Leadership epaper 12th april 2018

12.04.18

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 3,041

THURSDAY

N200

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FG Extends VAIDS Deadline To June 30

BY JONATHAN NDA - ISAIAH

The federal government has approved the extension of the voluntary assets and income declaration scheme (VAIDS) to June 30, 2018.

Special adviser to the president on media and publicity,

Femi Adesina, who disclosed this in a statement he issued yesterday said the short extension after the original March 31 date is based on the appeals of professional bodies

and individual taxpayers.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari who personally approved the extension, however, warned that no further extension of time

will be approved after June 30.

The president added that a new date was also given based on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to

Forex Inflow Through I&E Window Hits $41.97bn Pg. 4

increase compliance will be attained and additional revenue will accrue.

He added that Buhari said a fresh Executive Order will be made to give legal backing to the new timeline.

➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Muammar Gaddafi Trained, 5 Armed Killer Herdsmen – PMB Says he bowed to pressure to seek re-election

Labour Demands N66,500 New Minimum Wage

BY MICHAEL OCHE, Abuja

Organised labour in the country comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have resubmitted a joint memorandum to the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage, LEADERSHIP findings have revealed.

Documents sighted by our correspondent showed that the new memorandum contains a new demand of N66,500.

The N66, 500 new demand, according to the Memorandum, was arrived at based on three ap➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, when the president hosted the Archbishop in Abuja House, London, PHOTO: BY STATE HOUSE yesterday.

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Thursday, April 12, 2018

our stand

LEADERSHIP Thursday, April 12, 2018

Immunity For Lawmakers

T

he immunity clause in the Nigerian constitution has been a source of controversy ever since that document came into effect. The Constitution, just like its 1989 and 1979 predecessors, gave immunity to the President, Vice President, state governors and their deputies.

Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, has restricted legal proceedings against the President and VicePresident of Nigeria and the governors and deputy governors, respectively, of the various states.

For clarity of purpose, the said section provides as follows: 308. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section– (a) No civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office; (b) A person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and (c) No process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be issued: Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section applies, no account shall be taken of this period of office.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.

(3) This section applies to a person holding the office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy; and the reference in this section to “period of office” is reference to the period during which the person holding

such office is required to perform the functions of the office.

Many a Nigerian were riled by the move on the part of the National Assembly, NASS, to not only retain the clause for the executive but widen the net to include their own principal officers and their counterparts at the state level.

Proponents of the clause have argued that under the current constitution, it would help insulate

the President and state executives against horde of litigations which may prevent them or limit the discharge of their constitutionally assigned functions and thus be inconsistent with the constitutional structure. They argue further that the point of immunity is to enable the president and the governors to perform their designated functions effectively without fear that a particular decision or action may give rise to criminal

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!

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personal liability. And that because of the importance of their duties, diversion of their attention by concern with lawsuits would raise unique risks to the effective functioning of government.

The concern of the framers of the Constitution, according to immunity clause apologists, is the chilling effect that civil or criminal liability would impose on the performance of executive duties.

As desirable and convincing as these postulations maybe, Nigerians are the wiser through their experience of the violent abuse of the clause by holders of the affected offices. Enough examples could be drawn from the present administrations in the country and previous ones.

Hence, almost at the inception of the implementation of the constitution, voices were raised urging the abrogation of the clause.

It was, therefore, to the chagrin of many when the current National Assembly mooted the idea of extending the clause to cover their officers and their counterparts in the 36 states of the federation and President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly gave his assent to the Legislative House Power and Privileges Act which grants legislators at the national and state legislatures immunity from prosecution for anything they do or say while parliament is in session and during committee proceedings.

Questions that trail this latest demand include whether or not this particular provision granted the lawmakers has not always been in existence, if not, then do such practice obtain in other climes? Do the legislators actually need this, what functions of their assigned duties necessitate their being protected by a section of the constitution? Will the holders of the mace be contented with the current scope of immunity or seek in future, one that is as encompassing as that of the executives? Will they not abuse this as the executives are alleged to have done and still doing and so on?

These and many more questions assail the minds of ordinary Nigerians who keep wondering if the lawmakers are really making laws for all Nigerians or themselves.

In our opinion, the legislators’ demand is vain glorious and unacceptable. We insist that the immunity clause that covers their legislative duties is enough for now.

4 NEWS

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Group News Editor: Ekele Peter Agbo Reveal N1.4trn Fuel Subsidy Beneficiaries, BudgIT Tells FG, NNPC

BY BUKOLA IODWU, Lagos

L-R: Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Federal Executive Council Meeting in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO BY NAN

N1.5bn Suspicious Contracts Awarded Before I Assumed Duty, Says NEMA DG

BY EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

The director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr Mustapha Maihaja yesterday said N1.5billion suspicious contracts were awarded in the agency before his assumption of duty.

He said he inherited some rot in the agency and he was doing his best to correct them.

On the N1.6bn contracts for the supply of materials to flood victims in 16 states in the last one year, the DG said they were in compliance with the Public Procurement Act. But the House of Representatives has asked the suspended personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as present and former Procurement officers to appear before its panel investigating the agency today.

Maihaja made the disclosures while appearing before the Ali Isa-led adhoc investigative panel of the House of Representatives on the activities of NEMA. He said: “When I came on

board in late April, 2017, I met N4.6m in our coffers and liability of N1.5b and our monthly allocation of N500m cannot go a long way in procuring these materials.

“This was also the time when the international agencies announced the scaling down of their funding by 80 per cent. That was the situation on ground when I came on board”.

“Before I came contracts were paid for without proper documentation and that is why N1.5billion is unpaid till date because there was no certificate to prove that.

“A memo was just submitted that due diligence process be instituted and that is what we are doing.

“We now have Maintenance and Operation unit and make sure we implement as approved.

There was no Human Resources, no Verification Unit and this applied to everything across board, all we are doing is to put things in place”.

On the N1.6billion contracts for the supply of relief materials to 16 states affected by flood, Maihaja insisted that the agency

did not breach Procurement laws in the award of the contracts of and delivery of the items.

The Ad-Hoc Committee accused NEMA of breaching due diligence on the N1.6b contracts.

The DG was also accused of commencing distribution of relief materials six months after release of funds, while also engaging companies that have tax issues.

But Maihaja said due diligence was strictly followed by the agency under his management after realizing that the system he met on ground was flawed on procurement as well as administrative matters.

The DG said the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) did not find fault with its Procurement procedure after which certificates of no objection were released.

Concerning the allegation that some companies were not eligible for contract for failing to meet due requirement on tax and pension clearance as provided by the Procurement Act, the DG said no law was breached because steps were taken to adhere to the Procure-

ment Act. He said: “We adhered to the Procurement Act, to the best of my knowledge we complied, we did not violate the Act. “By virtue of the relevant provisions of the Procurement Act, we have not breached any rule. What we did is we looked at the Act and we took our time to follow it.

“While this was going on, we wrote to the BPP and they replied and they never faulted our process.

“The BPP did not say we have done any wrong but that we should submit the list of missing items identified and kept on updating. We have done that and submitted to them”.

He said the agency did not commence distribution of relief materials to 16 states affected by flood in 2017 because the financial and administrative conditions of the agency were not encouraging as at April, 2017 when he assured duty.

He said: “The floods started from about March through October in 27 states and funds were released in September. We have documentary evidence to support this.

FEC Approves N13bn For Dredging Of Warri Seaports

BY JONATHAN NDA - ISAIAH, Abuja

The federal government has approved N13 billion for the dredging of the Escavos ,Warri Seaport and the replacement of the bad navigational aids.

This was disclosed by the minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, yesterday after the federal executive council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential Villa.

“FEC gave approval for the dredging of the Escavos and then the Warri Seaport and the replacement of the bad navigational aids. The total cost of the contract is N13 billion,” he said.

Speaking to State House correspondents earlier, managing director of Nigerian Ports Au-

thority, Hadiza Bala - Usman said with the approval, it will fundamentally change the fortunes of Warri ports and expand the utilization of the eastern ports.

On the economic implications of the Warri seaports, she said “It will fundamentally change the fortunes of Warri ports; it will expand the utilization of our eastern ports.

We believe in the need to ensure that all ports locations are given the seamless access by providing dredging works and that is what we are here to do today.

She said her agency so far had been able to execute transparency and elimination of corrupt practices adding that they ensured that whatever government legal with an entity there

is full compliance.

She explained “We have noted the Treasury Single Account, we have had entities complied with the TSA, we have also made our budget very transparent. We believe in building institutions and we have done tremendous work in deploying Human Resources capacities within our systems.

When asked if corruption is fighting back in that direction, she replied “Oh definitely corruption is pushing back, its faiths back all the time. We have had instances where corruption is pushing back and we have remained resolute with the support of Mr. President in assisting us to fight corrupt practices in Nigerian Ports Authority.

She further stated that the agency have saved billions of dollars in terms of ensuring that

corrupt practices are eliminated.

Noting that one of the key things the government has been able to do is to remove the monopoly of the oil and gas cargo, she added that now in the Nigerian oil and gas people are able to take cargoes anywhere leading to any location in the country.

She added that hitherto designated terminals got priority considerations to the extent that only those terminals had access to oil and gas cargo which made exploration of oil and gas in the country very expensive.

She said this has tremendously assisted, as they have saved billions and billions of dollars in crude exploration following the removal of the monopoly by President Muhammadu Buhari of oil and gas cargo designation.

BudgIT, a civic organization that applies technology to intersect citizen engagement with institutional improvement, has called on the Federal government and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to account for the N1.4 trillion that is spent annually in 2016, 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 on fuel subsidy and reveal the beneficiaries.

Dismayed by the lack of accountability and transparency on the part of government and the NNPC, BudgIT in a statement issued yesterday said it was in the interest of the public that detailed information of the amount spent on fuel subsidies such as the beneficiaries, the pricing template for arriving at the subsidy rates and the volume of petroleum products utilised should be made open and that these transactions are carried out transparently.

The minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, recently disclosed that a total of N1.4tn was being spent annually by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as the subsidy for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). An amount BudgIT said is significantly more than N605.8 billion that Nigeria intends to spend on Education in the proposed 2018 Budget.

Stating that there is a growing deficit in trust due to lack of due process in the NNPC, BudgIT said, “in March 2018, the corporation announced it spends N774 million daily, roughly N23.99 billion monthly as subsidy on 50 million litres of PMS consumed across the country.

Nigeria’s Population Now 198m – NPC The National Population Commission (NPC) has put Nigeria’s current population at 198 million people with urban population growing at an average annual growth rate of about 6.5 per cent Chairman of NPC, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, stated this in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration at the 51st Session of Commission on Population and Development.

Duruiheoma said: “Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million.

“The recent World Population Prospects predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will become the third most populated country in the world.

“Over the last 50 years, the Nigeria’s urban population has grown at an average annual growth rate of more than 6.5 per cent without commensurate increase in social amenities and infrastructure.

“It grew substantially from 17.3 in 1967 to 49.4 per cent in 2017. In addition, the 2014 World Urbanisation Prospects report, predicts that by 2050, most of the population – 70 per cent – will be residing in cities.

“The 2010 human mobility Survey report revealed that 23 per cent of the sampled population were of more females than males”.

He said the category of population mostly engaged in urbanisation and migration were young people of teenage and adolescents’ girls and boys, women of child bearing age and the working age population.

He said existing urbanisation trend coupled with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in cities, pose critical challenges to securing sustainability of our cities, including efforts to make them smart and responsive to human influx.

“The Displacement Tracking Matrix round XXI of January 2018 identified estimated 1.7 million IDPs in over 321,580 households across six states of North-East Nigeria with 40 per cent residing in camp-like settings in urban areas plus 1.4 million returnees.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

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Muammar Gaddafi Trained, Armed Killer Herdsmen – PMB

BY JONATHAN NDA-ISAIAH, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that the killer herdsmen who have been responsible for the wanton killings in Nigeria were trained and armed by the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

According to him, while the problem of killings in Nigeria predates his administration, it became worse following the influx of armed gunmen from Sahel region to different parts of the West African sub-region.

President Buhari spoke when he received the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in London where he had travelled on Monday for an official working visit ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

Responding to comment from his guest on the farmers/herders clashes in different parts of Nigeria, the president said, “The problem is even older than us. It has always been there, but now made worse by the influx of armed gunmen from the Sahel region into different parts of the West African sub-region.

“These gunmen were trained and armed

by Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. When he was killed, the gunmen escaped with their arms. We encountered some of them fighting with Boko Haram.

“Herdsmen that we used to know carried only sticks and maybe a cutlass to clear the way, but these ones now carry sophisticated weapons. The problem is not religious, but sociological and economic. But we are working on solutions.”

A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also quoted Buhari as lamenting that “irresponsible politics” has been brought into the farmers/herders’ crisis, assuring however that enduring solutions would be found and justice done to all concerned.

President Buhari also explained why he declared his intentions to run for another term in office on Monday during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he bowed to pressure from Nigerians who had over flogged issue of his re-election bid.

He said, “I declared before leaving home because Nigerians were talking too much about whether I would run or not. So, I felt I should break the ice. We have many things to focus on, like security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption, and many others.

“We needed to concentrate on them, and politics should not be a distraction. The majority of Nigerians appreciate what we are doing, and that is why I am re-contesting.”

Recounting some successes of the administration to his Archbishop Delby, with

Buhari

whom he has built a deep friendship in recent times, the Nigerian leader was quite particular about strides in agriculture.

“We have cut the importation of rice by about 90%, saving billions of dollars in the process. People who rushed into petrol money have now gone back to agriculture. Even professionals have gone back to the land. Nigeria should be able to feed itself comfortably soon. I am so pleased,” he said.

On the war against insurgency, Buhari stressed the need for continuous education of the people, “so that they can be free from religious manipulation,” adding that no true religion advocates the hurting or killing of the innocent.

On Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl from Dapchi still being held by insurgents, reportedly because she refused to renounce her Christian faith, the President said, “We are managing the matter quietly. Making

noise would not help. We are collecting as much intelligence as possible, working with the Red Cross and other international organizations.

“There are too many fraudulent people around, who claim they can do this and that. We won’t deal with them. That was how we got the Dapchi girls back, and the Chibok girls.”

On his part, Archbishop Welby said it was always a delight to see President Buhari whom he has “tremendous respect for.

“You have my best wishes on your recent decision. I read your declaration speech. We are neutral as a church, but we will pray for you. Great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country. We will be praying for you,” the cleric added.

The Archbishop presented President Buhari with a copy of his recent book, ‘Reimagining Britain. Foundations for Hope.’

257 People Killed In Military Plane Crash In Algeria – Officials Officials said no fewer than 257 people, including members of Western Sahara’s Polisario independence movement, were killed when a military plane crashed in a field outside Algeria’s capital yesterday.

Television footage showed crowds gathering around the smoking and flaming wreckage near Boufarik airport southwest of Algiers.

A line of white body bags could be seen on the ground next to what media said was a Russian Ilyushin transport plane.

A member of Algeria’s ruling FLN party told the private Ennahar TV station the dead

included 26 members of Polisario, an Algerian-backed group fighting for the independence of neighboring Western Sahara – a territory also claimed by Morocco in a longrunning dispute.

The plane was heading to Tindouf, an area on Algeria’s border with Western Sahara, but crashed on the airport’s perimeter, Algeria’s defence ministry said.

Tindouf is home to thousands of refugees from the Western Sahara standoff, many of them Polisario supporters.

UN attempts to broker a settlement have

failed for years in the vast desert area, which has contested since 1975 when Spanish colonial powers left.

Morocco claimed the territory while Polisario established its self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic there.

Algeria’s defence ministry issued a statement expressing condolences to families of the victims.

In February 2014, an Algerian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules crashed in a mountainous area in eastern Algeria killing 77 passengers and leaving one survivor.

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NEWS 5

FG Extends VAIDS Deadline To June 30 FROM COVER

Adesina quoted the president as saying: “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world. Nigeria’s growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself.

“Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop.”

The presidential spokesman said the president urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularize.”

He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

President Buhari further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularize their tax status.

VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the federal government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment.

The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just 6% of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil, which led to the abandonment of the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources, rather than generating them.

President Buhari had last year launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the VAIDS tax amnesty is first in the series of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable predictable funding for all tiers of government.

Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services are funded to improve the lives of the people.

Taxes redistribute wealth from those who have more to those who have less and VAIDS is one of the windows to achieve such.

VAIDS provides a hole-in-the-wall, a kind of pardon, for taxpayers, whether individual or corporate, to be sincere with their earnings, and voluntarily pay up on their tax arrears between 2010 and 2015.

The target is to increase the percentage of non-oil tax revenue from the current 6 per cent to 15 per cent by 2020.

DRESS YOUR AGE Passing 40 can “inspire” us to dress younger. Bad move. “Dressing younger only serves to highlight your advancing years,” says Alex Wilcox, co-proprietor of New York men’s clothing store Lord Willy’s.

“You end up looking like a old head on a young body. This in contrast to dressing classic — albeit with a few playful little touches — which tends to do the opposite.” For ideas on establishing the right look, follow these 25 Rules of Office Style.

– Culled from 100 Best Ways To Stay Young

6 NEWS

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Labour Demands N66,500 Inflow Through I&E Forex Window Hits $41.97bn New Minimum Wage

BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

FROM COVER

proaches and the result of independent study carried out.

“Based on the three approaches, and the independent study result reported above, the two Labour centres demand for a new monthly National Minimum Wage of N66, 500, which is approximately the average of the implied minimum wages derived under the four approaches,” the Memorandum stated.

The four approaches are minimum wage for some African countries; analysis based on the minimum cost of providing basic needs; a living wage approach and Analysis based on rising cost of living.

Labour said it is no longer news that the current national minimum Wabba wage of N18, 000, which was approved in 2011, can no longer sus- from April 23. tain the standard of living of an avHe said the organised labour and erage Nigerian worker. other stakeholders involved in the Speaking to journalists in Abu- process have resubmitted memoja, president of the Nigeria Labour randum that are being considered.

Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba He, said, “We made a demand Wabba, confirmed the new memo- two years ago of N56,000. At the randum submitted to the tripartite tripartite level after the committee committee but did not confirm the was constituted by Mr President, all new figure. state governments, all private sector Wabba said public hearings for employers, including organised Lathe new minimum wage will take bour were requested to resubmit a place across the six geo-political memorandun for discussion to comzones of the country, beginning mence.

“Therefore, states have submitted memorandum individually, FG has submitted, NECA has submitted and also NLC and TUC have submitted jointly.”

Wabba said organised labour looked into current inflation rate and resubmitted a new memo, which is being considered by the committee “But what we did was to look at the dynamics of the time, a look at the dynamics that have changed between 2015 to date,” he noted.

Foreign exchange inflows through the Investors and Exporters Foreign Exchange Window (I&E Window), also known as the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEX) window, has seen an inflow of $41.97 billion since its inception in April last year.

Analysts and players in the market said they expect the inflow to remain steady as political activities commence.

The NAFEX was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the height of the foreign exchange crisis as a way to increase forex inflow and help converge rates.

Seen as one of the successes of the CBN, the I&E window, according to analyst and traders in the forex market, has brought more transparency to the market, which uses a market determined rate. This year alone, the I&E window has seen close to $15 billion inflow as weekly average trade on the window has been around $1 billion in recent times.

According to the chief executive and managing director of Cowry Assets Management Ltd, Johnson Chukwu, the rising level of the foreign reserves of the country is also a contributory

FG Okays N47bn For 3 Road Projects

BY JONATHAN NDA – ISAIAH,

Abuja

The federal government has approved N47 billion for three road projects in the country.

This was disclosed by the minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, after the federal executive council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja, yesterday.

He gave the breakdown of the road projects to include Baban Lamba-Sharam Road in Plateau State at the cost of N19.2bn, Lagos- OtaAbeokuta road for N22bn and Enugu – Port Harcourt road, the Aba section for N6.309bn.

Fashiola said, “The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing got approval for three memos. One was for Baban Lamba-Sharam Road in Plateau state for the contraction of 44.625 kilometres for N19.392 billion.

“The second was for Lagos-OtaAbeokuta Road (that is) 81 kilometres long. That road was first awarded in year 2000 and it has since been left uncompleted because there were no budgetary provisions for it. This administration is trying to move this contractor to site stated the revision of the rate.

“So the revised rates were brought to council today and a revision of N22 billion was approved for the 81 kilometers road, bringing the total contract price to N56.701 billion.

“The third approval was for sec-

tion four of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, the part between Abia and Port Harcourt, particularly in Port Harcourt that has been problematic and has failed severally.

“We have a contractor there but we needed to change the design because of the storm water drainage needs and the high water tables there, so that the road does not fail.

So that requires a revision of the scope of work to include retaining side lanes and also drainage facilities in the sum of N6.309 billion.”

During his briefing, the minister of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, revealed that FEC had approved the establishment of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State.

On his part, minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu, said his ministry presented a policy memo highlighting the water and sanitation crises facing the nation and the need for government to take action.

According to him, his ministry highlighted the fact that urban water supply was regressing, access to improved sanitation had also decreased over time such that the sector will not be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

He lamented that water works and services in the rural areas were unsustainable, and spending on water sector had declined by .7% to .72% of the GDP in 2010.

He said, “We submitted a memo to council to approve an action plan on how to address these issues. We had three prayers for the council to

approve the action plan: to declare a state of emergency on water and sanitation sector; to approve the establishment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund for the country.

“This fund will be one that federal, states and international donors can put in money so that we can begin to address the crisis water and sanitation sector in the country.

“We also requested that henceforth the budget for water and sanitation in the country be significantly increased so that we will be able to face these challenges. Council accepted our prayers and we will move on.”

Ministry of Interior, Abdulrah-

man Dambazau said the council approved contract for the completion of two faculty buildings and Cadet Mess and Cafeteria for Police Academy in Kano.

He explained that the facilities are part of the minimum requirement to be met by the academy before accreditation of programmes.

“In May 2010, a memo was submitted for the approval of a draft bill when it was upgraded to a decree awarding institution. So the total amount of the contract is about N234 million. Once it is completed, we will invite the NUC to have a look at some of the programmes that are yet to be accredited,” he said.

factor to the growing confidence in the country that has led to the steady inflow of forex on the window.

The external reserves of the country has so far risen to $46 billion according to figures given by the CBN earlier in the week.

Data released by the Financial Market Dealers Quotations (FMDQ) show that the total value traded at the I&E forex window in January 2018 settled at $5.25 billion, an increase of 36.87 per cent or $1.41 billion compared to the $3.87 billion value recorded in December 2017.

The inflow, however, dropped in February by 25.71 per cent or $3.90 billion, bringing the total value traded at the Window in the first two months to $9.15 billion.

Chukwu noted that the inflows through the I&E window is expected to maintain the tempo through the second and early parts of the third quarter.

“We expect that as political activities kick off in earnest, investors will begin to be moderate in their investments as it happens in every country,” he said.

The FMDQ data showed that foreign exchange transaction inflows into the country settled at $14.01 billion in January 2018, an increase of 8.91 per cent when compared with the $12.86 billion value recorded in December 2017. The transactions however decreased by 7.78 per cent in February to $12.92 billion.

FMDQ noted that Inter-member trades recorded an increase of 11.67 per cent over the December figure of $0.99 billion to $1.10 billion in January 2018, while Member-CBN trades recorded $4.18 billion in January 2018, representing an increase of 17.98 and 57.58 per cents month on month and year on year respectively, a likely effect of the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) introduced by the CBN in February 2017.

In February, Inter-member trades rose to $1.36 billion, while Member-CBN trades dropped to $4.11 as the effect of the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) continued to boost activity in the FX markets.

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Polytechnic Lecturer Renounces Citizenship Of Nigeria

L-R: Chairperson, Electoral Commissions Forum South Africa, Development Community, Namibia, Mrs. Notemba Tjipurena; Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and President, European Centre for Electoral Support, Mrs. Monica Frassoni, at the press conference after the international conference on ‘Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of Technology in Elections’, in Abuja, yesterday.

BY CHIKA MEFOR, Abuja

PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN

OAU Sets Up Panel On Sexual Harassment Saga

BY JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has set up a high-powered investigative panel to unravel allegations contained in the audio recording of sexual harassment of a female student of the university by a senior academic staff of the university.

A release personally signed and made available to newsmen by the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede noted that the committee would submit its report within one week.

He said, “The attention of the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has been drawn to an audio recording, now trending on the social media, of a telephone conversation ostensibly between one Professor Akindele and a female student of the university.

The recording suggests that the lecturer was demanding sex in return for grade which clearly amounts to sexually harassing the lady.

“Since the matter came to our notice, the university has begun the process of identifying the

characters involves in this apparent breach of its regulations, the Code of Conduct for the University Community and the Antisexual Harassment policy, in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and procedures of the university.

“To this end, the university has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the allegation and submit its report within one week.

Anyone found culpable will be dealt with decisively.

“I wish to assure the general public that Obafemi Awolowo University has

The federal government has set up a nine member inter - ministerial committee to fashion out a marshal plan and advice government on how policies and programmes can be better disseminated.

The senior special assistant Media to the President, Garba Shehu, disclosed this to State House correspondents yesterday after the

Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He listed the ministers on the committee to include; Finance, Agriculture, Budget And National Planning, Power, Works And Housing, Transportation, Communications, Information And Culture, Petroleum and Niger Delta.

He said that at the end of the day, the council decided to set up

an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out a marshal plan and advice government on how policies and programmes can be better disseminated.

The committee is to, in particular, advice government on how the ministry and its agencies can deliver on its own mandate.

He also stated that the minister of Information, Lai Mohammed briefed council on the achievement

Sagay C’ttee Probes N36m Snake Scandal

BY CHIKA MEFOR, Abuja

The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has sought clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the alleged N36 million cash of the Board said to be swallowed by snake.

Chairman of PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, who led other members of the committee to the headquarters of JAMB yesterday, said that apart from the explanation about the money, the committee was there to know other challenges being

faced by the Board that requires its assistance.

He however commended the register and chief executive of JAMB, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, for its remittance to the federal government coffers.

JAMB had remitted about N7.8 billion in 2017 to the federal government.

“We are not surprised. You have a name that has gone before you and we know that nowhere will you be operating in which there will not be events which will show that you have maintained your outstanding character and integrity.

“We are here basically to learn more about JAMB. What are your problems, what are your challenges and also to offer our help if required in any respect within our competence.

Responding, the JAMB registrar said that it was unfortunate that Nigeria has gone down to the extent that serious issues like the snake swallowing JAMB money were being trivialized.

He insisted that JAMB as an organisation is well positioned and well-intended to deliver services excellently, saying however, that the degeneration in the larger part of the

A lecturer from the Department of Ceramics and Glass Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Afikpo University, Victor Koreyo has renounced his citizenship of the country due to what he called trampling of his constitutional right by the management of the polytechnic.

In a letter he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari which he made available to LEADERSHIP , Koreye stated that the renunciation became necessary in order to prevent the rector of his institution, who he claimed was frustrating his constitutional right, from killing him.

“The failure of the Federal Ministry of Education to investigate the case of the murder of a chief lecturer, Anunwa Okechukwu Gabriel who suffered similar demotion and premeditated frustration to death necessitated this proactive action to save my life from the rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic,” he said.

zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

The university considers sexual harassment as a serious offence contrary to its Code of Conduct for the University Community and against the Anti-sexual Harassment Policy of the University. It is totally and morally reprehensible, and the university will never condone such act by any staff or student.”

Professor Akindele of the Department of Accounting in the Faculty of Administration was alleged to have demanded sex five BY WAHEED ADEBAYO, Ibadan times in return for higher grade from a female student.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has entered into partnership with the Oyo State government to establish a N72billion modern dry of his ministry in the last two and a port, as well as a truck transit park in the state, in conjunction with some half years.

He said, “Minister of Chinese investors.

Information spoke on achievements This was made known when the made which include bringing down executive secretary/chief executive the wall that screens out Nigerians officer of the council, Mr. Hassan in the military engagement in Bello, visited the state governor, the northeast, the role played in Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in his office, the prompt release of the Dapchi in Ibadan, yesterday. girls and have instituted town hall Bello, therefore, solicited the meetings, 11 of which have been release of 60,000 hectares of land held so far across the country. for the dry port and another 35,000 hectares along the Oyo-Ibadan road for the proposed park, which, he said, would improve the economic development of the state and the nation in general. society was also affecting the Board.

He said, “We are here because Oyo Oloyede, said the Board under his State is critical to development in watch has been working assiduously transportation in Nigeria. Since 2006 to maintain the credibility and the federal government had taken a decision to establish inland port reliability of its result.

The registrar who blamed parents in the six geo-political zones of for aiding and abetting examination the country, of which Oyo State is malpractice, said several arrests important. We have others in Abia, were made during the just concluded Jos, Kano, Maiduguri and Funtua.

