Theniche may 15 , 2016 by TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

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Fuel hike illogical, says David-West

APC empowering members ahead of 2019, Balarabe Musa alleges

David-West

Musa

By Ishaya Ibrahim and Henry Oduah

historical ally of President Muhammadu Buhari has banded with a historical adversary to rail against the new pump price of fuel, which caught consumers by surprise on Thursday, May 12, and scattered family budgets with

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the ripple effects. Transport fares have gone up everywhere as a consequence, speeding off with the prices of everything from foodstuff, other household items, plus school fees, to the cost of a hair cut in small shops, and grinding pepper in open markets in Kano and Calabar. Buhari’s right hand man, Tam David-West, picked holes in the hike in fuel price from N86 to N145 per litre.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE POLITICS 15» JUDICIARY 25» LIFE 31» FAITH 40» BUSINESS 51» SPORTS 59»

The professor of virology and former petroleum minister argued from Ibadan that the increase announced by Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, does not make sense. His view resonated up North with Buhari’s traditional critic, former Kaduna State Governor, Balarabe Musa, who accused the president and his All Progressives Congress (APC) members of fleecing Nigerians to amass a war chest for the general election in

2019. Importing at N86, selling at N145 “It is stupid for two reasons. First, the same NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) a few days ago was filling petrol stations and

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May 15, 2016

News Pains, benefits of fuel subsidy removal The announcement that fuel subsidy has been removed has prolonged queues at filling stations, turned the tables against greedy fuel merchants, and portrayed the government as “promise and fail”. Correspondent SAM NWOKORO reports.

inister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, announced on Wednesday, May 11 that any Nigerian entity is now free to import petroleum products subject to guidelines issued by regulatory agencies. That effectively ended fuel subsidy. Marketers will be allowed to import with foreign exchange (forex) procured from secondary sources, and the template of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) will reflect this in the pricing of fuel. “Pursuant to this, PPPRA has informed me that it will be announcing a new price band effective today, May 11, 2016, and that the new price for PMS will not be above N145 per litre,” Kachikwu said. Subsidy was removed after a meeting attended by federal lawmakers, Governors’ Forum, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Corruption, scarcity Kachikwu noted that there is persistent fuel scarcity because importers are not able to source forex at the official rate due to the decline of forex earnings by the government. “As a result, private marketers have been unable to meet their approximate 50 per cent portion of total national supply of PMS.” For years, fuel subsidy has been a polarising issue in Nigeria. It was put in place to help reduce the price of fuel but burned deep holes in gov-

ernment’s pocket. Subsidised official pump price was N86.50 per litre. This was a significant subsidy while crude oil sold just under $60 per barrel (pb) a year ago. But now selling less than $35, the subsidy has essentially been wiped out. Fuel subsidy has been linked to both corruption and scarcity. Its removal is another major move by President Muhammadu Buhari who has focused on reform in the oil sector since taking office. After firing the top brass of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) last year, he has set about instituting a more efficient and transparent mode of operation at the opaque NNPC. Last month, the government cancelled the Offshore Processing Agreement which could help save $8.7 million daily at current oil prices. Reforming oil sector While oil sector reform is a key agenda of the government, the reality is fuel subsidy came at a very high cost. Nigeria spent over $5 billion in the first four months of this year to keep subsidy in place, but given a severe cash crunch and the need to fund capital projects, subsidy does not make economic sense. In 2012, marketers and transporters embarked on strike over the failure of Africa’s largest oil producer to pay up to $1 billion subsidy. The Goodluck Jonathan administration abruptly announced removal of fuel subsidy but the move was roundly rejected by Nigerians leading to a nationwide strike that shutdown the economy. Given the credibility deficit of the Jonathan government and its lack of transparency, the general sentiment was that savings from subsidy removal

would not be ploughed into infrastructure projects, and would end up in private pockets. Those fears have been vali-

federal government is deteriorating by the day with lower prices of crude.” Kachikwu, who doubles as the group managing direc-

Kachikwu

“We urge the government to revert the prices to what they were. “We would want to put everybody on notice that we shall resist this criminal increase with every means legitimate …. “Our affiliates, state councils and civil society allies are requested to commence mobilisation.” dated by the $2 billion arms fraud scandal ripping through the country and several other allegations of financial sleaze in the Jonathan years. Now, the mood is different. Most Nigerians understand the necessity of subsidy removal and Buhari’s strict anti-corruption stance leaves them a bit more secure in the knowledge that the billions saved will be used optimally. Fall out When the government mooted subsidy removal in December last year, the NLC said it was illegal and diversionary, and that it would fight tough if Abuja went ahead with the plan billed to take off in January 2016. The NLC was reacting to the statement made by Kachikwu that “for the first time people will understand that the pricing modulation I was talking about is not a gimmick. It is for real. The objective is that we cannot afford to continue to subsidise. “We can’t even understand where those subsidies were going to. There is a lot of fraud element in it so we need to cut that off. “The second reason is that the earning capacity of the

tor of the NNPC, also said late last year that a new fuel price regime that may see fuel sell for N85 per litre would be announced to reflect the new market conditions. Thus the latest price hike to N145 per litre confounds both Labour and the general public who are not abreast of the nuances of Kachikwu’s postulations. Reacting to the new pump price, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said though Labour is yet to receive the details, subsidy removal is wrong-headed and illegal because it did not follow due process. But Wabba had promised before now that Labour would hold Buhari accountable on his promise not to tinker with subsidy. “We will hold him (Buhari) accountable on his campaign promises. If they were going to remove subsidy, that was not part of their campaign promises during the elections. “Buhari has promised Nigerians that he will not remove fuel subsidy – that is his promise, we will hold him to his words,” Wabba had said. “The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) by law is supposed to regulate petroleum products prices and it is made up of a

PPPRA Executive Secretary, Farouk Ahmed board of stakeholders. NLC is also part of the board. “For some time now, that organ has not been constituted. I don’t think anybody can fix the prices of petroleum products. So removing fuel subsidy and fixing petroleum products – that is illegal.” Wabba argued that the government should focus on how to “refine petroleum products in Nigeria” because to remove subsidy and at the same time fix pump price is “diversionary”. Last Wednesday, NLC Secretary Peter Eson, issued a statement which said: "The unilateral increase in prices of petroleum products today by the government represents the height of insensitivity and impunity and shall be resisted by the Nigeria Labour Congress and its civil society allies. “With the imposition on the citizenry of criminal and unjustifiable electricity tariff and resultant darkness and other economic challenges brought on by the devaluation of the naira and spiralling inflation, the least one had expected at this point in time was another policy measure that would further make life more miserable for the ordinary Nigerian. “The latest increase is the most audacious and cruel in the history of product price increase as it represents not only about 80 per cent increase but it is tied to the black market exchange rate. “Furthermore, the process through which the government arrived at this is both illogical and illegal as the board of the PPPRA is not duly constituted. “In our previous statements

and communiques, we had stressed the need for reconstituting the boards of the NNPC and PPPRA and wean both away from the overbearing influence of the minister of state for petroleum resources who has assumed the role of a sole administrator. “The allusion to the fact that this increase was arrived at after due consultation with stakeholders is not only ridiculous and fallacious, it goes to show that the brief meeting held today [Wednesday, May 11], during which the government was advised to shelve the idea until at least it meets with the appropriate organs of the Congress, was in bad faith. “Accordingly, we urge the government to revert the prices to what they were. “We would want to put everybody on notice that we shall resist this criminal increase with every means legitimate …. “Our affiliates, state councils and civil society allies are requested to commence mobilisation.” Some have argued that considering the low standard of living in Nigeria, the government should have removed the fuel subsidy in phases, to avoid the economic tremor the masses now experience. However, it is reported that Nigeria saves N647.2 million a day from subsidy removal. If the savings are managed properly the masses would also benefit. Public reaction A Lagosian who identified himself simply as Cyril saw nothing wrong with the removal.

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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Leaders and fuel price per litre

Eson

Wabba

“Ibe Kachikwu … is the face of the policy and the consequent criticism, but he seems to be a bold public servant to find it crucial to embark on this controversial policy. “The benefits of this policy to the country are substantial.” “The nation is equally endowed with tin columbite, iron ore, lead, zinc, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hyde and skin, and materials for textile and cement. Without doubt, Nigeria is fully blessed with abundant natural and human resources. “However, it appears that 95 per cent of Nigeria’s wealth is controlled by less than 5 per

Fuel queue

cent of the population who bathe in profligate wealth while the masses seethe in abject poverty,” he lamented. A commenter on the internet poste that “fuel subsidy removal is a good policy for the country in general. “Some may argue it is a bad policy with the trappings of bad things, inadequate planning and lack lustre imple-

mentation. There will be no perfect time to implement a policy such as fuel subsidy. “It is understandable that the policy will cause a temporary hike in fuel prices and most filling stations will exploit it” Another posted: “It could be generally concluded that Ibe Kachikwu, the minister of state for petroleum, is the face of the policy and the consequent criticism, but he seems to be a bold public servant to find it crucial to embark on this controversial policy. “The benefits of this policy to the country are substantial.” A level three student of economics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), who gave her name as Bola, said: “Our beloved country Nigeria is full

of astonishing contrasts in the midst of its enormous natural and human resources and is edgy because of fuel subsidy removal by the federal government. “Interestingly, besides oil and natural gas, Nigeria is stupendously endowed with varieties of solid minerals of various categories, ranging from precious metals to diverse stones, including industrial minerals such as marbles, barytes, gypsum, and Koalin, just like any other country – while its population is suffering extreme poverty.” The price change took many by surprise. They woke up on Thursday, May 12 to discover they could no longer buy fuel at the then unofficial going rate of N125 per litre. Transportation fare has increased nationwide, with ripple effects on consumer goods, including foodstuff, and household items. Former Kaduna State Governor, Balarabe Musa, criticised the new price and called on the government to reverse it or he will support Labour going on strike. Edith Muomaife, a primary school teacher in Enugu, expressed anger at the turnout of events in the past few days. She lamented that “filling stations here still sell fuel for N170 per litre, even as high as N200. Not even one is complying with the new system. “Even the new price of N145 is displeasing to everybody. They promised us that the price would go down, now see how much they are selling fuel. People are really disappointed in Buhari’s government.” A student in Enugu, Patricia Ngozi, told TheNiche that “be-

•Buhari

N86 - N145

fore the announcement was made, filling stations were selling for N200. But a lot of them have dropped down to N150. The queues in filling stations are now gradually going down. “In fact, the rate at which they sell now is as if there had never been scarcity all this while,” she said. John Olokpo, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Gombe, said: “I can confirm to you that fuel is now sold for N145 here. Black marketers used to sell for as high as N600 per litre. “Thanks to the general change, the filling stations are now selling at N145. And the queues at the filling stations are beginning to lighten up.” Promise The latest removal of petrol subsidy may be the last of such social shocks until Buhari’s tenure winds up in 2019.

The government envisages that by the last quarter of this year when it may have achieved 100 per cent turn around of the refineries, and the shortfall in fuel supply – which causes all sorts of price spikes and speculations to feed greedy fuel importers, and accentuate the subsidy bill – may have been achieved. However, there are new concerns over the recent blowing up of newly repaired Warri-Escravos pipeline that supplies crude oil to the refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt, Kaduna by Niger Delta militants. It took more than 15 years to repair the damaged pipeline, the major one that feeds the refineries with crude. It appears Nigerians would have to contend with high petrol prices and the economic dislocations and adjustments.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

News Bello promises help to revamp Ajaokuta Steel

Intrigues threaten PDP May 21 convention

By Henry Oduah

By Our Reporter ogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has assured Ajaokuta Steel of its complete revival during his tenure so the country can tap into all the economic spin offs, which include the creation of over 500,000 jobs and infrastructure upgrade. He made the pledge when the management team of the company visited him at Government House, Lokoja, where he stressed the need to utilise natural resources, and promised to make “concrete demands” of President Muhammadu Buhari. He said he will also press Mineral Resources Minister, Kayode Fayemi, over the steel complex, which is owned by the federal government. “I will go to Mr president with practical solutions to the problems,” Bello promised. “I want to let him know all that is involved, who started it, where it is now, what is required to complete it, who should complete it, and how funds can be sourced to complete it. “I want to tell him everything needed and I will follow up on the matter until that place is up and running.” Bello praised the management for keeping the company up and promised to visit it for an on-the-spot assessment.

Ajaokuta Steel Sole Administration, Isah Joseph, who led the delegation, disclosed that there are 43 different companies in the plant, which could be put to productive use within months if brought on stream with $500 million. “Forty of the companies are 100 per cent completed and can be put into operation in a few months. The greatest obstacle, and that is why the Russians who built the place left in 1994, is that of external infrastructure,” Joseph added. “They got the place to 98 per cent completion and they kept asking the federal government, ‘How are we going to bring in the raw materials?’ “We are supposed to have a rail line from Ajaokuta connecting to Oturpko to Onne where coking coal can be imported. All we need is the political will to do it.” Joseph praised the courage of Bello to confront the opponents of the project and press on with it so that Nigeria does not continue to depend on oil. “We seize this opportunity to congratulate you on your first 100 days in office which has been filled with positive action. We are very proud of you. “Indeed, the recent call by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar, on Northern governors at the 50th anniversary of the demise of the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello, to [ensure] that Ajaokuta

Steel plant is completed to the glory of the North and Nigeria in general, is a greater challenge to your administration; being the host governor of the project. “With the state of the oil and gas industry today, the nation is crying for the diversification of our economy from its mono-product driven nature. This is where Ajaokuta Steel plant comes handy.” Bello’s Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser, Otayite Akerejola, reiterated that the company holds immense economic promise for both the state and the nation. Said he: “The annual revenue generation from the project when commissioned will substantially impact on the internally generated revenue of the state. Okaba and Ogboyega coy deposits will also find ready markets at Ajaokuta and elsewhere in the country. “Also, the planned rail link from Jakura to Eganyi will open up the limestone dolomite and other mineral deposits of the central and western senatorial district to Ajaokuta and other markets. “These new rail networks will link Kogi State to the coastal ports and international markets. “The direct impact of these gargantuan investments on the socio-economic life of Kogi State can therefore only be imagined as upstream, down-

Reporter

Bello stream and spin-off industries will spring up in the entire state and even to over 400km radius from Ajaokuta. “Thus from Idah to Ankpa to Anyingba to Adogo to Okene to Kabba to Egbe and from Ogori to Okene to Lokoja to Kotonkarfe and, indeed the entire state, will become one vast industrial estate. “Unemployment, the bane of our youths and its attendant security connotation, will become a thing of the past in the state.” Akerejola, who is also a

member of the Kogi State Committee on the Revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, said the first phase of 1.3 million tonnes of liquid steel production could generate direct employment of 10,000 technical staff. And, he added, up to 500,000 indirect jobs would also be created for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled manpower in the mines, transportation, downstream, and upstream industries, and other services.

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Godwin Adindu, chief press secretary to Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu

ome Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heavyweights are itching to sack Chairman Ali Sheriff, even before the convention on May 21, in a seedy tit for tat which also involves an allegation of N500 million fraud against the arrowhead of the rebels. On Thursday, May 12, former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, a founding member of the PDP, mobilised other stalwarts to try unseat the leadership led by Sheriff, who was picked early this year to the uproar of many PDP grandees. Gana heads a group called “Concerned Stakeholders”, which held a meeting at Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja; attended by former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; former Education Minister, Tunde Adeniran; and media tycoon, Raymond Dokpesi, among others. Their grouse is that Sheriff’s tenure was illegally extended to May 21, after it ended on March 24 alongside those of other National Working Committee (NWC) members. A communique issued after the meeting said the “purported extension” of the tenure of Sheriff and other members of the NWC by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) was an “illegality”. It insisted that the extension is “untenable and contrary” to the PDP constitution which gives such powers only to the national convention of the party. “The founding fathers, stakeholders and leaders of the party from all the six geopolitical zones” announced a 21-member steering committee to manage the affairs of the PDP, and work with members of the board of trustees (BOT). They are to take charge “till such a time that a proper, lawfully organised national convention of the party, where a new authentic leadership of the party will be duly elected in accordance to the provisions of our party’s constitution and guidelines.” But Sheriff’s spokesman, Inuwa Bwala, scoffed at the “gimmicks”, describing the Gana group as illegal. Bwala said: “[Sheriff] has been running away from receiving that report because it is on record that the same Jerry Gana, on behalf of the party without using the machinery of the party, collected a N500 million loan from Skye bank on behalf of the PDP for which the PDP has been dragged to court and is being compelled to pay back.” “Leaders of thought in this party, including some elders, have prevailed on [Sheriff] not to make this matter known and to save this man from public embarrassment. “But as it is, [he] may be left with no option than to drag Jerry Gana before the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) to explain his role in obtaining N500 million facility on behalf of the party and let him also explain what he has done with the money.”

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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News

Ishaya Ibrahim Acting News Editor 0807 204 0241 iib1000@yahoo.com

Fuel hike illogical, says David-West

“How can you say people should import fuel and you tell them how to sell it? It is stupid. You cannot tell a private man to import fuel into the country, and when it arrives the government will now tell him how much to sell it.”

Bakari, during the protest against fuel price increase in 2012

By Ishaya Ibrahim and Henry Oduah

historical ally of President Muhammadu Buhari has banded with a historical adversary to rail against the new pump price of fuel, which caught consumers by surprise on Thursday, April 12, and scattered family budgets with the ripple effects. Transport fares have gone up everywhere as a consequence, speeding off with the prices of everything from foodstuff, other household items, plus school fees, to the cost of a hair cut in small shops, and grinding pepper in open markets in Kano and Calabar. Buhari’s right hand man, Tam David-West, picked holes in the hike in fuel price from N86 to N145 per litre. The professor of virology and former petroleum minister argued from Ibadan that the increase announced by Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, does not make sense. His view resonated up North with Buhari’s traditional critic, former Kaduna State Governor, Balarabe Musa, who accused the president and his All Progressives Congress (APC) members of fleecing Nigerians to amass a war chest for the general election in 2019. Importing at N86, selling at N145 “It is stupid for two reasons. First, the same NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) a few days ago was filling petrol stations and selling fuel for N86. How can you turn around a few days after to say N145?” David-West asked. He said the stock now sold at N145 per litre had been imported before the announcement. “No new petroleum has come in. It takes two weeks for vessels from Europe to arrive Nigeria. There is something wrong with the logic.” Deregulating, fixing price The second abnormality with the increase, David-West insisted, is the

“The objective of this Musa added a new twist to the saying the motive for the mindless increase is first debate, sudden removal of fuel subsidy is enrich APC leaders ahead of the vote. to balance the 2016 to2019 “We believe the objective of this increase is first to balance budget; second, to cover mindless the 2016 budget; second, to cover stolen funds that cannot be acup stolen funds that up counted for; and third, to enrich leaders so that in 2019 they cannot be accounted APC can compete with the PDP (Peoples Party) naira for naira,” for; and third, to enrich Democratic he alleged. you sure of your facts, Musa APC leaders so that in wasAreasked. He retorted: “Find out whether it is true or not. Investigate 2019 they can compete and use your understanding, and Other queries will come to the same concluwith the PDP (Peoples you David-West said he has sion.” noted 12 areas to take Kachikwu on, not only on Democratic Party) naira ‘Increment harsh’ fuel price, but also how the for naira.” NNPC is run. Musa described the price in“But if I say it now, they crease as mindboggling, especially directive to marketers not to sell above N145. “How can you say people should import fuel and you tell them how to sell it? It is stupid. You cannot tell a private man to import fuel into the country, and when it arrives the government will now tell him how much to sell it. “It is stupid. It negates basic economic principles. When I see Buhari, I will make a formal statement. I cannot see how they can justify it.”

will misunderstand me. They would say I want to be minister. I don’t want to be minister. My record there is clear. “Okay, look at what [Kachikwu] said – that there is hydrocarbon in every part of Nigeria; which is not possible. He is saying a lot of things that are outrageous. “When the time comes I will take him on. I don’t want to say it now so that it is not misunderstood. I want to see Buhari first.” David-West said he believes that Buhari does not know what Kachikwu was cooking before the hike. “Buhari is not in the country. They rushed it because they knew that if he was around he would not allow them. You increased petrol price to N145, and you said immediately, like a military dictator.” Selling petrol for N40 per litre David-West argued that he was wrongly quoted that fuel was going to sell for N40 per litre once Buhari got into office. “I said if they removed 14 items they are adding to pump price which

should not be there, petrol would sell for N40 per litre. “There are a lot of things they added to inflate it. That is cheating. “They are adding NPA (Nigeria Ports Authority) charge, jetty depot price, storage payment, margin for retailers, bank charges, transportation from Europe, bridging, and all sorts of things. “If they remove all these, petrol price will come down to N40. A Nigerian professor of petroleum in Texas has confirmed my figure. “Let me tell you about bridging. When I was minister, bridging was paid by the government, not by consumers. “I met N400 million in the bridging account when I was minister. If you take petrol from Port Harcourt to Sokoto, the government pays for the haulage, not consumers.” Balarabe Musa adds new twist

coming at a time when inflation is at a record 12.4 per cent. He scoffed at Abuja’s explanation that deregulation would lead to efficient supply of petroleum products. “There explanation is that if they surrender to the private sector in the oil industry, oil will be available everywhere. But this is the promise that all previous governments have been making, and they never met. “Oil was never available as a result of the increase. “There is also the question of price. Even if oil is easily available everywhere, there is a rational price. “People can’t afford to buy at any price. People will be forced to sacrifice their whole meal for the family for the sake of buying a litre of petrol. “True availability of petrol must be matched with a price that people can afford. N145 is not affordable if you take into account the level of poverty in this country, unemployment and inflation, the end result is that it may be available but not affordable.” Credibility gap In January 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan removed subsidy

on fuel, jacking up the price from N65 to N141 per litre. In reaction, furious Lagosians rallied round Tunde Bakari’s Save Nigeria Group (SNG) to shut down the megacity. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) crippled commercial activities in Abuja, Kano, and other major cities, forcing Jonathan to meet Nigerians halfway – N97 for a litre. But this time around, many Nigerians are not likely to participate in the call by the NLC for strike against the new price. “We can trust this government. It has credibility,” they say. Musa countered, however, that a government that can be indifferent to the suffering of the people, particularly under these circumstances, cannot be credible. “It’s not possible. It is self-deception.” He asked Abuja to cancel the price increase and find other ways of balancing the 2016 budget. “This increment itself is corruption. There cannot be any other reason for this mindless and unprecedented increase. An 80 per cent increase under the present condition? “The present condition is the worse. Even the president himself admitted that it is the worst since 1960. So why making the suffering of the people even more? “Nigeria is in the situation it finds itself because the government has surrendered to private enterprise.” Why NNPC is exempted from TSA It was learnt that the government has exempted ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) which operate accounts with joint venture partners from Treasury Single Account (TSA). The NNPC and six foreign multinationals – Shell, Agip, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Elf and Texaco (now merged with Chevron) – operate joint ventures (JVs). Buhari agreed that the NNPC should be exempted from TSA because of the delay in paying the share of the profits of JV partners. But many argue that the exemption of the NNPC could encourage corruption. There are also fears about unremitted funds.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

News Wike, LP seek ways to reduce poverty

Nigeria has resources to be great, NOA affirms By Temitope Ojo

“The state of the nation and the state of this country cannot be divorced from the state of the Labour movement. This is the case everywhere and so Nigeria's own is not going to be any different. Wike By Joe Ezuma

Assistant Editor, South South

oth Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Tonye Princewill, have voiced concern over the plight of workers pinned down by multiple hardships, now worsened by fuel price rise. Wike emphasised national effort towards poverty reduction.

He spoke in Port Harcourt where he charged participants of Senior Executive course 38, Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) 2016 to proffer policy direction for Nigeria’s ailing economy. Hosting the participants, who were in Rivers to research poverty level, he expressed the hope that their interaction with the residents of the state would facilitate their report that would help Abuja to formulate policy on poverty reduction and socio-economic growth.

Wike, represented by Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Banigo, said their visit to communities has proven that Rivers State is safe and hospitable as against misleading media reports of insecurity. Princewill moaned that “our labour force is shrinking very fast, children are crying, while a majority of the nation is having sleepless nights just trying to find any way to survive. The situation is so bad that even paying salaries is now a lottery. ''Incomes are down, costs are up. It's bad. Yet we can

Women’s Editor

N Princewill still put things right, if we put round pegs in round holes. We have no choice. We simply cannot give up. The Labour Party and the Labour movement must work in synergy for things to change.” Princewill said the state of Nigeria's economy demands that Labour plays a frontline role in modern day politics. “The state of the nation and the state of this country cannot be divorced from the state of the Labour movement. This is the case everywhere and so Nigeria's own is not going

to be any different. ''A weak nation, a weak country, and a weak economy can only mean a weak Labour. Politics is way too important to be left to politicians.” In his view, if the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the LP join forces, the outcome for Nigeria would be good news, as the "creation of jobs is bound to be central” to such an alliance. “Combined, we can either make the difference or help decide who does.''

Ikpeazu apologises over bailout fund

Ikpeazu

By Onwukwe Ezeru

Special Correspondent, Umuahia

bia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has apologised to civil servants over the

federal bailout fund that was not enough to pay all the arrears of salary and pension. “The state applied for N39 billion but was only given N14 billion and that fund cannot go round.

Workers not yet touched by the bailout fund should exercise patience,” he advised. He urged workers to be dedicated and shun financial leakages so that internally generated revenue (IGR) will rise to meet obligations. Ikpeazu promised to find solutions to workers’ problems and stressed the need for dialogue between the government and Labour. He applauded the courage of Abia workers and their resilience as well as the exemplary leadership of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He urged Labour to change its way of negotiation and think of how best to assist the government raise money to meet the needs of workers, whom he also asked to join hands with the government, saying the civil service is the pivot of development.

State NLC Chairman, Uchenna Obigwe, congratulated Ikpeazu over his electoral victory at the Supreme Court and implored other contestants in the governorship to accept defeat and team up with him to move Abia forward. He, however, reminded Ikpeazu of the neglect of workers’ welfare and the anomalies in the civil service which he should take urgent steps to remedy. Obigwe said the arrears of salary increase has not been paid since 2011 and “this affect mainly workers who do not belong to the core ministries and we appeal that workers in these parastatals be paid. “Non payment of gratuities and their arrears to retirees in the state has become a source of worry to Labour and we urge the government to do something now.” He also condemned the distortion of seniority in the civil service, whereby

promotions are not based on seniority and workers reject posting. He called on the head of service to ensure that godfathersim does not creep into public service, especially in councils, and advised workers not to allow themselves to be used to destroy the civil service because it is not a political party where appointments are used for compensation. The state Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) thanked Ikpeazu for his “friendliness” towards workers. It expressed hope that he would fulfill all his promises and advised workers to be patient with him. It explained that Labour consists of three arms – NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and JPSNC – and urged the government to recognise that “no arm can exist without the other.”

igeria’s human and material resources, if properly harnessed, can provide for all citizens and also project the country well in the comity of nations. The point was reiterated by National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director, Waheed Ishola, who spoke at the maiden Development Dialogue Roundtable organised in Lagos by Innate Communications. Ishola, represented by his Deputy Director of Programmes, Bowoto Raphael, lamented that in years past, the economy was entrusted to bad leaders and managers who created the current problems of corruption, poverty, insecurity, insurgency, and others. Up to 50 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, he noted, and high cost of living makes it very difficult to afford two square meals a day not to mention three. He said everyone agrees that Nigeria is sufficiently blessed by God in numerous natural resources, but the global economy is in comatose and Nigeria is not immune to it. Therefore, Ishola stressed, all citizens have to think outside the box on how to survive, with focus on hard work that ensures no one goes hungry, creativity, subsistence farming, government intervention, and small scale enterprises. Funmi Falobi, coordinator of Development Dialogue Roundtable, said it is no longer news that Nigeria is going through economic downturn triggered by the fall in the price of crude oil, its major foreign exchange earner. “There is erratic electricity supply yet increase in tariff, fuel scarcity, companies retrench workers daily, some industries are closing down, others are finding it difficult to remain in business. “Nigerians are bearing the brunt of the economic hardship and they can no longer meet up with their financial responsibilities,” Falobi added.

Trial of rights activist over property lease begins June 13 By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka Senior Correspondent

he trial of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer, human rights activist, and social critic, has been adjourned until June 13, 14, and 15 at the Federal High Court, Lagos. The dates were picked after Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo granted him bail in the sum of N10 million

with two sureties in like sum. Adegboruwa was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a onecount charge over alleged lease of a property against court order. When the case was called, prosecuting counsel, Idris Abdullahi, informed the court of an amended charge dated May 12. He submitted that the earlier charge dated and filed on May 5 was no longer tenable and had been replaced with the amended

one dated and filed on May 12. Abdullahi asked the court to substitute same, saying the charge had been duly served on the accused. He also asked for the amended charge to be read to Adegboruwa for his plea to be taken. Oguntoyinbo, in a short ruling, struck out the charge dated May 5 and replaced it with the amended charge No FHC/L/CS/181C/2016. Adegboruwa was then arraigned on the new charge, and he pleaded not guilty.

After his arraignment, Abdullahi asked the court for a trial date, and urged it to remand the accused in prison custody. But Adegboruwa’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the accused. He moved the application and urged the court to grant Adegboruwa bail on self recognisance, submitting that he was reputed for his relentless service to the poor. Etiaba argued that “this appli-

cation is brought pursuant to the provisions of sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as well as Sections 35 of the 1999 Constitution. "I urge my lord to consider the submissions of counsel in determining whether the accused is entitled to bail. "The Blacks Law Dictionary defines entitlement as an absolute right to a benefit, and so, the grant of bail is an entitlement to a legal right.

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News The Week Ahead Saraki’s trial continues May 17 The trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) continues on Tuesday, May 17. An investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas, will be cross-examined by his lawyers. Wetkas headed a three-man team set up in 2014 to investigate

Metuh appears in court May 17 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, is expected at the Federal High Court on Tuesday, May 17 after recovering from his slump. He allegedly slumped in Abuja during the inauguration of PDP caretaker committees in Yobe and Borno States.

… Court rules on his alleged assault May 18 Justice Folashade Ojo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will on Wednesday, May 18 rule in a N500 million suit against Olisa Metuh, his wife, and an aide. The trio are accused of assaulting two workers of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja for confiscating their son, Derrick’s mobile telephone in 2011.

Crystal Palace, Man United gun for FA Cup May 21 Crystal Palace will be first time champions of England’s Football Association (FA) Cup competition if it beats Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 21. Crystal Palace’s only previous final was in 1990, which it lost to the same opponent after a replay. If Man United wins on May 21, it would be its 12th FA Cup title.

Bayern v Dortmund in DFB-Pokal final May 21 The two biggest German clubs, Bayern Munich and Borrusia Dortmund, will go head to head at the Olympiastadion, Berlin on Saturday, May 21 for the German Cup final. The two sides have previously met in four finals, with Bayern getting the better of Dortmund with two wins and a loss.

Rivers elders fault govt on appointments, scholarships •As Dokubo, Ateke disagree on Biafra

S Wike

upport from some people in the South South for the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) when it took to the streets in December last year showed improvement in relations between the South East and South South. Some old prejudices were dismantled to prove that the concept of Biafra is being embraced by some Igbo and oppressed minorities. But it is also a sign that some people want to keep the flame of disunity aglow and pursue separatism with passion. A recent study by Media Platform For Peace Building identified the reasons as fear and selfishness, pointing out that it is backward for people in a globalised world to still hoist the flag of ethnic chauvinism. Ateke Tom, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Group (NDVG) voiced support for Biafra but Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Peoples Force (NDVPF), backed the agitation. In any case, appointment of non-indigenes into political offices – although constitutional and is done in Lagos with applause, getting the best brains for the best results – is raising hackles in Rivers State, where the Elders and Leaders Council (RELEC) is trying to protect its own. The RELEC, whose existence became known after its condemnation of Biafra protests in Port Harcourt, is also not happy at the award of scholarships to nonindigenes, stirring ethnic grouse among some residents. In reaction, the state government berated RELEC for spreading propaganda and fanning ethnic embers, after the group voiced its concern in Port Harcourt and also cited insecurity in Rivers State. Demand for reciprocity RELEC Chairman, Albert Horsfall, said leaders of the state will only accept appointments and award of scholarships to nonindigenes if the home states of beneficiaries reciprocate such gestures. He added: “We discussed the matter of protection of the interest of Rivers State; the state be-

Asari-Dokubo

Horsfall

Walter said there is only one nonindigene among commissioners, and insisted that Horsfall is wrong to say that non-indigenes do not hold political appointments in Lagos and elsewhere. longs to a people and we have 36 states in the nation, with Rivers State being one of them. “There are indigenous people of Rives State and we want to be so recognised and treated. This state is not a free-for-all nor an all-comers state. “I live in Lagos most of the time; not even in Lagos or even now in Abuja is there such a free ride for everybody to go and exercise his authority. We hear the scholarship from here is being flung to various places here and there. “Commissioners and advisers from other places are being appointed here. We condemn that; we can only accept that on reciprocal basis. “If we give you a scholarship from here, and you are from another state, we want to know that your state will also give a Rivers man or woman the same treatment; same as political appointments. “We refuse to give political appointments to people from other states unless they do the same for Rivers people. So, whatever these things are, they must be reciprocal; otherwise, we do not accept them. “We are speaking not for ourselves alone, but for the entire Rivers people.” Concern over insecurity Horsfall expressed concern that most indigenes no longer travel to their local communities for fear of being killed or kidnapped by hoodlums. “We discussed insecurity which is prevalent in the state; we want our people to feel secure in their own state and in their communities. “In certain areas, people cannot go home from Port Harcourt because they are afraid they may be kidnapped on the way, or worse, they may even be killed. “So, we ask the Rivers State authorities, the police, the gov-

ernment and all security agencies to get their act together and act more firmly and decisively against insecurity in Rivers State.” Rivers not part of Biafra Horsfall reiterated the earlier position of RELECT that the people of Rivers State do not belong to Biafra and would not want to be identified with the agitation for the Republic of Biafra. “We discussed the resurgence of Biafra and we condemn it. Rivers people are not Biafra and you can see here; all the leaders and elders of Rivers State are here. We totally condemn any idea of linking Rivers people with the defunct State of Biafra.” Govt denies allegations, cites Lagos However, Water Resources Commissioner, Ibibia Walter, faulted the claim by RELECT that Governor Nyesom Wike appointed non-indigenes into key positions in his government. He said there is only one nonindigene among commissioners, and insisted that Horsfall is wrong to say that non-indigenes do not hold political appointments in Lagos and elsewhere. Walter reiterated that in the general election last year, at least four non indigenes won election to the House of Representatives from Lagos State while Igbo and other non indigenes serve in the state and council governments. He wondered why Horsfall did not complain when former Governor Rotimi Amaechi appointed non-indigenes into key government positions such as Commerce Commissioner, Chuma Chinye; former Rivers State Waste Management Agency Sole Administrator, Ade Adeogun; and Amaechi’s Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor.

