Leadership Newspapers, E-Paper ,April 9 ,2018

09.04.18

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 3,038

MONDAY

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Firms Remit N139bn Into Pension Accounts In 12 Months

BY ZAKA KHALIQ, Lagos

Companies in the private sector remitted the sum of N139 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 428,675 workers, growing the pension assets to N7.51 trillion as at the end 2017, LEADERSHIP investigations have revealed.

This means the firms remitted

the monthly pension contributions of their employees throughout last year, thereby complying with the Pension Reforms Act (PRA) 2014.

To this effect, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is-

sued certificate of compliance to the firms.

This is a serious breakthrough in the era of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), with private sector employers fulfilling the pension ob-

ligation of their employees even though there are pockets of employers who have refused to comply with the pension Act and are currently being trailed by PenCom to remit their workers’ contribution

CBN Deploys New Deputy Govs Pg. 34

or be taken to court.

Last year, about 60 employers were taken to court for violation of the PRA 2014 Act, even as more private companies continue to join the new pension scheme.

That however cannot be said of government at the federal and state levels, as both tiers of gov-

➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

TENURE ELONGATION

To Save APC From Implosion, Pro-Oyegun Govs Surrender 6 NEC decides on dates for state congresses, national convention today

Why PMB Should Be Ruthless To Looters – Oshiomhole

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin AND ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin

The celebrant and former Senate President, David Mark (4th right); deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (5th left);chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Suleiman Adokwe (2nd right); former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam (3rd right); retired Brig.Gen Tunde Ogbeha (right); chairman, House Committee on Airforce, Samsom Oku (2nd left); deputy chairman, House Committee on IDPs, Ezekiel Adaji (4th left) and other dignitaries during Senator Mark’s 70th birthday reception at his residence in Otukpo, Benue State, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Army Debunks Rumour Of Troops’ Withdrawal From Internal Operations 10

IGP Deploys 6 Mobile Police 11 Units To Kwara, Taraba

Former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has implored President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt a “ruthless” measure against alleged looters of the nation’s treasury.

Oshiomhole who stated this in Benin yesterday described as mindless, the stealing by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government.

The former governor noted that it is the right of Nigerians to know the level of rot that transpired in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

He said, “I think that if other Nigerians don’t understand the power of transparency, the right to know, the media should uphold that right and defend it.

What was stolen was not from private purse; the house that was destroyed was not a private res➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

NNPC To Kick Off $2.8bn 31 Gas Pipeline Project

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Monday, April 9, 2018

LEADERSHIP

our stand

Monday, April 9, 2018

3

Combating Lassa Fever Resurgence

T

he fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in the country should give real cause for concern. Latest report has it that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has recorded a new case of the disease, bringing the number of confirmed cases to three within three months. One of the two victims of the confirmed cases earlier recorded at Bwari Area Council of the FCT died in January. Similarly, in Ekiti State, three persons had reportedly died. Lassa fever, a haemorrhagic viral infection is named after Lassa, a village in Borno State, on the south of Lake Chad where the disease was first discovered in 1969 after two missionary nurses lost their lives.

Lassa fever manifests like other so-called common ailments such as malaria and typhoid fever. The onset is gradual which makes early diagnosis difficult leading to fatal consequences. It is estimated that 10 per cent of almost 500,000 people infested with Lassa fever lose their lives and approximately 15 per cent of hospitalized patients die.

The disease is more severe in pregnancy, particularly in the third tri-mester, and foetal loss occurs in greater than 80 per cent of cases.

It is caused by a specie of rodents called the Natal multimammate rat, the common African rat, or the African soft-furred rat. The Lassa virus is transmitted when the droppings, that is, the urine or faeces of the rat–the natural reservoir for the virus–comes in contact with foodstuffs or in the process of the rat accessing grain stores, either in silos or in residences. However, transmission that occurs in hospitals and outbreaks in healthcare facilities in endemic areas represent a significant burden on the healthcare system.

There is need, in our view, to

mobilise human and material resources to trace the extent of the disease and follow up on potential contacts in order to identify and test suspected cases early. In doing this, we suggest that all tiers of government must ensure continuous sensitization of the citizenry, ensuring that homes, markets, offices, motor parks and other public places are regularly fumigated. Everyone must come to term with the

need to maintain adequate hygiene and environmental sanitation at all times.

Early symptoms include fever, headache and general body weakness, followed by sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea in some cases. After four to seven days, most patients will start to feel better, but a small minority will present with multi-organ involvement. It can affect the gastrointestinal

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!

tract causing nausea, vomiting and stooling of blood as well as difficulty in swallowing; cardiovascular system symptoms include hypertension or hypotension as well as abnormal high heart rate and shock. In the respiratory tract, the victim experiences chest pains, cough and difficulty in breathing.

The virus also causes difficulty in hearing, meningitis and seizures.

Death from Lassa fever most commonly occurs 10 to 14 days after symptom onset. Non-specific symptoms are facial swelling, muscle fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis and mucosal bleeding. And one of the hallmarks of Lassa virus infection is the absence of functional antibodies during acute infection. So far, there is no specific treatment for Lassa fever, being a viral infection, but sufferers must constantly have access to balanced diet, antibiotics and vitamin supplements to boost their immune systems to prevent secondary infections.

The prevention and control of the disease remains a shared responsibility. Therefore, it is the opinion of this newspaper that everyone involved must shun acts that could complicate the situation.

More importantly, individual efforts in challenging this scourge is sacrosanct to achieving lasting solution to the deadly virus.

Everyone must realize that keeping an entire community safe from such rampant disease only resonate from our desire and endlessly pursue personal and communal healthy attitude. Thus, it is important to keep away from rats and report any case of persistent fever to the nearest public health facility. The public is also advised to shun ingestion of food and drinks infested by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rat. Getting directly in contact with an ailing person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, like eyes, nose or mouth should also be avoided. Above all, we urge everyone to embrace faultless personal and environmental hygiene. It is quite imperative that all stakeholders put up a common front against the spread of this disease, before it becomes another major plague.

4 NEWS

Monday, April 9, 2018

Group News Editor: Ekele Peter Agbo

Army Captures 5 Terrorists, Rescues

149 Hostages In Borno R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari; Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, and Commander Brigade of Guards, Brig Gen Umar Thamas Musa during the President’s arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. PHOTO BY STATE

479 Graduate From Maryam Abacha Varsity

BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja

No fewer than 480 students, including Mustapha Abacha, the youngest son of late head of state, Sani Abacha, at the weekend, graduated from Maryam Abacha American University, Niger (MAAUN) during its second convocation.

Similarly, the first set of postgraduate students was awarded Master’s degrees in various fields of endeavour.

In his speech, the president and

founder of the institution, Prof Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo noted that the university which was established about 5 years ago, has witnessed phenomenal growth and remarkable strides since inception leading to the attainment of various plaudits.

He noted that such strides have earned the university recognition by sundry world standard education bodies such as UNESCO, the United Kingdom based Accreditation Service for International

Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC), and the US based Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Others achievements include; membership of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), membership of the British Quality Foundation (BQF) and membership of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

Gwarzo noted that the birth of MAAUN heralded the establish-

HOUSE

ment of the first English university in Niger Republic which was also the first approved bilingual university in sub-Saharan Africa.

In his address, the president of Niger Republic who was represented by the governor of Maradi, Dr Zakari Oumarou commended the foresight of the founder of MAAUN, noting that that the establishment of the university in Niger has premised the beginning of a quantum leap in education standards in the country.

PMB Leaves toFor London On Official Visit 20th April, 2018. lion in Nigeria’s oil industry. the Archbishop of Canterbury,

BY JONATHAN NDA-ISAIAH, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja today for an official visit to Britain where he is due to hold discussions on Nigeria– British relations with Prime Minister Mrs Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for 18th

This was disclosed in a statement issued by his senior special assistant media, Garba Shehu.

The presidential spokesman said the President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners’ plan to invest $15 bil-

According to him ,these investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years production and domestic gas supply, bringing with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society.

He said “President Buhari is due to renew discussions with

Most Rev and Rt Hon Justin Welby, a good friend of the president on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and world-wide.

“Further meetings have also been scheduled for the President to see some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.”

PDP Mocks APC, Presidency Over Visit Of Arewa Pastors

BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the recent visit of clergymen to the President Muhammadu Buhari, under the aegis Arewa Pastors as a stage-managed political endorsement by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency.

Noting that the visit was hypocritical and a disgusting signs of desperation, PDP added that the pastors were procured individuals who masqueraded as religious leaders.

The national publicity secretary of PDP, Kola Olagbondiyan said the Presidency’s hiring of supposed Arewa Pastors was a second attempt to orchestrate fake endorsements ahead of the 2019 election, recalling the recent Martin Luther King Jr. saga Olagbondiyan in a statement said both procured endorsements, which had turned out to be fake, are, to say the least, despicable and betray the nervousness of a sinking leadership, desperately trying

to save its face, having been rejected by the people.

“It is heartrending that because of the desperation of one man, the integrity of Nigeria’s seat of power has again been ridiculed as the world watched religious bodies and groups in the country disowning the procured band.

“The fact that this disgraceful drama came barely a week after our nation suffered an international show of shame over President Buhari’s presentation with a procured award fraudulently linked to Martin Luther King Jr, speaks volumes of this administration’s proclivity for falsehood, lies and deception.

“Having failed to gain any endorsements from reputable international figures, such as Bill Gates and the Martin Luther King Jr group, the APC and the Presidency have now shamelessly resorted to cheaper ways and means, particularly, along the unregulated and porous religious and sectional lines.

“It is now overtly manifest that the Buhari administration is ready

to even stage anything, no matter how ignoble, including fake rescue missions, to deceive Nigerians.

“It would be recalled that the PDP had earlier alerted Nigerians of plots by the Federal Government to engage in orchestrated endorsements as well as issuing of false performance indices, PDP said.

The opposition party added that these disgraceful endorsements are being coordinated by three presidential aides, a cabinet minister from the South-south and certain officials of the APC, a project for which billions of naira have been earmarked.

“This cabal is also responsible for the renting of crowds, who are usually conveyed in buses, trucks and trailers, to fill the space during President Buhari’s visits to various states of the federation, as witnessed in Benue during the last visit of Mr. President.

“That President Buhari could be begging for endorsements only points to the fact that he and his cabal have lost the support of Nigerians whom his administration

has subjected to horrible economic hardships, traumatic bloodletting and a bleak future.

“If President Buhari and his dysfunctional APC had performed to the least expectations of Nigerians, even by implementing the littlest of their numerous fake campaign promises, they would have no need for mundane gimmicks of procuring awards from well-known street quacks ahead of the elections.

“We charge all credible groups in the country to be at alert and resist any attempt by the Presidency and APC to induce them to compromise their integrity, as well as guide against plots to use money to infiltrate and divide their ranks.

“The APC and Buhari Presidency must admit that their time is up as Nigerians are now rallying with the repositioned PDP in the national quest to rescue our dear nation from the incompetent, failed and deceptive administration of the APC, come 2019,” the statement added.

BY FRANCIS OKOYE, Maiduguri

The Army yesterday said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed five Boko Haram terrorists, captured five others and rescued 149 hostages.

A statement by the deputy director, Public Relations, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, said the rescued hostages comprised 54 women and 95 children, adding that the troops destroyed several logistics belonging to the terrorists.

“Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to make progress in clearance operations to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from their previous stronghold in the Sambisa forest.

“Yesterday, Saturday, the valiant troops made further operational exploit into Boko Haram hideout in Yerimari Kura, in a deliberate rescue operation to extricate and rescue hostages held by insurgents in the hideout. In the encounter, troops killed three Boko Haram insurgents and captured five. Fifty four women and 95 children held hostage by the insurgents were rescued by the gallant troops.

Troops also destroyed several logistics belonging to the insurgents.

“The rescued hostages are currently receiving medical attention at the 21 Brigade Medical Centre and will be profiled after the medical screening session,” the statement said.

Police Arrest Man For Killing Wife, Child In Lagos

BY OGUNTADE ISMAILA, Lagos

The Lagos State police command yesterday said they have arrested a 53-year-old, man, Peter Nelson, a Denmark citizen, for allegedly killing his wife and three-year-old child at Bellasta Tower, Banana Island.

The police public relations officer, (PPRO), Chike Oti, a Superintendent of Police told journalists that on the 5th day of April, 2018, at about 11am, it received a complaint from the facility manager of Bellasta Tower, Banana Island, Mr Kunle Kukoyi, that he was informed by 13-year-old, Miss Gift Madaki, that she heard her elder sister, Late Mrs Zainab Nelson, 37 years old, crying in the early hours of the morning as she was being manhandled by her husband.

He said the little girl narrated that the time she heard her sister’s cry at about 03:45 hours.

Based on the report, the command mobilised its Crime Scene Detectives to the location in conjunction with the medics from Britannia hospital, Lekki Phase one Lagos.

He added that, they also went to Flat 17, Block 4 apartment of the Nelsons and found two bodies, identified as that of Zainab Nelson and her 3 years old baby, Petral Nelson were found in the kitchen and confirmed them dead by doctor.

According to him, the preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the violence that consumed the deceased persons started in the couple’s bedroom but the bodies were dragged to the kitchen.

He explained that closer examination revealed visible marks of violence on the bodies.

The corpses were photographed and evacuated to Lagos Island General Hospital for autopsy.

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To Save APC From Implosion, Pro-Oyegun Govs Surrender

BY ANDREW ESSIEN, Abuja

It became evident last night that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) billed to hold today would be rancour-free, as state governors elected on the party’s platform who were in favour of the contentious tenure elongation for the party executives may have caved in to superior arguments.

LEADERSHIP gathered that as at yesterday evening, there was a congruence of opinion among the pro-Oyegun governors that any form of grandstanding and stubborn defense of position at today’s NEC meeting may spell political disaster for the party ahead of the 2019 general election.

To save the governing party from implosion, the APC governors who had hitherto pushed for tenure extension for the party’s leadership at the national and state levels have resolved to throw in the towel for peace to reign.

Speaking with our correspondent last night, a source close to the pro-Oyegun governors said, “They are also considering the fact that President Buhari who is the leader of the party would have foreseen the danger ahead and that must be why he is insisting on the convention to avoid anyone from accusing the party of illegality”.

Corroborating this, Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, also revealed that the governors are united in favour of the elective convention being advocated by the president.

Ganduje said that the earlier decision of NEC, which favoured tenure extension, will be reversed at today’s NEC meeting.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja over the weekend, Governor Ganduje also revealed that today’s NEC meeting is expected to decide on the date and timetable for congresses and the national convention of the party, which will bring in new set of leaders at all levels.

He said, “Yes, there was controversy on this even though yesterday we were able to put it at rest. But let me tell you the issues involved. Those who are advocating for tenure elongation are advocating on the premise that when we hold congresses and conven-

Oyegun

tion, according to their own perception, there will be a lot of problems and that problem will linger into election period. Well, that is a perception; it could be that way and it could be that some people wanted to retain power. Therefore that reason is bias.

“However, I don’t belong to that school of thought. The constitution of our party has made a provision for four years and at the end of it we have to hold congresses and convention. The constitution of Nigeria has also provided for that. So, we have no reason whatsoever.

“If you are saying that there would be some problems, problems are part of ingredients of politics. There is no way you can practice democracy in a developing country without having some problems. There must be problems; there must be divergent views and disagreements. There will never be a time that things will be 100% normal. So, even if there is problem, that is part of democracy and we will be able to move forward.

The governor continued: “For those who

thought they would be able to continue, we said no and I think Mr President finally hit the nail on the head by saying that he is not in favour of any tenure elongation.

“Tenure elongation is undemocratic, it may lead us to litigation which will not be good for the party and we are happy that we have convinced the few governors that were for the elongation and on Monday we hope to have our NEC meeting where the previous decision will be reversed and by then, timetable will be out for congresses at the ward level, at local government level, at the state level and finally convention at the national level.

“I think that is the situation and I am happy to say that the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum issued a statement; the chairman of the APC governors Forum also issued a statement and the national chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, made a statement as well to say that all is well.”

APC Non-NWC Members’ Forum Backtracks, Supports PMB On Tenure Extension

Firms Remit N139bn Into Pension Accounts In 12 Months FROM COVER

ernment are still lagging behind in prompt remission of monthly pension contribution into the pension accounts of government workers.

While federal government has been remitting, though not as promptly as expected, state governments are the major culprits, with 22 states yet to commence the implementation of the new pension scheme.

A document obtained from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) noted that in the first quarter of 2017, precisely between January and March 2017, the sum of N25.85 billion was remitted to 88,943 employees RSAs by the 4,065 organisations that were issued compliance certificates.

In the second quarter, N26.41 billion was remitted into the RSAs of 45,505 employees, while the sum of N13.77 billion was remitted into the RSAs of 62,077 employees from the applicant organisations in the third quarter of 2017.

In the fourth quarter, N13.77 billion was remitted into the RSAs of 62,077 employees from the applicant organisations.

Further findings showed that the private sector continues to dominate in RSA membership with 55.54 per cent (4,345,044) of the total RSA registration as at the end of the fourth quarter, moving from 4,253,003 in the previous quarter. The sector also witnessed a growth of 2.16 per cent (92,041) in

the fourth quarter of 2017.

This, market observers believe, is attributed to the increase in the level of compliance by private sector as a result of the various steps taken by PenCom to improve compliance and coverage, as well as marketing strategies of the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

Moreover, with more private sector players now ready to join the CPS and PenCom going after defaulting employers, experts said these indicators will continue to push the pension funds now at N7.51 trillion upward.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP at the weekend, the managing director, AXA Mansard Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Mr Dapo Akinsanya, applauded the feat of the private sector, saying this is encouraging, as all over the world defined benefits scheme is currently facing challenges, which necessitated the call for defined contributory scheme.

While advising states to gradually transit to CPS, he urged the federal government to reduce its financial burden and devote more to pension of its workers.

“Defined contributory system are much more sustainable. Also, when you have fluctuation in the economic condition as we have had, it is always better when government can lower its own direct financial burden as much as possible. I would advise gradual transition into the contributory pension scheme. I

think it is inevitable anyway,” he pointed out.

On his part, the director, Centre for Pension Right Advocacy (CPRA), Mr Ivor Takor, said the PRA 2014 is a federal law that the private sector keyed into, urging government to show utmost good faith in its own law by fully implementing the provisions of the Act. He, however, appealed to the federal government and states to pay their respective pension arrears, as this will go a long way to redeem the lost image of the new pension scheme recently criticised for various reasons, among which is the multitude of arrears owed just like what was happening in the old scheme.

He applauded the steps taken by PenCom in partnering with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as other relevant agencies to prosecute defaulting employers, stating that this has ensured more compliance in the private sector and make sure the fund keeps growing from time to time.

Section 11 subsection 3(b) of the PRA 2014 states: “The employer shall not later than 7 working days from the day the employee is paid his salary remit an amount comprising the employee’s contribution under paragraph (a) of this subsection and the employer’s contribution to the Pension Fund Custodian specified by the Pension Fund Administrator of the employee.”

Meanwhile, ahead of today’s NEC meeting of the ruling APC, a forum of non-National Working Committee but NEC members of the party have withdrawn their initial support for the controversial tenure extension, which they had endorsed for the party leadership.

The forum had earlier expressed support for the current NWC led by Chief John Oyegun to be given another 12-month tenure extension.

But at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, the spokesman of the forum, Jock Alamba, in company of other members, expressed support for President Buhari’s position on the issue of tenure extension.

The forum, however, called on all APC members and supporters nationwide to disregard “a news headline from one of our national newspapers to the effect that ‘Governors move to stop plot to use chairmen against Buhari.’

Alamba said, “There is no such plot and no chairman is against Buhari; we are all behind Buhari. We share Mr President’s unalloyed commitment to the rule of law and tenets of internal democracy, as well as the firm beacons he is laying to deepen our fledgling democracy.

“He has in different fora, as a convert democrat, demonstrated his commitment to democracy as exemplified in the gubernatorial and senatorial elections, which opposition political parties won in states like Anambra and Rivers under his watch. A stark difference from mid-term and other election results under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 16 years of do or die politics.

“President Buhari’s concern for due process is legendary, that we could not underrate his concern that since the law is an ass, our most likely 2019 presidential and other electoral victories should not be toyed or placed in jeopardy with legal niceties or put in harm’s way of fortune hunters.

The forum further said, “Our position is reaffirmed after a careful survey, which shows that 99% of the entire membership and governors of our great party are in support of Mr President’s second term bid. It is a common position that for the overall interest of our great country that Mr President should complete the critical infrastructural foundations he is laying.

“This means that with all hands on deck, we can avoid the risk of rancourous and conflict-ridden intra-party elections, which made majority of our leaders to clamour for one year elongation of tenure in the eve of 27 February, 2018 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.”

“Accordingly, our forum has the fervent believe that APC like in the 10 December, 2014 presidential primary and other primary elections will work together as a family and disappoint naysayers who are hoping for Armageddon.”

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For the same reason, when you’re dressing casually, wear buttoncollared shirts rather than a widespread collar. They narrow the face.

– Culled from 100 Best Ways To Stay Young

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NEWS 7

Why PMB Should Be Ruthless To Looters – Oshiomhole FROM COVER

idence.

“We are talking of resources, which if it is distributed on basis of equality, divide by 180 million people you will be a lot richer.

“I think my only complaint is that the federal government should be more ruthless because there are lot of people who should be in court who are not there. When I was still in the office and I said the kind of money they stole was huge in dollars they paid hired writers to ask how I knew.

“I have interacted with power vertically and horizontally. I know that we cannot be lamenting today without understanding that

the treasury was burgled yesterday. I think the promise of democracy is that good or bad, the people have the right to know and that is the starting point and particularly important.

“I think the people have the right to know and if any of them think that what has being said is not true, they can go to court. All of them who are involved and those who they are looking for, they should put everything in public domain and that is the promise of democracy and it is about you.