Unified Tertiary Matriculation “Because of the strategic Examination (UTME), adding that importance of Ibadan, we have had the suspects were handed over to inquiries from a serious Chinese investor for the project. Five days the police for prosecution.

He said the Board took proactive ago we signed a Memorandum of measures and deployed all necessary Understanding to develop this technology to curb examination very important Ibadan dry port malpractice. project.

FG Sets Up C’ttee On Better Dissemination Of Policies

BY JONATHAN NDA - ISAIAH, Abuja

NEWS EXTRA 7

Shippers’ Council Partners Oyo, Chinese

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Thursday, April 12, 2018

Kaduna Approves N170m Monthly Allowance To Ward Heads

L-R: All Progressive Congress ( APC) councillorship aspirants for Kaduna North LG of Kaduna state protesting over imposition of candidates, yesterday.

BY AZA MSUE, Kaduna

Kaduna state government has approved a monthly allowance for 17,139 ward heads (Mai Ungwas) in the 34 Chiefdoms of the state in an effort to strengthen routine immunization against killer diseases.

Although,Kaduna state has not recorded any case of polio since 2012 when the state was declared free of polio.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna by the commissioner of local government, Prof. Kabiru Mato, commissioner of health and human services, Dr Paul Dogo, and the executive secretary of Kaduna Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, noted the immense contributions of the ward heads in polio immunization which led to the declaration of Kaduna as polio free state.

Mato said Kaduna state will spend over N170m monthly in paying each ward head N10,000 as an incentive to encourage the mai ungwas to sustain their roles against polio.

Mato explained that under the leadership of governor Nasir el-Rufai,the government has been applying state resources and support from development partners to tackle infant and maternal mortality to enhance the capacity of the primary health centres to improve health outcomes for citizens.

Since, 2015,considerable steps have been taken to expand immunization coverage across the state to give more children what they need to avoid vaccine preventable diseases”.

As you are aware, repeated immunization campaigns have and continued to be conducted to protect our young children against polio and other diseases. Again the governor has led by example, making his children available to front the vaccination campaigns”.

“In addition,the government with the support of its partners is steadily institutionalising routine immunization as a wide spread,accessible and primary framework for immunization. This means that the necessary vaccines are available all year round”.

The success of these health protection initiatives for our children at the grassroots depends on the active involvement of village and ward heads. These layers of traditional rulership know the residents of their communities,including the infants and other vulnerable persons”.

Mato added, “Their unique location makes village and ward heads such valuable partners in increasing immunization coverage and improving record-keeping at the grassroots.

PHOTOS GBENGA FOLORUNSHO ABIOLA

EYN Tasks FG On Release Of Leah, Chibok Girls

BY HUSSAINI HAMMANGABDO, Yola

The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN), has tasked federal government to use same technique, employed during release of Dapchi school girls to free Leah Sharibu and Chibok school girls still under the captivity of Boko Haram insurgency.

The church lamented that it was unfortunate that Leah Sharibu

was singled out and left behind in the hands of insurgents over her refusal to recant her faith of as Christian.

Rev Joel Billi, president of the Church made the appeal at the 71st Annual General Conference (Majalisa), 2018 at Karhi headquarters in Hong local government area.

Billi, also lauded the government for fast-tracking the rescue of Dapchi girls, adding that

the war against Boko Haram was not yet over as being propagated by media.

“While we congratulate our president for the giant stride he took in rescuing Dapchi school girls, we lament the story of Leah Sharibu who was singled out and left behind in captivity.

“The question that come to the minds of people is why the fast-track efforts to release Dapchi school girls, why the delay of the

Gov Tambuwal Swears In 4 New Judges

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday swore in four new judges that will serve in the state High Court and the Sharia Court of Appeal.

Those sworn in as High Court Judges were Kabiru Ibrahim

Ahmad and Isah Mohammed Bargaja while Kasimu Yusuf and Umar Liman Sifawa were sworn in as Khadis of the state Sharia Court of Appeal.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the government house, Tambuwal said the appointment

followed due process and all those appointed were qualified legal representatives who merited their positions on the Bench.

He said judicial officers in the state have shown great determination to ensure effective service delivery.

According to Tambuwal,

Beneficiaries of the federal government Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), N-Power in Gombe state have condemned in strong terms the call by Senator

since the inception of present administration, he has not received any complaint against judicial officers directly or indirectly from the National Judicial Council (NJC) or the state Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

62 Casual Staff Of Katsina Hotels Get Permanent Employment

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

It was all joy and excitement yesterday in Katsina for 62 casual staff of Katsina Hotels Boards as they now have permanent and pensionable jobs.

Speaking at the occasion which marked the event yesterday at the headquarters

of the hotels in Katsina, the state commissioner for commerce, trade and tourism, Abubakar Yusuf, described the appointments as historic and congratulated the newly employed staff for joining the state civil service.

He said the appointments were in line with the commitment

of the present administration to alleviate the plights of public, pointing out that more programmes were in the pipe line to better the lot of the people in the state.

Yusuf, who commended the efforts of the Katsina Hotels for the initiative, called on the staff of the board to remain supportive

to state governor, Aminu Bello Masari for more development.

The General Manager of the hotels board, Abubakar Badaru Jikamshi, explained that the move clearly demonstrated the Masari administration’s concern to improve the wellbeing of working class and the people of the state.

Katsina, UNICEF Roll Out Loans To Scale Up Latrine Construction

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) with support from Department of International Development (DFID) and UNICEF has launched a phase

loan disbursement plan to scale up latrine construction for households that will guide against open defecation in at least 20 local government areas in the state.

The executive director of the RUWASSA, Aminu Dayyabu, who made this known yesterday

at a press conference after a one day interactive session on the finalization of the loans disbursement plan held in Katsina, said UNICEF national office in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SEAP Micro-Finance Institute to provide

N-Power Beneficiaries In Gombe Knock Sen Goje Over Comments

BY CHUWANG DUNGS, Gombe

release of Leah.

“We call on federal government to use whatever technique they used in the release of the Dapchi girls to ensure that our daughter, the remaining Chibok girls and other abducted persons are released”.

The President further urged government to facilitate relocation of IDPs from Cameroon who are mostly members of the church to their ancestral homes.

Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe central for the scrapping of the programme over false claims that no single person in the state was benefitting from the programme.

The beneficiaries mocked

Goje’s claims disclosing that the state has a number of 2,900 persons currently benefiting from the N-Power initiative.

The beneficiaries while addressing journalists during a press conference held in

Gombe, yesterday, described the comments and action of the senator who was former governor of the state as unbecoming and a disservice to the people of Gombe state, especially his constituency.

the loans to households to construct improved toilets.

He said no fewer than 996 households in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State are to benefit from about N40 million loan facility procured under the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water Sanitation in Nigeria (SHAWN) programme being implemented by the agency in collaboration with DFID and UNICEF. The loan per household is N40, 000 based on requests from households and about 200 loans amounting to N8, 000,000 were disbursed last Monday at 15 per cent interest rate with a repayment period of 10 months, he explained.

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2019: PDM Commences Mobilisation Of Members

BY JULIANA AGBO, Abuja

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Niger State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), said it has commenced mass mobilisation of Nigerians across the zones in the state, saying the party is set to chart a new course for Nigeria.

The state chairman, PDM, Engineer Abubakar Abdullahi Gwada, who made this known in Minna yesterday during the party’s caucus and elders meeting said PDM has discussed extensively on the need to chart a new course for the party in order to face head-on.

He said it was part of charting a new course for the party and for Nigerians, that the party recently inaugurated its National Advisory Council (NAC) in Abuja.

Gwada, who also is the party’s NAC Secretary, said, PDM has a new deal with Nigerians and have learned humility by accommodating members from all ethnic and religious divide.

He stated that the new party membership registration for the Niger State chapter had started in earnest in all the three geopolitical zones.

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Thursday, April 12, 2018

10 Killed In Fresh Attack On Benue Communities

BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, Makurdi

Ten Persons have been killed and many others injured in a fresh attack by Fulani herdsmen in Logo and Ukum local government areas of Benue state.

Our correspondent gathered that seven persons were killed in Gbeji, Ukum local government while the remaining three were killed in channel 1, Tswaregh council ward of Logo local government area.

It was also gathered that the herdsmen who launched the attack almost simultaneously on the two local government areas also razed houses destroying properties worth millions of naira.

One of the locals from Gbeji, Mr Abraham Ngyenev told our correspondent

that the attack started at about 6pm when people came from their farms and lasted for more than three hours.

Another eye witness, Mathias Azawe said the attack was devastating as it came when people were planting their crops.

Some residents in Logo, including Terkimbir Hemen and Jacob lorkyaa said the attackers came in the night around 7pm ransacking the villages one after another and shooting sporadically in the air as they killed and burnt houses.

Mr Hemen particularly noted that the attack which lasted for more than 3 hours went on without any interruption by the security agencies.

The attacks led to thousands of the villagers fleeing for safety, especially women and children who are the most vul-

nerable.

Confirming the incident, Ukum LG chairman, Mr Iberlogo Tortyokyaa who lamented the wanton killing of innocent people in the area called on federal government to live up to its responsibility of protecting lives of its citizens.

The chairman of Logo local government, Mr Richard Nyajo who also confirmed the attacks appealed to security agents to do more in safeguarding lives and property.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police Benue state Command, Fatai Owoseni who confirmed the killings, said “there was an incidence in Gbeji and we are investigating.

There was an attack by suspected herdsmen in the area, four dead bodies

were recovered there. “We have stepped up security in the area and we are investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has described herdsmen attacks on Benue State as an extension of the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram.

Speaking yesterday in Makurdi while reacting to renewed attacks on some communities of Benue State, he said the manner in which the armed men invade communities of the state and slaughter innocent people is not different from the mindless acts of Boko Haram in the Noth Eastern part of the country.

“They come with sophisticated weapons and kill people, matchet them and chase them away”, he narrated.

Gunmen Kill 11 In Nasarawa

BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia

No fewer than four persons were feared killed, on Tuesday, when suspected herdsmen attacked Kadarko town, a border community between Nasarawa and Benue, and injured scores during the attack.

The attack happened barely 32 hours after suspected herdsmen killed six persons in two separate attacks at Jimin Nyaaku in Aloshi chiefdom and Gidan Ayua in Kadarko, all of Keana local government area of Nasarawa State.

The attack also came barely four months when armed gunmen believed to be herdsmen invaded Kadarko at midnight killing 9 persons and injuring scores.

An eyewitness account said that market activities in Kadarko, was forced to close down abruptly on Tuesday afternoon following sporadic shootings by gunmen leaving people to scamper for safety.

The witness said that the gunmen chopped off a young man’s hand at about 8:30pm and hurriedly fled before the arrival of security operatives stationed in the area.

He further said security operatives had engaged the attackers in a gun duel where heavy gun shots were heard at the outskirt of Kadarko town.

At the last count, no fewer than four persons including an aged woman lost their lives in the attack on the community.

Similarly, one person was reportedly killed while two others were seriously injured at Tse Underah in Kanje district of Awe local government of Nasarawa state , when suspected gunmen attacked the area at about 9:30pm.

L-R: President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives(NANNM), Adeniji Alani; Representative of the minister of Labour and Employment, Mrs Veronica Jemide; Health and Social Sector Officer,Public Services International,Baba Aye and President,International Labour Organisation,Dennis Zulu during the 10th Anniversary of the West Africa Health Sector Unions Network in Abuja, yesterday.

I’ve Not Declared For Governorship –Kwara Speaker

BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad yesterday clarified that he has not declared his intention to contest the governorship of the state or any other elective position.

Ahmad disclosed that what he

said during an interview session with some journalists on sundry national issues in Ilorin, was to decry undue emphasis on governorship alone, and that he was open to serve his people at local, state, national and even under the United Nations Organisation.

The Speaker, in a statement by his

chief press secretary, AbdulRahman Sanni, further disclosed that what he said was that, as a citizen of the country, he would be willing to serve in any public office only if the people of the state, hierarchy and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) considered him worthy of such position.

He said what is important to him for now is continue to make the legislature under his watch, to provide platform for good governance and responsive to the yearnings of the people of the state.

He cautioned media practitioners against sensationalism, in order not to overheat the nation’s polity.

Oguche.

The governor said, he is proud of the author, who he said, is hardworking and enigmatic in his approach to life. He said, Benue State have so many of Steven’s type, who are doing exploits in their chosen fields.

“One thing I can assure you is that, Benue State has produced lots of brains in the past, in the present, and in the future. What you see Steven Oguche doing is just a tip of the iceberg. If you ask the author, he

will confirm to you that he has role models from the state also. I want to assure you that, Steve is the guy to watch out for, in the Nigeria of the future”.

Also speaking the book reviewer, Donald Igwegbu noted, “Steven the author is a great guy. I first met him on Facebook. What endeared us to eachother is our interest in behavioral and attitudinal change.

We share common aspirations on how to make our society better.

These books, will be of immense

benefit to Nigerians, especiall the youths.

Speaking to newsmen after the ceremony, the author of the books, Steven Oguche admonished Nigerian youths to discover themselves, insisting that that is the only way they can make progress in life.

“My position is simple. Search your inner mind, if you don’t know who you are and what you carry, it is impossible to give what you don’t know you have.”

to six security details attached to his office, who were recently promoted by the Nigerian police.

The deputy governor who expressed satisfaction with the elevation, described the beneficiaries as gallant officers whose services have added value to the government and people of Nasarawa State.

The deputy governor, while congratulating the officers on their well-deserved promotions, urged them to reciprocate the gesture by being proactive, as the 2019 general elections approaches.

A statement signed by Godspower Ede, media aide to Agara, said he assured the newly promoted officers of the support of the state government, to en-

able them attain the peak of their career.

The newly promoted officers were sergeants Nuhu Yahaya and Iliya Nathaniel of the state intelligent Bureau SIB as well as sergeant Charles Okpe and Marshal Jacob to the rank of inspector while corporals Dashik Pannan and Jibrin Abdullahi also got promoted to the rank of sergeants in the Nigerian police.

Benue Has Huge Reservoir Of Talent – Gov Ortom

BY OMONU NELSON, Abuja

The governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom has said, Benue State has huge reservoir of talent that can help in transforming Nigeria.

Gov Ortom, represented by his Senior Special Assistance (SSA) on Liaison Affairs, Hon Baba Acka gave this view, Tuesday in Abuja, during the presentation of three books, “What have we done to our leaders, Leading to make a difference, The Eye Opener” written by Steven

Nasarawa Govt Charges Security Operatives On Performance

BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia

Security operatives in Nasarawa state have been tasked to display high level of professionalism in the discharge of their official duties of protecting lives and property.

The state deputy governor,Silas Ali Agara, gave the task while playing host

Thursday April 12, 2018

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NATIONAL NEWS 11

Senate Eulogises Late Senator Mustapha Bukar

BY SOLOMON AYADO AND AHURAKA ISAH, Abuja

The Senate yesterday held valedictory session to pay last respect to late Senator Mustapha Bukar, who represented Katsina North senatorial district under the platform of the All Progressives

Congress (APC).

Specifically, the upper chamber resolved to set up an endowment fund to cater for the families of all deceased members of the National Assembly.

The senators took turns to extol the virtues of their departed colleague, with all the lawmakers

saying that Senator Bukar lived a life committed to service to humanity.

The late Senator Mustapha Bukar died last week at about 10am following an undisclosed brief illness.

Bukar was a first time senator who represented the senatorial district where President

Muhammadu Buhari hails from. He was born on December 31, 1954 in Daura, Katsina State.

Yesterday, Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North), who read the biography of the late legislator, urged the Chamber to expeditiously pass all the bills being sponsored by Senator

Ogbonnia Declares For President, Challenges PMB To Debate

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman(middle), General Manager, Procurement, Ahmed Dandare (right) and the General Manager Physical Planning and Development, Engr.

Mohammed Rufai, jointly briefing State House Correspondents after making a presentation before the Federal Executive Council, yesterday.

BY OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU, Lagos

Another presidential aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged.

He is SKC Ogbonnia, a United States-based oil magnate, and an ardent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, even at a time many Igbos were not ready to touch the president with a long pole.

In a statement personally signed by the aspirant and made available to LEADERSHIP, he described President Buhari’s declaration to run for a second term as a welcome development, adding, “The move has the potential to deepen internal democracy within the All Progressives Alliance, APC, towards effective leadership in Nigeria.”

He subsequently challenged the President to a debate “on our respective visions to lead the country.”

He said, “I am looking forward to a robust debate with the President.

“Any meaningful debate will crave for an answer on whether Nigeria wants to move backward or forward.

“The world will like to know whether Nigeria has the wisdom to emulate progressive nations and commit her future to a new generation of leaders, including the youth, who have the zeal and the competencies to cope with the demands of the 21st century or whether the country must rely on recycled politicians, who have been part and parcel of national problems.”

He averred that “the suffering masses are eager to know whether the region or religion of the next president is more important than electing a detribalized leader, who has the messianic will to make Nigeria better for all.”

PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN.

Investors Target 100,000 Hectares For Soya Beans Cultivation

BY RUTH TENE NATSA, Abuja

Agro investors on the platform of Madaki Agro Services Limited have said that they are tarågeting an investment of 100,000 hectares of arable land for soya beans cultivation in the next five years.

The executive director, Operations, Mike Enahoro stated this while speaking with journalists at the group’s investment briefing in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him the target is to have 100,000

hectares by the end of five years, noting that the target is just a drop in what Nigeria’s arable opportunities have.

“Nigeria still has about 1.6 million hectares”, he said.

Enahoro assured that they are targeting 3 tonnes, adding that if there is a natural disaster or herdsmen attacks, the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Commission Company (NAIC) will steps in to remedy the åsituation.

He maintained “That

the role of government is to create an enabling environment, support investors with investment programmes such as the Anchor Borrowers programme, accelerate and support us with all necessary platforms.”

In his presentation on the investment opportunities earlier, the company’s, executive director of Finance, Chijioke Ofomata said, “The Madaki Agro Services Limited is working to unlock

currently untapped value in the agriculture and agro allied processing sectors.”

He revealed that the company had acquired 10,000 hectares of farmland in Ganjuwa local government area of Bauchi State for the sole purpose of growing cash crops.

“These include soya beans, groundnut, wheat, rice, sorghum, cowpeas with a model of planting and harvesting 3 cycles in a year,” he said.

Ekiti Guber: Stomach Infrastructure A Fraud - Aspirant

BY ANDREW ESSIEN, Abuja

A gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election in Ekiti State, Barr. Victor Kolade has knocked the “Stomach infrastructure” programme of the current

administration in the state, describing it as a fraud.

Kolade who spoke yesterday in Abuja after picking up his expression of interest and nomination forms at the national secretariat of the party, also chided Governor

Ayo Fayose for being wasteful with his attempt at building “a bridge that leads to nowhere”.

“The infrastructure that the governor is talking about is a farce.

What he is talking about, stomach infrastructure, is nothing but a fraud. One

thing I have always told my audience is that the human capital in Ekiti is not developed.

“The sitting governor has done a bridge and has not completed it. As of today, he has spent N20 billion and has not completed it.

Nigerian Army To Host 2018 African Land Forces Summit

BY JOY YESUFU, Abuja

In a bid to combat terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, cultism, civil unrest, ethno religious crisis as well as other security challenges in the continent, the Nigerian Army is set to host the 2018 African Land Forces Summit.

The summit is a landmark event which the Nigerian Army will be co-hosting with US

Army Africa (USARAF).

Addressing journalists on the line up of activities for the summit, the chief of army staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, represented by the chief of Training and Operation, Major General David Amodu, said the summit will provide the Nigerian Army the forum to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military

might to the largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent.

This, he said is in addition to providing a platform for countries to share experiences on global terrorism and other security challenges such as transnational threats and crimes.

Buratai said all African Army Chiefs and Chiefs of

other nations from Europe and the Americas including the USA will be in attendance adding that participants will be drawn from all African armies; western partners as well as representatives from the three services, the Nigeria Police and DSS, Principal Staff Officers from AHQ, Corps Commanders and General Officers Commanding.

Bukar before he died, as one of the ways to appreciate his contributions to the Senate and the country in general.

The deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while making contribution, described the death of the senator as a heavy blow to the Senate and the entire nation, noting that it was a grave loss and big blow not only to the Senate and the National Assembly but to the entire nation.

Court Remands Alleged Murderer Of Nigerian Singer In Prison

BY OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

A Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba area of the state yesterday remanded the Danish citizen, Peter Nielsen, who was accused of killing his wife Zainab, and his threeyear-old daughter, Petra, in prison custody.

The magistrate, Mrs Kemi Ayeye, gave the order after Nielsen, was arraigned before her by the state’s Police Command on a two count charge of murder.

The foreigner, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The development made the court to order that he be kept behind bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The police prosecutor, CSP Effiong Asuquo, informed the court that the accused committed the offences on April 5 at his residence at Block 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Asuquo claimed that the accused person killed his wife, Zainab, 37, and her daughter, Petra, in the house.

He alleged that, “The accused who was always at loggerheads with his wife had hit her head on the wall several times leading to her death; he also proceeded to poison his daughter.

“He had dragged their lifeless bodies under the gas to create the impression that they suffocated to death as a result of a gas leakage.”

12 NATIONAL NEWS Why We Want To Open NASS To Public – Senate Leader

BY JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH, Abuja

Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan has explained reasons why the National Assembly has initiated the Open Week to open the legislature to the public.

He made the remarks yesterday during the inauguration of the National Assembly open week steering committee titled: Advancing Inclusive Governance Through Legislative Openness.

According to him , governments around the world are promoting initiatives in transparency or ‘open government observing that governments that are open and transparent are more accountable to their citizens and less likely to be corrupt.

What is more, he explained that openness generates trust in government and also paves the way for meaningful participation by citizens and more informed and better policies.

He added that Parliamentary openness signifies increased commitment by national and regional parliaments to citizen engagement in parliamentary work.

He said the benefits of the Open Week initiative are numerous and have direct bearing on democratic governance in Nigeria.

He said “It is against this background that the National Assembly has initiated the Open Week to open NASS to the public. It will broaden public understanding legislative of functions and processes and engender interaction between legislators and key stakeholders.

Review Your Charges Downwards , Aisha Buhari Urges Private Health Institutions

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Obaseki Okays Construction Of 60 Roads

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has approved the construction of 60 roads across the state’s 18 local government areas (LGAs), to bring development closer to the people and open up rural communities for business activities.

Obaseki said infrastructural development being pursued by the government will engender job creation and poverty alleviation, as 7,000 youths will be engaged during the road construction.

Obaseki, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, during the inspection

of ongoing road construction at Ogunmwenyin community, Lucky Way, Osayande Ize-Iyamu Drive and Nneka Street in Ugbor Village, said, “The roads to be constructed are semi-rural/urban roads, ranging from 1 to 1.5 kilometers. The effort is geared towards deepening the spread of economic enablers to engender development.”

The inspection train also got to Amagba Community, where the governor assured of the re-construction of the road, noting, “We don’t talk too much but we assure you that the construction of Amagba Road will commence soon.”

He added, “In road construction, there are procurement pro-

cesses and procedures that are involved and must be followed. By the time these processes and procedures are completely addressed, the construction of other roads will commence as contractors will be mobilised to site.”

Obaseki explained that the focus on constructing rural roads was to open new areas for enhanced economic activity and improved livelihoods for the people, especially agrarian communities, from whence people need to move agro-produce to cities. “The road construction will reduce the level of poverty in rural areas as the construction of roads will open the areas for economic activities. The

Loko-Oweto Bridge To Be Ready Nov. 2018

BY ABAH ADAH, Abuja

The Project Manager of the Loko-Oweto Bridge being constructed across River Benue to link Loko and Oweto communities in Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, Eyas Nassar has stated that the project will be completed by November, if the company is not starved of funds.

Engr Nassar disclosed this yesterday when the National Media team put together by the the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, led by the Director, Media and Publicity, Theodore Ogazuechi paid an assess-

ment visit to the site.

The Loko-Oweto Bridge project which is now at nearly 82% completion consists of 2 pairs of bridges referred to as Bridge 1 at the Northern (Loko) end whose length is Bridge 2 at the Southern (Oweto) end.

Work commenced on the bridge in November, 2011 with a completion date of November, 2018 which was as a result of change in design, according to the contractor, was extended to November, 2018 at a revised contract sum of N51 billions.

According to him, only the second of the bridge No 2 is being

worked on as the other three are now ready.

The manager who acknowledged the impact of SUKUK (the Islamic bank loan meant for road projects across the country) on the project said, the intervention of the fund was what hastened the work to that advanced level, adding that the project has provided employment for about a thousand indigenes from the two host communities.

Speaking, the project supervisor representing the ministry Engr Tony Onwudike said he is satisfied with the level and quality of work done.

BY JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH, Abuja

Private medical institutions in Nigeria have been urged to reduce the high cost of their services in Nigeria.

According to a statement by her media aide, Suleiman Haruna, the appeal was made by wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari during a courtesy visit by officials of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria at the State House,yesterday.

Mrs. Buhari observed that many Nigerians who do not have access to public health services resort to private hospitals which are very expensive and this has implications on not just the patients but the nation’s health indices.

“Private health care is expensive, your association needs to revisit the issue of charges” she called on practitioners to “make treatments affordable so that more people can access your services and health outcomes can improve” She said.

She also lamented the brain drain in the health sector, saying people travel abroad mostly to be treated by Nigerian practitioners. She urged for better working conditions for them so that they are encouraged to remain in Nigeria.

“I also urge your association to check cases of malpractice by private hospitals, which are becoming more rampant. She urged.”

She recommended a Public-Private Partnership, whereby private sector firms can invest in the health sector and reduce the burden on government.

Chinese women and children displaying during the China Cultural Fashion parade in collaboration with the African Fashion Hall of Fame at the China Centre in Abuja recently.

DPR Raises The Alarm Over Dubious NNPC Marketers

BY FESTUS OKOROMADU, Abuja

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), yesterday, ask the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to check the activities of its marketers and call to order those found engaging in fradulent acts.

The Abuja Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Mr. Abdu Misau Abba, raised the alarm noting

that some unscrupulous marketers are using some NNPC Retail outlets to defraud unsuspecting motorist through under-dispensing of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.“ “I want to appeal to the NNPC, because they are using its name to cheat the public,” he said.

Abba made the charge as the backdrop of a NNPC Retail station in Wuse II, Abuja, operat-

ed by Iluobe Petroleum Limited, which was sealed by the DPR for the fourth time, Wednesday, over a space of a couple of months, for under-dispensing of petrol to motorists.

He however acknowledge that NNPC is doing all it can to ensure products availability at the right prices, but stressed that some unscrupulous marketers are sabotaging the efforts of the NNPC.

roads to be constructed will open up communities outside the state capital to development,” he said.

He said the inspection exercise was to ensure that contractors handling the projects work in accordance with specification for the projects, adding, “The communities where roads are being constructed must ensure that the projects are protected. The state government will sign a Community Action Agreement (CAA) with communities where projects are sited, and failure to ensure the protection of projects will mean no additional project will be sited in such places.”

Obaseki Assures Of Robust Healthcare System

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

As the Edo State government intensifies work on the reform of the health sector, the governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated that the soonto-be-unveiled state health insurance scheme and construction of 500 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across the state will guarantee accessible and affordable healthcare.

The governor said there is a nexus between the health insurance scheme and the PHCs as the symbiotic relationship will ensure health needs are met with minimal cost and effort, across the different parts of the state.

He stressed that the revamp of the healthcare sector is on course and that government will ensure that relevant institutions and policies are put in place to drive the reforms and sustain gains to be recorded.

According to him, “we are undertaking a holistic revamp of the health sector to ensure that the people are best served and that they do not have to spend so much to get quality healthcare. All of these reforms are interconnected and we are doing this because we have a big plan; we won’t do things in tokens. Every aspect of the health sector is covered.

So, much as our focus is on primary healthcare, we are not oblivious of the need for tertiary and specialist care. So, all of these are captured in the reforms we are pursuing.”

The governor said that the focus on primary healthcare is responsible for the construction of the 500 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) across the state, noting that the state government intends to work with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) in addressing challenges facing primary health care system in the state.

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Heritage Bank, Gac Motors Partner On Affordable Vehicle Finance Scheme Heritage Bank Plc has entered into a strategic partnership with the Choice International Group (CIG) Motors Limited to introduce a new vehicle finance scheme aimed at assisting interested and pre-qualified customers to buy brand new GAC Vehicles with ease and at affordable prices.

The initiative tagged: “Go CAR-razy,” was facilitated by the sole representative of GAC Motors in Nigeria known as CIG, which enables individuals who meet the prescribed conditions to pay an equity contribution of 10% with 48 months tenor repayment.