Reactions from residents The comments by RELEC on both Biafra protest and appointment of non indigenes elicited disappointment from some indigenes and non indigenes alike who preferred not to be dragged into the matter and craved anonymity. One expressed disappointment that such comments could emanate from Horsfall when regional understanding and harmony are being nurtured. Another said: “Biafran protesters did not march on Port Harcourt to recruit citizenship for Biafra but marched in protest against the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and structural marginalisation of the Igbo by the Nigerian government. “Davidson Owumi rose to be chairman of Enugu Rangers and he is not Igbo. Some people who served under federal authorities during the war and the immediate post war are still waging the war of the mind against the Igbo.” Others expressed concern that some people are still in their ethnic cocoon at a time Nigerians are working hard and praying for national unity. Dokubo, IPOB

Ateke

disagree

''Pro Biafran agitators should leave Rivers State alone. I am a law abiding citizen of the federal republic of this great country Nigeria,” Ateke said through his media aide. However, Dokubo-Asari expressed support for Biafran selfdetermination and urged the federal government to release IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him continue work on the restoration of Biafra, because he has not committed any crime. He praised Kanu for coming thus far and asked IPOB to ''extend its campaign to every region in Biafraland and not just Igboland alone. ''It is our responsibility that will make Biafra restoration a success. The Biafran struggle is for everyone and no one can do it alone. “The Biafran gospel should be preached everywhere and people should be told why they should fearlessly join this movement.”

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May 15, 2016

Notes

From

Nnanna Okere okere_nnanna@yahoo.com +358 4684 74258

Finland

Nokia plans 1,300 job cuts in Finland

okia has announced plans to cut 1,300 jobs in Finland by 2018. The telecom networks equipment firm is targeting nearly EUR 1 billion in savings by following its acquisition of French rival, Alcatel-Lucent. Half the job cuts will be made in Espoo, with one quarter coming in Oulu and one quarter in Tampere. At the end of last year the company employed 6,700 workers in Finland. Reuters reported that Nokia spokesperson declined to

Suri

specify where else in the world it may make staff cuts. The company said last year it aims to make EURO 900 million of efficiency savings by 2018 after acquiring Alcatel-Lucent. The axe will fall where there is overlap between the two firms’ operations, in particular research and development, regional and sales departments and support functions. "These actions are designed to ensure that Nokia remains a strong industry leader," said Nokia President and Chief Executive Officer, Rajeev Suri. "When we announced the ac-

quisition of Alcatel-Lucent we made a commitment to deliver EUR 900 million in synergies – and that commitment has not changed. “We also know that our actions will have real human consequences and, given this, we will proceed in a way that is consistent with our company values and provide transition and other support to the impacted employees." Nokia plans another Bridge programme, similar to the one which helped its workers transition to new careers as it cut headcount in 2011-2013.

Norway to introduce tougher immigration policy

tight immigration policy and tougher requirements for those who come to Norway are important tools for avoiding radicalisation and parallel societies, says Integration Minister, Sylvi Listhaug. “Many of those who have carried out terror attacks in Europe are born and raised in France and Belgium. It shows how important it is to succeed with integration and that is again connected to how many come to Norway. “Therefore a tight immigration policy is important,” she explained. In the aftermath of the terror attacks in Brussels there has been a debate on so-called parallel societies and neighbourhoods where the police do not dare to patrol. Progress Party’s immigration spokes-

Austria announces tough new asylum rules

man, Mazyar Keshvari, said parallel societies also exist in Norway, citing Groruddalen and Sondre Nordstrand in Oslo. “It is obvious that we do have problems, one needs only look at the social statistics,” Listhaug acknowledged. “We have foreign fighters who have left Norway and [we have] radical environments. We should not stick our heads in the sand and say that everything is good here. “But fortunately we are a long way from the conditions we see in some other countries, for example Sweden.” She said a major reason that Norway does not have the same ghetto problems as Sweden is that refugees and asylum seekers in Norway cannot decide for themselves where they should live. Listhaug added that the terror attack

ustria has moved to tighten migrants' access to the country by placing tough new restrictions on eligibility and making it easier to reject asylum seekers at the border. By mid-May, the government will only accept cases of refugees facing threats to their safety in a neighbouring transit country or whose relatives are already in Austria. "We will not consider any asylum requests unless we have to because of

in Brussels has created fears that an attack could also hit Norway, but stressed that Islamists were not responsible for the terror that stuck Norway in 2011. “That goes to show that one can be blinded by the illusion that only Islamists carry out terror. “But intelligence agency threat assessment for 2016 states that extreme Islamists present the greatest terror and that is something we have to deal with.” Among Listhaug’s proposals is to expand the ability of law enforcement agencies to acquire and store biometric information such as fingerprints. She said it is important to have control over who is in Norway and that PST needs to determine whether asylum applicants present a security threat. Her proposals were sent to parliamentary hearing at the beginning of certain criteria ... like under the (European) Convention on Human Rights," Interior Minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, announced in Vienna. She said the decision is in accordance with European Union (EU) law which allows member states to take national measures in emergency situations. Austria, which last year received one of the highest asylum claims per capita in the EU, is no longer "obliged" to accept all requests because the migrant crisis poses "a threat to public order and national security," Mikl-Leitner said.

the year. Many of them have been criticised for preventing – rather than promoting – integration. Critics refer to plans to make it more difficult for refugees to bring their family members to Norway, but have also said the sum of the proposals will make it more difficult for refugees to get a foothold in Norway and a sense of belonging. “I am focused on making some demands of those who come to Norway. For example, it is important that those who will bring family members here can provide for them. That is an important principle,” Listhaug insisted. She said ensuring better integration “requires a special effort. It's not like we can make plans and then everything will just fall in place, or that there is a ‘quick fix.’”

Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg The new rules will also force migrants to request asylum directly at the border in purpose-built registration centres, where they may be held for up to 120 hours while their application is being checked. Illegal migrants caught inside the country will be taken to the border, Mikl-Leitner warned, while rejected asylum-seekers will be returned to the nation from where they crossed into Austria. The government also reaffirmed its intention to step up controls at check-

points along its southern frontiers, including at the Brenner Pass, a key European transit route on the Italian border. More than 14,000 people have applied for asylum in Austria so far this year, according to the Interior Ministry, nearly half of the annual quota of 37,500 claims imposed by the government in January. But the flow has slowed to a trickle since Austria and the Balkan countries along the main migrant trail leading up from Greece shut their borders at the end of February.

Denmark pushes EU for longer border controls

enmark is among six countries asking the European Commission (EC) to extend temporary controls at the internal borders of the Schengen area, as part of efforts to more closely monitor migration flows. Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, France, and Germany have written a letter to the EC calling for current temporary controls to be extended for a period of six months. They also want other member states in the Schengen Zone to be able to introduce further checks of up to two years if they deem it necessary. Schengen is the European Union (EU's) free-travel passport-free area where until recently 400 million EU citizens were able to move around as they wished, while tourists could also travel by land across the zone unhindered.

However, since September last year, eight of the 26 member states in the area have introduced border checks to help monitor and stem the flow of migrants. EU rules allow countries to reinstate checks in certain circumstances for a maximum of eight months. Germany, the first to close its borders, will reach its time limit this month. Denmark, which started performing checks at the German border in January, will follow in September. The Danish government renewed its border control measures this month, the sixth time it has done so since implementing them in January. The newest 30-day extension will keep the controls in place through June 2. As has been the case with every previous extension, Integration Minister, Inger Stojberg, explained that Denmark's measures remain necessary as long as Sweden keeps enforc-

ing ID checks. "There is a continued pressure on Europe's borders and migrants and refugees are finding alternative routes when borders are closed," she said. Stojberg spent some hours observing Danish border control measures at Froslev and Padborg. “The police are carrying out a huge job in connection with our border controls and it is completely necessary work that I look forward to seeing in action. “There are still large numbers of refugees and migrants coming to Europe and we need to keep tabs on who is entering the country at the Danish-German border.” Migration patterns in Europe have shifted since controls were stepped up last year, stopping thousands of refugees taking the previously popular Balkan route to northern Europe. The proportion of refugees reaching Western Europe has also fallen as

a result of the deal reached between the EU and Turkey in March, which sees migrants and refugees sent back from Greece to Turkey. However, figures from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) suggest that the total number of migrants arriving by boat to Italy or Greece increased in the first four months of 2016, compared to a year earlier. Denmark received more than 21,000 asylum applications in 2015, a 44 per cent jump from 2014; but significantly fewer than its neighbour Sweden, which registered 163,000 asylum applications in the same year. The number of asylum seekers in Denmark has dropped significantly this year, from 641 in the week after border controls were introduced to just 45 in early May, according to police data compiled by the government.

Danish Integration Minister, Inger Stojberg

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PhotoNews

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, when Buhari visited the cleric in London.

L-R: Anglican Bishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma; Enugu CAN President, Rt. Rev. Christian Obiefuna; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Methodist Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Christopher Ede; Bishop Obi Onubuogu of House on the Rock, Enugu; and Anglican Bishop of Agbani Diocese, Rt. Rev. Udo Meregini, when South East CAN protested to Government House, Enugu over the suspected Fulani herdsmen attack on Nimbo.

L-R: Senator Osita Izunaso, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State during a visit of the Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) fact-finding and reconciliation committee to the governor.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (right); General Manager, LR Group Renewable Energy Divison, Avi Elkayam (left) and the Vice President, Development of LR Group of West Africa, Dr Haim Ayalon, during a meeting of the Minister with Solar Power Promoters, investors in Nigeria's power sector at the Main Auditorium of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Maitama, Abuja.

May 15, 2016

Governor Rochas Okorocha receiving a plaque from the Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Suleman Kazaure, who paid him a courtesy visit at Douglas House, Owerri.

Co-chairman, Committee for Lagos @ 50, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi (right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Lagos Global and member of the Committee, Prof. Ademola Abass; and another member, Sarah Boulos, during a media briefing by the Committee in Lagos.

Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right) with former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, at the opening ceremony of NIMASA Top Management retreat in Lagos.

President of Ahiara Pillars, Ikechukwu Nwaneche (2nd right), and his wife, Amaka; with Ichie Banjo (left) and Executive Editor, TheNiche, Oguwike Nwachuku â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both members of the group â&#x20AC;&#x201C; when Nwaneche's son, Chikamso, marked his one year birthday at Ojodu area of Lagos.

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Diplomacy

Echoes of global anti-graft summit in London

Cameron

Buhari

During the week, world leaders gathered in London, for an epic summit focusing on corruption. Despite upbraids and name-callings, Nigeria demanded the repatriation of its stolen assets from Britain. SAM NWOKORO presents excerpts of what transpired at the summit.

eaders of about 60 countries from various continents gathered on Thursday, May 12, in Lancaster, London, for first worldwide anti-corruption summit to brainstorm on how to tackle the problem of corruption in the world today. The summit, with the theme ‘Exposing Corruption, Tackling Corruption and Driving Out Corruption’ was at the behest of British Prime Minister, David Cameron. But two major tax havens – Panama and British Virgin Islands (BVI) – were not invited to the inaugural global meeting. They were closely linked to the Panama Papers scandal, where 11 million documents leaked from law firm, Mossack Fonseca, revealed the names and company details of those with offshore investments situated in so-called tax havens. The Panama government told The Times that it would not be attending the summit at Lancaster House in London, because it had not received an invitation. The British Virgin Islands also said that it had not been invited. President Muhammadu Buhari, who the summit mattered so much to, was there. Buhari played a prominent part

in the summit, including delivering a keynote address entitled ‘Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together’ at a pre-summit conference of development partners, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups on Wednesday, May 11. Buhari also spoke at the opening session of the summit with Cameron and the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim. Buhari’s delegation to the summit included the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. Nigeria ‘fantastically corrupt’ As Buhari was still airborne to the United Kingdom, Cameron was caught on camera describing Nigeria and Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt countries”. He was talking with the queen about the summit in a meeting, the video of which was obtained by Reuters, was on the eve of the summit. Cameron was heard singling out the two countries as “possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world”, in footage on ITV News showing him chatting in a group including the Archbishop of Can-

terbury, Justin Welby; and House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow; UK Independent reports. “We had a very successful cabinet meeting this morning, talking about our anti-corruption summit,” Cameron said when the Queen approached. “We have got the Nigerians – actually we have got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain.” The Queen, however, did not respond to Cameron’s comment, even as Welby intervened that “this particular President is actually not corrupt.” Nigeria is reportedly at number 136 in Transparency International (TI)’s latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI), while Afghanistan is ranked 166, making it the second from bottom. But the Presidency was not amused by the comment, as it described the statement credited to Cameron as “embarrassing”. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, shortly after the news of the PM’s comment went viral on the Internet, said the remark was wrongly timed and in bad faith. Surprisingly, Buhari agreed with the British PM. When asked by Sky News’ Diplomatic Editor, Dominic Waghorn, whether Nigeria was fan-

tastically corrupt, he said: “Yes”. He maintained that uppermost in his mind was the return of assets and funds stacked away in Britain and other countries to Nigeria. “I am not going to demand an apology from anybody. All I will demand is the return of assets. “I have already mentioned how Britain really led and how disgraceful one of the Nigerian executives was; he had to dress like a woman to leave Britain and leave behind his bank account and fixed assets, which Britain is prepared to hand over to us. “This is what I am asking for. What will I do with apology; I need something tangible,” he said. Buhari’s new anti-graft strategy In London on Thursday, Buhari disclosed that he had been reinvigorated to ensure corruption in Nigeria is curtailed, saying Nigeria would soon begin the full implementation of the principles of the ‘open contracting data standard’. In Nigeria’s statement to the anticorruption summit, Mr. President was quoted by his media aide, Femi Adesina, as saying that the Nigerian government would apply the standard to major projects in the oil, transportation, power, health, education and other sectors. The open contracting data stan-

dard enables disclosure of data and documents at all stages of the contracting process by defining a common data model. Publication of the data ensures greater transparency in public contracting, and can support accessible and in-depth analysis of the efficiency, effectiveness, fairness and integrity of public contracting systems, Adesina said. Buhari said his administration was also taking steps to ensure greater transparency of the ownership and control of all companies involved in property purchase and public contracting. He also welcomed a proposal to restrict the ability of those involved in corruption to travel, invest and do business overseas. “We commit to joining the pilot initiative for automatic exchange of beneficial information. Nigeria commits to deploying public-private information sharing partnerships to bring together governments, law enforcement (agencies), regulators and the financial sector to detect, prevent and disrupt money laundering linked to corruption.” U.S., Britain share blame The summit was a time for Britain and the United States (U.S.) to look at their own policies and their

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Diplomacy

Climate change: Issues Nigeria would worry about The recent pronouncement on climate action by United Nations Secretary-General puts Nigeria on global watch considering her mountain of ecological challenges, writes SAM NWOKORO

Welby role as shelters for billions of dollars stolen by corrupt politicians in developing countries. It shifted the focus on global corruption, turning the spotlight of blame away from African Generals, oligarchs and corrupt dictators and towards the rich countries, whose banks and real estate brokers have been the benefactors of the stolen wealth. U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, said tens of billions of dollars in stolen money – funds that could be used for education or building bridges in underdeveloped lands – instead are hidden in banks “in countries including ours”. “We are fighting a battle – all of us – for our states, for our countries, for our nation state. Corruption is as much of an enemy because it destroys nation states as some of the extremists we are fighting,” Kerry told delegates at the summit. “The extremism we see in the world today comes in no small degree from the utter exasperation that people have with the sense that the system is rigged,” the top American diplomat said. “And we see this anger manifesting itself in different forms in different elections around the world – including ours.” Change goes global British officials said the one-day meeting that drew leaders from Afghanistan, Colombia, Nigeria and other countries aims at stepping up global action to expose, punish and drive out corruption at all levels of society. “If we were having this anticorruption summit 10 years ago, we would have been talking about African kleptocrats, the theft of state assets from the people,” said Alex Cobham of the Tax Justice Network, a British advocacy group. Now, he said, the world has changed. “We’re really thinking about the providers of the financial secrecy that don’t

Kerry just facilitate but actively drive corruption of different sorts all around the world,” he told the Voice of America (VOA). In the background of the summit were the Panama Papers’ revelations about how and where the world’s powerful hide their money. For Cameron, the revelations hit home, showing how his late father ran an offshore fund to avoid paying British taxes. The PM eventually said that he, too, had a stake in the dealings. Reforms loom The Panama Papers disclosures fuelled calls for reforms in Britain’s offshore possessions, after it was learned that more than half of the 210,000 companies exposed were registered in the British Virgin Islands. Cameron announced measures, including a public register, intended to force companies to name their real owners – a measure that British government officials claim will be the first of its kind. “Why I think this matters so much is that I believe that corruption is the cancer at the heart of so many problems we need to tackle in our world. If we want to see countries escape poverty and become wealthy, we need to tackle corruption,” the British leader said Thursday. The Panama Papers named relatively few Americans and no high-ranking public official. But anti-corruption advocates see the U.S. as a major area of concern about tax evasion and money laundering, in states such as Delaware, Nevada and Wyoming, which have been criticised for allowing corporations to be formed inexpensively and secretively. Kerry said a proposed law will force companies formed in the U.S. to report complete information about their owners, and a rule will require banks to keep records on the true owners of their

corporate customers. Efforts to rebuild trust Washington and London see combating corruption as a matter of legitimacy and security, analysts say, especially in the wake a decade of financial crises that have reduced millions of people to poverty, unemployment and frustration. Tim Evans, a professor of political economy at London’s Middlesex University, sees the summit – and, more broadly, the drive to combat corruption – as a sign of concern among the elite nations. “They’re worried at the loss of legitimacy that will come from rich and powerful people being able to evade taxes and get away with it. So, I think there’s huge pressure on the elite to be seen to be engaging the subject and to be doing something about it. “Given some of the things, some of the riots and problems we’ve seen in Europe and in the United States in recent years, the politicians are fearful, and they’re becoming focused on trying to rebuild trust and transparency,” he said. Buhari praised Cameron’s decision to hold the summit. “I thank you very much for your courage for taking the opportunity to mobilise us and take this very, very topical and serious subject. Corruption is one of the greatest enemies of our time.” • With additional report from VOA

n May 5, 2016, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, chaired a summit on Climate Action. Nigeria sent a representative to the summit, which was a decisive follow-up to the earlier Climate Change Summit in which about 134 countries appended their signatures to abide by UN rules governing policy implementations to halt climate change. At the summit, Ki-moon stated that once about 55 nations start implementing the protocol, UN would formally ratify it. The implication is that any sovereign nation that falls short of policy action towards environmental remediation and cutting back carbon emission will be punished. Nigeria, earlier this year, signed the Paris Agreement along with about 134 countries. However, it lags behind in formulating enduring policies to contain simple ecological problems at home. A combination of local politics of interest, decades-long neglect and lack of political will had dragged Nigeria back in having a sustainable policy towards the environment. For instance, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which contained time-bound instruments to tackle ecological problems, especially in high carbon-emitting zones of the country, such as the hydro-carbon bearing areas, is yet to become law. Contentions had slowed the passage, as diverse interests, from oil prospecting firms to host communities, bicker over how the bill, if passed into law, would address their grievances. Here are highlights of Nigeria’s challenges that would make her a possible non-compliant nation to the Paris Agreement. Collaboration between public and private entities One of the issues Ki-moon raised during the Climate Action summit was the need for effective collaboration between government and private entities to fast-track policies geared towards environmental remediation and carbon emission reduction. The UN scribe had said at the

summit: “I have been looking forward to this event because it is about solution, innovation and imagination, collaboration and partnership between the private and public sectors.” Embedded in the speech is the unarguable realisation that not only political authorities should be active in the task. However, those conversant with policy processes in Nigeria, its peculiar fiscal federalism and the nature of her economy and level of technology agree that this will be a tall order. Signals of this is already on the ground, as the government, burdened with internal political combustions and unending fiscal politicking between the executive and legislative arms, is hamstrung, so to speak, on any policy issue so far beyond exhortations, almost a year after taking power. The Muhammadu Buhari government has talked about making life better and addressing all pending environmental remediation mandates ordered by the UN environment court so far. Even at that, oil spills and flaming petrol smoke on the highways and street corners continue to blanket Nigerian skies now and then, blackening the air and contributing to over-arching doses of chlorofluorocarbon emission, further peeling off whatever remains of the ozone layer in this part of the world.

hydrocarbon-bearing zones pay ecological taxes. Even where it is paid, tax collecting agencies, as revealed by recent Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), are hardly diligent at tax collection. This is another challenge facing Nigerian authorities in keeping faith with the articles of the Paris Agreement on limiting carbon emission.

Niger Delta ecological quagmire Here, even if the Nigerian government pours all the money it has, it can hardly assuage the environmental degradation of the area. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) slammed on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) $1 billion penalty to clean up Niger Delta. But whether the fine has been paid or not, there is nothing on the ground like federal government’s commitment in addressing the monumental environmental damage in the area.

Zero-carbon economy Nigeria has challenges completing some contracts it awarded. Most of them were not planned on green template. So expecting due compliance with zero economy may be a tall order. Also, gas flaring in Nigeria may likely continue for a long time to come as Nigeria plans to increase oil reserves by developing new wells.

Ecology tax Here, already pending taxes to tackle carbon emission overdose is still splitting hairs. Not all oil companies operating in the

Host communities In Nigeria, host communities of hydrocarbon-producing firms are very randomly short-changed in terms of compensation. Ignorance, lack of political power and various other factors make them easy victims of government’s poor concern over climate change. They suffer flood, epidemic, polluted water, and all manner of accumulated environmental rape. Low appropriation and corruption Analysts fear that a government that is complaining of meeting budget targets and romancing with the idea of borrowing money to finance deficit stands little chance of meeting up with articles of the Paris Agreement. Public institutions in Nigeria, notwithstanding all the efforts against corrupt practices, are likely to constitute impediments in tacking global warming problems with the kind of urgency it deserves.

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May 15, 2016

Civil Society Platform Revisiting the Gender Equality Bill

Olujimi

Nhdlovu

Ekweremadu

Since the rejection of the Gender Equality Bill (GEB) by the Senate in March 2016, civil society groups and activists have been mounting pressure on the Red Chamber to re-present the bill, writes Senior Correspondent ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA.

f the move to re-introduce the Gender Equality Bill (GEB) sails through, Nigerian women might have proved that they have washed their hands clean enough to eat with the elders. On the historical ides of March date this year, the Senate threw out a bill seeking equality for both gender. Presently, the men, or so it seems, have upper hand in rights (and responsibilities) in marriage, education and job opportunities. The bill, entitled ‘Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence against Women’, was sponsored by Senator (Mrs.) Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti South, PDP) and presented to the Senate during its plenary session. According to Olujimi, the bill would seek equal rights for women in marriage, education and job opportunities, adding that if the bill was passed, a woman in Nigeria would automatically become the custodian of her children in the event of the death of her husband, and would also inherit his property. In supporting the bill, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said Nigeria would develop more if women were given the same rights as men. Buttressing his support for the bill, Ekweremadu said: “I was going through a document prepared by George Bush of America. Those countries that are doing well are those who give women opportunities. “Where I come from, women do not eat egg and are restricted from touching the non-essential parts of animals. But now, that has changed. What is needed is time and education, not necessarily legislation. We will continue

to encourage our women and I support this bill.” However, Ekweremadu’s support for the bill could not give enough weight for the bill to scale through the first reading as the Senate Majority leader, Ali Ndume (Borno South, PDP), condemned the bill and enjoined Nigerians to stick with either religious or traditional marriage. In same vein, Senator Sani Ahmed (Zamfara West, APC) faulted the bill, saying that it was in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution. He posited that the bill negates the principles of the Sharia law, which the Constitution recognises. The bill was eventually thrown out when the issue was put on voice vote by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central, APC). Calls for re-presentation Since the rejection of the bill by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, there has been calls and agitations by civil society groups and activists, particularly the female gender, for its re-presentation. They argued that there was nothing wrong with the bill, as it does not amount to rubbing shoulders with the menfolk. The Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), a coalition of civil society groups comprising Global Health Alliance, Nigerian Life League, Islamic Platform of Nigeria, Good Parenting and Youth Empowerment, Happy Home Foundation, and the Nigerian Association for Women Advancement among others, decried the rejection of the bill by the National Assembly, saying that doing so contravenes the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR).

Joining the league of groups calling for re-presentation of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) urged the National Assembly to take another look at the bill, which the sponsor believe is geared towards transforming the country by 2030. In Abuja, the UNFPA country re-presentative in Nigeria, Ratizai Nhdlovu, stated that such action would be one of the practicable national responses to help implement the Sustainable Development Agenda, as agreed by world leaders, including Nigeria’s, in September 2015. Nhlovu explained that: “Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill deserves another look and adoption by the Senate as a further step by Nigeria towards fulfilling humanity’s vision of transforming the world by 2030 to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality. “This vision of gender equality is not new. It is imbedded in the International Bill of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, all of which Nigeria has committed to realising.” In Lagos, a human rights activist and chairperson of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Funmi Falana, told TheNiche that the bill should be re-presented to the National Assembly. “The bill came when the House was not mobilised. I believe that most of them were not properly enlightened or educated on the bill. “The rights that are in the bill are

constitutional. There are no new rights; it is just to solidify the rights. It is absurd for the legislature to put away such a bill. It is part of Section 42 of the Constitution. It only expanded the rights as contained in the Constitution,” she added. Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Lagos branch, insisted that the Bill should be re-presented. President of FIDA Lagos, Mrs. Eliana Martins, pointed out that there were issues that could be sorted out during deliberations on the bill. She submitted that FIDA would be interested in the bill sailing through. “We talk about equal opportunity; no discrimination. Anything that shows or allows discrimination is wrong and that is what the bill is all about. “FIDA is interested because it would benefit women, especially the disadvantaged or vulnerable group. We ask for equal opportunities in workplace, in job opportunities, in appointments, in education. We are for all that is fair and just,” she said. Mrs. Martins believes very strongly that FIDA Nigeria will be part of the coalition canvassing for the re-presentation of the bill because it is a natural law. The bill, she added, has nothing to do with dressing or religious worship, but the wellbeing of Nigerian woman. Executive Director of Gender and Development Action (GADA), Mrs. Ada Agina-Ude, appealed to members of the National Assembly to re-consider their stand when the bill is re-presented for the benefit of equity and fairness. “It will strengthen the rights of women,” she told TheNiche.

Discordant tunes However, Regulatory Affairs Director of Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), Nkem Agboti, disagreed. She urged the lawmakers not to consider a re-presentation of the bill, submitting that apart from the bill contravening the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, it was also mismatched with the language of ACHPR. Agboti said that since most sections of the bill already existed in the country’s Criminal Code, Marriage Act and the Maintenance Act, there was no need for a new law. “Instead of spending time deliberating, analysing, passing, signing fresh laws, let us look at the laws we already have; improve on their enforcement, create awareness, so that we can take advantage of those existing provisions,” she said. Similarly, the Director, Doctors Health Initiative, Nkechi Asogwa, noted that the bill injected some provisions that contravened the country’s constitution and moral code. “Those applauding the bill do not understand; they mistake it for a bill promoting equality between men and women. They think the bill is aimed at promoting the economic, political and cultural empowerment of the Nigerian women; but the bill reveals otherwise. The public, especially women, need to be educated and enlightened on this issue. We need to rise up and ensure that the bill is not passed,” Asogwa expressed.

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Civil Society Platform

Stakeholders make case for A protection of

Red Cross activities, way of life – Madumere

Participants at the event

By Temitope Ojo

takeholders in the pen profession have called on everyone in the society to respect and protect journalists across the country. The call was made at the launch of the Nigerian Journalists’ Safety Project, Lagos, held recently at the International Press Centre (IPC), Ogba, Lagos. Speaking at the event, the Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Gbemiga Ogunleye, who chaired the occasion, stressed that due to crucial functions performed by journalists in the society, they deserve the protection of everyone. Journalism, according to him, ranks as the most important profession in the world. “The doctor, the teacher and even the lawyer need information not only about their professions but also about their lives to make informed decisions. The journalist provides that information. “Doctors cannot report their going on strike; neither can they inform the world when they have successfully separated conjoined twins. Without information provided by the journalist, the teacher would be in the dark as to when his oftendelayed salaries would be paid. Learned as the lawyers

claim to be, nobody would know the outcome of their advocacy in court, without judicial reporters reporting it. “So, if journalists perform these crucial functions in the society, the least they deserve is the protection of all of us,” he said. He noted that if journalists are intimidated, attacked or killed, not only their media, family or loved ones suffers, but the nation also suffer collateral damage. Ogunleye further stated that perhaps no other individual, living or dead, had emphasised the importance of the media and the great role journalists play in any society, except the third President of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson, who stated that the role of the press in checking the excesses of government officials is so important that he would prefer “to have newspapers without government to government without newspapers”. Many civilised governments, he observed, have recognised Freedom of Expression as a fundamental human right and one of the distinguishing features of a democratic society. “Therefore, journalists, who champion this right, who have been enjoined by Section 22 of the amended 1999 Constitution to monitor governance and hold government accountable,

deserve to be protected,” he added. Ogunleye submitted that concern for the safety of journalists should go beyond the role of government and security agencies, as the employers of journalists also have roles to play. Quoting the late newspaper publisher, MKO Abiola, the Provost said: “If you do not pay your journalists well, others will, and they will work for them”, adding that when journalists are not paid their salaries as and when due, their lives and those of their dependants are at risk. “Employers of journalists should also ensure that their journalists are sent on hostile environment training before they are deployed to conflict zones. And when they are sent there, they should be insured; provided with bullet-proof vests and given adequate funds,” he said. Mrs. Victoria Ibanga, General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), also reiterated the urgent need to ensure a safe environment for journalists in Nigeria, stressing that journalists all over Nigeria are vulnerable. She assured that the NGE would partner with stakeholders in the country to bring an end to incessant cases of attacks and killings of journalists. “We are vulnerable in the sense that our profession demands that we interface between the government

and the people on a daily basis. In essence, we are in danger, and if you like, we are endangered species. We are as vulnerable as the soldiers at the war front. The only difference is that they have the support of various governments,” she said. Peter Nkanga, West Africa Representative, Committee to Protect Journalists, in his paper stated that because of the nature of the profession, which is about asking questions, exploring a topic of public interest that might reveal secrets or uncover an issue shrouded in silence, in moving forward, “professional journalists should promote social justice and good governance, data journalism, and digital security training clinic must be organised for them”. Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, noted that the initiative was supported by the Open Society Foundation with the overall goal of facilitating a free and safe environment for journalists and other media professionals in the country. The event was attended by mass communication scholars, media experts, editors and reporters from print, broadcast and online media as well as journalism students and activists.

s Nigeria joins the world in marking 2016 World Red Cross Day, the Deputy Governor of Imo State and Chairman of Red Cross, Imo State chapter, Eze Madumere, has commended members for their resolve to be life-savers, describing the activities of the body as a way of life. In an interactive session with newsmen at his official residence in Owerri, Imo State capital, to commemorate the World Red Cross Day, Madumere reminded the public that Red Cross was primarily founded with a view to ensuring that conflicts have acceptable rules, with a view to reducing human suffering. He added that the body cares more about proactive measure of engagements rather than wait for outbreak of conflicts that may bring untold hardship to the people. While disclosing that World Red Cross Day is marked on a day its founder, Sir Jean Henry Dunant, the first recipient of Noble Prize was born, Madumere narrated Dunant’s sad experience during the battle of Solferino in Italy, which led to the suffering of the people and wanton destruction of lives while those who ought to be saved were left to die in excruciating pain. He attributed the laws protecting civilians and other personnel in times of conflict to Geneva Convention, which could not have been possible without the activities of International Committee on Red Cross

Madumere

(ICRC). Madumere stressed that Red Cross members worldwide “are volunteers for service”, unified for one single purpose of saving lives and making the world a better place, while caring less about race, tribe, religion, ideology or even political divides of a people. He also listed, among others, neutrality, independence, impartiality, universality and with primary aim of saving humanity as major principles of the Red Cross. While piloting the activities as the chairman, Imo Red Cross championed a lot of life-saving causes during floods, accidents, abandoned children and other interventions as well as procurement of ambulance to ensure quick intervention during accidents. “We are making efforts at opening up Red Cross across the schools in the 27 local governments of Imo, to keep them busy, teach them rudiments of first aid, what to do in times of dangerous incidences and general techniques in saving lives." The Imo deputy governor also averred that the Red Cross, through Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is also a Red Crosser, has achieved so much in the area of demolishing baby factories, illegal abductions and ensuring that orphans do not suffer or lack the basic needs of life while educating them to become useful citizens of Nigeria.

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May 15, 2016

News

International

The deaf women in Obama's White House Two women who are deaf have risen to prominent positions alongside Barack Obama in the White House.

By Erika Jones eah Katz-Hernandez, 28, is one of the first people visitors encounter when they enter the White House. Informally known as the Receptionist of the United States – or Rotus – she is the first ever deaf person to hold that position. Her desk is just steps away from the Oval Office. "My job involves welcoming people into the West Wing on a daily basis," she says. "Those people include the president, along with his guests and senior staff. I also welcome world leaders from other countries." She also oversees the White House guest book and the West Wing's main

Leah Katz-Hernandez and Claudia Gordon hold positions of prominence in the White House After Obama won, she was appointed as the First Lady's press assistant and research associate. Erika Jones with Leah Katz-Hernandez.

Erika Jones with Leah Katz-Hernandez. meeting space, the Roosevelt Room, among other roles, and communicates with people who don't understand sign language through an American sign-language interpreter. Phone calls are also translated in this way. She has a background in politics, having studied government at Gallaudet University in Washington and got her first introduction to the White House as an intern. Determined to be part of the Obama administration, she travelled to his headquarters in Chicago during the mid-term elections in 2012, and got a job working on his re-election campaign.

Her boss, Barack Obama, recently told a packed news conference that "her smiling face is one of the first things people see when they come into the White House". Katz-Hernandez reveals: "He knows a little bit of sign language, not only because of me, but because of his relationship with other deaf Americans. It's not a lot of sign language – he is a busy man." A colleague of Katz-Hernandez is Claudia Gordon, the first deaf African-American female attorney in the United States. She works at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance

Programs and has held a previous post as a policy adviser for the Department of Homeland Security. Her journey to Washington started in Jamaica where she spent her early childhood. At

the age of eight she lost her hearing and, unable to afford an education in Jamaica, her mother took her to New York where she went to a school for the deaf and learned sign language for the first time. Lack of deaf education was not unusual then and can still be a problem today. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, approximately 80 per cent of the world's 70 million deaf people do not have any access to education and less than 2 per cent of deaf children have access to learning sign language. She says the discrimination she experienced in Jamaica inspired her to become a lawyer.