“Just by virtue of being in a winning party they helped themselves so much. One of the acting chairmen of PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, I used to respect him so much, I

heard him saying that the reason they did not indict Diezani was that the money missing and everything that was done, Goodluck approved.

“If President approved the money, should it be stolen and not go into the federation account or used for the intended purpose. Jonathan may have immunity against prosecution but he doesn’t have power to appropriate what the National Assembly has not done.

“Right now, they are now saying the national assembly should not approve the $1 billion the federal government is going to spend on security. This is a party that spent well above that without going to the national assembly at all.”

Oshiomhole

FG Planning To Frame Me Up – Wike

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, PORT

HARCOURT

Dasuki

Dasuki Sues DSS, AGF Over Illegal Detention

BY KUNLE OLASANMI, Abuja

Former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has filed a fresh fundamental human rights enforcement suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the suit, the embattled former NSA is demanding unconditional release from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).

In the suit, Dasuki who has been in detention since December 29, 2015 is also demanding N5 billion as “general damages and compensation” for alleged violation of his rights.

Dasuki, in the suit marked

FHC/ABJ/CS/263/2018, also urged the court to order the three respondents to tender public apology to him in two widely published newspapers for the violation of his rights as enshrined under sections 34 (1), 35(1), (4) & (5), 37 & 41(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

The Director-General of the SSS, Lawal Daura, the SSS and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, are joined as the first to the third respondents in the suit.

The suit has been assigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, but no date has been fixed for hearing yet.

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has raised the alarm over a lleged plot by the federal government and its agents to frame him up by planting illegal items on him in any of his trips outside the shores of Nigeria and have him quizzed and embarrassed by foreign security agencies.

Wike, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday, by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said investigations revealed that the federal government is using security agencies to plan the set up “once the governor travels abroad”.

The governor said: " My investigation reveals that the federal government, using her security agencies, is planning to set me up anytime I am travelling outside the country. They plan to organise security to storm the hotel I am staying and say they found xyz cash in my possession; after which they would say I was arrested for currency trafficking or whatever offences outside the country.

"They will then precipitate crisis in my state and other parts of Nigeria. They will plan demonstrations to demonize me and claim I have gone outside to embarrass the country. The public odium is meant to smear me before my people and other Nigerians. It is unfortunate, wicked and unfair.

"What they plan is similar to what was once done to the late Chief DSP Alamieseigha. They are plan-

Wike

ning what they call the 'Alams treatment' for me. But, by the grace of Almighty God, they will fail."

He said, though he was neither scared nor disturbed over the plot, he felt the need to alert the nation and the world to the evil and dangerous dimension politics had degenerated in the country.

Wike said, "I am using this opportunity to alert the world of the sinister plot. I am a law-abiding citizen of this country and countries I visit in the course of my work or holidays. I have never dabbled into anything illegal. So, any attempt to frame me up on trumped up charges or alleged offences is bound to fail."

"What they are doing is just cheap politics. They want to intim-

idate the opposition into silence as they are already doing with their so-called 'looters' list'. It won't work. We can't all be intimidated.

"What we expect government at the centre to do is to showcase to the people their lists of achievements; why they should get a second chance. But they have nothing to show; so they are embarking on intimidation and arm-twisting tactics of the opposition."

The governor stated that he was sure of resounding victory at the polls in 2019, because he has been serving the people diligently and efficiently.

He said, "My works will speak for me. My projects will speak for.

The People of Rivers State will speak for me by voting me back."

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Army Debunks Rumour Of Troops’ Withdrawal From Internal Operations

BY JOY YESUFU, Abuja

Some of the rescued hostages by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the ongoing clearance operations of boko haram terrorists in Borno state, yesterday.

PHOTO BY FRANCIS OKOYE

PMB Has Given Nigeria Good Image – Kalu

BY TOPE FAYEHUN, Akure

Former governor of Abia State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Orji Uzor Kalu yesterday said that the President Muhammadu Buhari - led administration has done very well by using meagre resources at its disposal to achieve a lot, saying the country now has good image amongst comity of nations.

Kalu who spoke at the palace of the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo when he visited the monarch in Ondo as part of his advo-

cacy tour of the southwest geopolitical zone said, President Buhari has done well in trying to reinvent the nation, especially in the fight against corruption and rehabilitation of federal roads across the country.

He urged the entire people of Yoruba origin to support President Buhari in his bid to get a second term in office come next year.

Highlighting the achievements of Buhari, Kalu said, “many federal roads across the country are being rehabilitated by the government. Nigeria now has a good image before the international community unlike

what operates before the inception of the Buhari’s administration.”

While appealing to the traditional rulers not to relent in supporting the present government, Kalu urged Nigerians to support the APC led government in its quest to tackle challenges confronting the nation He urged the traditional rulers to pray for the president and his government, calling on all Nigerians to pray for peace and unity of the country.

“Nigerians should know that no human being is perfect.We should all tolerate ourselves and ensure that

peace reigns in all parts of the country. We should see the good side of ourselves and close our eyes on the bad sides.”

The former governor promised to empower 2,000 indigenes of Ondo town through the Orji Uzor Kalu foundation.

The beneficiaries of the empowerment programme, he said will comprise 1,000 males and 1,000s female petty traders in the town.

Responding, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Kiladejo described peace as an important factor needed for the development of the country.

Senator Bukar’s Death Huge Loss To Nigeria – Ma’aji

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

An elder statesman, Dr. Malami Shehu Ma’aji has condoled President Muhammadu Buhari and the family of the late Madawaki and Nigeria over the death of Madawaki Daura, Senator

Mustapha Bukar Musa who died after a brief illness in Abuja.

He described the loss of Senator as a big loss the country.

“He was a peaceful and friendly man who was a blessing to all he came across.

“Nigeria has indeed lost a rare

gem who for now remains irreplaceable, “ he added.

He described the late Senator as a shinning light among his peers, whose impact was always felt by all, especially the downtrodden.

Dr Ma’aji who was a close

friend of the late Madawaki described his demise as sad.

He said the late Madaki was a philanthropist and a gentleman who was always with people and assisting them, stressing that he died when Nigeria needed him the most.

the governor for the gesture, noting that the development will ensure the effective administration in schools for improved performance of students, teaching as well as non teaching staff.

Also,no fewer than 4,000 teachers from public secondary schools, have been trained on the rudimentary knowledge of computer and its usage, in preparation for their forthcoming Computer Based Test (CBT) promotion examinations.

Ogunsan, while speaking at the training workshop, with the theme; “Towards Progressive Evaluation System”, held at the Southwest Resource Centre, Abeokuta, said the training was to integrate the participants into the latest trends in Information Com-

munication Technology (ICT).

She noted that the exercise, which took place simultaneously in Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro and Ifo, in batches of morning and afternoon sessions, will equip the teachers for effective service delivery.

“The government of Ogun State has indicated its willingness to introduce Computer Base Test (CBT), for promotion exercises throughout the state, for GL 0610, with effect from the 2016 promotion exercise.

“The commission has put this programme together to prepare and integrate the secondary schools workforce into the new order of conducting promotion through Computer Base Test’’, the TECOM chairman stated.

Ogun Appoints 217 Principals, VPs

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benini City

The Ogun State government has appointed another set of 65 principals and 152 vice principals, towards enhancing smooth administration in public secondary schools across the state.

The appointments, effected by state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), brings the total of principals and vice principals appointed by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration to 433 and 975 respectively.

Speaking at the induction ceremony held at Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, the TESCOM Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) Olabosipo Ogunsan, said exercise was based on seniority, merit and time of certification.

She advised the new principals and vice principals, to lead by example, as they are now role models in their various schools.

Ogunsan charged them to provide quality leadership and be steadfast, dedicated, committed and hardworking, to justify their appointments.

She urged them to guard against all forms of indiscipline and examination malpractices in schools, adding that “being a principal, you must stand against bad conducts like lateness to school, sexual immorality, unprofessional behaviour by teachers, lackadaisical attitudes to work and indiscipline.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Full-Time Commissioner ll of the Commission, Alhaji Nojeem Macgregor, expressed gratitude to

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have denied reports making the rounds that the force has withdrawn its troops from internal security operations in some parts of the country.

A statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu said the Nigerian Army will continue to live to the expectations of Nigerians in the discharge of its constitutional duties of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

He said consequently, troops on ground will continue to intervene decisively to checkmate any form of criminality while appealing to the general public for continuous understanding, support and cooperation.

The statement appealed to state governors and local government council Chairmen to also be responsive to the needs of the citizens through the provision of social and developmental infrastructures, adding that this will help reduce incidences of crime and criminality in our society.

“The public is therefore advised to report any suspicious movements in their area to the security agency for prompt action”, the statement added.

Don’t Set Nigeria On Fire, MUSWEN Warns Religious Leaders

BY ADEBAYO WAHEED , Ibadan

As preparations for 2019 general elections gathers momentum, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), yesterday warned religious leaders against making utterances capable of causing unrest in the country.

Addressing newsmen after its National Executive Council meeting in Ibadan, the Islamic organisation noted that several issues have dominated public discourse across the nation, saying it appreciates the quality of some of the debates and condemns others.

It expressed worries by the undue politicization of many of the issues by certain Christian religious, ethnic and political leaders.

In a statement signed by MUSWEN’s Executive Secretary, Professor Dawud Noibi; President-General, League of Imams &Alfas South West, Edo and Delta States, Shayk Jamiu Kewulere Bello; Chairman, Board of Trustees; Prince (Judge) Abdul Jabbaar Bola Ajibola and President, Deputy President-General, NSCIA, Dr. Sakariyau Babalola, noted that the general elections was less than a year, calling on Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike to bear in mind the need to continue to live together in peace and harmony.

According to MUSWEN, contest for political positions should not be a do-or-die affair, adding that it should rather be a contest of ideas about building a better future for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The Islamic organisation expressed worries that some elders were pursuing a destructive agenda.

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NEWS NORTH-EAST, NORTH-WEST 11

el-Rufai Doing Well For Kaduna Students - CSOs

BY SUNDAY ISUWA, Abuja

A coalition of Civil Societies (CSOs) in collaboration with the National Association of Kaduna State Students (NAKASS), yesterday said governor Nasir el-Rufai was doing a lot for students in the state.

The group also called on the people of the state to ignore the ultimatum given by what they described as some “kangaroo students who want to cripple the activities of the government”.

In a joint statement signed by Executive Chairman, KADACSO, Comrade Zubairu Mukhtar, Secretary, Comrade Richard Augustine and the NAKASS president, Comrade Yahaya Abdullahi ,it said in 2017, the sum of N1,237,665,120.00 was earmarked for scholarship.

“N193m was paid to six First class students to proceed for their MSc in any of the top best 50 Universities in the World.”

“To throw more light on the foreign scholarship scheme, a total of 30 females were added to the previous ones studying in Uganda. Also, 20 Nursing Students were sent and are still studying in Uganda.”

“In 2018, the sum of N780,000,000.00 was earmarked for disbursement for local scholarship and interviews have been concluded and any moment from now payment will commence to deserving beneficiaries,” the group said.

“We as Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Kaduna State in collaboration with the substantive recognized Students body in Kaduna State (NAKASS), we are optimistic that the acclaimed youth are being sponsored by people who don’t want anything good for our dear state and are bent on truncating every good reforms by all means possible being initiated by His Excellency, The Reformer Mal. Nasir el-Rufai.”

The deceased, Sylvester Friday a 21 year old boy and a member of the community who has been a mason with the church had worked with the church on her constructions for some time now.

Farmers/Herders Clashes Social Media Group Calls For Unity

BY SUNDAY ISUWA, Abuja

As the rainy season is fast approaching, a group under the auspices of Adamawa Social Media Group for Bindow has enjoined the people of the state, especially those from the grassroots who are mostly farmers and herdsmen to live in peace.

The chairman of the group, Hon Nurudeen Kama who made the call yesterday said people at the grassroots must respect one another’s rights to farm.

Kama, called on parents, guardians and well spirited individuals living in the state to caution their children from being used by politicians as political thugs ahead of party congresses and general elections.

“We should imbibe the culture of community policing by reporting any suspicious items, materials and individuals to the nearest security formation across the state,” Kama advised.

According to him, the group has the mandate of promoting the good works of governor Bindow with facts and figures through social media and also have a corporate responsibility as good citizens to reach out to others.

The group also made a passionate appeal to those who had registered but are yet to collect their PVCs to be patriotic enough to go to their respective INEC offices and collect their PVCs. ‘’Those who are yet to register should please go out and register so that you can be able to take part in the process of consolidating on the successes of governor Bindow by reelecting him to continue transforming Adamawa into greatness,” Kama said.

President Muhammadu Buhari with Dr. Malami Shehu Ma’aji at a condolence visit during the three days special prayer for the late Madawaki Daura, Senator, Mastapha Bukar Musa at his residence in Daura, Katsina State at weekend

Kebbi APC Backs PMB Against Tenure Elongation

BY YAHYA SARKI, Birnin Kebbi

The All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State (APC) has thrown its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari against moves to extend the tenure of the executives of the party at all levels.

In the same vein, the party stakeholders in the state have also rejected calls for extension of the tenure of the party’s executive members.

The publicity secretary of

the APC in Kebbi State, Alhaji Sani Dododo,stated this while briefing newsmen at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi shortly after governor Bagudu held a meeting with stakeholders of the party at the weekend.

Dododo stated that the party’s stakeholders in the state after a meeting with the governor unanimously rejected the tenure elongation adopted by the national executive committee of the party in Abuja on 20th March, 2019.

According to him, the decision taken by NEC did not go down well with some members which he said had already resulted in intra part crises while some of the aggrieved party members had taken the issue to court.

“This is a very serious problem to the party because it is capable of causing disunity in the party and may further deepen intra party conflict. Besides, it is unconstitutional and violates the rules of the party,” he said.

The party spokesman opined that the stakeholders in the state were fully in support of the call by the president for general congress to hold at all levels in the country.

He added that those who decamped to the party would be given the opportunity to contest for any position of their choice and that the party would soon commence registration / issuance of membership cards to members particularly the new entrants.

Dangote Gives Scholarship To Students From Coal Bearing Communities

BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja

No fewer than 39 students have benefited from this year’s Dangote Coal Mines Project scholarship fund in Kogi state, Project Coordinator, Alhaji Usman Jibrin has said.

The scholarship which is a yearly corporate social responsibility by the Dangote Group of Companies to coal bearing communities was in fulfillment of the agreement entered into with the locals.

According to the project coordinator, the agreement tagged:Community Develop-

ment Agreement covers coal host communities of Awo Apkali and Onupi both in Ankpa local government of Kogi state.

“Dangote Coal Mines Project, has disbursed her yearly scholarship to 39 students of the coal bearing communities as fulfillment of the promises made to coal host communities of Awo Apkali and Onupi both in Ankpa local government as contained in Community Development Agreement, respectively,” said Usman.

Usman who assured host

communities of their preparedness to better the lots, however advised beneficiaries to reciprocate by devoting theIr time to studies.

He further advised them to take their studies seriously, adding that the company will look forward to employing them after they have completed their courses in relevant fields with good grades.

In their separate responses, two of the beneficiaries, Mallam Ome Innocent and Kit’ab Mohammed thanked the management of Dangote Group of companies for the honour done

to them and promised to take their studies seriously so as to become useful to their communities and the society at large.

The project coordinator disclosed that a total sum of N3,900,000 was disbursed to the benefiting students.

The Dangote Coal host communities scholarship disbursement programme was witnessed by both the company’s Senior General Manager, Mr. Shreepad Hedge, the General Manager, Special Duties, Mr. Nuhu Elijah, and locals including parents and relatives of the beneficiaries.

CITAD Holds Debate On Insurgency In Adamawa

BY HAMMANGABDO,Yola

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has organized an advocacy debate among students of tertiary institutions as strategy to end insurgency in Adamawa state.

The executive director of CITAD, Mr Yunus Zakari, while declaring the maiden debate open in Yola, said the debate was or-

ganized to provide the youths a platform to discuss and proffer solutions to the insurgency crisis in the North-East region.

The participating institutions were: Moddibo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State University, Mubi, and Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, in collaboration with the North East Regional Initiative (NERI).

Zakari said similar discussion

would be organized for students in Borno and Yobe states, adding that there is plan to extend it to students in neigbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

He said the presentations and suggestions by the students would be made available to relevant stakeholders, including policy makers.

Earlier,Adamawa Programme

Manager of NERI, Mr Machill Maxwell, said NERI has been supporting interventions in areas ravaged by insurgency and such positive mobilization of the youths was one of such supports “This is one of our soft activities where people are encouraged to sit together and talk and come up with ideas on how to find solutions to the crisis that has bedeviled the North East.

NGO Denies Probing UBEC Funds

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

Contrary to a report in a national daily, the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) has clarified that it was building the capacity of community members and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of Universal Basic Ed-

ucation Commission (UBEC) funds and not probing them as reported.

CSACEFA’s Programme Officer, Mr Adeleke Damian-Mary stated this while reacting to a publication in a national daily (not LEADERSHIP) on April 6, 2018, with the headline:“UBEC faces probe in Kaduna”.

Damian-Mary told newsmen in Kaduna that the headline was misleading and inciting, adding that there was no time the NGO said it was probing or investigating UBEC in Kaduna.

“We, therefore, disassociate ourselves from the said publication because it is a complete misrepresentation of CSACEFA’s mission, as MacArthur

Foundation is not supporting us to investigate and we are not investigating.

“Let me set the record straight, our aim is to build the capacity of stakeholders: contractors, community members, traditional leader and SUBEB officials to foster collaboration for effective implementation of community projects.

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8,528 Candidates Denied Admission By FUT Minna

BY ABU NMODU, Minna

Out of the 13,000 candidates who sought for admission at the Federal University of Technology , Minna for the 2017/2018 academic session, only 4,472 were offered places and 4,339 matriculated at the weekend.

The vice chancellor of the University, Prof Abdullahi Bala made this known at the 31st Matriculation Ceremony for the 2017/2018 academic session held at the Suleimanu Kumo Convocation Square, Main Campus, Minna.

The event marked Prof. Bala’s first Matriculation as the7th Vice-Chancellor of the University while the Registrar of the University, Mrs Victoria Nnawo Kolo administered the matriculation oath on the students.

Prof Bala who challenged the newly admitted students to uphold the enviable record of responsible studentship for which the University is noted for urged the new students to refrain from acts such as examination malpractice, cultism, fighting and drug abuse.

He warned that a breach of the matriculation oath would lead to unceremonious exit from the institution, adding that the matriculation and stay in the university was akin to a minefield requiring caution and due attention to successfully navigate.

Forum Of Igala Journalists Elects New Exco

BY JULIANA AGBO, Abuja

The Forum of Igala Journalists (FORIJA), a body of Igala practicing journalists in Nigeria has elected new exco to run their affairs for a 2-year tenure.

In a keenly contested election, Augustine Aminu, the Online Editor of Authority emerged president of the organisation, while Mr Sunny Idachaba, the Features Editor, Blue Print emerged Vice President.

Similarly, Omonu Nelson YakubuGowon of LEADERSHIP was unanimously elected the secretary general of the group.

Jeremiah Enemona Ocheme of African Independent Television (AIT/ Raypower), Abuja emerged the director Publicity and Enlightenment, with Sadiya Abbah Dosumu of African Independent Television (AIT/Raypower) picking the post of Director of Finance and Welfare of FORIJA. The financial records of the organisation is to be handled by Usman Salifu of LEADERSHIP, Abuja.

In his remarks, Reuben Ojima Okala of Agric Television and also a retired veteran broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who served as the electoral umpire, thanked the participants for their maturity throughout the period of the preparation and eventual election.

He charged the newly elected excos to justify the confidence reposed in them by coming up with innovations that will reposition the forum for greater exploits.

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IGP Deploys 6 Mobile Police Units To Kwara,Taraba

BY EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has ordered the deployment of three Police Mobile Force Units, high powered police investigation team, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) with ten crew members and anti-robbery equipments to Kwara State and three additional Police Mobile Force units to Taraba State to beef up security, prevent further attacks, arrest perpetrators and carryout discreet investigation into the Offa banks robbery in Kwara state and recent killings in Donga and Bali LGAs

of Taraba state.

This was in reaction to the banks robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State on Thursday, April, 5th, 2018 and the recent killings on April 4th & 7th, 2018 in Donga and Bali local government areas of Taraba state which led to the loss of innocent lives, carting away of huge sums of money and destruction of properties worth millions of naira in the two states.

Also, the IGP has placed commissioners of police and police personnels nationwide on red-alert and directed 24hours intelligence gathering and crime prevention/police visibility pa-

trol of crisis spots, flash points and other crime vulnerable scenes in their commands throughout the country.

The deployment, which have arrived the two states will cover Offa LGA, its environs and other vulnerable points in Kwara State, while the deployment of the three Police Mobile Force (PMF) in addition to the five PMF units recently deployed to Taraba State will cover Donga, Bali, Lau, Gassol, Karim Lamido LGAs and other flash points in the State.

Force PRO, ACP Jimoh Moshood, who confirmed the deployments,said the Police teams will carry out intelligence gathering, raids of identified criminal

spots/flashpoints, stop and search operations, visibility and confidence building patrols, arrest of perpetrators and further investigation into the incidents.

He noted that the immediate intervention and preliminary investigation carried out by the high-powered Police Investigation Team deployed by the IGP working in synergy with the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in the two commands resulted in the arrest of eight principal suspects in connection with the Offa Bank robbery and 12 suspects directly responsible for the recent killings in Donga and Bali Local Government Areas of Taraba State.

Members of South West-youth Movement during a news conference to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari for second term in Abuja, at the weekend.

PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

Benue Won’t Be Captured Territory Under My Watch - Ortom

BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, Makurdi

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has vowed to do all it takes to ensure that no part of the state is captured by terrorists and other armed gangs.

The governor gave this assurance at a public function at the Benue State University College of Health Sciences, Makurdi.

Represented by his chief press secretary, Mr Terver Akase, governor

Ortom emphasised that those who think Benue belongs to them are dreamers and that he will not rest on his oars in protecting and defending Benue land.