The scheme is largely for three models of cars and sport utility vehicles in the stable of GAC Motors: GS3, GS4 and GS8.

Speaking on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie

Sekibo said the auto finance scheme was tailored to suit customers’ needs with manageable monthly repayments and is best suited for individuals, organizations, corporate bodies and institutions to avail a convenient and easy access to finance options making it easier to buy and drive away a brand new GAC Motors.

According to him, the partnership was planned to encourage customers to buy environmentally-friendly GAC vehicles instead of used cars otherwise known as “tokunbo.”

Sekibo specifically explained that the reason for the alliance was to afford deserving customers with the ease of convenient and discounted opportunities with just 10% equity contribution, as against the 30% standard equity contribution required to own brand new GAC vehicles.

He listed other benefits of the vehicle finance scheme, which involve competitive interest rate, discounted vehicle pricing, subsidized insurance premium, free vehicle registration.

The chairman of CIG, Chief Diana Chan, stressed that the automobile firm entered into partnership with the Heritage Bank because of its track record in quality service.

According to her, “We are proud to partner with Heritage Bank on this Finance Scheme as we believe it gives Nigerians who are yarning for quality the opportunity to own the latest GAC vehicles with a soft payment plan.

She said through independent innovation and excellent quality, GAC Motor has been widely recognized by many as a brand that offers great value at affordable prices to Nigerians.

BY BUKOLA IDOWU AND KEHINDE SALLAH, Lagos

Non-interest income had likewise grown by 24.38 per cent from N9.8 billion in 2016 to N12.19 billion in 2017. Despite the improvement in the earnings of the bank, its profit for the year had dwindled by 11.72 per cent.

Profit before tax declined by 7.38 per cent in the 2017 financial year from N3.25 billion to N3.01 billion while profit after tax dropped to N2.26 billion from N2.56 billion. This was due to the 419.05 per cent increase in the bank’s provisioning for loan loss.

Impairment charge of the bank in the 2017 financial year rose to N2.18 billion as against the N0.42 billion provi-

sioning which it made in 2016. The bank in the year under review had cut back on its lending as loans and advances to customers dropped by 4.9 per cent to N215.84 billion as against a loan book of N229.01 billion which the bank had as at December 31, 2016.

Its deposit base had in the same manner declined by 10.18 per cent from N283.3 billion to N254.46 billion as at December 31, 2017. However the bank said its customer savings had increased during the year under review by 9.76 per cent to N49.83 billion from N45.40 billion due to improving brand acceptance and market share.

tlement. Brent surged more than three percent on Tuesday to hit its highest level since late 2014, at $71.34 a barrel.

The United States and its allies are considering a strike against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces following a suspected poison gas attack last weekend.

Pan-European air traffic control agency Eurocontrol said air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles could be used within the next 72 hours, warning that there was a possibility

of intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment.

Although Syria itself is not a significant oil producer itself, the wider Middle East is the world’s most important crude exporter and tension in the region tends to put oil markets on edge. Oil markets were also supported by easing concerns over a prolonged trade spat between the United States and China after China’s President Xi Jinping on Tuesday gave a speech with a conciliatory tone.

Wema Bank Posts N65.27bn Earnings In 2017 Wema Bank Plc has posted its audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2017, recording a 20.07 per cent increase in gross earnings and a 19.1 per cent improvement in its interest income compared to what it made in 2016.

The bank in its results released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday posted a gross earnings of N65.27 billion as against N54.36 billion which it recorded in 2016, while interest income rose to N53.07 billion from N44.56 billion it made in the comparable period of 2016.

Brent Crude Rises To $71.09bp On Syria Tensions

BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos

Oil prices edged higher yesterday adding to steep gains in the previous session, as markets eyed an escalation of Middle East tensions after Europe’s air traffic control agency warned of possible air strikes on Syria in the next 72 hours.

Brent crude futures rose to $71.09 per barrel up 7 cents from their last close, while US. WTI crude futures were at $65.63 a barrel, up 12 from their last set-

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16 NATIONAL NEWS CAN Meets, Vows To Expose Pastors Aiding Human Trafficking

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday vowed to fish out those the body described as ‘little Pastors’ who offer spiritual prayers and support to trafficked girls for prostitution in Europe for prosecution.

The body said the nation today is embattled with the ungodly, criminal and inhuman activity of human trafficking adding that CAN totally condemns the act.

Addressing newsmen, the state chairman of CAN, Rev. Oriname Oyonnude Kure, warned that any pastor caught will not be spared but made to face the full wrath of the law.

According to Kure: “ Any pastor involved in this inhuman and nefarious wicked activity must repent completely and stop this evil act now. Any one who refuses to stop and is caught the Church of Jesus Christ in Edo State and Nigeria will deny the person and ensure that the authorities arrest, prosecute and punish the person.”

“Whatever is the rationale for this evil act is unjustifiable in all its entirety and is against the tenet of true religion. Section 33 of the 1999 constitution as amended which guarantees the right to every Nigeria is being violated by this inhuman activity”, he added.

He commended the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin for their role in ensuring that the menace is curbed.

General overseer, Church of God Mission International, Bishop Margret Benson Idahosa, said that it is time for all to join hands against the menace.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Senate Queries FCT Minister Over Non-implementation Of Budget

BY SOLOMON AYADO AND AHURAKA ISAH, Abuja

Senate, yesterday, queried the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello over the non-implementation of N30 billion 2017 budget of the ministry.

The Senate also faulted the depletion of resources to the FCT by the

federal government and stated that the situation had worsened the growth of the nation’s capital.

Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) noted that Abuja as capital of the most populous black nation ought to be given priority attention by adequate releasing of funds to enhance its rapid growth and development.

The FCT minister, Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello while appearing before the Senate during the 2018 FCT budget deliberation however, confirmed that 27 infrastructural projects were prioritised in the territory’s 2018 Appropriations Bill currently being considered by the Senate.

Bello revealed that N40 billion was proposed in the 2018 bud-

get but insisted that revenue accruable to the federal government has decreased.

According to him, N30 billion was proposed for FCT in 2017 budget but only N12 billion of the sum was released. He said only about 41 per cent of the current 2017 budget has so far been implemented by the ministry with regards to capital expenditure.

2019: PDP Warns FG Over Intimidation Of Govs, Presidential Aspirants

BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja

The battle for the 2019 presidential election heightened yesterday as the leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sounded a note of warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government that it would no longer tolerate the intimidation of its governors and

presidential aspirants.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Kola Olagbondinyan, who issued the warning on behalf of the party during a press conference in Abuja, added that Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose of Rivers and Ekiti states respectively and the Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu, have been marked by the fed-

eral government for intimidation and harrassment.

Olagbondiyan, who alleged that APC government has orchestrated plan to coarse, emasculate and harass members of the PDP, said a presidential committee has been setup to intimidate their leaders just as APC agents and some judicial officials have been holding meetings to indict PDP members

on corruption at all cost.

Olagbondiyan who stated that the country’s constitutional democracy is under severe attack, said agents of fascism are on the prowl.

He said Nigeria, as a nation is being pushed to the brinks and personal freedom of citizens under our constitution is no longer guaranteed.

2019 Presidency: Group Urges Mark To Declare Intention

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

A group under the aegis of Middle Belt Political Frontiers (MBPF) has urged the immediate past president of the Senate, Senator David Mark to declare his intention to contest the 2019 presidency.

The group, who said the call became necessary in view of David Mark’s deep understanding of the nation, added that, he is the only man to beat as far as the opposition parties are concerned.

Speaking on behalf of the group, both Mustapha Achem and Adakole Idoko said, they have painstakingly analysed all the political trend, the 2019 possibilities and have come to the conclusion that, David Mark remained the only candidate that plays politics of ideology.

According to the group, his steadfastness in embracing a single party since joining party politics in 1999 speaks volume.

“He is one politician that believes in party ideology. David Mark is not a floating politician. His ability to stay put in a single party all these while clearly indicates that he can facilitate positive change from within and not without.

“David Mark’s experience in governance right from the military era up until this moment of the nation’s democracy has been very plausible. Aside, being the longest serving Senate President, David Mark’s eight years tenure as Senate President was the most turbulent free in the nation’s history as well”.

ACHI

I, formerly known as ABBA EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as ALPHONSUS ACHI All documents bearing former name remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public to take note.

L-R: Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje presenting a document on investment potentials in Kano to UAE Under secretary for Ministry of Economy Investment, Abdullah el Sale, during the Annual Investment Summit, at world trade centre in Dubai, yesterday. PHOTO BY KANO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

NHIS To Cover Non-communicable Diseases – FG

BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

As part of efforts to reduce out-of –pocket expenditure for healthcare services in the country, the federal government has said that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), when fully developed, will be able to cover even non-communicable diseases like cancer.

Minister of state for Health,

Dr Osagie Ehanire, who stated this in Abuja, said that the primary healthcare centre is the platform for early detection and attention before cancer case reaches the phase where it requires expensive treatment.

“Medical checkups, screening will be part of primary healthcare delivery and all of these will reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for the ordinary

citizen, down to minimum level,” he explained.

He also said that government is in the process of creating a cancer register and also special radiotherapy area “because for cancer, you must have the treatment centre on ground first before you start to work hard on how to provide services.”

He however expressed wor-

ry that non-communicable diseases are on the rise in the country even as he linked the prevalence to probably dietary changes and environmental factors.

The minister also stressed the need for mass immunisation, saying that achieving 80 per cent immunisation would help take care of many diseases and out-of-pocket expenditure.

Why Nigeria Missed Indonesian Visa Exemption – Envoy

BY KINGSLEY OPURUM, Bali

The Nigerian Ambassador to Indonesia, Hakeem Balogun has explained that the reason the Republic of Indonesia has refused to offer visa-free travel for Nigeria was because of some illegalities Nigerians are perpetrat-

ing in the South-east Asian country.

The Ambassador gave the hint on the second day of the first annual Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, where he said that lack of political will on the side of the Indonesian government could also be another reason for Nigeria not

to be included in the visa-free policy.

Balogun said that some Nigerians are besmirching the image of the country in Indonesia by committing serious crimes and other drugrelated offences, which gives the impression that Nigerians might abuse such visa-

free policy if it is made available.

“Many African countries are enjoying this visa-free package not because their citizens don’t’ commit crime in foreign countries but it’s very minimal, unlike Nigerian citizens who will always want to abuse such package,” he said.

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AN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE 11-year-old Jamila Needs N5m For Stem Cell Transplant

A

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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Over 14,000 cervical cancer cases recorded in Nigeria annually

F E AT U R E S N E W S T I P S I N T E R V I E W

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40 percent of cancer cases is treatable

health@leadership.ng, 08116706845

... walking to mark World Health Day in Abuja.

Achieving Comprehensive Health Coverage Achieving all-inclusive health coverage for all Nigerians regardless of their social status appears to be a tall dream. PATIENCE IHEJIRIKA, ODIRI UCHENUNU-IBEH, and HEMBADOON ORSAR take a look at Nigeria’s Struggle towards this goal.

The theme of this year’s World Health Day: Universal Health Coverage (UHC), “everyone, everywhere”, was very apt even as it has further underscored the need for Nigeria to accelerate efforts towards all-encompassing health coverage.

Indeed, this year, like any other year beginning from when the world agreed to mark the world health day, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the occasion, which is, but an opportunity to reflect critically on the state of health care delivery.

More than anything else, the theme of this year’s edition has served as a wake-up call for Nigeria and other African leaders to demonstrate effective political commitments towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its 70th anniversary message said that although health outcomes have improved strategically in the region, much more needs to be done to curb the increase in noncommunicable diseases, address new threats and tackle epidemics like Ebo-

la and cholera.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who gave the message, also stressed the need to address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance and, substandard and falsified medicines in the region.

He emphasised that “effective leadership and high-level political commitments are critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

There is no gain stressing that adequate and sustained investment in health is necessary for ensuring equitable access to health services.

Indeed, the critical challenge of infrastructure, equipment and manpower are the factors hampering effective health care delivery in Nigeria.

More than anything, these demands not just adequate resources but effective and transparent utilisation of the resources so mobilised.

As the nation marked this year’s edition of the world health day, stakeholders said adequate attention must be given to the quest for implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) provided for in the Na-

tional Health Act. The Act, enacted in 2014, stipulates that the BHCPF shall be financed from the federal government annual grant of not less than one per cent of its consolidated revenue fund, grants by international donor partners; and funds from any other source.

Years after the passage of this all important act which is described by many as the needed impetus to reposition health care delivery in the nation, issues germane to effective service delivery in the health sector are still not being addressed.

To what extent is the commitment of the federal government and indeed, the other tiers of government towards addressing the onerous task of effective health care delivery?

Speaking during activities to mark this year’s edition of the World Health Day, (WHD), the minister of state for health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the theme of this year’s event is apt, as it neatly tallies with the promise of the present administration to ensure better health for all Nigerians.

According to him, the present ad-

ministration recognises the importance of UHC in the National Health System, as part of the social protection architecture to ensure that Nigerian citizens get quality health service, when and where they need it, without suffering financial hardship.

To this end, he said the government is working to provide physical access to health care with the revitalisation of one functional PHC centre in every political ward to serve citizens, even when they do not immediately have money to pay.

Ehanire said such an initiative would help to preserve our human capital and contribute to productivity and socio-economic development, while supporting equity, especially among rural dwellers and the urban poor, leaving no one behind.

Speaking further, Dr Ehanire said since UHC strategy and approach to better healthcare vary from country to country, Nigeria has studied other countries’ models.

He noted that lessons learned about UHC led to the enactment of the National Health Act (NHAct) with guide-

STAY VIGILANT FOR LASSA ➊ Fever keep food(cooked and uncooked ➊ Headache covered Keep your surroundings clean and clear Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly Dispose of waste materials properly, away from your living quarters

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Group Seeks Strategic Implementation Of Health Fund

BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

The Health Policy Research Group (HPRG) has identified corruption as a major setback in the country’s health sector, saying that strategic utilization of health funds was vital for improved healthcare services in the country.

HPRG Coordinator, Professor Obinna Onwujekwe, stated this while addressing journalists at

the two-day workshop organised by the group in collaboration with the Resilient and Responsive Health System Consortium (RESYST), Abuja.

Onwujekwe said the HPRG generates evidence on how to improve the health system and sometimes translate the evidence generated into policy. According to him, “a lot of time, budgets are used anyhow, there is no

much gain for the people, but if we improve on how we use these money either from health budget or health insurance in a strategic way, we can achieve a lot.

“Corruption can’t achieve anything in the health sector and even in other sectors. Corruption is very prevalent in the health sector and any system that is corrupt is so inefficient, so inequitable and it can never achieve

anything.”

The HPRG with its base at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) was established in 2003.

It is a multidisciplinary team comprising Health economists, Public Health Physicians, Clinical Pharmacologists, Sociologists, Paediatricians and Gynaecologists.

L-R: WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti; WHO director general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus; minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and minister of state for Health, Osagie Ehanire, at the flag off of regional yellow fever campaign in Nigeria.

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Analysing The Burden Of Achieving Comprehensive Health Coverage

lines for the BHCPF, National Health Care Financing Policy and Strategy, Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR), National Health Policy, National Strategic Health Development Plan II (NSHDP II), among others.

According to him, “government so recognises Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers as the platform for UHC and is pursuing the rehabilitation of almost 10,000 PHC Centers in the country between now and the end of 2019, the operational design of which shall be the Ward Health System (WHS)”.

The Federal Ministry of Health through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has the mandate to achieve UHC by 2025 and it has demonstrated leadership by committing to institute mandatory contributory health insurance scheme for all persons who earn an income, whether formal or Informal, and a fund to cover the vulnerable. Good enough, that states are committed to this and are at various stages of implementation.

But like Ehanire rightly stated, there is the need for more purposeful cooperation and collaboration between the federal government, legislative network for UHC, civil society advocates and all the relevant stakeholders including the National Assembly to ensure that the one percent Consolidated Revenue Fund is capture in the 2018 budget.

“This reassuring gesture will be appreciated by Nigerians as the foundation for ensuring a minimum package of healthcare for all citizens”,

Perhaps as a demonstration of its commitment to the call on relevant stakeholders to support the onerous task of ensuring comprehensive health coverage, the Lagos state government is implementing reforms that are believed to be instrumental to ensuring sound health care delivery to residents of the nation’s commercial capital.

The state has identified NHIS as key to achieving UHC. The commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, however explained that the delay in takeoff of the state health insurance coverage is due to the fact that the state government is ensuring that everything is in place to achieve success of the scheme.

He also attributted part of the delay to the fact that the state does not have proper means to document data. “The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) part of the health insurance is very important,” he stated.

“We need to start with it, because we want to warehouse our data; we want to start keeping our data right from when we start, so that we can make improvements as we go along. It will not be successful if that platform is not ready, because we do not want to be using paper work.

“Once it starts, data collection will be easy and periodically we can assess, so that we can check progress, look at the problem areas, check disease pattern. These are some of the things we are missing in our environment and that is why the scheme is taking so long to start.’’

The commissioner said once the scheme kick

start, it will be made mandatory for all residents, adding that public servants in the state will pay 25 per cent of their contributions, while the government pays 75 per cent.

Explaining further, Idris said, “Before now, we have always run free health services for health workers and members of the public. But we realise that nothing is free; we do not have the amount of money required to run free health services.

“We require about N8 billion every year to be able to sustain it. We do not have that kind of money. That is why everybody must contribute.”

Indeed, one of the plausible instruments that will guarantee accessible and affordable health care services to Nigerians is the health insurance scheme. But the challenge still remains that of coverage.

However, while stakeholders lament over the poor coverage, one other worrisome trend is the lack of domestication or better still, operationalisation of the national insurance scheme in most states.

In Benue state for instance, a non governmental organisation, the C-Health, under the leadership of Beatrice Onoja, is championing the call for the operationalization of Universal Health Coverage by giving the State a legal framework for implementation of the State Health Insurance scheme and the community Based health Insurance Scheme.

Onoja said: “UHC does not mean free coverage for all possible health interventions, regardless

of the cost, as no country can provide all services free of charge on a sustainable basis.

“It is not only about ensuring a minimum package of health services, but also about ensuring a progressive expansion of coverage of health services and financial protection as more resources become available.

“UHC is not only about medical treatment for individuals, but also includes services for a whole populations such as public health campaigns, for example adding fluoride to water or controlling the breeding grounds of mosquitoes that carry viruses that can cause disease.

According to her, “since the viable framework of NHAct was signed into law in 2014 only less than 4% of over 174 million Nigerians has been covered under the Health Insurance; significantly targeted at the formal sector (Civil Servants).

She lamented that the larger population of Nigerians who live in the rural areas and comprised of the informal sector, have no knowledge of the Community Based Health Insurance or the scheme is not even operational in their states and communities.

“In Benue State, the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme had been introduced but few communities are aware of the scheme, based on this.

“Out of the 23 local governments in Benue, only 14 communities in 14 LGAs have been sensitized on this scheme, a lot still need to be done as they are yet to enrol and access the scheme,” she stated.

20 HEALTH/NEWS

Thursday, April 12, 2018

How ‘Flying Doctors’ Saved Sickle Cell Patient

BY ODIRI UCHENUNU-IBEH, Lagos

In desperate need of surgery to alleviate the ravages of sickle cell disease and previous medical care that worsened his condition, an undergraduate, Abiodun Bakare, was about to give up hope when he discovered the cost of his surgery was N18 million (about $50,000).

Having raised the money needed for the operation in a hospital in Sokoto, where medical experts agreed to perform the operation for a nominal fee, Bakare said he had to overcome one huge hurdle, which was how to get to the hospi-

tal.

Fortunately, he said his friend stepped in again and discovered a solution: Flying Doctors Nigeria, which agreed to fly Bakare to the hospital free of charge.

Bakare said, “I didn’t even know there was an air ambulance service in Nigeria. I thought these services exist only in the Western world. My health condition opened my eyes to the fact that this kind of service is available in Nigeria.

“This is a journey that the firm could charge over a million naira for. It is still like a dream to me that this kind-hearted firm would intervene in my situation and provide

their air ambulance services at no cost to me.

“I want to say thank you to Flying Doctors Nigeria for their support, and encourage other Nigerians to embrace this means of transporting critically ill patients, because if not for Flying Doctors Nigeria, I could have remained in my serious and painful medical condition.”

In her response, the founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, Dr Ola Brown said, “I knew we had to support Bakare with air ambulance services because it would have been impossible for the student to pull together the funds to pay for the service.”

WHO Boosts Effective Health Communication

BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

As part of efforts to ensure that health messages are effectively communicated, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH), has organised a two day media dialogue for health journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Minister of health, Prof Isaac Adewole, in his remark at the event, stressed the need for effective health reportage saying that if people are giving the right information and they live right, disease burden in the country will be reduced drastically.

Adewole, who was represented by the Director, Media and Public Relations, FMOH, Boade Akinola, therefore charged journalists to be objective in their reporting, adding that health is a collective responsibility.

He said “as the leader of the health sector, I have a role to play but my role basically is to coordinate everybody including the journalists because you are the ones that will help us to reach the people and tell them the right thing to do. If people have the right information and they live right, disease burden will reduce and people can be free to pursue their daily bread.”

WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, said, in Nigeria, there is a lot that is happening in the health sector, adding that the WHO is also playing critical role in supporting Nigerian government as a way of contributing its own share for the development and improvement of the health sector.

He expressed optimism that working with the media will help correct the impression that health is all about diseases. “When people think about health, it is about the disease, if we work with you, we believe that the message of health wellbeing will be communicated,” he stated.

L-R: Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole and Director of Public, Private Partnership Unit, Dr. Omobolanle Oluwu, during a news conference on the 2018 World Health Day, in Abuja, on Monday

65 Patients Get Free Eye Surgery In Nasarawa

BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, ABUJA

65 people, including children, have benefitted from the free eye surgery carried out by the Aminu Musa Abdulsalam (AMA) Foundation during its recent medical outreach in Mararraba, Karu local government area of Nassarawa State.

Addressing journalists at the event, Director of the foundation, Aisha Mamman, said even though the foundation focuses on different areas including education and women empowerment, it has re-

solved to focus on eye care so as to address 80 percent of avoidable blindness.

She identified cataract as the hidden cause of avoidable blindness adding that since a lot of rural communities lack adequate healthcare facilities and a lot of people cannot afford travelling to the cities due to financial constraint, the foundation has therefore decided to take its facilities to the doorsteps of the people in rural communities and provide them with glasses.

She however regretted that most

people do not present their cases early, saying unfortunately, when the case has been there for too long, there is nothing much that they can do for them, especially among young children since they cannot perform surgery for them in an outreach.

One of the beneficiaries, Bashir Shehu, 37-year-old from Sokoto, said he lost his sight since the past there years noting “words alone cannot express how grateful I am to the organization for giving me the opportunity to see again with his eyes,”

Surgeon’s Turf

DR BIODUN OGUNGBO

MBBS, FRCS, FRCSEd, MSc. Consultant Neurosurgeon

08122221616 (SMS only)

PULLING DOCTORS FROM UNDER THE BUS The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.

The second-best time is today.

Chinese proverb Nowadays, news of emigration of Nigerian Doctors, especially newly qualified doctors to Europe, North America, Middle East and elsewhere – to seek specialist training or earn a living - is common. Consequently, one question arises.

Do Nigerian medical schools exist to train doctors for export?

A huge problem The short answer is No! Our Medical Schools exist to train doctors to work in Nigerian hospitals. If that is agreed, then it should also follow that it is uneconomic for Nigeria to lose elite, trained and highly skilled doctors to other, mostly richer countries (UK, USA, Saudi Arabia)! Doctors are usually the brightest in their cohort and what Economists call “merit goods”.

So, a situation where the poor is apparently subsidizing the rich, suggests that there is no value placed on the investment in doctors. Many would agree that this is not sensible nor give value for money.

And another one Secondly, the reduced number of medical doctors and of course, other specialists is interfering with the delivery of quality of care in Nigeria.

Hence, fuelling medical tourism. Lack of doctors in numbers and lack of well-trained specialists in particular, impacts on care and promotes poor outcomes. Even forgetting the huge amounts lost yearly to medical tourism, we are losing the crème de la crème of our society.

So, we do not have enough doctors in Nigeria. We are also losing the ones we have managed to produce and train, to other countries, to the detriment of our healthcare system. Our patients including government officials, and their families, are leaving the country for medical tourism because our healthcare system is in distress. Some patients are even travelling abroad to see Nigerian doctors who had left the country.

Does the government realise the scale of the problems? Does it actually care?

What can be done?

We believe and recommend that urgent action by the Government to retain the majority of our doctors within Nigeria is required in order to promote the health of every one of us in the society.

The strategy New and blue-sky thinking is required. First, we believe that skilled Nigerian Doctors with specialist training and personal experience of the push and pull dynamics of doctor emigration should be contracted to help develop solutions to reverse the trend. There is also a large pool of Nigerian healthcare specialists, all over the World, who can be incentivised to return home.

Some have returned or are returning on their own accord and building capacity within the private health care sector. They are scattered across small centres of healthcare excellence mainly in the private sector in few cities and offering services to even fewer teaching hospitals. These are Nigerians who are committed to the motherland and wish to improve healthcare delivery in the country. A formal platform of engagement should be developed.

At the heart of all these is the nexus between medical education, societal well-being and progress. As such, we believe it is long overdue for Nigeria to develop robust nationalistic policies and programmes that promote the common good. The common good is for many of our doctors to remain in Nigeria to service its healthcare needs. The common good is for easy accessibility and affordability of good quality healthcare in Nigeria. The common good is for creating a healthcare system that delivers good outcomes such that no one needs to travel out. The health of the nation should be paramount to the government and the general citizenry.

Right now, many young doctors are frustrated and disillusioned. Medicine has failed to deliver or meet their expectations. Poor job prospects, poor salaries, poor conditions of work and service, poor remunerations and poor training facilities are all they have. We need to stop destroying our young doctors and pull them out from under the bus.

The future of healthcare in Nigeria is in the private sector. Hence, we must encourage entrepreneurship that delivers more hospitals in more corners of the country. This can be through single digit loans and removal of heavy handed bureaucracy. We also need to create a soft landing for medical doctors in the diaspora. We must encourage them to return through collaborations with the teaching hospitals and public/private partnerships.

Ultimately, the real solutions may be found in the courage for government intervention and legislative actions to develop a package of measures beginning with maximum opportunities for local training for all medical graduates under satisfactory, attractive terms and conditions of service that may dissuade emigration. We must keep our best doctors for Nigeria.

Conclusion If a strategy can be developed to achieve and implement the outputs of such blue sky thinking, we believe that Nigeria may be able to have a good chance to leap frog to a position where the changes its young doctors and medical tourists are looking for overseas can be mostly found in Nigeria; with huge savings for individuals and the economy.

We believe the best time to take action and achieve the desired results is now.

Signed Dr. Samuel Osaghae, FMCS (Nig), FWACS, FRCS, FEBU, Consultant Urological Surgeon, University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, MBBS, FRCS, FRCSEd, MSc. Consultant Neurological Surgeon, Brain and Spine Surgery Consortium Abuja.

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politics today Thursday, April 12, 2018

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

GROUP POLITICS EDITOR: MUYIWA OYINLOLA 08054701492 (SMS ONLY )

Why I want To Be Ogun Governor – Senator Kaka Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka was Deputy Governor of Ogun State between 1999 and 2003. He is now aspiring to govern the state come 2019. In this interview, he speaks elaborately on his plans for Ogun State among other issues as they affect his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the nation as a whole. OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU brings the excerpts: You have been serving Ogun State since you were very young, as commissioner, deputy governor and has been to the Senate. Why is it that now you are interested in becoming the governor of Ogun State?

Something that is certain is that you can’t get experience in the market and you can’t get to read it up in a book. The cumulative experience I have garnered over the years is not meant to be interred with my bones when I am dead, it is supposed to be shared and applied for the betterment of the society. When you discovered that over the years one has seen that we have been taking one step forward and two steps backward, then you will realize that we really need this experience. We need the resilience of able, capable and experienced hand to actually, right the wrongs, more so when the stage at which we are in now, especially in Ogun State, is for us to go back to the basics. The solid foundation earlier laid by our forebears had been destroyed and we are now trying to build our castles in the air, rather than relaying the foundation and build our future on a very solid, rock steady foundation. And it is in the light of that, looking at other contenders that I felt it is going to be an injustice to the people if I decided to keep the experience I have garnered to myself rather than make use of it for the betterment of our state.

So, I am in the very best position to turn the fortune of Ogun State around.

That is why I am picking the challenges thrown to me by genuine people of Ogun State

When you were a commissioner and later Deputy Governor, you must have had certain dreams for Ogun State. How fulfilled is that dream now, or put differently, looking back, do you think Ogun State is in its rightful place?