Claudia Gordon became a lawyer after recognising some people with disabilities were being discriminated against "It did cause me to recognise injustice that exists in society towards people who happen to be different – deaf, blind, physically disabled or have a mental disability. I realised then that society does not treat people right, including myself. So from that experience I realised I wanted to be able to make change, make things better for people like myself." Katz-Hernandez and Gordon praise the Obama administration for its progressive philosophy and values – they aren't the only deaf people working in the White House. "I want to see the deaf community become more involved with the government because it has a vital impact on the lives of deaf people," Katz-Hernandez says. "It's important that they are included. I hope to see many more people like me in the

future." For many deaf people barriers and stereotypes remain. But some are facing up to the discrimination they see and are working hard to break down those barriers. But what do Gordon and Katz-Hernandez think their futures will hold when the Obama administration hands over the reins of government next January? "I do know for a fact that I will continue to strive to make a difference to better society for people with disabilities and other underserved groups," Gordon says. "What that job title will be, what organisation or governmental body that will be, I don't know but I will continue to follow my passion." Katz-Hernandez adds: "My boss [Obama] said to me: 'The White House is not the top of your career, it's the beginning of your future.' “It is true, it is only the beginning; really I want to work to better the future and rights of deaf people and other minority communities." • Culled from www.bbc.com

Claudia Gordon became a lawyer after recognising some people with disabilities were being discriminated against

PARLIAMENT THE GRASSROOTS

TheNiche

May 15, 2016

Politics

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Big Issue: Emeka Alex Duru Editor, Politics & Features 0805 4103 327 e.duru@thenicheng.com nwaukpala@yahoo.com Daniel Kanu Assistant Editor 0805 618 0203 kanuemperor@yahoo.com d.kanu@thenicheng.com

INTERVIEWS

Question mark on Nigeria’s anti-graft war INTERVIEW

PAGE 20

My predecessor was corrupt, says Edo Speaker

PAGE 16»

FROM THE STATES

PAGE 24

Ogba: Agenda for Ebonyi constituents

My life outside NASS, by NdomaEgba PAGE 16 Former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), represented his Cross River Central Senatorial District between 2003 and 2015. Currently, back to his law practice, he speaks on his life outside the National Assembly (NASS), among other issues. Editor, Politics/Features, EMEKA ALEX DURU, presents excerpts of the interaction.

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May 15, 2016

interview My life outside NASS, by Ndoma-Egba

ow has it been outside the National Assembly? First of all, I had a life before the Senate. This year, I will be 39 years in the bar. I was in the Senate for 12 years which means that I had other years to account for. I spent those years actively in court. I was into litigation; I was a courtroom lawyer. I had a life before the Senate. I knew, ab initio, that in life whatever has a beginning has an end. I knew there would be life after the Senate. Fortunately for me, I had an alternative address. If I am not in politics, I am in law. So, I am back to law practice for now, but still actively involved in politics. You appear to have started early in politics. Why was it so? If you put it another way, I started very early in life. From my part of the world, I was probably the first to graduate at or before 21, to be a lawyer at 22. By 23, I was done with it all. It is God’s grace because despite the civil war which we experienced, I never lost one day of schooling. Because I had the unique privilege from my part of the world – perhaps among the first, if not the first, who had an educated father and educated mother who was a teacher at the time, I was exposed to school environment early because I started following my

mother to school even before I was eligible. In those days, eligibility was measured by your ability to put your hand over your head. How they came by that method, I don’t know; but you know that if you are not six years old, at least, you won’t be able to do that. Even before I started school, I was already familiar with the school environment. By the time I started, I was already familiar with what was being taught. So, for me, life started early. By the time I was 16, I was a regular contributor to the Nigerian Chronicle which was the big newspaper then in my part of the world. So, everything has come early for me. Now, about politics, I grew up in a political environment because as a child growing up, my mother was the chairman of Ikom County Council – then they were called county councils; now we call them local government areas. She was the first woman in the Eastern Region to be a chairperson of a county council. So I grew up in that environment where politics was being discussed, where politicians were mingling and all of that. So, you can effectively say that I was born into politics more or less. I took the political side from my mother and the legal side from my father. What have been the regrets all

this while? Regrets? I won’t call them regrets; I will rather say disappointments. But whether they turn out to be disappointments eventually, it is a matter of time. I will give you one. As a child growing up, I had hoped to be a Catholic priest; but I never became one. I was a science student more or less. I wanted to read medicine initially. It is a very funny story how I ended up reading law instead of medicine. We had gone to Uyo for the entrance to University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – a group of young men; four of us. Our friend’s father was then the Principal of the Advanced Teachers College in Uyo. It is now the University of Uyo. He took us out. Gulder beer had just come out and the four of us drank this new beer called Gulder. When we got to the exam hall, we were all sleeping and four of us failed. From that day, I have not tasted Gulder and I don’t offer people Gulder. In my final year of the A’ Levels class, I was persuaded to read the arts. Guess who persuaded me; Dr. Ogbonaya Onu (now Science and Technology Minister), who himself was an outstanding science student. He

was our Dormitory Prefect and was listening to an argument between my friend (Ambassador Mark Egbe, who just retired as an Ambassador) and I. In that school environment, siesta time was supposed to be a period of absolute quietude. But Onu got interested in the argument and so didn’t punish us. At the end of the argument, he admonished us; but told me, ‘I think you are pursuing a wrong ambition, I think you should read law and be like your father’. The rest is history. I changed my courses about three, four months to the exam to History, English Literature and Economics. I eventually ended up reading law which again was an accident. But when I read law, I read law to teach law. I wanted to read law up to Ph.D level and become a professor of law. Again, I am not that professor of law. When I went into politics, I went into politics to be the governor of my state. Again, that never happened. So you can summarise my life by saying, I never became what I desired to

be, or I never became what I set out to be. I became everything that I didn’t set out to be. You were a commissioner at 27. How did you cope with the challenges of the office? Actually, I was exposed to public office as soon as I came back from National Youth Service at the age of 23. If you look at the wall there, (pointing at a picture in his office) you will see me on the second row. I am the third person from the left. That was when President Shehu Shagari appointed me to the board of Cross River Basin and Rural Development Authority. I was 23 going to 24. At the same time, the late Dr. Clement Isong, who was the then governor of old Cross River, also appointed me as the first old student to become the chairman of the board of governors of Government Secondary School, Ikom. I will explain that in due course because I actually passed through two secondary schools. I was 23 going to 24. So, I had always virtually all my life been in positions of responsibility. That was why I didn’t have a

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interview

I agree that the constitutional provisions that make it impossible for people to express their endowments are not in the best interest of the country. In Britain, they had a Prime Minister who was 23 or something. Today you have a member of the House of Commons who is under 18. So people have different gifts. The environment should allow them express those gifts freely without any limitations.

youth as such because when you are 23 and you have been given a federal responsibility, you will have to act according to the demands of the office. So, I never had a youth and that is why I am not the party type because I never had time to attend parties. In any case, I am not even that disposed for a simple reason that if I am in a party environment with loud music, where people are dancing and drinking; even if I drink water, I will have a hang-over for two days. So it is in my own interest to spare myself the hang-over. Recently, we buried the governor who appointed me commissioner at 27 – Navy Captain Edet Akpan Archibong. He had never met me, never heard of me. I realised that I had run into him once in a lift in Switzerland. I had an uncle who was a diplomat. Archibong was in the Navy and they were in Switzerland for a programme. He was staying with a friend in the same building my uncle was. That was the only contact I had with him. Apart from greeting, we didn’t speak. We didn’t have any relationship.

I recall, we were appointed in January 1984 but were sworn in early February. In-between, he had to meet his commissioners. So he walked into the Executive Council hall and we were all standing. Of course, he knew most of them. He was shaking their hands and I was standing between the Commissioner for Health and the gentleman who became Commissioner for Trade and Investment. So he shook the lady and skipped me and was going to shake the other guy. But I grabbed his hands and said ‘why are you not shaking my hand?’ He looked at me and said ‘don’t tell me you are one of my commissioners’. And I said ‘I am unfortunately, one’ and he said ‘oh my God I have appointed a baby’. The next day, the headline in Daily Times was ‘Baby

Commissioner’.

How did I cope? We had a group of very young professionals in Calabar then. We are all very big men today; journalists, lawyers and we were all bachelors. I had this bungalow with large space in front. So, every evening, we would assemble there over barbecue and would be debating the future of Cross River. We asked hypothetical questions: If you were made this, what would be your programme? If you were this, what would you do? I recall one of the last conversations we had before the appointment. I was asked: If you were Commissioner for Works, what would you do? We debated my ideas. That became my programme when I ended up Commissioner for Works a few weeks after the conversation.

So, we already had a plan and all of the members of that group became very prominent people in the society. They held high political public offices and just executed what we were discussing. We grew up in an environment where young people had dreams, where young people were ambitious. I remember when I was a lawyer, I was quite active in Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). We had a group that was made up of professors, senior civil servants, lawyers. We sat down every Thursday evening just to read poems. Then we had another group that met once a week just to listen to Congo music. We had another group that met once a week just to play scrabble. That was the environment that defined my youth. So, I was an old man long before I became old. Is that why people always accuse you of being elitist? I don’t know what they mean by being elitist. If you know me, you will not

describe the person who receives that kind of traffic as elitist. But if you say that I don’t drink in public or I don’t go dancing, you will be right because I have already explained to you why I don’t attend parties. I mean, it is like if I have a funeral to attend, I find it more comfortable attending the church service and being at the interment rather than being at the wake. How would you compare your time of being a commissioner at 27 and now that the constitution has pegged the age for House of Representatives at 30, Senate and governorship 35 years, etc? If you recall when Dr. Idi Hong was nominated as minister, I made my comment during his confirmation. I spoke against those provisions in the constitution. I clearly spoke against them because if you follow the history of this country, a lot of the personages who defined our recent history were people who were very young. If you take the people that fought the civil war for instance, most of the big names – Theophilus Danjuma, Mohammed Suwa and Murtala Mohammed – were in their 20s at the time they fought the civil war.

If you even talk of governance, how old was Michael Okpara, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe? Then if you take my state for instance, Cross River, our first governor, U.J. Esuene, was 32 the time he became governor; Paul Omu, who took over from him, was 36; Babatunde Elegbede, who took over from Omu, was 37; Dan Archibong was 42; Inim Princewill was 39; Clement Ebri was 39; Donald Duke was 37. In the history of Cross River, Benedict Ayade (current governor) is actually the oldest governor we have had. I agree that the constitutional provisions

that make it impossible for people to express their endowments are not in the best interest of the country. In Britain, they had a Prime Minister who was 23 or something. Today you have a member of the House of Commons who is under 18. So people have different gifts. The environment should allow them express those gifts freely without any limitations. Maybe for judges, there might be need for a certain minimum; but for any other thing, I think people should be allowed to express their gifts. You had a scholarship scheme while in the Senate. Is it still going on? The scholarship scheme didn’t start with my coming to the Senate. It actually started in 1980 when I was appointed chairman of the board of governors of Government Secondary School, Ikom. We were paid a sitting allowance which in today’s environment is meagre, but was plenty in those days. I think it was N30 per sitting. It was big money in those days and I didn’t have need for it. I discussed with the principal and we agreed to create a fund from where the school fees of bright and intelligent students would be paid. So the scholarship has been on since 1980. It became public knowledge when I became more visible. I have said it again and again that the scheme is not a political scheme, it is not tied to my politics; it is tied to my obligation and to my debt to a society that has been very generous to me. In economics, we were taught that money is what money does and by accumulating it you are making money for another person. Each time I have huge bank balances, I lost the money. I lost a lot of money when banks went down in the 1990s. You worked that hard to accumulate only to lose. So, why don’t you just use it and give some other person mileage in his or her life?

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Big Issue Question mark on Nigeria’s anti-graft war The ‘fantastically corrupt’ comment by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has raised more questions on the true posture of Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, writes Assistant Politics Editor, DANIEL KANU. Buhari

he latest remark on Nigeria by United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, that Nigeria is “fantastically corrupt” has opened another vista on the perception of the nation’s corruption profile, locally and internationally. Going by the latest news leaked by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the remark was made during a conversation with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The occasion was the Queen’s 90th birthday, just before the global summit on corruption. Cameron in the chat had described Nigeria and Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt”, a statement that has raised strong questions on the effectiveness or otherwise of the anticorruption battle in the land. But reacting, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari from corrupt Nigerian public officials. There have been mixed reactions by Nigerians over the comment. While some demand that apology must be rendered by the British government, there are others who felt that we deserved what we got since Buhari, at any slightest opportunity abroad, would paint how corrupt his country is. Even at the summit, President Muhammadu agreed with Cameron. “What type of apology do we need from Cameron? When our President (Buhari) in all his numerous trips abroad goes about declaring that Nigerians are corrupt, what do you expect? You cannot rubbish your country in foreign lands and expect them to applaud you,” Ephraim Suberu, a university teacher told TheNiche. Buhari lashes back President Buhari on Thursday, while still in faraway London, equally

indicted the international community for looking the other way for too long while corrupt persons were busy stashing away stolen funds in their countries. He made the observation at the opening of the anti-corruption summit which was hosted by Cameron. To stem the tide, Buhari tutored the international community to urgently create anti-corruption infrastructure and a strategic action plan to facilitate the speedy recovery and repatriation of all stolen funds hidden in secret bank accounts abroad. He is of the view that new measures against corruption that would be adopted by the summit should also include mechanisms that will assist countries like Nigeria to combat illegal activities such as crude oil theft to which, he said, Nigeria loses about $7 billion annually. Said Buhari: “When it comes to tackling corruption, the international community has unfortunately looked away for too long. We need to step up and tackle this evil together. That is why we have gathered here today. “Corruption creates a system where resources are shared by a small elite while the majority wallows in poverty. Corruption also undermines the ability of countries to finance development. “I recall, in this regard, the landmark Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the 3rd International Conference on Finance for Development held in January this year. A prominent feature of that global framework is the recognition that good governance and measures to combat corruption and curb illicit financial flows would be integral to the effort to attain sustainable development globally by the year 2050.

“It is for this reason that my government is determined to address illicit financial outflows which have served as a major impediment to progress in our country. “I wish to reiterate our demand that the global community must come up with mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for stolen funds and facilitate the return of stolen assets to their countries of origin.” Mirroring corruption through TI report Despite the ongoing corruption war being waged by Buhari, global anticorruption agency, Transparency International (TI), does not think much positive result has been recorded. TI still retained Nigeria in its 136th position out of the 170 countries in its last ranking of global Corruption Perception Index (CPI). Chairman of TI, Jose Ugaz, who made the disclosure after the anticorruption watchdog released its 2015 CPI, observed that corruption remains a blight around the world. Ugaz stated that 2015 was also a year when people around the world sent a strong signal to those in power that it was time to tackle corruption, with various protests across the globe, stressing that more countries, however, improved in 2015. From TI’s research, the five least corrupt countries are: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand and Netherlands. While the five most corrupt countries are: South Sudan (163) (tied with Angola), Sudan (165), Afghanistan (166), Somalia (167 tied) with North Korea. Given the TI corruption index, Nigeria is expected to genuinely re-fire its effort at anti-corruption drive, but what obtains, commentators insist, is

Cameron

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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Faseun far from being a genuine cause in national interest. EFCC to the rescue? Against the backdrop of alleged massive fraud and corrupt tendencies within the nation’s system, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) were all established during the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo to tackle the malaise. Going by their activities, EFCC has shown to be more action-poised and aggressive in its conduct and perhaps taken the shine off the CCB which is recently bouncing back with the trial of the Senate President, Olusola Saraki, also perceived as a vindictive exercise in most political quarters. Established under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, the Commission has, among other functions, the investigation of all financial crimes, including the advance fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, illegal charge transfers, futures market fraud, fraudulent encashment of negotiable instruments, computer credit fraud and contract scam. It is also empowered to examine and investigate all reported cases of economic and financial crimes with a view to identifying individuals, corporate bodies or groups involved. It can also identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from terrorist activities, economic and financial crime-related offences or the properties the value of which corresponds to such proceeds. Most political commentators have picked holes in the lack of transparency in the execution of the anti-corruption war. And it is believed that the transparency of the exercise, or its absence, would signpost the actual direction of Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda. Political watchers are of the view that both the EFCC and the CCB can be the vehicle to drive the anti-corruption crusade, if the intentions are right. But as the organisations stand today, most political observers and critics seem to have lost confidence in them going by TheNiche public gauge. Critique on anti-graft crusade Critics are of the view that if Buhari wants his war against corruption to be taken seriously, he needs, in the first place, to clean up his own house, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is believed in most political quarters that it is more of a witch-hunt weapon for perceived political opponents while those of the APC known to be notorious in the art of looting are spared.

Fayose Winnable war History shows it is possible to do it. For instance, in 1990, Kim Young-sam, the opposition leader of South Korea, merged his Democratic Reunification Party with the ruling and reportedly corrupt Democratic Justice Party to form the Democratic Liberal Party. He won the presidency in the 1992 elections, served for only one term and used the opportunity to clear the Augean Stables in South Korea. He arrested two of his predecessors, Roh Tae-woo (1988-1993) and Chun Doohwan (1980-1988). Roh received 17 years sentence and Chun was sentenced to life. Kim, in his anti-corruption crusade, did not spare his biological son. In 1997, Kim Hyon Chol, his son known as the “Crown Prince”, was indicted for bribery and tax evasion. He got a three-year sentence. This, political watchers maintain, is what a transparent and sincere anti-corruption agenda should look like. In Nigeria, critics opine that former presidents and their accomplices believed to have taken part in milking the country dry are left untouched to enjoy their ‘loot’. The impression carried along by most Nigerians is that the crusade is rather selective. Some observers have continued to posit that the reality on the ground is that more looting seems to be going on with those in government while the Presidency turns blind eye. There are some officials in Buhari’s government that were indicted by different panels, and no action was taken. For instance, Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, was indicted by a judicial committee set up in Rivers State, by his rival, Governor Nyesom Wike, to investigate him. But he has been going about as if nothing happened, and the Presidency has remained silent on the issue. As far as the former Rivers governor is concerned, Wike’s panel was out for a vendetta and so should be ignored. Also, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, was accused of inflating the cost of a website. Despite objections by some groups, Buhari went ahead to appoint him minister. The public gauge Most individuals that TheNiche sought their views were unwilling to talk on the anti-corruption issue, as they felt the crusade was lacking in both transparency and sincerity. They view the exercise more from a different side of the prism – to silence the opposition. The views of most people who spoke on condition of anonymity could be captured with the position of Bekeh Utietiang. Utietiang, author, teacher and develop-

Jose Ugaz ment historian, says the anti-corruption crusade is more of a distraction and deception, arguing that it was not holistic, rather selective. According to him, the President and his ruling APC have no plans to rescue Nigeria from its economic malaise since they came into power. He noted further that Buhari and his party had gradually reneged on all the promises they made to Nigerians and used the anti-corruption crusade to distract the people from the serious problems the country is facing. “Fighting corruption is a noble and courageous act in a country like Nigeria where it has eaten deep into its fabrics, but what we are witnessing is a sham,” he said. The problem with Buhari’s anti-corruption tactics, Utietiang said, is that they are not sincere, just as he contended that “Buhari cannot prosecute any war on corruption with sincerity” as the major sponsors of his campaign are all corrupt. Said Utietiang: “It is impossible to advance yourself as an anti-corruption crusader when the major benefactors of your campaign are among the most corrupt Nigerians. After his election, Buhari gave voice to these people by appointing them to his cabinet and other government parastatals. “Their anti-corruption agenda has been reduced to a witch-hunt of the members of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It’s getting to a year that Buhari was sworn in as President of Nigeria, (and) no member of the APC has been arrested or prosecuted. Yet, a substantial number of the members of the ruling APC were formerly members of PDP who enriched themselves from the government coffers during the 16 years that PDP ruled Nigeria.” For elder statesman and founder, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Frederick Fasehun, the President is ruling the country by intimidation. He believes that the anticorruption fight is vindictive and used to blackmail the opposition. But Special Adviser to Buhari on Media, Femi Adesina, differs. He told TheNiche that those afraid of the anti-corruption war are those with skeletons in their cardboard, arguing that nobody, without committing any offence, has faced any punishment. “There is nothing wrong in the anti-corruption body, EFCC, inviting somebody to make explanations on an issue the person was involved in. It is nothing to be afraid of. You cannot be involved or called upon to come and explain what you are not aware of,” he said. Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, says EFCC is a mere weapon in the hands of the Presidency to witch-hunt, intimidate and

silence the opposition. Last line The last time Nigeria had the opportunity to remedy its corruption malady was at the early stages of the EFCC under Obasanjo when Nuhu Ribadu was in charge. But that was bungled by the very same authorities that instituted the Commission, as Ribadu turned out to be a willing tool in the hands of Obasanjo’s regime to intimidate those who were opposed to his style of politics. With the way Buhari is believed to be manipulating the EFCC and CCB, observers contend that it would spell doom for the future.

Kim Young-Sam

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Interview My predecessor was corrupt, says Edo Speaker

Newly-elected Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, speaks on why her predecessor was kicked out of office. She also talks on the agenda of the Assembly under her leadership, among other issues. Special Correspondent, TITUS OISE, covered the session.

mergence as Edo House Speaker The former Speaker was very corrupt. He was high-handed in managing his colleagues. We’re all equals; he was just first among equals. We all contested election and came to the House together. We also elected him to be our Speaker. He did not know anything about the finances of the House. What came in and what went out of the House, he didn’t know. That was not right. All the resources that come to the House are stipulated, including how they should be used. But he came up with his own men and just moved everything. Members were not being taken care of properly, to the extent that you would even observe that they were living like paupers. I don’t want to go into his reckless spending. Almost one year in office, members could not even feed properly. The most

annoying one was that each time members complained to the POC (Principal Officers of the Council) that they were supposed to take care of them, they were given the responsibility of liaising, doing all the letters to the executive. They failed because those resources were being diverted for personal uses and not for what they were meant for. The most painful thing was that when we asked, he (deposed Speaker) told us that it was the chief executive that was not releasing it and would incite us to be fighting the chief executive. That led to almost three months of war between us and the chief executive. But the chief executive one day told the leaders of the party that he was going to expose these things; that the fight was

enough. Then he called a meeting of honourable members and asked what the issues were.

We listed what had not been released. He told us that out of the 14 items listed, he had released money for 12. He started enumerating the figures before the members. We had heard that before but when we asked the former Speaker, he would deny it; he would give us a particular figure and we would believe him. That’s why people wondered why we had to wait for almost one year to move against him. It is because we believed whatever he told us. Therefore, we had it in mind that it was the chief executive that was punishing us, until the

man opened up and he (former Speaker) did not deny it. He did not argue with the man. That was when members came back and said, this must stop. We just have 2016. By 2017 and 2018, we would be preparing for another election. When, then, will you be able to do something in your constituency that you can use to campaign? Now, we are going for governorship election. We cannot even go home to talk to our people because we cannot do onetenth of those things we had done that our people saw that made them vote for us to come back. So, what has happened?

It was then that members started going to the papers. Civil

servants were bringing them out and it became very clear. At that point, some members vowed that they would not lead us again. They insisted that those people that were fingered, that is the Speaker and his Deputy, must go. Apart from that, you also know that our level of productivity had gone down as a House. That was what ached me most because I was there during the time of Zakawanu Garuba and that of Uyi Igbe. I knew what legislation was then and what it is today. Nobody is researching, nobody is doing anything. When the head is rotten, what do you expect from other parts of the body? This new set of lawmakers

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We shall engage in robust legislation that will help the executive in carrying Edo to a higher level. The welfare of my members will be another paramount issue on my mind. You can’t ask a hungry man to go and work. One year now, we don’t have cars. It was not that Governor Adams Oshiomhole was not willing to give us the vehicles; it was the process that was causing the problem.

are educated. Many of them are widelytravelled. Some of them are former local government council chairmen. They are not babies. Some of them are activists. You cannot cheat them. The moment that cheating was established, anger flared. In the process of trying to take care of this anger, more revelations were made every day. New revelations came up every day. The recent revelation was that a certain amount of money was paid into his personal account. That was why I announced that we were setting up a committee. We actually set up a committee to look at our finances from June last year to May this year because every day new revelations come out. In fact, I just told some people that I won’t start spending any money until proper auditing is done, and the line drawn for everyone to know where I am starting from. I don’t want to be part of that mess. I have come a long way. My integrity, my personality and all that I have achieved as a former youth leader in this state and at the federal level, leader of women and youths, cannot be messed up. I have to sustain that integrity that I have built over the years. I have just told my aide that we are going to write to the chief auditor to send us an auditor to come and audit the account of the establishment, so that after this I will have my own clean slate. At the end of my tenure, let people come and audit me too. We are going to bring sanity to the House. If you had been entering the chambers, you would see that in recent times when we were sitting, some hoodlums would be at the gallery. That has

not been part of our business. It’s responsible people that come to the gallery and watch their legislators talking about their issues.

Why are you afraid that you are going to be removed if your hands are clean; if you believe in what you are doing? Right from the day he started, you had hoodlums all over the place. You would be walking at the corridor and you would see all sorts of boys, all sorts of human beings and we don’t have such people. Those days, when you were coming to the House of Assembly, your dressing alone would show how responsible you were. All that decorum has been thrown into the bush. But all that, we will revitalise. You know that in parliament, once the confidence is lost, there is nothing anybody can do. Parliamentary work is confidence-building. When you are talking on the floor of the House, you are talking with facts and figures, believing you are giving Edo State the true picture of things. Assuming office despite former Speaker’s claims of being in charge Yes, we have been working. We have had some familiarisation visit to the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and have frozen the accounts of the House. We are working now. Retrieving Assembly property from the former Speaker You know there are processes to that. We have to follow due process. We’ve asked the Clerk to write to him to return those things, including the mace – he took the mace away. We have also asked

the Chief Whip to go and collect the mace. Change in House leadership because of face-off between the governor and his deputy

No, far from that. We have no business with what is happening in the executive. And you’ll notice that since that (face-off ) started, no member has spoken on the issue. No honourable member has followed anybody on any visit or anywhere. We’re not even interested because we want the normal thing to be done. We are all politicians from our various constituencies. We have leaders. We have our constituencies’ mindset. You cannot go against your constituencies’ mindset. It is cheap blackmail. I read in one of the papers that we were made to go and do that, so that we can impeach the deputy governor. That was far from the truth.

He (former Speaker) is still the one that is getting people to write these things, so that there will be diversionary therapy. He wants to divert us. You know, while we have not made all these things public, we have already set up a committee of five persons headed by one Emmanuel Agbaje, who is a seasoned accountant. They are going to get us results. If he is found wanting, he would be prosecuted. But if he is not found wanting, we will recall him from suspension. Let him also feel what other members have been feeling.

Focus as Speaker First of all, the business of legislation. We are going back to the old Fr. Nzamujo times in such a way that when you

enter Edo State House of Assembly, with the kind of work going on there, you will be happy to call it your own Assembly.

He (former Speaker) wanted the bulk figure of almost N500 million given to him, so that he could go and buy the cars. And the governor said he could get all those people, write surety and they will be supplying us the cars in instalments. If he had agreed to that at the initial stage, even if it was done every three months, by now we would have got 24 cars. But because of greed, he insisted that the money must be paid into our account for him to go and buy the cars. He was already looking at the percentage of commission he would get. That had been our problem. This was how the honourable members looked at ourselves and said we may end up spending two years in the House with this man putting us in reverse gear. If the thing (impeachment plot) had leaked, they would have stopped us. Either the party (All Progressives Congress) or the governor would have stopped us. It didn’t leak. That was what helped us. The party would have called us, bamboozled us, or threatened us. So, to say that anybody asked us to do it for whatever political reason is not true.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Analysis

The slide continues in Anambra PDP

Andy (right) and Chris Ubah

Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heads for more unpredictable turns following emergence of three factions in its fold, Special Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO, reports.

nambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week failed to prove bookmakers wrong when it organised parallel congresses. The gladiators even ended up throwing up another faction of the party in the area, bringing the number to three. Before now, the party had two factions. One was headed by Ejike Oguebego, allegedly under the sponsorship of Chris Uba, the self-styled godfather of Anambra politics, while the other was led by Kenneth Emeakayi, said to be sponsored by Senator Andy Uba, elder brother to Chris. The congresses, which took place simul-

taneously at Emmaus House and Marble Arch Hotel, Awka, gave strong indications that the embattled political party that had been neck deep in crises in the past 16 years still has a long walk to truce. Equally part of the congress of confusion was the action of the 11-man committee from Abuja who was saddled with the responsibility of conducting the exercise. Four out of the 11 members conducted a separate congress at Emmaus House for the faction led by Oguebego, while the committee chairman and the rest of the members supervised the congress held at

Marble Arch Hotel. Deepening the confusion further, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were observers at the two separate activities. As if that was not enough, the exercise further produced another faction led by Ngozi Agudosi, who had obtained forms for the post of chairman but was disqualified along with another candidate, Emeka Small. At the end of the exercise, the authenticity of the two congresses became an issue that caused deep cracks within the Abuja congress committee members.

Committee chairman, Ladi Edo, told reporters: “We are duly mandated by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party to conduct the state congress and that is what we have done. We are not aware of any other congress taking place in Anambra State. Whatever those people are doing is a nullity and cannot stand. You can see that the process was peaceful, free and fair and Prince Kenneth Emeakayi emerged the new chairman of the PDP in Anambra State. Anybody that has any protest or complaints should petition the party’s appeal committee.

“I cannot say anything about the rest of the committee members that are not here with us. I am the chairman. The secretary of the committee is also here with me. I do not know where the other committee members are and they did not contact me to say that they were coming to Anambra or not.” At Emmaus House venue of the Chris Uba-led PDP congress committee, Shettima Abubakar dismissed the claims of his chairman, insisting that the authentic venue for the exercise was where he was.

“I do not know anything on the whereabouts of the chairman. I called him

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Ameka

severally and he said he was on his way. I arrived Anambra State, and since then I had not seen the chairman or the rest of the committee members. We could not continue to wait for them. So, the congress had to go on. According to the party’s constitution, in the event of a vacuum, the administrative secretary takes charge and he is here with us. He received us and prepared the grounds for the congress.

“We have held a peaceful congress. Ejike Oguebego won the chairmanship position. He was duly elected. I am not aware of whatever congress that is taking place anywhere in Anambra State. Maybe, another political party is holding its own congress and certainly not the PDP,” he said. While the confusion raged, stakeholders across the two factions took on one another, insisting that theirs was the authentic congress. Former Anambra Central senator, Annie Okonkwo, contended that the congress that produced Emeakayi was a nullity, insisting that Oguebego was the chairman of the party. His words: “As a legislator that makes laws, I cannot be seen to be working against the rule of law. The law says that the administrative secretary should

Oduah

take charge of the congress and he was there with the Abuja Congress Committee. Those people you are talking about always like to impose a system that is anti-party. I do not believe in what you called parallel congress because PDP is one and Oguebego is our state chairman.” Another chieftain of the party, Senator John Emeka, echoed the stance of Okonkwo that the state congress of the party had taken place, with Oguebego as the chairman, adding that anybody talking about another congress was only deceiving himself since there was nothing like that anywhere. “Some people derive joy in circumventing the rule of the law and trying to cut corners for their own selfish gains,” he further remarked. However, Andy Uba, who represents Anambra South Senatorial District, picked holes in the submissions of his colleagues when he described the faction led by his younger brother as a cabal that merely created a situation to rip off unsuspecting party members. “Which other congress? Those people were out there causing confusion and creating opportunities to make money from people. Whatever they did is complete illegality and does not hold water,” he

Okonkwo

stressed.

Stella Oduah, who represents Anambra North in the Senate, told TheNiche that the issue of two congresses was not acceptable to the party, adding that no amount of blackmail would stop the Andy Ubaled congress from not being authentic.

Oduah said: “You all saw what happened. People cannot continue to cut corners. People should not be deceived by what some of our party members are doing because they know that illegality cannot have its way. Let them go to Abuja with whatever name and nobody would entertain that anyway.” Concerned PDP members in the state are not finding the development funny. Their argument is that in the midst of the on-going impasse between the two camps, there is a great deal of uncertainty over the authenticity of their separate congresses. There is also the fear of imminent litigation by the faction loyal to Agudosi, who was disqualified by the congress committee chairman at the Andy Uba-led congress.

The faction had three chairmanship candidates, Emeakayi, Agudosi and Emeka. Shortly before the commencement of the exercise, the committee chairman had announced that based on

an Ihiala High Court ruling, the party stakeholders had zoned the chairmanship position to Ihiala Local Government Area, hence disqualifying Agudosi and Emeka. Agudosi contended that he should be allowed to make his submission by addressing members of the delegates but was turned down. Undaunted by the tough stance of the party, he announced that he had commenced meetings with his legal team for litigation on the issue, noting that he and his supporters were not in agreement with the two congresses. “I am already talking with my legal team. We are going to challenge this charade in the court of law. My question is, who are the stakeholders that did the zoning?

“We have a Supreme Court judgment of January 29, 2016 that stated that Oguebego’s executive is authentic, but that his tenure has expired, calling for a fresh congress. How can an Ihiala High court ruling supersede that of the Supreme Court?

“As far as we are concerned, there was no congress in Anambra State. If the party claims that congress was held, then I am the chairman of the party. The congress committee compromised and they merely

divided themselves into two for some pecuniary reasons, just to deepen the party’s crisis to their own interest,” he said. “People did not cast their votes. Emeakayi and the two senators, Andy Uba and Stella Oduah, are killing the party in Anambra State. All these antics are just for Andy Uba to become the governorship candidate of the PDP in Anambra State.” He asked that with Emeakayi as chairman coming from Anambra South with Andy, what becomes of the position for Anambra Central, his senatorial zone. “Our position is that Anambra Central Senatorial zone should produce the state chairman of the party since they want Anambra South to produce the governorship candidate. After Joseph Okonkwo, the first elected and founding chairman of Anambra PDP, the Central has never produced the chairman. They have produced governors such as Peter Obi and Chris Ngige and never contested for chairman.

“It is unfortunate that our party has created yet another faction led by me; but I believe that it will better the party in due time. Soon you would know the position of the NWC which would ultimately nullify the entire thing called congress,” Agudosi said.

