless, for Yemen and for the entire Middle East, so that dialogue and mutual respect may prevail over division and violence.” On relations between North and South Korea, he said he hoped talks aiming to ease longstanding tensions on the Korean peninsula would “advance harmony and peace”. He added: “May those who are directly responsible act with wisdom and discernment to promote the good of the Korean people and to build relationships of trust within the international community.” The Pope also expressed hope for an end to violence and division in Ukraine and Venezuela.
Turkey, Israel Clash Over Gaza Violence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have traded barbs over deadly clashes on the Gaza border. Sixteen Palestinians were killed on Friday after Israeli soldiers opened fire on some violent demonstrators. President Erdogan accused Mr Netanyahu of being “a terrorist” on Sunday. It came after Mr Netanyahu rejected Ankara’s “moral lessons” and accused Turkey of indiscriminately bombing civilians in its actions abroad. “The most moral army in the world will not be lectured to on morality from someone who for years has
been bombing civilians indiscriminately,” the Israeli leader said on Twitter. “Apparently this is how they mark April 1 in Ankara,” he added, in reference to April’s Fools Day. He has previously called Mr Erdogan someone who “bombs Kurdish villagers” in a reference to Turkey’s military operations in the Afrin area of Syria. Mr Erdogan had earlier labelled the Israeli response on Friday an “inhumane attack”. “Hey Netanyahu! You are occupier. And it is as an occupier that are you are on those lands. At the same time, you are a terrorist,” Mr Erdogan said in a televised address on Sunday.
AfDB Urges Africa To Process Cocoa, Produce Chocolate The African Development Bank (AfDB) has advised that it is time to process cocoa and produce chocolate in Africa, and to end the continent from being at the bottom of global value chains. AfDB said there is huge opportunity for Africa, the largest producer of cocoa in the world, to rake in economic value that the global market offers. It identified cocoa as the main ingredient for chocolates which come in all shapes and sizes. According to Akinwumi Adesina, the demand for chocolate will most likely continue to increase, according to experts, AfDB
said. Africa produces about 75 per cent of the world’s cocoa but the region faces a daunting paradox. Though it accounts for a majority of the world’s cocoa production, Africa gets just 5 per cent of the $100 billion annual chocolate market value. “Africa has been unable to extract a larger share of the global chocolate market value because it exports just raw cocoa beans. “Africa is stuck at the bottom of the cocoa value chain, dominated, instead of dominating, despite being the leading producer!” exclaims Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank.
Pope Francis
France, Ambazonian Keep Vigil At Nigerian Embassy In S/Africa BY OMONU NELSON, Abuja
For the past three weeks, an encampment of activists from Ambazonia, the English-speaking territory also known as Southern Cameroon, has been holding vigil outside the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa. The purpose is to demand the immediate release of leaders in their struggle with the French neocolonial regime in Cameroon, and to shine a light on Nigeria’s betrayal of the Ambazonian people. In January 2018, Nigeria arrested and handed over several Ambazonian refugees to the Cameroonian regime, the second longest-running dictatorship in the world. Cameroonian authorities have since announced that among those Nigeria handed to them was Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, regarded by millions of Ambazonians as their political representative in the struggle for their basic human rights. Ambazonia has been under military occupation by Cameroon since 1961, and, all this time, the people have been struggling for basic human rights and
dignity. Tensions rose sharply in October 2016 in response to a strike by legal workers to defend the Ambazonian common law–based judicial system from the Cameroonian regime’s attempt to replace it with a French colonial court system. In response, the Cameroon military used force. They deployed helicopter gunships to shoot live ammunition at protesters, executed hundreds and detained more than a thousand summarily and without charge. In direct response, some factions of Ambazonians have chosen to defend their communities with force. These acts have created a wave of refugees crossing the border to Nigeria in fear for their lives. The UNHCR had registered 20,291 refugees as of March 8; community leaders on the ground count close to 60,000. Ayuk Tabe and 11 other Ambazonian leaders, who were betrayed by the Nigerian government, had gathered at the Nera Hotel, Abuja to plan a meeting with the UNHCR on the plight of the refugees when they were arrested. Nigeria’s handing over of these activists to Cameroon, clearly done under
pressure from France, was a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, a fundamental pillar of international humanitarian law, which forbids a country receiving asylum seekers from returning them to a country in which they would be in likely danger of persecution. It has drawn rebuke from Amnesty International, the UNHCR, and even the US Department of State. Moreover, it constituted a devastating attack on the survival of the Ambazonian people. Ayuk Tabe has recently emerged as a unifying figure that commands the respect and confidence of the Ambazonian community. This betrayal on the part of the Nigerian government is not just injurious to the Ambazonian people. In fact it is deeply harmful to Nigeria as well, and should be read as the most overt display yet of France’s calculated conquest of the whole of Africa. Nigeria has always been the crown jewel of the French project to re-conquer all of Africa. Through a combination of underhandedness, blackmail and influence peddling ,France has meddled in Nigeria affairs since the eve of her independence.