Don’t let me arrogate any special thought to myself. If you were referring to the time I was a commissioner, I didn’t plan to be commissioner, I was with a multinational corporation, Livestock Feeds Plc, we had our headquarters in New York, and the combination was for human and animal health, as well as livestock feeds. So the totality of it was for the welfare of human being. I was enjoying it, and I was moving prettily well. Within eight years, I had crossed from Area Sales Representatives, to Area Sales Manager, to Group Product Manager and National Sales Manager. It was at that stage that the military came calling, I didn’t have any connection with the military, they requested for somebody with solid agricultural background. And the people they sent out to source found me suitable. I was recommended, the announcement came on radio and I put in my best. During that period, we put in place the first agricultural policy by any state in this federation, that was in 1989, barely one year I got to the office. This

Kaka

is because we discovered that we didn’t have any agricultural policy. People were just doing what they liked, in the traditional way and we said no; we need to profile the soil, we need to know the various advantage of the various strata of soil that we had, the vegetation; the ecological advantage of various vegetation over the others. How can we blend the plant agriculture with the animal agriculture to get the best blend and get the best for our society? We put it in place and we backed it up with implementation strategy. Unfortunately, soldier go, soldier come, the person that appointed me, Admiral Lawal, left within one year. The person that came after him, though he retained me as commissioner, decided to second me to Lands and Housing. Though related, it took me out to go and learn a new experience. So, when you look at it, it is different from having a mandate of a definitive term of four years and then having your manifestoes, having your programmes and agenda and executing it in the context of available resources. You can see that there are a lot of differences.

Then as the Deputy Governor, yes, I coined the idea of a ‘spare tyreism’ because of the latency of that position, lack of provision in the constitution and again, the whim and caprices of the Number One. So, it is a general phenomenon, it is not peculiar to me. The best I could do was to give the maximum support to whatever programme my boss was having.

As a senator, that is national experience and of course legislative experience.

So, in the course of all of these, I have passed through the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural

Resources, the Ministry of Lands and Housing, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and then on top of it all, the Ministry of Health, by being a member of the Committee on Health, Trade, and Commerce. So, I am in the very best position to turn the fortune of Ogun State around. That is why I am picking the challenges thrown to me by genuine people of Ogun State, asking me to come and avail the people of Ogun State my accumulated experiences. And that is why I said, it will be an injustice to the society If I decided to turn down the request. So, I have had a request, I have offered myself, it is now left for them to say that they are ready.

While one is not saying you should leak all the programmes you have in mind for Ogun State, what are the cardinal points of your agenda for the people of the Gateway State?

Well, the programmes will be unveiled at the appropriate time, but they said the taste of the pudding is in the eating, so people should have a taste.

I am not just saying we are going back into the basics, when I said we are going back to the basics, I assessed the situation. In term of agriculture I discovered that, we don’t have reliable data. The same thing happening to human population and distribution. The same thing is happening to other resources available to us. So, within that context I believe we will go back to the basics, and if I am to take it one by one, let us take it from education. Yes, we can have approximate number of enrolment we have in our schools, from primary, to second-

ary and to the tertiary levels. Yes, we can have approximate number of teachers in our enrolment, but the teachers’/students’ ratio, are we meeting it up? The answer is no. The carrying capacity of various schools and classrooms, are they within the acceptable level? The answer is no.

So, in order not to build our castles in the air, we are going to confirm all these and get accurate data, so that the lacuna, the shortcomings could better be fixed while going ahead with the private–public partnership. You know right now we are having more private universities than public, ditto for secondary, ditto for primary.

That is telling you that the government is more or less abdicating its responsibility. And if we are abdicating our responsibilities on the future of our youths, that means there is no future for the nation. So, we have to go back, get it done and meet the expected standard. In terms of funding, without money there is no good idea that can see the light of the day. So, we are going to ensure that as bedrock of any development whatsoever; education will be given its right of place. Then we will go into partnership, as it was done by late Papa Olabisi Onabanjo, in such a way that the public schools that will cater for the majority who happen to be the downtrodden will be more attractive than the private schools. They are going to live side by side, but we will make them more attractive, more affordable, that people will see no need to take their children to private schools.

Secondly, healthwise, the last time Ogun State had a turnaround in the health sector was under Chief Olusegun Osoba, when we procured African Development Bank loan to turn around the 12 General Hospitals in the state and improve the primary health centres we have. Since that time, it has been the Federal Government helping us with the primary health delivery, but this is supposed to be the responsibility of the local government and the state. But, whether it is federal or state, the most important thing is for the people at the grassroot to get health care delivery. So, we are now going to ensure that every ward should be able to have at least two primary health centres, so that primary health care delivery will be accessible to the people, most especially, the rural areas. We don’t need gigantic and elaborate structures. I have surveyed most of our rural areas, within the farm community, you discovered that they have huts, mud houses, you can secure as simple as two rooms to make available a primary health care centre. It is not the hood that makes the monk. The human resources, their level of sophistications, their level of IQ and their level of training is what is required to serve at the primary level. Just get two rooms in various farming communities, in rural areas and make it as decent as possible, just to take off and improve on it in subsequent years.

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newsLagos

Thursday, April 12, 2018

BRINGING THE SOUTH-WEST TO YOU

Lagos Set To Enforce Stage Carriage Permit Law

SMARTNEWS RCCG , Firm Plan Free Cardiovascular Disease Screening

BY FIDELIS UGBOMEH, Lagos

For Lagos Residents

BY TAIWO OMILANI, Lagos As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in partnership with De-Crown Global Limited have concluded plans to organise a free Cardiovascular screening, Diabetes and Cancer Awareness seminar for members of Ahmadiyah community in Ojokoro.

The parish pastor of His Majesty Chapel, Lagos Province 38 Samson Ajayi and the Committee Secretary, Ayo Ajiboye told Newsmen that the event is part of activities marking the 10th year anniversary of the church with the theme 'The Changeless God'.

According to the clergyman, the church expressed gratitude to God for keeping the church united for the past 10 years despite all odds and challenges.

"It is God’s faithfulness that has upheld us all these years, there are churches that we started together but are no longer in existence. We can see that the theme of this year indicate that God can never be change,” he said He stressed that,“The free cardiovascular Disease Screening and diabetes, Cancer awareness which would commence on Saturday at the church premises will have in attendance the medical professional to ascertain the health of the people in the community.

“Part of the exercise will include free screening for blood sugar level and provision of subsidised drugs to those who need it after being screened by the medical team.

Also there are free drugs for the first ten people who register early at the event".

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa (middle); member LAHA, Hon. Moshood Oshun (left); and celebrant, Madam Magret Adeoti Moradeyo, when celebrated her 80th birthday in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY SPEAKER’S MEDIA

Ondo Justifies Hike In Tuition

BY TOPE FAYEHUN, Akure Amid ongoing protests and controversy trailing astronomical increase in tuition of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) Ondo State Government has justified its decision, saying it is in tandem with present economic reality in the country.

The government in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and strategy, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, said the government was compelled to explain its role in the decision leading to the increase in tuition for the state-owned university.

He said, "It is very important for the general public and the good people of Ondo State to note that the tuition was arrived at and announced by the governing council after robust and exhaustive meetings with the university’s stakeholders, including the staff, students and parents."

The commissioner added that, “It is important to note that the current fee of between N23, 000 and N37, 000 charged

by AAUA was introduced about 18 years ago at commencement of the University in 2000.

“How do you explain the fact that students in the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH) pay between N120, 000 and N150,000 as tuition per session, those in the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) pay between N200,000 and N450,000 per session.”

Olowolabi in the statement listed series of problems arising from total lack of funds that have confronted the university in the last five years, thereby stagnating the growth of institution.

His words:“At the beginning, especially between year 2000 and up till year 2013, the University had it good with subventions from the state government for payment of salaries and execution of

Lagos Students Hold Solidarity Walk For Ambode’s ReBY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos Students in Lagos State tertiary institutions across the country and beyond on Wednesday staged a solidarity walk to Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, to endorse the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office.

The students, who embarked on the walk under the auspices of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS), said the decision to publicly identify with and support the Governor for re-election in 2019 was on account of the various laudable initiatives of the Governor to reposition and scale up education sector in the state, as well as massive infrastructural projects across

the state.

Speaking on behalf of the students, NULASS President, Qudus Adeniyi said the positive impact of the giant strides of Governor Ambode since assumption of office had been felt across all sectors and sections of the state.

He said, “We are here to applaud and appreciate the good works of our world class Governor and daddy, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. From the first day in office, he has been doing good works in every facet of our dear state.

“If you talk of infrastructure, the Governor is doing well; talk of good road network, the Governor is there; talk of laudable initiatives for education system in the state, the Governor is there.

“For instance, the Governor introduced a program tagged Ready.Set.Work (RSW) to equip final year students in all the tertiary institutions in the state with the necessary employability skills and also to be employers of labour. These and many more are the reasons behind our resolve to endorse the Governor for another term in office, Adeniyi said.

Responding, Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations, Hon Seye Oladejo commended the students for the solidarity walk, saying it was an opportunity for government to get feedback from students, who according to him, are an important and germane segment of the society.

capital projects.”

He stated further that , “The fortunes of the University began to suffer with the downturn in the economy of Nigeria, becoming more serious from 2014, when the payment of subventions began to suffer and was eventually reduced.

“It is rather unfortunate to note that, for a University of its status, no fund has been released for capital projects between 2014 and now.“The University further slid into financial problems in 2016 when subventions were not released to the university for a period of nine months. As we speak, the University still has an outstanding subventions, covering July 2016 to January 2017 and totaling N1.48 Billion.”

Lagos State Government yesterday said it is set to commence enforcement of the Stage Carriage Permit law to put an end to the continuous use of Lagos State roads and infrastructure by vehicle owners that have not obtained the stage Carriage Permit as stipulated by the State’s Road Traffic Law. The Law which is a provision of the Road Traffic Law, mandates operators of any motor vehicle designed for the carriage of goods or passengers to obtain the permit.

According to a statement issued by the State's Ministry of Transportation obtaining the permit will enable it to develop a robust data base of all vehicles that falls within the category for safety, security and raising the general public’s confidence in government policies.

The Ministry therefore enjoined those concerned to obtain the document as defaulters will henceforth be subjected to the provision of the relevant sections of State Road Traffic Law which stipulated penalty for such default.

The Ministry in the statement signed

by Public Relations Officer of the Ministry Mr. Olatunji Aribisala recalled that various engagements and advocacy meeting had been held to sensitize those concerned to government intentions and plans .

The Ministry therefore reiterated that the provisions of the Law that regulate commercial passenger vehicle operators activities which are designed to ensure safety, security, and reliability in that in that sector are still relevant and will be enforced.

The government noted that those who operate taxi schemes, in various forms as well as those on technology platforms that provide linkages between operators and passengers are operating without recourse to the Law.

Kids Get Effective Reading, Leadership Skills In

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos As part of measures to instill discipline and leadership skills in the younger generation of Nigerian, a NonGovernmental Organization, Young Protégé Leadership Foundation has organized capacity building workshop for teeming children in Ogun State.

Our correspondent observed that the students of Triple J Secondary School were taught the concept of effective reading namely skimming, scanning, intensive and extensive reading.

The training which was done under the ‘Read To Lead’ project saw the project manager, Akinnike Michael explaining how readers could be leaders and emphasized that Nigerians need great leaders to solve her challenges.

Michael who is also the founder of Young Protégé Leadership Foundation stated that the program, Read To Lead was initiated to inspire and encourage young people and children to take up reading culture as an essential habit of

successful people.

“It is sad that 20 per cent of children cannot read after primary school and 65 million adults cannot read and write in Nigeria. Illiteracy and ignorance is a big challenge to Nigeria’s growth and development. So we are here to encourage the student to read hard to succeed in their academics and read at least 12 non-academics books.

“We also advised them and their wards to spread the culture of reading in their community by starting a reading club and exchanging of books,” Akinnike.

The principal of Super Triple J Secondary School Mrs. K .Awojulu expressed appreciation to the team for coming to the school and having a wonderful and impactful session that inspires young people to cultivate the habit of reading to succeed.

She added that it was not only the students that benefitted from the workshop but the teachers also learnt a lot about the best technique of reading.

Thursday, April 12, 2017

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LABOUR 23

LABOUR REPORT

‘Privatisation Not Solution To Poor Public Sector Performance’ OLAJIDE FABAMISE, Lagos

L-R: Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Onwuka; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, recently.

PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN

Minimum Wage C’ttee To Begin Public Hearing April 23

BY MICHAEL OCHE, Abuja

The tripartite committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to negotiate a new minimum wage will begin a public hearing April 23, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has said.

Wabba who was speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday disclosed that the meeting will take place across the six geo-political zones of the country to enable stakeholders make inputs that will determine the final

amount to be agreed.

He said the organised labour and other stakeholders involved in the process have resubmitted memorandum that are being considered.

He, “We made a deman two years ago of N56,000. At the tripartite level after the committee was constituted

by Mr President, all state governments, all private sector employers, including organised Labour were requested to resubmit a memorandun for discussion to commence. Therefore States have submitted memorandum individually,

FG has submitted, NECA has submitted and also NLC and TUC have submitted jointly.”

Wabba said organised labour looked into current inflation rate and resubmitted a new memo which is being considered by the committee He said, “But what we did was to look at the dynamics of the time. A looked atvthe dynamics that have changed between 2015 to date.

“It was not a change of position. Everybody is submitting memorandum has to back it up with some logic.

And if due to inflation and some other things, there have

been some minor changes, we thought that should be done.because that is what the opportunity is for.”

He said further, “every variable that is supposed to be considered for a discussion for new minimum wage has been considered. The cost of living index, school fees, rent, transportation, cost of utilities. We looked at realities that was accommodated to now present a very robust position on the issue.

But certainly the issue of inflation, which is not under our control.

Labour Raises The Alarm Over Automated Machine, Robots OLAJIDE FABAMISE, Lagos

National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE, has kicked against automated machines and robots that increasingly take over the jobs of members across the country, worsening the employment crisis in the country.

The union is concerned that if not checked, more Nigerians may be thrown into the unemployment market. The union has already petitioned the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment over the matter.

Speaking, President of the union, Lateef Oyelekan, said the present drive by the multinationals operating in Nigeria to use robots instead of human beings, would soon boomerang as it would further increase the unemployment

figure in the country.

He said: “Nigeria is not mature enough for automated machine or robots to be used in our local industry instead of people. Presently, we have the challenge of unemployment in our hands where half of the population of our youths are unemployed. We are insisting that it would further increase the unemployment problem in the country and more Nigerians will lose their jobs. This is because where 200 Nigerians are supposed to be working, with automated machine, we now have 30, and where 500 were working before, we have less than 50.”

Calling on the Federal Government to prevail on the companies already using robots to stop, he argued that “countries with employment problems in the world are not using robots. If a country

like China that manufactures robots is not using them, India is not using robots, even in our continent here, Ghana and Kenya are not using robots, why should Nigeria allow it then?”

Oyelekan also said though the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that jobs Nigerians can do should not be given to expatriates, was commendable, he insisted that the government must urgently make a pronouncement on the robots issue.

“This is how Nigeria can develop. We commend Mr. President for that because in some companies, we have expatriates as line managers, sales managers, what does such a person know about our culture, our market and other socio-cultural values of our people?” he asked.

The NUFBTE president also called on the Federal

Government to reconsider its position on the upward review of the excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

Noting that government must be seen to be formulating policies that would secure jobs and guarantee more employment, Oyelekan warned that over 20,000 jobs might be lost to the recent increase in excise duty.

He said: “This new policy of the government will increase the cost of production and if that happens, the employers would have to look for a way of cutting cost, and workers are always the first option.”

According to him, the new tariff would equally make Nigerian companies uncompetitive with their colleagues outside the country and would further encourage importation instead of local production.

Africans and their governments have been urged to reject privatisation and anti-people models of intervention in the water and other sectors marketed by the World Bank and other international finance institutions (IFIs).

In a communiqué issued after a two-day workshop in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Public Private Partnerships versus Public Sector Solutions, over 15 groups of labour and civil society groups said “privatisation under any guise, including Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), is not the solution to the poor performance of the public sector.”

Leading the groups at the workshop held on April 3 and 4 were Public Services International (PSI), Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees Participants were drawn from civil societies, labour unions from Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria as well as grassroots communities in Lagos.

At the workshop, privatisation was analysed in all its forms with a spotlight on its impact on communities, workers and the general public, as well as policy options to strengthen democratic control of sectors slated for corporate take-over such as public water, energy, education and housing.

The meeting also assessed the misleading marketing myth of PPP promoted by the World Bank and other international financial institutions.

Following exhaustive deliberations and contributions, participants observed a “disturbing privatisation tsunami” sweeping across Africa promoted by international financial institutions such as World Bank as a panacea to mismanagement in the public sector in Africa.

NUPENG Exco Urged To Prioritise Members’ welfare Former South West Zonal Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, has urged the newly elected national executive of the union to focus on members’ welfare.

Korodo gave the advice in an interview with journalists in Lagos at the weekend described the election of William Akporeha as NUPENG’s national president as divine and urged him to use his experience as a unionist to serve the union.

He further urged the new NUPENG national executive to follow the footsteps of their predecessors.

Korodo who noted that some members of the union were facing difficulties due to anti-labour practices by some International Oil Companies (IOCs), added that the new NUPENG president should use his office to fight the injustice.

“The newly elected national president has passed through all the structures and organs of the union before taking over the mantle of leadership.

NUPENG’s president-elect, Akpohera, is the immediate past national treasurer of the union.

The new NUPENG executive will run the affairs of the union for the next four years in line with its extant rules.

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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

Refuse Takes Over Gwagwalada Market Road

Minister Vows To Improve Primary Health Care Facilities

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has reinstated the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to make primary health care facilities in Abuja more functional.

Speaking when he receive the visiting director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the Primary Health Care Centre, in Kuchigoro community, Bello noted that the visit was historic and would help in the development of primary health care in the territory.

Represented by the secretary, FCTA Education Secretariat, Senator Isa Maina, the minister called for a closer collaboration with the WHO for the success of the proposed Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the territory and Nigeria in general.

Speaking earlier, the executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, noted that Universal Health Coverage can only occur when all citizens of Nigeria are provided with health care services and protected from health expenditures.

Shuaibu frowned that over the years, Nigeria has witnessed the unfortunate decay in primary health care infrastructure and system, across the country, noting that there are dilapidated physical infrastructure, inadequate and poorly maintained medical equipment, shortage of health workers and essential health commodities.

He added that basic lifesaving commodities and drugs are commonly out of stock in primary health care centres, and not affordable for the poorest, adding that these challenges contribute to poor functionality of primary health care facilities.

The executive secretary however stated that the agency is taking necessary steps to ensure that the primary health care centre facilities and services, at the ward levels, are focused to serve as providers of health care from which services can be strategically purchased, through existing and new financial mechanisms in the country.

BY TARKAA DAVID

Aspirant for 2018 Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election, Opeyemi Bamidele(left) receiving his nomination Form from Director of Organisation, All progressives Congress,(APC) Alhaji Abubakar Kyari at Party Secretariat in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

Leadership Tussle Rocks Gwagwalada Legislative Council

BY TARKAA DAVID Following a rerun of central ward election in Gwagwalada area council, the legislative arm has been thrown into war of who presides over the affairs of the council.

Sources who spoke to LEADERSHIP blamed the speaker of the council, Hon Yakubu Caleb and the executive chairman, Hon Adamu Mustapha Danze for holding onto power after being defeated.

One of the sources, said that the councillors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are now the majority in the legislative arm have an agenda to snatch power from the All Progressives

Grand Alliance (APGA) The secretary, Gwagwalada APC, Abdulwahab Tanko Yahaya added that the party must lead the legislative arm of the council, because they have six councillors.

Yahaya also alleged that the council chairman, Hon Adamu Mustapha Danze is fighting and frustrating APC councillors by withholding their allowances, adding that the APC is not satisfied with the tribunal verdict and has appealed the judgment.

According to him, “The chairman is fighting our councilors. When he received the Paris Club money, he refused to settle our councillors allowances. As far as the legislative council of Gwagwala-

da is concerned, APC has the majority.

Out of the 10 wards in Gwagwalada, six belong to the APC, while four belong to the APGA. It used to be 5-5, but after the rerun election it has changed in our favour,” he said.

Blaming the council chairman, he explained that the rerun election as ordered by the court was conducted on the 13th January and the winner sworn in same month but since then, they have been no legislative activities in the council.

When contacted on phone, the speaker, Yakubu D. Caleb declined comment, but requested that the reporter should meet him personally. However, when our reporter visited the council yesterday, the speaker was not available

Group Rewards Six Best Students In FCT

BY IGHO OYOYO

A group advocating for reading culture among Nigerians, Reading Culture Advocacy Initiative (RCAI), has rewarded six best students in the 2017 West African Examination Council (WAEC) from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The three best students from government schools and private schools were rewarded by the group with cash award and

plaques.

Presenting the reward to the students, the executive director of the group, Dr Okoro Chukwudum, explained that the students were rewarded to encourage reading culture among students.

Chukwudum lamented the poor reading culture among students and noted that most students spend time doing less important things like chatting on

social media when they should be reading.

He stated that the group chose to honour the students so that other students would also see them and learn from them and as well see them as role models and desire to be like them, instead of cheating in one way or the other.

He therefore urged government and other stakeholders to celebrate these students as it is not enough to encourage them

by putting their names in the newspapers.

One of the students who came second with six As and three Bs in the public school category, Anyacho Sopuruchukwu of Government Science Secondary School, Pykasa/ Maitama, urged the government to provide enough infrastructure in government schools, so that it won’t give students in private schools a competitive edge.

Kubwa Residents Seek FEMA’s Intervention On Bad Roads, Drainages

BY BODE GBADEBO

Residents of P-Layout 2-1 New Site in Kubwa, Bwari area council, have called on FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to quickly come to their aid by averting a waiting disaster of flood, due to bad roads and lack of drainages in the area.

The residents, who sent out the Save our Souls (SoS) message on the auspices of PLayout 2-1 New Site Residents Association, said the call be-

came necessary in order to avoid the incidence of flash floods recorded in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in 2017 raining season, which claimed lives.

When LEADERSHIP visited the area, located opposite Veterans Plaza in Kubwa, which has a lone entry and exit road called, Amandugba with five adjoining streets namely Bama, Oleh, Sankwala, Maiyana, and Ingawa, some of the residents were seen supervising the grading

of the roads in order to avoid further flooding and erosion on them.

They said the project was a community development service initiative sponsored by the residents’ association in anticipation of FEMA’s intervention, adding that even though FEMA was approached on the matter and its officials had visited the area with a promise to come back, but had not shown ever since.

Speaking to our reporter

on the development, the vice president of the association, Engr. Babatunde John, said they need immediate assistance from concerned government agencies to complement what they have started in order to forestall flooding in the 2018 raining season in the area.

For his part, another member of the association, Engr.

John Obajinmi, revealed that FEMA had inspected the bad roads “about three times last year,” noting that “we are yet to see any action from them.

Gwagwalada residents lament as refuse has taken over the Gwagwalada Market Road, which poses both health and environmental challenges to the people in the area.

Some of the residents who spoke to LEADERSHIP said the refuse, aside being an eyesore, also pollute the environment with terrible smell oozing from the waste.

A resident, Jibrin Usman said the refuse which has taken over half of the road makes motorists to struggle for the remaining half of the road, causing accidents.

He noted that the bad odour, emanating from the waste could not allow the traders, along the road breathe in fresh air, adding that the two containers have not been emptied for some time now, making the residents to dump refuse on the floor.

Another resident Ibrahim Mohammed blamed the refuse heap on the residents who refused to put waste in the container provided for them by the agency.

Ibrahim noted that the attitude of the residents contribute to the present condition of the road and called on the government to enforce strict sanitation standards in the area.

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Godfrey said the authorities have neglected the welfare of the residents leaving them at the mercy of disease outbreak, adding that government only pays leap service to waste management, because they only evacuate waste when they want to make a statement.

When contacted, the head, department of environment, Ado Tijjani blamed the condition on the attitude of the residents. Tijjani disclosed that the council has only one truck for waste evacuation and therefore, appealed for more funds to enhance waste management.

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Dissecting The Admission Crisis

Only 35.9 per cent of prospective admission seekers who sat for this year’s UTME stand the chance of gaining admission, CHIKA MEFOR, reports.

E

very year, many Nigerian youths enroll and storm the Computer Based Test (CBT) centers to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in hope of getting admission into the tertiary institutions of thier choices.

In the just concluded UTME, a total of 1,652,825 candidates indicated interest to write the examinations.

Expectedly, all of them strive to secure admission into the different tertiary institutions across the country.

But the worry is that only 35.9 per cent of these candidates will be getting admission because of limited admission spaces.

It is gathered that only about 593,000 spaces are available for the teeming number of youths seeking entry into the higher institutions.

Last year, the National Universities Commission (NUC) revealed that there were limited spaces for admission into Nigerian universities which can only accommodate about 30 per cent of the 1.7 million candidates who wrote the UTME in 2017.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund noted that owing to the limited admission spaces in tertiary institutions, an admission crisis was inevitable in

But the worry is that only 35.9 per cent of these candidates will be getting admission because of limited admission spaces.

the country.

“Out of about 1.7 million candidates who took the UTME, it is just about half a million that can be admitted into our universities. The crisis of admission in this country is inevitable.

“Unless we expand spaces, we shall continue to have an admission crisis in this country. Every examination has its own problem. We believe that the JAMB examination is credible and all of us operating in the system respect the results of the UTME,” he added.

Even after the Federal Ministry of Education issued provisional licenses to the six new established private universities, last year, including the establishment of Zamfara State University this year, bringing the the total number universities to 162, in addition to polytechnic and colleges of education, the admission crisis still persists, as many admission seekers will still be left hanging next year.

Document obtained from NUC showed that the admission quota for the 2017/2018 for universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, and religious based institutions stood at 593,771.

Of course private universities have 86, 439 admission quota, followed by Federal Universities which had 300,513 quota and State universities with 170,448 quota.

The colleges of education, polytechnics and religious based insti-

tutions have a total of 36,371 out of which colleges of education have 33,160 admission quota while 1,727 is for polytechnics and 1,484 for faith based institutions.

When 593,771 as the admission slot is placed side by side with the number of candidates who sat for the UTME which is 1,652,825, one would notice that, only 35.9 per cent of the number of candidates wrote for the exams will get admission while the remaining, 64.1 per cent (1,059,054) youths who had taken the tertiary qualifying examination would still be looking for admission next year, in addition to 1.5million students who would be sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) this year.

However, according to the data released by the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, many candidates take the UTME without the possessing the minimum O’level requirement for getting admission into tertiary institutions.

According to him, in 2017, 1,840,225 candidates applied for the UTME and Direct Entry (DE).

A total of 1,187,997 candidates met the minimum cut-off points for the admission exercise of which 842,505 possess the minimum O’level requirement and cut-off points.

While some frown at creation of more government owned universities and giving licenses to more

private universities, others think that it will be the solution to reducing the numbers of qualified candidates seeking for admission without success. Speaking on the issue, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja, Prof Michael Kwanashie stated that the only way to narrow the gap is to allow more private universities to operate in the country.

“I believe it is helping the educational system of the country. As far as the universities are run properly. I am happy that the National University Commission doing is its work.

If the commission continue to ensure that it is done, properly, I think federal government have no choice than to register more universities.

“The number of people who are qualified after taking JAMB, far outnumbers the carrying capacities of the universities. If universities are critical to national development, why is it that we are not enabling those who can pass the JAMB exam go to university? Why is there a deficit? The deficit between the demand and the supply, why can’t it be narrowed? So the only way it can be narrowed is to allow other people to come into the education sector. ‘’The issue is that all the universities that come up, they don’t take a lot of students because they don’t have the capacity to take that number. Part of the ways of bridging that gap, is to make sure that we encourage quality private universities to come on board,’’ he said.

26 EDUCATION/NEWS

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CRUTECT Matriculates 5,500 Students tive vices such as cultism, rioting, The Cross Riv- examination maler University practice should of Technology be shunned at all (CRUTECH) has times as erring matriculated 5500 students shall be students at the in- sanction as prostitution’s 16th vided in the law matriculation cer- and statute of the emony. university.