TheNiche

From the states

www.thenicheng.com

May 15, 2016

Ogba: Agenda for Ebonyi constituents

Ogba

Umahi

Egwu

Barely one year in office, Senator Joseph Ogba rolls out empowerment agenda for his Ebonyi Central constituents, Special Correspondent, CHIJIOKE AGWU, reports.

y June 9, the current set of National Assembly members would have spent one year in office. Regrettably, many of them are yet to meet with their constituents since their inauguration. But in the case of Joseph Obinna Ogba, who represents Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, it has been interactions and empowerments all along. When Ogba declared his intention to run for the Senate in the build-up to the 2015 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was apparent to his opponents that the contest was going to be tough. This was on account of the reputation of the senator. To his supporters in Ebonyi Central and beyond, Ogba is a politician with the Midas touch, hence his unusual record in securing victories in electoral contests, irrespective of who his opponent is. Though he had been out of political office prior to 2015, he was not entirely out of circulation. In fact, within the period, he ranked among the politicians in the state who enjoyed state-wide followership and support. Born in Amanvu Nkalagu, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, Ogba was among the visible figures in the administration of the first civilian governor of the state, Dr. Sam Egwu, where he served in various capacities, including being the Chairman of

the state wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007. On account of his robust engagement in the politics of the state within the period, he successfully etched his name in Ebonyi history books. A resident of Abakaliki, the state capital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told TheNiche that given the verve with which Ogba piloted the affairs of the party in the state, his name, in fact, became synonymous with PDP and party politics in the state. “Whatever strong footing PDP has in Ebonyi today has a lot to do with the inspiring role of Senator Obinna Ogba. He laid the foundation when he was the party’s chairman in 2007. We are happy that he has not relented in ensuring that the party attains its lofty heights in the state,” he said. The senator is equally celebrated in the area of sports development in Ebonyi. Indigenes recall that during his time as Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ogba influenced Ebonyi youths greatly in the area of sports. But his ambition to go to the Senate in 2007 suffered a setback when the authorities in the state favoured return ticket for Senator Julius Ucha, erstwhile Speaker of the House of Assembly. Other frustrating experiences came the way of Ogba, but he took them in their strides until 2015 when he joined forces

with Egwu and others to recapture party structure in the state from the then governor, Martin Elechi. The outcome of the political struggle is that, not only that Ogba defeated the governor’s son, Nnanna Elechi, who ran on the ticket of Labour Party (LP), he also beat the other candidates, including the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Benard Odoh, who contested on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Soon after his inauguration, Ogba embarked on vigorous empowerment programmes to ease the pains of his constituents. In what seemed a kick-off for the peopleoriented agenda, during his thanksgiving ceremony, he shocked his audience when he announced the payment of monthly stipends to over 232 persons selected from 58 wards that make up his constituency. Ogba, who said the empowerment programme would cost his office N1 million monthly, pledged to sustain the initiative throughout his tenure. In similar stead, the senator has, barely one year in office, secured federal employment for more than 14 persons from his constituency. Speaking during his recent constituency empowerment programme in the state, Ogba said: “June 2016 will make it exactly one year since I was sworn in as a senator. I am aware that majority of my constituents

are eager to know what I have done with the mandate given to me.” In this regard, he recalled that in addition to attracting several projects in the district, he had commenced construction of some rural bridges and roads in some of the communities in his constituency. He also stated that he had been sponsoring some of his constituents on overseas tours, with each receiving a minimum of N500,000 on arrival. Ogba equally noted that he had procured equipment to help the less-privileged in his constituency set up small businesses to be able to take care of themselves and their communities. These included motorcycles, grinding machines, power generating sets, cassava grinding machines and sewing machines. He urged the beneficiaries to put the items to judicious use in order to justify the efforts expended in procuring them. H said: “I urge you to put these gifts into good use remembering that these gifts represent your sweat during the campaign period.” He thanked his constituents for their support during the election, even as he enjoined them to brief him from time to time on issues that need his attention in the constituency. “It is true that money or material gifts cannot equate the support you gave me; but please do accept these as a token of my appreciation. I will appreciate it if, from time to time, you brief me on other areas that need my attention.”

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TheNiche

Onyewuchi Ojinnaka Email: onyewuchi_ojinnaka@yahoo.com 0811 181 3060

May 15, 2016

Judiciary

Battle for Ikeja NBA chair • I expect credible election – Ubani

Aguegbodo

Nweze

Ogunade

Ogunlana

As expected, Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will conduct elections before the national elections in July. ISHAYA IBRAHIM and ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA spoke with the contestants and a former chairman of the branch on the election

heNiche can authoritatively reveal that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch elections will hold between June 13 and 20 as directed by the national body.

Four learned gentlemen – Wale Ogunade, Gloria Nweze, Adesina Ogunlana and Bartholomew Aguegbodo – are in a battle. This is not their usual courtroom battles to defend their clients. This time around, it is a battle; to become the chairman of Ikeja branch, Lagos State. It is an election that has been seen by those who know as too close to call. One of the leading contenders, Ogunade, the president of Voters Awareness Initiative (VAI), said he is vying for the position because Ikeja branch, known as the Tiger, has gone to sleep. For Nweze, another strong contender, Ikeja branch is too polarised, hence she is running to build bridges. The other two, Adesina and Aguegbodo, did not speak with TheNiche. While Adesina declined to speak, Aguegbodo was unreachable. The election, which comes up in June, is a prelude to the national election of the NBA to elect the successor of Augustine Alegeh, the president. Nweze’s clincher The only female contender in the pack, Nweze, seems confident of clinching the post because, for her, the criterion for the election is competence, not gender. She added that she was running because she has a lot to offer. “We will try and build bridges because the branch is too polarised for my liking. We will build bridges and initiate reconcili-

ation and truce. Then the welfare of our members will be put at the front burner,” she said.

Nweze boasts of being well-grounded in the NBA to offer effective leadership.

“I was previously a treasurer of Ikeja branch. The template with which every other treasurer since 2010 has worked with was what I put down in 2008 and 2010 when I was a treasurer.

“Between 2010 and 2012, I was the second vice chairman, by extension the chairman of the welfare committee. And under my watch, a lot happened. It was under my watch that people who got married as well as the ones that put to bed in the branch were presented gifts. People who were bereaved also benefitted from our welfare package,” she said. She is currently the first vice chairman of the branch and by extension the chairman of the human rights committee. Two years ago, she said, her committee activated the discourse on human rights. “We organised the first ever seminar of the human rights committee in September 2015, with the theme ‘The Constitution, Law Enforcement Agencies and You’. Basically, the target audience of that seminar includes the various law enforcement agencies, with the police at the forefront. And I stand to be corrected, over 100 policemen from the various divisional offices were in attendance.

“The one we had two months ago was ‘War Against Corruption and Observance of Constitutional Rights – Striking a Balance’. The main speaker of that event was the immediate past chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). If you look at the track record, you will see that we have paid our dues.”

Ogunade banks on years of active service Ogunade, a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, told TheNiche that the slumber of the branch has affected its activism, welfare towards members, being mouthpiece to the downtrodden, and many other areas. He said he is well suited to steer the ship, given his antecedents as someone who has spent all his years preaching the gospel according to good governance, and an active member of the bar.

the Bar Centre, to attend to lawyers regularly because many of them are too busy writing briefs and attending court sessions to check their health. On housing, he said “it is an error that we are the ones that managed people’s estate; we draft the agreements; we have the expertise but we don’t have our estate. What stops lawyers from having estate. That is one of the first things I am going to do.”

Once elected, Ogunade said he would launch a welfare scheme for lawyers, particularly the younger ones because, as it were, lawyers have benefitted nothing from the bar.

Credible polls expected

“I‘ve been involved in the activities of the bar for more than 16 years. And that has given me a very good advantage of knowing the problems of the bar first hand, in terms of welfare, in terms of the practice,” he said.

“I am lawyer to Okada people (commercial motorcyclists), traders, artisans among others. If they have issues either with the police or land people or other persons, I come in. And in coming in, it is their various unions that intervene on their behalf. “This is lacking at the bar. Every lawyer is

on his own whenever we have issues. This is one of the things I am going to correct. We

can’t have a bar which leaves everybody on his own. “As I am talking to you, one of our own had an accident. He is just there. The national body gave him a bail-out. But that is nothing. The guy has been on bed in the last eight months.

But there must be a system to protect our own,” he said.

Ogunade plans to set up health facilities in the various Lagos courtrooms, beginning with

On how he hopes to raise the money for all the projects, he said: “The money will be sourced. Lawyers are rich. It is just to mobilise them. I mobilised Nigerians to vote and defend their votes. So I am not new to mobilising.” Speaking with TheNiche on his expectations, former chairman of Ikeja NBA, Monday Ubani, said he would ensure that the elections are free and fair as it was done under his watch as the chairman. His expectation is that the electoral body would conduct credible elections, devoid of rancour and acrimony. “As lawyers, we must show example. We are supposed to show the light,” he said while advising the electoral body to be transparent and ensure that all the contestants are given equal treatment. To the would-be executives, Ubani advised them to be ready to work. “During my tenure, I laid a very solid foundation and showed the light, which has continued to shine. The new administration should take the branch to a higher level,” he charged. Ubani, who seems to be aspiring for a higher office at the national level, urged the contestants to play by the rules.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Editorial Zik, 20 years after

ednesday, May 11 was exactly 20 years since Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, popularly known as Zik of Africa, passed on to the great beyond. Were he to still be alive, November 16, 2016 would have been his 112th birthday, having been born in 1904 in Zungeru, present day Niger State

in Northern Nigeria. He died on May 11, 1996 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu at the ripe age of 92. Zik was • General secretary of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) from 1944 to 1945. • President of the NCNC (1946-60). • Vice president of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (1947-60). • A member for Lagos in the Legislative Council of Nigeria (1947-51). • A member for Lagos and leader of the opposition in the Western House of Assembly (1952-53). • Member for Onitsha in the Eastern House of Assembly (1954-60). • Premier of Eastern Nigeria (1954-59). • President of the Senate of the Federation (January-November 1960). • Governor general and commander-in-chief of Nigeria (1960-63). • President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1963-1966) and • Chairman and presidential candidate of the Nigeria People’s Party (1978-83). He deserves to be celebrated by the Nigerian state even in death. In other climes where valuable stock is laid on quality leadership and service to fatherland, such national icons do not die, literally. Twenty years would have been time enough for a country in dire need of role models to showcase Zik to the younger generation who may not have been in a position to appreciate his contributions to Nigeria. At a time when the bonds of national unity have been so strained that secessionist calls are reverberating more loudly, this would have been an auspicious opportunity to celebrate the life and times of Zik, the panAfricanist, who believed in and lived for the unity and inviolability of the sanctity of the Nigerian state. It is sad that the day would have passed unnoticed if not for the full page advert in a national daily placed by his widow, Uche. In the advertorial titled, “20 years in mind; letter to my dearest,” she asked Zik: “Do you know that your resting place, the mausoleum, at Inosi Onira Retreat, Onitsha, is yet to be completed?” The great Owelle of Onitsha has absolutely no need to know because it does not matter to him. But Nigerians need to be reminded of that fact because ultimately the country is the worse for the shameful negligence. Nigerians need to know whose responsibility it is to build the mausoleum – federal or state government? What is the cost of the mausoleum to necessitate the abandonment of the project? Even if the federal government refuses to complete it for whatever reason, can’t the Anambra State government, or indeed, the five South East states come together to complete it? In a country where everything is perceived through the narrow prism of ethnicity and bigotry, there is no doubt that the project has been mired in the debilitating politics of attrition. But that explains why the country is not making much progress. If Nigeria were to be a country conscious of promoting tourism, Zik’s mausoleum would have been its topmost tourist destination, the same way no tourist visits South Africa without going to the Nelson Mandela National Museum. Commonly referred to as Mandela House, the museum is on Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, in the heart of bustling Soweto, where the late South African president and anti-apartheid icon lived from 1946 to 1961. On Vilakazi Street, visitors from all over the world walk past traditional dancers, hawkers, and taxis to visit the building that was also Mandela's home for 11 days when he walked free from prison on Robben Island in 1990, thus helping transform the area into a thriving business community. That is how countries that are conscious of national heritage treat their heroes and by so doing develop national monuments. It is a shame that 20 years after Zik’s death, his resting place at Inosi Onira Retreat, Onitsha, is yet to be completed.

» PoliticsXtra

With Sam Akpe

sidonlookme@yahoo.co.uk 0805 618 0195

Subsidy removal: Right decision, wrong timing

n Thursday morning, I sent a young man to buy petrol for my car. He informed me that all the petrol stations were shut down; including those of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); as they were still struggling to adjust their meters to reflect the new price regime. But I needed to fuel the car pretty fast. So, I told him to secure some quantity for me at the more accessible alternative source called the black market. With a princely four thousand naira, he left; only to resurface a few minutes later. I was surprised. His story jolted me. “Uncle,” he said, “10 litres of petrol in the black market now costs N5,500.” I was stunned. I demanded a repeat of what he said because I was sure of an error somewhere. He obliged. One of his friends who went with him confirmed it. I pulled a chair to sit down because I wasn’t sure my legs were able to absorb the shock that followed that disclosure. Instantly, I cancelled all my engagements for the day. The car tank was empty but I was not ready to pay N550 for a litre of petrol that cost N86 the previous day. This happened less than 24 hours after the federal government scrapped the subsidy on petroleum products. It was a long-awaited decision. As Wilfred Petersen has noted, “decision is the spark that ignites action ....” But when the best of decisions are taken at the wrong time, they become punishment and a demonstration of utter insensitivity. Agreed, leadership demands that you take a decision. However, when an elected government takes a decision by merely riding on its subjective sense of righteousness, then there is something wrong. My position may run contrary to what Charles Blow had previously said; that “there is no wrong time to do the right thing.” But the author, Joshua Harris, believes that “the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.” That is what has happened to the decision by the Muhammadu Buhari and his team of “noise makers” to finally scrap the subsidy on petroleum products at a time ordinary Nigerians no longer see what to pick from the dustbin to eat. This is a good decision taken

at the wrong time. Even the Holy Bible says there is time for everything under the sun. This means that you can do even the most undesirable things and still gain some applause if you choose your time properly. I have always believed that petroleum subsidy was another way of corruptly enriching a few privileged individuals at the expense of the suffering masses. Nigeria needed someone courageous enough to do away with it and damn the consequences. When Goodluck Jonathan announced subsidy removal in 2012, I was one of those who believed in that decision. My only unheard and unheeded advice was that proceeds from that monumental decision be used to immediately revive our dead refineries, build roads and railways across the country. But Jonathan did not have the support of those he thought he was fighting for because some money-miss-road politicians, parading as patriots, quickly pulled out illicit funds from wherever they were hidden and funded nationwide protests against the policy. That protest was code-named “Occupy Nigeria”. Every street in major cities, particularly Abuja and Lagos; and every expressway across the nation, were blocked with human occupation; thus paralysing all economic and social activities. Musicians were hired across the nation and platforms mounted everywhere including public roads and filling stations to protest government action. I simply did not understand what was happening. Most of the people who were behind that action are today in full support of the removal of petroleum subsidy by the Buhariled administration. Most of them are in this government and are either right on stage or behind the curtain. Up till this moment, it is difficult to understand why the lions of Southwest politics and the big Lagos landlords spent such big money paying people to protest on the streets against an action that was meant to pull the nation out of certain economic slavery. Truth is that Jonathan’s timing was far better than that of Buhari in many respects. Today in Nigeria, poverty has become the

Observations from... Let there be Nigeria; good people, great nation Beside poor leadership that is responsible for the slow development of Nigeria, another “casual agent” is a lack of economic creativity and idea generation. You see millions on the streets and 97 per cent of what they wear is imported. Nigeria is so blessed with intellectuals, oil, and other minerals, yet we rob ourselves of individual creative abilities and resort to fantasies that perhaps by a stroke of magic Nigeria will get to an enviable height. The best university in Nigeria is not among the first 500 in the world. Our youths are addicted to European football but what do we stand to gain in the long run? The West and other regions of the world were built on ideas and creativity. Nigerians are known to be exceptional people the world over, but the structure and environment required for this are hardly in place at home. Our best brains and talents

end up in the Diaspora where creativity is encouraged. If Europe, Asia and the United States can succeed, Nigeria can even do better with sheer determination and commitment. Individually, we owe our respective region our quota for its development regardless of whether a particular government in power is responsive to the people or not. The “change” we want in Nigeria must also come from the grassroots, not from the leaders alone. Muhammadu Buhari must not be the president of the North alone; he promised to repair and rebuild Nigeria. The onus is on us to challenge the status quo in order to create the future we desire. Nigeria can only be built by Nigerians if we are willing to sacrifice. • Ifeanyi Everest Benin City 0805 816 5511

TheNiche on Sunday welcomes letters, maximum 250 words, from readers. Send to oguwikeng@yahoo.com

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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On the beat Oguwike Nwachuku

oguwikeng@yahoo.com, o.nwachuku@thenicheng.com 0805 306 9019

Cameron’s fantastic corruption gaffe second name of ordinary Nigerians. We spend the day with it and go to bed thinking of what happens next. School has reopened and parents are groaning under the unbearable weight of school fees. We have been buying petrol from the black market since November last year at an amount per litre never heard of in this country. Today in Nigeria, for those who can afford it, you buy petrol everyday for your car and for the power generator. Never in the history of this country has the demand for power generating sets be this high. Public power supply is becoming history. People are putting up their refrigerators for sale because they can’t power them again. Everything electrical has lost its taste and value. This administration has continuously claimed to be fighting corruption; which means that ordinary Nigerians can die while that war lasts. Fighting corruption is an acceptable fight; but we must be alive to enjoy its benefits. I wish the President had first implemented the budget by releasing funds into the system as appropriated. That would have mitigated the hardship currently faced by Nigerians before afflicting them with another one. Removing the subsidy is a welcomed decision; but as Peter Turla once said, it is better to do the right thing slowly than to hurry over it and make it look like the wrong thing.

he Prime Minister is not personally corrupt – but he is certainly guilty of epic hypocrisy. So, for that matter, are Britain and the West. “They have spent decades ordering poor countries and failed states to sort out their problems with dodgy money, even while taking much of that dodgy money and ploughing it through their banks, their ritzy stores, their estate agents, and their offshore tax havens – with barely any questions asked or eyebrows raised.” – The Guardian (UK) It will take a while before the dust settles on British Prime Minister, David Cameron’s comment on Tuesday, May 10 that Nigeria is “fantastically corrupt”. While briefing the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, after a cabinet meeting ahead of the Anti-Corruption Summit on Thursday, May 12 – where President Muhammadu Buhari was billed to give a keynote address – Cameron tagged Nigeria alongside Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt” nations. He was speaking at Buckingham Palace at an event to mark the Queen's 90th birthday where other public figures like the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, were in attendance. Like a fief who had gone to brief the lord of the manor, Cameron told the Queen that “we’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain ... Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.” Welby countered: “But this particular president is not corrupt ... he’s trying very hard.” And Bercow asked: “They are coming at their own expense, one assumes?” Realising the enormity of his snide comment on Nigeria, over which British newspapers and the Parliament had taken him up, Cameron on Wednesday, May 11 clarified that Nigeria and Afghanistan had taken “remarkable steps forward” on corruption.

His confidence as he briefed Parliament was based on a collection of essays Buhari and Afghanistan President, Ashraf Ghani, wrote on the scale of corruption in their countries. Number 10 Downing Street, apparently feeling embarrassed, issued a statement saying that both Buhari and Ghani “have acknowledged the scale of the corruption challenge they face in their countries. “In a collection of essays on the fight against corruption to be published on the day of the Summit … Ghani writes that Afghanistan is ‘one of the most corrupt countries on earth’ while … Buhari writes that corruption became a ‘way of life’ in his country under ‘supposedly accountable democratic governments’. “Both leaders have been invited to the Summit because they are driving the fight against corruption in their countries. “The UK (United Kingdom) stands shoulder to shoulder with them as they do so. We cannot comment on a conversation between the PM and the Queen.” Cameron was merely referring to what the two leaders themselves had said about their countries. But behind the scenes diplomatic engagements must be going on now to mitigate the negative impact of his undiplomatic comment. Handlers of Cameron’s ill-conceived comment may have realised that his gaffe had touched the nerve of Nigeria’s relations with the UK, bringing back a sad memory of colonisation in which Britain was the arrowhead. When Buhari was asked if he anticipated an apology over Cameron’s comment, he put it succinctly that he was not after apology but the money Britain has helped some corrupt Nigerians stash away. That speaks volumes. “I am not going to be demanding any apology from anybody. What I will be demanding is the return of assets. I have already mentioned how Britain led and how disgraceful one of Nigeria’s executives was. “He had to dress like a woman to leave Britain and left behind his bank account and fixed assets which Britain is not pre-

pared to hand over to us. That is what I am asking for. What will I do with apology? I need something tangible,” Buhari said. I am not particularly surprised by Cameron’s comment. He seems good at deploying wrong phrases to describe situations. In January this year, he described immigrants as "swarm of people" for which he was also cricised. What bothers me is that we have not rid ourselves, our psyche, of the colonial mentality we inherited from the West, Britain in particular. At least three books – Walter Rodney’s How Europe Underdeveloped Africa and Chinweizu’s The West and the Rest of Us and Decolonising the African Mind – explain why Cameron speaks the way he does, and why more of such sinister comments on Nigeria and indeed Africa will dominate public space for many years to come. Rodney wrote: “The decisiveness of the short period of colonialism and its negative consequences for Africa spring mainly from the fact that Africa lost power. “Power is the ultimate determinant in human society, being basic to the relations within any group and between groups. It implies the ability to defend one’s interests and if necessary to impose one’s will by any means available. “In relations between peoples, the question of power determines maneuverability in bargaining, the extent to which a people survive as a physical and cultural entity. “When one society finds itself forced to relinquish power entirely to another society, that in itself is a form of underdevelopment.” African leaders are yet to find their feet on governance. They do not understand the concept of power hence they run to Europe and America to seek solution to matters that demand domestic intervention. Our leaders go outside their shores to denigrate their fellow countrymen without knowing how much damage they are doing to themselves. Corruption is one of their sing songs any time they are in Europe, America or

Asia in search of aid. They magnify crimes committed at home to whip up sentiment so as to hear the West tell them sorry. Though Buhari appears serious about fighting corruption, he contributes to our diminishing relevance in the international community the way he opens his mouth so wide on Nigerian matters. That he does not see any credible Nigerian apart from himself, and does not mind to tell any European or American audience so is unfortunate. Leadership demands that our president also presents the good side of his countrymen and women and not to always condemn all Nigerians in the name of fighting corruption. Whenever Buhari speaks on the ills of Nigeria outside its shores he may talk about the bad citizens but he must not assume that all the 150 million people he leads are corrupt. During his electioneering, he made corruption one of his key priorities saying, “if Nigeria doesn’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.” With the arrest of many high-ranking members of the political elite on corruption charges, mainly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and their collaborators in the private sector, how else does Buhari want to convince Downing Street that corruption is not a “way of life” in Nigeria as he had earlier made it believe? He cannot continue to speak out on Nigerian criminals without reference to the honest ones who contribute positively in their different areas of calling both at home and in the Diaspora. The impression Cameron and some other European, American and Asian leaders have of us is based, first and foremost, on what Buhari and other African leaders tell them. And that is the easiest way of further subjugating us to their authority as those they colonised. They grab the opportunity to assert the false air of superiority we thrust on them by our failure to get our act together. That is the reason for Cameron’s fantastic corruption gaffe.

Funny World

m or o.nwachuku@thenicheng.com or thenichenewsroom@gmail.com

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikechukwu Amaechi Executive Editor Oguwike Nwachuku Editor, Politics/Features Emeka Duru Editor-at-Large Sam Akpe Assistant Editor, North Chuks Ehirim Assistant Editor, South West Olumuyiwa Olaleye

Chief Operating Officer / FM Eugene Onyeji Human Resources Manager Kehinde Okeowo Advert Manager Vera Iyere

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Words &Worlds

Remi Sonaiya

Do we (not) need a revolution? OMETIME in mid-2012, the newspapers reported that two acclaimed leaders of the Nigerian people, retired Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma and erudite Professor Ben Nwabueze, expressed divergent views as to how the prevailing situation in the country then could be turned around. Nigeria, it seemed evident to all, appeared to be tottering dangerously at the edge of a precipice, about to topple over. Crime had become so rampant and banal, that the country had moved up the ladder to terrorism – given the spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks going on at the time. The nation was being described more and more as a failed state and was then ranked 14th in the world. Professor Nwabueze felt that only a bloody revolution could put an end to Nigeria’s woes. His message was: “Let the blood flow!” Of course, both the guilty and the innocent would suffer; but, according to the learned professor, “those who survive will pick up the pieces”. General Danjuma, for his part, was vehemently opposed to the idea of a bloody revolution. Rather, he called for effective leadership of the country, so that peace and security could be restored to the land and life would return to normal. My take then on the differences of opinion which pitted these two eminent Nigerians against each other was to wonder what that difference could be indicative of, given the two

personalities involved. That is, what, within the ever enigmatic Nigerian context, would readily pit an erudite academic against a retired General? One wondered then if it could have been based on some stories circulating then (rumours, really) of former army Generals having been allocated oil blocks in the Niger Delta, presumably as a reward of their services to Nigeria. If such rumours were true, then that could indeed explain why any General who had been a beneficiary of such largesse from government would not be particularly warm to the idea of a revolutionary solution to the nation’s problems! Given that there was no proof that General Danjuma was such an individual, that idea remained at the level of mere speculation. Now, fast-forward to 2016, some four years later, and the plot of Nigeria’s story has significantly thickened. Terrorism has attained previously unimaginable proportions, with Boko Haram sending suicide bombers to markets, motor parks, churches and mosques in the North, abducting hundreds or thousands of people including the world renowned Chibok school girls, and effectively destroying several towns and villages in North East Nigeria and producing tens of thousands of internally-displaced persons (IDPs). As if that was not sufficient preoccupation for the country, kidnapping became the order of the day all over the country and, to crown it all, cattle rustling and violent attacks

by AK47-wielding (Fulani) herdsmen are generating “war songs” that could plunge the nation into serious crisis, if not carefully managed.

Well, as for Generals and other highly-placed members of our armed forces, their reputation has sunk to an all-time low. While the matter of some of them having been awarded oil blocks was consigned four years ago to the realm of rumours, now there is practically incontrovertible evidence to prove their corruption. It was a great shock to many, at least those decent people in the land who still had a functioning conscience, to learn as a result of the current administration’s declared war on corruption, that much of the money that was voted to our armed forces to prosecute the fight against Boko Haram was actually diverted into the private accounts of several army and air force top brass! Thus, Nigerian soldiers were being sent to war bare-armed, and it was no wonder that they were fleeing before their better equipped adversaries, Boko Haram. Many of them thus died needlessly, and even their widows had to protest the non-payment of their husband’s entitlements. What was most shocking in all of this, and which showed the military leaders as totally devoid of conscience, was that they were even bold enough to court marshal those “brave” soldiers who dared to refuse to go and fight against Boko Haram with their bare hands. The thinking

of many in the country today is that if President Goodluck Jonathan had been re-elected, the whole charade would have continued and those poor soldiers could even have been executed! Several Generals and Air Vice Marshals are now being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and some days ago the army announced the court-marshalling of two Generals. Nigeria is currently being shaken to her foundations. It is obvious that the so-called “political class” has effectively cornered much of the nation’s wealth and they are not about to give up their ill-gotten advantages easily. The behaviour of the members of the National Assembly testifies to this: their primary interest is their personal benefits (luxurious cars and fat salaries and allowances), not the wellbeing of the people or the institution they are supposed to serve. The lot of the citizens is a hard one: lack of services like electricity, water and good roads, low earning power (a minimum wage of N18,000 in the public service), arrears of salaries being owed and, just a few days ago, an increase in the cost of fuel. The question remains pertinent: what would bring the long-awaited solution to Nigeria’s problems – Professor Nwabueze’s bloody revolution or General Danjuma’s more peaceful approach through effective governance? Time will tell.

‘Ekiti Seven’ and fate of our roads

By Fred Nwaozor

t was a very sad moment indeed for the entire people of Ekiti State and Nigerians in general on Sunday, April 24, 2016, the day that dastardly ended the precious lives of seven able-bodied gentlemen who hailed from the state via a ghastly motor accident, when they were en route to Sokoto for a crucial official assignment. The last time I checked, among the deceased persons were six medical doctors and the driver of the affected vehicle. They were actually travelling to attend the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) scheduled to hold in Sokoto, North West, Nigeria. Though some of the victims of the ill-fated trip are alive to tell the ugly story, the unannounced eternal departure of the seven remains an indelible shock in the lives of those they left behind to mourn them. We learnt that the incident occurred along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway while approaching the latter from the former. It was gathered that the vehicle in question, a bus, abruptly ran into a deep pothole in the middle of the road; an unforeseen development that made it to leave its path thereby somersaulting severally. The men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had allegedly attributed the incident to over-speeding. The report was emphatically refuted by the

survivors of the accident who, on the contrary, claimed that the deceased driver was a professional, thus could not indulge in such uncultured attitude, adding that the man had been working with them for over four years. They further stated that the corps was indirectly informing the general public that the 12 doctors in the bus couldn’t ask the driver to refrain from over-speeding, if truly he was in any way involved in such act. It was that same Abuja-Kaduna expressway that took the life of the Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN), and that of his wife and son, barely few months ago. This very incident was equally attributed to over-speeding by the authority, but pathetically the driver of the vehicle wasn’t too strong to tell his own side of the story owing to the severe injury sustained. As much as I sincerely sympathise with the families of the ‘Ekiti Seven’ alongside the victims who are still lying critically in the hospital, we need to understand one fact: our roads aren’t in good condition, and such anomaly is seriously telling on the contemporary Nigerian society. We are not unaware that a road accident or auto crash could be caused by several factors to include, but not limited to, recklessness of the driver, overloading, indolence on the part of the passengers, as well as the not unusual nonchalant behaviours of some officials of the FRSC. But it’s imperative to acknowledge that the greater percentage of the carnage recently recorded on our

roads was as a result of the pathetic state of the roads. To this end, governments at all levels are required to act fast towards re-awakening the pitiable state of our roads, particularly the major ones. These roads are seriously yearning for help, thus we need to attend to them urgently. I’m aware that all the federal roads that are currently crying foul were captured in the 2016 budget, hence soonest we ought to start witnessing a different era as regards the fate of the roads with the anticipated effort of the current Minister Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

The jobs shouldn’t be awarded to ‘ghost’ contractors; such practice has been the major problem of this country in the area of road construction. In view of this, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration that has anti-corruption war as one of its priorities ought to do something differently towards ensuring that the Egyptians we saw yesterday wouldn’t retrace their footsteps to this dispensation that’s anchored on change. Further, the FRSC ought to stop issuance of driver’s licence by proxy, which is ostensibly the order of the day in several quarters across the country. It is no more news that some law enforcement agents invariably connive with unscrupulous elements towards issuing any required material such as driver’s licence, number plate, without passing through due process. They should also abstain from condoning the use of scraps in the name of ‘car/vehicles’

or ‘motor spare parts’ on our roads; it’s obvious that most Nigerians, on a daily basis, make use of outdated vehicles or their spare parts. Similarly, recklessness of several drivers, including adherence to ‘one-way’ syndrome, over-speeding, non-application of seat belt, making call or texting/chatting while on the steering, drinking/smoking – driving, and what have you, should be properly checked by the corps. Mobile courts ought to be set up at strategic locations to, as soon as possible, try anyone caught in the act or accused of any untoward attitude. However, in most occasions, you would observe that the passengers, or car owners as the case may be, often instigate their drivers to move on a high speed, stating that they are already late to their destinations. Even when the commercial/private driver over-speeds out of pleasure, the people won’t bother to caution him.

The citizenry need to be thoroughly orientated on the fact that, he who drives safely definitely arrives safely. Such campaign requires to be carried out, from time to time, by the FRSC in collaboration with various corporate bodies such as the churches, mosques, civil society groups, the media, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The time to act is now, before this untold and unspeakable scenario gets out of hand. Think about it! • Nwaozor, Public Affairs analyst and Civil Rights activist, wrote in from Owerri.

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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Has this become our lot?

igerians may have succeeded in replacing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the All Progressives Congress (APC), nearly one year ago. By that, it may be right to argue that there is a new political order in the land.

But is there any significant change? No, there is none, really. Rather, it is the same antics, the same strategies and, in some instances, the same players, despite pretensions to the contrary. This is why the rash increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government, last week, should not come to any discerning Nigerian as a surprise. It, indeed, followed the same pattern by the administrations before the current one. As in the past, the agenda came with an artificial scarcity that was deliberately injected into the system. In-between was a staccato of ill-digested and contrived official excuses by state officials; occasional threats of dealing with marketers for hoarding; the usual claim of unscrupulous elements diverting products to neighbouring countries; unleashing rented commentators on the people on why the so-called subsidy on the products had been at the base of the nation’s underdevelopment. Then the final announcement after the people must have been exasperated. From 1973 when the former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, initiated the fuel price hike from six kobo to 8.45 kobo, till the last Goodluck Jonathan administration that raised the price from N65 to N141 on

January 1, 2012 before industrial action by organised labour forced it to bring down the rate to N97 on January 17, the story has been the same. In what has become an orchestra of sorts, the increase has always been explained on the need to ensure product availability, competitive pricing and need to fix the nation’s dilapidating infrastructure.

The price hike of last week by the Muhammadu Buhari administration did not depart from the odious route. While the Minister of State (Petroleum), Ibe Kachikwu, struggled to explain the increase, it was apparent that he was on a tough task. He was, in fact, executing a brief that any one worth his principles would find humiliating. It was, in a way, akin to one going back to a vomit. Here is a government that its principal officers had, during the build-up to 2015 general election, pledged stability in the pump price of petrol. Even some supporters that were particularly excited by the candidacy of Buhari had taken the beat further by announcing that if the retired General came to power, the price for a litre of PMS would crash to N40. Tam David-West, the virology professor, who had stuck out his neck on this, will now be finding it hard to grapple with what is staring him at the face. But he is not alone. We have all been conned by the smart alecs we elected as our leaders. What we are experiencing is expected in a system that plays politics without the people-content. It is that which manifests in

Email: nwaukpala@yahoo. com Tel: 0805 410 3327

an entity where people attain political offices not essentially by merit or convincing party manifesto, but by petty sentiments of religion and ethnicity. Is it not amazing, for instance, that months before the November presidential election in the United States of America, the aspirants are literally being scrutinised to their pants to find out how physically and mentally prepared they are for the high office.