“If anyone is thinking of taking this land of Benue, that person is a dreamer and should be woken up.

This land belongs to the people of Benue legitimately. It was handed down to us by our forefathers and I have the duty to protect this land no matter the level of attacks”, he

concluded.

The governor drew attention to recent killing of innocent people in Gwer West local government area, describing the attacks as mindless and unprovoked. He urged security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the killings for prosecution.

The governor also thanked Benue people for their sustained prayers for his administration to succeed,especially during the herdsmen attacks, adding that

those prayers are necessary as they have given his administration the strength to stand on the path of truth, even as he urged the people not to relent in their prayers as God had already given them victory.

He further appreciated the support from good spirited individuals and groups towards bringing succour to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the camps and appealed to them to continue with the humanitarian work.

FG Decries Offa Armed Robbery Attack, Vows To Arrest Perpetrators

BY ABDULLAHI OLESIN, Ilorin

The federal government yesterday assured Nigerians that those behind last Thursday’s armed robbery and killings in Offa, Kwara State would be arrested and brought to book.

Minister of Information, Alh

Lai Muhammed gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfathah Ahmed at the government house, Ilorin.

He said the entire nation was ‘‘shocked and grieved’ by the dastardly acts committed in Offa during which 17 persons, includ-

ing nine police men were killed.

The minister later visited Offa to commiserate with Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II and the people of the town in the unfortunate incident.

He also visited the headquarters of the state police command

in Ilorin to commiserate with the police commissioner, Lawan Ado over the loss of nine policemen to the bank robbery. He was also at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital(UITH), where he sympathised with the victims of the armed robbery attacks who were on admission there.

Nasarawa APC Councillorship Candidates Emerge Through Consensus

BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia

Councillorship candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for the proposed May 26 election into the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State have been elected through indirect primaries at the weekend.

Though there were few places that

some of the councillorship candidates refused to go by the consensus arrangement, the party gave the go ahead for primaries.

Even with the consensus arrangements, voting materials arrived ward headquarters to formalise the internal arrangements of the party.

LEADERSHIP, noticed the late arriv-

al of election materials to ward headquarters across the 13 area councils.

It was reliably gathered that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, advised on the need for consensus candidates to avoid expenses and rancour in the party in the state.

Acting on the directive of the governor, his political appointees con-

sisting of commissioners, advisers, party officials and others, went back to their various constituencies to compile the list of the consensus candidates.

Our correspondent gathered that the governor’s appointees and party officials had since submitted the consensus lists two weeks ago.

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Monday, April 9, 2018 Wednesday, March 14, 2018

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

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t the tender age of 11, pretty Jamila Umar Mohammed is battling with sickle cell anaemia and more than ever before needs the assistance of kind hearted members of the public.

Born with sickle cell anemia and her parents getting to know about it when she was about six months old, Jamila suffers severe body pains and organs disorder anytime the ailment begins.

This entails that she has to be admitted to the hospital a couple of times in a year to be treated for hand-foot syndrome occasioned by swollen hands and feet.

Miss Jamila who is currently undergoing treatment at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City, needs N5 million as hospital bills for transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation.

According to her father, Umar Mohammed, while Jamila needs N10 million to be treated, he has been able to raise the sum of N5 million through the benevolence of some members of the public, with which she has successfully undergone stem cell transplant at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City while the results are awaited from Basel University, technical partners to Celltek Healthcare.

“We are seeking the help of public spirited individuals to help us raise the balance of N5 million to cover for the cost of transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation”, Mohammed noted in a letter he sent to LEADERSHIP. He further noted that the family has expended all its funds; hence, the appeal to the public to further assist.

He said willing donors could support by contributing their widow’s mite.

Donations could be sent to the following bank account: Account name: Umar Mohammed.

Bank: Zenith Account number: 1003926359 For further enquiries, please contact Mohammed on: 08035888894

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politics today Monday, April 9, 2018

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

GROUP POLITICS EDITOR: MUYIWA OYINLOLA 08054701492 (SMS ONLY )

Issues As APC Holds Emergency NEC Meeting Today

The governing APC will today hold a crucial meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) considered in the political circle as a make or mar gathering. JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH chronicles recent events that necessitated the third meeting of the party’s highest decision making body in less than two months.

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The thinking is that while the president can count on Tinubu to deliver the Southwest zone to him, the same cannot be said of Oyegun in the South South

t the moment, the governing All progressives Congress (APC) is facing its biggest challenge. Just less than a year to the 2019 general elections, implosion is dogging the ruling party in the foot, with different interests tearing the party apart. Today’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party is regarded as crucial. The key actors had since last week been sharpening their swords in preparation to take control of the party.

Analysts view the crisis in the party as a battle between national chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun and its national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since last year, Tinubu has never concealed the fact that he wants Oyegun out as national chairman of the party.

Keen observers have pointed to the fallout of the APC gubernatorial primaries in Ondo as well as the Kogi governorship impasse as some of the reasons why Tinubu fell out with Oyegun. Ironically, Oyegun rode on the back of Tinubu to emerge national chairman of the party.

While state governors of the Northern part of the country are in support of Oyegun, their Southwest counterparts, save for the governors of Ogun and Ondo states, are strongly behind Tinubu. No doubt, the APC national leader is gaining ground by the day, especially when the pundits believe strongly that President Muhammadu Buhari’s body language indicates he has pitched his tent in Tinubu’s camp, with 2019 permutations on the cards. The thinking is that while the president can count on Tinubu to deliver the Southwest zone to him, the same cannot be said of Oyegun in the South South.

Tenure Extension In February, the Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the state chairmen of the party received NEC’s nod to stay on for another year, effect from June 2018. Disclosing this to journalists after the meeting, Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, in company of the party’s national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and a select state chairmen of the party, said this was after consideration by the NEC in line with article 13 of the party’s

Oyegun

Tinubu

constitution.

Governor Bello said, “At the end of the National Executive Council meeting today, a major decision was taken in line with the constitution of our party. We are all aware that the tenure of the current NWC and the executive members of this party both elected and appointed comes to an end June this year.

“Considering the time left for the party to conduct all the Congresses and convention and considering that our leader Sen. Tinubu has been charged with responsibility to reconciling all aggrieved members of our party, we can not afford to approach general elections with more dispute and crisis. So, relying on Article 13 of our constitution, which empowers the NEC to carry out the function of the convention, the NEC has decided to extend the tenure of the current NWC and other executive committees at various levels for another twelve months, starting from June 30th.”

The President, who apparently took the NEC members unawares with the sudden u-turn, declared the tenure extension unconstitutional and called for a speedy resolution of the outstanding issues so as to make the party a strong fighting force that will best suit the populace. Quoting extant laws of the party as stated in article 17 (1) and 13.2 (b), President Buhari warned that that doing anything untoward as regards the extension would be giving the opposition a loophole with which to attack the party.

President Buhari said, “I am delighted to once again welcome you to this National Executive Committee meeting of our great party. As we usually do, I hope we will take the opportunity of this gathering to resolve outstanding issues, and consolidate on our plans towards making APC the strongest defender of the interest of our people.

“In particular, I think it is important for me to speak quickly on the contentious issues of the tenure of our national and state executive officers. As we all know a motion was moved in the last National Executive Committee meeting of February 27 to the effect that when the tenure of the current executives expires in June this year, they should be allowed to continue for one year.

“This motion was duly carried by the majority of members present at the last NEC meeting, even though some of our party members have since spoken up vehemently against it, others

Buhari Declares Tenure Extension Illegal President Buhari, at the next NEC meeting took the party members by surprise when he declared that after due consultations, the tenure extension that was approved for the National Working Committee (NWC) and the state chairmen of the party was against the constitution of the party.

He said that going against party constitution will further widen the cracks within the rank and file of the party.

have even taken the matter to court”.

While expressing his opinion on the extension, the president said, “On my own part, I have taken time to review and seek advice on the resolution and what I found is that, it contravenes both our party’s constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While the APC constitution is article 17(1) and 13.2 (b) limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as amended) in section 223 also prescribed periodic election for party executives at regular intervals which must not exceed four years.

“Further more, article 31 of our great party’s constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to recontest , or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election.

In this circumstance, what is expected of us, is to conduct fresh elections once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end”.

Warning against the implications of a caretaker committee, President Buhari also said, “A caretaker committee cannot remedy this situation and cannot validly act in place of elected officers. Further more, I think if we deviate from the constitution and provisions, we might be endangering the fortunes of our party. If the tenure of our party executive can be legally faulted, then it means that any nomination and primary election that they will conduct can also be faulted.

“This is not to talk of divisions that will arise and it is already arising within the party when some of our members feel that they are being denied the rights to aspire to executive positions or internal democracy is not at play within the party. I am therefore of the firm beliefs that it is better to follow strictly the dictates of our party and national constitutions rather than put the APC and its activities at grave risks.

“Fortunately, we have approved a timetable for the order of congresses and the elections. I think this should be allowed to go forward and all efforts should now be geared towards making them a great success”.

Giving room for discussions and debates, the president said, “l have to ➔ CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

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Issues As APC Holds Emergency NEC Meeting Today ➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

digress from my speech here to tell you, the NEC, that it does not preclude us from discussing this matter.

The reason is this, we have so many instances, including the one sitting by my right, people have quoted the constitution of our party, including that of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and it has facilitated the decisions we have taken.

“All well and good, I don’t feel too strongly, the only thing I feel too strongly about is that we should not allow our party to be vulnerable to and susceptible to the opposition.

They can delay or divide us further within the party when they quote appropriate portion of the party constitution and of the country.

“Take note of this my statement, there are knowledgeable people sitting among you the governors and the party chairmen and among us here on the high table. Please, feel free to discuss and let us quickly, with the help of the legal adviser, whom I think has the constitution of the party in his head and quickly clear issues that are raised. But I take time to listen to my legal advisers, constitutionally given to me in terms of ministry of justice.

Our decision is contrary to both party and the constitutional provisions.

Please, bring to me, facts. I don’t want narratives and so on.

“Please, bring facts and we will reflect and discuss them here and now and proceed to accept whatever we feel should be done. Let us be prepared to face the opposition either in the court or on the pages of newspapers to make sure that our programmes are not disrupted by court actions.”

Briefing journalists shortly after the NEC meeting, which lasted over two hours, APC national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said that the party will set a technical committee to look into President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice, adding that NEC’s decision on tenure elongation stands until further notice.

Also commenting, Kogi State governor, Bello, said the points raised “is a family issue” that will be resolved.

APC Governors Run To PMB Still at a lose about President Buhari’s next line of action, APC governors ran to the Presidential Villa to meet Buhari and asked him what he was up to. After the meeting which lasted an hour, most of the governors declined comments when approached

by State House correspondents.

Before the meeting started at the Council chambers, most of the governors were looking agitated. A governor from the North Central was heard telling his colleague that what happened was a coup and all of this was done because of one man. He vowed that they (governors) will not allow it.

But the meeting ended in a stalemate, as the governors and the president reportedly could not decide on the date to reconvene. The next day, some governors also came to the Villa where a deal was struck to dump the idea of tenure elongation for the chairman of the party. This was disclosed by Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, after a meeting between President Buhari and the governors at the presidential Villa.

According to Yari , all the gov-

ernors have decided to throw their weight behind the president’s stance that the tenure elongation of Oyegun was illegal. He said contrary to reports, the meeting with the president was not deadlocked, adding that the governors collectively agreed to have congresses at all levels - local, state and national.

He said, “Gentlemen of the press, you know yesterday we left you in the dark after the meeting and today we have seen so many captions that there is disagreement between the governors over the issue of party chairman or about the party leadership. No. We had a meeting with Mr. President yesterday (Tuesday), and we extended the meeting to night and we followed up with the consultations with the President now.

“We consulted and all the 24 governors of the APC are on the same page with Mr. President, that we are going to respect our party constitution. We are going to respect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So therefore, we collectively agreed that we will have congresses at all levels local, state and national.

“And the committee set up by the National Secretariat of our party headed by governor of Plateau State, is presenting its report later today. The governors are also meeting with the working committee today so that we come up with convention committee names as well as timetable of the election. So, there is no deadlock in our meeting, we have progressed and very soon you will have the names of the convention committee members as well as the timetable.”

Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Okorocha dismissed insinuations that there is crisis in the party advising the media to stop spreading rumours of crisis in the party. He also hinted that some members of the Oyegun- led National Working Committee can still recontest as they have not done badly in their firp He explained: “I just want to let you know that there is no crisis in the APC at all. And we want to use this opportunity to advise the media operatives to stop spreading rumors of crisis in APC. There is no single crisis in APC. “Some people felt that it was a good idea but the most important thing is that, if we do that we will be contravening both our party constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the major issue that we have that they call crisis. We do not have virus.

“This morning we met with Mr. President to fine-tune issues: one, regarding the congress and we have resolved that the congresses at all levels and the Chairman of the elongation committee, is also fine-tuning the arrangement in the same line. To this effect, the convention committee will be set out, it will be announced. But let me correct one impression, the issue of congress and convention does not mean that the previous people who have served the party have done badly”.

“And it does not mean that they cannot come back or that they cannot re-contest, that is not it. We are simply saying that their tenure has ended and those who wish to re-contest can re-contest and can be elected into our party structure. So we are all one as

Abdullahi

Bello

Lalong

family and we are set to go for 2019 elections in victory”.

Plot To Convene Illegal NEC Meeting Uncovered Two governors on the party’s platform were alleged to have concluded plans to convene an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. LEADERSHIP gathered that the governors, one from the North and the other from one of the Southern states, are bent on convening the meeting so

as to force the idea of congresses at all levels – local, state and national, on party members.

The APC constitution provides for a minimum of two weeks notice or seven days in the event of an emergency, before a NEC meeting could be convened.

However, a competent source told LEADERSHIP that “a letter of invitation for the meeting scheduled to hold Monday, 9th April has been backdated to accommodate the minimum mandatory 7 days notice stipulated by the law”.

The source, who cautioned against holding the illegal NEC meeting, expressed the fear that should the governors have their way, there will be more confusion as some members are likely to contest such illegality in the court of competent jurisdiction.

Another competent source told our correspondent that the two governors who have been championing the move to do away with the John Odigie-Oyegun led executive of the party have created the impression that constituting a caretaker committee for the party was illegal.

“In actual fact, it is not illegal to have a caretaker committee arrangement. States like Osun, Ondo, Edo, Ekiti and many others currently have caretaker committees” our source who is a chieftain of the APC said.

Continuing, our source said, “The governors are rooting for congresses and once congress take place, considering the fact that we are few months away from the general election, it will create more confusion.”

He urged relevant party stakeholders to do all that is possible in preventing the illegal NEC meeting from taking place.

Just as the revelation was made, governors elected on the platform of the APC indicated that they were on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari on the idea of tenure extension for the John OdigieOyegun-led leadership of the party.

The party is insisting that it is the NEC that has the statutory powers to make decisions that are binding on the APC, as all other views hitherto expressed were personal views.

Giving reasons why another NEC meeting had become necessary, the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, told journalists after a closed door meeting between the APC governors and the NWC, which lasted about two hours at the national secretariat, that it was to avail the recently inaugurated technical committee the opportunity to present its report for a decision to be taken.

He said, “Today, the governors and the National Working Committee of the party decided to sit and look at the issues that are seemingly dividing us.

I want to say to you with absolute satisfaction and pride that all the issues you have been commenting about in the last two days have been completely and totally resolved.

“We are back in business as one united and happy family. I want to say also that yesterday we set up a technical committee as ordered by NEC. From the very first minute that we called them to session, they have worked nonstop because I emphasised when I was inaugurating them that their report was time sensitive”.

Lalong Committee Seals Oyegun’s Fate Then the fate of the NWC appeared sealed last Friday following a recommendation by the committee recently set-up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to advise it on the logjam caused by the extension granted to its leadership both at the state and national levels.

LEADERSHIP gathered that as a prerequisite to addressing the root cause of the issues raised by stakeholders, the committee further recommended that there should be Congresses and national convention instead of tenure elongation.

Submitting the committee’s report to the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Friday, at the party’s secretariat, Chairman of the Committee and the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, stressed that if the report of his committee is followed stringently, the storms generated as a result of the extension will be addressed.

LEADERSHIP reports that Governor Lalong was at the Aso Rock presidential Villa ostensibly to see President Buhari but tactically avoided anxious journalists who were waiting to interview him, as he was said to have taken an alternate route out of the Villa to avoid questions.

A competent source who craved anonymity revealed that that despite news making the rounds, Chief Oyegun may not be seeking a second term of four years when his tenure expires in June this year. “ The Chairman is may not seek a second term but it is important that he finishes his statutory tenure.

“The reason why some people are against this convention may is because they have little or no money to fund their ambitions “ the source divulged.

However, making his presentation, Governor Lalong said: “The task appeared not easy when it was given to us but with God on our side and the very wide consultations we made, this report has solved most of the problems that we were thinking was within the APC. So, that is to tell you that there is democracy in the APC. “We looked at the meeting of February 27; we looked at also the passion and the commitment of Mr President towards keeping the party one and also cohesive and so at the end of the day, we made far reaching recommendations. We noticed that there were different interests, which is quiet usual when you have. Aparty like this that is progressive and those interest were genuine but at the end of the day, we were able to marry those interests so that the party can move forward. So, in this report, you will see a lot of it.

“The report will also contain recommendations of certain issues that we think the party should do immediately. And one of them you have already started. That if these recommendations are going to be useful within the shortest time, the party must summoning a NEC meeting.

Already we have received notices of NEC meeting for Monday which is also in line with our recommendations and we want to assure you that at the end of the day, APC is coming back to life.”

Monday, April 9, 2018

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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 ‘We Don’t Need Grazing Reserve In Paikon-Kore Community’

Abuja Taxis To Operate In Estates, Hotels – Opeifa

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI

BY TARKAA DAVID Traditional ruler of Paikon-Kore community in Gwagwalada area council, Alhaji Ibrahim Paiko has rejected the proposed take off of a grazing reserve, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in the area.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP at the weekend, Paiko noted that taking over a land, meant for farmers in the area and giving it to the Fulani herdsmen, as grazing reserve is unfair to the community.

Recall that only recently, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, had given an indication that the Paikon-Kore Grazing Reserve would soon be ready for use.

However, the community head maintained that farmers in PaikonKore community have no other land for their arable farming and wondered why the administration has decided to transfer their only means of livelihood to the Fulani herdsmen for grazing reserve.

The Barde of PaikonKore therefore called on the FCTA to renege on its decision and allow the community to continue to live in peace with the herdsmen, adding that the community cannot accommodate a grazing reserve.

“We are saying no to grazing reserve in our community, because we are farmers. Where will they take us to?

We have been living peacefully with Fulani herdsmen, before now.

They should allow us to continue. We will do our farming, while the Fulani herdsmen rear their cattle,” he said.

Refuse at Gwagwalada market road, yesterday. PHOTO BY TARKAA DAVID

FCTA Bans Night Clubs In Residential Areas

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned lounge and night clubs from operating in residential areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has therefore given operators a 30day ultimatum to close shops or face the full wrath of the law.

Briefing newsmen on the activities of night clubs and worship centres, at the weekend, the coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuaibu, noted that various noise nuisances from these centres,

within the residential areas are in contravention of the extant laws on city regulations.

Shuaibu, who frowned at the increasing trend of conversion of residential buildings to lounge/night clubs, noted that the implications of this attitude goes beyond noise nuisance, to include intractable traffic challenges, as well as negative social influence on the psyche of youths, resident in the areas they operate.

He disclosed that the administration has held meeting with the night club operators, to enlighten them on how their

activities amount to a contravention of the city regulations, and the need to revert to its designated residential use, as stipulated in the master plan.

According to him, “Hence, the riot act reeled out by the FCT permanent secretary, states that the operators of night clubs should revert the respective premises, to the designated land use within 30 days.”

The coordinator warned that no lounge or night club should operate in residential areas, adding that residential areas have to be maintained in accordance with their allocations; otherwise such an allocation would be revoked.

… To Immunise 816, 978 Children Against Polio

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it is set to immunise about 816, 978 children, below the age of five years, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), against poliomyelitis in April 2018 polio immunisation exercise.

Speaking when she flagged off the ‘April 2018 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs)’, the

secretary, FCTA Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Barrister Elizabeth Amanda Pam, noted that the administration has done well with the interruption of transmission of the wild polio virus, as no case has been recorded since May, 2015.

Pam added that the administration has also expanded immunisation services to many unreached populations in the territory,

such as the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, nomadic settlements and slums.

She maintained that government has placed high priority on polio eradication in Nigeria, noting that the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has practically demonstrated a high level commitment to the exercise by personally mobilising FCT residents to accept the polio

immunisation and other health care interventions.

Represented by the director, finance and administration in the secretariat, Alhaji Sirajo Ado Faskari, the secretary called on the chairmen of the six area councils in the FCT to take up the challenge and be part of the polio end game, by being involved in supporting polio eradication and routine immunisation activities.

ers and men to do more, just as he assured that the DRTS contingents to the marathon would remain good ambassadors of the directorate and the FCTA. Earlier, the chief of defense staff, Major General Abayomi Olonishakin, had commended officers and men of the directorate for their prompt and efficient

performance during the 2017 edition of the marathon race.

Represented by chairman of the organising committee, Major General John Davies, Olonishakin explained that the visit was meant to show solidarity as a team and to cement the existing relationship between the two groups.

VIO Pledges To Support Military, Para-military Marathon Race

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), otherwise known as the Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIOs), in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to ensure the success of the 2018 military and para-military marathon race, scheduled to hold in the nation’s capital.

Speaking when he received the chairman of the organising committee, for the event in his office at the weekend, the director, FCTA-DRTS, Alhaji Aliyu Wadata Bodinga, pledged his maximum support for the success of the competition.

Bodinga thanked the officers for the visit, adding that it would spur his offic-

All taxis, operating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with operators’ license are now free to operate in any part of the territory, including estates, hotels and government establishments.

Before now, commercial taxis in the nation’s capital city are not allowed to operate in estates, hotel premises and government ministries, due to security reasons.