Vice Chancellor of “I therefore the University Prof. charged you to be Anthony Enoh who good ambassadors revealed this stated of your faculties that the matriculat- and all those who ing students were have made various given admission to sacrifices to make The minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu (6 right) and members of the Central Planning Committee on Security Education and Awareness Campaign for Principals and Teachers of Federal Government Colleges during their inuaguration on Tuesday. enable them pursue it possible for you different degree to be part of this programmes in noble institution. fulltime/ part time. “On our part, I He said that the wish to state here school. at the combined orientation/ matriculaceremony was not that we are conACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos tion and induction ceremony in Jos, told Etukudoh further noted that students a mere ritual but cerned with the the inductees that their presentation for have to accept and imbibe civic respon- an important occaThe Provost and Chief Executive Offic- induction was a confirmation that they sibilities, adding that they must be chil- sion that symbol- welfare and safety er, Federal School of Medical Laborato- had been found worthy in character and dren of the 21st century intellect, driven izes the climax of of our students at all times. We asry Technology Sciences(FSMLTS), Jos, learning hence certified to practice. by quality education with high content the initiation and sume immediate Dr. Sunday Etukudoh has disclosed that He challenged them to practice with- of science and technology. orientation activi- and full responsifollowing the introduction of graduate in the ethics of their profession, reThe provost also appealed to governor ties which new stu- bility within the students programme by the Medical sist the temptation of trying to make Simon Lalong to provide amenities re- dents must underLaboratory Science Council of Nigeria it quick without due process even ass quired at the permanent site,adding that go upon arrival in limits of our rules and regulations for (MLSCN), over 200 medical laborato- he encouraged them to take advantage the school was yet to be connected to the CRUTECH. ry scientists were trained by the school of the opportunity of the institution at national grid for the supply of electrici- The VC advised all our students,” for the Northern states within the last their disposal to build their future and ty, hence relying on diesel powered gen- the new students he said.

The VC averred ten years. endeavour to abide by the rules and reg- erator which was seriously affecting the to steer clear from that under his The Provost who made the disclosure ulations of the running cost of the school . acts that would watch, the manbe inimical to the agement has development and upgraded the growth of the insti- 640-room-hostel

BY ADENIYI ADUNOLA, Lagos The group planned to achieve these work, achieving good health, building tution so that they for use by stusuccessfully dents beginning goals in Lagos through social mobilisa- functioning communities, developing can African Youths International Develop- tion, advocacy for affordable education, the skills to be a dependable parent and complete the pro- from the present ment Foundation, AYIDEF, has unveiled by raising awareness against child labour growing up to be an engaged and re- gramme that they academic session were given admis- just to reduce the the Lagos State Education Initiative (LA- and by adopting poverty reduction strat- sponsible citizen.”

SEDI), an intervention project aimed at egies, such as scholarships, subsidies, problem of accomAsaolu, who is also Nigeria’s Repre- sion to pursue. addressing some of the major challenges feeding, supply of uniforms and by in- sentative and Chairperson, Social Af- “As students, you modation. “It is facing the education sector in the troducing micro-enterprise programmes fairs and Health Cluster Committee of remain the fulcrum important to draw state. throughstrengthened partnerships. the African Union Economic, Social and upon which all your attention to The AYIDEF, hope to build “an egalitarPresident and Executive Director of Cultural Council, identified the negative other parts of the the fact that you ian society” where there would be equal AYIDEF, Dr. Tunji Asaolu, said that in attitude of many parents to education university revolve. can only qualify participation in education, facilitate the all the investments required to achieve and cultural factors as some of the big- I therefore expect for the award of “transition and completion of secondary sustainable development, none was gest problems facing the education sec- you all to use your our degrees and youthful energy, certificate if you education” of girls in Lagos State, and more important than quality education tor. contribute to the attainment of two of for every child.

He also described such barriers as the exceptional intel- are found worthy ligence and robust in character and the Millennium Development Goals, Highlighting the importance of good reason why the illiteracy level namely, achieving universal primary education to the society, he said, “In a was high in some parts of the country, attitude in tackling learning. every academic education and elimination of gender dis- knowledge-based world economy, a especially Lagos State.

“This means, and social tasks therefore that acparity in education at all levels by 2030. good education is vital for finding decent which you shall en- quisition of knowlcounter in the uni- edge here cannot versity and society. be done to the ex“I expect you to clusion of acceptBY ADENIYI ADUNOLA, Lagos and has students in Scratch, Python serve as a cata- able character,” he successfully trained 15,000. and Mobile App development, lyst for desirable said. and van- Enoh charged all The Lagos State government, The expanded scope of Code depending on their level. This term change guard for develop- students to only will commence the next phase Lagos would cater for residents we will also be introducing Oracle’s ment,” he said. in activiof the Code Lagos Initiative with above 16, and those who are not Alice and Greenfoot programming He warned that the engage ties that will procoding classes in 400 primary and currently enrolled in a primary or languages, through a partnership university author- mote and enhance secondary schools in the new secondary school. with Oracle Academy,” the special ity will not hesitate a conducive atmoacademic term.

Bank-Olemoh noted that the adviser said. to throw out any of sphere for learning A press statement signed by free coding classes would hold Bank-Olemoh also noted that its students who and above all, steer them- clear from interactspecial adviser to the State in Herbert Macaulay Library, governor Ambode recently involved Governor on Education, Obafela Yaba; Isolo Public Library, Isolo; approved the release of funds for selves in secret ing with misguided Bank-Olemoh indicated that Ilupeju Public Library, Ilupeju; and the payment of 224 Code Lagos cult activities or elements whose sole dare join any ne- intention is to lure governor Akinwunmi Ambode will Onikan Youth Centre, Onikan, and facilitators. societies or students into joining expand the scope of the project that “additional centers including According to him, “Facilitators in farious associations that organisations which due to its importance. other Lagos State public libraries, the government schools receive were not approved become a menIt would be recalled that since community centers and private a Code Lagos grant of N25, 000 by the authority of have ace to institutions of 2016, Code Lagos has been training centers are scheduled to per term while the facilitators in the institution. higher learning nadesigned to teach basic coding roll out in a few weeks.” private schools receive a grant of “Indeed, all nega- tionwide. skills to 1million Lagos residents “We will continue to train N20,000.”

RICHARD NDOMA, Calabar

FSMLTS Trains Over 200 Medical Lab Scientists

AYIDEF Moves To Address Problems In Education Sector

Lagos To Commence Coding Classes In 400 Schools

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Jigawa Education Sector Being Repositioned –Zakari

The Chairman, Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Salis Zakari, in this interview with MUHAMMAD ZANGINA KURA, spoke on why parents in the State have no excuse not to send their children to school.

T Zakari

he State launched what it termed, “Education Change A ‎ genda” aimed at revitalizing the education sector, how far has it gone?

The Education Change Agenda was designed to revitalize the state education sector and also to make basic education accessible to every child in the state regardless of h‎ is geographical location or parents socio-economic status.

To achieve the goals, a‎ ssessment was conducted, there after, the state Universal Basic Education Board came up with a blueprint which has four segments, including infrastructure, furniture, learning materials and teachers’ quality.

A ‎ nd in the last three years, due priority was accorded to each sector. Now, I can vividly say that a lot has been achieved in revitalizing the sector. All the success recorded ensued from political will and commitment demonstrated by Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, the goodwill of my commissioner Rabi Ishak and commitment of my staff and other stakeholders in the Jigawa education sector.

Today our education sector is on the path to become one of the best and exemplary models in the country.

How are you financing the programme?

When we assumed office in 2015, we f‎ ound that the previous administration had neglected to pay it’s counterpart funding for accessing UBEC funds for over two years. But this present government has cleared all the backlog left by previous government and also continued with timely payment of t‎ he counterpart funding.

As I am talking to you now we have paid over N6 billion counterpart funding and accessed the same amount which accrued to over N12 billion into the account of SUBEB as at last quarter of 2017, within that period we spent over N8 billion in carrying out numerous projects and programs.

P‎ resently, Jigawa State is among the three states of the federation that is up to date in payment of its UBEC counterpart funding and we have already channeled the fund we accessed to various projects according to UBEC guidelines.

As you mentioned, there are four key components in the “change agenda.” May we know some of the projects you have executed in thisperiod of time?

The projects we executed comprised that of 2013, 2014. UBEC/ SUBEB intervention which the previous government refused to do, and also that of three years of

our administration 2015-2017 intervention. On the infrastructure, virtually all the existing classrooms we met on ground were over populated, while some were damaged by windstorm. The whole condition was not favorable for providing quality education.

In a bid to decongest the classroom and make it up global standard, we embarked on massive renovation and construction of new building across all the 27 local government areas of the state In the last three years, we have succeeded in constructing no fewer than 20,446 classrooms for primary schools and Junior Secondary School (JSS) and before the end of this year more classes will be provided.

Within the said period of time 246 new schools comprising 133 primary schools and 113 JSS were established to improve learning atmosphere and ensure access to school for every child in the state.

During our NEEDS assessment, we found out that more than half of our pupils are taking lessons on a bare floor, which is not the right practice.

To address this w ‎ e submitted our plan to UBEC headquarter where we requested for increase in the percentage (money) allocated for furniture in the intervention, after deliberation they were convinced

During our NEEDS assessment, we found out that more than half of our pupils are taking lessons on a bare floor,

and approved our request.

According to our assessment, we need about 700,000 seats to address the problems of sitting on the floor, and in the last three years we have been able to procure and distribute over 500,000 seats to schools across the state. Our targets is to ensure that no single pupil sits on thecclassroom floor by the end of 2018.

Teachers welfare is also critical for delivering quality education to pupils. What have you done in this aspect?

Provision of qualified and adequate teachers with regular training and retraining, timely payment of their entitlements and welfare are a‎ lso part of our blueprint in the “change agenda” for revitalizing our education sector.

Government has ensured timely payment of salaries and other entitlement, including pension. Teachers receive their monthly salary first before other workers. With regards to teachers recruitment, w ‎ e identified the gap or shortage of about 5,000 teachers in our primary and junior schools. We designed a plan for recruitment batch by batch. Currently, we have recruited 1,300.

Under N-power, federal government scheme, w ‎ e received about 2,000 teachers and also we requested for increase of NYSC members.

These provide a support and temporary measure in our effort to ensure adequate teaching staff in our schools.

With regards to promotion, over 8, 000 teachers were promoted t‎ o various grade levels, while over 10, 000 were sponsored for various training and re-training. Some were conducted in collaboration with donor partners, all aimed at improving the teachers skills for quality teaching.

The sector is positively responding to the change, and we are fully determined to e‎ nsure all our schools are fixed to standard to compete with any private school in terms of quality education and enabling environment for learning.

What is your call to parents and teachers?

I am calling on the teachers to reciprocate the concern and all other gesture government offered them by working hard and impacting qualitative knowledge in our children.

While for the parents, with the construction of these huge number of classrooms, establishment of new additional schools, furniture, free education policies and other interventions to the sector, no father has any reason not to send his child to school in Jigawa State. I am appealing to the p‎ arents to send their children to school and ensure they attend classes regularly as both religious and conventional education are taught in our schools.

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’Only Aspirants In Party Primaries Can Challenge Its Outcome’

On 11 February 2016, your lordships heard and dismissed this appeal for reasons to be given on 22 February 2016.

These are the reasons that led me to that conclusion.

The Facts Are These On 11 and 25 April 2015 the 3rd respondent, the regulatory body charged with the conduct of elections in Nigeria conducted election for the office of Governor of Taraba State. There were 11 candidates at that election. The 1st appellant, sponsored by the 2nd appellant, and the 1st respondent sponsored by the 2nd respondent were candidates at the election. The 1st respondent was declared the winner of the election with a score of 369,318 votes, while the 1st appellant came second with 275,984 votes. The 1st appellant and her party, the 2nd appellant, were not satisfied with the outcome of the election, and so they filed a petition. The other candidates were satisfied with the outcome of the election.

The Grounds of the Petition are: (a) That the 1st respondent was at the time of the election, not qualified to contest for the Office of Governor of Taraba State, having not been sponsored by a political party, a condition precedent prescribed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) (b) That the election and return of 1st respondent was invalid by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and Approved Guidelines and Regulations for the conduct of 2015 General Elections and Manual for Election Officials 2015 which non-compliance substantially affected the result of the election. (c) That the election and return of 1st respondent was invalid by reason of corrupt practices which vitiated the election. (d) That contrary to result declared by 3rd respondent, the 1st petitioner indeed won majority of lawful votes cast and satisfied the mandatory constitutional threshold and spread across the local government areas of Taraba State and ought to have been declared winner and returned as the duly elected Governor of Taraba State at the 11 April and 25 April 2015 election.

The petitioners prayed for the following: 1. That it may be determined that the 1st respondent was at the time of the election having failed to meet the constitutional requirement of being sponsored by a political party.

2. That it may be determined that the return of the 1st respondent as the Governor of Taraba State in the election held on 11 and 25 April, 2015 is void for corrupt practices and substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

3. That it may be determined that the 1st respondent was not duly elected or returned in the pulling units complained of in Ardo-Kola, Bali, Donga, Ibbi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Kurme, Lau Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro and Zing Local Governments of Taraba State by majority of lawful votes cast at the governorship election Hon. Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC held on 11 and 25 April, 2015.

4. That it may be determined In The Supreme Court of Nigeria that the 1st petitioner scored the majority of lawful votes Holden at Abuja on Monday, The 22nd Day Of February, 2016 cast in the election held on 11 and 25 April, 2015 and satisfied the constitutional requireBefore Their Lordships ment and is entitled to be returned by the 3rd respondent Suleiman Galadima as having been duly elected Governor of Taraba State in Olabode Rhodes-Vivour the election held on 11 and 25 April, 2015.

Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili The petitioners ask for the following reliefs: 1. AN ORDER that the 1st petitioner be issued forthwith with a certificate of return as the duly elected Governor of Taraba State, pursuant to the election held on 11 and 25 April, 2015.

2. In the alternative to (3) and (4) above, that it may be determined that the elections in the polling units and wards in Ardo-Kola, Bali, Donga, Ibbi, Jalingo, Karim, Lamido, Kurme, Lau Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro and Zing Local Governments of Taraba State characterised by electoral irregularities and non-compliance (i.e. over-voting) in the governorship election held on 11 and 25 April, 2015 are invalid and that fresh elections be held in the said local government areas, amongst the contestant who participated in the original election, and that result of the fresh election in the affected local government areas be added to the scores of the respective candidates to determine and declare the eventual winner of majority of lawful

Musa Dattijo Muhammad Clara Bata Ogunbiyi John Inyang Okoro Amiru Sanusi Justices, Supreme Court SC.46/2016 (CONSOLIDATED) LN-e-LR/2016/5 (SC)

Between

Aisha Jummai Alahassan & Anor----------------Appellant And Mr. Darius Dickson Ishaku & Ors-------------Respondent

Judgement Delivered By Hon. Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC

“

After an examination of decided authorities it is so clear that party primaries are the domestic affair of the political party which no outsider can complain about.

and valid votes cast amongst the same contestants who stood nominated and entitled to contest the said election on 11 and 25 April, 2015.

The respondents responded with their replies urging the court to dismiss the entire petition.

Court’s Decision After examining the sad state of the appellants’ pleadings where they admitted that the 1st respondent was indeed sponsored by the 2nd respondent the appellants’ filed woefully to show that any of the provisions of Section 177 of the Constitution applies to the 1st respondent. After an examination of decided authorities it is so clear that party primaries are the domestic affair of the political party which no outsider can complain about.

Only aspirants at the primaries can complain about the conduct of party primaries. Furthermore an election tribunal has no jurisdiction to comment or examine how party primaries were conducted. Jurisdiction for such an exercise resides with Federal High Court, High Court of a State, or FCT High Court and only at the instance of a dissatisfied aspirant at the primaries.

Finally nomination, sponsorship of candidates by a party are pre-election matters that should be heard before petition is heard in an Election Tribunal.

In conclusion a brief summary of the reasons why this appeal fails would suffice at this stage.

1. Appellants’ pleadings were against their own case rather than in favour of their case.

2. Evidence of PW2 & Exhibit 5 in favour of the appellants’ to show that the 2nd respondent did not conduct primaries is at variance with appellants’ pleadings and so worthless.

3. It is only a person who participated in his party primaries that has locus standi to complain about how the primaries were conducted. The 1st appellant not being a member of the PDP (2nd respondent) has no locus standi to say that the 1st respondent was not sponsored by the 2nd respondent.

4. The 1st appellant in paragraph 74 (6) of her petition called for fresh election, and that the 1st respondent should participate. How may I ask can a person the Appellant’ says

was not sponsored by his party participate in afresh election?

This appeal has no redeeming features. It lacks substance and it ought to fail. It is accordingly dismissed.

Parties to bear their costs.

Representation A.J. Owonikoko, SAN with him, M.A. Magaji, SAN, J.N. Egwuonwu, M.I. Shaba, A. Zukogi (Miss), C.K. Udeoyibo, E. Okoi, A.D. Hussan, A.Y. Maidalailu, A. Olawole, H.M. Tukui, M. Yahaya, E.O. Abang, N.O. Salifu, A.I. Olawoye, N. Aje (Miss). R.P. Latu (Miss), B.O. Odigie (Miss), B.C. Babatunde (Mrs), N.A. Bandawa, A.C. Ebuzeme (Miss), J. Agbaduh (Miss), J.S.P. Dada & M.M. Grema (Mrs) - For Appellant AND Kanu G. Agabi, SAN with him, O. N. Ejut, SAN, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, N. Elijah, A. Aakm, J. Ochogwu, U. Njoku, A. Onah, M. Agada (Mrs), L. Akwaji, P. Igajah. P. Erivwode.

Y. Ogbonna, K. Wilkey, E. Usungurua, E. Etim (Miss), O. Obeten, A. Osaghae (Miss), C. Odoemene (Miss), D. Oluohu, W.C. Daniel, A. Afolarin, H. Okeke, A. Odule, E. Tutlu, E Ebong (Miss), S.Q. Agbor, C. Ayodele (Mrs), B. Ude, N. Medani, O. Ogbenyealu (Mrs), L. Nwoye, O. Apeh, F. Balogun, O. Ihenkanandu (Miss), O. Okoye (Miss), M. Philip (Mrs), M. Idam, O. Arowosebe, A. Igbo, P. Okpa, A. Pascal (Mrs), A. Ukaga (Miss), J. Jideobi, L. Yusuf (Miss), I. Namiji (Miss), E. Chijioke (Miss), O. Ekonknow (Miss), C. Okorie, A. Alim (Miss), P. Arua (Miss), T. Olubayo (Miss), M. Ogobuchi, O. Achem, G. Ejesieme (Miss), B. Ameh (Miss), C. Ozuzu (Miss), B. Ogar, N. Odule (Mrs), Mary Francis Orji (Miss), N. Ezidi. - for 1st Respondent.

Chief S. U. Akuma, SAN with him, M.I. Siman, G.E. Ukaegbu, E.A. Effiong, A. Maisamari, T.T. Chahiur, M.B. Ahmad. E.N. Ukaegbu, D.G. Tukura, U. Akingnade (Mrs), M.C. Nwoye, T. T. Sekibo, D. Mbila (Miss). - for 2nd Respondent J.B. Daudu, SAN with him, A.J. Akanmode, J.O. Makinde, E.N. Chia, J.A. Oguche, H.M. Usman (Mrs), P.B. Daudu, S. Stephen, F. Al-Mustapha (Miss), O.J. Wada, I.C. Okonji, A. Abu, H.M. Ibega, S.O. Sanni (Miss), K. Fatai-Oso. for 3rd Respondent

30 LAW & SOCIETY

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The Cost Of Conflicting Judgements To INEC, Candidates (Part 3) CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

BY AHURAKA YUSUF ISAH

Supreme Court Interventions, Remedies

T

he Electronic Card Reader Machine for accreditation of voters was provided for in the Approved Guidelines and Regulations for the conduct of the 2015 General Elections. Prior to the authorization of its use by the Guidelines, Sections 49 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) had adopted analogue procedure for the accreditation process. The National Assembly perhaps went to sleep by not amending the Electoral Act in order to replace the Voters’ Register (analogue procedure) with the Card Reader Machine, in order to serve as the sole determinant of valid accreditation process.

The 7-man panel of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed in the appeal number SC.1004/2015 in the matter between EDWARD NKWEGU OKEREKE (APPELLANT) AND NWEZE DAVIDUMAHI AND OTHERS (RESPONDENTS), held that; ‘’… since the Guidelines and Manual which authorized the use and deployment of the electronic card Reader Machine were made in exercise of the powers conferred by the Electoral Act, the said Card Reader cannot, logically, depose or dethrone the voters’ Register whose judicial roots are firmly embedded in the selfsame Electoral Act from which it (the Voters’ Register), directly, derives its sustenance and currency’’.

Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, who delivered the lead judgment said “the lower court was right in holding that the Card Reader Report was incomplete, unreliable and incapable of proving the appellant’s allegation of improper accreditation/over-voting’’. Should Voters’ Register or Card Reader Machine Report be the determinant of valid accreditation? This had been the basis of conflicting judgment amongst the Court of Appeal Divisions recently.

While the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal in the AGBAJE V AMBODE appeal declared against the use of the Card Reader, the Port Harcourt division’s Court of Appeal held otherwise. The certainty of law is what the Supreme Court had decided to guarantee in the country with its pronouncements in the gubernatorial appeal judgments; even if the heavens are to fall or hell let loose. As expected, there were accusations from some quarters that some apex court justices were compromised, notwithstanding that the judgments which were unanimously delivered by 7 Justices, whose identities were earlier not made known to parties prior to sitting and concomitantly delivering judgement same day..

Need to Review Laws on Composition of Election Petition Tribunals What militates against qualities of election petition tribunal judgements mostly has to do with the composition of the election petition tribunals by the Court of Appeal. There were cases of mix-up in 2015, whereby judges other than high court judges were appointed to head election petition tribunals. Tribunal judges were removed, while those that replaced them had for the concerned that election petition matters are sui generis carried on, only to lead to dismissal of such tribunal judgements at the appellate courts; and miscarriage of justice in general.

While at midway to hearing of the petition filed against election of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Rivers state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, the Court of Appeal President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa removed the tribunal chairman, Justice Mu’azu Abdulkadir Pindiga due to adverse security report and the advice of the Nation-

Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa OFR, CFR

al Judicial Council (NJC). Consequently, Justice Mohammed Suleiman Ambrosa who was previously on the Rivers State National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal panel was brought in to replace Justice Pindiga; also deployed to head another tribunal in Rivers state.

Curiously, the newly constituted panel with Justice Ambrosa as chairman completed the hearing of those applications on September 9, 2015 and delivered ruling in them and subsequently delivered judgement in the election petition matters on October 24, 2015.

In Sokoto state Govt Vs Kamdex (Nig) Ltd (2007) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1034) 492-493, the Supreme Court held that once a judicial official who did not participate in the hearing participates in the delivery of the judgement or ruling, the judgement or ruling becomes void ab initio notwithstanding the fact that the majority of the judges or judicial officers who delivered the judgement or ruling participated in hearing.

Section 294 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Paragraph 25 (2) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) supports the Supreme Court verdict above.

Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun who delivered lead judgement in Governor Wike’s appeal against the concurrent judgements of the Court of Appeal and Election Tribunal that nullified his 2015 election held that the ruling delivered on September 9, 2015 was without jurisdiction, and it is a nullity.

‘’In the instant case, Pindiga, J as chairmanwith Leha, J and Taiwo, J heard the application. The ruling delivered on 9/9/2015 signed by Ambursa, J as chairman and Leha and Taiwo, JJ as members, reviewed the submis of learned counsel made at the hearing of the application before dismissing same.

There is no doubt that Ambursa, J could not have formed an opinion on the submissions of learned counsel, which he did not heasr.

In the eyes of the law only Leha and Taiwo, J delivered the ruling. The signature of Ambursa, J on the ruling was invalid.

“The remaining two members of the tribunal who participated in the hearing of the application and delivered opinion therein could not form a quorum in the absence of the chairman who participated in the hearing. The tribunal was not properly constituted for the delivery of the ruling and therefore lacked the competence to do so.

“Having found that the ruling delivered on 9/9/2015 was a nullity, it constitutes a good ground for setting aside the entire proceeding before the tribunal. However, having regard to the fact that this is an election matter, which is sui generis and time bound and the fact that it would not be possible for the parties to return to the tribunal having regard to the provisions of Section 285 (6) & (7) of the 1999 Constitution, I deem it proper, in the interest of justice to consider the appeal on its merit’’, Justice Kekere-Ekun held.

On October 6, 2015, the then Cross River State National and State Assembly Election

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Christopher Awubra disqualified him after 179 days of sittings, thereby rendering proceedings and judgments of the tribunal invalid. This is just as Justice O. A. Adeniyi, former member who took over him went ahead on October 12, 2015 to deliver judgment on the five cases before the tribunal, saying they were “mere academic exercise” and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won in all.

Justice Awubra had to disqualify himself following application of Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN), Counsel to Senator Bassey and PDP in the election petition by Senator Otu of LP, challenging the election of Senator Bassey of the PDP as the winner of the March 28, 2014 Cross River South Senatorial election Erokoro insisted that Justice Awubra’s chairmanship of the tribunal ran contrary to the provisions of the “Schedule 6 of the 1999 constitution which stipulates that the Tribunal chairman should be a sitting High Court judge, ‘’whereas Justice Awubra is a member of a Customary Court of Appeal in Taraba state.”

Delivering a judgment on jurisdiction in the case of Senator Otu and Senator Bassey thereafter, Justice Adeniyi said, Awubra ”not being a judge of a High Court the proceedings of the Tribunal from inception up to October 6 should be set aside…as the law says that the Chairman of the Tribunal shall be a judge of a High Court.

By virtue of Paragraph 1 (2) and 2 (2) of the Sixth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, the Chairman and other members of a National Assembly Election Tribunal; and a Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal shall be appointed by the President of the Court of Appeal Paragraph 1 (2) of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution dictates that ‘’the Chairman shall be a Judge of a High Court and the four other members shall be appointed from among Judges of a High Court, Kadis of a Sharia Court of Appeal, Judges of a Customary Court of Appeal or other members of the judiciary not below the rank of a Chief Magistrate’’ According to Justice Banji Orilonise (Rtd.), in the paper titled, “The Courts and Management of Election Petitions: Challenges, Prospects and Solution” he delivered at a symposium organised by Mustapha Akanbi Foundation July 21, 2010 ‘’One wonders why Kadis of Sharia Courts of Appeal and or Judges of Customary Courts of Appeal and a Chief magistrate should be members of election petition tribunals. A lot of them other than those who have legal qualifications are mere waste pipes at election Tribunals. As appellate court judges, they are not used to writing court proceedings or taking evidence of witnesses in long hand and they find it difficult to do so. Some of them cannot even make meaningful contributions to discussions on legal issues not to talk of writing rulings. Such that the High Court Judges among them are unnecessarily over-worked’’ “It is my suggestion that the constitution be amended to make the National Assembly Election Tribunals to be chaired by a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal with a retired High Court Judge and a serving High Court Judge as members. All three members must always sit to form a quorum’’, Justice Orilonise said.

This is just as it has been argued that the constitution should rather be amended for the duty of composition of the Election Petition Tribunals to be domiciled in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) The arguments are supported with the facts that when the governorship election petition matters were terminating at the Court of Appeal, lots of miscarriages of justices were recorded. ‘’CJN’s office has greater capacity to constitute tribunal panels with minimal occurrences of these mix-ups and outrageous errors’’.

CONCLUDED.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

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law & society 31

Justice Mukhtar’s Warning Against Lobbying Culture In The Judiciary

BY AHURAKA YUSUF ISAH

In June 1998, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association held a conference in the United Kingdom at Latimer House, Buckinghamshire.

The conference drew a set of Guidelines on good practice governing relations between the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary, in the promotion of good governance, the rule of law and human rights.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, in December 2003, the Heads of Government fully endorsed the recommendations of their Law Ministers on the Latimer Guidelines, which specify the Commonwealth Principles on the accountability of and relationship between the three branches of Government.

The Nigerian Judiciary has assured in several fora that it has made significant progress not only complying with the Latimer House Principles but is also complying with the Bangalore Principles as well, which they insisted have formed an important part of the ethical character that underpins the operation of the Nigerian Courts. The commitment to higher ideals of impartiality, propriety, diligence and competence, among others, the judiciary boasted are no longer mere watch words but are actual standards that the nation’s Judges have to attain.

An independent, impartial, honest and competent judiciary the Latimer House Principles insisted is integral to

upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence and dispensing justice. Indeed Value 6 of the Bangalore Principles state that competence and diligence are prerequisites to the due performance of any judicial office.

To secure these aims, judicial appointments should be made on the basis of clearly defined criteria and by a publicly declared process. The process should ensure equality of opportunity for all who are eligible for judicial office and appointment on merit. Judges should be subjected to suspension or removal only for reasons of incapacity or misbehaviour that clearly renders them unfit to discharge their duties, so the member countries are expected to imbibe.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), the apex body for the nation’s judiciary, is one of the Federal Executive Bodies created by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The council is vested with enormous powers and functions, which no such institution in the 1979 constitution or any other previous constitution had.