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Aubameyang Brace Sparks Arsenal Late Show
Arsenal warmed up for their crucial Europa League quarterfinal with a flattering 3-0 victory against relegation-threatened Stoke, yesterday. Three goals in the final 15 minutes put a gloss on a largely soporific performance at a well-below capacity Emirates Stadium. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the first two, including a penalty opener. Substitute Alexandre Lacazette netted the third, also from the spot, after he had been fouled. Arsenal clinched back to back league wins for the first time since November. But the result left both clubs in the same positions in the Premier League table, with Arsenal sixth and Stoke second bottom. The Gunners will have to play better in the first leg against CSKA Moscow on Thursday in Europe. With little chance of finishing in the Premier League’s top four, Arsenal must win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champions League – a target that looks essential for under-fire Gunners boss Arsene Wenger as he fights to save his job. Jack Wilshere may have missed both England’s friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy but the Arsenal midfielder recovered from a knee niggle to claim the captain’s armband for the day, with goalkeeper Petr Cech absent and defender Laurent Koscielny on the bench. Stoke’s preparations had seen Ibrahim Afellay jettisoned by manager Paul Lambert for not trying in training, but Eric Pieters was restored to the starting line-up after being fined for going clubbing before the previous match. The game’s first chance belonged to Stoke, the team with the greater need of three points, as Mame Biram Diouf laid the ball back to Xherdan Shaqiri, who shifted the ball onto his preferred left foot and curled it inches wide of David Ospina’s righthand post. Stoke continued to take the game to the hosts, who were giving away possession cheaply.
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JOSHUA
Calls Out Wilder After Parker Win Anthony Joshua called for a heavyweight unification fight with Deontay Wilder, saying it was “not time to sit back and enjoy the ride”, after beating Joseph Parker in Cardiff on Saturday. Joshua added Parker’s World Boxing Organisation heavyweight title to his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association belts with a unanimous points decision over the New Zealander after being taken to 12 rounds for the first time in his unbeaten 21-fight professional career. Now the pressure will build for a unification bout with the United States’ Wilder, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion. “I want Wilder... Get him in the ring and I’ll knock him spark out,” Britain’s Joshua said in the ring immediately after judges had scored the fight 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 in his favour. But the London 2012 Olympic champion was in more considered mood at the
post-fight press conference. “2018 was always a time to capture all the belts,” said Joshua, flanked by promoter Eddie Hearn and trainer Rob McCracken. “We are one away now. “In my eyes, it’s not time to sit back and enjoy the ride.” The unbeaten Wilder took to Twitter after Saturday’s contest in front of a 78 000 capacity crowd at the Principality Stadium to insist he was “the baddest man in the world, the baddest man on the planet, and that’s fact”.
Joshua refused to rise to Wilder’s comments, including a previous remark when the American said he wanted a “body” on his record. “I’m not into the business of hype, hype, talk, talk. I’d love to maybe go to America with Eddie and Rob and look at the landscape and see how serious they are, and deal with this behind closed doors.” Hearn added: “I think it has to happen in 2018 otherwise we are going to hit some major problems with the politics and the mandatories (mandatory defences of the various belts).