However, a new guideline, released by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Transportation Secretariat, for commercial vehicles operation in the territory, said all taxis can operate in any part of the territory and must install aircondition, on or before 1st October, 2018.

The guideline, which was approved by the secretary of the secretariat, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, maintained that all commercial vehicles must be registered in Abuja and must carry FCT number plate, with effect from 1st October, 2018.

Opeifa also insists that all commercial vehicles, such as high capacity buses, mini/ mid buses, taxis, tricycles and motorcycles must carry red number plates, while commercial vehicles must have two valid certificate of roadworthiness, obtained from FCT Computerised Roadworthy Test centre.

The secretary also advises drivers of commercial vehicles to always be in possession of a valid driver’s license, certified by the secretariat, in line with relevant FCT regulations, while owners of the Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) must show evidence of tax payment in the FCT. A statement signed by the assistant director (information) in the secretariat, Ifeanyi Ughamadu, which was made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday said that tricycles are to operate only at the designated routes as approved and assigned to the particular operator by the secretariat.

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Monday, April 9, 2018

business Monday, April 9, 2018

NEWS

MONEY

CAPITAL MARKET

INSURANCE

INFLATION RATE (%)

March April May

2016 12.8 13.7 15.6

INTERVIEW

2017 17.26 17.24 16.25

NRC Moves 5,948 Containers From Seaports By Rail In 5 Years A paltry 5,948 containers load of cargoes were moved out of the Lagos seaports in the last five years according to investigation by LEADERSHIP. The Lagos Port Complex, Apapa is the only port in the Western Zone connected by rail.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman while on a tour of the ports recently, emphasised the need to move cargoes in and out of the ports by rail in order to lessen pressure on the roads.

She said that because of the exigency of the times, the NPA will work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to facilitate this by ensuring that the tracks are in place and Group Business Editor Bayo Amodu 08118672002 Business Editor (Lagos) Chima Akwaja Assistant Business Editors Kingsley Alu Tony Awunor Correspondent Chika Izuora Reporters Ruth Tene Natsa Bukola Idowu Olushola Bello Suzan Nwachukwu Abah Adah George Okojie Chika Okeke

Leadership Newspapers

INTER BANK LENDING RATE (AS AT MARCH 27)

RATE CHANGE (%) O/N 15.2500 - 2.83 1M 14.8549 - 0.20 3M 16.0101 - 0.01 6M 17.7990 - 0.63

L-R: Managing director, Primero Transport Limited, Fola Tinubu; executive director, Business Development, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), Niyi Ajao; managing director and chief executive director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; chairman, Primero Transport Limited Chief Demola Seriki and managing director of e-Purse Systems Limited, Dr. Dayo Aderugbo, during the launch of the enhanced Lagos Connect EMV Contactless Card in Lagos, weekend.

BY YUSUF BABALOLA, Lagos

ANALYSIS

provision made for rolling stock.

But, statistics have shown that cargoes are not being moved out of the port through rail as expected.

According to data exclusively made available to LEADERSHIP, 5,948 containers out of 2,847,000 were received in the years under review. The data showed that in 2013, 625,000 containers were discharged at Lagos Port while, 613,000 were discharged in 2014. In 2015, 604,000 were discharged while 505,000 and 500,000 were discharged in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

But, 650 containers were moved out of the port by rail in 2014, and 412 were moved in 2015. In 2016, the number dropped to 273 and moved up to 2,760 in 2017. However, 1,853 containers have been moved so far from January to April 2018 from the Lagos port. Inability to move con-

tainers by rail out of the seaport has put much pressure on the roads and bridges in Lagos leading to dilapidated state of the port access roads.

Accordimg to a transporter and the vice chairman, dry cargo section of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Lagos state, Alhaji Inuwa Abdullahi, the initiative for moving goods out of the ports via railway lines would ease traffic on the roads.

He said: “The NPA’s involvement to ease the cost of doing business at the seaport through cargo movement via rail network needs to be properly streamlined with the NRC for it to succeed. It was also gathered that inefficiencies on the part of the NRC has also contributed to the poor numbers of cargoes moved out from the port.’’

For instance, in 2013, when the

then Transport Minister, Senator Idris Umar, flagged-off a regime of movement of containers by rail from Apapa port to the north, during one of the initial trips in the deal brokered between the NPA and the NRC, a haulage train transporting 20 units of containers from Lagos port to ICNL depots in Kano and Kaduna states broke down at Mopa, a town in Kogi state.

In 2017 as well, a cargo train which took off from Lagos to Kano reportedly got to Oshogbo, about three of its last coaches detached from the rest. Eyewitnesses alleged that the three coaches started moving backwards until they got to the interchange at the terminus in Oshogbo where the wheels got off the track and the coaches fell on their side.

Industry stakeholders had insisted that only a vibrant and viable railway corporation with functional fleet of engines and coaches can play pivotal role to increase the capacity and efficiency of evacuation of cargoes from the ports to many towns along the rail network.

Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP, the National Publicity Secretary-elect of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Joe Sanni said rail remains the only alternative for movement of cargoes out of the seaports. He however, charged government to invest heavily on railway infrastructure saying that would help decongest the nation’s roads.

“There is no doubt about the fact that the only way out of decongesting the ports fast and ease movement of goods out of the ports is to move cargoes through rail which can carry as much as possible and can go the distance and is the safest in view of our bad roads for now,” he said.

Sanni, a foremost clearing agent, said movement of goods by rail would also help reduce freight cost and by extension reduce price of goods.

Our Financial Statement Up To Date – NNPC The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said on Sunday that it had updated its outstanding audit of the group financial statements from 2011 to 2016.

NNPC spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, said in a statement in Abuja that the audited backlog had since been approved by the board of the corporation in line with the laws governing its operations.

He quoted Mr Isiaka AbdulRazaq, chief financial officer/group executive director, Finance and Accounts, NNPC, as saying that the presentation of the audited financial statements would help foster better relationship

between NNPC and stakeholders.

He said that the presentation would further promote transparency and accountability in the corporation.

Ughamadu said that the management inherited a total of 65 unaudited financial statements for NNPC group corporate and its subsidiaries covering 2011 – 2014. ‘‘There were, undoubtedly, challenges that led to the backlog which may have been beyond the control of the previous managements. However, the important factor was not to look at the past. We saw an opportunity to challenge the problem, and resolved to clear the arrears in the shortest possible time,” he said.

He said the corporation management constituted a project steering committee, which met weekly with the auditors and relevant stakeholders to identify and isolate key challenges and give them priority attention.

“With this approach, management achieved the first step of concluding the audit of the 2011 – 2012 financial positions and presented same to the board in 2016. In recognition of that modest achievement, the NNPC board further mandated management to clear the remaining outstanding reports for theperiod 2013 – 2016.

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Business 101 with MBAKAAN KWEN

PRODUCT PACKAGING DESIGNS FOR START-UPS Finding the right packaging for your product is not only important for establishing your product and brand, but also for its overall success in the marketplace. Startups have it especially difficult when developing their very first product packaging. Faced with a myriad of factors such as time and budget, start-ups must be deliberate when launching their product into market. JohnsByrne highlighted some important tips to guide start-up companies in achieving a perfect packaging for their products thus; STUDY YOUR INDUSTRY: While it may be tempting to say that your product is unique and will stand above the rest no matter what, it’s important to study your industry and identify the common denominator when it comes to packaging your product. From consumer expectations to packaging requirements, your industry will dictate a bit of what your packaging will or should look like.

DEFINE YOUR MARKET: Getting your product to market is perhaps the biggest hurdle for start-ups. But before you even hit the market, do you know who your market is? Just like no two packages are alike, no two markets are alike. Are you trying to reach the mass market or the luxury market? Each market establishes certain expectations and barriers for entry. By defining your target market early on, you can better identify your packaging needs and design your packaging accordingly.

KNOW YOUR PRICE POINT: The price of your product is probably one of those pieces of information that you’ve dwelled over for a long time. Make it too high and you might not have any takers.

Make it too low and you might be losing money. Knowing your price point early on is key to developing a package that is not only appealing but also profitable. A product that retails for a little amount will require a very different packaging than a product that retails for a large amount.

QUOTE OF THE DAY ‘‘There is the need for a well-coordinated and effective public private partnership if we must achieve the desired balanced economic growth and development.’’

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele said.

Emefiele

28 MONEY MARKET

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External Reserves Rise By 19% In 3 months …Hit $46.554 STORIES BY BUKOLA IDOWU, LAGOS

As the price of crude oil at the international market continued to move closer to $70 per barrel, Nigeria’s external reserves have continued to accrue rising by more than 19 per cent in three months period.

Latest data by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the 30 days moving average of the reserves increased by 19.6 per cent form January up to April

4, 2018. The 30 days moving average figure currently stands at $46.554 billion up from $38.912 billion which it was at the beginning of the year.

Oil price at the international market has increased slightly beyond $69 per barrel by the close of business last week.

The reserves had grown by about $7.6 billion between January and March 2018. The reserves at the beginning of 2018 stood around $38 billion, then rose to $42.8 in February before hitting the new high of $46 bil-

lion.

Acting director, corporate communications department, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, had last month announced that the reserves had crossed the $46 billion mark attributing the continued accretion to the country’s reserves to the apex bank’s effort at vigorously discouraging unnecessary importation and reducing the nation’s import Bill; inflow from oil and non-oil exports, as well as the huge inflows through the investors and exporters window of the foreign exchange market, which

he said had attracted over $33 billion since April 2017, when it was created.

According to him, the bank’s interventions in the foreign exchange window had also helped to moderate the pressure on the forex reserves by sustaining liquidity in the market and boosting production and trade. Okorafor also noted that the CBN policy restricting access to forex from Nigeria’s foreign exchange market to importers of some 41 items had made a huge impact on the status of Nigeria’s

reserves and boosted the supply of local substitutes for imported goods, created jobs at home and enhanced the incomes of farmers and local manufacturers.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) held in Lagos in November 2017, had projected that Nigeria’s external reserves would hit the $40 billion mark in 2018. That conservative projection has since been surpassed.

Heritage Bank Restates Commitment To Sustainable Growth, Profitability L-R: General manager, West and North Africa, Etihad Airways (EA), Mr. George Mawadri; managing director/chief executive officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adamu Nuru and executive director, Retail Banking, FCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu during the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between EA and FCMB in Lagos, recently.

CFOs Raise Concerns Over Tax, Govt Policies Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in Nigeria have identified tax, regulatory and government policy as the most important ‘stay awake’ issues for them.

The critical concern is closely followed by those arising from internal challenges such as margin enhancement, growth and cost optimisation.

These findings were revealed in the 2018 KPMG CFO Outlook survey report that was presented at the KPMG CFO forum in Lagos, recently.

The report showed that only 46 percent of the CFOs who were surveyed were optimistic about the prospects of growth in 2018 compared to 2017.

Partner and head, Audit Services at KPMG in Nigeria, Tola Adeyemi, explained that “the overriding sentiment is that there is still a lot more that needs to be done to make this issue of ease of do-

ing business a reality. Only 15 percent said government efforts to improve the ease of business were seen as effective, 45 percent of the CFOs were neutral and 40 percent said the efforts were ineffective.”

Presenting the CFO outlook survey report, Adeyemi said CFOs and heads of finance in leading organisations across all major sectors in Nigeria shared their opinions on the outlook for their businesses, their strategies for cost and risk management and the priorities for an enabling environment. The survey report also includes revelations around what CFOs believe that the government should prioritise to create an enabling environment.

On his part, the executive chairman, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler, who delivered the keynote address titled ‘Outlook for tax administration in Nigeria and opportunities for enhanced collaboration with

the private sector’, said, “the country faces a huge infrastructure deficit, as documented in the recently launched Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Nigeria needs to invest USD3 trillion in infrastructure over the next 30 years.’’

He furthered said that taxation will play a key role in the development process by providing the needed resources to fund government developmental projects and programmes, as the federal government alone cannot provide these resources.

Speaking on some of the advancements done by the institution, Fowler said, “The FIRS has taken bold steps aimed at broadening its tax base and increasing tax collection. In collaboration with other relevant government agencies, the FIRS also undertook a massive nationwide registration exercise of new taxpayers in 2016”.

‘Inflation May Drop Further To 13% ‘ Managing director and chief executive of Financial Derivatives, Bismarck Rewane in his presentation to the Lagos Business School at the weekend said he expects inflation to drop to 13.8 per cent in March, down from 14.33 per cent that was recorded for February.

Rewane who expects that the budget will be signed towards the end of

April noted that spending is expected to increase alongside currency pressures by May this year. He noted that "positive economic data will be released on inflation, growth and external reserves."

Meanwhile, analysts at FSDH Research said they expect the year on year inflation rate to drop to 13.49 per cent in March 2018 from 14.33

per cent recorded in the month of February.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release the inflation rate for the month of March on 16 April, based on the data release calendar on the website of the NBS. The monthly Food Price Index (FPI) from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of FSDH

BY KEHIND SALLAH, Lagos

Heritage Bank Plc has restated its commitment to sustainable growth and profitability despite the prevailing adverse macroeconomic environment.

The bank said in statement issued over the weekend by the divisional head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Mr. Fela Ibidapo that, “Its ambition to emerge as a systemic important bank in the Nigerian banking industry remains its underlying corporate growth strategy.”

According to him, the foundational element of its growth strategy: People, Partnership and Process have been recalibrated to match the rapidly changing needs of its customers especially as it deploys full steam retail banking franchise.

He said the bank was on a growth track and was not unmindful of the headwinds facing the domestic economy, adding that it is very optimistic that the Heritage Brand will continue to soar over the current economic tide through

Research shows that the Index was up 1.05 per cent to 172.8 points in March from the revised value for February. The increase recorded in the FPI was because of a strong recovery in dairy and cereal prices. The FAO Dairy Price Index appreciated by 3.26 pet cent in March as prices of butter, Whole Milk Powder (WMP) and cheese were on the increase.

This increase was mainly supported by strong global import demand and lower than expected milk output.

The FAO Cereal Price Index was up

its collective efforts to remain an enduring institution.

Ibidapo said the bank would continue to grow by appealing to key client segments especially in the retail space and also focus on under-penetrated banking segments while building loyalty amongst the bank’s existing customer base.

The statement said the bank was committed to building an enduring and resilient banking franchise in the country, remarking that in the midst of the seemingly stormy realities presented by events within the political and economic environments, the bank will continue to pursue its strategic aspiration of not only being stable but also being sustainable in earnings and profitability in its growth plan.

The divisional head, Corporate Communications remarked that the bank was committed to deploying its resources towards the delivery of innovative banking solutions to its customers as well as create and transfer wealth to all its stakeholders.

by 2.67% from February. The sustained increase recorded in the cereal price Index is as a result of the rise in the prices of most of the major cereals.

The FAO Meat Index was up by 0.32% driven by the increase in the prices for ovine meat, pig meat and poultry meat. On the flip side, the FAO Sugar Price Index dropped by 3.4%. The drop in the Index is on the heels of favourable supply conditions in the main sugar producing regions, and a weaker Brazilian Real.

Markets

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STOCK INDEX (AS AT APRIL 6) Gainers

Symbols CP % change Maybaker 3.20 9.59 Unilever 59.80 8.73 HMarkins 0.34 6.25 Lasaco 0.40 5.26 Honyflour 2.41 4.78

Losers

Symbols Japauloil Glaxosmith Mobil Champion Total

CP % change 0.45 -8.16 29.00 -7.94 170.00 -7.10 2.28 -5.00 236.60 -4.98

@leadershipNGA

CAPITAL MARKET 29

STOCK INDEX (AS AT APRIL 6) ASI (Points)..........................................................................40,841.14 DEALS (Numbers)...............................................................6,108 VOLUME (Numbers million)..............................................501.96 VALUE (Nbillion).................................................................5.85 CAP (Ntrn)...........................................................................N14.753

NSE: 8 Banks Miss Annual Results Deadline

Equities Market Declines By 1.60% On Renewed Bearish Activities STORIES BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The Nigerian equities market reverted to a loss last week on profit activity as all the sectored gauges closed in the negative side.

The equities market experienced a four-day trading session last week due to public holiday dated March 30 and April 2, 2018 to mark the Easter celebration.

The All Share Index shed 1.60 per cent to settle at 40,841.14 points while yearto-date return declined to 6.79 per cent. Consequent on this, investors lost N240 billion in value as market capitalisation decreased to N14.753 trillion.

The drag to market performance last week can be largely attributed to sustained sell offs in high capitalised stocks

such as, Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank.

Across sectors, performance was equally bearish. The Oil and Gas index led laggards, down 2.8 per cent following losses in Mobil and Total Nigeria. The Industrial Goods and Banking indices followed suit, down 2.1 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively as investors sold off positions in Dangote Cement, Wapco, Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank. Similarly, sell pressures in Nigerian Breweries, International Breweries, Wapic Insurance and NEM Insurance drove the Consumer Goods and Insurance indices down 1.1 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.

Market breadth closed negative with 19 gainers compared to 53 losers. Lasaco Assurance recorded the highest price gain

of 21.21 per cent, to close at 40 kobo per share. May and Baker Nigeria gained 14.29 per cent to close at N3.20, while Law Union and Rock Insurance appreciated by 12.33 per cent to close at 82 kobo per share.

On the other hand, Japaul Oil and Maritime Services led the losers’ chart by 23.73 per cent, to close at 45 kobo per share. Unity Bank shed 17.21 per cent to close at N1.01, while Jaiz Bank depreciated by 16.05 per cent to close at 68 kobo per share.

Meanwhile, a total turnover of 1.765 billion shares worth N26.562 billion in 20,265 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.328 billion shares valued at N28.927 billion that exchanged hands previous week in 25,530 deals

Outlook For This Week This week, analysts expected cautious trading activity in the market as investors await the first quarter results.

Analysts at Cordros Capital Limited said, “We reiterate our positive outlook for risky assets, on the backdrop of positive macroeconomic fundamentals, downtrend in yields on debt instruments and lower stock prices, which is expected to drive bargain hunting ahead of first quarter 2018 corporate releases.”

Analysts from APT Securities and Funds Limited said, “although, cold investors’ sentiment dominate the market, we are still of the opinion that the dwindled stock prices across sectors will pose a good time to buy to position for both dividend and capital appreciation on a longer view.”

Eight Banks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have explained the reasons for the delay in filing their annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 to the investing public.

Quoted companies listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange are expected to the file their audited financial statement after 90 days at the end of every financial calendar. For the companies with the year ended December 31, have March 31 to fill in their audited results on the NSE. The banks informed stakeholders that they were not able to file their 2017 audited financial statements by March 31, 2018 as required under the rules of the NSE. The defaulting banks include FBN Holdings, Union Bank, Wema Bank, Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank, Sterling Bank, Unity Bank and Skye Bank.

The reasons made differ from one bank to the other, for example FBN Holdings attributed the delay in the submission of its results to peculiarity of Group Structure. FBNH has subsidiary companies operating in the Banking and Insurance sectors as well as the capital market, all with a common financial year end of December 31 alongside the holding company. Each of these subsidiaries needs to audit its financial statements and obtain the approval of its respective regulator prior to submission to FBN Holdings for consolidation.

Thereafter, the Group is also required to obtain the approval of its primary regulator be-

fore submission and filing with the Exchange.

Fidelity Bank gave reason of delays in concluding the audit process, Diamond Bank said it was due to uncompleted review of financials by Central Bank; Sterling Bank said it was due to awaiting regulatory approval and Union Bank gave incomplete finalisation of audited account as its reasons.

Also, Union Bank, Fidelity Bank and Sterling Bank said that their results will be released on the NSE On or before April 30, 2018, while, Skye Bank gave on or before May 12, 2018 for the release of its results.

In February, the CBN, updated its policy on internal capital generation and retention policy for Nigerian banks. In addition to the existing guidelines, an additional clause was set for banks’ eligibility for dividend payments.

The policy stated banks that do not meet the minimum regulatory capital requirement (CAR) for their scope of business may not pay dividend.

CAR thresholds are 15 per cent for international banks, 16 per cent for systemically important banks (SIBs) and 10 per cent for others.

Banks with a high Composite Risk Rating (CRR) and NPL ratio between five per cent and 10 per cent may not pay more than 30 per cent of their earnings after tax as dividend. A bank with satisfactory CRR and NPL ratio below five per cent are not restricted from paying dividend and no bank may pay dividend out of reserves.

Tantalizers Returns To Profit With N450m Tantalizers Plc, the only fastfood business listed on the Nigerian bourse posted its first profit in over five, reporting a profit before tax of N450 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2017.

The company’s result released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that its profit before tax grew to N450.62 million as against

a loss before tax of N11.01 billion in 2016, profit after tax stood at N443.37 million from a loss after tax of N1.02 billion, while earnings per share grew to 14 kobo from a loss of 32 kobo in 2016.

The company’s revenue increased from N3.6 billion in 2016 to N3.7 billion in 2017.

Cost of sales went down to N1.18 billion from N1.27 billion, leading to decline in its

gross profit to N567.95 million as against N674.69 million.

Tantalizers loan book reduced by about N1.1 billion in the period under review.

The company reported that it repaid loans of about N862 million and serviced the interest of about N269 million only. The company also secured a loan write back amounting to N600 million.

Tantalizers has revealed that it had commenced corporate restructuring of its existing debts and cost structure while looking to raise equity.

It expressed business optimism regarding the efficiency of its on-going strategic initiatives aimed at reversing the recent declining profitability in the business. The initiatives which commenced in the last two years are de-

signed to totally restructure the business, stem the declining performance and boost shareholders’ funds.

Analysts from the stocks market said with revenues still stunted and competition seemingly on the increase, it appears Tantalizers may continue to sell down assets in a bid to fix its balance sheet, saying raising capital is also inevitable and this will likely

only be achieved via a strategic investor or a takeover of the company.