Ours is a different ball game. We always take a leap in the dark. Charles Soludo, professor of economics and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, can thus be said to have seen farther than many, when, in the course of the campaigns last year, he had alerted Nigerians on some rough times ahead, regardless of who emerged the winner between the then President Jonathan and Buhari. He had predicted that none of the two would be able to deliver on the fantastic promises they were making on the economy, warning that if oil prices remained below $60, there would be difficult times ahead. Soludo said: “Let me admit that the two main parties talk around the major development challenges – corruption, insecurity, economy (unemployment/poverty, power, infrastructure, health and education among others). However, it is my considered view that none of them has any credible agenda to deal with the issues, especially within the context of the evolving global economy and Nigeria’s broken public finance. “A plan without the dollar or naira signs to it

»OpenCopy

with Emeka Alex Duru

is nothing but a wish-list. They are not telling us how much each of their promises will cost and where they will get the money. None talks about the broken or near bankrupt public finance and the strategy to fix it.” This is, sadly, the challenge before us.

But how could Nigerians know the thinking of their eventual president, when the basic demand of subjecting the candidates to mere television debates is often considered an affront in some quarters? That is why Nigerians do not, in the real sense, get to know who is presented before them at elections. Therefore, the parties and their flag-bearers cash in on this to ride roughshod on the people, churning out promises that they hardly give a thought on. If this is not the case, how would one explain a situation where APC, which had sold to Nigerians the dubious impression of progressive change agency, could not, since after coming to power, put up any single policy initiative that can be said to be salutary in formulation and implementation? Granted that it may be too early to write off the party and its administration, since it still has three years to put things in place. But if the current actions of the party and its elected officials are to offer the compass for the journey ahead, the future is, indeed, bleak for the country. In that case, the pains Nigerians will obviously be going through on account of the senseless fuel price hike will just mark the beginning of more traumatic days ahead.

Anatomy of patazurunwa@yahoo.com 0802303488 (SMS only)

Trademark Lines With

PAT AZURUNWA

n insurance, one of the difficult decisions to make is whether or not to provide cover or protection for a client with goods or commodities with inherent vice. Vice here means unwholesome, a disposition to choose evil, or generally, something negative. Inherent means existing in someone or something as a permanent characteristic or quality. Accordingly, an importer of salt from Europe to Nigeria will pay more premium than another importer bringing in steel members even when the two commodities are of equal monetary value. This is because the former can easily be destroyed upon contact with water, while the latter can survive different conditions and situations. Salt will always be salt – created or made in its peculiar form. So is steel. The Nigerian politician has a large dose of moral hazard. It follows, therefore, that he can hardly, on self-recognition, purchase a Fidelity Guarantee policy or a Professional Indemnity Cover. Any underwriter who sells any of these products to a Nigerian politician should simply set aside the sum insured because the crystallisation of a claim is a fait accompli. Let us take a deep look at a typical Nigerian politician and discuss those vices that stand him out from the crowd. We are leaving a five per cent margin for error.

He prefers politics to a career or professional calling. This is because politics offers a very high return-oninvestment (ROI). Just do all you can to win in an election and your jumbo package is almost certainly guaranteed for four years, even when for the rest of the period after an election the politician does practically nothing until the next election. He supports the quick passage or amendment of any law that will make it almost impossible for his constituents to recall him for bad representation. There is a lack of ideology. To him, he can swing between being a progressive and a conservative in a matter of hours. He hardly understands the meaning of ideology. He has no modicum of decency or integrity. Where else in the world do adults exchange blows as is the case with our politicians. Wives and children watch as charlatans disguised as politicians fight dirty publicly, and the following day, they move on as if nothing happened yesterday. There is exceeding love for (unearned) titles. With money, chieftaincy and academic titles are at his beck and call. He flaunts his (ill-gotten) wealth. He makes sure that his house stands out in the community, buys off all landed properties around his house, so that the houses of the poor do not deface his mansion. Cultism is allowed. He is either training an illegal army to protect him or to fight his opponents. The boys who were used as thugs

and dumped between 1999 and 2003 in the Niger Delta region did not return their guns to their masters. That marked the beginning of militancy.

Sometimes, he eats his tomorrow today. When he sells all his belongings for an uncertain political office, he becomes pathologically insensitive to everything around him, and in the (sometimes) likely event that he loses in the process, his nuisance value skyrockets. He is barely literate. Forget his posturing, or the defensive mechanism he employs to cover his complex; he focuses on the easier task of money-making and avoids the technical exigencies of his vocation. The next time a technical bill is being debated, watch the number of senators and members of the House of Representatives who will take mental flight and embrace sleeping and snoring. The brain has been configured to accept discussions bordering on pecuniary rewards, and to reject any intellectual discourse with any bombastic sound.

He is corrupt emotionally, psychologically, morally, politically, and is quick to import words to justify any action taken. So, misappropriation becomes misapplication; unexecuted project can be “due to cost variation”. The Nigerian politician is very predictable. He will change his telephone number when he occupies a position. We will become a nocturnal animal; he will attempt to change his accent for effect. He spends so much of public funds to advertise the very little job done. A state governor who provides a community with a N3 million borehole will on the day of commissioning invite dignitaries from other states and possibly

pay a TV station over N5 million for a 30-minute coverage and documentary. A former governor of one of the eastern state spent a large chunk of the state’s funds advertising the state and projects which he completed only in his dream on foreign TV channels. He breaks the laws he is expected to respect and obey. He drives against traffic at a maddening speed, accompanied by a retinue of security personnel including the police and other bodyguards. He jumps the queue, arrives at events quite late when every other person is seated, so that he can be “properly” noticed, and generally breaks established protocols. He is thick-skinned. He feels no insult, takes no corrections, does not care a hoot about the blood of the innocent shed by him directly or vicariously because shame is the first thing he drives away from his consciousness during his political initiation. He is an expert user of guile. He knows he is dishonest, and that the next person we may want to vote for is not any better, and therefore, invests in deceit, in contemptuous behaviour, and makes us even more gullible because he continuously sharpens his monstrous cruelty with gusto. Any Nigerian politician who does not have any, or all, of these characteristics should bring me a sample of his great grandfather’s urine. Reactions are invited, especially regarding the five per cent margin for error. Too much? Too little? Spot-on? If acceptable, then pray that your governor, senator, House of Representatives member, state assembly member, or councillor

falls within this hallowed exception-to-the rule group. Good luck.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

FREE SPEECH

By Adenike Ademola eing a rising African mega city, access to a highly organised public transportation system remains one of the major challenges of Lagos residents. As it is with other mega cities such as New York, New Delhi and Jakarta, population growth in Lagos compounds the challenge of public transportation. With a population in excess of 18 million people while also attracting 65 per cent of Nigeria’s commercial activities, Lagos, no doubt, has a peculiar public transportation challenge. The ubiquitous Lagos traffic, complicated by the legendary Lagosians’ knack for impatience and lawlessness in addition to motorists’ impunity, make commuting in Lagos a near nightmare.

It is, therefore, a combination of the aforementioned that makes it rather expedient for Lagos residents to experiment with other means of transportation considered faster and timely. It is this situation that necessitated the introduction of commercial motorcycles, popularly referred to as Okada which, for obvious reasons, became the preferred alternative of most residents. In the olden days, motorcycles were used in villages and urban slums because they could wade through difficult terrains that buses and cars could not venture into. But nowadays, Okada is used in major Nigerian cities such as Lagos by businessmen/ women, gov-

Ridding Lagos of Okada nuisance

ernment workers and students as well as traders to overcome traffic congestions and navigate roads that are inaccessible to other automobile. Rather than serve as a credible alternative means of transportation, the introduction of commercial motorcycle has been the bane of the society. Almost on a daily basis, we hear tales of the havoc being wreaked by commercial motorcycle operators on their hapless passengers. And, perhaps, the most disturbing thing about the operators is their constant involvement in crimes, mostly armed robbery and kidnapping among others. Recently, the media were awash with the news of the kidnapping of three school girls from Barbington Macaulay Seminary School in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos. The criminals who invaded the school to carry out the dastardly operation were reported to have come aboard motorcycles. Similarly, some of the notorious Lagos bag-snatchers usually carry out their nefarious acts with the aid of motorbikes. It is, thus, as a result of the threat posed by Okada riders and other traffic offenders that the Lagos State Government came up with the State Traffic Laws. And since all efforts at initiating attitudinal change among the commercial motorcycle operators and others have not been yielding the desired results, there is the need to tackle old challenges with new methods. And to truly succeed in the war against traffic chaos in Lagos, the government had to apply the rule of

law.

currency, the naira.” And then he made the devastating “J” statement. His words: “The currency (naira) is junk and the government is incompetent and corrupt. The only sure-fire way to solve all these problems is for Nigeria to officially replace its junk currency.”

role in the determination of a nation’s wealth. Therefore, currency and its value become the bellwether and principal indicator of the economic status and financial wellbeing of a given nation. I did agree with Hanke that “Nigeria is in trouble” and I will further assent that the cause of that is rooted in corruption and incompetence. But it must be made crystal clear that the mismanagement of naira and economy has been a long time problem. Therefore there is no easy way out; neither is there a panacea that can immediately neutralise the surging and contemporary calamity facing the country.

Universally, the rule of law operates on the legal theory that law should govern a nation and not capricious verdicts of ‘powerful’ individuals. The rule of law underlines the power and weight of law within society, principally as a restraint upon behaviour. The guiding principle behind the rule of law is the prevention of anarchy and the creation of a just society where everyone is equal before the law. Further, the rule of law presupposes that no law-breaker must go unpunished. According to the State Traffic rule, it is an offence for commercial motorcycle riders to ply some designated routes. Also, a set of codes of conduct are set out to guide their operations. These include barring of their operations on major highways, BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lanes, medians, walkways as well as all bridges. In addition, riding without the use of crash helmets, carrying of pregnant women and children, carrying of more than one passenger at a time as well as disobedience to traffic signal lights are forbidden. But more than half of commercial motorcyclists do not obey these rules. And this has resulted in fatal accidents, which has prompted the National Orthopedics Hospital (NOH), Igbobi, Lagos, to dedicate wards to the victims of motorcycle accidents in the state. To arrive promptly at their destinations and also make brisk business, the commercial bike riders often ride recklessly, usually against the flow of traffic, knocking down unsus-

pecting pedestrians or having head-on collision with on-coming vehicles. Consequently, as fallouts of this thoughtless action, people are being maimed or killed from time to time in preventable circumstances. In fact, a sizeable number of Lagos residents have had one sad story or another to tell about their terrible ordeals with Okada operators.

On the whole, the anguish being caused by commercial motorcycle operation far outweighs its significance. However, opinions are sharply divided concerning whether the state government should prohibit the use of Okada outright as a form of transportation. While a large percentage of Lagos residents are in support of placing a total ban on the activities of commercial motorcyclists, others, especially those that live in areas that are hard to reach by vehicles, think otherwise. While one agrees that in this era of dire economic straits, an outright ban on Okada could spell doom for those who rely on it for economic survival, it has become quite crucial for the state government to bring the full weight of the law to bear on all errant Okada riders. Therefore, to minimise the damage being done by Okada riders, the state’s traffic laws should be enforced to the letter and law enforcement agencies in connection with the enforcement of these rules must not in any way compromise with culprits. • Ademola wrote from Lekki, Lagos.

Hanke is wrong; naira may be ebbing, but not junk currency By Emeka Chiakwelu

“

The power of life and death is in the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Words, images and remarks are powerful. Again, spoken words have consequences. One of United States of America most respected and influential economists, Steve Hanke, a professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University, made a remark on Nigeria’s currency during an interview with CNBC, which I philosophically disagreed with. Professor Hanke called the naira a “junk” currency. Professor Hanke is also co-director of the Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise at Johns Hopkins University. At Cato Institute, he is a senior fellow and director of the Troubled Currencies Project and has been a senior adviser at the Renmin University of China’s International Monetary Research Institute in Beijing for some time. Therefore when he speaks, the world of commerce and currency listens. Professor Hanke said: “Nigeria is in trouble. Amid double-digit inflation, Nigeria’s foreign reserves are dwindling as the government races to shore up a swooning

Those who are not accustomed to how remarks and words affect global commerce and currency, when spoken by a highly esteemed economist like Prof. Hanke, will be asking: what is the big deal? Yes, it is a big deal because in most cases, perception does become reality. Already, inflation is biting hard on ordinary Nigerians due to the weakening naira, but further destruction of the currency will totally destabilise the country’s economic and financial topography. As I mentioned in one of my articles on naira and wealth of a nation: The value and worth of a currency is determined by the wealth of a nation. In this era of global capitalism, a wealth of nation goes beyond the conventional valuation based on the natural and human resources. A nation’s image, perception, security and stability also played an important

When Prof. Hanke said the only surefire way to solve all these problems is for Nigeria to officially replace its junk currency, I would like to know for sure what he was actual saying. Does he want Nigeria to come up with a new currency or is he implying that further devaluation of naira is necessary and inevitable? Whatever he might be saying or implying, Nigeria’s problem cannot be solved with his subscriptions and suggestions. Nigeria is in a deeper hole beyond the perception of the educated and influ-

ential professor of allied economics. Nigeria has a macroeconomics dislocation that hinges on its one commoditybased economy and mismanagement rooted in mediocrity and corruption. A nation that failed to do the right thing will also pay the price when the time for reckoning comes. Due to colonial inferiority complex embedded in low self-esteem, Africa’s policy-makers have failed to look inward, but every step of the way laid their trust, hope and projections on the Bretton Woods institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and any other institutions that are using Africa as a Petri-dish to convolute, fabricate and conjure policies that may not be workable in any other places. Surely, Nigeria’s naira is in trouble. Nevertheless, it is not a junk currency. • Chiakwelu is Principal Policy Strategist at AFRIPOL. His works have appeared in Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes and many other important journals around the world.

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May 15, 2016

Spotlight

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‘We have acting but lack technical skills’

Odukoya reminds Christians of the efficacy of the Word

35 years of reggae music without Bob Marley PAGE 38

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Profile

Tunde Folawiyo: Laun league of oil-produci

The recent announcement by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum of commencing crude production in the Aje field, Western Nigeria, puts Chief Tunde Folawiyo in the history books of Lagos State and Nigeria’s development, writes SAM NWOKORO

S LAGOS inches towards its golden jubilee next year, definitely, chroniclers of Eko developmental paradigm will find it difficult to omit corporate names like Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum (YFP). Yinka Folawiyo Group of companies is one of the oldest indigenous conglomerates in the country that survived various phases of the nation’s economic crises since 1957. From the days of cocoa, groundnut, rubber and palm oil boom as main revenue earners to both the regions and the central government, up to the periods of oil boom down to the present neo-liberalisation, the Yinka Folawiyo Group has undoubtedly weathered the storms. It has not fizzled out of business like other local conglomerates that went moribund at the advent of military regimes in the body politic of the nation. It has been able to maintain the forte, weathering the vagaries that pervaded the business environment. That ‘never fail’ motto seemed to have enabled the group to delve into riskier ventures, even after the demise of its patriarch, Yinka Folawiyo. It is a statement about dynamic management methods that since the older Folawiyo’s death, the business group has not slumbered. This can be seen in the latest commencement of production of crude from the Aje field, OML 133, which it operates in partnership with Panaro Oil and Gas, a European exploration and production company. The other partners are New Age Exploration Nigeria Limited, EER (Colobus) Nigeria Limited, and PR Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited. OML 113 is located at the outskirts of Lagos, near the Dahomey Basin. This will perhaps be the second major attempt by an indigenous company to venture into that lucrative virgin field. Energy experts have long posited that sustained exploration and production is in the interest of the nation’s aspiration to shore up dwindling reserves. Politically, it will decelerate overexploration and production activities in the heart of the Niger Delta states where a whole set of factors conspire

to make production activities in the area become increasingly risky, both to the natives, the environment and the country at large. Earlier this month, the management of YFP formally announced to the world that crude oil is now flowing from the belly of its various rigs and installation at OML 133 and being stored. Its foreign partner in the project, Panaro, confirming this in a global press brief, stated: “Panoro Energy ASA, the independent E&P company with assets in Nigeria and Gabon, notes the recent announcement made by its partner, the Operator of OML 113, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, and is pleased to announce that the first oil production from the Aje field, offshore Lagos, commenced on May 3, 2016.” Subsea installation activities had been underway at Aje since January and were completed early March ready for the hook-up of the Front Puffin FPSO, which arrived Nigeria on March 16. Oil produced from the Aje field will be stored on the Front Puffin which has production capacity of 40,000 barrels per day and storage capacity of 750,000 barrels. Flow rates will be provided in Panoro’s next operations update, following a period of commissioning and well stabilisation. Panoro’s Chief Executive Officer, John Hamilton, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce the start of first oil production at Aje. This is a

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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nching Lagos into ing states transformational milestone for Panoro and represents a great achievement by the Aje project teams. It is also a key building block in our strategy to become a full cycle E&P Company focused on West Africa. The commencement of production at Aje is also significant for Nigeria, as it is the first commercial production for the country in the emerging Dahomey Basin.” Aje field is situated in water depths ranging from 100 to 1,000 metres about 24 kilometres from the coast. It contains hydrocarbon resources in sandstone reservoirs in three main levels – a Turonian gas condensate reservoir, a Cenomanian oil reservoir and an Albian gas condensate reservoir. Significance of OML 133 In the chequered history of Nigeria’s efforts to involve local players into active exploration and production (E&P) activities in the energy sector, there has been the erroneous perception that such is feasible only if the entrepreneur is ‘loaded’. This has for long time hindered many local players who rather opted to remain vendors of refined petroleum products and broker agents for big foreign players. Talking about the Folawiyo/ Panoro breakthrough, energy expert, Fred Okogie, said: “It shows that the federal government’s local content policy drive in all phases of the economy is yielding fruit. When the talks about selling off marginal fields to local players were being made, around 2002, many thought it would not be possible, that local players do not have the technical capacity, resources and manpower to bid for virgin fields and delve into the nitty-gritty of exploration and production, not to talk of meeting up all the environmental challenges, host communities’ restiveness and uncertainties in regulatory regimes. “Those scary comments made some slack back. But those who dared, I believe, are not regretting their decisions now. Nigeria has many lucrative fallow fields which need to be active to shore up national reserves. Yinka Folawiyo and Panaro ASA have by this latest feat joined the league of other indigenous field operators like Seplat, Lekoil, Chrome and Orient who invested in their fields, and I am sure they are not going to regret the investment. It is going to be a thrilling experience for the partners because Dahomey Basin is still virgin.

It is not hosting many operators yet. So they are going to have proficient hauls in the years to come. The crude is sweet crude and the coast of Dahomey is not yet a safe haven for militants and terrorists. So they deserve congratulations.” Putting Lagos on the map The investments of Yinka Folawiyo in the E&P sector is of strategic growth prospect, not only for the group, but also in the economic growth matrix of Lagos and the entire South West region where the group’s founder, the late Wahab Folawiyo, started business life in 1957. According to experts, the OML 133 holds reserves that can meet the energy needs of Lagos for the next 10 years. Lagos is positioned to benefit from crude supplies from the several refinery projects being planned by various players in the hub of Nigerian economy. Integrated Oil and Gas Company, an indigenous oil company, plans to commission a modular refinery near Ibafo. And the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and his foreign partners are planning a mega refinery in Epe, Lagos. So, before a projected 2025 date, Lagos will be saturated with petroleum products, to the extent of becoming an export base for refined petroleum and associated products. Besides, according to experts, there is a ready market – Lagos and the adjoining states. As one observer noted, “Lagos can hardly be glutted with oil and gas. Many investors are regularly setting up shops. The state’s development plans are mammoth and in a few years will need huge supply of energy. Neighbouring West African countries are regularly looking towards Nigeria for their oil supply needs. So crude oil storage platforms close to Lagos will solve the risks of transporting crude or refined petroleum products from other parts of the country. The Yinka Folawiyo/Panaro ASA partnership’s bringing the field into operation augurs well for the country’s economic geo-political complementarity in the energy sector.” Forward-looking boss It takes passion and focus to delve into uncharted waters. It is something of a credit that OML113 commenced production at a period of great need for energy for immediate and near-future purposes. Besides, it shows the company’s management is responsive to federal government’s push to increase

national reserves. The chairman has also, in public estimation, succeeded in consolidating on the business dynasty of the late mogul who created one of the most enduring indigenous conglomerates in Africa. The citation of Forbes magazine when it named the chairman of Folawiyo Group Africa’s number 39 richest man in 2014, noted: “Tunde Folawiyo is the MD of Yinka Folawiyo Group Conglomerate with interest in energy, agriculture, shipping, real estate and engineering. His father, Wahab Folawiyo, a wellknown Nigerian businessman and Islamic leader, started the group in 1957 as a commodity trading outfit and served as chairman until 2008 when he passed away. Folawiyo now calls the shots. The company’s exploration firm, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum, owns 60 per cent interest in an oil block that contains the Aje offshore field. Other assets include minority stakes in Nigeria’s Access Bank and mobile phone carrier, MTN Nigeria.” The man Tunde Folawiyo was the pioneer Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited and Folawiyo Energy Limited. He led several international strategic ventures in petroleum distribution through F. Energy, electrical power in partnership with AES Nigeria Barge Limited, and banking. He is a leading figure in the Nigerian business community. During the 2005 recapitalisation/ consolidation ... exercise in the banking industry, he led Marina International Bank Limited into a successful merger arrangement with Access Bank Plc. He serves as the Chairman of E-Motion Advertising Limited as well as Non-Executive Chairman of Travant Capital Partners. Folawiyo sits on the board of MTN Nigeria, Unic Insurance and Access Bank, among others. He is also a board member of African Leadership Academy (ALA), a pan-African institution in South Africa. He was appointed honorary Consul of Barbados in Nigeria. He serves as the Vice-President of Nigeria Association of Indigenous Petroleum Explorers and Productions (NAIPEC). Educated at the London School of Economics between 1977 and 1985, he obtained B.Sc. Economics in 1980, specialising in industry and trade; LLB in 1984 and LLM in 1985 and was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Honourable Society of the Inner Temple).

nicheEntert

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May 15, 2016

35 years of reggae music without Bob Marley Thirty-five years after the legendary reggae singer, Bob Marley, passed on, his legacy lives on, perhaps not as strong as it was back in the days when he inspired musicians from all over the world to embrace that form of music. Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, engaged two well-known Nigerian reggae musicians, Orits Wiliki and Ras Kimono, as well as an up-and-coming hip-hop and reggae musician, Emodee, on the state of reggae which has inspired millions over the years. What they have to say is as inspiring as the music they espouse.

or the one whose original name was Rassam Wiliki, reggae music is not dead and the little or no celebration of Bob Marley on May 11 this year is due largely to the mood of the nation right now. “So (there are no) celebrations. It is not just Bob Marley; people are looking for what to eat today. Nigeria of yesteryears is not the same Nigeria as you have it today. There are some pockets of celebrations for Bob Marley here and there, but when you talk of a big thing, the nation is in a very terrible shape right now. There are hundreds of millions of people that are crying blood as I speak to you. So, it is difficult for people to think of anything celebration right in this mood,”Wiliki said. The‘Kole-Man Revolutionaire’disagreed with the notion that no one stands out in the world today to take over from Marley 35 years after his death. “Check out the charts for the UK Billboard and you will see that reggae is still doing well. Maybe here, and when you say here, reggae has also evolved in a different format of music, what you now call hiphop,”he said. He however admitted that the hard-core traditional root rock reggae might have simmered down. “All the hip-hop that you listen to are all upshots of reggae music,”he stated. So why are there no new big names in reggae in the country? Wiliki says the media have a lot to do with that. “If you go to the radio stations today, they are all having new crop of youth, little children of yesterday who don’t even know what history of any kind of music is. If you fall within the age bracket of those that used to enjoy this kind of music or good music essentially and you work in a radio station, you will play what you think is inspiring to the people. But all the radio and TV stations are filled with youths of 22, 23 who play what they are used to. It is difficult to tell them to play something that they don’t know the history,”he stated. Told that there are those who insist that the simmering down of reggae in the country is due to the laziness of Nigerian musicians, he held a contrary view. Reggae music, he said, is not what you play by power; it is not what you play by so much creativity. “It is what you play as the spirit defines. Reggae music is a spiritual music not like every other music.

If you are not inspired to play it, you are not inspired to play it. There is so much profanity in other forms of music, but not with reggae because it is a spiritual music and it is not everybody that can play it. It is not everybody that is blessed to play reggae music, you must understand that fact,”he declared. Ras Kimono, on the other hand, says what happened with the Nigerian youth is pure laziness. “Initially they thought reggae is just one key, but trust me I have been in this country and gone to every club which plays live band, they never played my music the way it is. They say it is so simple but can’t play it. I have employed a lot of singers to come and sing‘Rum-Bar Stylee’, very simple but they can’t sing it. They are lazy and are not playing reggae music the way it should,”Kimono said. He also pointed to the fact that there is little money to be made playing reggae music. “Money is not much in reggae music because reggae music is a conscious music. When I came back, some youths said Alaba is it; they give you one or two million naira for rights to your songs. You buy a car and get a house. But if you stay with a record company, you will be there for 10 years and you won’t even get N50,000.

“To me, that is penny wise, pound foolish. All these new artistes think they are having a ball collecting millions and selling their souls for money. In another five years, they will cry because the music will phase out and they will remember‘this man cheated me’and will not get any royalties,” the Under Pressure crooner said.

He explained further that reggae is about truth, and a lot of people are afraid to say the truth. People, he added, want to belong, sing about sex, gangsterism, glamour and make quick money. “Reggae is not like that; that is why a lot of people are afraid to handle it. Reggae music is like Rasta; we don’t go preaching it. The deaf, dumb and blind (know) about reggae music. It is not me holding reggae music’s key, neither is it Bob Marley – he died over 30 years ago and we still continue,”he said. For Emodee, anybody who says that reggae is dead does not understand what reggae music is all about.“Bob Marley died and Lucky Dube continued with reggae. Reggae is not dead and it will never die,”he said. The reason it is not as strong as it used to be in the country, according to him, is because most of the

musicians these days do not want to sit down and write a good song. “Everybody wants a beat that gets the people dancing. That is what is moving now and everybody wants to do a hit song,” he said. Until his death on May 11, 1981, Marley was responsible for some of the biggestselling reggae songs in the history of the genre. Born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945, the Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician and guitarist achieved international fame and acclaim. Starting out in 1963 with the group, The Wailers, he forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide. Indeed, the story of Marley’s rise to stardom is that of dedication and hard work and many great musicians have taken after him, including his contemporaries like Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh as well as those who joined the train later like the now late Lucky Dube, Nigerians – Orits Wiliki, Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek – and Ras Kimono a host of others the world over.

Orits Wiliki

tainment

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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with Terh Agbedeh

‘I want to be number one in Africa’

zoemelam Umah Okorie (a.k.a. Emodee) wants to be the number one artiste in Africa. And he is certain he will get there. “I have not really relented,” he said of his plans during an interview at TheNiche in Lagos. “I can remember that some of my friends that we started the music together dropped out and now concentrate on other businesses. Some who also graduated with me in the university found themselves work in companies,” said Emodee who knew he would go into music since he was nine. He explained that he got so many jobs in Port Harcourt, including a plum bank job, but turned them down “because I decided that I would stay strong and I believe that one day, I would get signed on to a good record label to push me, since I am not that financially strong to push myself”. The good news is that his dream has started to come true, as he is now signed to Godek Records as the label’s first artiste and has a hit song titled ‘Toriba’ already rocking the airwaves in Port Harcourt. Although he is yet to complete work on an album, Emodee believes all he needs is a hit song that will reverberate all over the country for him to become a household name. He said one such song is ‘Toriba’ whose video will hit the airwaves this week. “‘Toriba’ is a hit track. But I am still going to do the one that will hit bigger than this one,” he said.

Asked if he thinks there is a chance for new acts like himself, he confessed that the music industry is tough, “but I don’t see anybody who is better than me in the industry”. His move from Port Harcourt to Lagos was to stamp himself on the industry since, for him, the best place for music in the country is Lagos. “I know so many artistes who have ‘blown’ today in Lagos, who are being celebrated and I am 100 per cent better than they are. I believe I am the best and once I step in they will know that someone has arrived,” declared Emodee who has successfully organised three editions of a beauty pageant in his hometown of Obiene, Ututu in Abia State. It was during the search for sponsorship for the pageant that he met Godwin Ekekalu, the CEO of Godek Records, a label he eventually convinced the man to start. Barely one year down the road, the label has since signed on three more artistes and now has a strong base in Lagos. “I am like the founder of the record label because the man was never into entertainment. It was because of me that he fell in love with entertainment. So I am the senior artiste,” said Emodee who was signed on in March, this year. Things are definitely moving fast for the graduate of theatre and media art, University of Port Harcourt but from the look of things, but the African hip-hop and reggae artiste is taking his time to come into his music. After all, you don’t become number one in Africa in a hurry, even if you started

announced at events outside Nigeria and the last being at JW Marriot Hotel, Los Angeles, United States. We are having both the nominees’ event and the main awards in Nigeria this year. We look forward to a very grand awards in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in June,’’ said the AMAA 2015 jury head. According to the statistics released by Husseini, feature films, documentaries, animations and short films were submitted by filmmakers within Africa and the Diaspora for the awards which is in its 12th edition. “Only 25 feature films will make it into nomination stage, however they

Oge Indiana Song: ‘Baby o’ by Patoranking and Tiwa Savage Video: ‘Baby o’ by Patoranking and Tiwa Savage Movie: The Expendables 3 Book: The Gods Are not to Blame by Ola Rotimi

Birthday

Tee Mac Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, the Nigerian flutist with Itsekiri and Swiss roots, will be 68 on May 17. Among his albums are: Kutt Throat, Ready for Me, Just Like A Dream, Nepa Oh Nepa and Night Illusion. A Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), he is a classical musician and pop artiste. Also popular as Tee Mac, he combined his first degree in economics from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland with a specialisation in classical music concert performance and philharmonic composition of the University of Lausanne. During a rich career spanning over 40 years, Omatshola formed numerous bands, including Tee Mac & Afro Collection in the 1970s. Tee Mac has two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.

New Music

‘Better Days’

Emodee

out as a nine-year-old. “I am doing it because there is a difference between someone who loves music and the one just doing music. You feel you want to get famous. There

are some artistes that were born for music. When you hear them sing, you will know that these people are for music,” said Emodee, who added that he was born for music.

AMAA announces nominees today

he nominees in the 28 categories of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), the annual pan-African reward system for motion picture practitioners, will hold in Lagos Sunday May 15, 2016 (today) the organisers have said. In a statement released by the Chairman of the 2015 AMAA Jury, Shaibu Husseini, the nominees will be unveiled at a strictly media event at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, and this will be a departure from the usual practice of announcing the nominees at a gala night. “In the last eight years, the nominees have been

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may not all be nominated. But the 25 made it to the final stages of AMAA selection out of the over 280 feature films received this year from over 25 African countries including Nigeria, Cape Verde, Gambia, Morrocco, Uganda, Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cameroun, Mali, Ethiopia, Niger, Kenya, Algeria and Egypt. Also 15 short films (Africa and the Diaspora) made it to the final stages. Unfortunately only eight of the African documentary films and three Diaspora short films will make it to nomination. The Board of Jurors of AMAA with members which include academics, filmmakers, critics and film festival curators from

Nigeria, Germany, United States, Zimbabwe, Jamaica and Burkina Faso will decide on which film and individual talents that will make the nominations and also eventual winners. The award has a very thorough and four-stage pre-screening process before the College of Screeners who makes the final works that will go to the Board of Jurors. “We are very happy about the quality of works that came into the competition this year, and it gladdens our heart that every year the objectives of the awards are being achieved with filmmakers in Africa and beyond upping their game,” added Husseini.

May7ven has released a new single titled ‘Better Days’. Described as one of the most introspective offerings of May7ven’s career so far, ‘Better Days’ sees the British-Nigerian singer, songwriter and performing artiste singing about the difficulties of life, as she divulges on a series of bad situations from debt and cheating spouses to suicidal thoughts, in this sneaky, irresistible, catchy, Afro-pop summer anthem. It is produced by long-time collaborator, Antoine Stone. “‘Better Days’ is relatable as we all have bad days and situations that almost tip us over the edge, so I put it in the music to inspire and encourage others. This record is youthful, but it cuts across people of all ages, with an empowering message for everyone, as tough times don’t last and things will turn around,” she said.

Location

‘Bianu’

Tunde and Wunmi Obe (a.k.a. T.W.O), Nigeria’s most recognisable music couple, recently released the amazing visuals to ‘Bianu’, the latest single off their fifth studio album, T.W.O. Plus, produced by Bayo Joseph and featuring fast-rising YSG Entertainment hotshot, Floss a.k.a. Mazii. Produced and directed by Clarence Peters for Capital Dreams Pictures, the video features colourful and acrobatic routines by Atilogwu dancers from South East Nigeria, complementing the song’s mid-tempo English and Igbo vibe as T.W.O. explores the addictive cultural flavour of Ndigbo for the very first time. The ‘Bianu’ video depicts the fervent plea for help from a

Event TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Airtel partners Facebook for Free Basics Bharti Airtel Africa, with operations in 17 countries across Africa, recently launched Free Basics in Nigeria in partnership with Facebook.