By the provision of Paragraph 21 of Part One of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, NJC is empowered to recommend to the President or Governors from among the list of persons submitted to it by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), Judicial Service Committee of the FCT and State Judicial Service Commissions, persons for appointment as justices, judges or Kadis of all the superior courts of record in the country.

According to the NJC new guidelines on appointments, the council however interviews all candidates, Kadis, judges, justices for appointment to all su-

Mukhtar

perior courts of record to allow for competition among candidates and transparency in the selection mechanism for judicial appointments.

Despite all the rules and guidelines, lobbying, favoritism and god-fatherism still play major roles in the appointment of judicial officers in the country. This has been argued to be a norm in pluralistic, ethno-religious and democratic society like Nigeria. This is particularly so, because unlike the Executive and Legislature that in most cases appoint their personnel and officers solely by themselves, all Judicial Officers’ appointment involve all the three arms of government. And all the members of the three arms of government are in-

volved more than before in lobbying, trying to do a favour or being a god-father to some judicial officers.

Because the menace is weighing down on the quality of judicial officers being appointed this days, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar had to raise the alarm recently, saying it is capable of destroying the judiciary if steps are not taken to curb it.

Justice Mukhtar had on March 3, 2018 during a biography presentation of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi in a book titled ‘’Honey from the Rock’’ said, “I shall at this junction, revisit the issue of lobbying and in addition favoritism and

god-fatherism in the appointment of judicial officers. It is sad that we allow the rising culture of lobbying to influence appointment in the judiciary.

“If we are to revive what held sway in the past, that is maintaining a strong and competent judiciary, then merit should be the watchword. Lobbying, favoritism and god fatherism should be discouraged and discarded, as they lead to the fall in the standard, and instead of enhancing the institution, they devalue and weaken it because of incompetence of the personnel.

Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar’s view for a change in the criteria for the appointment of Judicial Officers in Nigeria is instructive; and therefore behooves on the NJC to begin to implement the ‘’2014 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers’’ of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria’’.

It was clear that the old Guidelines and Rules had become unworkable as it is fostering anachronisms such as the limitation that saw only Justices of the Court of Appeal, as of right, making it to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Under the new, more rigorous and transparent rules, any qualified legal practitioner with the requisite intellect has the opportunity of making it to any Court in the land and even to the posts of Heads of Federal and States Superior Courts, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

It is worthy of note that part of the reform of the current CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen who doubles as the NJC Chairman is to ensure that the overall appointments procedure maintains the institutional integrity of the judicial appointment process so that only the most competent persons are elevated.

Corruption Allegations: NJC Should Not Be A Sleeping Giant – Ozekhome Chief Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate, in this interview with KUNLE OLASANMI, speaks on the powers of the anti-graft agencies and the need for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to assert its authority.

What is your view on allegations of corruption in the judiciary?

S

ections 120 to129 of the 1999 Constitution are the functions of the Accountant General and the Auditor General who have a duty to audit the accounts or look into whether there has been appropriation or misappropriation‎ after the seal of the revenue under Section 162 of the Constitution.

Whereas, if you allowed EFCC, they will be going from state to state to look at their books, whereas that is not their function.

To prevent such occurrences, will you suggest that NJC should set up an investigative panel?

The solution is that the NJC should not be a sleeping giant, but rather, a volcanic eruption. When cases are reported, they should quickly look into the cases and dispense justice. Justice delayed is justice denied, just as justice rushed is justice crushed. There must be a balance between the two. For instance, you cannot sit on an issue a‎ nd expect an implosion not to occur. I do not believe that the NJC is guilty this time, because from what I heard, elders intervened and they said let us see how we can settle

port Mr. President so that they will not be crushed. But, if you now fix it vice versa, then the presidential candiate will start cultivating the lesser mortals for democracy to deep in and widen. I believe this is the way to go. Let the presidential election come first. After all, he is the big masquerade. So let us use the other lower ones to test the first three weeks so that there will not be band wagon effect. That is what the NASS wants to do and I totally agree with NASS.

this matter. There is nothing that cannot be settle. It is not a crime to say let us negotiate and reconcile. The most heated wars in the world were settle. That was why in 1918, after the first world war, the treaty of Brussels had to be signed in France where Germany was blamed for holocaust and everything. But the fact that the reconciliation was not thorough and was not also deep seated led to the League of Nations which again led to the United Nation Organization in 1945 because a second world war broke out when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were attacked.

There is an on going conflict between the NASS and INEC over sequence of election.

How will you react to this?

The only power the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has are the ones it can exercise under the Electoral Act. NASS passes Electoral Act. The only thing NASS cannot do is to amend the Electoral Act in less than six months to the election. That will mean there is an alterior motive, but the next election is about 14 months away. So the National Assembly‎ under Section 4 of the Constitution is performing its duties to make law for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria. INEC’s elections is just a part

Ozekhome

of it. I agree with the order of election as proposed in the new Electoral Act Amendment because if you make the Presidential election to come first, the fear of Presidential candidate is the beginning of wisdom. So, all Senators, House Representatives members and all governors will be raided in to sup-

Deputy Senate President once warned that a military Coup could be possible because of the way things are going on in the country, what is your take on this?

Sure,he is right. Although, I do not support a military take over for the simple reason that it conscripts the democratic space,the point must be made that they watch and study the political temperature,using the barometer of lack of democracy dividends,blatant violation of human rights,rule of law and total abnegatio of democratic concepts to budge the mood of the people. Ekweremadu should be commended for this timely warning. Nigerians have never been so democratically trashed as now.

There are calls for jury trial system on the grounds

that it will fast track adjudication of corruption cases if introduced, how would you react to this?

I am not aware it will.It may even corrupt it.A jury system involves direct participation by the common people on a trial.With the current ravaging hunger and poverty,ethnoreligious hate,deep seated schism and divisiveness,it will be very easy for money bags and politicians to buy off the conscience of many justices. Justice will be skewed,bastardised and will be for the highest.

Prof. Sagay recently alleged that SANs are the ones aiding and abetting corruption in the judiciary, do you share this view?

Well, he is perfectly entitled to his opinion. But I expect him to name the SANs, or he should be kind enough to stop class defamation.There is no need libelling a whole class of respected Nigerians because you are in power.Last time, it was the politicians that corrupt the judges.Then,the judges corrupted themselves. Now,it is SANs that corrupt judges.

In any case,why should any respected judge who has taken the oath of office allow himself to be “corrupted” ?

32 ISSUES

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Thursday, April 12, 2018

Nigeria: Still A Question Praying For Answer

BY DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU

“Do we even have as many factories?” The Rwandan President reportedly wondered when he allegedly closed down 6000 churches and over 100 mosques in the country recently. The worship centres according to news reports were so treated because they failed to comply with building safety standards and other regulations.

Of course, that seems the right question to have asked in a situation where churches and mosques outnumber factories and small scale businesses. Sadly, however, nobody in authority asks such question in our clime?

The Rwandan helmsmen were also proposing a legislation requiring pastors to have degrees in theology before starting a church in order to teach correct doctrine. In our own space, where churches have taken over many factory sites, those expected to ask such vital questions are busy amassing wealth, jostling to outshine one another as churches thrive in the lucrative ventures of private schools and universities which they establish for children of the rich.

This private universities, arguably also provide jobs, but can those be compared with thousands that could

easily be employed by one industry?

Unless they are complimented for swelling the outrageous population of the unemployed graduates that roam our streets!

In our own part of the world, university degrees are fast losing their values as doctorate degree holders now lobby for blue-collar jobs. They take whatever comes their way in order to survive. Many of them see the emergence of organized corporate transportation companies, Uber and Taxify as a blessing. These victims of circumstance work as drivers on commission for those who could afford to buy cars for the Uber and Taxify business. After four to six years stint at the university, studying hard towards self-reliance and a rosy future, they are hired to nurture the dreams of others, as they become glorified taxi drivers.

Their take home after the weekly delivery of N40000 to the car owner is about N8000. Yet they do it for survival. These are the God-fearing ones.

“Do you enjoy what you are doing?” I asked a well-behaved Taxify driver that drove me from Akowonjo Road in Lagos to the National Stadium, Surulere. “ Are you kidding me, mom? I am a computer scientist. I have a degree in Computer Science. I do this to feed my family.”

“Oh, I am sorry. Thought you own this car, and you’re making good money…”

He cuts in, as I gazed at his immaculate white long sleeve shirt: “Good money. No, mom, you don’t have to be sorry. You are not the President, or Senate President.

Let them live in affluence while we struggle to feed.”

At that point, I was moved to tears. “Don’t worry, everything will be alright,” I said, though I didn’t believe myself. “Thanks mom, you are so kind. You know the worst part of it. I must give money to my wife for tithes and offerings. She is not working, yet insist on enriching her church. I give her whatever I can afford to make her happy. It doesn’t make sense, but I do it.”

When the car pulled up at the stadium for me to alight, I added N1000 to the official fare of N1,350.

(The fare was so cheap compared to the local taxis).

“Thank you mummy. God bless you real good ma,” he said, with a grin and with gratitude in his voice.

He gave me his contact number. “My name is Ade. Please call me anytime you need the car ma. Thank you once again ma.” With that, I stepped out of the car and he drove off, still smiling.

That bit about pastors and general overseers got me thinking. Why should someone pay tithe without

a job?

Offering, yes; but tithe, hmmm.

Are there direct benefits for this loyalty to the churches? Even the private schools and universities owned by them are beyond affordability of the average church members.

I admire Ade’s resilience. Others take to crime. Cyber swindling, armed robbery, rituals, name it.

A group of young men just threw the peaceful town of Offa into mourning on Thursday, killing several people as they robbed banks.

The Libyan slave trade experience, still fresh in our memory was thought - provoking. Yet when the news filtered in, nobody asked the necessary questions. How do we create jobs for our people? How do we make Nigeria habitable for our youths? How do we move away from newspaper trials of looters and actually punish them as deterrent to other would-be offenders? We have brought them home and that is the end. No sane mind would leave a decent job in his country for an uncertain golden fleece in a foreign land.

The Buhari - led administration, as a matter of urgency, thought of N- Power empowerment programme as a short term reprieve for jobless youths. Forms were distributed from the office

Momentum Of Reform At PenCom

BY LINDA ONOH-STEVENSON

It can be hardly disputed that the Pension Reform Act 2004 was literally a revolutionary initiative in terms of the paradigm shift that legislation eventuated in Nigeria’s pension industry. The act for the first time in our nation’s history triggered a progressive response and established a more rigorous regime for the earnest operation of immeasurable benefits for both retired public and private sectors workers in Nigeria. Prior to the Obasanjo-promulgated initiative, the pension industry was in a despicable status of paralyzing chaos– there was no clear frame work for ensuring due accounting and transparency for contributions from workers and very much less the guarantee of payments of benefits to retirees and other contributors to the pension scheme.

On one hand, the public service sector operated an unfunded socalled Defined Benefits Schemean obviously sham arrangement where retirement benefits were supposed to be budgeted for annually. It is blood chilling to explain what this arrangement means in simple language– translation is that the amount of money to be paid as annual benefits to the already heavily exploited mass of Nigerians will again be subjected to the whims and caprices of some scheming bureaucrats and political elites.

Of course, the outcome of such a rickety arrangement was a foregone conclusion; there was never adequate provision in the

budget to take care of persons who have in most cases laboured tirelessly for the motherland in their energetic years- indeed, more scandalous was the manner of the persistent irregularity of the meager payments of pension and the abysmal accumulation of arrears.

But even more perilous for the pensioners was the situation in the private sector where a considerable number of employers did not even consider the issue of pension as the inalienable rights of working people. It was often the case that the deductions of the workers were not properly accounted for with legitimate pension agencies and in other cases, a lot of the management of pension funds were engaged in gross malpractices and odious scams with workers’ contributions. It could be said that the rule governing pension operation for the private sector was that there were no rules.

And while casting a retrospective look at the abysmal depth from which the nation’s pension industry is ascending, we cannot also forget the years of unpardonable and unconscionable relapse in the regulation of the pension industry especially under a so called Task Force on Pension Reforms which operated from around 2010 and a few years beyond, neither can one ignore the unprecedented amended clause in the Pension Reform Act 2014 which requires the D-G of the commission to be replaced only by a D-G from the same geopolitical zone of the predecessor. This single clause does not only negate best global practice, it also further

impedes the progressive gains in the industry.

It is inspiring that an Ad Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives is conducting an inquiry into the activities of the Task Force: an agency that will inescapably go down into infamy for its savage looting of savings of hard working Nigerians. One would hope the committee will recommend the rescindment of such anachronistic clause. Such remarkable history must edify the trajectory of our introspection of the momentum of reform currently taking place at Pen Com, the regulatory apex of the Nigerian pension industry.

The nation cannot afford a recidivistic trend in such a vital sector of the economy. The growth in the pension industry has been particularly phenomenal since the assumption of office by the Acting D-G Aisha Dahir Umar and the reformed management in 2017. Three particular sources: investments, contributions from existing customers and the boost of nearly 400,000 new contributors just within the past six months are all signals of positive responses to the reform agenda being initiated by the new Pen Com management.

However, as a passionate retirement adviser who dealt with matters concerning pension before and after the 2004 reforms, I would counsel moderation in over exuberance for the commission. There are still such lingering questions as to how the commission got itself involved in a onebillion-naira investment in a

floundering Abuja–based Aso savings bank in 2015. What were the diligent considerations for such a decision and who or which management group made such a decision? Why does the transaction look so thimblerigged? There were questionable ‘white elephant’ projects under the immediate past management which includes the inoperable ‘Focal One’ prostate cancer machine that gulped 1 billion naira and what industry watchers and pension fund administrators referred to as the mother of all conduits – the establishment of a 2 billion naira pencom Tv. One often wonders why anything smelly, sneaky or direful is always associated with that management.

The acceleration towards a formidable future for the industry with the guarantee workers’ savings under Pen Com requires that the commission must obligatorily come clean about its past. For added credibility of the ongoing reform agenda, should the vulnerable contributors to the pension fund not be informed about the involvement of Pen Com in a 400-million-naira law suit FCT/HC/CV/2478/15 - the case reportedly arising from a delinquent debt owed by a top management staff of Pen Com Grace Usoro, general manager national data bank. Consequently, the commission is about being rubbished and publicized as an associate rascally debtor with liability. Is there a direct consequence on the contributions

of the First Lady. The Nigerian factor took over. Youths were invited in 2016 for vocational training in Lagos and some other states towards empowerment in small scale businesses. The Lagos training was held at the Police College, Ikeja. The beneficiaries of the few weeks training were short-changed. On their graduation day, they saw trade equipment that were never given to them. No start-up capital, nothing! Sewing machines, hair dryers, make up kits were displayed for television cameras, while two among the ladies were told what to say before the camera, concerning the quality of the training and the generosity of the Federal Government for empowering the unemployed youths!

The make-believe equipment evaporated into thin air after the ceremony, and the supposed beneficiaries were ‘posted’ (promised) in Nigerian parlance.

“You can leave now. We will get back to you.” And that was it, since 2016, another tale by moonlight! Why? Even under President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria remains a question praying for answer.

-Laoye-Osinkolu wrote in from Lagos

or the gains of the pensioners in this matter? To feel that some of the persons on who so much trust is placed to manage the existential savings of Nigerians can be so reckless in their own private endeavours – that they would so mismanage the funds of their own private commercial entities and allow the fallout to indelibly taint an employer like Pen Com stinks of brazen impunity. There should be public accounting for this kind of conduct. Does the commission ethics and privileges rules not forbid its employees from engaging in businesses other than agriculture? If so, why has the commission not acted accordingly? The new D-G should not allow the festering of such malfeasance in the launch of Pen Com into a world-class regulatory agency.

Undoubtedly, Pen Com is rapidly gaining the trust and confidence of investors and other stakeholders just as the management is determinedly concretizing the Micro Pension Scheme which would exponentially expand its base of contributors. The scheme could offer unprecedented economic empowerment and security to a whole new class of Nigerians without monthly earnings like salaries. However, the commission’s most valuable and indestructible asset is trust– and that can only be acquired with more transparency in the affairs of the agency.

–Prof. Onoh-Stevenson, a pension expert, wrote in from Edinburgh, Scotland

business

Thursday, April 12, 2018

NEWS

MONEY

CAPITAL MARKET

INSURANCE

INFLATION RATE (%) 2016

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

18.3 18.48 18.55

INTERVIEW

2017

15.91 15.9 15.37

ANALYSIS

Leadership Newspapers

INTER BANK LENDING RATE (AS AT APRIL 10) RATE CHANGE (%)

O/N 1M 3M 6M

3.2500 13.7132 14.1889 14.7524

-0.45 -0.53 -0.90 -1.54

Custom’s CG Effects Mini Redeployment Of Senior Officers

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

Business 101 with MBAKAAN KWEN

Tips For Effective Human Resource Management

BY MARK ITSIBOR, Abuja

In order to further strengthen the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has approved the redeployment of 8 Officers (3 in higher acting capacities) for greater service delivery. The appointments in acting capacities are: Comptroller, Aremu Modupe Adeyanju (Mrs) as Ag. Assistant ComptrollerGeneral (Strategic Research & Policy), Deputy Comptroller, Agbara Ojobo Michael as Ag. Customs Area Controller Ogun Command and Deputy Comptroller, Olumoh Kamaluddeen as Ag. CAC Adamawa/Taraba Command.

Officers redeployed include: Comptroller, Adetoye Francis moved from Adamawa/Taraba to Ports & Termimals Multi-Services Logistics (PTML), Comptroller, Loko Yusuf from SR&P to Abia/ Imo Command, Comptroller, Ajiya Kashim moved from Human Resources and Development to Customs Training College Ikeja, Comptroller, Sani Madugu from Ogun Command to Enforcement HQ and Deputy Comptroller, Dangaladima Sambo Khalid from SR&P to Presidential Task Force on Cross Border Movement. The CGC charged the affected Officers to see their appointments and redeployments as opportunities to build on the gains of the ongoing reforms for enhanced service delivery.

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L-R: Marketing manager, DStv, Tope Oshunkeye; winner of One Million Naira and Big Brother Naija Head of House Chair, Zainab Abudullai and senior advisor, Private Banking, Heritage Banking Plc, Adora Zulu-Okafor, during the gift presentation in the ongoing ‘Upgrade Promo’ by MultiChoice Nigeria, yesterday.

Why Arik Air Has Not Joined International Routes – AMCON

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos

Arik Air has said although it is doing regional operations within Africa, most Nigerians are urging the company to go international across the continents.

But the airline, under the management of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), feels that adequate plans need to be in place before venturing in such long hauls operations.

Speaking at a training forum organised yesterday for its travel agents in Lagos, the chief executive officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, said many Nigerians want the company to open the international routes but one of the things the airline realised was that they should not go into the international routes without proper planning.

Ilegbodu, who made it clear that an airline should be well - positioned when going on international routes, said if it was possible, the airline should get their partnerships and allowances right before going into the international route.

“You should also go with the right aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency, seat capacity and things like that and then fall back such that when the queen is down, there is a support system that enables you to recover your service quickly,” he added.

The CEO, who was represented by the chief commercial officer and head, Receivership Support of AMCON, Mr Omokide Kamilu, also pointed out that If an airline did not have all those things well arranged and ventured into international routes, the carrier would surely burn its fingers.

He therefore, said that going back to the international route was a decision for Arik Air to make and it would be carefully made.

On the plans AMCON have for Arik, Ilegbodu stated, “We are very clear as AMCON as to what our role in Arik is. We’re primarily a debt recovery company. We were set up by the federal government to stabilise the banking industry primarily and by extension companies that have borrowed from the banking industry.”

Emphasizing that AMCON was not going into aviation business, the CEO maintained that their job in Arik was to first stabilise it so that they can put the company in a position to repay its loans.

“The aviation industry is very critical to Nigerian economy. Arik too is big, Aero is big, that’s why you see a lot of direct AMCON interest in those companies, otherwise we wouldn’t be. Our job is to recover our money and in doing this, we also want the Nigerian people to get some benefits by stabilising this company,” Ilegbodu said.

Stating that Arik Air was currently on about 15 aircrafts , while running between 10 and 12 aircrafts, Ilegbodu said that Arik Air left Maiduguri route but has now reopened it and that the route was doing well.

“We are planning to reopen Bauchi very soon under a partnership with the government. We plan to open other routes and opened some routes in the west coast taking advantage of our increased capabilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, travel agents who spoke to LEADERSHIP commended AMCOM, stressing that the airline has fully regained air passengers’ confidence unlike before. Phillip Adeleke of Bon Voyage Travels said that, with innovations AMCOM has put in place, confidence has fully returned and that air passengers have developed interest once again in the airline.

Another travel agent and Arik Air trade partner, Mrs Margaret Ekerete, pointed out that AMCON has transformed Arik for good.

Pointing the current platform the airline is using as a right step in the right direction, the travel agent said, “I think the platform Arik is using is very good. Our airlines and agents find it very convenient. In a general term, I am very happy Arik Air is back in the air, resuming all its major operations with buoyant plans going forward.”

The key to effective leadership and human resource management is motivating your team to consistently perform well and instilling in them a desire to constantly improve. Staff should be managed in a manner that encourages their output and makes them feel satisfied and comfortable as a member of your team. Tamlyn Lambert highlights some tips for what you can do to foster an effective body of staff.

C O M M U N I C AT E EFFECTIVELY: Communication is essential to effective human resource management. Take the time to learn how to communicate effectively with all of your employees, and make sure that they feel comfortable communicating with you. Open communication is a major factor of employee satisfaction. Some employees may require firm but respectful directions, while other will respond best to a soft tone and a congenial attitude. Barking orders at your staff and instilling them with fear will only antagonise and not motivate your employees. When it comes to communication with your staff, honesty is key.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS: Great employee relationships are driven by respect, trust, honesty, support and attention. The more supportive the environment, the more motivated and comfortable your employees will feel when it comes to their output. A great boss has a genuine interest in their employees as individuals.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari

34 NEWS/BUSINESS www.leadership.ng

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STOCK INDEX (AS AT APRIL 11) Gainers

Symbols Lasaco Fidelitybk Access Maybaker Afrinsure

CP 1.16 1.00 192.00 0.57 2.56

% change 9.43 8.70 7.56 7.55 4.92

Losers

Symbols Dangflour Multiverse Sovrenins Wapic Eterna

CP 1.35 5.70 71.95 0.27 3.29

% change -9.40 -5.00 -4.95 -3.57 -3.24

@leadershipNGA

Confusion Trails Lifting Of Oando Technical Suspension

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

There was uncertainty over the lifting of technical suspension placed on Oando’s shares at the Nigerian stock exchange yesterday.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) earlier in the 40,846.24 hour of yesterday lifted the 4,462 technical suspension placed 367.22 on Oando Plc shares.

5.33 However, there was 14.754 speculation at the end of yesterday trading that the shares of Oando remain suspended.

There was no clarification made on this as the investing public still awaits NSE per share.

Also, Japaul Oil went up by explanation. In a letter by the 7.55 per cent to close at 57 kobo NSE to Oando on the lifting of and Honeywell Flour rose by technical suspension on trading 4.92 per cent to close at N2.56 in the Shares of Oando said, it per share. On the other hand, states that, “We refer to all prior CI Leasing led the laggards’ communication regarding the table by 9.40 per cent to close technical suspension of trading in the shares of Oando Plc at N1.35 per share.

Red Star Express trailed with implemented on the directive a loss of five per cent to close at N5.70, while Beta Glass declined by 4.95 per cent to close at N71.95 per share.

Regency Alliance Insurance dipped by 3.57 per cent to close at 27 kobo, while United Capital went down by 3.24 per cent, to close at N3.29 per share.

STOCK INDEX (AS AT APRIL 11) ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

(Points) (Numbers) (Numbers million) (Nbillion) (Ntrn)

Equities Market Sustains Positive Sentiments, Gains 0.86%

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The Nigerian equities market yesterday sustained uptrend to second consecutive day, posting a gain of 0.86 per cent. In summary, the All Share Index (ASI) gained 347.20 absolute points, representing a growth of 0.86 per cent to close at 40,846.24 points.

Similarly, the market capitalisation gained N125 billion to close at N14.754 trillion. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalized stocks, amongst which are; Dangote Cement, Mobil Nigeria, International

Breweries, Wapco and Unilever Nigeria.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited said that “following the consecutive bullish performance recorded, we anticipate this trend to continue in subsequent trading sessions as attractive entry opportunities remain in the market.”

Similarly, market breadth closed positive, recording 27 gainers against 19 losers.

Learn Africa led the gainers table by 9.43 per cent to close at N1.16 per share. Unity Bank followed with a gain of 8.70 per cent to close at N1.00, while Mobil Nigeria appreciated by 7.56 per cent to close at N192

Thursday, April 12, 2018

of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 23, 2017.”

It added that in further to the April 9, 2018 directive of the Commission, the Exchange lifted the technical suspension placed on Oando’s shares after the close of trading on April 10, 2018.

The letter stated that consequently, there will be no impediment to price movement in the shares of Oando when the market opens for yesterday, April 11, 2018.

Meanwhile, shareholders of the company appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to intervene in the interest of Nigerians and the larger economy.

Under the aegis of Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PROSAN), Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Dedicated

Shareholders, among others, they appealed to the President to intervene and “save Nigeria from further ridicule in the international community”.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, the shareholders advised President Buhari to intervene and stop the impression around the world “that corruption is alive in Nigeria”.

The group accused the current leadership of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) “doing nothing concerning the Oando issue”.

The national coordinator, PROSAN, Taiwo Oderinde said, “contrary to the impression out there, the Forensic Audit is not on. They are only buying time. Poor and helpless Nigeria shareholders are suffering and dying with SEC doing nothing to help them.” He added, “The problem is SEC. They are not doing their job.

Lafarge Africa Explains N13bn Dividend Payment

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The chief financial officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Bruno Bayet has disclosed that the N13 billion dividend declared for the year ended December 31, 2017 will be paid from the 2012/2013 pioneer profit reserve.

For the full year ended December 2017, Lafarge Africa Plc declared a dividend of N1.50 per share totaling N13 billion, representing a 43 per cent increase growth relative to the dividend paid in 2016.

In addition, the company’s recurring Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) doubled to N57.6 billion.

The CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos attributed the strong margins in the Nigerian business to cost initiatives and more favourable pricing. Puchercos stated that Lafarge Africa Plc’s industrial operations in 2017 were stable with plants operating at high reliability levels.

He also noted that the energy optimisation plan for the company has been successful with increased use of alternative fuel and coal to offset gas shortages in operations in the West while plant operations in the eastern and northern part of the country relied mainly on gas and coal.

He said these logistic, commercial and operational initiatives helped to sustain market share in the year under review. Puchercos said that the expected recovery in the macroeconomic environment in Nigeria is likely to have a positive impact in the overall cement market in Nigeria, saying “our business turnaround actions will be consolidated further in 2018 through energy optimisation as well as commercial and logistic improvement.

In 2018 we shall implement a continuous improvement programme that will see us building on EBITDA margins above the 35 per cent benchmark.”

Stanbic IBTC PMI Records Growth Of 58.8% In March

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Stanbic Bank Nigeria Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) has recorded a growth of 58.8 per cent from 56.0 per cent as private sector business conditions in Nigeria improved at an unparalleled rate in March, 2018.

The report revealed that private sector business conditions in Nigeria improved at an unparalleled rate in March, led by record growth in new orders, employment and stocks of purchases.

It noted an upturn in demand across the domestic market, whilst new export orders also returned to growth in the

latest survey, saying that price pressures sharpened in March, with both input and output charge inflation registering above their respective long-run averages.

The report said that at 58.8 per cent, up from 56.0 per cent in February, the figure accelerated to a record high in March, signalling the fastest improvement in business conditions since the survey began in January 2014.

Furthermore, the first quarter of 2018 indicated the strongest quarterly expansion on record.

It added that “inflows of new business received by private sector firms was a key component of the latest

expansion.

The rate of growth was unprecedented in March, with many firms reporting a strong upturn in domestic economic conditions.

New order books have been improving continuously since the start of 2017.”

Commenting on March’s survey findings, economist at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ayomide Mejabi said, “In March, the Stanbic IBTC Bank PMI hit a new record. The reading rose to 58.8 per cent from 56.0 per cent in Feb and 53.0 per cent in Mar 17 due to a combination of substantial increases in new orders and consequently a rise in output levels.

L-R: Trade Advisor, European Union (EU) Mr. Fillipo Amato; executive director , Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and new head of EU delegation to Nigeria, Amb. Ketil Karlsen, during the envoy’s visit to the NEPC boss, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO.

Heritage Bank, GAC Motors Partner On Affordable Vehicle Finance Scheme

BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

Heritage Bank Plc has entered into a strategic partnership with the Choice International Group (CIG) Motors Limited to introduce a new vehicle finance scheme aimed at assisting interested and prequalified customers to buy brand new GAC Vehicles with ease and at affordable prices.