World Cup: Eagles’ Gaffer Jittery Over Croatia Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr is panic over Croatia’s midfield ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals which will be hosted by Russia between June and July. The German tactician believes that the European side has one of the strongest midfield in the world. Croatia are in Group D alongside Nige-
ria, Argentia and Iceland. Croatia are expected to look to Real Madrid duo Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitić, Inter Milan’s Ivan Perišić as well as Napoli’s Marko Rog in Russia. ‘’We have to be sure that our solidity in defense, our organization is
Ezugwu, Bunza Flag-off NMS Maiden Sport Week BY AZA MSUE, KADUNA The maiden edition of the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria sport week has sparked off as part of extra-curricular activities to inculcate healthy competitive spirit among the boys, ensure physical fitness and mental alertness. Speaking as the special guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the NMS sport week at the weekend, the commandant Depot Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. VO Ezugwu, enjoined the staff, instructors and boys of NMS to maintain high investment in terms of infrastructure that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. TY Buratai has made in the Institution. The Depot Commandant said he was proud to be identified with the incumbent NMS Commandant Brig. Gen MM Bunza’s giant strides to uplift the academic and military standards of the military school
since his assumption of office. Gen. Ezugwu said: “NMS has over the years, calved a niche for itself both within and outside the Military circles. The institution has become a national strategic asset that has been contributing to all facets of national and international manpower development. Ex-Boys of the school have severally proven themselves as worthy ambassadors of this great institution.” “I am glad to note that training in NMS is deliberately designed to prepare the boys to meet the challenges and responsibilities that await them upon graduation from the school. Expectedly, the academic and military subjects the boys are exposed to are meant to strengthen and prepare them for both further academic studies and military duties. Similarly, physical fitness is a vital aspect of military training aimed at preparing a sound mind in a healthy body.”
strong enough to resist Croatia who has one of the best midfield going to the World Cup. So if we must progress, we are at the beginning of something beautiful,’’ Rohr told Omasports. ‘’I hope it will be a beautiful adventure for us at the world cup. But you see even if we won against Poland, I think we were
lucky, we don’t believe we are the favourite in the group. ‘’We are number four in the group, when you see the other teams. Even Iceland is better ranked than us. So let’s stay humble and work.’’ Nigeria and Croatia will lock horns at the Kaliningrad Stadium on the 16th of June 2018.
Ndidi Responds To Liverpool Links Leicester City’s Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has responded to speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool in the European summer. The Super Eagles player’s performances for Leicester this season have earned high praise and sparked rumours that a move to a Premier League heavyweight is on the cards. Liverpool have been mentioned as a possible destination for the 21-year-old, but he told The Sun that his focus is on performing for the Foxes. “I don’t think about this. Any
move to a bigger club will take care of itself if I keep doing my thing,” he is quoted as saying. Ndidi also explained that the arrival of compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho at the King Power Stadium has made his stay at the club even more enjoyable.
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Alli Ends Tottenham’s 28-year Awaited Victory At Stamford Bridge Tottenham’s 28-year winless run at Chelsea ended in spectacular style as Dele Alli struck twice in a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. The result leaves fifth-place Chelsea eight points off the final remaining Champions League qualifying spot and raises further questions over Antonio Conte’s future as boss. Alvaro Morata capitalised on Hugo Lloris’ error to nod Chelsea in front on 30 minutes before Christian Eriksen’s wonder strike from long distance levelled things up just before the break. Alli then brilliantly controlled Eric Dier’s long ball and put Tottenham ahead just after the hour mark and added another soon after. Tottenham snapped their winless run at Chelsea and continued their unbeaten start to 2018, with Mauricio Pochettino’s men
now just two points behind Liverpool in third. Despite their wretched record at Stamford Bridge and with Harry Kane only fit enough for a place on the bench, Spurs began brightly, with Alli going close following Eriksen’s cross after 10 minutes. Chelsea were next to threaten when Eden Hazard’s dangerous run found Willian, whose deflected effort was palmed away by Lloris. The Frenchman was then beaten by Marcos Alonso,
but the Spaniard was correctly ruled offside. The hosts took the lead when Victor Moses’ cross was nodded in by Morata, who made the most of Lloris’ suspect positioning and failure to catch the ball. Willy Caballero, in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, then had to rush out to block Eriksen’s route to goal, but he had
no answer to the Dane’s dipping strike a minute before half time. There appeared little danger when Eriksen gathered the ball around 25 yards out but he unleashed a thunderous, swirving effort that left Caballero stranded. Chelsea’s stand-in keeper was then at his best on the hour mark, diving to his right to tip Son Heung-Min’s curling effort round the post.