Tantalizer was officially listed on the Nigerian bourse on June 23, 2008 at N3.67 kobo. The company’s stock is now trading at 37 kobo as at April 6, 2018. The firm had rewarded both the shareholders and investors with dividends only in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

30 INSURANCE

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@leadershipNGA Monday, April 9, 2018

Passage Of Consolidated Insurance Bill To Redefine Insurance Industry – Operators

L-R: Executive secretary/chief executive officer, the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Fatai Adegbenro; president, Mr. Shola Tinubu; vice president, Mr. Rotimi Edu; Hon treasurer, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe and Hon auditor, Mr Tunde Oguntade at the 2018 first quarter press conference held at NCRIB Secretariat in Yaba, Lagos, recently.

N7.5trn Pension Fund: 63,000 Disengaged Nigerians Withdraw N20.64bn STORIES BY ZAKA KHALIQ, Lagos

The incessant loss of jobs by workers in the public and private sectors in the country may have taken its toll on the N7.51 trillion pension assets as about 63,000 unemployed Nigerians withdrew N20.64 billion from their pension contributions in 2017, LEADERSHIP can now reveal.

This payment is about 24 per cent of the total amount of N82.57 billion paid to this category of people since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2004.

LEADERSHIP finding shows that out of the 63,000 disengaged workers, 95 per cent of them are from private sector, an indication of lack of job security in the private sector of the nation’s economy. The public sector seems to be better in terms of job security as only about five per cent of pension contributors were affected by the job loss.

The Pension Reforms Act (PRA) 2014, currently in use, makes provision for Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders under the age of 50 years who were disengaged and were unable to secure another job within four months of their disengagement to access 25 per cent of their pension contributions.

Investigation shows that the cost cutting measure adopted by public and private entities is leading to consistent loss of jobs. However, the lean prospect of finding a new job immediately after the loss of an earlier job, was responsible for increase in demand for 25 per cent of pension contributions.

A document sourced from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) revealed that in the first quarter of last year, precisely, between January to March 2017, 15,863 pension contributors, under the age of 50 years, who were disengaged from work and were unable to secure another job within 4 months of disengagement, were granted N3.97 billion from their respective Retirement Savings Account (RSA).

Further findings show that the private sector accounted for 95.22 per cent of the disengaged RSA holders, with the public sector accounted for 4.78 per cent.

In the second quarter 2017, however, PenCom granted approval for payment of N5.17 billion to 13,337 disengaged workers, while in the third quarter, 16,165 unemployed RSA holders, who falls under the aforementioned category, were paid N5 billion from their pension accounts.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, approval was granted for payment of N6.54 billion to 17,828 RSA holders who were under the age of 50 years and were disengaged from work and unable to secure another job within 4 months of disengagement, thus, bring the cumulative payment for last year to N20.64 billion paid to 63,000 disengaged workers.

Further finding shows a cumulative total number of disengaged RSA holders who were paid 25 percent was 250,293 and were paid N82.57 billion from inception to date. From this figure, the private sector accounted for 95.40 percent (238,786) while the public sector accounted for 4.60 percent (11,507).

Moreover, while some firms in both public and private sectors have downsized, some are preparing to lay-off more workers in the current year, in a bid to cut their expenditure, meaning that, more workers are going to be disengaged, hence, more pension contributors will demand for 25 per cent of their RSA balance in the current year.

Some of the beneficiaries, industry sources disclosed, are investing this money in their business ideas in a bid to be self-employed, while some used it to meet their more im-

mediate financial needs.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP at the weekend, the Managing Director, AXA Mansard Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Mr. Dapo Akinsanya, said the job loss shows the tough time the country is passing through, noting that, the pension industry is performing one of its civic responsibility, by paying the 25 per cent pension contribution to these beneficiaries.

He said the industry is losing nothing as the investment income emanating from investment of pension assets far outweighs the payment made to these people. Believing that this will also enhances the integrity of the new pension scheme, he added that, the pension funds has been growing irrespective of whatever payment made out of it.

The former head, Benefits and Insurance Department, PenCom, Mr. Olulana Loyinmi, had in 2016, said the increase in the number of contributors applying for the 25 per cent of their pension contributions was as a result of increase in job loss adding that, 50 per cent of the documents PenCom processed on pension matters are actually from those demanding for 25 per cent of their pension contributions.

Experts Seek Measures To Curb Negative Reserves Of Insurers Experts have called for urgent attention on increasing negative reserves of some underwriting firms in the country, saying, this is an indication of crisis.

Earlier, the 2016 Nigeria Insurance Digest, a publication of Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has revealed that 29 Insurers posted negative reserves amounting to N93.15 billion in 2016.

The report also shows that 15 Non-life operators posted N51.79 billion, while 14 Life operators posted N41.36 billion.

Reacting to this development, managing director, Lancelot Ventures Limited, Adebayo Adeleke, who is also a prominent member of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), noted that if 29

firms which is half of numbers of firms in the industry, have such challenges, it means the industry is really in trouble.

According to him, negative reserves denote that shareholders’ funds have depleted and that the firms are not making profits. He called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to really look into operations

of most firms and encourage ailing ones to merge before they collapse and erode policyholders’ funds.

A researcher, Obinna Chikezi, said many reasons such as having claims above reserves, poor reinsurance protections for covers provided, high management expenses, low capitalisation and others could induce negative reserves. He said it will

have negative effects on the ability of organisations to meet their obligations.

An anonymous operator had earlier said companies may have negative reserves if they incur more liabilities than their shareholders funds. The operator noted that excessive liabilities may arise mainly from inefficiency in underwriting and risk management.

Insurance operators as well as brokers have said the passage of the consolidated insurance bill by the National Assembly (NASS) into law, will redefine insurance landscape in the country.

President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Shola Tinubu, though, hoping the bill can get to the National Assembly and passed into law by the current legislators, noted that, a lot of things in the revised insurance bill were meant to take the industry to a new height.

On delayed claims, Tinubu said any insurance firm who delays payment of genuine claims may have to pay such claims with interest, if the draft for amendment of the 2003 Insurance Act presented to the Ministry of Finance scales through the necessary screening.

He said this is to facilitate timely payment of genuine claims.

Most of the issues that will enhance the growth and development of the insurance sector, according to him, have been enshrined in the draft.

On his part, the managing director, Manny Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Kayode Okunoren, had said, when the bill becomes law, it will generate more businesses for insurance industry, thereby generating premium income that will positively affect the balance sheet of underwriting firms in Nigeria.

This, according to him, will grow and develop insurance industry, thus, making it a reference point in the national discourse and economic planning. He said the current guideline restricted the regulator and operators from carrying out certain functions, especially, in the area of implementation of the five compulsory insurances.

Speaking earlier, the immediate past managing director, Anchor Insurance Company Limited, Mr. Mayowa Adeduro, commenting on reasons for the delay in the passage of the revised bill to the NASS, said “Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), among others, are critical stakeholders and are interested in the passage of the bill. Of course, a committee was set up to review the existing guidelines by the minister of finance, it has been passed to the ministry of finance and now in the ministry of justice.

Eventually, it will land in the National Assembly and I believe it will be passed into law before the end of this administration.”

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NNPC Concludes Plans For $2.8bn 614km Gas Pipeline Project

BY FESTUS OKOROMADU, Abuja AND CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC), yesterday said arrangements were being concluded for the historic groundbreaking of the 40inch x 614km Ajaokuta - Kaduna – Kano, (AKK), gas pipeline and stations in the weeks ahead.

The corporation in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu said the move is coming on the heels of last week’s successful execution of contract agreements for the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and financing for Lots

1&3 project.

The trans-Nigeria gas pipeline project estimated to cost over $2.8billion.

According to the statement, measures have been activated for the flag-off of the project it described as the single biggest gas pipeline project in the history of oil & gas operation in Nigeria.

Upon completion, 24 months from now, the AKK gas pipeline would enable connectivity between the East, West and North, currently non-existent. It would also enable gas supply and utilization to key commercial centres in the Northern corridor of Nigeria with the attendant positive spin-off on

power generation and industrial growth.

Providing details of the contract awarded to consortium of indigenous and Chinese entities under a 100 per cent contractor financing model, the NNPC said Lot 1 with total length of 40inch x 200km stretching from Ajaokuta to Abuja Terminal Gas Station awarded to the OilServe/Oando Consortium had a contract value of about $855million.

According to the corporation, Lot 2 whose contract agreement is yet to be executed covers 40inch x 193km, stretching from Abuja to Kaduna with contract value of about $835 million.

The NNPC said Lot 3 which

L-R: Chief executive officer, Kunle Ahmed; general counsel / HR director, Omowunmi MabelAdewusi; group head, Corporate Business, Abisola Nwoboshi and group head, Energy and Special Risks, Akinlolu Akinyele all of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc after receiving award for most innovative deployment of HR strategy in Lagos, at the weekend.

PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU.

runs from Kaduna Terminal Gas Station (TGS) to Kano TGS with total length of 40inch x 221km was awarded to the Brentex/China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP) Consortium under a contract value of about $1.2 billion.

This brought the total value of the entire project to over $2.8billion as approved by the Federal Executive Council at its 46th meeting on 13th December, 2017.

For so long, NNPC had activated an aggressive gas reforms and implementation drive, requiring accelerated implementation of gas pipeline infrastructure development with specific focus on critical pipeline infrastructure to power plants and industries.

Between 2010 and today, almost 500km of pipelines had been completed, commissioned and now delivering gas. Some of the completed pipelines included the Oben-Geregu (196km), Escravos-Warri-Oben (110km), Emuren-Itoki (50km), Itoki-Olorunshogo (31km), Imo River-Alaoji (24km) and Ukanafun-Calabar pipeline (128km).

In addition, there is ongoing construction of the strategic East-West OB3 pipeline (127km), scheduled for completion by Q3 2018 and the expansion of the EscravosLagos Gas Pipeline System scheduled for completion later in 2018.

SMEs Control 50% Of CAC Online Registration – Registrar … Shuts down manual registration

BY TAIWO OMILANI, Lagos

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has said about 4,585 businesses registered were within four days on its online portal, with 50 per cent of those registered belonging to Medium and Small Scales Entrepreneurs (SMEs).

This was disclosed recently by the acting registrar-general of the Commission, Lady Azuka Azinge, during the second in series of the CAC’s 2018 quarterly customers’ forum held in Lagos. The Commission said it introduced an online 24 hours business resignation in all its offices across the country in order to make Nigeria more attractive to both local and foreign investors.

According to her, the reg-

istration cuts across all businesses, from private to limited liability. This computer generated record shows that the 24 hours business registration is real. Azinge noted that the organisation finally closed down the manual registration in all its state offices in March.

The acting registrar-general noted that all the commission’s offices in the 36 states of the country have been decentralised and equipped to register and finalised registration to the stage of issuing certificates to prospective business owners.

She said:”The commission is further encouraging online registration services to make things easier for everybody, such that you can from the comfort of your homes

and offices transact with the Commission.”

She explained that the commission in line with its statutory mandate and further collaboration with the Ease of Doing Business secretariat has deliberately embarked upon several reform initiatives aimed at easing business registration in Nigeria.

“This explains the commission’s strategic policies like decentralisation of its operations; deployment of the company registration portal (CRP) and the integration of the company registration portal to the Stamp Duty portal of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has further eased the process of company registration” she said.

Azinge stated that the goal

is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to online registration especially the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enable more businesses to come into the formal sector with all the attendant benefits.

The new chairman of the CAC board, Dapo Abiodun on his part, said the new board is determined to ensure total transformation of the commission in its service delivery to its customers. He said that this is in tandem with the reform agenda of the present administration, which among other things aimed at growing the Nigerian economy through increased economic activities, employment creation, provision of infrastructure and making Nigeria an investment destination.

NSE Fines African Alliance, 2 Others N66m For Late Account Submission

BY ZAKA KHALIQ, Lagos

African Alliance Plc, Guinea Insurance Plc and Standard Alliance have paid a cumulative N66 million monetary fines to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for late submission of their financial accounts to the regulatory body, LEADERSHIP has learnt.

The companies were fined for various offences ranging from late submission of 2015, 2016 and 2017 audited accounts to late submission of quarterly accounts.

According to data sourced from X-Compliance Report of the NSE dated 23rd of March, 2018, African Alliance Insurance Plc paid a monetary fine of N46.1 mil-

lion for late submission of its 2015 and 2016 audited accounts.

Guinea Insurance Plc, on its part, paid N3.8 million for default in its 2015 audited account, paid N11.6 million for late submission of its audited 2016 accounts and N6.9 million fine for default in its 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2017 accounts. Standard Alli-

ance Insurance Plc was equally sanctioned to the tune of N8.2 million for defaults in its audited 2016 accounts.

The affected insurers have failed to declare meaningful dividends to their shareholders for three consecutive years, while their results have not been quite impressive within those periods as well.

Speaking on behalf of in-

NEWS/BUSINESS 31

Motorists Laud Dangote Over Concrete Road Project

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

As Nigeria’s longest rigid pavement road project inches closer to completion, motorists travelling from Northern part to the South said the road has started supporting vehicular movements across the regions.

The Obajana- Kabba road in Kogi State is said to be the longest concrete road project in Nigeria and one of the country’s roads that link the North and the South.

A notable businessman from the North, Mr. Ibrahim Dantsoho, as well as other motorists commended the president of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and described the project as a big relief, saying it has already eased travelling and connectivity across the regions.

Managing director of AGDangote Construction Company Mr. Ashif Juma said the project will be completed as planned and that Nigerians would yearn for more of such road when they see the difference with bituminous road.

Juma said so far 33 kilometer (km) earthwork and 22km concrete pavement have been accomplished adding that every care is being taken to en-

sure that Nigeria has a most durable road in Nigeria.

He said: “We will deliver the project by December this year.

All hands are on deck.” He urged Nigerian governments at all levels to switch over to construction of concrete road instead of asphalt as it is far superior, durable and cheaper, as it does not require frequent maintenance.’’

A human right activist and consultant, Mr. Abdullahi Umar, who normally travels through Okene in Kogi State said he now uses the Obajana-Kabba road, calling on other companies to emulate the Dangote Group. Most of motorists on the road hailed Dangote and urged governments at all levels to partner Dangote Group in road construction.

They called for a timely completion of the project, saying it would make transportation and businesses across the two regions easier.

A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the Dangote Group said, “Concrete road last longer than asphalt roads and do not have potholes. It does not require frequent maintenance as asphalt roads. It saves fuel for motorists and protects tyres from wear and tears.”

Farmcrowdy Bolsters Farmland, Acquires 7,500 New Acres

BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

On the back of growing demand and sold-out farm units, Farmcrowdy, Nigeria’s first and leading digital agriculture platform which allows Nigerians to venture in and sponsor agriculture, has announced the launch of 7,500 acres of new maize and rice farms in Nigerian states, Kaduna and Kwara.

Farmcrowdy in a statement said sponsorship will be open from the 4th of April and 9th of April, 2018 for Maize and Rice farms respectively. Kaduna will see the cultivation of 5,000 acres of maize by 2,000 new Farmcrowdy farmers, while Kwara will witness 2,500 acres of rice being cultivated by over 1,000 direct rice farmers.

This increase in land officially more than doubles the acreage of the agritech startup, which at the end of 2017, had cultivated 4,000

acres of farmland across eight states in Nigeria.

Since its launch in 2016, Farmcrowdy has empowered over 3,000 small scalefarmers across Nigeria. As a result of the new acquisition of land, 3,000 new direct farmers have been onboarded; demonstrating the startup’s ongoing commitment to building a community model that continues to empower local farmers and positively impact the lives of these farmers and their families, while also boosting food production and sustainability for Nigerians.

Farmcrowdy continues to gain momentum, having raised 321,000 organic chickens with a mortality of less than 4% on its poultry farm cycles to date, and recording 6,170 farm units being sponsored by approximately 1,000 unique farm sponsors from Nigerians in Nigeria, the US, Canada and the UK.

surance firms’ shareholders, the President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, said: “Some of the companies have corporate governance issues. We commend NAICOM because it will not approve any account unless it is thorough, kudos to the commission for safe guarding the interest of the investors as well as customers.”

Insurance stocks, he said, are unhealthy for shareholders for some years now as they were unable to give good returns on investment, noting that this was the reason why their share prices are now selling at kobo. He said shareholders react to the results a company releases, its dividend payout, its future prospect, saying insurance companies have failed in all these.

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Dangote Sugar Remains Investors’ Delight

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The company said its major cost of sales driver remains raw sugar

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc financial performance has presented a great opportunity for bountiful harvests for investors as they have continued to enjoy a lot of benefits of their investments in the company.

The investors have benefited from both share price rally and dividend payout. In the year 2017, the company’s share price gained 227.33 per cent to emerge 2017 best performing stock and the company also declared a total dividend of N1.75 per share as against 60 kobo dividend paid in 2016.

The company which recently released its audited result for the year ended December 31, 2017 showed total revenue stood at N204.42 billion, a 20.4 per cent increase over N169.72 billion posted in 2016 was driven by price of refined sugar.

The company said its major cost of sales driver remains raw sugar.

Cost of raw sugar during the year rose to its peak in the third quarter and started declining thereafter by more than 20 per cent by the end of the year, a situation which resulted in overall increase in cost of material for the year. Average selling price per 50kg bag for the year was N15,636 and N10,899 for 2016.

However, the effect of the increase was partly cushioned by the stability and availability of foreign exchange. The naira was stable against the United States dollar at N305.75 at the beginning of the year and remained at the closing average figure of about N306 per dollar.

Gross profit increased by 121.8 per cent to N50.99 billion from

N22.98 billion. The increase in direct overheads were mainly driven by production cost, which was driven by increased energy cost.

The price of gas increased marginally from $7.38/mscf to $7.45/ mscf, combined with the instability in gas supply during the first 3 quarters, pushed up the overall energy cost for 2017. This led to the use of LPFO at a higher price against budget. Our actual average price for the year under review was N143 per litre against budgeted price of N100 per litre.

Investment income, which reflects interest earned on bank deposits at an average rate of 13.5 per cent per annual on short term (30 days) bank deposits, giving rise to interest income of N3.4 billion from N601 million in 2016. Investments made in respect of the various Backward Integration Projects (BIP) were funded from DSR’s internal resources.

The Group liquidity position improved from N35 billion to N41 billion as at December 31, 2017. In line with our liquidity management policy the excess funds were placed on short term fixed deposit to earn investment income of N3.4 billion as against N0.6 million in 2016.

In addition to the above sum, N13 billion was deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria for foreign exchange forward contract payable to foreign trade creditors at maturity.

This sum is treated as other financial assets under the broad class of other assets in the Statement of Financial Position.

Group profit before tax for the period increased by 173 per cent to N53.599 billion from N19.614 bil-

lion in 2016, while Group profit after taxation for the year increased 176.3 per cent to N39.78 billion from N14.395 billion.

The board, having paid an interim dividend of 50 kobo per ordinary share, has recommended a final dividend payout of N1.25 per ordinary share to be paid to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Acting group managing director of Dangote Sugar, Abdullahi Sule, said, “we are very pleased with the 2017 business year, with an increased revenue growth of 20.4 per cent over 167.7 billion recorded during the same period in 2016, and N28 billion gross profit increase of 121.8 per cent, the best recorded in the history of the company.

“Our focus for 2018 remains the actualisation of our BIPs plan with focus on the achievement of 1.080 million metric tonnes sugar from our BIP sites in the next six years.

“While concerted efforts are being made to leverage our strengths and maximize every opportunity to increase our market share and create sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

On the Backward Integration goal, the company said it is to become a global force in sugar production, by producing 1.5M MT/PA of refined sugar from locally grown sugar cane for the domestic and export markets.

“To achieve this, Dangote Sugar has acquired other sites at Tunga, Nasarawa State of 60,000ha, Lau/ Tau, Taraba State of 25,000ha to augment Savannah’s 32,000 hectares in Adamawa state. The brown field sites like Savannah Sugar will be integrated sugar production fa-

cilities with new plantation and modern facilities that are located closer to the consumers,” it stated.

For the year 2018, the company said, “we started the new year with the same challenges from the previous year ranging from the Apapa traffic gridlock, inability of our trucks to access the ports into our facility, menace of unlicensed sugar imported into the country, terrible road conditions nationwide to our key markets nationwide and its attendant effect on our delivery timeline, high exchange rate though stable, amongst others.

“We are however undeterred, with concerted efforts being made to ensure evacuation of products through alternate means of transportation, in addition with the increase of our fleet to boost trucks availability.”

The company said “achievement of our Sugar for Nigeria Backward Integration Project goal remains our priority. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that the project targets are delivered on schedule.

“The directors of the company continue to apply the going concern principle in the preparation of the financial statements. Their assessment of the Group’s and the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, strengthen the believe that there are no threats to that the Group will remain a going concern.”

Dangote Sugar is Nigeria’s largest producer of household and commercial sugar with 1.44M MT refining capacity at the same location and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in March 2007.

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33

‘Call For Scrapping Of Social Investment Programmes Baseless’

BY MBAKAAN KWEN

Cast of Glo- sponsored Professor Johnbull: Abadnego (Martins Nebo); Flash (Stephen Odimgbe); Ufoma (Bimbo Akintola); the producer/director, Tchidi Chikere; Professor Johnbull (Kanayo O Kanayo), Jumoke (Bidemi Kososko) and Olaniyi (Yomi Fash-Lanso) at the cast and crew hangout with fans held in Enugu, recently.

‘FG’ll Address Anomaly Of No Tax On Imported Gas’ The federal government has acknowledged what it called an anomaly where domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being taxed and tax on imported gas is waived.

The special adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on Downstream Infrastructure, Ms Brenda Ataga, disclosed in Abuja yesterday that the government was addressing the issues.

She said that government

was also looking into how the gas sector could be structured to become more competitive.

She said, “LPG has zero import duties but there is VAT on LPG and we are in discussions with the Ministry of Finance to balance that anomaly where imported gas has no VAT while domestic LPG has VAT. “We are discussing that so that LPG can be a more competitive field and we are ad-

dressing the issue of pricing as well.’’

She said a target had been set by the ministry to produce five million tonnes of gas in 10 years as against the 700,000 currently being produced annually.