L-R: Nitin Anand, Matias Sillanpaa, Ahmad Mokles, Segun Ogunsanya, Markku Makelainen and Ime Archibong

MD of Airtel, Segun Ogunsanya

Facebook Head of Public Policy Africa, Ebele Okobi, speaking at the event

Jobberman Cofounder, Opeyemi Awoyemi

Makelainen, Archibong, and Vikas Menon of Facebook

L-R: Archibong, Makelainen, Okobi, Ogunsanya and Anand

Developers at the IdeaHub

Guests at the event

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May 15, 2016

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Close Up

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May 15, 2016

‘We have acting but lack technical skills’ Dr. Soji Akinkugbe is a trained medical doctor who said he has become many things in his entrepreneurial life and has learnt from the best. At the moment, he is in a partnership to bring the musical, Sister Act, to Nigeria. In this interview with Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, he talks about the production and sundry issues.

hy bring Sister Act to Nigeria? I grew up on the campus of the University of Ife and of Lagos in the 70s and 80s and we were very well exposed to performing art, so we grew up watching Duro Ladipo, Ogunde and many others. Our life in Africa is a musical. The way we marry, the way we bury, the way we have a birthday; it is always a story being told in some form of movement, with dancing, with drums. Over the last 10 years, I have had the opportunity to watch a lot of the big musicals that toured the world and a lot of these musicals are either celebrating people’s lives, like Fela! that came here, or successful movies that they have taken on to the stage because obviously the theatre is a more dynamic way of encountering a performance than a film. So, I have always had the ambition of being able to bring one of these big performances to Nigeria, but I was quite emphatic that I wanted a Nigerian cast. It has taken me over the last four, five years, to find what I will call a suitable technical partner because the truth is that we do have the acting skills, which can be trained, but we don’t have the technical skill. We also lack all kinds of technical equipment and a proper stage in Nigeria. The two that we have in Lagos, the National Theatre and University of Lagos, are in moribund conditions; these are proper theatre stages but they are not in active use. Undaunted by those challenges, I am very motivated by the raw talent that we have here and

I think Nollywood has done an enormous amount of work in terms of giving young and old an opportunity to express themselves. Our first performance is going to be Sister Act, which is a very popular film by an AfricanAmerican actress, Whoopi Goldberg, and it had a very successful run in the cinema and then went into theatre. It was very well received in Nigeria, so we thought that a general audience musical would be ideal to start with. You mentioned lack of technical experience; are you working on also training? First, the team that we are working with led by Delia Sainsbury run a premium theatre school in Cape Town; they train young people and get them ready for the market. The reason I was very interested in working with a developmental organisation is because that is their core business, training. Also, this is going to be a learning curve. But I am very emphatic about having a Nigerian cast. Ultimately, we are also going to have a Nigerian technical team to work with this team. We are going to have understudies for all the major roles; the music director, director, choreographer and costumier. In South Africa, the industry is about 35 years old; we can’t obviously leapfrog that in one show, so we’d expect that maybe over the next three years, at least by the time we have done six to 10 shows, the basic skills would have been transferred to competent Nigerians. There would also be opportunities for exchange programmes. Is the script going to be a Nige-

rian adaptation or the original one? When you buy the rights to a show, you have to do it as it is. There is not too much room for changes, though you could say, change a city from New York to Lagos. Is there going to be a Nigerian story after Sister Act? The thing is that writing a musical is a skill and, as I had mentioned, our life is a musical. So, obviously, there would be a learning curve for them to translate. I mean, they have schools of drama, theatre arts. But now to be able to bring this at a professional level, I am only interested in anything that will be able to tour the world. Fela, as you know, was probably the greatest Nigerian that has ever live. The story was brought to life not by a Nigerian, unfortunately, but by people who know how to bring back content unto a two-hour performance because that is the essence of a musical; how to bring a story out, bring the music out in two hours and in a way that it would have an impact on the audience. So I think that from here, all the skills have to be brought together. The content, in terms of the resources. The human skill is there, but it needs to be touched. There are other things to add to it. So, we’ve got to accept the fact that certain people have certain skills and those skills have to match what I would call international standard. I don’t think, on that level, that we are there yet. We have our stories; but to bring them onto a theatre stage for a contemporary audience, I am not sure we are there yet. You are going to be doing all these without an academy; just

Akinkugbe people understudying? Well, the ultimate plan would be to be able to have a training facility. But the training facility that they have is really just to train the skill. There are many other things; there is technical skill, writing skill. The universities have some of these skills and even people who are practising professionally, but there are not that many opportunities. (Hubert) Ogunde was not a schooled man, but I think he had the most phenomenal musicals; that’s a gift. But his gift was put to work. It wasn’t as though he was gifted and just put up a musical. He worked hard, very hard and that’s why even 25 years after, he is still probably Nigeria’s best musical producer. How long do you plan for the show to run? If we are able to push two weeks, we have done well. People are already familiar with the movie, Sister Act; do you think this musical will be well received here? You must realise that today we live in a global world, and that is why it is important that anything that is done in Nigeria must be of international stan-

dard. So I think that the show, if well done, will sell itself. A live show is about the feel-good factor that you can’t express in words and you just tell your friend, please you must see that show. And that’s all you do. Of course, as you know, cinema has become very successful in Nigeria; but a live performance is completely different to cinema. In a musical, people are able to express themselves; they are able to dance, sing and do a lot of things you can’t do in cinema. A musical allows you to interact, and even for the actors, the response of the audience is very important to bring out their best. So, I do not worry so much about the fact that people will say it is a foreign story; the fact that it is an all Nigerian cast, I think, already legitimises it as a Nigerian product. If it was bringing a cast from America, obviously there’s no take-away. If you see a wellknown name playing the role of Deloris, people will go back to watch the movie and say that is not my own Deloris, you have got yours. We have had Nigerian musicals in recent years, what are you doing differently with Sister Act? This is not to put other

people’s performances on the spot. I would like to learn from the best; I am a trained medical doctor who has become many things in my entrepreneurial life. But I have learnt from people. So I haven’t found what I will call a skilled person that can give me what I am looking for here. I have seen those shows and I have seen other shows; I know what kind of show I would like to bring to the table. I think I am more focused on what my original dream was, and my dream has been long before these shows came up. It took me years to find the technical skill. So these shows have come up, it is good. How are you going to fund this? We haven’t quite decided what we are going to do, but for our interest, we are going to be looking for a long-term relationship with the corporate bodies that have significant interest in building this industry. It is not likely going to be a one-off; it would be what you call an ideal fit. Somebody who can see that there is value in this and that value in it we are going to see progressively. So we start here and we grow progressively.

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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Relationships How to deal with heartbreak Heartbreak is more prevalent amongst the female due to their emotional nature. But be it male or female, everyone do go through heartbreak at some point in their life. There are, however, ways to deal with heartbreak and nudge yourself in the right direction. Step one Accept your emotions. When you are faced with a situation that has caused you heartbreak (for example, the breakup of a relationship), it is normal to get emotional, grieve, become sad, or even withdrawn sometimes. You must not try to ignore this feeling, or try to suppress them, because if you do, it might result in worst situation such as depression. You are going to need to give yourself time to grieve and to deal with

all the emotions that are going to plague you in those first weeks. Step two Distance yourself from your ex. It is very difficult to get over heartbreak, when there is a constant reminder of the person who has caused your heartbreak. The best thing to do is to cut off any means of getting in contact with the person or anything that will remind you of that person. If it takes blocking your ex on all your social media platform, then go ahead. This will prevent you from been tempted to spend hours pouring over their Facebook page and over-analysing every single thing they post in an attempt to figure out if they regret not being with you and miss you, etc.

You also need to discipline yourself not to text or call him/ her, because if you're constantly trying to stay in communication with your ex, you're not going to be able to move on, which will make your feelings of heartbreak and unhappiness that much harder and that much harder to bear. Step three Speak out. You should talk about how you feel to someone close to you, to unburden. If you are not comfortable talking about it just yet, you can try writing about how you're feeling. Every day, write down how you're feeling about the heartbreak. Gradually, you will see that you are getting better. Don’t listen to heartbreak or break-up songs; it will make you feel worse. It is better to

listen to angry and sad songs to help get those feelings you are having out, but don't stay in that condition for so long. Step four Make plans. While you will need time to wallow in your unhappiness, you also need to remind yourself why life is worth living. At first it will be really hard to make yourself go out and do anything, but trying to do at least one thing a week can be a good place to start. Start small. Don't try to make yourself go out to a wedding right after the heartbreak. Instead, start by having lunch with your best friend, or going to hang out at the cinema. Do things that you enjoy, especially things that you weren't able to do while being part of a couple with your ex. This

After ‘great sex’, he threatens to leave me Dear Agatha I am in my early 20s. I love my fiance very much. We enjoyed a great sex life until we had a misunderstanding that led to our separating temporarily. We later came back and to my worry, our sex life has become practically non-existent. I no longer appear to have interest in it again. Sometimes I try to pretend nothing is wrong for his sake, but simply cannot find that former excitement. Expectedly, it is causing issues between my boyfriend and I. He keeps warning me not to drive him away. Do you think there is something wrong with me? Please help me. I do not want to lose him. Milli Dear Milli Surely, there must be more to a relationship than a good sex. When a relationship is premised entirely on how great the sex an unmarried couple enjoy, then a lot of things are wrong between them. Just like you are experiencing, once the sex is taken out of it, nothing would be left of the relationship. It appears you and your partner have gotten to the peak of your physical satisfaction of each other’s body. Unless you both develop new interests in each other, find out other reasons you want to be together. There might be no saving this relationship. Even though you are yet to admit it, your subconscious is already asking questions you are afraid to ask yourself in the open. Your time apart has given birth to whatever fears you are brewing deep inside you. The fact that your body is unable to generate the kind of interest you once had in sex means both of you should sit down to discuss the future of this relationship. You should first unravel the reason you both got together. Is it just to have sex or to build an enduring and workable relationship? Besides the discovery of premium sex, what again have you two got going for each other? From where I stand, there appears to be nothing holding the two of you together and

this is why your relationship is empty now that the great sex is no longer there. You see, both of you have overrated sex to the exclusion of every other thing that makes a relationship an all-inclusive thing. Your worry about losing him is already belated because the foundation of sex you both premised your relationship on is now very shaky. Unless both of you redefine and reinvent it, your relationship, as it is presently, is as good as ended. As he said, he would simply move on to find someone with better sex qualities than yours. Sad, but the truth is, what you have only built with your boyfriend is what I call “sexlationship” and not relationship. He can easily do this because there is nothing to compel him to stay with you. What you both have in common can be best served by another woman easily. This is what becomes of a relationship based solely on the pleasures of the body. Its value diminishes each time you both have sex, whereas if the relationship was founded on enduring values sex then becomes an accompaniment to a good foundation. Even though you are yet to accept it, your time away from him helped your body and mind to realise that there is more to a relationship than great sex. This is why your body is refusing to yield to his touch and pressure. Your mind is refusing to cooperate because it has realised that you will only get hurt at the end of the day. Therefore, for both of you to move this relationship out of this drum into which you have both holed it, both of you have to sit down to discuss your reasons for being together and what you both intend to do with your affair. I categorise it as an affair because it is only your bodies which are involved in this game. A relationship happens when a man and woman want to know what one can offer the other outside the bedroom. Beyond sex, what would this man miss about you when you are gone out of his life? Would he remember your exceptional

Tinu Agbabiaka Certified relationship expert 0817 313 7189 info@pclng.org, botl@pclng.org

will remind you why you are better off without the relationship, and remind you how to do things on your own. Step five Take care of yourself. One of the most important things to do while you are recovering from heartbreak is to take care of yourself. A lot of times you will be feeling super unmotivated and it can be hard to simple get out of bed, but going that extra mile for yourself can help you from falling into a huge pit of despair. Reward yourself for things that take extra effort like clean-

ing your apartment, not being withdrawn at work, going shopping, or hanging out with friends. Exercising can be a good way to take care of yourself and boost your mood. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help make you feel happier and you will feel better about yourself in general. And always remember that, there is a reason for absolutely everything that happens. Take the break-up as an advantage to you, if the relationship was meant to be, it could have lasted longer, and turned to a happy ever after kind. Be grateful that you are out of it before it becomes too late.

Auntie Agatha 0805 450 0626 (sms only) gathedo@gmail.com

qualities as a person? Would he miss your patience? And your tolerance, that inner beauty that makes a man want to spend the rest of his life with a particular woman? If he is already threatening you to your face that he would find another woman to warm his bed as a result of your inability to satisfy his huge libido, do you think he has any use for you beyond your body? You only lose what you have. Honestly, you cannot lose a relationship that hasn’t offered you anything better than sex. You cannot lose a man that does not know what it is like to love a woman for himself without having a knowledge of her. You cannot weep over a relationship that has offered you no promises of a stable tomorrow. Has it occurred to you that even if you manage to get by in your present arrangement and end up marrying, there is no guarantee that he would stay faithful to you if you have to live apart for a while, or due to health reasons you cannot be intimate with him for a while. This is the time to put your relationship under the magnifier to enable you see clearly. Deep down, are you really satisfied with the way things are between both of you? In doing this, you have to be truthful enough with yourself on every count. This isn’t time to be emotional or fearful of losing him. Rather be concerned for your happiness and tomorrow. More than ever before you should know by now that good sex does not define a good relationship and that so much more goes into making a relationship successful. One of the questions you should ask yourself at this very important point in your life is: Is this what you wanted from this relationship when you said yes to his proposal? If your answer is negative, what were your expectations? Do you think this relationship has the potential of offering those things to you again? Taking a retrospective look at the time you have been together, do you think he is capable of giving you the kind of happiness you deserve as a woman?

Another important question: Do you think he is capable of giving you the kind of support you need as a woman, wife, and mother? The future of a woman can be made viable or miserable by the kind of man she ends up with. If she ends up with a man who only sees her as a sex provider and baby maker, you will end up depressed and wretched for your entire life. The sex life of a woman is not as prolonged as that of the man; the reason a woman has to be extra careful about the kind of man she ends up with for the journey of life. A woman needs a man who would be her friend, companion, cheer leader and lover all rolled into one. A man has to love everything about his woman to make her stay happy. Sex is only a part of it. Besides, sex transforms into lovemaking when all the indices are right. You are too young to be a sex slave to a man. Any man who wants you in his life must exercise the patience and understanding to meet with your inner person. He must be diligent in finding out everything that makes you who you are. Such things do not happen when the basis for the relationship is only sex motivated. Sit down to discuss with him only after you have done an examination of yourself and known what you want from life itself. If this man cannot offer you guaranties on that tomorrow every young woman craves, do not short-change yourself. Take a walk and allow the man who would give your body respect and honour locate you. Stop allowing yourself to be a sex slave to a man whose only interest in you appears to be the appeasement of his animalistic urges. Surely, you are worth more than that. A man who respects his woman would never issue this kind of threat and ultimatum. He would take time out to find out what is bothering her. Many blessings come veiled in disappointments. Yours could have been enveloped in the disagreement you had. Ask God for help. Good luck.

TheNiche

Faith

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May 15, 2016

Odukoya reminds Christians of the efficacy of the Word “When everything natural has failed us and we have only the supernatural to turn to, then God shows up. “He may not give us 100 per cent, but He will satisfy us in such a way that the enemy will not be able to hinder us.”

hristians have been admonished not to be discouraged by their predicament, but rather speak the Word of God with faith to their situation constantly to experience change. Nomthi Odukoya, a pastor, gave the counsel at the monthly anointing service of The Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos. She quoted Matthew 21: 21-22: “Truly I tell you, Jesus replied, ‘if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain ‘‘Be lifted up

Odukoya

and thrown into the sea,’’ it will happen. ‘“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer.’” Odukoya charged the congregation not to be discouraged but rather speak to any situation they face just as Jesus did to the fig tree. "Every negative situation will wither at your words.” She gave an example of a native doctor who was the talk of the town for the efficacy of his declarations, but declared that as Christians we carry much more power in our mouth. She urged believers to be the talk of the town in a positive way by always declaring God’s counsel. “We must be known to speak and things happen. Whatever you declare will surely manifest in Jesus’ name.” Citing 2 Kings 4:1-7, Odukoya explained that man will always be in need as long as he lives on earth, and God has promised to supply all our need (not needs) according to His riches in glory

by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). In these times when things are tough and the economic system is failing, the only option man has is to return to God, she stressed. “When everything natural has failed us and we have only the supernatural to turn to, then God shows up. “He may not give us 100 per cent, but He will satisfy us in such a way that the enemy will not be able to hinder us.” Odukoya highlighted some things Christians need to do, so as to get the best out of the supernatural, even in tough times: • Ask God to open our eyes to see what we need to see • Ask God for the ability to hear Him clearly for directions so you do not get confused. (Psalm 78:1-3; Proverbs 8:33-34) • Ask God for the strength to pray (Hebrews 5:6-7; Job 22:27), as “prayer gives us the listening ear of God and puts our fear into the enemy.”

Many church leaders have missed it, Okorom laments

od has given to every organisation all the human and material resources it needs to make laudable impact in the society. However, the harnessing and deployment of these resources is usually in the hands of organisations’ managers.” Stanley Okorom spoke these words at the launch of his book Exploring The Concepts of Biblical Motivations at The Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWNA territory. He added: “But, as in every human endeavour, while some managers are

finding it easy directing their workforce towards the realisation of their organisations’ objectives, others are just grappling to remain afloat. “Studies have shown that staking of incentives (motivation) tend to spur workers to put in their best always.” Okorom, a pastor, said the book draws the attention of religious and secular leaders cum managers to use available resources to motivate both their members and employees, so that their God-given abilities can be deployed

to achieve organisational objectives. To Okorom, a full time minister in charge of Arepo Assembly in Olorunda District, many leaders have missed it in church management, because they think poverty drives some to go into full time ministry. “We have missed it in church management; most leaders see those under them as people who have come to beg. “In most cases, some of us were doing well in our secular jobs, but when we received the unction

“Christian leaders [should] imbibe the culture of motivating people under them. If they can do this it will go a long way in improving the system and Christianity will be made better. “Motivation starts from acknowledging one’s efforts over a particular task, if one does good and you praise him, he gets motivated as it solves a lot of problems in the national polity.”

TheNiche May 15, 2016

www.thenicheng.com that God was calling us into full time ministry, we had no choice but to drop whatever we were doing. “My advice to Christian leaders is that they imbibe the culture of motivating people under them. If they can do this it will go a long way in improving the system and Christianity will be made better. “Motivation starts from acknowledging one’s efforts over a particular task, if one does good and you praise him, he gets motivated as it solves a lot of problems in the national polity.” Okorom encouraged writers and prospective writers not to be discouraged by Nigeria’s poor reading culture but to utilise their talents rightly as there is hope for survival. “On the problem of poor reading culture, those of us that God has endowed with writing skills should not get discouraged, let’s continue to write because day after day people are becoming more and more

enlightened.” A member of the church, Ezekiel Faniyi, reiterated that motivation is an important management principle that leaders and managers can adopt to maximise the productivity of those under them. “Motivation concept is a factor that can encourage people to perform beyond the expectations of their managers. If they are truly motivated they can be able to deliver a very high level productivity that is why the issue of motivation is very important. “For a manager to succeed in managing roles and responsibilities, he has to ensure that the people he is managing are highly motivated. “In the church of God we have leaders in each group and each leader is encouraged to adopt the concept of motivation, to be able to make his followers perform to the best of their ability,” Faniyi said.

Okorom

Funmilade-Joel wants Nigeria to tackle greed

reed, unrighteousness, corruption, and covetousness in the political class and Nigerians in general are the bane of national development and must be cured, says Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel. The overseer of The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM) International, Prophetic and Solution Chapel, Lagos, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to implement people-friendly policies for equitable distribution of wealth. He also sought grassroots development with emphasis on agriculture to diversify the economy from oil. Funmilade-Joe decried the nonchalant attitude of Christians and Nigerians to the society and condemned hypocrisy, warning that God’s judgment awaits everyone on the last day. He tasked religious leaders to always strengthen the faithful and search for indifferent and weak souls and preach the Word of God with vigour and dedication in accordance with the ways of God. He charged them to

Funmilade-Joel

“Nigerians, irrespective of their faith, should not relent in praying for Nigeria, for the peace and progress of the nation, good governance, Godfearing leaders and followers, for prayer changes things, as the altar of prayer is the altar of change.” uphold the truth of the Gospel at all times by guiding against error. “Nigerians, irrespective of their faith, should not relent in praying for Nigeria, for the peace and progress of the nation, good governance, God-fearing leaders and followers, for prayer changes things, as the altar of prayer is the altar of change,” he stressed. He attributed the numerous problems facing the country to the sins and shamelessness committed by both the leaders and followers. He warned that unless Nigerians turn to God and do His will, no amount of measures taken will solve the nation’s problems.

Funmilade-Joe added that Nigeria is suffering from self-induced poverty caused by successive leaders who do not have the care of the people at heart, despite abundant natural resources. He lamented that many infrastructure have broken down, power supply is not stable, roads across are in terrible shape, hospitals are not fully equipped, and unemployment is high – all because of bad leadership. He, however, tasked other religious leaders to always pray for Nigeria’s leaders to overcome every obstacle to the country’s aspiration to blessing, peace, and greatness.

TheNiche May 15, 2016

Our emphasis in life must change

hat are those things that are good? What are those things that are necessary? What are those things that are important? Those are the things that we must prioritise, not necessarily those things that we desire. Solomon made silver to be as stones in the City of Jerusalem and everyone thought that Solomon had performed a great feat. God would have looked down from Heaven above and just smiled because to Him silver is nothing but stones. Diamond, gold, silver, tin and coal are all stones – carbon. We have only placed mental emphasis on them, and so we excavate them, purify them and make them shine. They have no value in themselves than we have reposed in them. Solomon merely reduced silver to its appropriate value. How? He caused a shift of attitude from what seems popular to what is right, good and important. It behooves the leadership of

Nigeria to put the most important things first. To put first the things, which make for life and survival; to put first the things, which make for a worthy future, to put first the things, which make for the pursuit of life and happiness, to put first the things, which serve the good of all, to put first the things, which make for growth and development. To put the welfare of the citizens above all else. To put first the things which make for values of integrity, commonwealth, life and goodness. A lot of us pay too much emphasis on the things, which are not important. Where we live, the type of cars we drive; and what cloths we wear, whether they are in vogue or not. We get so immersed in brands – Gucci, Fendi, and Louis Vitton. We carry bags that will challenge other bags. We use jewellry and accessories to challenge other jewellry – yellow gold, blue gold, reverse gold, Brazilian hair, Indian hair, Togo-

Becoming the best Ituah Ighodalo

Senior Pastor, Trinity House Zion Center e-mail:pastorituah@trinityng.org

lese hair, and etcetera. How we place emphasis on things that are temporal; things are that we will leave here on earth. The land in Mushin is definitely not less valuable than that of Victoria Island. It is just a question of the mind. Perceived values have ruined so many and pushed them to take outrageous decisions. Some men will give up their wives for a morsel of food. Some women will give up their husbands for meals. Some parents will give up their children just to be like someone else. We need to change our thought frame. There was the story of a certain wealthy and elegant lady who was on a ship sailing the high seas. The ill-fated ship hit a rock and it was certain she would sink beneath the belly of the seas. Tug boats were quickly lowered and all the passengers were moved there. The captain announced to the distressed passengers to quickly get on the ship before it sank and

The Eternal Cycle of Four Ages (Part 3)

ach universe experiences a cycle of four different ages, called yugas in sanskrit, that are much like the seasonal changes present on earth. Just as the seasons are characterized by the amount of light and heat available, the yugas are distinguished by the amount of God-consciousness that the residents are exhibiting at the time. Their consciousness ultimately influences the general life span, mental state, and standard of living available to the population. We are presently in the fourth age, called the age of quarrel and dissension in some teachings, an age of massive chaos and pandemonium. This age is called Kali-yuga in the Vedic scriptures. This is a time marked by more intrusion from the subtle plane in the form of fairies, disembodied spirits, ghosts, and other entities. In this age, many people are possessed and people exhibit their most animalistic tendencies. During Kali-yuga one can expect to live at most up to one hundred years or so, but as the age progresses, a person will be considered old at age thirty. Consider a teenage girl who has led a rough life of prostitution and drug and alcohol abuse. She could easily look twice her age. Thus, our lifestyle, our thoughts, and how we take care of the physical and subtle bodies has an effect on how the aging process manifests in our bodies. People will become so gross, and life will become so hellish that despite scientific advancements, life spans will continue to decrease. We are only five thousand years into Kali-yuga. It is scheduled to last for approximately 430,000 years before the general process comes to a conclusion and we move into the next cycle. There is much to expect with the end of this cycle. The Vedas describe much famine, drought, and starvation, so much so that people will become cannibals. Don’t be shocked; there are

hundreds of thousands of people who practice cannibalism right now. There are people in governments around the world who make human sacrifices and sometimes eat certain human organs as a way of obtaining power. In fact, many cosmetics presently on the market contain human tissue from fetuses, with the claim that these will slow down the aging process and rejuvenate the skin. Whether you use human organs for dinner, cosmetics, or something else, it is still human tissue, and to use it in these ways is demonic. In this age of quarrel, little children carry guns to school as a way of solving arguments or protecting themselves. This is an age when the retort “I’m going to blow your head off” must be taken seriously. When people reach into their pocket to pull something out, it is no longer just brass knuckles or a chain; in many cases it is a gun or a knife. These signs show that this age is moving rapidly, even though we are only a few thousand years into it. The age before Kali-yuga is called Dvapara-yuga, and its duration was about 800,000 years. This age was more God-oriented. People lived to about one thousand years of age. The Bible speaks of Methuselah’s longevity; at that time, people were graced with a longer life span. The physical size of people was also larger when the spirituality was deeper. Descriptions exist of the Sons of God, who were angelic entities that many would consider to be giants. Over time as the spirituality decreased, so did everything else. The memory, the intelligence, the compassion, the love, and the longevity all began to decrease. The age before Dvapara was the Treta-yuga which lasted about 1,300,000 years. In this age, people lived to be about 100,000 years old, and they practiced elaborate spiritual rituals. The age prior to that was called Satya-yuga, or the golden age.

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This age lasted for almost 2,000,000 years, and the citizens of this age were the most Godconscious of all. Everything is an aggregate of individual and collective consciousness. In different periods of history, a certain kind of personality predominates; the souls in those periods have similar experiences. For example, the souls that were very active during the 1960s have similar mentalities. Adults who were born during the baby boom have similar perspectives and life goals. There is a certain mentality among the presentday children. This situation occurs because specific souls come at particular times according to the work they have to do; therefore there are some similar patterns. Paradise Found? Now that we have a better understanding of the functioning of the our universes, let’s examine the heavenly planets. We said earlier that there is a difference between the kingdom of God and the heavenly planets. In the Koran when Prophet Muhammad made his ascension, he traveled with the Angel Gabriel first to the lower hellish planets and then to the heavenly kingdoms up to the Seventh Heaven, which is the highest material planet. At that point, Angel Gabriel could not go with him any further. Prophet Muhammad then went to Sidratil-Muntaha, which is beyond the heavens; it is in the spiritual world, the abode of Allah. There he had personal association with Allah. Angel Gabriel wasn’t allowed to go to that level because he was not properly qualified. Prophet Muhammad was able to have that experience because of his level of purity and dedication to the will of Allah. When we talk about heaven, we are talking about places or states where

get what valuable possession they may have on board. This elegant lady quickly rushed to her private cubicle on the ill-fated ship. She came back quickly as everybody watched expecting to see her appear with vanity boxes and costly personals. She just had something in her cupped hands. That heightened the curiosity of fellow passengers. The captain boldly walked up to her to know what could be so precious to this wealthy lady. She opened her hands to two oranges. “Two oranges?” “That was all you went for back into ship?” the rather shocked captain said. “Yes,” replied the lady, with satisfactory contentment, “I suddenly realised that we still have eight days to spend on the sea and I cannot eat my gold.” Most of the things we seek in life are mundane and valueless. It is what you invest in others that adds values to you not what you keep

for yourself. Your possession is best used when it benefits someone else. Your money is best utilised when it is re-invested for the benefit of many. You must develop the right attitude to the things you own. Don’t let what you own own you. There was the story of a man who had a bar of gold which he considered extremely precious. He found a place to bury this treasure and he would dig it up daily just to admire it and bury it again afterwards. That was his daily rite until some mischievous gang of boys found him out. They dug up the man’s gold and replaced it with a huge stone. When this man arrived at the site, he dug up as he would, but his gold had become stone. He ran berserk. He screamed and cursed all over the place. One of the boys lashed back at the wild man, “But all you do with this thing is admire it and go back home.”

Self-discovery Kavikarnapura Das

iskcon.lagos@gmail.com 0706 601 1800, 0812 324 5864

intensified and unceasing pleasure is available. These experiences are available from the earth level up to higher planetary systems. Although such a place is called paradise, we are not really talking about the place where the Supreme Lord resides. We must make this distinction. When the Bible states that God created the heavens and the earth, one may wonder where God was situated when the heavens were being created. It can be logically concluded that there is a difference between the heavens and where the Lord resides. The heavens are a part of the material creation. The Lord resides in the spiritual world. How is one chosen to go to heaven? The key determinant is one’s consciousness. There are three basic modes or principles that permeate the material atmosphere and influence our consciousness. Based on our desires, one of the three modes will have a predominant influence on our mentality and consequent actions. The first or lowest mode is the mode of ignorance, which leads one to be aggressive, obnoxious, unclean, animalistic, exploitative, lazy, and manipulative. Those in this mode enjoy inflicting pain on others. People who have mainly lived under that influence will go to a hellish environment when they leave their bodies at death. They must spend some time there for serious adjustment and rectification. Then there is the mode of passion. Persons in this mode are very attached to material gain, success, fame, and power. Those individuals are attached to family life and the material environ-

ment. Those who leave the body while in the mode of passion will normally come back to an environment that is predominantly self- centered. Such a place is actually not hell, but surely it is not a heaven. The mode of goodness influences one to be pious, religious, philanthropic, compassionate and ethical. People in this mode try to love their neighbors as themselves. They are usually vegetarians and are greatly concerned with the earth and its inhabitants. When they leave their bodies, they have many opportunities to go to the heavenly kingdoms for various types of pleasurable experiences, which are like extended vacations. However, even residing in the heavenly kingdoms with all of their pleasures is only temporary. It is the payment you get for the pious activity performed. It is difficult to go directly from the heavenly kingdom to the spiritual world because the lack of duality and suffering in the heavenly environments prevents the inhabitants from fully depending on the Lord. There isn’t much opportunity for devotional service to the Supreme. In our present environment among the earth-like planets, there is more duality and contrast. The transitory nature of life on earth often increases one’s frustration and determination to get beyond the temporary. Such a situation makes it more likely that one will cry out to God. Thus, it is less difficult to go directly from the earth planet to the spiritual abode than to go from the heavenly planets to the spiritual abode.

Health

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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Patient’s death in LUTH triggers agitation for medicare revolution

Agitation for a medicare revolution is afoot to keep medical personnel on their toes and prevent avoidable deaths in Nigerian hospitals, writes Senior Copy Editor, INNOCENT ANORUO.

n February 1997, a patient was fortunate to have survived perforated typhoid fever and burst appendix at the Ikeja General Hospital, now Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Immediately the doctors finished surgery on him, there was power blackout. And there was no standby generator. When a doctor was asked what would have been the fate of the patient if he was still in the theatre during the blackout, he answered: “It would have been his luck.” Meaning death. Then was when infrastructure was the problem. That patient was yours truly. When Babatunde Fashola became Lagos State governor, he changed the face of infrastructure in the public health sector, among other achievements. Before him, doctors seemed to be on holiday because of poor infrastructure and equipment. In February 2016, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) was shut down for over a month because students protested the death of a colleague caused by the negligence of the attendants at the school’s health centre. On April 23, some Lagosians, led by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Hope Alive Child Care Initiative (HACCI), in collaboration with the Medical Police, marched from the National Stadium, Surulere, to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, to protest the death of Ngozi Udebu. She was discovered dead at LUTH on March 28. After participating in the Good Friday procession with members of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Ngozi complained of stomach ache, and her husband, Ausbeth, took her to LUTH. He said with LUTH’s policy that no relative should stay with a patient overnight, another careless stunt led to the death of his wife before his visit the next morning. Services at the hospital were interrupted, as dozens of mourners stormed the main gate to protest the alleged negligence that led to Ngozi’s death.

The protesters, who wore black T-shirts bearing the picture and name of the deceased, arrived the gate singing solidarity songs, brandishing different placards, and demanded to see the hospital’s management to register their protest. Some of the placards read: “We Demand Change of Culture Towards Our Hospitals and Patients”, “Enough of Medical Negligence”, “Our Hospitals and Medical Personnel are Meant to Save Lives”, “LUTH, We Want Life Not Death”, “Are Our Hospitals Slaughter Houses?” The gate was locked and manned by armed policemen, which prevented the protesters from entry. They were later addressed by an unidentified employee who claimed to speak on behalf of the management. The man, who claimed to be the chief security officer of LUTH, said the management sent him to tell the protesters to bear with it as it had no prior knowledge of their visit, being on Saturday, a nonworking day. “I flew in from Abuja this morning to see what is happening here. I was sent to know if what we have been hearing is true or not. I am very sorry for what happened,” the man added. HACCI Executive Director, Adaugo Nwalema, described the action of LUTH as insensitive, and said the protest was to show that Nigerians are fed up with medical negligence and government’s poor funding of health institutions. Ausbeth insisted that his wife, a mother of four, was suffocated to death while undergoing treatment as a result of the negligence of the medical personnel. But LUTH denied the allegation and set up a panel that investigated and absolved the personnel of blame. LUTH said: “Ngozi Udebu was a patient in our hospital, having been admitted on

March 26, 2016, and died about 51 hours later. She was afflicted with abdominal pain from her monthly menstrual periods shortly after 40 days of religious fasting. “She had taken an overdose of Piroxicam (50mg thrice daily for two days), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain-killer, which is known to be associated with side effects of inflammation or ulceration of the stomach, even at a regular dose. “She was admitted, seen by the medical team, including an experienced consultant physician. “She was commenced on medications for peptic ulcers or dyspepsia after ultrasound scans and other tests. She was admitted to the medical wards within 24 hours of presentation and monitored by the medical personnel (doctors and nurses). “A few hours to her demise, she started to have difficulty in breathing, and was commenced on oxygen therapy which she continued to have till her demise. “While making the rounds to see how the patients fared in the night, the nurse on duty noticed the patient had stopped breathing, and attempts to resuscitate her failed. “There was no distress call by the patient, other patients or any other person around her in the ward prior to her sudden death. “In view of the strange and sudden death of our patient, the managing team immediately requested for an autopsy to unravel the immediate and remote causes of her demise as it’s the standard practice in such cases of unusual death. “This autopsy was prompted by LUTH. The autopsy preliminary report demonstrated evidence of asphyxia, though no foreign body or evidence of strangulation was found.” However, Ausbeth dismissed LUTH’s response, insisting that the report of the panel showed that his wife suffocated to death. His words: “I didn’t expect anything less, because I know they would want to come out with something to exonerate them, but at the end I can see that they have answered the questions I even wanted to

“I have received up to 2,000 calls from people that have lost their loved ones at LUTH due to their staff’s negligence. “Life does not mean anything to them; the consultants want people to come to their private hospitals to get good medical attention."

“My option is to make enough noise in this country to start a medical revolution because we must change how things are done in hospitals. “Medical science has got to a stage that whatever they are doing, patients’ relatives must be carried along. In some advanced countries, patients’ relatives are allowed in operating rooms to see what is happening.” ask. “They have been able to tell me that my wife died without them knowing at the point she died. It is clear to me that she suffocated to death, because there was nobody on the ground monitoring the oxygen they put on her. “If you put a patient on oxygen somebody should be kept to monitor it to see the progress of the whole thing. “When I came the next day and met the lifeless body of my wife, I confronted the nurse that was on night duty.

Ausbeth and Ngozi Udebu

The protesters The nurse brought out the oxygen and told me that they had to change the oxygen because they discovered that it was not working. “I remember asking her, ‘at what point did you realise that the oxygen kit was no longer working’, but she was unable to give me an accurate answer. “With this response, it was clear to me that they saw her dead when they were going

for ward round.” Ausbeth vowed to start a medical revolution in Nigeria. “I have received up to 2,000 calls from people that have lost their loved ones at LUTH due to their staff’s negligence. “Life does not mean anything to them; the consultants want people to come to their private hospitals to get good medical attention. “The court is my last option. My option is to make enough noise in this country to start a medical revolution because

we must change how things are done in hospitals. “Medical science has got to a stage that whatever they are doing, patients’ relatives must be carried along. In some advanced countries, patients’ relatives are allowed in operating rooms to see what is happening. “That they don’t have a camera to capture what happened in the wards is unacceptable in this modern age and only two nurses are attending to over 35 patients.”