Martins Make Case For Eagles’ Recall Forgotten Super Eagles Forward Obafemi Martins fired a hattrick for his Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua Greenland to help them to a 4-2 1in over Hebei C FFC. The 33 year old former Inter-Milan forward was listed among five players who can add bite to the attack of the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, proved his abilities against Hebei CFFC. Martins drew his side level twice in the game in the 62nd and 76 minutes respectively before Fredy Guarin gave them the lead for the first time with eight minutes left to play in the game. Two minutes into time added on, Martins secured the match ball with his third goal of the game to seal a comfortable 4-2 win from his side even though they had to come from behind twice. The hattrick takes his season tally in all competitions to four in 2018,after netting in the Asian Champions League game against Australian side Sydney FC earlier in the year.
CSKA Fans Warned Ahead Of Arsenal Visit Russia urged CSKA Moscow fans flying to London for this week’s Arsenal match to exercise extreme caution due to Britain’s “anti-Russian campaign”. Moscow and London have been waging a furious diplomatic war since the March 4 nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England. Britain accuses Russia of poisoning the former double agent in retribution for passing on state secrets to London. Moscow calls the allegations unsubstantiated anti-Russian propoganda. The incident has sparked mass expulsions and a decision by Britain and some of its allies not to send of-
ficials to Russia’s World Cup in June. Russia’s UK embassy on Sunday told CSKA fans to display “extra vigilance” when visiting London for Thursday’s Europa League clash. “Considering the anti-Russian campaign being waged by Britain, which has led to a rise in Russophobia, we call on you to exercise extra vigilance and discretion,” the Russian embassy said. “To avoid provocations, we call on you to avoid getting into conflicts with the authorities and local residents.” The embassy also encouraged supporters to “behave with our inherent dignity” and to keep track of their money and personal items.
Stephens Crowned Miami Open Champion Sloane Stephens held her nerve in an error-strewn WTA Miami Open final to beat Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (7/5) 6-1 and lift the prestigious title for the first time, yesterday. Florida native Stephens, who has now won all six finals she has competed in, had been determined to win the last tournament at Key Biscayne before it moves next year. However a nervy final was not easy on the eye with both players appearing to be struggling to get to grips with the occasion. There were eight breaks of
serve in the first set alone -- that total eventually ended up at 12 -with French Open champion Ostapenko hitting 48 unforced errors compared to US Open champion Stephens making 21 during the entire one hour and 32 minutes.
The Moscow Red Army club and the Gunners have been drawn in the Europa League quarterfinal. Russia’s World Cup organiser took the unusual step last month of issuing a security guarantee to Arsenal faithful flying to Moscow for the April 12 second leg of the tie. But relations appear to have actually deteriorated since. Moscow accuses London of using fake evidence to convince more than two dozen European countries and the United States to kick out some of their Russian diplomats. It also alleges that the entire crisis was part of London’s orchestrated campaign to strip Russia of the June 14 to July 15 World Cup.
“I am getting the impression that they are ready to do anything to take the World Cup away from Russia,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.
Zlatan’s Double Seals Galaxy Fightback Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his arrival in Major League Soccer with two goals on his debut including an injury-time winner as the Los Angeles Galaxy fought back from three goals down to beat Los Angeles FC 4-3, yesterday. Ibrahimovic – who only arrived in California on Thursday – lashed home an imperious volley from 40 yards just six minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute to make it 3-3 and trigger pandemonium at the StubHub Centre. The Swede then headed home Ashley Cole’s cross in injury time to put Galaxy ahead in an extraordinary finale that lived up to the hype that surrounded the veteran striker’s arrival from Manchester United. “My history when I come to a new team, I always score in the first game, I didn’t want to let it down this time,” Ibrahimovic said.
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Easter Message To Mr President And All Nigerians to change society so that the common good is always sought and promoted. For seriously rethinking parties more respectable, a happy our role in moulding our society, a Easter. happy Easter.