Ataga, who said LPG could be alternative for energy security, added that it could also be an essential alternative to petrol, kerosene, diesel, auto-gas, transportation, cooking and power

generation.

“Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas is a major producer of LPG in the World.

Nigeria stands at second largest producer behind Algeria.

“With volumes like that I don’t know why LPG is not available to the locals, we will be looking at the domestic supply obligations that frame how much LPG is being brought into the country,’’ Ataga said.

Facebook To Increase Transparency Amid Scandal

BY CHIMA AKWAJA, , Lagos

Facebook at the weekend announced that changes are being made to the way advertisement and pages are managed on its platform and on Instagram, saying it is introducing more transparency and accountability as well as prevention of election interference.

The latest development follow revelation last week that about 87 million users’ data may have been compromised by a third party firm currently engulfed in attempting to manipulating presidential elections in Nigeria in 2015 as well as in USA 2016 by a firm called Cambridge Analytica.

In a statement release by Rob Goldman, VP, Ads and

Alex Himel, VP, Local & Pages that “We believe that when you visit a Page or see an ad on Facebook it should be clear who it’s coming from. We also think it’s important for people to be able to see the other ads a Page is running, even if they’re not directed at you.

“That’s why today we’re announcing important changes to the way we manage ads and Pages on Facebook as well as Instagram. These are designed to increase transparency and accountability, as well as prevent election interference,” they said.

Facebook is also investing in artificial intelligence and adding more people to help find advertisers that should have gone through the authorization process but did not. The

company realized it won’t catch every ad that should be labeled, and it encourages anyone who sees an unlabeled political ad to report it. People can do this by tapping the three dots at the top right corner of the ad and selecting “Report Ad.” Facebook is working with third parties to develop a list of key issues, which the company will refine over time. To get authorized by Facebook, advertisers will need to confirm their identity and location. Advertisers will be prohibited from running political ads — electoral or issue-based — until they are authorised.

In addition, these ads will be clearly labeled in the top left corner as “Political Ad.” Next to it Facebook will show

“paid for by” information. The company started testing the authorization process this week, and people will begin seeing the label and additional information in the US later this spring.

Facebook is also announcing that people who manage pages with large numbers of followers will need to be verified. Those who manage large Pages that do not clear the process will no longer be able to post. This will make it much harder for people to administer a Page using a fake account, which is strictly against our policies. Facebook will also show you additional context about Pages to effectively assess their content. For example, you can see whether a Page has changed its name.

Kachikwu, Tonye Cole To Speak At Light Up Nigeria Energy Confab

BY GODDIE OFOSE, Lagos

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, will be delivering the keynote address at this year’s Brand Innovation Light Up Nigeria Energy Conference themed “Repositioning The Energy Sector For Growth” which would hold on May 15th, 2018 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

According to the organisers, the conference will be chaired by the executive director and co-founder, Sahara Energy Group, Tonye Cole.

The annual Brand Innovation

Conference is organized by Brandzone Consulting LLC, a world class, globally affiliated organisation reputed for building and managing some of the best of Nigerian brands across diverse sectors including Oil and Gas, Banking, Automobile, Hospitality and Technology.

Other key industry thought leaders confirmed as Speakers at the upcoming conference includeMr Gabriel Ogbechie, Managing Director CEO, Rainoil Nigeria Limited, Mrs Nkechi Obi, Vice Chairperson, Techno Oil, Prof. Joe Ezig-

bo Founder and CEO, Falcon Corporation, Egnr. Dada Thomas, President Nigeria Gas Association and Founder/CEO, Frontier oil Limited, Mr Yomi Awobokun, CEO, Enyo Retail Oil and Gas, and other Chief Executive Officers of highly reputable Energy, Oil and Gas companies in Nigeria including the International Operating Companies (IOC).

According to the convener, Chizor Malize, the Energy sector has a pivotal role to play in illuminating the nation Nigeria. According to her “besides explo-

ration, production and distribution, new players have moved into other sub-sectors such as power generation, transmission and distribution, she said.

“These companies are obligated by regulation to increase generation of electricity to meet the energy needs of the various sectors of the economy. In addition, both the Liquefied Natural Gas and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas subsectors are rapidly growing with the continuous embrace of and new global laws promoting clean energy,’’ she said.

The Gombe State Government has described Senator Danjuma Goje’s call to scrap the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as “baseless.”

Senator Danjuma Goje, who doubles as chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, had threatened to cut down on the proposed National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) N500 billion allocations in the 2018 budget over allegation that no single person from Gombe State has benefited from the N-Power programme.

In a prompt response, the Gombe State government described Senator Goje’s claim as “untrue” noting that the State currently enjoys the services of over 2,800 beneficiaries of NPower programme who are presently providing services in the health, agro allied and education sectors respectively.

In a press statement signed by Hajia M.I Mele, special adviser to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo on Social Investment Project, she explained that additional 7,000 people from the second batch of the NPower program have been verified and are awaiting placement and postings.

She said: “It may interest the senators that 2,809 food vendors are currently providing highly nutritious meals to about 286,000 pupils in the state. In Senator Goje’s Senatorial District, 162 food vendors have been verified to provide meals for 14,342 pupils daily in the

Senator’s local government which happens to have the highest number of vendors and pupils in the State.’’

Mele posited that a total of 419 food vendors have been engaged by the NPower programme in Gombe state with more than 36,117 pupils fed at the grassroots.

“Yamaltu Deba Local Government happens to be amongst the 3 pilot Local Government Areas for the conditional cash transfer program, a local government within the senators constituency.

“More than 200 cooperative groups from Senator Goje’s constituency have so far applied for the government empowerment and entrepreneurship program (GEEP) and awaiting disbursements from bank of industry,” Mele added.

Hajia Mele further commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) for the wonderful initiative aim at addressing the poor and vulnerable in the country.

According to her, the State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo has provided unwavering support to the overwhelming success of the program in the state. She however urged lawmakers at the national assembly not to play politics with matters of national importance especially those that aim at addressing the poor.

“The national assembly should key in to the success of the programme and appropriate more funds in order to maintain the tempo of the programme and support the President Muhammadu Buharis focus on poverty alleviation and socio economic development,” Mele added.

Firm Develops Solution To Boost Fleet Management In Nigeria

BY TONY AWUNOR, Lagos

Concept Nova, an information technology company, has launched a new solution that will boost fleet management in Nigeria.

The solution known as the FleeTrak Fleet Management Application can optimally and efficiently manage 5-5,000 fleets of vehicles.

It provides total transparency of fleet, providing visibility into maintenance, vendor management, documentation, and fuel consumption as well as the lifespan efficiency of vehicle parts, alongside, other significant fleet management features.

Speaking on the FleeTrak FMA, managing director of Concept Nova, Chukwuma Ochonogor said: “The successful Management of fleet has been a task that has resulted to loss of revenue for most organisations, as this has been characterised with insincerity, theft, and misman-

agement. The FleeTrak FMA has been designed to resolve all these issues and help organisations reduce cost while getting the optimum use of their fleet.”

He added: “FleeTrak FMA has unique industry-winning features that set a standard for fleet management solutions. It is intuitively packed with modules that puts you miles ahead of your competition. It was created not only to account for expenditure on fleet but also reduce the cost of managing your fleet. Concept Nova’s FleeTrak FMA has been modelled to meet all your fleet’s needs and effectively enhance its performance.”

According to Ochonogor, the introduction of FleeTrak FMA in Nigeria became imperative after research showed that 95 per cent of fleet managers acknowledged that a fleet management application would increase functionality, productivity and smart decision making about their fleet.

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Unions Petition FG Over Sack Of 37 NCAT Staff School Teachers

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos

L-R: President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN); Prof. Segun Ajibola; Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo and Deputy Group Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Victor Osadolor, at the formal launch of the Guardian Compendium on “Financing The Economy” and the conferment of the Economic Personality of the Year Award on Mr. Emefiele held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on Saturday.

CBN Governor Deploys New Deputy Governors .As Emefiele emerges The Guardian Economic Personality of the Year

BY MARK ITSIBOR, Abuja and BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele has assigned duties to the newly appointed Deputy Governors who assumed duty on March 28.

The acting director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Mr Isaac Okoroafor, in a statement on Sunday said Mrs Aishah Ahmad was deployed to the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate, while Mr Edward Lemetek Adamu was assigned to Corporate Services.

Emefiele also approved the deployment of Dr Okwu Nnanna from the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate to the Economic Policy Directorate.

“Mr Adebayo Adelabu, however, retains his portfolio as Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate,” Okoroafor said.

According to Okoroafor, the affected principal officers have since assumed duty in their new duties.

Meanwhile, Emefiele was on Saturday, unveiled as The Guardian Economic Personality of the Year 2017. According to the organisers, the award is in recognition of his contribution to stabilizing the Nigerian financial sector amidst recession as well as the Banks effort in development financing.

Presenting the award to

Mr. Emefiele at a ceremony held at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Professor Segun Ajibola, commended Mr. Emefiele and his team at the CBN for their efforts at managing the Nigerian financial sector and intervening in critical sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Emefiele expressed appreciation to The Guardian selecting him for the award and commended the outfit for its foresight and thoughtfulness at publishing the report on financing the Economy.

Speaking on the economy, the CBN Governor noted that the exposure of the Nigerian economy to global shocks was a reflection of the fact that Nigeria, as a country, was unable to sufficiently produce what its people consume; hence the huge dependence on foreign goods.

He attributed the inability of the country to sufficiently produce what it consumes to heavy dependence on oil sector to provide the foreign exchange needed to finance the country’s imports and the poor diversification of the economy and low factor productivity in key non-oil sector. He also identified the ostentatious and elitist taste for imported goods in Nigeria and the inadequate finance to strategic high impact and high

employment multiplier sectors as major challenges facing the economy.

While noting that the level of credit in the domestic economy channelled to productive private sector was critically below the levels required to place the Nigerian economy on the path of balanced, sustainable, and inclusive growths, Mr. Emefiele, however, assured that the CBN and the banks in Nigeria would continue to be catalysts to development in Nigeria, particularly as it concerned the vulnerable and needy in the society.

According to him, following a joint initiative by the banks in 2016, each bank contributed five per cent of its profit after tax to support the development initiatives of the government. He further disclosed that the contributions to the fund was nearing the N60 billion mark, adding that the CBN and deposit money banks had concluded plans to unfold the disbursement criteria of the funds to the vulnerable sector in Nigeria, which he said needed access to credit.

On the efforts by the Bank in countering the adverse effects of the global shocks, he said the CBN embarked on a number of short- term and long-term policies such as a cycle of monetary tightening to rein in inflation; external reserves management through the restriction of foreign exchange for imports of goods that can be produced in Nigeria. He said the Bank also

established a decisive withdrawal of the “de facto” subsidy for the importation of 41 non-essential commodities with unfolding successes, introduced various policies to eliminate FX speculators, bettors, round-trippers and rentseekers and thereby stabilise the exchange rate with the establishment of the InvestorsExporters Window among others.

Reeling out the achievements of the Bank, Mr. Emefiele said the sum of 393.5 billion had been released to 478 large scale agricultural projects since inception in 2010, even as the Bank was poised to disburse up to N400 billion at only 9.0 percent interest rate under the Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF), adding that the strategic initiative was targeted at projects in manufacturing and agriculture, given the mutual interdependence of both sectors for the complete industrialization of agro-allied business.

He also disclosed that under the Nigeria Incentivebased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), established in 2011, more than 224 projects valued at over 33.0 billion were guaranteed for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s Growth Enhancement Scheme.

Under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), he reported that the domestic rice production had increased many folds and its imports had crashed substantially.

For sacking 37 staff school teachers from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State by the management, aviation unions in the Nigerian aviation industry have petitioned the federal government over the controversial matter.

The unions which include National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) in a joint petition signed by their general secretaries insisted that the college’s management was ill-advised by some people in the system.

The unions also demanded for due process to at all times be followed when the management decides to discharge any of their members due to faults not of theirs. The petition dated March 19, 2018 was signed

by Comrades Frances Akinjole; ATSSSAN, Olayinka Abioye; NUATE and Ocheme Aba for NAAPE. The unions also copied Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minsiter of Labour and Employment , Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Executive Chairman, Salaries, Income and Wages.

The petition insisted that “some mischievous third force at NCAT” were bent on wrongly advising the management in order to dislocate the prevailing industrial harmony at NCAT, wondering why the management was reluctant in implementing the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which reversed the sack of teachers in staff schools across the country.

The petitioners explained that the management of

NNDC Declares N138m Profit, Records N9.19bn Net Assets

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) has declared N138.25 million profit before tax for the financial year ended March 2017, operating income of N747.11 million and net asset of N9.19 billion for the year ended.

NNDC is owned and operated by the 19 Northern states with various divisions.

The company which has its headquarters in Kaduna is involved in oil and gas exploration, investments, stock and capital, real estate, agriculture, education and human capital development among others.

Speaking at the end of its 49th Annual General Meeting on Friday, chairman of NNDC, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu said the company has so far trained

820 professionals in various academic fields, while it has built 78 units of three and two bedrooms detached, semidetached terraced and duplex houses.

“I’m honoured to present to you our annual report for the financial year ended 31st March, 2017. The company recorded an operating income of N747.11 million against N898.56 million in the previous year repre-

senting 17% decrease. The decrease was attributed to lower dividend income on investments.

“Operating profit before tax of N138.25 was achieved against N167.79 million in the previous year representing 18% decrease. Similarly the company’s net asset for the year was N9.19 billion against N9.41 billion in the corresponding year representing 2.2% decrease.

Ngige

the college immediately implemented the policy of the government, which withdrew it from the funding of staff schools, but wondered why it was slow in implementing a court judgment, which reversed the government’s policy.

Other staff schools across the country have implemented the judgment of the industrial court by recalling their sacked teachers in staff schools, but only NCAT was yet to implement such.

The petitioners agreed that 13 out of the 37 affected staff of the college’s school had approached the court to ensure their re-instatement, but noted that they took the court option when the management intentionally frustrated their re-instatement by some elements in the college.

The petition added: “Did we not agree in September 2017 at the Ministry of Transportation in Abuja to constitute a joint committee of NCAT-union-ministry of transport-ministry of labour-head of servicesalaries and wages to discuss and finally resolve the staff school teachers’ issues even before the release of this ‘knotty’ circular? While we had since submitted the names of our nominees for the proposed committee, we do not understand the motive for cherry-picking in resolving the staff school teachers’ predicament.

“In view of the position of the college not to address the issues as raised by our unions until the determination of the said case, would it not be right to conclude that NCAT management and NCAT Consultant wilfully and deliberately frustrated some of the teachers to see court as an option?

The petition queried.

The college’s management was also advised to save the nation from avoidable financial embarrassment that may result from litigation costs and possibly damages in the course of resolving the issue.

35

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BRINGING THE SOUTH-WEST TO YOU

SMARTNEWS Estate Developers Oppose Lagos Land Use Charge

BY ADENIYI ADUNOLA, LAGOS

BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has said it will no longer be business as usual in the state, saying the state’s civil servants must be repositioned to eliminate all forms of wastages in the system.

The governor stated this while declaring open a two-day training for top civil servants in Lagos emphasized that a viable civil servants must be properly

positioned to achieve more with meagre resources.

According to Ambode, reducing wastages would certainly lead to increase in productivity.

He said, “the Lagos State Civil Service has come a long way in reducing waste while increasing productivity. This is partly the result of the extensive investments in knowledge and skills by this administration.”

The governor, who was

represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke stated that the importance of eliminating waste in any system cannot be overemphasised.

“Countless studies have shown that, with good and sound processes relating to management of time and resources, one finds that meagre resources can be extended to produce outstanding results. In other words, organisations and

individuals can achieve more with less.

“Therefore, the ultimate objective of this training is to identify and codify the methods, means, and strategies for ensuring that the Lagos State Civil Service is positioned to do more with less. At the end of this training, the Lagos State Civil Service and her officers should be able to produce even more outstanding results with less money, less personnel, and in less time.”

Group Lauds Tinubu's Vision For Lagos

BY DUSTAN AGHEDO, Lagos

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Amid controversy trailing the Lagos Land Use Charge, real estate developers in the state under the aegis of Association of Real Estate Developers in Lagos (AREDOLS) have opposed payment of Land Use Charge (LUC) recently promulgated into law.

AREDOLS in a statement signed by its Chairman Nureni Akinsanya described the law as unconstitutional and anti-business, urging the state government to abrogate it.

He hinged this on the fact that the LUC as signed into law by the state government was at variance with section 16 (1) and 16 (2) d of the constitution, even as it was not business friendly.

According to him, “Can it be said that these Land Use Charges were promulgated in keeping with the spirit and intendment of these provisions of the constitution.

“The wake of the LUC, 2018 saw the rise of payment of land use charge skyrocket to as high as 400 per cent of the initial charges with criminal sanctions attached to default in payment and a right of the government to sue for the sum.

“The contention of the association is the effect of these new charges on economic investments in the real estate market. The rippling effect of the new charge will increase the price of locally made goods and finished commodities in the state thus killing local companies and businesses in the country.

“Those companies who do not close shop will be forced to the lay off workers and taxpayers in order to restructure their finances to accommodate this rather large “white elephant.

“One rather obvious effect is the sharp increase in the cost of goods and other services in Lagos state as owners; developers of properties as well as tenants living in the buildings; would be forced to cushion the effect of the taxes on their income.”

Akinsanya stressed that secondary goods and services will also be affected by the blowback of the new tax regime as the LUC will be factored into the overall cost of sales of goods and services.

Achieve More With Less Resources, Ambode Orders Civil Servants

Mother of triplets begging for alms at trade fair,Maza Maza area of Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU

Police Nab Man Who Robs Lagos Motorists With Toy Gun

BY OGUNTADE ISMAILA, Lagos

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, (RRS), of the Lagos State police Command at the weekend said they have arrested a 20-year-old man, Rilwan Wasiu, who allegedly specializes in robbing stranded motorist around Adeniji Adele end of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos with the use of toy gun.

The accused robber, who hails from Oyo State, has confessed that his gang uses a toy gun to rob stranded motorists around Adeniji Adele end of the Third Mainland Bridge.

The RRS said, “The suspect was arrested over the weekend at Adeniji

Adele under bridge around 10:00 p.m. while he was fighting with his girlfriend.”

The officers, according to reports, sighted the suspect beating his girlfriend late at night by the road side and they stopped to mediate in the dispute, when a toy gun suddenly fell off from the pocket of the suspect.

The police said his attempt to run away immediately the toy gun fell off his body was foiled as the officers apprehended and took him to the RRS Headquarters.

The decoy team said that, the suspect had initially claimed that he picked up the toy gun from where he was sleeping under the Adeniji Adele

Bridge.

He was quoted to have said, “I found it where I was sleeping. I picked it up to go and destroy it before the misunderstanding with my girlfriend”.

Commenting on the development, the Lagos State Command Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Chike Oti , a Superintendent of Police said the deployment of more police officers by the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohinmi, to checkmate the activities of criminals on the Third Mainland Bridge had reduced crime in the area, adding that officers of the Command are on the trail of other members of the gang.

LG Secretaries Hail Ambode For Good Governance, Growth

BY DUSTAN AGHEDO, Lagos

The Executive Secretaries of 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State have extolled the leadership qualities of Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his desire to roll out developmental projects across the state The Executive Secretaries of the Local Government and Council Development Areas in the state stated this when they meet in Onigbongbon Local Council Development Area to endorse Lagos State Governor Mr.

Akinwunmi Ambode for second term in office.

Speaking with journalists, the Executive Secretary of Onigbongbon Local Council Development Area, Mr. Sopenyin Olasupo said they converged on the LCDA to take a cursory look at trending issues across the state and also endorse the governor for a second term in office.

He said, ‘’As secretaries to the 57 Local Governments and Council Development Areas in Lagos State we come together as body from time to time to discuss the developments

and trends in the various Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas and see ways of how to help the political stakeholders on how to develop the councils. ‘’Today we are here to discuss the current political dispensation of our state. We will agree with me that our governor the amiable governor of Lagos State Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is doing a lot of good things for people of the state. He has a great vision is articulating those visions and bring dividends of democracy to the people.

A political interest group, Lagos Development Initiative has hailed the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over his vision for Lagos , saying it was the former governor that discovered Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Speaking at an event, which coincided with the inauguration of the Isolo /Ejigbo chapter of the group, its chairman, Alhaji Sauladeen Omolola Shittu, said the group with chapters in the 57 local governments and council development areas has endorsed the governor for his outstanding infrastructural development in Lagos, He noted that having watched closely the impressive performance of the governor, the group deemed it fit to reward him with a second term.

“You can see the presence of the governor in virtually all part of the state. For instance in Oshodi interchange, you can see the work in progress there .Also in Epe you can see the road network on going there,” he said.

Shittu commended the All progressive leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for identifying a great person in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to serve the state, noting that his impact is felt by all and sundry in the state.

He urged members to keep their permanent voters cards to actualize the vision of a second term for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

36 NEWS SOUTH-SOUTH SOUTH-EAST Forestry: Edo To Launch Policy Document

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

The Edo State government has revealed plans to launch a policy document on how it intends to optimise its forestry assets to drive economic growth and tourism at an International Conference to be held in Ghana.

Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who disclosed this, said that the state government intends to utilise its forest belt to create wealth for its people, even as the government intensifies efforts to create structures and institutions to actualise this vision.

The governor, at the inauguration of the state’s 16-member Advisory Committee on Forestry, said the state government is developing a policy framework to exploit its forestry assets to international standards.

According to him, “We will unveil a policy document on Forestry at an International Conference to be held in Accra Ghana to showcase how we intend to work with partners to develop our forestry assets in line with international standards.”

He added that the state government’s resolve to unveil the document is in line with his administration’s drive to work with international partners to preserve the forest belt in the state, preserve the state’s fauna and flora and exploit the forest assets for inclusive growth.

A/Ibom PDP Chieftain Charges Journalists On Peace, Unity

BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Comrade Ini Ememobong, has enjoined media practitioners to promote unity among different political strata and harmony in the country, especially as the 2019 elections draw near.