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 15, 2016

Kiddies

Arena Brain tickler

Temitope Ojo ibilade@gmail.com t.adegboye@thenicheng.com 0708 479 6140

Historical personality

Teresa Meniru (1931-1994)

There are three houses one is red, one is blue band, one is white. If the red house is to the left of the house in the middle and the blue house is to the right to the house in the middle where is the white house?

In Washington DC Answer I am good at concealing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real and hide whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true. Sometimes, I bring out the courage in you! What am I? Makeup

Solution

Invention Water fountain The modern drinking fountain was invented and then manufactured in the early 1900s by two men and the respective company each man founded: Halsey Willard Taylor and the Halsey Taylor Company; and Luther Haws and the Haws Sanitary Drinking Faucet Co. These two companies changed how water was served in public places. Taylor's father had died of typhoid fever caused by contaminated public drinking water. That motivated him to invent a water fountain to provide safer drinking water. Haws was a part-time plumber, sheet metal contractor, and the sanitary inspector for the city of Berkeley, California. While inspecting a public school, he saw children drinking water out of a common tin cup tied to the tap. Haws also feared that there was a health hazard in the way the public was sharing water supply. He invented the first faucet designed for drinking. He used spare plumbing parts, taking the ball from a brass bedstead and a self-closing rabbit ear valve. The Berkeley school department installed the first model drinking taps.

Teresa Meniru was a Nigerian writer of young adult literature and children's stories. She was born in Ozubulu. Her work deals with difficult subjects such as child abuse, kidnapping, the status of women in Nigeria, and the burden of tradition. Meniru also wrote about the effects of war on women, such as in her book The Last Card. Her work is part of a trend in Nigerian writing which broadens the scope of African children and young adultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literature by introducing themes and approaches that are relevant to postcolonial times.

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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Kiddies Arena StarKid Name: Sophia Esosa Edomwonyi Age: Nine years School: Purple Vineyard Nursery and Primary School, Ketu Class: Basic 5 Career goal: Engineering Best colour: Pink Best food: Bread and tea

Be our StarKid: Send your child's full-sized photograph and details to ibilade@gmail.com.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Poems

By Jane Taylor Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveller in the dark Thank you for your tiny spark, How could he see where to go, If you did not twinkle so? In the dark blue sky you keep, Often through my curtains peep For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveller in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Little Boy Blue By Anonymous Little Boy Blue, Come blow your horn, The sheep's in the meadow, The cow's in the corn; Where is that boy Who looks after the sheep? Under the haystack Fast asleep. Will you wake him? Oh no, not I, For if I do He will surely cry.

Be our poet: Send your poems to ibilade@gmail.com.

Arts TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 15, 2016

with Terh Agbedeh

REVIEWS&PREVIEWS

he Polyversal Souls, accompanied by Guy One and rising singer Florence Adooni, will hold a Lagos concert on Tuesday, May 17, at Freedom Park Lagos, Broad Street, Lagos Island, by 7pm. Part of a tour organised by the Goethe-Institut, the group will also go to Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. A statement from the German cultural institute said The Polyversal Souls is the new Berlin-based band led by Max Weissenfeldt, one of Germany’s most prolific drummers.

“The city’s vital music scene gave him the chance to bring together excellent musicians with a common passion and interest for sounds from around the world. The result was the Polyversal Souls’ debut album, Invisible Joy, a manifest of the 21st century global raw soul,” said the statement.

Weissenfeldt’s is a very interesting story of a man’s passion for music. He may have taken his drums across the world, but he’s never lost sight of his first love for soulful grooves, the starting point of a career that has led to phenomenal collaborations. Among them are his major contribution to the Grammywinning album, Locked Down, by Dr. John and Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence, both produced by Weissenfeldt’s uber-fan, the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. But long before that happened, his passion had propelled albums as varied as Poets of Rhythm’s Discern/Define and Whitefield Brothers Earthology.

It comes as a pulse: the raw, funky beat Weissenfeldt first heard on old 45s his compatriots, including older Whitefield Brother Jan, played to him in the early 1990s, well before anyone cared for that obscure wax. This was in his parents’ basement in Munich, Germany. Late 1960s funk and soul were the inspiration for the Poets of Rhythm, the first band in which Weissenfeldt played drums. Barely teenagers, the Poets kick-started a movement: without them – as insiders like Gabriel Roth and Eothen Alapatt claim – Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Aloe Blacc and Mayer Hawthorne wouldn’t be the internationally recognised names they have become. In the early 2000s, the Poets of Rhythm issued Discern/Define, which indicated a marked growth, and a sophisticated approach to funk music, meshed with Krautrock’s untampered experimentalism, and the Whitefield Brothers issued In The Raw, an Afro-psychedelic trip grounded by funk’s principles. Though the Poets of Rhythm would never record again, The Whitefield Brothers issued Earthology, the pinnacle of their worldly, musical explorations. During the mid to late 2000s, Weissenfeldt was in deep study: after spending five years with

The Polyversal Souls storms Lagos

The Polyversal Souls with Guy One at Roskilde, Denmark in July 2015 Krautrock legends and “world music” pioneers, Embryo, on a 500 concert European and African bus tour. After his Embryo period, he visited South East Asia, where he studied classical Burmese Saing Waing music. This trip was followed by a time in London, living and playing with fellow musicians, the Heliocentrics. He studied with former Sun Ra Arkestra drummer, Marvin ‘Bugalu’ Smith, in the United States before, in 2010, taking his first trip to Ghana, the deciding point to create the Philophon label. And to record all the music for his Ghanaian counterparts, Max formed a new Berlin-based band, The Polyversal Souls. The city’s vital music scene gave him the chance to bring together excellent musicians with a common passion and interest for sounds from all around the world. The result was The Polyversal Souls’ debut

album, Invisible Joy – a manifest of what Max calls “21st century global raw soul”. In 2014, The Polyversal Souls toured Ghana twice, supported by the German Federal Culture Foundation (Kulturstiftung des Bundes). Their tour included a live appearance along with their collaborating artistes, Guy One and Alogte Oho Jonas, who are both key figures of the vital music scene of North Ghana’s cultural capital, Bolgatanga. This show was also broadcast on Ghanaian national TV.

Early 2016, Max made a further visit to Ghana to produce the second The Polyversal Souls album called This is Bolga! which focuses on the various collaborations with the top artistes of Bolgatanga that came into existence over the past years: aforementioned Guy One and Alogte Oho Jonas, fur-

ther gospel singers Florence Adooni and Ana’abugre, and Kologo players, Bola Anafo and Amodoo. As a spin-off, a full solo album with Alogte Oho Jonas, backed up by the fabulous Lizy Ma’aho, was realised. Further, Max produced a 7 with South Ghanaian roots reggae spearhead, Y-Bayani.

Germany’s master tenor, saxophonist and flutist, Claudio Jolowicz, joins the group to enrich the performance with his virtuoso solo work. Together with Bastian Duncker on baritone saxophone and Jason Liebert on trombone, a strongly united three-piece horn section interweaves with the solid groove machine driven by Guy One’s tight Kologo-riffs, Johannes Wehrle’s pumping keyboard bass lines and syncopated chord progressions and Max’s very own style of drumming.

Tales With Tosinger continues storytelling tradition

osinger, an Afrosoul/Afrofolk singer/songwriter and a storyteller passionate about culture and music, is furthering the storytelling tradition with a new Youtube channel, Tales With Tosinger. The modern day griot is telling stories that give a sense of culture, history and per-

sonal identity while teaching life lessons. Folktales and fables are an educational and entertaining means of passing down traditions and customs from one generation to the next. An African tradition for several generations, adults would tell tales by the moonlight while teaching morals and lessons.

“I sing, I write, I act and I tell stories. I am a modern day griot and a cultural ambassador. I have chosen to gather adults and children alike around a social app, a Youtube video, the millennial way to get the world’s attention,” Tosinger, the writer of the short stories folktale collection, Seven Afrofolk tales in Seven Days, said. The channel presents a new video every Tuesday.

Arts www.thenicheng.com

hief Executive Officer of Genii Games, Adebayo Adegbembo, has said that the Yoruba and English languages should co-exist in the same space. He declared this while responding to questions from TheNiche. “I think both languages can co-exist as long as the Yoruba language doesn’t suffer as it currently does. Hence, there needs to be more effort to encourage the use of Yoruba language to further raise it to the level where we have accepted English today,” he said. The founder of Genii Games has evolved various platforms from his deep understanding of Yoruba language and is pushing the frontiers of the language to ensure that people from Latin America can have access to it. His company, he said, is where interactive mobile apps and animated videos are de-

TheNiche May 15, 2016

‘Yoruba, English should

veloped to help children learn Nigerian languages, ethics, etiquette and more. On how he came to be a speaker of the two languages, he said he grew up in a household where Yoruba remains the language of communication. “This is coupled with the fact that Yoruba is the dominant native language in Lagos where I also grew up. With respect to English, I learnt it at school from the nursery level,” he said. The story of Genii Games is as interesting as it is educative. Adegbembo said that though the company was incorporated in 2013, he started out in 2012 as a way of using technology to make the subject of Nigerian languages fun for kids using games. “Starting out, I had to rely on my programming skills; but I have since grown to leverage the skills of others as a team, thanks to the support of the

Co-Creation Hub (CCHub), my primary partners. Having come out of the Tech-in education competition that was run by them (CCHub), I received support in the areas of funding, mentorship among others,” he recalled. Saying the whole idea was driven by the need to make Yoruba language fun for kids, he explained that our local languages can sometimes seem boring for kids, especially in light of other attractions (cartoons, games etc) at their disposal. “I found a need to leverage features that they find interesting to help them learn Yoruba. Specifically, the Yoruba101 app uses colourful graphics, animations, text, voice, sound and games to teach Yoruba language and culture,” he said.

Adegbembo

DFM partners Sonoton music library

his year’s edition of the Durban FilmMart, which runs from June 17 to 20, includes a new partnership with Sonoton, the largest independent production music library in the world, the organisers have said. Sharlene Versfeld of Versfeld and Associates said, in a statement, that as part of the partnership with DFM, Sonoton’s Barbara Hintermeier will be hosting an online music search workshop for filmmakers. The company will also be sponsoring the SONOfind contest in which entrants can win an Apple iPad and

Hintermeier

I Remember presented in Lagos, Abuja next

he maiden presentation of I Remember, an autobiography by Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, took place on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos. There will be a second public presentation in Abuja on Tuesday, May 17, at Merit House, Maitama, at 11am. Adamolekun is a veteran scholar of public administration. I Remember, which is in six parts, chronicles Adamolekun’s rise from a humble background to a distinguished career in academia and public service. Anthony Akinola, an Oxford-based Nigerian public intellectual, said

L-R: Senator Bode Olajumoke, Prof. Akinlawon Mabogunje (CON), Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun (Author) and Mrs. Titi Adamolekun Adamolekun’s autobiography has some messages for everyone. “His parental upbringing has a message for parents generally; his exploits as a student at school and university have a strong message for students. Of course, his experiences as an accomplished academic at various universities

(University of Ife, in particular), and as a leading professional at the World Bank, should provide useful guidance to those who seek to operate at the highest level of their profession. A book that serves as a role model for generations, it is with great enthusiasm and a sense of professional honesty, that I recommend I Remember to

individuals and libraries worldwide,” he said. Adamolekun has won many honours and distinctions within and outside the country, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) award – the “highest national prize for academic and intellectual attainment” – conferred on him in December 2005.

other great prizes. Operating in South Africa through Synchro Music Management in Johannesburg, Sonoton offers filmmakers the option of 180,000 tracks, with more than 100 new albums in various musical and compositional styles added every year, sourced from composers and producers from around the world. Sonoton’s online search platform, SONOfind, is an extensive platform for efficient music searches, enabling users to find an appropriate track within seconds. The SONOfind Workshop takes place at DFM at 2pm on Saturday,

June 18 where delegates will be able to meet Sonoton’s Barbara Hintermeier, who will demonstrate useful tips and tricks when conducting an online music search. Entry forms are available at Sonoton’s website and the deadline for entries is noon on July 1. A random draw will hold on July 6. Prize winners will receive their prizes by mail and the names of all winners will be published on Sonoton’s website. The Durban FilmMart is a coproduction and finance market and a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).

Farafina writing workshop close entries May 20

ntries for the 2016 Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop will close on May 20. To take place in Lagos from June 21 to July 1, it is organised by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie. Sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc, Adichie teaches the workshop alongside her writing colleagues from around the world. The organisers said the workshop aims at improving the craft of writers and to encourage published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspective to the art of storytelling. The workshop will take

the form of a class. Participants will be assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises, and participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted. Interested participants can find details at the Farafina Trust website. Only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by June 10. Accommodation in Lagos will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the 10-day duration of the workshop. A literary evening of readings, open to the public, will be held at the end of the workshop on July 1.

TheNiche

Fashion

www.thenicheng.com

May 15, 2016

Temitope Ojo ibilade@gmail.com t.adegboye@thenicheng.com 0708 479 6140

Closet every woman should have by 35

A trusted jeans brand

A favourite dress-down sneaker Vans can make a tooprim look unfussy and cool; Keds are surprisingly great paired with a cigarette pant (la Audrey Hepburn); and Cons are the perfect sneaker for a Saturday boyfriendjeans outfit.

A statement blazer or jacket Rather than going for another boring, black blazer, search for one with a cascading lapel or maybe a peplum at the waist, or choose a conservative shape in an eye-catching hue. There are also moto, bomber, and army jackets. You can throw any of these over a feminine dress or pair it with dark-wash jeans for a more modern work look.

A black cashmere sweater One thing you learn by the time you're in your 30s is that not every denim brand is going to look great on your body, which is okay as there are so many to choose from. The key is to find a pair with a little stretch that doesn't dig in at the waist or gap in the small of your back, bum, or behind the knees; has a smoothing effect overall; and looks good with both flats and heels. It takes time to find the right style for you, but once you do, stock up.

A white shirt that fits your body A simple white buttondown is a wardrobe must-have, but getting the shoulders, bust, and waist fit right is important. Too boxy and it will have a waiter-like effect. Too tight and you'll feel uncomfortable. Keep trying on styles until you find the brand that fits your proportions perfectly, and don't be afraid to go up a size and ask a tailor to take in the sides as needed. Also, explore a white button-down in a silky material as opposed to crisp cotton, or even a

style with no buttons at all.

A signature dress style Not everyone looks good in a wrap or feels comfortable in a crisp-cut sheath. The truth is, there are no rules; just search for one that makes you feel the most like "you." If you're uncomfortable and feel almost like you're playing dress-up in someone else's clothes, that's not the one for you.

The fastest way to dress up jeans on a weekend dinner-andmovie date, balance out a daring skirt for work, or look totally chic with black pants as an LBD alternative, this item goes with everything. If black isn't your thing, don't stress. Cashmere in any neutral colour is great. Just be sure to choose the silhouette you like best for your body. Curvier frames usually look best in V-neck styles, while straighter bodies can pull off crewnecks. Oversize turtleneck styles look especially great with pulled-back hair and a bold lip, and can work wonders to make you feel more pulled together on hormonal bloat days.

A silky button-down In recent years, this item has come into its own as a multipurpose layering tool – it's really the most modern, grown-up way to pull together a work look involving a blazer or pencil skirt. Go one size up for a floatier, more feminine effect. Also, this is a place where prints can really shine, so try those polka dots you've been on the fence about. Layered under a cardigan or sweater, they'll be subtle, not garish.

A ‘dressy’ T-shirt You don't need to spend a tonne of money to get a tee that looks designer-ish. Just look for one in a super-soft fabric that skims your curves and has some special detail. Stay away from super-athletic styles with thick collars and stiff material. In the right fabric, you can wear this type of tee under a cardigan, blazer, or denim jacket. Just add some jewelry and you're good to go.

Fancy flats

We don't know about you, but we don't always feel like wearing heels – yet we can't necessarily wear sneakers on those days either. This is where fancy flats come in. Whether you're a ladylike ballet flat kind of girl or an oxford/loafer lover, you should own a pair of nice flats that could easily replace pumps on the days when your feet just can't take it.

TheNiche May 15, 2016

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At Just Not Married premiere Nollywood actress and producer, Judith Audu, premiered her Just Not Married at Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was attended by actors, actresses, and movie enthusiasts. Audu was supported by her husband, Morten Foght. Cast, crew, and stakeholders in the industry were also spotted.

Adesua Etomi

Doris Simeon

Ashionye Raccah

Omotu Bissong

Best Okoduwa

Mary Lazarus

Morten and Judith

Racheal Isaac Christiana Martin

Kas and Judith

Uzor Osimkpa

Omowunmi Dada

Wole Ojo

OG Nelson

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 15, 2016

FOOD &DRINK

Watermelon beyond sugar and water WATERMELON is a vine-like flowering plant that originated from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a berry which has a thick smooth exterior and fleshy, juicy, sweet core referred to as endocarp. In Nigeria, the watermelon fruit, gotten from the North, is considered a juicy delight with partial cookery range and nutritional value. Despite the popular belief that watermelon is made up of only water and sugar, the fruit actually is useful and very healthy, providing a high amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a low amount of calories. Even on your salad plate, it is a suitable substitute for tomatoes. People buy Watermelon for different reasons; some buy it for a reduction in belly fat. Reasons to take watermelon Watermelon soothes aching muscles, according to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, by James Seiber. Drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout help reduce athletes’ heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. This is because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, an essential amino acid that helps relax blood vessels and improves blood circulation. It contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, lycopene as and betaine. According to the National

Watermelon Promotion Board, Orlando, USA, the fruit contains more lycopene – an anti-oxidant that is present in most fruits and vegetables – than any other fruit or vegetable. Fruits and vegetables are linked with a reduced risk of some lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, as well as lower weight. Watermelon reduces blood pressure. According to a study published by the American Journal of Hypertension, watermelon extract supplementation reduces ankle blood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension, and that watermelon extract improved arterial function. Being an excellent source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, the fruit helps combat the formation of radicals that cause cancer. Lycopene intake, which is present in watermelon, has been linked to decreased risk of prostate cancer. Due to the water and fibre content in watermelon, it helps to prevent constipation, adds bulk to faeces and promotes regularity for a healthy digestive tract. It reduces and prevents inflammation. Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in watermelon that aids our bodies

in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. The nutrient also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation. Watermelon is used as a natural Viagra, as its improved circulation can benefit more than just the heart. The fruit fills the belly with no irregular side-effect. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories; so there is no fear of increased fat in the body.

eating out

Jevinik

evinik Place is a one-stop African dish restaurant where you can get your favourite dishes at a snap. Having been in existence for about 15 years, Jevinik offers dining services, hall rentals and food delivery. The meals range from soups, local delicacies, additives and deserts, pepper soup, rice and meat. So there is no reason to stay hungry on a Sunday when you can have an awesome treat. For soups, there is the Mama’s Delight soup, oha soup, okra soup, egusi soup and many more. There are ‘swallows’ (puddings) like eba, plantain flour, pounded yam, semolina, and wheat flour. Also there are rice dishes like coconut rice, peppery rice, ofada rice, fried and jollof rice, and fried rice.

For the meat lovers, assorted beef, bush meat, chicken, cow leg and tail, gizzard and goat meat in pepper soups are in offer too. You can also have fried and grilled fish. There are local traditional delicacies like isi-ewu (goat head), nkwobi and abacha (African salad). In additional, there are additional side delicacies like fried plantain, moin-moin, full and side salad, ekpang nkukwo, plantain porridge, chips, ukwa and many more. Jevinik is in Ikeja, Victoria Island (Lagos), Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Aba.

With 92 per cent water and full of important electrolytes, watermelon is a fantastic fruit to have on a hot afternoon, as it reduces hydration. It is great for the skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps hair moisturised. Vitamin A is also essential for the development of all body tissues, including skin and hair. Eating watermelon can protect against the negative effects of macular degeneration (just a fancy word for loss of vision).

BUSINESS UNUSUAL FINANCIAL NICHE PERSONAL FINANCE MARKETING NICHE

TheNiche May 15, 2016

BUSINESS

www.thenicheng.com

INFLATION RATE

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK ICT

Inflation month Inflation rate

Kelechi Mgboji Assistant Business Editor 0803 469 0996, 0811 181 3047 kckmgboji@yahoo.com

MONEY SUPPLY (Trillion)

March 2016 12.8%

Broadmoney (M2) 18,718,193.11 Narrow Money (M1) 7,148,592.67

Why the plane market is unlikely to crash

Sukuk bond may hit market in Q3

» Gold

COMMODITIES SUMMARY

PAGE 58 Silver

PER OZ

$16.96

$1,234.18 TROY OZ

WTI $43.93

PER BARREL

Brent Crude $45.36 PER BARREL

Tourism/Aviation

STOCK MARKET

PAGE 55

OIL PRICE INDEX

Tin

$7.93

Platinum

Copper

$1,011.10 $2.28

PER OZ

PER LB

Nickel

Wheat

$4.28

$467

GRADE A

Lead

» Palladium

Exchange Rates

$0.81

$608.25

Cocoa

$3, 132

PER OZT

N-$

N-£

N-€

RATE

197

283.4436 221.9205

China wants Africa truly developed, says envoy Relations between China and Africa got a boost when Yale University through its Macmillan Center for International and Area Studies organised a conference at the Lagos Business School. The conference examined how to strengthen economic co-operations between China and Nigeria, as well as the entire continent. Chinese Special Representative on African Affairs, Zhong Jianhua, told journalists that China’s interest is to let the African continent become truly developed. Assistant Business Editor, KELECHI MGBOJI, brings excerpts of the press conference. Challenges China faces in achieving targets in Nigeria The co-operation and bilateral relation is a good one. On the political front, it is good. On the economic front, in terms of trade, the cooperation we get from Nigeria is also good. But the challenge is obvious. We set a pretty high target. For example, the Chinese government sets aside $60 billion to be invested in Africa either through loans or investment in projects in three years’ time. At the official level it is a huge challenge. Everyone is talking about win-win co-operation. But what about the lose-win,

win-lose or lose-lose? No one can guarantee results. That’s where the challenge lies. You can have a target, a purpose, but how to fulfill it is the task. It involves wisdom, determination and courage from every one of us. A Chinese philosophy says, “If you think you can win and let the other party lose, you will lose eventually.” Of course, if you lose and let the opponent win, that is also not the solution. If you run to win, you must let your partner also win. This is the only way you can help maintain a long-term friendship and long-term relationship. We believe in long-term cooperation.

President Muhammadu Buhari China’s interest in African aid China’s interest is economic co-operation. By this co-operation, if the people improve their living standard on the African continent, their demand will increase. This demand will provide opportunity not only for China but also for the world. We did this to the world before. We provided a huge opportunity. We provided

Chinese President, Xi Jinping the world with the huge Chinese market. This is what we want to replicate in this continent. So, with this economic co-operation between China and Africa, we see the future demand of this continent increasing tremendously. We engage in this process by helping Africa to develop even faster and become greater. When this is achieved, they also reward us with greater opportunity and provide de-

mand for our own products. That is what we call win-win.

Would Chinese interest in Africa not lead to recolonisation? History of human beings have been characterised by development and progress. Our ancestors, I mean the ancestors of all of us as human beings, not only China, may have been slow in thinking, and eventually we did have a colonial period in history. It was ugly, bloody

and notorious. I think every human being should learn from that history. Colonialism will never lead us to the bright future that we desire. It may have benefited other continents but it caused a lot of damage to this continent. It caused huge sacrifice on the other side too. The Chinese are not stupid. The best benefit for China, certainly, cannot come from recolonising Africa.

Continues on PAGE 52

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May 15, 2016

Cover Debt sustainability hinges on economic diversification, says DMO boss Debt sustainability is a matter for concern, with Nigeria’s debt standing at about N12 trillion as of December 31, 2015 at a time government’s earnings dropped 60 per cent due to oil price slump. Debt Management Office (DMO) Director General, Abraham Nwankwo, says citizens need not worry because Nigeria’s 13.02 per cent debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is low compared with 56 per cent in other countries in the same group as Nigeria. He spoke at a workshop for Capital Market Correspondent Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos, attended by Assistant Business Editor, KELECHI MGBOJI. Nigeria's debt to GDP ratio Nigeria’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio was 13 per cent as of December 31, 2015. But Nigerians should be more conscious of debt service revenue ratio. In that regard, I am encouraging all Nigerians, particularly journalists, to continue mobilising the citizens to make sure individuals and companies pay their tax fully, as and when due. Our tax revenue to GDP ratio is low, relative to tax revenue to GDP ratio of countries in our peer group. So, the real challenge of debt sustainability in Nigeria goes beyond public debt. It is more of the resources than anything else. As our economy grows, as GDP grows, the question is, are we collecting enough in tax resources from individuals and corporate organisations so that we will be able to fund public projects? This is the question everyone has to consider. And the

answer is no.

Improved tax revenue to GDP ratio The new administration, under the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is doing its best to make sure that tax administration is effective and compliance is near 100 per cent. So, based on that, we expect that in the next couple of years, the country’s tax revenue to GDP ratio will rise. And if it rises to about 18 per cent, which is the norm for countries in our peer group, it means the government will have more resources to fund capital projects. It also means it will have more resources to service debts, and debts will become more sustainable. Now, it is sustainable alright, but that does not mean we don't have work to do. We have a lot of work to do in making sure that everybody pays tax. But more importantly,

everybody should do his best to make sure that the programme of the government towards diversifying the economy is achieved. If the economy is diversified and growing fast in a sustainable manner, then we are in a position to mobilise resources in both public and private sectors to support continuous sustenance of the economy. So, I can say that in the medium to long term, debt sustainability in Nigeria hinges on the over all economic sustainability. And overall economic sustainability hinges on diversifying the economy in a sustainable manner, which is the programme the government is pursuing in agriculture, solid minerals, ICT (information communication technology), manufacturing, et cetera. To do that, we need a strong infrastructure base, and that is why the government is laying emphasis on spending what it borrows on infrastructure. Citizens need not worry about the current debt profile because Nigeria’s 13.02 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio is still very much low compared with 56 per cent in other countries in the same group as Nigeria. Citizens should rather be concerned about the country’s very low comparative tax revenue to GDP ratio. Nigeria’s tax revenue to GDP ratio is less than 7 per cent, far below its peer group at 18 per cent, and 27 per cent of those of industrialised countries. The government requires average taxation of about 30 per cent to create maximum value for the economy.

Nwankwo Taxable individuals and corporate organisations should support the government to widen the scope and ensure effective tax administration compliance. There must be effective tax administration compliance in running the economy. All over the world, government depends optimally on taxation to run the economy. Going by our population, Nigeria should not find it difficult undertaking huge projects. We should not have problem reviving infrastructure. The minimum we should do is 18 per cent like that of our peers.

Raising funds for the budget The DMO does not determine what to borrow to support the economy. The president just signed the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law. In the budget, it is stated

'China wants Africa truly developed' Continued from PAGE 51 And after its hundreds of years of bloody history, this continent will never allow anybody to colonise it again. On both sides, we do not have that kind of opportunity to do that, even if both countries are stupid. Now, what is the best result for China? I still return to the earlier topic. The best result for China is let the African continent become truly developed. And this development will actually bring the whole world the biggest opportunity, just like China offered to the world. We do not believe that the reforms that took place in China were

as a result of colonialism. We offered to the world the best opportunity. Most developed countries benefited hugely from Chinese investment. We want to have the story repeated on the African continent. Let people enjoy from the development. This has already been proved a success story. We have no reason to go back to the old history of colonisation and colonialism. That was stupid.

How China contributes to the wellbeing of developing countries One thing you should never forget is that we, the Chinese people,

actually broke some people’s monopolised market. You do remember when those who bought oil monopolised the market and decided what the price of oil would be. They paid six pence per barrel. But when the Chinese came into this market, we certainly broke up this monopolised system. We made the producing countries enjoy $100 per barrel. The difference is that those who enjoyed six pence in history became angry. They were angry because the Chinese have put a stop to what they enjoyed. Look at it on the other side. When you sold oil for six pence per barrel, how much did you pay

that in 2016, the country would borrow from external sources about N900 billion, and from domestic sources about N984 billion, making a total of N1.84 trillion. The DMO is committed to making sure we raise this money from appropriate sources, in the appropriate mix, and appropriate terms and conditions to make sure that during the fiscal year the projects are funded. The government is very clear that every kobo it borrows is going into funding capital projects. And we assure Nigerians that the DMO will raise the total amount specified in the budget for the purpose of funding the capital projects in the budget. We cannot give any assurance stronger than that of the President Muhammadu Buhari who assured the citizens when he presented the budget to the National Assembly (NASS) that all the money his

for imported suit? You paid $500 because the only supply is from Europe. How many barrels of oil did you have to export before you bought a suit in the past? Today, when you buy a Chinese-made suit, how much do you pay? Less than $3, the cheapest. Why do you complain about colonisation from China? It is because some people have been made very angry in the market place. I think we are doing something good for the people who sell oil.

Lessons Nigeria can learn from China about inflation, fallen revenue, insecurity, and more

administration will borrow in the fiscal year will be used to fund capital projects. Ours is to make sure the government raises the funds to implement the budget to the last letter.

Bonds so far raised The DMO is very proactive. We're aware that the budget was taking its due process, but we did not go to sleep. That’s why as the president stated that now that the budget has been signed into law, he will immediately release N300 billion to start funding capital projects. That shows he appreciates the fact that based on his mandate, some money has already been raised. We go to the market every month to raise money to fund the budget. So, we have been proactive in working towards the implementation of the budget.

We have suffered the same problems Nigeria is suffering today. So we approach the problems based on our experience. When I was still a junior employee in the Foreign Ministry, inflation in China rose to about 80 per cent. You know what that means. People worked harder. Workers were organised to work 24 hours a day. When you have the crisis, it also means you have opportunities there in. It is a time you are pushed to make positive changes. More so, when you have challenges and there are friends willing to help, you just know that such challenges can be overcome.

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May 15, 2016

Newly minted MBA? It's the best job market in years

imes are good at the Wisconsin School of Business. In a positive sign for its newly minted graduates, job postings in 2015 were up 36 per cent from the year before. What’s more, the Madison, Wisconsin-based university hosted more than 300 companies during a career fair, where recruiters competed for top talent. The school’s master of business administration programme expects the best results in years in placing graduating students in full-time jobs. Other business schools are reporting similar upswings. Why so much optimism? A United States economic recovery has boosted consumer confidence and company profits. That means corporations feel more comfortable about creating jobs and filling headcount left open during the economic downturn. Business students are now more hopeful about their employment prospects – and earning potential – than at any time the past decade, business school executives say. “The bottom line is, as the economy gets stronger, corporate recruiting gets stronger,” said Steve Schroeder, assistant dean of the Bachelor of Business Administration programme at the Wisconsin School of Business. The U.S. economy grew

2.4 per cent in 2014, the best year-over-year growth since 2010, according to government figures. And, the Consumer Confidence Index, an indicator of optimism about the U.S. economy, in January 2015 rose to 102.9 – its highest level since August, 2007. To be sure, not all industries are thriving, and some economists point to signs that the recovery may not be as robust as it appears. But business schools are nonetheless reporting a strong market for new graduates. Schroeder said the hiring of Wisconsin graduates is reaching pre-2008-recession levels. Better yet, he expects the momentum to continue in the coming years as companies scramble to fill gaps left by retiring baby boomers. “It’s going to be a (graduating) students’ market for the next 15-plus years,” Schroeder said. Job offers are flowing Barbara Hewitt, senior associate director of career services at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, said only 4.2 per cent of graduating class of seniors were still seeking employment four to six months after graduation. That number was among the lowest she has seen in 20 years at the school. At Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, in Georgia, 72 per cent of graduating seniors in 2015

If these Barnard College graduates go for an MBA, they may have good job prospects. (Timothy Clary/Getty) already have job offers, said Pam Brown, senior director of the school’s career management centre. At the same time in 2014, the number was at 62 per cent. The improvement was partly due to employers both starting their recruiting process earlier and extending offers earlier than they have in the past, Brown said. In addition, some Goizueta students received offers from high-profile employers such as investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc and e-com-

merce company Amazon. com Inc, which hadn’t previously recruited at the school. “I think companies are behind the eight ball, still catching up from layoffs and lower hiring years,” Brown said. U.S. employers added 257,000 jobs in January 2015, marking the 11th straight month that more than 200,000 jobs were created – the best such streak since 1994. The private sector created 11.8 million jobs during a record 59 straight months of job growth, according to U.S. government figures. Where the jobs are

(Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

Demand is strong for newly minted MBAs. Nine in 10 companies that intend to hire MBA candidates said they would bring on as many, or even more people in 2015, than they did the year before, according to a survey of 169 employers conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council. More than half planned to increase starting annual salaries. The positive outlook was driven by the fact that nearly two-thirds of the employers surveyed said their companies were growing. Students at the Univer-

sity of California’s Haas School of Business are feeling optimistic about their job prospects, said Julia Min Hwang, executive director of career management services and corporate engagement. Because the school is close to Silicon Valley, technology accounts for more than 40 per cent of hiring. Hwang said more students are looking at opportunities with startups. For Wisconsin graduates, the number of MBA positions in internal strategy, health care and technology are all growing, said Joe Protopapa, director of MBA career management. At Goizueta, jobs for graduates in technology, consulting and financial services are all seeing strong growth, said Wendy Tsung, associate dean for MBA career services. Health care, pharmaceuticals and energy are also expanding, she said. Companies are ramping up their recruiting efforts earlier to target MBA students, Tsung said. She added that more companies are looking to retain former interns to fill full-time jobs – and companies that may not have hired interns in the past are building a programme to avoid missing out on potential hires.