The initiative tagged: “Go CAR-razy,” was facilitated by the sole representative of GAC Motors in Nigeria known as CIG, which enables individuals who meet the prescribed conditions to pay an equity

contribution of 10% with 48 months tenor repayment.

According to a statement from the bank, the scheme is largely for three models of cars and sport utility vehicles in the stable of GAC Motors: GS3, GS4 and GS8. Speaking on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said the auto finance scheme was tailored to suit customers’ needs with manageable monthly repayments and is best suited for individuals, organizations, corporate bodies and institutions to avail a convenient and easy

access to finance options making it easier to buy and drive away a brand new GAC Motors.

According to him, the partnership was planned to encourage customers to buy environmentally-friendly GAC vehicles instead of used cars otherwise known as “tokunbo.”

Sekibo specifically explained that the reason for the alliance was to afford deserving customers with the ease of convenient and discounted opportunities with just 10% equity contribution, as against the 30% standard equity contribution required to own brand new GAC vehicles.

Elumelu Tours East Africa On Entrepreneurship Infrastructure

BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

The chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu will lead a five day working visit to East Africa, where he will meet with national leaders of Kenya and Uganda. Elumelu, who is also the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, was in Uganda on Monday and will be in Kenya today to meet with the Executive Presidents of both nations, Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri K. Museveni to

discuss issues around the growth and development of the their economies, enabling entrepreneurship, infrastructure financing, regional economic growth and how the private sector in Africa can work in shared purpose alongside African governments to create prosperity for all Africans.

On the side lines of these engagements, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) will gather members of the full local ecosystem – from investors

to academia to established and emerging entrepreneurs alike – for an entrepreneurship ecosystem event.

During the event, TEF alumni and members of the vibrant Kenyan and Ugandan entrepreneurship communities will receive insights from guest speakers who will provide practical, practicable information to help the audience develop their businesses and their business management skills.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

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NEWS/BUSINESS 35

Nigerian Business Leaders Storm UK For Commonwealth Forum

BY YUSUF BABALOLA, Lagos

L-R: On Air Personality(OAP), Ore Onile-Ere ; co-founder, Cloud Cover, Uchenna Agbo ; co-founder, She Leads Africa, Afua Osei, and chief operating officer, Cloud Cover, Eleanor Potter, at the Women In Business conference held at Browns cafe in Lagos,yesterday.

PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU.

Customs Intercept 14 Trucks Of Smuggled Rice From Benin Republic

BY YUSUF BABALOLA, Lagos

The Federal Operation Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 14 trailers loads of rice numbering 8,674 bags smuggled into the country from neighbouring Benin Republic in three weeks.

Speaking to journalists at the unit’s office in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Compt Mohammed Uba, said apart from the smuggled rice totalling 8,674 bags, 64 exotic vehicles, 963 cartons of frozen poultry products, 431 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 163 bales of used clothing, 569 pieces of used tyres and 69 bags of sugar were also intercepted and seized by the command.

He also disclosed that 2,671 bags were evacuated from nine makeshift storage houses in Ilogbo, Abeokuta.

He said: “From March 19th to April 9th 2018, we have intercepted various contraband with a duty paid value

(DPV) of N1.46billion. Similarly, the unit through its intervention, recovered N166.2million in the month of March from duty payments and demand notices on general goods from seaports, airports and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and shortchange in duty payment meant for the coffer of federal government of Nigeria.

Comptroller Uba also stated that the unit generate a whopping N1.63billion to the federal government in three weeks. “The unit make a cumulative sum of N1.63billion within the weeks under review. The seized items include: Indian hemp, 64 exotic vehicles, 6003 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 10 trailers), 963 cartons of frozen poultry products, 431 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 163 bales of used clothing, 569 pieces of used tyres, 69 bags of sugar, four containers.

“Amazingly, among the seizures was the interception of 570 parcels

and 98 sacks of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) weighing 1,550kg, along Olorunda axis of Ogun state based on intelligence making it the highest seizure of such hard drugs in the history of FOU A. “Also worthy of note is the evacuation of 2,671 bags of 50kg rice using nine hired truck from nine makeshift storage houses in Ilogbo, Abeokuta based on credible intelligence despite resistance led by the Lagos Roving Team complemented by other teams.

There was mob attack against our operatives but that never deterred us from performing our statutory responsibilities.

“We will continue to enforce the federal government policies banning the importation of rice and other prohibited goods through the land borders regardless of any situation so as to encourage efficiency in local rice production, which will create more employment opportunities for our teaming youths.

NRC Conveys 84,191 Tons Of Goods In Q1

BY FIDELIS UGBOMEH, Lagos

The Lagos District of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has in the first quarter of this year evacuated 84,191tons of goods with 3,408 freight trains while over 400,960 passengers were conveyed on the Lagos Mass Transit Train service from Ijoko to Iddo/Apapa

and back within the period under review.

According to the public relations officer of Lagos District, Mr. Khadija Adekomaiya Aroyewun, who made this known yesterday while speaking on the activities of the, District in the first quarter of this year also disclosed that the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) conveyed about 39,571

passengers in the first quarter of this year while Lagos to Kano Express train accounted for 5,412 passengers within the period under review.

Aroyewun said the corporation have continued to advise passengers on the danger inherent in climbing the roof top of trains as well as hanging on the doors and windows of train coaches.

Industry experts, business leaders, genuine entrepreneurs, head of government and decision makers in Nigeria will this weekend storm the United Kingdom, as the cream de la cream of the Commonwealth nations assemble in London, to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum 2018 (CBF 2018).

The event will hold from April 16 - 18, alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

LEADERSHIP learnt that their major task will be to brainstorm, find, articulate, proffer solutions and business direction that the Commonwealth should pursue in the near future, so as to effectively overcome unfolding global challenges.

It was also learnt that apart from President Muhammadu Buhari and top government functionaries who are billed for CHOGM, the political front, the experts and gurus from Nigeria who would be at the CBF 2018

would include Nigeria’s foremost shipping mogul and arrowhead of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).

The likes of Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, former Minister of Finance and Chairman, Africa Risk Capacity, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; and the chief executive officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo are expected at the event.

Others expected at the programme include the internet savvy managing director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi; chairman, Next International, Nigeria, Peter Obi; CEO, L.A.T Cleveson Group Ltd, Sam Okwulehie; the Group Managing Director (GMD/ CEO), PanAfrican Capital Holdings Limited, Chris Oshiafi; theVice President, Famfa Oil, Folorunso Alakija; and Group CEO, Chimons Gas, Lawrence C Achigbu; as well as the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State, Hon Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti amongst others.

Medview Airline Faults Reports On Operations

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, LAGOS

Medview Airline yesterday condemned reports by some online media platforms about its operations, stressing that the information dished out in the said reports were fraught with falsehood.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the chief operating officer, Michael Ajigbotosho of Medview Airline, the carrier said the four aircraft in its fleet are wholly owned by Medview Airline Plc, and not leased as being reported.

In setting the records straight, the airline in the statement made available to LEADERSHIP pointed out that the four aircraft being referred to were acquired at various time from Aercap, and not from Thai Airways.

He said there was a lot of misinformation about the airline indebtedness to vendors, saying that anyone who wants to know the truth should reach out to the concerned agencies including FAAN, amongst others. The statement said in an ongoing business, it is normal to have agreements with service

providers to give line of credit, which is a standard industry practice.

“The suspension of operations into some of our international routes has to do with our two aircraft- B767300ER for cabin reconfiguration and B737-500 undergoing maintenance.

They have nothing to do with threats or any debt burden.” The statement also added that as soon as the aircraft return to service, the airline will restore operations to those routes.

“We frown at “Copy and Paste Journalism” and we encourage those who want to reflect the truth to balance their reports by reaching out to us as well as appropriate agencies” it said. Meanwhile, the coming of Med-View airline into the Nigeria scene came with Hajj operations in year 2007 shortly after its incorporation, which changed the whole concept of pilgrims airlift in Nigeria.

It is believed that the marshalling of the operational plans in a professional way coupled with resourceful and dedicated team of workers serve as a pivot on which this new Airline’s tremendous success rests.

MTN, Ecobank Partner To Grow Mobile Money Across Africa

BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos

MTN and Pan-African banking conglomerate, Ecobank have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide mobile financial services across the various African countries where they currently operate.

At the signing of the deal in Lagos, the telecom and banking service providers said they would work together to deliver a distinct customer experience by allowing

access to affordable financial services via MTN Mobile Money and Ecobank banking services.

The two organisations said that partnership would enable bankto-MTN Mobile Money wallet, wallet-to-bank transfers as well as cardless ATM withdrawal for MTN Mobile Money users within Africa use the rapid transfer platform. According to MTN and Ecobank, the partnership will also provide savings accounts and lending solutions to MTN Mobile

Money users.

As part of the partnership, MTN Mobile Money agents will be able to create and redeem e-money through Ecobank branches while Ecobank merchants can also accept payments from MTN Mobile Money users.

In a statement by the two companies, they said “MTN will leverage Ecobank’s payments infrastructure to facilitate money transfer via mobile wallets across the MTN and Ecobank footprints.

The use of MTN Mobile Money as a payment solution in Ecobank’s corporate offering will enable salary payment and corporate supplier’s payments to be made through MTN Mobile Money.

Commenting on the collaboration, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Rob Shuter, said, “Partnerships between banks and mobile money operators are fundamental in the mobile money ecosystem, hence our

long-standing partnership with Ecobank in many of our markets aimed at driving financial inclusion.

“We are excited to be taking this partnership to the next level as this latest development will spearhead innovative initiatives which will deepen financial access on the continent.” He added that MTN was open to working with other financial institutions in order to bridge the financial divide on the continent.

36 NEWS/BUSINESS

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Dana Air Named Official Airline Of Africa Presidents’ Wives Summit

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR AND AZEEZAT HUSSEIN, Lagos

L-R: Nutrition officer, Helen Keller International (HKI), Benjamin Chima; country director, HKI, Philomena Orji; director, Corporate and Government Affairs, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Bala Yesufu; State Team lead for project, Olukemi Adeyoju; Corporate Communications manager, Cadbury Nigeria, Frederick Mordi; Finance and Admin officer, HKI, Grace Matu and Monitoring and Evaluation facilitator, HKI, Toyin Oshinowo at the project inception meeting of ‘Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle,’ an initiative of Cadbury Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday.

West Africa Mobile Industry To Contribute $50bn In Next 5yrs

BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos

The mobile industry in West Africa is forecast to contribute more than $50 billion annually to the region’s economy by 2022, according to a new GSMA study published yesterday at the ‘Mobile 360 – West Africa’ event being held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The new report, The Mobile Economy: West Africa 2018, calculates that the region’s mobile ecosystem contributed $37 billion in value last year, equivalent to 6.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), and will grow to $51 billion (7.7 per cent of GDP) within five years. The economic contribution over this period will be spurred by strong subscriber growth and the move to mobile broadband networks and services.

The chief regulatory officer at the GSMA , John Giusti said: “This report demonstrates the vital role West Africa’s mobile ecosystem is playing in driving economic growth and empowering citizens across the region, as well as in delivering against many of the targets of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“However, further work is required as more than half of West Africa’s citizens are not yet connected to a mobile service, excluding them from the socio-economic benefits that mobile delivers.” At the end of 2017, there were 176 million unique mobile subscribers

across the West Africa sub-region, which comprises the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This is equivalent to a penetration rate of 47 per cent of the region’s population, up from just 28 per cent at the start of the decade. Strong subscriber growth is forecast to continue over the coming years; 72 million additional mobile subscribers are expected to be added in West Africa by 2025, lifting subscriber penetration to 54 per cent.

Much of this growth is attributable to the demographic situation across the region, as large youth populations are expected to take out mobile subscriptions as they reach adulthood.

As of March 2018, there were 29 live 4G (LTE) networks in nine countries across West Africa, six of which have launched in the last year.

3G and 4G together accounted for 36 per cent of West African mobile connections in 2017 and are forecast to rise to 94 per cent of the total by 2025.

Local operators are expected to spend $8 billion (capex) over the next two years building out and upgrading their networks.

IPMAN Urges NNPC To Restore Operations In Ore, Ilorin Depots The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to expedite the rehabilitation of Ore and Ilorin depots

to ease petroleum distribution within the axis.

The chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, Alhaji Dedo Ahmed, made the appeal in Lagos on Wednesday. Ahmed said the restoration of operations at the depots became necessary to reduce the stress of marketers going to Lagos depots to load which, he said, posed serious risks and additional charges.

He said Ilorin and Ore depots that had about 20 million litres of storage capacity, had been moribund for over eight years. The IPMAN boss said the supply of products to these depots had been a serious challenge over the years, impacting negatively on the operations of marketers.

Ahmed urged the management of NNPC to intensify efforts on the rehabilitation to boost the distribution network in the regions to address shortage in the hinterlands. He said full rehabilitation of the depots would ease loading and distribution activities within the western axis.

“We are very happy about the massive supply of petrol to depots within the western zone which has the biggest depots in the country. “The supply of petrol to depots has improved in the western zone. We appeal to NNPC to maintain the tempo. “All depots within the western zone now sell petroleum products at government-regulated prices compared to when petrol was sold above ex-depot prices.

Russia, Afreximbank Open New Window For Aircraft Acquisition In Nigeria

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos

A new window for acquisition of brand new aircraft in Nigeria was yesterday opened following a partnership arrangement made between African Export Import Bank, (Afreximbank) with the Russian Export Centre (REC) to provide brand new aircraft for airlines’ operations in the country.

This partnership is coming at a time when airline operators have struggled to pay about 26 per cent interest loan to banks just to acquire new aircraft, a situation that has left them to face strenuous conditions from United States and European countries on aircraft leasing agreements.

The event of the partnership announcement in Lagos at Sheraton Hotels in Lagos was well attended by representatives of Africa’s commercial aviation, together with senior executives from airlines, airline leasing companies and others.

The forum was also used to showcase Russian MC21 airplanes, the Sukhoi Superjet, the Sukhoi Business Jet and Russian-made Helicopters.

Speaking during the announcement of the partnership in Lagos yesterday, Rene Awambeng, Global Head, Client Relations, Afreximbank, said the bank has entered into a strategic partnership with the Russian Export Centre, which is the export bank of the Russian federation to promote aviation in Africa, so that it can meet one of its strategic goals.

“The Russians have invested significant amount in research and development in their aircraft which are very efficient in terms of fuel consumption and are ecologically very friendly.

“We have partnered with Russian Export Centre, to provide solutions so that African entrepreneurs either private sectors, national airlines, private sectors, operators of airlines

can acquire these aircraft through asset structures to meet our objective of moving people from one part of the country to another,” Awambeng said.

He explained that part of the partnership is to work with Nigerian authorities to certify the Russian aircraft to be able to operate in Nigeria, adding that the bank will enter commercial negotiations with operators of other aircraft or helicopters to see how they can acquire the aircraft and the bank can finance the acquisitions of these aircraft.

On the configurations of the aircraft, Awambeng said “The aircraft are a blend of Italian, French and Russian technology and are very spacious.

They are for regional routes. They can take up to 100 passengers in different configurations of business class and economy. The aircraft are quick in take-off and landing, which means they can service short distances.”

Dana Air has been named the official airline of the maiden edition of the Coalition of Wives of Presidents and Vice Presidents in Africa for Peace (COWAP) Summit for Peace and Development, scheduled to hold at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. As official airline, Dana Air is expected to provide all delegates to the summit with very convenient fares and also fly and provide logistic support to the organising committee.

Speaking on the choice of Dana Air as official airline of the summit, Kingsley Ezenwa, the airline’s media and communications manager said, we are proud to have been selected as the official airline of such a huge summit coming up this month in Abuja.

This is testament to the fact that Africa appreciates and understands our efforts towards strategically connecting Nigerian cities to Africa, and providing safe, reliable and affordable air transport.

We welcome this rare opportunity to showcase our award-wining service to all the delegates and Africa at large.’’ Also speaking on the initiative, the project lead, Meshack Kalada Belema, said, “We are also working with airlines that are committed to the African dream with their developmental activities and have distinguished themselves over the years -Dana Air and

Ethiopian airline towards the success of the summit which is expected to draw over 3000 participants from African Countries under the umbrella of the African Union.’’

Fidelity Bank Alleges Blackmail To Mislead Public Nigeria’s Fidelity Bank has alleged plans by some undisclosed people to blackmail it and mislead the banking and general public.

A statement by the divisional head, Brand and Communications, Charles Aigbe said, “Our attention has been drawn to spurious allegations against the Bank and its officials, making the rounds online and on social media.

The unsubstantiated claims and accusations, designed to mislead the banking and general public are completely false, treacherous and libelous.

“This latest attempt to bring the image of the Bank to disrepute is the result of a failed blackmail and extortionist attempt, which has been reported to the authorities. We urge the public to disregard the falsehood in its entirety!

“As a full-fledged commercial bank, operating in Nigeria, we are a responsible corporate citizen and our operations are guided by the laws of the land as well as local and international banking standards. “At Fidelity Bank, we remain committed to providing excellent banking services to all and will not be distracted by the antics of these detractors.”

NMA, WASCO Hold Interactive Enlightenment Seminar In Imo

BY EMMANUEL MGBEAHURUIKE, Owerri

The West African Seasoning Company Limited (WASCO) in collaboration with the Nigeria Medical Association Imo State chapter have hosted an interactive Umami enlightenment seminar in Imo state.

According to the organisers, the objective of the event, held at NMA secretariat, Owerri was said to primarily educate, inform and promote the Umami concept, while explaining the benefit and safety of Aji-no-moto to the people. Speaking at the oneday enlightenment seminar, the managing director of WASCO, Mr. Niki Junichi stated that WASCO is an

affiliate of Aji-no-moto group that began marketing in Nigeria in 1991.

He added that Aji-no-moto was produced to contribute to the world’s food/wellness and to better lives of the people for the future. Junichi further noted that since the breakthrough Aji-no-moto recorded in 1909, it had also contributed to global healthy lifestyle by providing products that made food more delicious and nutritious.

According to him, “WASCO is totally committed in providing Aji-no-moto quality Monosodium Glutamate and Ma Dish powdering seasoning among others that meet the requirements and satisfaction of the customers”.

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ENERGY/BUSINESS 37

As Renewable Energy Grabs Global Investors’ Attention The United Nations recently released a report showing increasing investment trend in renewable energy which is coming on the heels of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) reports of improving the economy of rural communities in the country using renewable energy. FESTUS OKOROMADU writes on the need to join the global trend.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its latest report on investment in renewable energy said the world witnessed a remarkable shift towards subscribing to clean energy in 2017, as the subsector attracted over $200 billion worth of funds during the year. This is even as the global investment hit $2.9 trillion since 2004.

According to the document titled, ‘The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2018 report’, released by the UNEP and its partners last week, nations across the global are steadily moving away from fossil fuel-based power production to ‘green’ power sources.

The report said solar energy dominated global investment in new power generation like never before in 2017.

According to the report, “In 2017, the world installed a record 98 gigawatts of new solar capacity, far more than the net additions of the rest – other renewables, fossil fuel and nuclear.”

Similarly, solar power also attracted far more investment than any other technology, at $160.8 billion dollars, translating to 18 per cent increase.

A driving power behind last year’s surge in solar was China, where an unprecedented boom saw some 53 gigawatts added – more than half the global total – and 86.5 billion dollars invested, up 58 per cent.

The Place of Africa Nations Although, Nigeria failed to make the list, Egypt took the lead in the Middle East and Africa market section of the report as the country was said to have attracted $2.6 billion.

“In six leading markets in the Middle East and Africa in 2017, the stand-out performances were by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), recording $2.6 billion and $2.2 billion respectively. In Egypt, some 1.3GW of solar projects from the second phase of the country’s feed-in tariff program reached financial close by the deadline,” the report stated.

NESP’s Contributions to Nigeria’s Renewable Energy As rightly noted by the UNEP report, the extraordinary surge in solar investment shows how the global energy map is changing and, more importantly, what the economic benefits are of such a shift.

“Investments in renewables bring more people into the economy, they deliver more jobs, better quality jobs and better paid jobs,” it stated.

The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) may not have secured the atten-

tation of a number of projects that touches the lives of rural dwells in the participating states.

It is on record that between September and December 2017, stove manufacturers installed 100 clean cookstoves for 100 rice processing groups in Niger State, 68 solar water heaters were installed in a secondary school in Plateau State, for the benefit of 1000 students, while Minigrids were installed in 6 rural communities across the participating states.

Renewable Energy

tion of the UNEP report but it’s surely driven by the belief that investment in renewable energy brings economic revolution.

According to the Head of European Union Delegation to Nigerian and ECOWAS, Karlsen Keth, who spoke at the launch of the second phase of NESP in Abuja recently, the provision of electricity to the ordinary Nigerian is touching the nerves of the citizens’ fundamental rights.

Unfortunately, the energy sector remains seriously underdeveloped but over 80 million Nigerians are said not to have access to electricity.

The dismay situation is further complicated by the fact, Nigeria, a country with a population of over 170 million currently have a national grid installed electricity generating capacity of a little over 12,000Mega-watts, but now generates only 7,000Mw daily while just 5,000Mw is distributed.

This is against the background of having the potential to generate over 53,950Mw from Solar and hydro amongst other sources of renewable power available in the country.

Consequently, it become imperative that to achieve a sustainable energy supply, Nigeria most takes pride in harnessing these potentials.

The NESP Approach Against the backdrop of the poor energy situation in the country, the EU and the Ger-

man Government in March 2013 initiated a technical assistance programme applying multi-level approach of supporting federal government institutions on policy and regulatory frameworks, working with state governments and distribution companies (Discos) on electrification planning and partnering with communities and private sector on concrete pilot projects.

The first phase of NESP which ended in December 2017 focused on promoting investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and rural electrification. It consists of four units – Policy reform and on-grid renewable energy; Energy efficiency; Rural electrification and sustainable energy access; and Capacity development and training.

The project which is cofunded by the European Union and the Garman Government with a budget of €24.5 million Euro and implemented by the Garman International Cooparation Agency (GIZ) and the Renewable and Rural Power Access Department of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing saw to the provision of electricity to over 10,000 persons in rural communities across five states, namely, Sokoto, Niger, Plateau, Cross Rivers and Ogun.

Speaking on the impact of the program at launch of the second phase of NESP in Abuja recently, Minister of State 11 Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, Sule-

man Hassan Zarma, stated that NESP 1 is very significant in the sense that it demonstrates how partnership and collaboration can lead to concrete results.

According to him, NESP partnered with state governments and the organized private investor to develop projects providing reliable electricity supply, which will improve the lives of the people through improved: education, health care, water and job creation.

On his part, acting director, Renewable Energy and Rural Power Access, Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, Engr. Faruk Yabo testified thus; “As the programme coordinator of NESP, I have witnessed great improvements since the programme commenced in 2013.

NESP, he said, has played a key role in the development of various sustainable energy policies and regulatory instruments namely.

According to him, the contributions of the programme operators to the formation of policies in the industry will go a long way in helping to improve the regulatory and legal framework condition in the country for the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Speaking on his experience while executing NESP, GIZ – Head of Programme, Ina Hommers said the programme start at a time when efforts of implementing a lib-

eralized electricity market, increasing the share of renewable energy and introducing energy efficiency in Nigeria was at infant stage.

“The stakeholders involved – both on the public and private side – were partly new and in many instances had to deal with regulatory and policy issues on topics of RE/EE for the first time.”

He stated that with the successes achieved, he is confident that all partners involved are now ready to take the next step of advancing the Nigeria power sector agenda.

Projects Executed Apart from initiating policy and regulatory guidelines which has become the foundation for renewable energy, NESP 1 show the implemen-

NESP Phase 2 Interestingly, the EU and the German Government has continue to advance the course of this laudable project and has commenced a second phase which will run for three years from 2018 – 2020 with a total of €33million committed to it.

According to Ina, the focus of the programme will not shift from framework support to implementation. “As an intermediary, GIZ will continue to enable partners to deliver on better access to sustainable electricity and increase energy efficiency,” he pledged.

He stated that the target of NESP 2 will be to: Procurement of solar PV capacity in a structured bidding approach; Deployment of sustainable energy solutions in the agro-processing sector; Provision of access to power through sustainable and scalable solutions to previously um-electrified rural people; and Increase in the overall efficiency of the transmission grid and bulk procurement trading system – measured in load shedding due to excess frequency.

The program will work in three technical components centered around; Data Management/Electrification Planning, Sustainable Energy Access On Grid/ Off-Grid, and Enabling Environment for RE/EE investment.

Total E&P Nigeria Extends Contract For Golden Energy Platform Supplier Norway-based shipowner, Golden Energy Offshore Services (GEOS), has been awarded a contract extension for the platform supply vessel (PSV) Energy Scout with Total in Nigeria.

The company announced end of June 2017 to have entered into a contract with Total E&P Nigeria for the PSV Energy Scout – for a firm period of 3 months + optional periods of 3 months each.

The company announced extensions at the end of September and end of December 2017.

Energy Scout’s contract is now further extended in direct continuation of present firm contract and vessel is now firm until 1st July 2018 + optional periods of 3 months each thereafter. The company also announced extension of Energy Swan earlier this week.

38 MINES & STEEL

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Issues As Legislators Make Fresh Push For Ajaokuta Steel Completion Recently, the House of Representatives, having halted the concessioning move of the federal government, passed a bill asking the government to spend $1billion (N360billion) from the Excess Crude Account to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC) amidst fears in some quarters that when signed into law, the fund may go down the drain as those dolled out before now without results. ABAH ADAH writes.

Steel experts have said the plant has the capacity to generate $1.7 billion annually, which implies that the $1billion needed to complete it can be generated in the less than one year of its operation

Almost four decades after the project was launched with the unbeatable objective of making the country an industrial cum economic hub, the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) has failed to take off till date, despite the billions of dollar sunk into it, and Nigeria is still on her long windy walk to self-sufficiency in steel development.

Having discovered from geological surveys carried out by foreign experts that Nigeria has deposits of raw materials suitable for iron and steel production the federal government established the Nigerian Steel Development Authority (NSDA) in 1971 through Decree No. 19 in order to advance the development of the Nigerian steel industry. NSDA carried out detailed market studies and investigations on local availability of raw materials. The Preliminary Project Report (PPR) of 1974, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of 1977 and the Global Contract (1979) for construction of steel plant at Ajaokuta were all commissioned and executed during the NSDA period.

The NSDA was thereafter dissolved through decree No. 60 on the 18th of September 1979. This decree also created Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, ASCL being the successor of NSDA. According to its original design, the steel plant was to produce 1.3 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum in its phase one, with a built-in capacity to expand its production to 2.6 million tonnes of flat iron and steel products in its second phase and phase three plan was planned to produce 5.2 million tonnes of various types of steel products, including heavy plates.

It has highly sophisticated assemblage of 43 different plants made up of a web of complex iron, cable and machinery of different sizes and functions.

Out of the 43 plants, LEADERSHIP learnt that 40 had already been completed.

Considering its strategic importance to the country’s life, huge sums of money have been voted or appropriated for the cause by the various governments that have come and gone over the years, without achieving the expected successful completion till date. Yet the “justifying” excuses have been primarily inadequate fund. At some points, contracts were revoked, at others, they were revived, thus leading to the crossroads at which the long staunted project now finds itself that has brought about the thinking that “the industrial bedrock” be concessioned with the believe that it will fare better under private management.

The worst happened in 1994 when the military junta led by General Ibrahim Babangida stopped the work entirely and sacked the Russian

Ajaokuta steel

contractors, the TPE. By then the plant was said to have attained 98 per cent completion rate.

The Vision 20:2020 economic blueprint document even goes beyond the rolling plant to envisage the actualisation of the third phase of the project, the 5.2-million-metric-tonne/ per annum of liquid steel production.

The plan takes into cognisance, the technical audits of the plant conducted by two reputable international firms in 2000 and 2010, Messrs TPE (original builders of the plant) and Messrs REPROM, respectively.

Based on the TPE audit, a work schedule spanning 24-month duration and involving the injection of about $400m is the chief feature of the rolling plan.

Rather than go through the process of completing the plant, the federal government under Obasanjo in 2003, gave the rehabilitation and management of the ASCL to an American firm, Solgas, as concession in a controversial transaction.

When it was clear that the company neither had the technical requirement nor the financial muscle to manage the steel complex, the concession was terminated and the complex was turned over to an Indian firm, Global Holding Infrastructure Limited, to manage for a period of 10 years.

Again, the concession crashed three years after as the federal government under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua , terminated the agreement in 2008, accusing the Indian firm of asset-stripping.

This prompted the concessionaire to head for arbitration at the International Court of Arbitration in London. The case lingered until August 2016 , when the federal government reached an outof-court settlement with the Indian firm.