Ememobong who spoke yesterday during an interaction with members of the state Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) in Uyo emphasised the need for media men to use their different news channels to propagate the ideals of unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.

The PDP spokesperson said that his party, the PDP insistence on the principle of zoning during the last local government council election had reduced political rancor and offered hope to people who make up the different geographical and political segments within the 31 LGAs. “As a party, our history has shown that zoning has promoted these ideals and that is why we are urging you as media practitioners to help sensitize our people on the need to have political process that align with these ideals through zoning.

“I stand for zoning, and if any aspirant visits me for consultation, I will first ask him whether he is favoured by the zoning arrangement in his area before I give my blessing.

“Adhering to the principle of zoning was not meant to stifle the aspiration of anyone but rather to offer different political strata and units a chance to aspire and serve the people,” he stated.

Monday, April 9, 2018

We Have Eliminated Upland/Riverine Dichotomy – Wike

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port harcourt

Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that one of the greatest achievements of his administration is the elimination of the upland/riverine dichotomy which plagued the state in the past.

Wike, who disclosed this yesterday while speaking during an interview with the organisers of Zik Leadership Prize Award, said his ad-

ministration has been able to promote unity for the overall development of the state.

The governor said, “First of all, you remember that the founding fathers of this state maintained that Rivers State should be seen as a place or land of opportunity where people will have to achieve their potentials in life. In this state before, all you see, all you hear is tribalism; that you are from the upland, you are from the riverine and so people

were not doing things as if we are one Rivers.

“So, we believe that, one way we must achieve, if we see ourselves as one and once that is done, then we have moved to the next step. So today, our concern is that issue of upland/riverine is no longer necessary. We see ourselves as one Rivers State and it is necessary because of the projects and programmes we are carrying out in all the local government areas in the state. So the is-

sue of upland/riverine differences is relegated to the background.

“There are projects going on everywhere in the state and if you don’t do that people will begin to say of favouritism against each other that we are this, we are that, and vice versa. Therefore, the issue is to bring everybody together.”

He noted that Rivers State has made tremendous progress in the last three years because project execution has been prioritised.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right) congratulating Aboh Mary Tochi, one of the 750 Graduands of the state’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Skill Acquisition Programme, during the graduation ceremony of the second batch of the scheme’s trainees in Enugu, yesterday.

Edo PDP Faults N4 billion EU Water Projects By Obaseki

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

The Edo State People Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday has described as false and misleading claims that the Edo State government in partnership with European Union, EU, had expended N4 billion between 2017 and February 2018 on various water projects in a bid to provide portable drinking water across towns and communities in the state.

The State commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Mr Yekini Idaiye, had Friday told newsmen that the sum of N1.3 billion (excluding donor agencies) have been budgeted

to be spent on various water schemes in 2018 alone.

Yekini had explained that since the state government came on board it had released about N1.3 billion counterpart funds (excluding donor agencies) have been budgeted to be spent on various water schems in 2018 alone He said the money was released for the water projects in seven local government areas of Edo State between 2017 and Febuary 2018.

The commissioner gave the breakdown to include, N1 billion for Ovia South West and Etsako West local government areas water scheme and N2 billion for Uhunmwonde ,

Ohrionmwon and Owan West local council water schemes, N1 billion for the reactivation of the Ugboha water scheme built by the federal government during the Dr Goodluck Jonathan administration but was never activated.

However, in a swift reaction, the State chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, yesterday at a briefing alleged that what the state government had done was to use the opportunity of counterpart funding to defraud the EU in the name of embarking on water projects in the state and challenged the state government to take newsmen and civil society groups on where the said

projects were taking place According to Orbih: “I find it totally misleading the false claim by the state government that they have partnered EU to expend the sum of N4 billion on water project across the state in the past one year. Of course, it is possible that in their effort to alleviate the plight of local communities the EU may have provided some counterpart funding for the purpose of providing water in the state. I make bold to state that what the state government has done is to use the opportunity of providing counter funding to defraud EU of this colossal sum of money that was capable of providing water for the entire state.”

Edo Security Committee Meets, Sets Registration Target For Herdsmen

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

The seven-man committee set up by the Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki in each of the state’s 18 local government areas to check clashes between herdsmen and farmers, have commenced sitting.

Members of each committee include the council chairman, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs),

representative of the Directorate of State Security Service, two representatives of the Hausa/Fulani Community, and two representatives among local farmers.

The committee in Owan West LGA convened a meeting at the weekend, presided over by the council chairman, Hon. Frank Ilaboya.

Held at the council secretariat in

Sabongida-Ora, the meeting was hailed as a novel avenue to address clashes between the host communities and the Hausa/Fulani groups in the local council.

Some of the resolutions reached at the meeting include the setting up a mechanism to register new herdsmen into any community within the local government area, the report of which should be submitted to the

committee. The report will include information on incidents of clashes between herdsmen and farmers; is to be transmitted to a similar committee set up by the governor at the state level.

Representatives of the Fulani community, at the meeting, agreed to commence biometric registration for their members in the local government area.

Gov Emmanuel Seeks Establishment Of Airforce Base In A/Ibom

BY BERNARD TOLANIB DADA, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, has call for the establishment of an Air Force operational base in the state.

He made the call weekend while declaring closed the third edition of the Nigerian Air Force Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition tagged, Uyo 2018 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Governor Emmanuel announced that government had already secured land for the Air Force to establish the Operational Base in the State.

He explained that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is aware of the efforts he was making to achieve that purpose.

“When you see me struggling to even do a taxi way that can also serve as a second runway at Ibom International Airport

in case of any emergency, it is because of your promise that you will give me an Air Operational Base here.”

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the release of resources used to enhance professionalism within the Armed Forces describing it as a good development.

He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar for the choice of Akwa Ibom as the ven-

ue for the NAF Competition and noted that it was a great honour and show of brotherhood.

Mr Emmanuel further commended the Chief of Air Staff for creating a workable and pragmatic vision for the Nigerian Airforce explaining that the key element in his leadership approach is to reposition NAF into a highly professional and discipline force through capacity building initiative.

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NATIONAL NEWS 37

Presbyterian Cleric Preaches Peace, Unity

BY RICHARD NDOMA, Calabar

The prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Most Rev. Nzie Nsi Eke (JP), has urged peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of tribe, tongue or religion.

The cleric made the remark while officiating at the funeral rite/thanksgiving ceremony of late Mrs Adeline Ndoma-Egba, mother of former Senate Leader/ current Board Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba who died at the age of 92 at her home town, Akparabong in Ikom local government area of Cross River State.

He noted that Nigeria has the potentials and the land mass required to make the citizens of the country coexist peacefully as one indivisible entity not withstanding ethno-religious difference that exist among the citizens.

“Nigeria can accommodate us, if we tolerate one another irrespective of the geo-graphical location we find ourselves.

“As a people, our responsibility is to go after things and issues that can make us co-exist peacefully as one indivisible entity instead of getting on each other’s throat in the name of religious bigotry, ethnic sentiment, and going after things and issues that tend to tear us apart.

“God loves us all. All that we need to do is to love one another so that the peace that we desire can reign in the land,” he said.

Police Confirm 2 Dead In Plateau Mining Collapse The Police Command in Plateau State has confirmed the death of two persons in a mining collapse which occurred in Wase Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s, ASP Terms Tyopev, made the confirmation in Jos, the state capital yesterday, said the incident took place on April 7.

“At about 23 hours, the Wase Police Division received information that there was a mining collapse which led to the death of two people.

“The people that died were Safianu Yinusa of Kangial Village, Dengi Kanam local government area; and Usman Abdulahi of Gwaram Village, Bashar District of Wase,” he said.

He said that investigation was on to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the collapse.

L-R: Senate President Bukola Saraki with the Olofa of Offa, HRH Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, during the Senate President’s visit to Offa to commiserate with victims and bereaved families following the recent bank robbery attacks in the local government, at the weekend. PHOTO BY SENATE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

Disregard OBJ’s Criticism Of PMB, Kalu Tells Nigerians

BY ALO ABIOLA, Ado Ekiti

Former Abia State governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday, urged Nigerians to stop listening to criticisms from former President Olusegun Obasanjo about the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, saying they are biased and infantile.

Kalu, who is the acting chairman of the Advisory board for the National Movement for the re-election of President Buhari, spoke in Ado Eki-

ti, yesterday, during a peace advocacy visit to the state.

He hinted that such malicious letters by certain individuals in the country will not stop President Muhammad Buhari from seeking reelection in the 2019 presidential election.

Kalu said President Buhari has performed excellently in the last three years of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, pleading with Nigerians to embrace and support his second term bid.

The former governor who was welcomed to the state by an APC governorship aspirant and former speaker, Hon Femi Bamisile, expressed resentment at the comment credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo asking President Buhari not to seek second term in office.

Kalu said Obasanjo is the most incompetent former President to describe any government as being corrupt in the country, branding his eight year government as the most

corrupt in the history of the nation.

The former Abia State governor maintained that the former number one citizen lacks the moral standing to stop Buhari who is the most selfless president in Nigeria’s history, from contesting in 2019.

Addressing the APC members at Bamisile’s house at GRA in Ado Ekiti, Kalu told the gathering that President Buhari is desirous to contest for second term.

Senator Lado, Others Join PDP In Katsina

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) gubernatorial candidate in Katsina State in the 2015 general election, Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke, along side thousands of his supporters have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defectors were received by the PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus, during the party’s

North-west zonal rally in Katsina which held over the weekend.

Speaking at the ceremony which witnessed a massive turn out of party faithful across the North-west zone and the 34 local governments in Katsina State, the PDP national chairman expressed delight that a high profile politician like Sen Lado and thousands of his supporters would add value to the party ahead of the 2019 elections.

Secondus added that the decampees would enjoy all benefits and privileges just like older members of the party, adding “PDP is a party for all and nobody will be discriminated against. Ours is a party that cares for all Nigerians”.

The national chairman however observed that with the large crowd that grace the ceremony the party according to him “is poised to take over power in Katsina State and at the

federal level in the 2019 general elections”.

He averred that if PDP is elected it would strive to provide food on the table of all Nigerians, alleging that the APC was only bent on spreading hunger, poverty and sadism in the land.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Sen Lado pledged to mobilise all his political arsenals in making sure the PDP wrest power from the APC in Katsina State and the federal level.

Jose Foundation To Collaborate With Govs’ Wives On Child Abuse

BY AGBO-PAUL AUGUSTINE, Abuja

A Nigerian international non governmental organisation, Jose Foundation has said it will collaborate with wives of the 36 states governors to tackle the menace of child sexual exploitation.

The organisation also said it has joined the global initiative to safe guard the rights of children against all forms of abuses.

In a press statement to LEADERSHIP in Abuja yesterday and signed by the president, Jose

Foundation Prince (Dr) Martins Abhulimhen, said the collaboration is to take the fight to all corners of the federation.

As mothers of their respective states, statement said the rights of children and the vulnerable will be better protected from the evil hands of sex exploiters.

The resolve of the organisation is coming after it joined other similar organisations fighting child sexual abuses at the recently concluded Global Summit, a coalition to end sexual exploitation

organised by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Washington, DC, United States.

Abhulimhen said a team of four medical doctors from the group presented the experience of Nigerian NGO on how child sexual exploitation has impacted negatively on the families, and how the Foundation is collaborating with relevant government agencies to create awareness and seek justice for victims.

He further stated that the group as part of its zero tolerance

for child sexual exploitation in the country has concluded plans to organise training programmes to create awareness and train relevant stakeholders on child sexual abuses in the 36 states of the federation after the Abuja workshop scheduled for June 11-14.

“Jose Foundation is collaborating with all the First Ladies of the 36 states of the federation to organise a similar workshop and set up a Therapy Centre in all the states capital to help victims recover from the pains of abuses.

Nasarawa: Senator Adamu Empowers Constituents

BY AHURAKA ISAH, Abuja

Senator representing Nasarawa West, Abdullahi Adamu, has empowered many of his constituents with the skills required for poultry production.

Senator Adamu commenced the programme at the New Keffi Hotel, in Keffi, Nasarawa State with no feweer than 500 unemployed youths and women as beneficiari-

wes in the first phase.

Adamu said poultry production is a key value chain in the agricultural sector of the economy which will surely make the beneficiaries to be productive to themselves and the society in general.

He explained that the capacity building is tantamount to teaching people how to fish and not just giving them fish to eat periodically.

“We all know that this present

administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari diversification of the economy from oil to Agriculture is one of its important policies; the very reason why we are keying into it through this capacity building on Poultry Production.

“Poultry keeping is an age long tradition of Nigerian farmers. Most farming families in rural areas and an average percentage of house-

holds in urban areas across the country keep flocks of chicken as sources of extra income or meeting some societal demand.

“In the past four decades, the poultry industry in Nigeria has witnessed a significant transformation from traditional poultry rearing using local chickens to the application of modern production techniques on the exotic strains of chicken which are more productive.

38 NATIONAL NEWS Police Nab 2 For Impersonating Army Personnel In Borno

BY FRANCIS OKOYE, Maiduguri

The Borno State Police command has arrested two civilians, Umar Grema and Sadiq Shettima for impersonating soldiers of the Nigeran Army.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Chukwu said upon interrogation, the suspects admitted committing the crime claiming to have carried out the act to extort money from victims.

“Two persons, Umar Grema and Sadiq Shettima, both of Maiduguri metropolis were arrested by SARS operatives at Jajeri area, Maiduguri parading themselves as soldiers of the Nigeran Army.

“They have threatened to arrest one Modu Bukar Modu Gonori , a staff of a non governmental Organization (NGO) without any reasonable cause, falsely alleging him to be a terrorists.

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Monday, April 9, 2018

Group Wants Oshiomhole To Contest For APC Chairmanship

BY HOSEA YUSUF, Abuja

An All Progressives Congress (APC) group known as “APC Support Group” has called on the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, to contest for the APC party chairmanship post in the next party congress with a view to taking over the mantle of leadership from Chief John OdigieOyegun.

In a press statement signed by the leader of the group and its secretary, Dele Fulani and Bashir Saba in Abuja yesterday, they insisted that in view of the latest development in the party,

Adams Oshiomhole remains the best person to lead the party to victory come next year.

“Our great party has come of age.

In 2015, we overwhelmingly came to power under the Change Mantra and a lot has happened since that landmark victory.

“As we prepare for another election to appoint new leaders for our great party, it is evident we need tested men and women with fresh ideas and energy to take us to the next level.

“Thus, our call on, Adams Oshiomhole, to contest for the chairmanship of the party, given

his antecedent and pedigree as an accomplished labour leader, great mobiliser of human and material resources, coupled with his outstanding two term tenure as executive governor of Edo State with unblemished record and unprecedented achievements which culminated into a smooth transition and succession in the heartbeat state.

The group is more than convinced that Adams Oshiomhole possesses the right leadership and negotiating skill, integrity, dignity and ability to consolidate the gains of the party going forward.

“In fact, during his working visit

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State and Deputy Governor of Katsina State; Mannir Yakubu at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Int’l Airport, Katsina shortly after the President’s arrival from Daura on his way to Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY

UI Increases Hostel Fees

BY ADEBAYO WAHEED, Ibadan

The management of the University of Ibadan has increased hostel accommodation fees for College Of Medicine commencing from the 2017/2018 session from N14, 000 to N30,000 for main campus .

This, the institution said is sequel to lack of adequate funding from the federal government to cater for utilities in the institution.

According to the institution, it currently spends about N100 million every year over what is collected in running the hostel accommodation, adding that it was no longer sustainable.

It was gathered that while students currently pay N14,000 per bed space, nothing that bed space as at 2012 survey conducted by the institution was put at N59,650 per session.

To this end the Institution’s Senate/Parents Management Consultative forum has scheduled a meeting with staff, students and parents on the rationale behind the slight adjustment on Tuesday, this week.

The Senate also approved slight increment in chargeable fees for laboratory and studio (Arts (N5,000) maintenance fees; fees for professional health training (non-clinical (N75,000) & clinical N100,000); Pharmacy practice experience levy (N5,000), and Science laboratory levy (N7,500); Faculties of Agriculture (N5,000 to N7500), and Renewable Natural Resources upward review of the Practical Year levy (N15,000 to N17,500) for those in practical year while other students are to pay the old levy; items upward review of access fee for undergraduates (from N2,000 to N2,500) for improve internet access on campus.

to Edo State in 2016, President Buhari had predicted a higher call to service for the former revered labour leader.

“Consequently, we are calling on the former governor, to without delay, offer himself for service at the forthcoming elections of our great party coming up later in the year.

The group advised the incumbent Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, to resist every selfish call to perpetuate himself in office or seek re election. “Oyegun has done his best.

It is good to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest”, the group stated.

KATSINA GOVT HOUSE

2019: ‘el-Rufai Deserves Support Of All To Make Kaduna Greater’

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai deserves the support of all and sundry in the state in his quest to make Kaduna greater in all facets of development.

The Sanga local government area All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate in the forthcoming local government council election, Hon. Charles Danladi made the

call while speaking on the just concluded Kaduna investment summit organised by the state government as part of efforts to attract more investment and investors to the state.

In the same, he has enjoined all to support and key into the developmental policies and programmes of Governor elRufai for self sufficiency and societal development.

Hon Danladi who congratulated the Kaduna

State government over the great steps taken and its relentless quest towards making the state the investment destination of northern Nigeria, also described the recently concluded KADINVEST 3.0 as a well calculated step capable of making Kaduna great among comity of states in the country.

He further posited that ‘Governor el-Rufai is a magnificent achiever, especially in the areas of education, health

care delivery and infrastructural revolution, hence the need for the citizenry to support his developmental strides.

According to the APC chairmanship hopeful, the party in the state is strong and united under the leadership of Governor el-Rufai and reaffirmed his resolve to work proactively towards the victory of the APC during and after the local councils election slated for next month.

Security Key To Nigeria’s Growth, Devt – GDPN

BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja

The Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN) has assured that the party will protect the nation from all forms of internal and external security threats, describing insecurity as a major bane impeding the nation’s development.

In his address during the official flag off of the party in Abuja during the weekend, the chairman, GDPN, Amb

Odion Okpebhoco noted that during insecurity time, government faces dwindling income and a low foreign direct investment (FDI).

Okpebhoco also said that the party would mobilise the nation’s resources to the rural areas for massive development as part of strategy for rapid development in the country if voted into power.

According to him: “Our ideology is simple, to reduce the movement of peo-

ple from the rural areas to the urban.”

He said the GDPN came to bridge the gap between the aged, the youths and women.

“Without any godfather, the party had reached out to over five million Nigerians in 25 countries, saying they had been building the structures since January 2017.

“Nigerian youths should stop collecting peanuts from the old generation who should have honourably relin-

quished power to them and join forces with GDPN and take over,” he added.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Barrister Yelwa Abubakar said that GDPN is a party that would change the fortune of Nigerians positively.

She said, “We are going to take over power in 2019 by peaceful means as we are sure that Nigerian electorates would give us their mandates to lead the country.”

2019: Nigerians Must Vote Credible Leaders – HEKAN President

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

As the political calculations and permutations towards the 2019 general elections gathers momentum, the president of the United Church of Christ in Nations also known as HEKAN, Reverend Amos G. Kiri, has called on Nigerians and particularly

the Christians to wake up from their slumber and ensure that only credible and God fearing people are elected into various positions of leadership.

This is just as he called on all and sundry to ensure that they get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) which he said is the weapon to achieve that only credible leaders are voted.

The President who stated this in his address during the closing service of the 52nd annual convention of the church with the theme: “ God Revive Us Again” taken from Ezekiel 37:1-7, while commending the security efforts of the government, also urges to be more proactive in government’s responsibility of protecting lives and property of her

citizenry.

On the elections, he said, “I want to use this medium to call on all Nigerians to come out and partake in the election of who should govern them. If you do not go out and vote, do not blame anybody when the wrong person or persons are elected or ascend the helms of affairs.

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ISSUES 39

Good Governance: A Tale Of Two Governors

BY JAFAR ABDULRA’UF Politics is all about amicable management of the inherent crises of competing opinions and interests to achieve desired objectives with minimum acrimony. This definition of politics is very pertinent in the peculiar circumstances manifesting in the APC, especially in the context of amicable management of competing interests which the party is evidently now at the mercy of. As with all issues related to human resources management the decisive factor is maturity and wise leadership. The focus here is on highlighting scenarios that lend credence to the crucial role of intelligent and mature leadership in influencing the outcome of political crises in the APC, with particular reference to Governors Aminu Masari of Katsina State and –who else?- Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

Anyone familiar with the history of the APC as a merger of at least three parties should not be surprised by the frequency of crises in the various organs of the party. The process of blending three distinct affiliations into one goes beyond the ceremonial signing of agreements which usually signals the fusion even if the nitty-gritty of distribution of elective and appointed positions in the government is yet to be settled.

In the APC the outbreak of crisis was sporadic and widespread but the Kaduna and Katsina episodes share common causes manifested mainly after formation of governments over expressions of dissatisfaction with

stake-holdings in the dispensation.

The major difference however was in the management of the unavoidable crises by the leadership of the party presided by the respective Executive Governors, in each case reflecting their political sagacity and capacity for management of human relations.

As of today Katsina State APC has demonstrably shaken off the birth pangs of squabbling and closed ranks around the astute leadership of Governor Aminu Masari now warmly embraced by all, consolidating the APC’s undisputed superior “peoples power” as boldly exhibited in the recent mammoth grand reception rally for defecting chieftains of the opposition PDP in the state. The opposite is what has taken place in Kaduna State where the initial disagreement has become a festering wound in the fabric of merged interests as uncompromising dissent pitched major stakeholders against each other, factionalizing the APC into two irreconcilable cabals.

Regardless of the circumstances of the conflict of interests, the role of the state governors as principal arbiters is non-negotiable and the prospects for a timely and lasting resolution and reconciliation depend greatly on the sagacity and selflessness of the state governor.