FROM BACK PAGE
To the Religious Leaders We are all custodians of the faith and trust of our people. Sadly, we have proved to be as divided as the people we are supposed to lead. We have been seduced by powerful politicians and have allowed politics to corrupt the sacred spaces of religion. Thus we have lost our voices and no longer seem to have the capacity to interrogate power, as we are called to do. Religious leaders have fallen to the temptation to present their Churches and Mosques as platforms for partisanship. No divinely inspired religion can pretend that there is no distinction between religion and politics. Unless we are in a theocracy, no Church or Mosque can have its entire people with the same political affiliations. Religious leaders must avoid the temptation of being seduced by filthy lucre and power for personal or any other gain. We must seek the collective welfare of our people and develop a culture of neutrality that can inspire the confidence in our people in the power of religion
To the Ordinary people of Nigeria The men and women in power who pretend to represent you, call you the masses. The politicians, the business men/women, the religious leaders, all claim to act on your behalf. But you yourself ,no matter how rich or poor, how educated or otherwise you are, have a duty to understand that God has plans for you and for every individual and you have a duty to both yourself and your neighbour. You have to defend your personal dignity and seek the enforcement of your rights to have property and to raise a family as opposed to waiting for the crumbs from our greedy leaders. Defend your dignity as human beings and children of God. Do not allow the rich and powerful, who are rich because you are poor, to divide you. They have light and water in their high fenced houses not because they are Muslims or Christians or that they are from this or that or the other tribe but simply because they are rich. You
are poor, homeless, have no road, no water, and your children are sick and illiterate, not because you are Christian or Muslim or from this tribe or the other, but simply because you are poor. You and your children vote, but their children do not vote because they are abroad. Your children beg and die on the streets while their children are abroad fraternizing with those they call infidels. They give you a fake religion that enslaves you while they give their own children the religion of education that will liberate them and make them rule over you. Rise and defend your right to food and shelter because poverty is not a divine inheritance. Easter teaches us the message of love and of gentleness and of true strength. It tells us that to defend oneself does not mean to turn to violence or to any other misdeed or evil. But it means to recognize one’s dignity as a child of God and remember that each one is created and called to enjoy the fullness of life. Easter means to recognise one’s right to be considered and respected, it means being determined to stand up for what is right and just, it means being strong and steadfast, full of hope and full of love, both for oneself and for others. For deciding today to shake off the
shackles of bondage and free yourselves so as to secure your future and your family, a happy Easter. To God the creator and maker of the world: God our Father, creator of Heaven and earth, we thank you for our dear country Nigeria. You have given us so much, but like selfish animals in a pool of water, our leaders drink and mess up the water for those coming behind them. We thank you for the gift of Easter and other religious feasts. These feasts have been emptied of their moral content because our people only see them as dates on their social calendars. Please forgive us and let us turn to you. Lord God of Heaven and earth, so many of our children and our parents have died senseless deaths. Rather than worry that they are burying their children, our elders are busy with other ideas, denying sins that they themselves have committed against you and our dear country. We beg you to overlook their excesses and grant them forgiveness. But, please heal our country. The forces of evil cannot have the last say. Please protect our country because no human army can do this. No power on earth
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can protect us except you. We are sorry for destroying our country through our collective greed. We stand before you in sorrow and ask for your mercy and forgiveness. The ship of our state is being tossed in the winds, but we know you will save us. Please save our dear country from the grip of evil forces. Finally Lord, we commit all our children into your hands. Save them from the hands of marauders who continue to prey on them. Help, guide and protect our children, especially our daughters, who, even in their innocence carry the seeds of the promise of tomorrow. Our daughters in Chibok are still in your hands as well as our dear daughter Leah. Bring them back home, O God. Leah has defied the forces of evil and her innocent courage is a sure sign that our dream for a new dawn is not empty. Raise up more Leahs for us so that our future can be guaranteed. Thank you, Father, and please forgive us our sins. Show our leaders the way, convert them to yourself. For a united Nigeria, happy Easter. – His Lordship, Rev Dr Kukah is the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese
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Easter Message To Mr Guest Columnist President And All Nigerians Matthew Hassan KUKAH Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity…WB Yeats (18651939)