Under the agreement, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited would operate the National Iron Ore

Mining Company Limited for a period of seven years as a settlement for renouncing any claim on the ASCL. Recently, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who has been seen as firm in his stand, said that concession of ASC was the way forward even as the lawmakers objected to that, insisting that the federal government had sunk over $8billion into the project since 1979 without result, adding that no fewer than 14 organisations from different countries had since 2016, indicated interest in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

Steel experts have said the plant has the capacity to generate $1.7 billion annually, which implies that the $1billion needed to complete it can be generated in the less than one year of its operation and it would save the nation huge sums of foreign exchange on steel importation. It has also been said that the country currently spends over $3 billion annually on steel importation.

In five years alone (2012-2016), Nigeria imported steel worth N2.215 trillion, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

To show how serious the House was on its resolve to stand in the way of any further move to concession the company, the Green Chamber also amended the National Council on Commercialisation and Privatisation, NCPC Act, by removing the steel complex from the list of public firms that can be privatised or commercialised.

In his response to the anticoncession move of the lawmakers, the minister explained in part, “We have also said to them that we are not going to repeat the mistake of the Obasanjo administration. We will not undertake the re-concession without one, a technical audit; two, a transaction advisory service that will look into all these and advise

us accordingly as to who really has the technical capacity, the financial wherewithal and the track record to really bring Ajaokuta back to life.

“However, the government took a principled position on one thing: that Nigeria will not spend one dollar on the so-called completion of the Ajaokuta steel plant. The reason for that is very simple; today from our record, we have spent close to $8bn since 1979 when this process started and we have not seen the result.”

The minister argued that the government and the House of Representatives agreed on the concession of the plant and that the House approved the sum of N2billon for the purpose in 2017, hence he wondered why the U-turn and “vitriolic attack”.

The House had earlier passed a vote of no confidence in Fayemi and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, following their failure to appear before it for sectoral debate on the steel plant.

The lawmakers also instructed the ministers to suspend every step towards the concession of the plant, adding that they preferred that the government should invest and complete the project.

Justifying his position further, Fayemi said, “Ajaokuta is an inherited challenge. The Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration gave it out on concession; the President Umaru Yar’Adua government revoked it.

And the case went to the London Court of Arbitration. Its resolution in 2016 led to the signing of the Modified NIOMCO Agreement, which ceded the complex back to the federal government and NIOMCO to Global Steel.

“No fewer than 14 parties have shown interest in running the complex, but government’s position is that we would not do any concession without a technical audit.

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ISSUES 45

Thursday April 12, 2018

The Implications Of Buhari’s Second Term

BY MUHAMMAD AJAH Another historic event occurred in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, on Monday April 9, 2018, at about 11 am, when President Muhammadu Buhari declared at the meeting of the National Executive Committee of the ruling All Progressives Party his intention to run for a second term in the 2019 presidential polls. The wide jubilation that followed the declaration rung a bell of confidence the Nigerian populace has in the President. It also sounded a warning to those who are hell-bent in causing harm to Nigeria.

I could not hold my emotion as I immediately posted the news to the many Whats App groups I belong and received within few hours over a thousand responses. I will relate some of these responses from friends across the country later. Due to official workload, I could not read them during office hours but I must confess that it took me over two hours at home to go through the messages many of which were from those I do not personally know.

The choice of this topic was quite difficult for me, especially considering the situation Nigeria finds itself. It is clear that there is unabated advocacy between the Nigerian people and a Nigerian powerful political group.

So, I was in a fix to choose from the words “complications, juxtapositions or lamentations” of Buhari’s declaration. Whichever of the words that fit the article is apt, so long the end is justifiable. The declaration has complicated issues for some people. It

has been juxtaposed with great events happening around. And it is serious lamentation for others. Generally, the implications of the declaration have far-reaching effects and results under our present circumstances.

Though having long been awaited by compatriots, it is coming at a time when some disgruntled prominent citizens have decided to mislead citizens from the good path to development which Nigeria is currently towing and disabuse the minds of patriots against the pilot of this new dawn democracy in Nigeria. Of most prominence against the reelection bid of the President are Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who sought, against constitutionality, for a third term but was frustrated out, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who stepped aside from military rule with glaring hope of coming back to power under democracy, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma whose tenure as minister of defence witnessed unprecedented massacre of armless citizens and some others who are being relieved by the current government of some assets and properties belonging to Nigeria.

Now that the die is cast, we must pray harder for Mr. President, for Nigeria and for the will of God and the masses to prevail. Those threatening fire and brimstone will be put to shame because the general elections will come and pass and Nigeria will remain intact, stronger and united. After all, the pastors of doom who wished Mr. President death before 2019 have started falling.

Unlike former presidents who preferred rented crowds for their

declarations, President Buhari did it in a small hall before people he need not pay because they are patriots and the progressives. The president, in his wisdom, was sure that members of his party needed to have the honour of having the news first. That is why when people were speculating that things had fallen apart between Buhari and APC because of appointments, I was confident that all fences will be mended in due course, mostly at the right time that will please every party member. And here the time has come. The humble leader has made the executives even happier because, as the leader of the party, he pleaded for waiver for any outgoing exco member who may wish to recontest for any position in the party’s forthcoming congresses at all levels. But the aspirant must follow the constitution by resigning the current position one month before the congress.

Again, unlike other past presidents who would have preferred to announce such sensitive national statement in worship places, Buhari, who is accused by unrepentant religious bigots, did it in an open place where all cultural and religious interests are represented, at a closed-door meeting of the APC . And lastly, unlike other former president who used to keep Nigerians waiting with claims, through paid broadcasts and media decorations, of consulting God, President Buhari did his consultations silently without bordering the Nigerian citizens.

In mid February, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, hinted that the President will seek re-election in 2019.

Though the engine room of the federal government, he spoke unofficially on the matter at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, while addressing a rally organized by the Democratic Youth Congress (DYC). He was certain that there was no alternative to Buhari whose stance against corruption and indiscipline, he said, was the main cause of panic from many people.

Buhari said he was seeking reelection on the accounts of the clamour by Nigerians. In his last visits to some states ravaged by herdsmen-farmers clashes, despite the situations, people of the state turned the visits to rallies as expressions of their supports for him. Furthermore, many groups, including blocs from amongst the governors and members of the national assembly had mounted pressure on him to declare for the second term. In addition, over three hundred non-governmental organizations had been holding rallies in Abuja and across the country in solidarity of the continuity of the federal administration.

In November 2017, President Buhari gave an inkling of his interest while addressing the Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire. He made same clue in Kano in December last year. Many APC governors, ministers and party heavy weights like Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnia Onu, Orji Uzor Kalu, amongst others, have shown unhidden love for Buhari’s reelection.

Against stiff opposition from Ekiti state governor, Kalu landed the state recently to campaign for Buhari’s continuity.

This declaration should relieve those who were interested in the position or make to rethink and join hands to uplift Nigeria with the trusted leader.

The cabal in the government should accept the ideal. The likes of former SGF, Babagana Kingibe, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and even some governors have no option than to swallow their presidential ambitions.

Undoubtedly, President Buhari has all it takes to contest and coast to victory next year. His health is now sound. He is being encouraged by the local and international accolades over his fight against corruption and hot zest for development. We are glad of his recognition by the African Union which recently declared him AU’s AntiCorruption champion.

Nigerians know Buhari for transparency, honesty and integrity.

This declaration, I am sure, will propel him to fulfill most, if not all the promises he made in 2015. His change mantra will be translated into huge actions and development in the next few months.

His uncompromising stand against corruption will never change despite the outcry from the affected looters.

Though not of the talkative, he must not be cowed by the corrupt people who are afraid to be brought to book.

And those who have looted the treasury of the nation should be followed by the security agencies. By God’s grace, Buhari will perform maximally in his second tenure and clear the criminals who are killing Nigeria.

– Ajah, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja

Nigerian Army: Forgotten In The Bowels Of Patriotism?

BY ISAAC IKPA

for the protection, good health and prosperity of different people.

Every day, we spare time to pray for our beloved ones, mostly family members. Once in a while, we find time to express appreciation to a boss, who perhaps offered us a job and we say thank you to a medical doctor for a successful surgical operation even though we foot the bills.

We excitedly send gifts to a high profile government official for offering us a multi-billion contract, and to a Good Samaritan who does something as little as helping us to retrace a lost path in a strange land.

That’s the positive side of nature and its interdependence. It means, no one is an Island to himself and all of us, as individuals or groups play complementary roles to spice existence. Appreciation for a good deed extended to anyone has a magic.

It spurs more action and blends a relationship in much deeper ties. It elicits compassion and the desire to stretch further.

Needless to say, everyone and profession is important. The bricklayer, the engineer, the architect, the lawyer, the soldier and so forth. They are competitively crucial in defining the comforts and discomforts inherent in life.

As a Nigerian, I have come to realize that while our people are cultured in the act of appreciation, they have observed unhealthy reservations on the soldier. I go to church every Sunday and hear special mass requests of prayers

But strangely, I have never heard any Nigerian in the places I worship requesting special mass and prayers for Nigerian soldiers, who are currently in the warfront.

These professionals have chosen to deprive themselves of all the niceties of life to ensure we live in peace.

They have elected upon themselves to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our dear country, Nigeria is protected from external aggressors.

Soldiers sleep in the cold, while we sleep in the comfort of our bedrooms; in the warfront, soldiers have no special diet; but we eat whatever we want; some on special assignments are estranged from their families for months and possibly years.

Every day, a soldier’s life is in permanent danger. Some of them die, in the course of defending us so that we can live in peace and a secured environment. These are duties they discharge with loyalty and patriotism to fatherland, as the only motivating weapons.

But none of us has ever felt compelled to remember this special category of professionals, who are consigned to this humanitarian job.

We deliberately withhold appreciation to them for the arduous and selfless service they render to us. And for the perpetual deviants and cynics, an average Nigerian soldier is a symbol of hatred and sneer.

We only remember soldiers in

times of our personal travails or when tribulations exceed tolerable limits and threaten our lives, like the scourge of terrorism. When there is conflagration in any part of the country that’s the only time, we think of soldiers to quell the fire.

I can still recall the loud voices of wailings, each time terrorists struck in the recent past. That was when terrorism climaxed in Nigeria. The cursed devils massively killed daily and we were helpless.

Nigerians frolicked in fear, especially in the Northern part of the country when Boko Haram terrorists held us at the jugular. Some relocated to other parts of Nigeria they assumed safer. We dreaded our shadows anywhere in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and multiple other states. We cried out loud for salvation with eyes watered by the tears of pain.

Yet, today, a repositioned and re-professionalized Nigerian Army has lifted this burden off our heads.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and ombudsman of the anti-terrorism operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has terminated this brutal reign of terror by leading troops to sleep in trenches in the jungles, caves and forests. They have confronted insurgents to restore our human dignity and uphold the sanctity of our lives.

Much more, the Nigerian Army has confronted various acts of terrorism and insurrections which burdened our lives in different parts of the country. It would be worthwhile if

we remember that soldiers spend days under the scotching heat and nights in darkness, while we frisk under illuminating street lights in cities and towns.

Very many of them have paid the supreme price of death on the battlefield, by engaging armed gangs. They have not allowed local conflicts, sponsored by aliens to mock our humanity and trample on our liberties as independent people.

It baffles that these band of selfless, hardworking, loyal and Christ-like professionals are forgotten by us in their bowels of patriotic service to nationhood. Quite demeaning, most of us prefer to think soldiers are not entitled to anything good.

We feel their lives are confined to the fate of the trenches. We don’t bother to think they are human beings like us; breathe like us; have stomachs to eat good food like us or tongues good enough to drink hygienic water like we do in our homes and offices. This is quite callous.

As if the neglect of soldiers in our consciousness is not enough.

Some of us enlist in the herd of those influenced by foreign forces to fabricate malicious campaigns’ to tarnish the reputation and image of the Nigerian Army. We become conveyors of messages that tend to denigrate and demean the institution of the Nigerian Army. We hardly remember the grandeur sacrifices they make to keep us and our country in peace and unity. This is unpatriotic to say, the least.

But time has come for us to change this distasteful perception of the Nigerian Army. We can only justify the humanity in us by changing this negative and discreditable perception of the Nigerian Army. It’s odd for us to celebrate when Boko Haram terrorists gun down a soldier in combat; but we preach human rights abuse and extrajudicial killings when a soldier sniffs life out of a terrorist on the battlefield.

We must understand that a day without soldiers on the streets or communities in Nigeria would shut down the entire country in lawlessness and bile armed conflicts.

We savour peace today because of their enormous contributions and commitment to the project of a peaceful, secured and united Nigeria.

Thus, it will not be out of place to once in a while show appreciation for the great job soldiers are performing.

We should not wait to only celebrate fallen on Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Those still alive and in active service deserve our prayers for protection, wisdom and good health to continue to perform the work of our sentinels perfectly.

A visit to a military barracks; warm pleasantries to soldiers we meet at checkpoints; remembering soldiers and their families in our prayers and defending them in absentia against malicious persecution would not be too much a burden to us in appreciation of their priceless work.

–Ikpa is the Executive Secretary, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency and contributed this piece from Abuja.

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2 Wild Cards For Zenith Bank “Next Gen” Junior Tennis Masters Gabriel Friday from Kaduna and Oiza Yakubu of Lagos, winners of the Boys' 16 and Girls' 14 titles at the recently concluded CBN Junior Tennis Championship, have been granted wild cards into the Zenith Bank "Next Gen" Junior Tennis Masters scheduled to take place at the National Stadium Surulere from April 24 to April 28.

The International Tennis Academy (ITA), organisers of the inaugural event, announced the wild cards in Lagos today and said the decision was based on the outstanding performance of these two players in the junior championship.

"They both displayed a very high level of play and we hope that giving them a wild card and having them take part in the Zenith Masters will boost their confidence." Godwin Kienka, director of the ITA said.

The Zenith Bank "Next Gen" Masters is featuring eight boys and girls in the 17 to 18 age bracket with the aim of fast tracking their progress into the senior ranks. Seven of these players who all developed through the ITA Junior Tennis Circuit platform are already in the top 30 of the senior ranking list.

The players invited for the Masters event are: Godgift Timibra, Michael Oshewa, Stephen Augustine, Chris Itodo, Tochukwu Ezeh, Abayomi Philips, Emmanuel Jebutu and Michael Ayoola for the boys' event.

Toyin Asogba, Oyin Quadri, Favour Moses, Omolade Aderemi, Omolayo Bamidele, Mariam Alli-Balogun, Rebecca Ekpeyong and Kasara Adegboyega are listed for the girls.

According to the organisers, the players will be divided into two round robin groups with the top two emerging to play through the semifinals to the finals. "'It's going to be a lot of fun" Kienka added.

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Thursday April 12, 2018

CWG: PMB Splashes Victorious Athletes With Dollars

BY SALIFU USMAN, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari through the Ministry of Youth and Sports yesterday made good is promise to reward athletes who excel at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

In a brief presentation ceremony in Gold Coast, yesterday, athletes who won gold medals includingPara Powerlifters Ibrahim Abdulazeez, Rowland Ezurike, Ndidi Nwosu and Esther Oyema received N1.8m ($5,000) each while Silver medalists Lucy Ejike, Kehinde Paul and Shotput thrower Chukwuebuka Enekwechi got N1.08m ($3,000) each. Bronze medalists will receive $2,000 while Coaches of Gold Medalists got $5,000 each and coaches of Silver medalists got $3,000 respectively.

The Team Table Tennis squad comprising Seg-

un Toriola, Bode Abiodun, Azeez Jamiu and Omotayo Olajide received $9,000.

Speaking the event, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Olusade Adesola thanked the athletes for making Nigeria proud by winning medals in their various fields.

“This is to assure you that the promise made by the Honorable Minister is one that is being fulfilled today. We need more of the laurels and the earlier we get them, the better”.

Presenting the cash awards, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung said the cash awards were in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to reward hard work and excellence.

“I want to thank you for your commitment, hard work and dedication that has produced some of the results that we are celebrating today. I also want to let you know that in sports, losing does not mean that you did not work hard. Experience is also part of victory, therefore, those who competed and did not make it, I celebrate you as heroes because upon your performances, the future lies. For those who made it, we are proud of you. We are happy that you have been able to make the country proud.

“We want to deliver on our promises that whosoever delivers in his or her competition, as a country, we will appreciate him or her. We will demonstrate that commitment so that others who are still competing will know that we deliver on our promises.”

The Para Powerlifting champions also got extra cash awards from their President Queen Uboh who gave each gold medalist N100,000 and the coaches while the silver medalists got N50,000 each.

Champions League: Barcelona’s Exit Excites Argentina Super Eagles' World Cup rivals Argentina are excited over Barcelona's exit from the Champions League, with their inspirational captain, Lionel Messi playing three games less before the end of the season.

After losing the first leg 4-1 at the Camp Nou last week, Roma completed a miraculous comeback no one saw coming, thrashing the Blaugrana 3-0 in the Stadio Olimpico to go through on the away goals rule.

Assuming Barcelona had qualified for the final, the earliest date Messi would have joined his international teammates ahead of the 2018 World Cup is May 27, a day after the Champions League showpiece in Kiev. ''The elimination of Barcelona meant good news for these lands. Because looking at the glass half full, Leo Messi will arrive with three matches less to the World Cup in Russia,'' Argentina's daily reported ''A little less busy than expected, with Barca already ruled out of the Champions League final (May 26 in Kiev). And of course, he will not play the semifinals either. Thus, the Flea will have fewer encounters on the back.''

Nigeria and Argentina will do battle for the fifth time in the group stage of the World Cup at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26.

CWG: Team Nigeria's Ajayi, Igbunisu Out Of Women's 400m, 200m Finals

BY WALE AYENI, Abuja Nigeria’s Yinka Ajayi hopes for Medal was dashed as she finished eighth in the women’s athletics 400m final in the ongoing 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia, yesterday Ajayi recorded a time of 52.26 seconds at the Carrara Stadium Track which could not place her in the Medal spot The 20-year-old had earlier finished second in the women’s 400m semi-final 2, a time of in 51.81 seconds Tuesday evening Botswana’s Amantle Montsho recorded a time of 50.15 seconds to claimed gold while Anastasia Leroy from Jamaica won silver with a time of 50.57 seconds.

Le-roy’s compatriot, Stephenie Mcpherson, finished third with a time of 50.93 seconds to secure the bronze medal.

In the women’s 200m athletics event, Nigeria’s duo Isoken Igbinosu and Praise Idamadudu, failed to qualify for the final.

Igbinosu came seventh with a time of 24.03 seconds in the women’s 200m semi-final in group 3 She had made it to the semi-finals with one of the four best fastest times not to qualify automatically from the Heats..

AWC Qualifiers: Super Falcons Battle The Gambia

BY WALE AYENI, Abuja The Nigeria's Super Falcons will battle Gambia in the second round of 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers, to be hosted by Ghana later this year.

The defending Champions were given a first round bye alongside South Africa, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

Gambia suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in their first leg tie at the Août Stadium, Ouagadougou but came into party with a 2-1 win in Bakau on Tuesday, be-

fore edged out West African rivals 5-3 aggregate on penalty.

The eight African champions Falcons will be ready to put away the terrible 8-0 lost against France during the international friendly game behind them as they seek a place in the African Women’s Cup of Nations as they clash with Gambia in June Meanwhile, 2016 AWCON runners-up Cameroon will take on Congo who defeated Central African Republic 3-1 on aggregate in the first round.

Algeria will lace up against Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire and

Mali will lock horns as Kenya set to abolish Equatorial Guinea at their home front, while Lesotho will square up with South Africa for the place in the last eight and Zambia will also look for a way to sweep off Zimbabwe for a place in the group stage.

Winners from the second round will join hosts Ghana in the final tournament scheduled for 17 November to 1 December 2018.

The three top nations in the continental showdown will qualify for the 2019 World Cup in France.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

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Ndidi, Iheanacho Nominated For Leicester City Award Nigerian internationals Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho have been nominated for Leicester City’s Young Player of the Year award, according to the club’s official website.

The Foxes have opened voting to their supporters for their end-of-season awards ceremony, which will be held at the King Power Stadium on May 1.

While the Player of the Season gong is open to all of City’s first-team squad, the Young Player of the Year category features just eight options to choose from: the Nigerian duo, as well as Demarai

Gray, Ben Chilwell, Fousseni Diabate, Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury and Josh Knight.

Super Eagles player Ndidi won last season’s Young Player of the Year award and will start as the favourite to retain his title.

Iheanacho has also been nominated for the Goal of the Season award, with his strike against Peterborough United in the FA Cup up against efforts from Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez (who each have four strikes in the 10-goal nominee list) and Shinji Okazaki.

Tunis 2018 AJC: Quadri Upsets Number 8 Seed, Qualifies For Q'final

Nigeria’s Oyinlomo Quadri, Wednesday, produced a sensational display to record a 7-5, 6-3 win over Auertin Sarra of Tunisia and booked a quarterfinal spot at the ITF/CAT African Junior Championship 16 and Under holding in Tunis, Tunisia.

The 14-year-old Quadri, was puzzled by Sarra’s aggressive style which saw the Tunisian number eight seed raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening set. However, Quadri rose to the occasion and stunned the large home crowd, who showed tremendous support for their compatriot, by winning seven straight set adding to the disappointment of the home fans, who a day earlier, had seen them come second best to Nigeria as Matthew Abamu eliminated homeboy, Elyes Ben Abdullah in the boy’s category.

The second set began in an identical fashion as Sarra lead 2-0 but she would not be allowed to build an-

other huge lead as Quadri turned the table once more to lead 4-2 before seeing out the match with a 6-3 second set triumph.

“She played percentage tennis today; she is the talk of the tournament as everyone could not believe the way she kept her composure to win the match especially during the first set when everyone thought it was sealed for the Tunisian girl,” Nigeria’s coach, Mohammed Ubale said.

Quadri’s Nigerian fellow, Abamu could not match the top quality of top seed and title favourite Eliakim Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire who cruised to an easy 6-0, 6-1 win.

Over 50 players from 18 countries are featuring in the week-long clay-court tournament which will see the top players featuring in European Tour as well as bagging ITF training scholarships as reward for their impressive displays.

SPORTS 47

Cameroon Athletes Go Missing From Commonwealth Games Five athletes from conflicthit Cameroon have gone missing from the Commonwealth Games in Australia, team officials said Wednesday.

Three weightlifters and two boxers have not been seen since Tuesday, triggering suspicion they had fled with no intention of returning home. The matter has been reported to Australian police.

Cameroon press attache Simon Molombe told AFP that he was shocked to learn weightlifters Olivier Matam Matam, Arcangeline Fouodji and Petit Minkoumba, along with boxers Christian Ndzie Tsoye and Simplice Fotsala, had apparently fled.

“It came as a complete surprise,” he said. “We have no idea where they are. There were no worries this kind of thing might happen.

“Their team-mates informed us they had left,” he added. “We are cooperating with the police. We are praying this doesn’t happen again and doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t.”

Commonwealth Games organisers called for competitors to respect the law, mindful of the fact that more than 100 athletes overstayed their visas at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“We would appreciate them sticking within the law, enjoying themselves, but sticking within the law,” organising committee boss Peter Beattie told reporters.

“That includes Cameroon and any other athletes.

And if they are thinking of doing anything other, I would encourage them not to.”

Before the Games opened on April 4, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton warned that athletes would be closely monitored to ensure they did not overstay their visas and that they returned home after competition ended.

Cameroon, in central Africa, is suffering from civil unrest after a military crackdown on English-speaking separatists.

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12.04.18 No. 3,041

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Critical Analysis Of The AU CFTA

Abba Mahmood

rade ministers from all the 54 African countries met in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, in early December last year to agree on final terms for the African Union’s (AU) Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).

The objective of the CFTA is primarily to engender more intraAfrican trade, which currently comprises just 15 percent of the continent’s total merchandise trade. As compared to other continents – 67 per cent in Europe; 58 per cent in Asia and 48 per cent in North Americathis is indeed quite low.

On March 14, 2018, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the signing of the agreement and Nigeria’s bid to host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) but a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 18th March indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari had cancelled his attendance at the signing ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, and that Nigeria would consult with stakeholders before

THURSDAY

08052407030 (SMS only) abba@leadership.ng taking a final decision on the AfCFTA. The signing ceremony took place on March 21, 2018 during the 10th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on the AfCTA held in Kigali without Nigeria and South Africa, the two biggest economies on the continent. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, received the legal instruments signed by 44 African countries. Other African countries that stayed out of the bloc were Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Burundi, Eriteria, Benin, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau.

With the signing of the Agreement by 44 nations, individual countries would now ratify the agreement in line with their sovereign laws, which will come into force if 25 countries out of the total AU member countries approve it. President Buhari later explained the reason why he cancelled his trip to Kigali to sign the AfCFTA, noting that the agreement has the capacity to hinder local entrepreneurship and encourage

Buhari

the dumping of finished goods in Nigeria.

President Buhari also said he has constituted a committee comprising the Ministers of Finance, Budget, Labour, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology as well as Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Customs Service and the Nigerian Immigration Service to review the content of the AfCFTA to enable Nigeria understand fully the economic and security implications of the agreement. The committee was expected to submit its report in two weeks.

Africa has a total population of about 1.2 billion people, with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a little over $2trillion. The need for intraAfrican trade cannot be over emphasized especially given the unfavourable trade with Europe, China and America.

But only those nations that are manufacturing can benefit from trade in goods. Most African countries are not manufacturing; they export mainly raw materials, only South Africa has 25 percent manufacturing value-added.

Nigeria’s manufacturing valueadded has sharply fallen to less than five percent, from about 20

percent in the 1980s. China in the final analysis may be the biggest beneficiary.

The Chinese in South Africa successfully got a court judgment declaring them as also previously disadvantaged group like the Black majority in that country paving the way for them to buy up businesses with the support of the Chinese government. This explains the reason why China engineered the invitation of South Africa into the BRIC group. In neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, about 20 percent of that country’s population is now Chinese.

And this is just one country.

Thus, the ultimate beneficiary of the AfCFTA will be China as they bring their cheap goods and dump these using the weak African countries to penetrate the African continental market.

Economics ultimately influences politics. The Chinese initially started penetrating Africa for economic reasons.

Like other powers, they are now interested in the political direction of African countries.

As soon as Mr. Jean Ping of Gabon whose father is Chinese became the chairman of the African Union Commission, China built the AU Secretariat for Africa, which marked the beginning of China’s foray into African political affairs.Never mind the non-interference in political affairs principle that is now history. Mr. Ping’s subsequent presidential ambition in Gabon was actively supported by China. The pseudo-democratic change of government in Zimbabwe last year had strong China backing. Even in the Sierra Leone election of last month, the Chinese backed the ruling party, that country’s APC that was eventually defeated. China knows its interests here and across the world and its interests may not necessarily be the same

as ours. Indeed, for us here if care is not taken, the 21st century will be defined by the context for the control of Africa and its resources between France and China with the African leaders acting as puppets.

There is also the bigger issue of how African countries would extricate themselves from constraining bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with developed economies, which at first glance seem beneficial to the African countries but on further scrutiny have been found to be ultimately detrimental to Africa’s longterm industrial development.

These include the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement that African countries entered into in the 1990s without looking at the long term implications as well as the bilateral agreements between each individual Francophone country with France their former and current colonial master. The European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) top the list.

For instance, in 2016, Africa’s trade with the European Union (EU) was valued at €262bn ($124bn), with a relatively small trade deficit of €28.6bn.

However, the fact that 62 percent of Africa’s exports were primary products and 71 percent of its imports were manufactures puts that deficit in a different light, as discerned by many analysts.

As Comrade Issa Aremu recently wrote, “the uncritical membership of WTO of most African countries including Nigeria in the 1990s with attendant massive lowering of tariffs through wholesale trade liberalization arrested the nascent African manufacturing and development leading to massive collapse of labour intensive industries like textile and automobile due to unfair competition. How would

AfCFTA foster African reindustrialization process and uplift millions out of poverty is a critical question begging for answer”.

In any case, having a continental free trade without common currency makes very little sense. The Francophone CFA is tied to the apron strings of the French France and France has ultimate control of the monetary, trade, fiscal and even defence policies of its former colonies. None of the subregional groups has any existing effective fiscal and monetary policy currently and these are supposed to be the building blocs of the ultimate continental unity. And if the continental trade will be dollar-denominated then it has no difference with what exists now and is therefore useless. With Brexit and the trade war between the US and China, the world’s two biggest economies, the timing of AfCFTA is simply not right.

African development should be more seriously handled, otherwise we are giving birth to slaves as our children just as our parents and grandparents were colonized, God forbid. History is on the side of the oppressed.

GHANA MUST GO Ayade weeps as he signs N1.3trn budget into law — News

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