These virtues are even more crucial when the dispute cuts across party lines, involving communities in the state but in all situations the governor must see himself and be seen to be all-embracing in his management of the crisis. Once the governor can subsume the

superiority complex tied to his exalted office in the typical fatherof-all posture he has virtually defused all tensions and neutralized potential opposition to his conflict resolution agenda. This leadership strategy is so vital that its chances of success are high, just as failure to adopt it invariably spells doom to the process.

It is therefore beyond contention that the successful and amicable resolution of the Katsina APC crises owes a lot to the willingness and ability of Governor Aminu Masari to adopt this strategy and further to consolidate the gains of reconciliation by maintaining the father-figure in dealing with the human relations aspect of governance as well as in the distribution of the dividends of democracy, thereby giving the entire people of the state and his political constituents an enduring sense of belonging. Governor Masari made the decisive difference that effectively overcame the situation and restored harmony and common purpose where conflicts of interest once reigned supreme. He had to rein in grumbling failed politicians, some of whom desperately sought to bear the party’s gubernatorial flag and other political wound lickers. Even in his very first cabinet as a sincerely committed team player and promoter of inclusive governance, Governor Aminu Masari knowingly appointed relations and associates of some these very people into top positions. As party leader in the state, he promoted similar inclusiveness and broad

representation of stakeholders in party offices and patronage.

Masari went a step further in establishing rapport and mutual understanding between himself and a broad base of political elite and leaders by hosting regular stakeholders meetings where he tapped from the constructive contributions of participants to enrich his governance acumen and acknowledge the value of consultations.

By remaining consistent in this approach to allinclusive governance, there was a steady stream of defectors from the camp of uncompromising dissenters who could not resist the accessibility and acceptance extended by the governor to all and sundry, transparently motivated by a genuine desire to get all hands on deck in moving Katsina State forward and out of the quagmire.

By contrast, Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State was the opposite of Masari as a person, the former an exuberant adult with an oversized ego and the latter, a responsible gentlemen and humble experienced leader. El-Rufai confirmed his selfindicting status as an accidental public servant who personified a rolling stone that gathers no moss as soon as he assumed office by climbing the high horse of an all-knowing winner takes all. He unapologetically isolated himself from the major stakeholders with whom he partnered to win the elections and retreated into a cabal of closet confidantes detached and alien in the grassroots-driven politics of Kaduna State.

He thereby shut out the major stakeholders of the APC and their constituents from any influence or benefit from the fruit of their labour in such a contemptuous manner that was bound to be resisted while handpicking his lackeys as aides and advisers. The power of incumbency triggered a tyrannical twitch that turned elected governor into an unaccountable emperor who found brawn more useful than brains, leading him to deploy bulldozers whenever superior rationale failed him in engaging APC conscientious objectors to his megalomaniacal mannerism. In the rubbles of his politics of demolition lie the rancor-riddled remains of Kaduna State APC, surrounded by betrayed stakeholders and dejected supporters, dislodged and disowned by none other than Nasiru ElRufai, self-confessed accidental public servant now undisputed accidental governor!

It is generally accepted that after elections, the entire population of the state becomes the constituency of a governor who must have emerged flying the flag of a political party. Though this is easier to advocate than to practice, all it takes is maturity, experience, humility, sincerity of purpose and, above all, genuine commitment to serve the electorate! Governor Aminu Masari has what it takes and it shows in flying colors of the rejuvenated Katsina State APC and indeed Katsina State in fast forward mode to peace, progress and development.

–Abdulra’uf wrote in from Abuja

Buhari’s Promising Agenda For Unilorin Teaching Hospital

BY TAJUDEEN KAREEM The recent observations of Mr. Bill Gates, the American billionaire-philanthropist is not lost on policy makers and managers in Nigeria’s health sector. After considering several policy options, the Federal Government, last April, unveiled the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP. The 140-page package seeks to address three broad areas of the economy: growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy by 2020.

While the nation grapples with inadequate critical infrastructure, Mr. Gates, like many other informed commentators, believes that the most enduring investment should be in human capital development. Indeed, investment in education and healthcare are tangible and critical to producing competent, able and informed citizenry to manage the gains of economic growth.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo posits that the primary plank of the ERGP is ‘Investing in People’. That is why the government is expanding the reach and quality of healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme.

That is why government is striving to guarantee basic education for all citizens by upgrading and modernizing the quality of primary and secondary education.

Nigeria’s health care policy is premised on strengthening the nation’s health system to deliver an effective, efficient, accessible, affordable and comprehensive healthcare to all Nigerians. The main thrust is to transform tertiary health institutions into centers where health

service innovations are generated and plowed back to benefit other sectors of the society.

For more than two decades, the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, has provided total quality healthcare that guarantees satisfaction to patients, staff and students. During the inauguration of new management boards for health institutions and agencies, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole emphasized the need for health institutions to have the desired impact on the lives of citizens.

“It is the expectation of this administration that each governing board will put measures in place that will strengthen the resource base of your agencies and institutions, increase internally generated revenue and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of these resources in line with financial regulation”, the minister said.

Two weeks after inauguration, the 14-member UITH board led by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor held its first meeting in Ilorin where members got first-hand briefings on the status of the hospital.

Activities were business-like as concrete targets were outlined to improve on the cutting-edge feats recorded by the 38year old institution.

The acting chief medical director of UITH, Prof. Mikhail Buhari promised to run an hospital “that is able to deliver quality patient-friendly, affordable healthcare services by high performing and motivated staff, using cutting-edge technology in the face of dwindling resources”.

He listed the challenges facing the

institution as scarce financial resources, ageing infrastructures and equipment, frequent industrial unrests, with consequent reduction in client confidence and patronage, fund constraint limiting much-needed expansion and innovation.

Prof. Buhari also unfolded a four-point intervention strategy built on strong systems for governance, performance measurement and management, capacity building, financial management, accountability and value for money principles.

“A hospital is a microcosm community that operates like a small city, presenting the same issues with stronger dynamics due to the human interaction factor. Our primary focus will be how to nurture an highly-motivated, well-trained and high performing personnel. The overall objective is to facilitate optimal patient outcomes,” he explained.

Specifically, he promised to deploy his experience in labour matters and conflict resolution to: • Improve training and expansion through restructuring of the Residency training programme to increase available specialized personnel, including continuous professional education for all categories of health workers; • Institute strong performance monitoring and management and disciplinary system in line with the civil service rules; • Give prompt attention to staff promotions and welfare issues; • Provide a conducive work environment and appropriate work tools; • Hold regular meetings with

staff and ensure open-door policy to address problems promptly; • Facilitate good inter-personal relationships in the hospital and hold regular pre-emptive engagements with unions to reduce work stoppages and strikes.

The board members also created time to visit the Emir of Ilorin and the Kwara State Governor. The emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari described the newly constituted management board of the hospital as a formidable team even as he pledged his royal support while receiving members of the board at his palace in Ilorin. The board, he noted, parades individuals who have made their mark either in the public or the private sector.

“We expect good performance from a good team composed of tested professionals. We are happy that our own son, Prof. Mikhail Buhari is the acting chief medical director, we assure you of our support”, the royal father told his visitors.

Earlier, the chairman of the board, Olorogun Emerhor said members were in the palace to pay homage on the emir and solicit royal blessing for their tenure.

He reiterated the determination of the hospital to discharge its mandate on research, teaching and healing the sick diligently. He also promised that the new board will position the teaching hospital as one of the best in the country in pursuance of government’s determination to minimize medical tourism.

At the Government House, Ilorin, the Chairman told Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed that the board is

poised to make UITH a reference point in healthcare research, training and delivery by working as a team. He also praised the efforts of the State Government in improving healthcare facilities in the state even as he listed the challenges facing the teaching hospital.

Specifically, the chairman asked the Governor to intervene and stop the encroachment on UITH land, help find solution to inadequate water supply; provide internal roads, solar street light and a waiver or discount on tax liabilities of the hospital. He also urged the Governor to consider the restoration of counterpart funding to the hospital.

Governor Ahmed described the UITH board as a formidable team and urged Olorogun Emerhor to bring his experience in the private sector to bear on the performance of the hospital.

He also emphasized the importance of healthcare and education in human capital development even as he bemoaned the inadequate finance in these critical sectors.

“In sub-Saharan Africa we have not done enough for healthcare. Affordability and access remain formidable hurdles while population is growing. We have increasing pressure on facilities so we need to optimize resource allocation and provide requisite funding,” the Governor observed.

He promised to consider the requests tabled by the UITH board and urged the hospital to explore how to improve biomedical engineering in the country in line with global trends.

-Kareem wrote in from Abuja

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NEWS

‘Big Price To Pay’ For Syria Chemical Attack – Trump United States President Donald Trump said there would be a “big price to pay” for a chemical attack against a besieged rebel-held town in Syria where medical aid groups reported dozens of people were killed by poison gas.

The Syrian state denied government forces had launched any chemical attack and Russia, President Bashar al-Assad’s most powerful ally, called the reports bogus.

A joint statement by the medical relief organization Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and the civil defense service, which operates in rebel-held areas, said 49 people had died in the attack late on Saturday in the town of Douma. Others put the toll even higher.

“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned against any military action on the basis of “invented and fabricated excuses”, saying this could lead to severe consequences.

The United States launched a cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base last year in response to a sarin gas attack in northwestern Syria blamed on Assad.

One of Trump’s top homeland security advisers said on Sunday the United States would not rule out launching another missile attack. “I wouldn’t take anything off the table,” White House Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser Thomas Bossert

said in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”

“We are looking into the attack at this point,” he said, adding that the photos of the incident are “horrible.”

In one video shared by activists, the lifeless bodies of around a dozen children, women and men, some of them with foam at the mouth, were seen. “Douma city, April 7 ... there is a strong smell here,” a voice can be heard saying.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Douma is in the eastern Ghouta region near Damascus. Assad has won back control of nearly all

of eastern Ghouta in a Russian-backed military campaign that began in February, leaving just Douma in rebel hands.

The Ghouta offensive has been one of the deadliest in Syria’s seven-year-long war, killing more than 1,600 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Facing military defeat, rebel groups in other parts of eastern Ghouta have taken safe passage to other opposition-held areas at the Turkish border. Until now, Jaish alIslam has rejected that option, demanding it be allowed to stay in Douma.

Trump

1 Killed, Dozens Injured In Central African At least one civilian was killed and dozens of United Nations peacekeepers, civilians and militia fighters were injured during an operation against armed groups in Central African Republic’s capital on Sunday, a U.N. spokesman said.

Heavy gunfire erupted in Bangui’s PK5 neighborhood - a Muslim enclave in the majority Christian city at around 2 a.m., (0100 GMT) witnesses said, as peacekeepers and domestic security forces moved in to dismantle militia bases there.

Clashes continued into Sunday morning and smoke rose from the neighborhood

as residents fled to safety in other parts of the capital.

“We were sleeping at around 2.15 when we heard heavy and light weapons fire. This morning we saw (U.N.) and Central African soldiers in our alley,” said PK5 resident Abdoulaye Hamat.

“They pulled out and we don’t exactly know what happened.”

Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the MINUSCA peacekeeping mission, said 11 peacekeepers were wounded.

Around 20 people - both civilians and fighters - were also injured, he said. It was unclear if the government forces involved in the

operation suffered casualties.

Verhoosel said eight fighters had been arrested on Sunday.

In a separate statement, MINUSCA said PK5’s residents had repeatedly called on the mission to stamp out armed groups responsible for extortion and attacks on civilians.

“These criminal groups were provided the opportunity to voluntarily disarm,” it said.

“Unfortunately, the leaders of the groups refused this option.”

MINUSCA said it raided the bases of several PK5 groups, made arrests and seized weapons, ammunition and drugs.

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CBN Junior Tennis: Unseeded Moses Wins Girls’ U-16s Title, MOP Award

Unseeded Favour Moses from Kaduna topped her spate of upset wins with the girls’ U-16 title which she won in a very close contest against third-seeded Omolade Aderemi from Ondo in the final match of the CBN Junior Tennis Championship which rounded off at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club over the weekend.

Moses, who has been knocking on the door of a breakthrough for a while was obviously nervous but her abundant talent and level of skills saw her through the tiebreak which she took to win the match 9-8.

A tennis talent to watch, the softspoken youngster, who is sponsored by the AMK Foundation, also earned the award as the Most Outstanding lady Player of the tournament.

The Kaduna team also won the boys’ U-16s title through Gabriel Friday who beat Martins Abamu 9-8. Both players flew out same night to Tunisia where they will be representing Nigeria in the ITF/ CAT Africa Junior Championship.

The Yakubu sisters from Lagos took home two trophies. Oiza, playing in the girls’ U-14 beat Chidinma Ezeh from Anambra 9-7, while Nene won a series of round-robin matches in the girls’ U-10 category.

The Port Harcourt-based Kodian Tennis Foundation was also outstanding with a title and two runner-up trophies.

Precious Ikeuba defeated Seun ‘Nadal’ Ogunsakin from Ekiti 9-6 to win the boys’ U-10 trophy, while Philip Pyagbara and Victor Friday where runners-up to Mubarak Ganiyu from Oyo and Daniel Adeleye from Ekiti in the boys’ U-12 and 14, respectively. Ganiyu won the Most Outstanding Player award for the boys for his fearless and unrestrained shots.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Team Nigeria’s Duo Reach 100m Final The chances of Team Nigeria equaling their last outing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow let alone surpass same feat may no longer be realistic.

However, there is still glimmer of hope at the ongoing games in Gold Coast, Australia, which entered Day 5 today. There was heartbreak for Team Nigeria in the 100m women’s event where the trio of Joy Udo-Gabriel, Jen-

Lateef Fagbemi Super 5-Aside Football Tourney Kicks Off

BY SALIFU USMAN, ABUJA The much awaited 2018 Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (LOF) Cup, otherwise known as Abuja Super 5-aside Football Competition’ finally kicked off at the weekend with City FC whitewashed Trinity FC 8-0 in one of the opening fixtures played on the astro-turf of Maitama Gardens and Sports Café, Abuja.

A total of 12 teams drawn from over 30 law firms in Abuja are competing for honour at this year edition of the championship put together for the promotion of physiological and mental well-being

of competing legal practitioners.

Speaking to newsmen, coordinator of the championship, Barrister Olujimi Olujide-Poko, said the essence of the tournament was to create a relaxed and another platform for lawyers to meet apart from the court rooms, board meeting and interaction at the law firms.

“The annual tournament creates a platform for interaction and gingering a spirit of friendship among competing lawyers, while encouraging partnerships and networking.

“This is a social platform for lawyers to meet each other aside the court rooms,

EPL: Iwobi Shines As Arsenal Beat S’pton In 5-goal Thriller Nigeria international, Alex Iwobi, put up a good show on Sunday as he provided two assists that aided Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Southampton in their Premier League clash at the Emirates.

nifer Madu and Isoken Igbinosun all crashed out in the semifinals on Sunday. But the duo of Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke gave Nigerians something to cheer in the men’s 100m as they both secured berths in today’s final.

In the men’s 400m Heats, both Chidi Okezie and Nathaniel Samson qualified for the semis.

Okezie clocked a season best time of 45.84s to qualify as one of

the fastest losers, while Samson raced to 46.41s to finish 2nd.

It was also a good day in the field events for Team Nigeria as both Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Kalu Eze qualified for the final of the Shot Put on Monday Enekwechi threw the second fastest throw of 20.66m in the qualifiers, which puts him in a very good position for a medal.

Iwobi was in action from start to finish as the Gunners recorded their sixth successive win across all competitions.

Danny Welbeck netted a brace in a game which saw both sides end with only 10 men.

Southampton took an early lead when mistakes from several Arsenal defenders and Petr Cech saw the ball bounce through to Shane Long and the Ireland forward finished from close range.

The Gunners leveled matters just before the half-hour

mark with their first attempt on target through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Welbeck then grabbed his first in seven league games when his effort from outside the box was deflected past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy via the unfortunate Maya Yoshida’s boot.

Hughes sent on Charlie Austin late on and within minutes the former QPR man had found an equaliser.

board meeting and law firms, and the progress is amazing compares to what we had last year.

“We have 12 teams participating with over 30 law firms involved.

We have team from Fagbemi Law Firms, Yusuf Ali Law Firm, Ahmed Raji Law Firm, Philip and Co, and all other strata of legal practitioners.”

He commended the quartet of Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), Chief Akiolu Olujimi (SAN), D.D. Dodo (SAN), and Chief Akim Olatunde Afolabi (SAN) for sponsoring the championship.

“They are reasons we are able to host this competition, and we said

a big thank to them. This is a platform that should be encouraged.”

Aside the comprehensive 8-0 thrashing of Trinity FC by City FC, other highlights of the opening fixtures of this year’s editions were 4-2 defeat of Raji FC by LOF Legion and 3-1 bashing of Yusuf Ali FC by O&A Warriors, as well as Yakubu Philimon FC 3-1 defeat to Dele Oye & Associate respectively.

The championship which is expected to climax April 27, 2018, will see the winner smile to bank with N200, 000 cash prize. The second and third place teams will take home N150, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.

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Jagaban Borgu At 66

Mariam Mohammed

hursday, March 29, 2018, carpets were rolled out, glasses clinked and encomiums poured in in celebration of one of Nigeria’s pre-eminent personalities, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu. It is not for nothing that President Muhammadu Buhari’s twoday visit to Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence coincided with Tinubu’s birthday for it is an established fact that but for the most unlikeliest of partnerships, the All Progressives Congress’ Presidency today would have been an Olympian dream.

It is a fact that the Leader of Warriors have come far and well; facing some of the most audacious battles of life. In almost all, he has prevailed and seems poised to continue do so.

A grandmaster of strategy, Tinubu is faced, perhaps, with one of the trickiest of tasks that is akin to Prometheus stealing fire from heaven to give to humans, as a reconciliator

— ANON

08181111165 (SMS Only) mariam.c.mohammed@gamil.com of aggrieved forces in his party, the APC. I will return to this shortly.

Besides the fact of being saddled with the reconciliation effort, his keen awareness of the burden the APC faces is a testament that Asiwaju has not lost touch with reality.

Speaking at the colloquium on his 66th birthday, he acknowledged: “We have to put our heads together, believing in ourselves that we are going to do it. We can give our people the best through the competent hands that we have…Life is not without challenges.

We have faced challenges in the last three years.

We came in with a lot of hope and enthusiasm as APC leaders. We gave our people hope; we believed in Nigeria and in ourselves, thinking we can change Nigeria for good and we are still going to do it. Life is nothing without challenges.

Our logo is broom bound together. This symbolizes a united Nigeria against terrorism, corruption and revival of the economy.”

Tinubu

It is gratifying to hear him admit that there is huge challenge of governance that needs to be addressed when others play the Ostrich. One of the hallmarks of leadership is taking responsibility.

To, therefore, listen to the National Leader of the APC admit that it is not yet Uhuru is a sign of hope and that things can, and indeed, will be better.

While one cannot deny the mastery of Tinubu’s politics, it is his humanism that has failed to capture the imagination of many. And this is a surprise in itself.

But for whispers and low tones, his philanthropic gestures seem hardly noticed even when it is a well-documented fact that Asiwaju through the Bola Tinubu Foundation (BTF) has empowered thousands with scholarships, paid medical bills of the indigent and provided succour at festive periods for the underprivileged.

After all, what is the

purpose of greatness if not service? Martin Luther King Jr. aptly stated it when he said; “Everyone has the power for greatness – not for fame, but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”

Yes, through the years, the one some of his admirers refer to as BAT, has served our country without let right through the struggle against military dictatorship; to the creation of development area councils for Lagos and the seizing of allocation to Lagos state by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency, one would agree that this warrior has stayed long in battle.

Now that he has another tricky endeavour to ensure that the APC stays as one bundle of broom to continue the task of sweeping away the malfeasances that has clogged our nation’s development efforts through the years, can Asiwaju be honest with himself and say he needs to reconcile those within his political family that he has become estrange with?

Would it not make sense that the Chief Conciliator of the APC lead the way by making peace with his ‘prodigal’ sons to start with; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN, APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, amongst others.

It is an irony of sorts that a man grounded in the theatrics of power and its pitfalls has simply ignored bringing back into the fold those who had dealt less-than-honestly with him. History shows that when leaders fail to make peace with their once minnows who are growing up the power echelon, it is recipe for erosion of the political foundation. It was a blow that BAT ignored the presence of Fashola, his successor, at the birthday talk-shop.

One other matter is that as time with its vagaries creeps in, the demand to slow down and think of the next Generalissimo becomes inevitable. Has Asiwaju already decided on the natural heir to his political dynasty? Is he still searching? It is easy for some people to dismiss this thinking. But for a man that has decidedly changed not just the face of South West but Nigerian politics not since the imposing Chief Obafemi Awolowo, there is the need to situate the issue.

Ordinarily, one would concede that it is the one he himself referred to as ‘my co-conspirator’ the very cerebral Vice President Yemi Osinabjo, that is the heir apparent and rightly so owing that in perking order, he now towers above all others. But in the power game there are no guarantees until one is the husbandman of power.

A look at the Nigerian political space confirms my fears. There is no leader in

Nigeria that has carefully groomed those to manage their political kingdom. Even those that have managed to groom any have shown stark lack of judgement of character that they become outsiders in their forte.

To therefore avoid the fate political systems that failed to institutionalize mechanisms for leadership transition and cement his legacy, it is not too early for Asiwaju to show that he is the master of the fate of his political dynasty by naming a successor.

In all, as we celebrate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nothing is more fitting than the words of Enoch Powell who in 1968 in his ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech remarked, “The supreme function of statesmanship is to provide against preventable evils.

In seeking to do so, it encounters obstacles which are deeply rooted in human nature.”

Our country stands at a delicate moment in history, as I join others in wishing you, happy birthday, there is the urgency that you will bring to bear your experience, exposure and art of governance to liaise with those with the mandate to positively prevent evil.

GHANA MUST GO IPOB scribe expresses fear Nnamdi Kanu might have died

— News

Then they should give him biafran state burial!

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