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his is no ordinary Easter, Mr. President because these are no ordinary times for our country, Nigeria, over which you preside. I know that in your Easter Messages, you, the Senate President, the Speaker and our Governors, will all exhort Nigerians with the usual moral platitudes encouraging us to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ, to love one another, to embrace peace and live in unity. Good talk, but, as you must know very well, most ordinary citizens will say that love, tolerance and a sense of community seem to be in exile or in suspended
animation in Nigeria. Mr. President, I have decided to speak to a cross section of Nigerians, beginning with you and going right down to the many nameless men and women who do not even qualify to be classified as the ordinary man in the street because they live on water and have no streets on which to walk. I believe that this country is so split both vertically and horizontally today that all of us must honestly identify our many sins of omission and commission so that we can honestly seek a solution. This is a time for us to genuinely face what looks to me like an impending calamity. The gathering clouds are clear for us to see and even those who cannot see can hear the rumbling and rolling sound of thunder. We ignore them at our own risk. I therefore state as follows: To President Muhammadu Buhari You know Sir, that you rode into town like a knight in shining armour, carrying the joys, pains, anxieties and fears of a people whose
broken dreams had littered and turned the landscape into a kaleidoscopic scenery of desolation and despair. In your campaigns, you had promised to restore a sense of national pride in us by slaying the dragon of corruption, banishing the retrogressive scourge of Boko Haram, bringing back our daughters from Chibok and making our country and citizens truly safe. We waited in hope right to the end of the first year, but somehow, amidst some hazy weather, all we heard was the sound of screeching tyres with the plane carrying our hopes seemingly unable to take off. It finally did but we had barely gained altitude when sickness struck and you spent the better part of a year seeking healing. The nation prayed for you and miraculously, you recovered. Evidently, you had been saved for a purpose. Our prayer is that this realization will help you understand that you have a date with history and divine judgment. For now, before your eyes and in your hands, our country, our communities, our people are all in a state of stupor. We have never felt so alienated from one another. The bogeyman of religion, region and ethnicity, which we thought we had overcome by the sheer nature of your support base, have come back with a vengeance to haunt and threaten the very foundation of our existence. Mr. President, you are too distant from your people. There is a sad feeling that you do not share in the pain and suffering of your people. You must very quickly find a way of connecting with your people before the devil takes over the space. For taking on this challenge and connecting with Nigerians,
Kukah
happy Easter. To the Political Class To Governors, Legislators, Senators, and all who are actively engaged in Politics: Please recall that Nigerians have over the years struggled for the building of a democratic, free and egalitarian society. You who are in politics today are beneficiaries of the sacrifices of those who have gone before you. The nation has not been able to develop a political culture due to the disruptive nature of the political process marred by corruption and violence. Years of military rule have diminished our appreciation of Democracy. The average age of Governors and Legislators across the country is 50. These are the years of dreams, maturity, sacrifice, patriotism and self-giving. But, sadly, you do not seem to be ready to depart from
the culture of cronyism, prebendalism and primitive accumulation. The result has been ruination and decay. I appeal to you to please abandon the spirit of selfish accumulation and embrace the principles of integrity and genuine service of our country. Do not let this country collapse in your hands. For accepting to make some sacrifice, respect and listen to our people, a happy Easter. To the Political Parties Political parties ought to provide the vital foundation stones and building blocks for institutions through which political actors must graduate. It is here that new entrants learn the fine moral principles and ideologies that underpin the Parties. Sadly, there are no Parties in Nigeria. We have only rickety and disposable contraptions put together for state capture. No sooner
does this happen that the actors go their way and the circles of frustration return. This explains the debilitating culture of political incoherence and dissonance in our country. The Parties have become notorious conveyor belts and incubators of hatred, intolerance and corruption of the worst kind, even against their own members. For now, the political parties seem determined to rely on both Federal and State Government and Institutions to serve as their ATM machines. Tragically, this is why politics is toxic and totally unattractive to people of honour. I want to call on Parties and their leaders to become true to their political claims as expressed in their Manifestoes, reduce the culture of godfatherism, and focus on building the foundation of a strong political culture. Political parties must reduce their adversarial proclivities and focus on patriotic bipartisan areas of co-operation so as to hold our country together. Our people are dying daily across party lines. For agreeing to make Political CONTINUED ON PAGE 47
GHANA MUST GO I am making a confession to rigging elections
— News
That’s count one; what other crimes did you commit?
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