Some companies are launching programmes for incoming MBA students as a strategy to identify talented candidates before they even set foot on campus. One such company is accounting and professional services firm PwC. Ryan Rogers, PwC’s advisory MBA recruiting leader, said the company in 2014 launched a programme in which they selected four students for a two-week internship prior to enrolling in their MBA programmes. Last year, PwC hired 20 per cent more MBAs and 40 per cent more undergraduates than 2014, Rogers said, driven by growth in its advisory practice and the recent acquisition of the management consulting firm Strategy&. In order to compete with other hiring firms, the company is establishing its presence on campus earlier in the school year and aiming to move more quickly in its interviewing and hiring decisions. “It remains a very competitive marketplace,” Rogers said. “We’re seeing talent with opportunities in other industries. Students have a lot of options these days.” • Culled from www.bbc. com

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May 15, 2016

Transforming NigComSat into a revenue earner The impending provision of satellite services by NigComSat to Belarus signposts a quest to turn Nigeria from subscriber to provider, the first by any African country. Correspondent SAM NWOKORO reports.

t comes out of the blue, given Nigeria’s status in digital revolution, space technology, and industrialisation. But this story is true. Nigeria’s Communication Satellite (NigComSat) will soon provide services in Belarus, Eastern Europe. The satellite that will provide the service is one of the large antennae communication satellites Nigeria built around 2005. When juxtaposed with the recent launch of the pilot phase of Nigeria’s digital switch-over performed by NigComSat, it is certain that Abimbola Alale, the managing director, has brought her briefs in business administration and space science to bear on her job since she replaced Ahmed Rufai in February 2015. It is like the house-cleaning she has done has fast-tracked pending deals the agency has with partners. One of them is with the Belarus National System of Satellite Communication and Broadcasting (Belintersat), whose delegation came to Abuja to fine-tune the details of the contract.

$6 million rake in Alale said the contract will fetch $6 million into Nigeria’s coffers for the 15 years it will last. She inaugurated the in-orbit test service for Belintersat recently when its delegation, led by Andrei Yanovich, came to Abuja accompanied by a delegation of China Great Wall Corporation (CGWC), manufacturers of the satellite. With the commencement of service from the Abuja Centre of NigComSat, the jinx that Nigeria has not attained the capacity to deliver satellite services off-shore has been broken. Alale recounted that “NigComSat

Alale

The deal between NigComSat and Belintersat … fits into the transnationalism of the United Nations Protocols and Conventions on global sustainable development towards inclusive growth around the world. It will create jobs in unexplored sectors of the economy and help launch Nigeria’s space technology and its opportunities on global windows. started this business before [others]. We have the experience as we have been here in the last 10 years. “In the next two weeks, we shall also start the Carrier Spectrum Monitoring which also involves monitoring the traffic in the payload without sending any command since they (Belintersat) have clients that are based on the African continent. “Within the next 15 years, we shall be monitoring their payload and at the same time sending the information on real time to Belarus as they have ground station there.”

Seamless The deal between NigComSat and Belintersat is one of the best international business deals profitable to both countries. It also fits into the transnationalism of the United Nations Protocols and Conventions on global sustainable development towards inclusive growth around the world. It will create jobs in unexplored sectors of the economy and help launch Nigeria’s space technology

and its opportunities on global windows. George Mfon, an electronic engineer and consultant to an oil firm, said the contract "means that Nigeria will no longer be viewed as starters in space business. It will give NigComSat confidence to negotiate for more deals in the future.” Belarus has the same KU and C bands as NigComSat which will further help Nigeria attain 50 per cent fill up rate. The agency has also been preparing for NigComSat 2 and 3 in the past four years. “Our due process certification is ready and handy, remaining the counterpart funding,” Alale disclosed. “Channel partners take the service to the end users. NigComSat mostly passes broadband services and other major satellite applications to some television stations involved in broadcasting.” The Belarusian contract was won in December 2015 after a bidding that involved other countries’ satellite service providers.

Back home, NigComSat has helped the military in broadband services. In September 2014, it signed a deal with PPtv to lease DTH (Direct to Home) broadband capacity, multimedia, video streaming, and hotspot event services. It leases bandwidths, too.

An amazon with focus Nigeria’s space programme has over the years gulped a lot of money and the country has not derived much from the investment. The business inclination of Alale has heralded change in attitude to work in the business sphere, for in today’s world, only those who dare succeed. Alale holds a B.MR physiotherapy from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and an MSc in space studies from the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. For well over a decade, she has pursued an active career in the space sector. It began at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) where, as assistant

To guarantee local patronage, Alale has also ensured the CBN no longer approves requests for foreign exchange (forex) for bandwidth procurement from foreign firms.

project manager, she was part of the team that supervised the manufacture and launch in May 2007 of NigComSat-1, the first communication satellite in Africa. She has worked on national priority projects such as NigComSat-1, NigComSat-1R, National Direct-to-Home Digital Transmission Centre, and National Micro Electronics Centre. She serves on several national committees that advance the utilisation of space applications in Nigeria. Alale’s interest also spans African development and utilisation of space applications, and as such monitors and reports the activities of Euroafrica-ICT to her national establishment. She has represented Nigeria at international gatherings such as United Nations General Assembly in New York, UN Committee in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna, and International Telecommunication Union. Since she became NigComSat boss, she has taken initiatives to reposition it for greatness by fighting, along with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), against capital flight through the patronage of foreign satellite firms. To guarantee local patronage, Alale has also ensured the CBN no longer approves requests for foreign exchange (forex) for bandwidth procurement from foreign firms. The rise in demand for e-government services as well as for private sector goods and services requires a huge bandwidth, which NigComSat readily makes available, lowering the cost of doing business.

You can’t generate 7,000mw in 18 months, Labour tells govt By Kelechi Mgboji

Assistant Business Editor blast of cold water has been poured by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Abuja’s promise to deliver 7,000 mega watts (mw) of electricity in 18 months, saying it lacks the capacity because it must first build power stations. The NLC was reacting to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s announcement that the government targets 7,000mw, with serious attention being given to gas supply to power plants and other problems.

“We are going to generate 7,000 megawatts of power in 18 months. But the problem is pipeline vandalism. The president has, however, ordered a full-scale protection of the pipelines by the military,” Osinbajo said. Nigerians deserve the best from the government, he added, and this year’s budget will solve some of the problems in the power value chain. “Power is a major factor in nation building. The most important part of this is power generation that is weak at the moment but will be quickly restored. “The most important aspect in power generation is gas and its

transmission. It is in our plan not only to produce more gas, but also that we are able to pipe the gas to appropriate stations." However, former factional NLC President, Joe Ajaero, insisted that to generate 7,000mw, power stations must first be built. "The average number of years to complete a power station is four years. I am not aware of any power station to be commissioned in the next four years. “Even when you have 10,000mw, you must have a transmission network that will convey the 10,000mw," he said. Ajaero, who is a former chair-

man of Nigerian Union of Electricity Workers (NUEW), explained that the failure of government's privatisation policy is the bane of power generation. He said those who took over privatised public entities are not professionals. "Most of these so-called individual investors and private companies were not even in business. They are now using infrastructure built years ago with tax payers’ money to learn how to generate and distribute power. "That's why we are in this sorry pass in the name of local content. What's local content if you don't have the capacity to deliver? Why

must we politicise such an important aspect of our nation and economy?" Labour also called for a national summit to discuss socioeconomic problems and proffer solutions. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) President, Igwe Achese, bemoaned power generation which he said has plummeted to about 2,000mw because of the failure of privatisation. He asked the government to review and reverse privatisations not properly done, which have enslaved Nigerians to exploitation and suffering.

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Sukuk bond may hit market in Q3 Stories by Kelechi Mgboji

Assistant Business Editor

overeign Sukuk Bond, an Islamic interest-free instrument for raising funds, may be issued by the federal government as part of efforts to diversify the investor base of the capital market from conventional products. Debt Management Office (DMO) Director General, Abraham Nwankwo, said work has reached advanced stages on the framework, and a timeline for the issuance would be released by third quarter of the year (Q3). He explained at a workshop organised by the DMO for Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos that the DMO is working with other agencies of government to prepare the framework. Said Nwankwo: “We're working not only with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) but also with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). “Certainly, we are committed to making sure that we do a Sovereign Sukuk in the Nigerian market. That will enable us diversify investor base, diversify the instruments avail-

Sukuk bond is structured to generate returns to investors without infringing Islamic law that prohibits interest on loans. It represents undivided shares in the ownership of tangible assets relating to particular projects or special investment activity. able in the market. It will also ensure financial inclusiveness. “More people will be ready to participate in the financial system. There are people who will not participate in conventional products, and there are also people who will participate in conventional products and will also want to participate in non conventional products. “So, I assure Nigerians that the DMO, working in collaboration with the CBN, SEC, and ICRC, under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, will eventually issue a Sukuk bond. We're working on it. He disclosed that the team had commenced work, but found out that it needed to widen its scope to include the CBN and the ICRC, and in the third quarter the DMO would be able to come up with timeline. Sukuk bond is structured to generate re-

turns to investors without infringing Islamic law that prohibits interest on loans. It represents undivided shares in the ownership of tangible assets relating to particular projects or special investment activity. A Sukuk investor has a common share in the ownership of the assets linked to the investment although this does not represent a debt owed to the issuer of the bond. In the case of conventional bonds the issuer has a contractual obligation to pay to bond holders, on specified dates, interest and principal. In contrast, Sukuk holders each hold an undivided beneficial ownership in the underlying assets, and are entitled to a share in the revenues generated by the Sukuk assets. The sale of Sukuk relates to the sale of a proportionate share in the assets. Since the beginning of 2000, Sukuk has become an important Islamic financial instrument in raising funds for long-term project financing. The first Sukuk was issued by Malaysia in 2000, followed by Bahrain in 2001, and has since been used by both the corporate sector and states for raising alternative financing. It has been growing in popularity since 2011.

Nwankwo

A Sukuk investor has a common share in the ownership of the assets linked to the investment although this does not represent a debt owed to the issuer of the bond.

NASD handled N50b transactions in 2015

Ajomale

Mobolurin

ransactions on the Nigerian Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) platform as of December 31, 2015 were worth over N50 billion, gleaned from the figures in its annual reports and financial statements. The number of participating institutions was 107 and authorised traders 170. The market also witnessed an extraordinary trade in excess of N40 billion, the first of its kind since inception, and over 140 days of continuous trading until the end of 2015. This followed the release of the rules on trading in unlisted public securities. NASD Board Chairman, Olutola Mobolurin, made the disclosures at the annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

“We expect to see more activity on the market as more investors (local and foreign) tap into the transparency and value which NASD offers,” he said. Also in 2015, the company crossed the twenties mark in the number of securities on its platform, ending the year with a total 24 securities. Mobolurin described 2015 as a challenging, noting that the change to a new government also brought on the fear of possible renewed militancy in the Niger Delta that might disrupt oil production and export. “I had forecast that 2015 would be a year in which the company would take a new and exciting turn. “Even in the face of the many challenges, which befell the global economies including Nigeria, the company for the first time since the commencement of op-

erations closed the year in a positive position. “The company earned N242.8 million as trading commission in the year under review, compared with N11.6 million achieved in the preceding year. “This substantial increase is principally due to the publication of the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule on trading of unlisted shares, which make it obligatory for unlisted public companies to transact their securities on the SEC’s registered trading platforms. “From membership fees, the company earned N16.1 million, and N52.4 million from interest on bank placements representing 30 per cent and 11 per cent increase respectively over the previous year’s revenue of N12.4 million and N47.4 million.” Mobolurin said the increase in membership fees for 2015 was

largely due to the registration of new participating institutions, while the increase in interest income was due to the increase in cash holdings available for investment as a result of revenue growth. Direct trading expenses amounted to N85 million compared with N35.2 million in 2014, an increase of 141 per cent. “This is as a result of the second year lease payment to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the use of its trading platform which is substantially higher than the first year lease payment, in line with agreed payment schedule.” NASD Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Bola Ajomale, said the company will continue to build structures to support economic growth in West Africa and support capital mobilisation through liquidity and transparency.

indirect interest of 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Unicem. The company had previously acquired 35 per cent stake in Unicem. The additional 50 per cent will be on the same terms as the 35 per cent. Lafarge has been expanding its hold on the cement manufacturing industry to match the competition

dominated by Dangote Cement. But the share price of Lafarge declined on the same day the board approved the additional 50 per cent acquisition of Unicem. Lafarge Africa, along with 10 other stocks, traded at losses on a bullish trading day 37 firms made the gainers’ list and added N81 billion gain to market capitalisation which closed at N8.9 trillion

from N8.819 trillion. The NSE All-Share Index, which measures performance of the stocks traded on the market, also appreciated to 25,865.06 basis points from 25,630.62 basis points. The NSE has commenced the use of enhanced Compliance Status Indicator codes on the ticker tape for listed companies, as part

of efforts to improve market transparency and integrity, provide timely information for investment decisions as well as enhance the protection of investors in the capital market. It will tag all listed companies with a three character code that indicates their compliance status at any point in time, to enable investors make informed decisions.

Lafarge acquires additional 50% equity in Unicem

afarge Africa says it has concluded plans to acquire additional 50 per cent equity in United Cement Company of Nigeria (Unicem). A notice filed to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE ) said the board of directors approved the acquisition at a meeting on Thursday, May 12 in line with share-

holders' resolution at the 55th annual general meeting (AGM) on July 9, 2014. The AGM also approved the issue of 413,175,709 ordinary shares of the company as full consideration for acquisition. A statement signed by Lafarge Company Secretary, Uzoma Uja, said at the conclusion of the transaction, Lafarge Africa will own

CIS gets new officials

luwaseyi Abe has been elected president and chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). Adedapo Adekoje was elected

first vice president and Olatunde Amolegbe second vice president. The election of the principal officers was announced during the council’s meeting after the annual general meeting (AGM). Prior to his election, Abe, a fellow of the CIS, was the acting president

and had served in several capacities in the institute. Abe, a financial market operator, brings into the saddle an experience spanning over two decades in investment banking, money and capital markets, treasury asset management, corporate finance, wealth

creation, and pension management. He explained at the AGM that the CIS embarked on cost cutting in view of the financial squeeze that affected its operations. He thanked those who served in various capacities in the review period.

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May 15, 2016

Stock Market Shares on Consumer Index worst hit in past four months

Remi-Bello, President of LCCI. Remi Bello

Okezie Stories by Kelechi Mgboji

Assistant Business Editor

quities on the Consumer Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have suffered the highest decline of about 18.1 per cent in the past four months, implying that investors have suffered significant losses. Designed to provide a benchmark to gauge perfor-

mance of the consumer goods sector of the NSE, the index comprises highly capitalised and liquid companies in food, beverage, and tobacco. Companies in the index are largely high value stocks, including Nestle Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Flour Mills Nigeria, and Honeywell Flour Mill Plc. Following massive sell off witnessed across the board on the NSE, the consumer index depreciated from 746.19 basis points to 611.05 basis points

at the end of April just as the NSE benchmark All-Share Index declined 12.5 per cent to 25,062.41 basis points. The manufacturing sector has suffered numerous challenges after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy excluded 41 items from access to foreign exchange (forex), and stopped the sale of forex to bureaux de change (BDCs). Investors in Nestle Nigeria lost 29 per cent of their investment in four months as price value of the stock fell from

N860 at which it had opened in January 2016 to N615.26 end of April. Poor financial performance combined to weaken the price value of Guinness Nigeria, which depreciated 24.2 per cent to N91.28 from the N120.4 it opened the year. Honeywell Flour Mill also dropped 24 per cent from N2.05 to N1.56. Other equities that significantly depreciated in value are Nigerian Breweries, which shed 14.8 per cent from N136

to N115.89; Cadbury Nigeria by almost 10 per cent from N17.15 to N15.50 and Dangote Sugar Refinery by 5 per cent from N6.03 to N5.73. Forex scarcity and CBN restrictions on access to forex market have encouraged speculative activities on the dollar which impacted negatively on investor confidence, giving rise to massive offloading of shares on the NSE. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has criticised the CBN on its forex policy, and advised that excessive regulation and documentation be avoided as it could undermine the growth of a robust autonomous forex market. It warned that currency controls and regulations of forex inflows into the economy should be relaxed, without necessarily compromising the money laundering prevention measures of the authorities. The LCCI argued that overregulation would considerably hurt the economy, and it is more paramount for the regulator to articulate policies to stimulate and unlock the huge potentials in diaspora remittances and other capital inflows rather than resorting to currency supply management. It added that the restrictions have caused considerable loss of jobs and many more are at

risk as many firms run out of stock of their critical inputs for production. Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) blamed the decline in price value of consumer goods shares on the global fall in commodities prices, particularly crude oil, Nigeria’s major revenue earner. PSAN Chairman, Boniface Okezie, stressed that “the fall in global oil prices has been a major factor affecting Nigerian economy. So our market has been resilient, though there are issues the regulators in our market need to address. “When a finger of an investor is burnt, he or she will be careful not to put forward other fingers in order not to be burnt as well. That is what is really affecting the market. “The decline we are experiencing in our market now is somehow normal as some investors are selling their shares to meet up with other expectations. “But there is hope that the market will rebound once investors see a clearer picture of the federal government’s policy direction. The Buhari administration has started fighting corruption and tackling insecurity. “These are some of the things that will attract investors to invest into our economy.”

Diamond Bank, three others default on 5% NPL ratio

F Dozie

our banks have Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio exceeding the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) threshold of 5 per cent, thereby breaching the risk prevention policy. Diamond Bank, First Bank of Nigeria Holdings (FBN Holdings), Ecobank, and Union Bank all defaulted as of December 31, 2015. Audited financial statement of Diamond Bank showed NPL at 6.9 per cent by December 31, 2015 against 5.2 per cent in 2014, meaning the bank failed in prudential risk management in two consecutive years. In the 2015 financial statement, the bank re-

FBN Holdings Managing Director, U.K .Eke ported NPLs and advances of N56.68 billion, up from N42.4 billion in 2014. Diamond Bank Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, explained that 2015 “was undoubtedly a challenging year for us owing to a mixture of external factors not limited to regulatory headwinds and a difficult macroeconomic environment. “Whilst this led to additional impairment charges following a prudent review, we have further tightened the criteria for loan originations in order to better align our loan portfolio with the macroeconomic conditions.” Dozie said actions are being taken to drastically reduce these challenges, thereby putting Diamond

Bank in a better position to achieve better results and strong earnings for the shareholders in the current business year. FBN Holdings has had over N317 billion in new NPLs since the third quarter of 2015 (3Q15). Its impairment provisions cover only about 18 per cent of the amount. Renaissance Capital stated in its report that the bank’s NPL ratio rose to 22 per cent in 1Q16. FBN attributed the rise to two large portfolios which had fairly low provisions, Atlantic Energy, last estimated at between $400 and $450 million. The payment of 55 per cent of the bank’s exposure did not come through in

Ecobank Group CEO, Albert Essien February as agreed under the terms between both parties. The CBN had raised an alarm over increase in NPL in the financial sector due to the exposure of banks to the oil and gas sector. The sharp increase in bad loans, according to the CBN, was due to a host of external and internal factors. These include low and volatile oil prices; uncertainty about severe fiscal imbalance at the sub-national level of the government; weak output growth; and eroding investor confidence. CBN Director of Banking Supervision, Tokunbo Martins, confirmed at the end of the recent 326th meeting of the Bankers’ Committee that the volume of NPL

Union Bank CEO, Emeka Emuwa

in the financial sector has risen following the national economic challenges. Her words: “We have spoken about the falling oil prices. So, non-performing loans going up is not unexpected, it is normal. If people are finding it difficult to get paid their salaries and are not able to pay their loans, it is not unexpected. “If corporates are not doing well as they used to do and they are not able to pay their loans, it is not something unusual to see the NPLs rising. The average figure of 5 per cent NPL is not out of this world. “But then, on the other hand, it is not really that we are resting on our laurels; the Bankers’ Committee did

discuss it. We spoke about things like debt factoring; it is not something that has been done yet, but there were some discussions about it. “The most important thing is that banks are conscious of it; they are preserving capital; they have enough capital as we speak and they are not distributing as much of their capital as they would have in the past, in anticipation of this risk that may crystallise. “This is because they know that they need to have enough capital to absorb the risk that may happen.” Martins said banks are adequately capitalised to withstand the shock of the increase in NPLs.

M toring

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Aston Martin dazzles

•The DB11 is the most important model in the British carmaker's 103-year history.

nowing what we know about car writers, we can safely assume that at least four out of every five of them in attendance at the Geneva motor show planned – probably well in advance – to evoke a tired bit from This Is Spinal Tap in their coverage of the debut of Aston Martin DB11. And yet, as unimaginative as such a reference surely is (and it is), there is some truth to it. In creating its successor to the 13-year-old DB9, Aston Martin pushed, quite boldly, into new territory. The new DB is more sophisticated, more userfriendly, more capable, more comfortable and, though it hardly seems possible, more beautiful than the car it replaces. Aston's DB11 was, stated plainly, Geneva's Best in Show. The DB11 is the first new Aston to leverage the company's budding relationship with Daimler – an agreement that eventually will beget a bespoke AstonAMG V8 engine – and it does so with impressive finesse. That's a good thing, because this is an important car for Aston Martin – probably the most important model in its 103-year history. It the first to follow Chief Executive Officer Andy Palmer's ambitious strategy to catch the eye – and win the loyalty – of his ideal customer: a wealthy American woman in her 30s. He's even given his fictional dream girl a name: Charlotte. "She's a cool lady, she's an attractive lady," Palmer told BBC News in an interview. And the svelte DB11, which is fearsome without being frightening, happens to be a very cool car. The shape is an artful mash-up of DB9 and Vanquish cues, with a helping of the made-for-Spectre DB10 thrown in, as well (the wheels, for instance, are straight from the DB10, and are even fitted with bespoke Bridgestone "S007" tyres). A vast forward-opening clamshell bonnet defines the front end, and the rear features a dazzling bit of airflow-management magic called AeroBlade (that's a trademarked term, mind). Aft of the C-pillars, subtle openings channel air into the rear body work and out through a narrow slot on trailing edge of the boot lid. Aston calls it a "virtual spoiler", and it generates

significant down-force at speed without requiring a ungainly fixed wing. So clever. The DB11 uses a new twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12. The engine, designed in-house, produces 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque – which is, yes, more than the naturally aspirated 6-litre V12 in the flagship Vanquish. For now, at least. Aston promises the DB11 will run from zero to 62mph in 3.9 seconds, which is brisk if not world-beating, and keep moving until the speedometer needle touches the 200mph mark. The 2+2 interior is as enticing as the exterior, and entirely more habitable by humans – two plus two of them, in fact. And the boot, claims Aston, is "large enough to accommodate two large holdalls plus carry-on baggage". The cabin materials, colours and textures – particularly the brogue-detailed leather surfaces – are sumptuous and daring, highly evolved from the DB9 yet unmistakably Aston. Gone, alas, is the crystaltopped Emotional Control Unit, a conversation-piece key that slotted into the centre console and served as a glowing engine-start button. Aston prudently leaned on Daimler to help develop the DB11's instrumentation and infotainment setup. A 12-inch TFT LCD screen provides a virtual gauge cluster, with infotainment functions handled on an 8-inch screen atop the centre console. A rotary knob controller is standard, but buyers can opt for a clever touchpad (from the Mercedes S-Class) that incorporates character recognition, multi-touch and gesture support. Now, the DB11 again highlights a small problem for Aston Martin: model overlap. The company makes several rather similar sporting cars. The V12-powered DB9 served alongside the V12powered DBS and the V12powered Vanquish, and for a short time a V12-powered DB9 lookalike called Virage joined the mix. Aston will be quick to note that each model is meaningfully different, but there's no denying that Gaydon builds more than its share of long-bonnettwo-door-12-cylinder grand tourers. One clever way the company is differentiating its models is by shaping their "sonic identities."

Aston Martin DB11

(Credit: Aston Martin Lagonda) Simply stated, this is the way a DB11 sounds – and not just the exhaust note, but traits like the fastenseatbelt warning tone and the click of a turn-indicator stalk or the creak of the leather on the driver's seat. Says Aston, "Each [sound] has been paid close attention so they have harmony and a proportionate context to one another. Nothing has been left to chance." This kind of psychoacoustic fine-tuning – the conscious decision to make a warning chime sound "suggestive" rather than "demanding" – is quite cutting-edge, and further highlights the DB11's importance, both to Aston and the industry at large, where vehicles are increasingly created through corporate partnerships (the mechanically similar Mercedes-Benz GLA and Infiniti QX30 come to mind). This year's Geneva motor show was surely not without its heavy hitters. The Bugatti Chiron and

the Lamborghini Centenario are faster, more tech-laden and more dramatic than the DB11 (though not necessarily in a good way), but the Aston comes off as more original, surprising and important. Even working within Gaydon's well-known DB boundaries – 12 cylinders, long bonnet, et cetera – Aston's stylists managed to create a car that feels absolutely fresh. Unlike most of the performance-car debuts in Geneva this week, the DB11 exists not for the sake of simple one-upsmanship or braggadocio. It exists for something better, something more lasting: progress. Aston Martin kindly included pricing in its debut announcement: The DB11, deliveries of which commence late this year, will command £154,900 in the United Kingdom, €204,900 in Germany and $211,995 in the United States. • Culled from www.bbc. com/autos

TheNiche May 15, 2016

Carmagedeon By Jonas Agwu 0805 316 6400 jonasagwu65@yahoo.com

FRSC and rear seat belt enforcement (2) • Continued from last edition. Nigeria, like most other African countries, is witnessing population explosion with its attendant vehicular increase and activity on the roads. Juxtaposed against this is the skyrocketing technology advancements. High-tech vehicles, high tech gadgets (with high-tech distractions). While the FRSC is totally focused on reducing road accidents to the barest minimum, even in the face of distraction, it must put in place machinery to ensure minimum injuries and fatalities in the event of a crash. That is the all-encompassing mandate. Part 2, Section 10 (4) (ee) of the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act 2007 mandates the FRSC to arrest and prosecute persons reasonably suspected of having committed any traffic offence, including driving a vehicle not fitted with seat belt or where fitted, not wearing same while the vehicle is in motion. Part XII 126(1) of the National Road Transport Regulation (NRTR) 2012 stipulates that every vehicle shall have fitted in the front and rear seat, seat belt and child safety seat which shall be securely won by the driver and the other occupants of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. Is Nigeria running ahead of other countries? Are we leaving substance to pursue shadows? I do not think so. The United Kingdom is not enforcing back occupant seat belt? And how has this affected crash fatalities? A study shows that while drivers’ fatality fell 21 per cent and front passengers’ fatality 28 per cent, fatalities for non seat belt wearing rear passengers rose 16 per cent. Countries all over the world are looking for ways to entrench safety in all facets of community living, and traffic safety is one that every country is giving optimum attention to. Global data attest to this. In the UK, out of the 1,432 car occupants killed in 2007, 34 per cent had not belted up. An estimated 565 were not using seat belt when killed in 2005. Some 370 would have probably survived if they had been properly restrained in Canada, the insignificant 7 per cent of people not wearing seat belt account for almost 40 per cent of fatalities in crashes. In the United States, seat belt saved almost 13,000 lives in 2009. What is the data in Nigeria? I personally have lost quite a number of people who could have lived if they had used their seat belt. The story of the father whose daughter’s death I referred to is a more recent reminder to all the

doubting Thomases. I have also had the testimony of others who believed they were spared because of seat belt use, including the story of my friend and classmate, Toye, who now lives in Houston. As a manager in one of the popular auto dealers in Nigeria then, Toye was often teased by friends, family and colleagues as a “poser” because of his strict use of seat belt long before the thought of enlisting into the FRSC crossed my mind or the thought of its enforcement crept into FRSC dictionary. He was driving from the East to Lagos when around Ore in Ondo State an articulated vehicle lost control as a result of brake failure on a slope and rammed onto his official Peugeot 504 car. Toye, whose size would make a professional American football player envious, survived with a minor waist fracture that healed in no time. The reverse was the case for the other occupants of the vehicle who received major injuries that kept them on hospital bed for months. One of the victims still limps, and has for over 20 years since the accident that almost claimed their lives become a road safety ambassador. I do not pray for you to wait until this experience before you do the right thing. A seat belt is designed to protect the occupant of a vehicle against any dangerous movement in the event of a crash or sudden stop. It reduces the severity or even the possibility of an injury in a crash by preventing the occupants from colliding with interior elements of the vehicle or other passengers. A seat belt keeps occupants positioned correctly for maximum safety, and prevents them from being ejected from the vehicle. Seat belts have been adjudged the most single traffic safety device for preventing death and injuries. Our roads are getting better. Anyone who has recently done a long distance journey by road can attest to this. Mobile phone craze is on the rampage. Built-in vehicle video screen is competing with it. All these, while good, create a large room for drivers’ distraction and recklessness resulting mostly in road crashes. Over speeding is the major cause of accidents. A crash resulting from speed usually throws the occupants off a vehicle in a somersault, apart from its other haywire attributes. A properly restrained occupant of a vehicle stands a better chance of survival than an unrestrained passenger.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Tourism/Aviation

Why the plane market is unlikely to crash

wo years ago at the Dubai Air Show, things were looking rosy for planemakers. The four big Gulf carriers alone, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai and Qatar Airlines, bought planes worth more than $170 billion, at list prices,

from Boeing and Airbus, the world's two biggest planemakers, in one day. Two years later, at the most recent Dubai show, in November 2015, things looked more worrying for them. There was only one big airline order of note, by Vietjet of Vietnam, for Airbus planes worth $3.6

billion. As a result, some investors are worried that the aviation cycle may have started to take a sharp downwards turn, and that it will hit Airbus and Boeing's future profits. Although Boeing and Airbus recently revealed record production figures, for 2015 new orders net of cancellations fell by almost half at Boeing and a third at Airbus compared with the previous year. But most analysts do not think that the demand for new planes will fall as much as in previous cycles, even if there is a global economic slowdown. Why not? In part, it is because airlines and leasing companies are buying planes for slightly different reasons. Before 2008, around 70 per cent of demand for new planes was from airlines and

leasing companies planning to add capacity, with the replacement of their older jets accounting for just 30 per cent. But since then, demand from customers seeking to replace old planes has risen to more than half of deliveries. That makes the state of the economy less of a factor. The airlines are busy swapping old jets for new ones because the planemakers have brought out more fuel-efficient versions of the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, their shorthaul models; and introduced new long-haul models, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, which are also more economical than older equivalents. Although the slump in oil prices means that jet fuel is a lot cheaper than it used to be, most airline executives do not think this will last, and are try-

ing to use the windfall profits from cheaper fuel to upgrade their fleet while they can afford to do so. Competition from rivals introducing newer and more comfortable planes is also propping up demand from airlines keen to keep up with the latest trends. Another reason why the aircraft market has become less cyclical – and now less likely to crash – is the advent of no-frills airlines. Because they are prepared to vary prices to ride out the ups and downs of demand for flights, their demand for planes is smoother. The rise of budget carriers in emerging markets is also helping. Budget airlines account for around 60 per cent of seat capacity in India and South-East Asia; in Europe, the figure is around 40 per cent, according

to CAPA, an aviation-consulting firm. But even if the two big planemakers do enjoy more predictable demand than in the past, it may become more volatile on a year-to-year basis. Much of the order backlog comes from relatively new airlines in the emerging world. Some of these carriers will inevitably retreat, and sometimes fail, due to rising competition from more efficient upstarts. Although this may mean more cancelled orders in the future, analysts and executives currently expect the upstarts to fill the gaps in the order books. It is only if this stops happening – and there is no sign of it yet – that investors in Airbus and Boeing should start worrying. • Culled from www.economist.com

A fuelish endeavour British Airways is the least fuel-efficient transatlantic carrier

new study of the 20 biggest transatlantic carriers by the International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT) found that there was a 51 per cent difference between the fuel efficiency of the best-performing airline, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and the worst, British Airways (BA). Norwegian, on average, flies at 40 passenger-kilometres per litre of jet fuel (pax-km/l, see table). One reason for its impressive performance is that it predominately runs a fleet of modern, efficient Boeing 787-8s. Norwegian only began flying the transatlantic route in 2013. The planes it uses are, on average, also only two years old. Its high pax-km/l is also down to the fact that it squeezes in more passengers. Its planes typically have no business-class seats, and are instead configured with 259 seats in the economy cabin and 32 seats in a premium-economy one. It also does not carry as much freight in the belly of its aircraft. Legacy airlines, on the other hand, are

On average, a nonstop transatlantic flight and back spews out about a tonne of CO2 emissions per passenger. But that figure hides a big spread in the fuel efficiency measures of different airlines. more likely to run old, carbon-spewing jumbos. Nearly half of BA’s transatlantic capacity, for example, is accounted for by 747s. Many also have large business- and firstclass cabins (24 per cent of seats in BA’s case). This means they fly fewer passengers pound-for-pound.

That still does not excuse BA’s woeful showing, though. It performed badly even when compared with other legacy airlines, such as Virgin, United and American. Britain's flag carrier is in the process of overhauling its fleet, and should have replaced all of its 747s by 2023.

Given that it is responsible for 10 per cent of transatlantic air capacity – it flies across the Atlantic 6,121 times a year according to ICCT – that should make a big difference to the greenness of flying over the big blue ocean. • Culled from www.economist.com

China unveils passenger aircraft to challenge Boeing and Airbus China has unveiled its first large passenger aircraft in decades, in an effort to mount a challenge to planemakers Boeing and Airbus.

he C919, with 168 seats and range of 3,444 miles, was displayed at a ceremony attended by 4,000 guests. The C919's first test flight is not until 2016, but the unveiling was seen as having huge industrial significance. "A great nation must have its own large commercial aircraft," the country's civil aviation chief Li Jiaxiang said. "China's air transport industry cannot completely rely on

imports," he told the ceremony at a hangar near Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. The BBC's economics correspondent Andrew Walker says the aircraft represents "an important step in China's economy moving beyond lowcost manufacturing". The C919's manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac), says it has orders for 517 aircraft from 21 customers, most of them Chinese airlines, but also from

leasing company, GE Capital Aviation Services. The development of the new aircraft has been hit by delays since the project was conceived in 2008. Assuming the test flights are successful, the C919 is due to enter commercial service in about 2019.

Airbus-Boeing duopoly China has had ambitions to build its own civil aircraft industry since the 1970s, when leader Mao Zedong's wife, Jiang Qing, personally backed a project. But the Y-10's heavy weight made it impractical and only three were ever made. Boeing's latest World Market Outlook puts China's total

demand for civilian aircraft over the next two decades at 5,580 planes worth a total of $780 billion. The C919 will compete in the market for single-aisle jets dominated by Airbus A320 and Boeing's 737. But the Chinese aircraft is just the start of a strategy to eat into the AirbusBoeing duopoly. Comac also plans a widebody plane, the C929, in cooperation with Russia's United Aircraft Corp, and the company is also expected to create an aero-engine operation. A separate state-owned company has developed a smaller regional jet, the ARJ-21, to compete in the market dominated by Brazil's Embraer and

The C919 is due to enter commercial service in 2019. Getty Images

Canada's Bombardier. The first two ARJ-21s were delivered in 2014 to a Chinese airline. Foreign firms are key suppliers to the C919, including Honeywell and Rockwell Collins in

the United States. The aircraft's engines are made by CFM International, a joint venture between America's General Electric and France's Safran. • Culled from www.bbc.com

FOOTBALL ATHLETICS

TheNiche

BASKETBALL TENNIS

SPORTS

May 15, 2016

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a.bada@thenicheng.com

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL Football

PAGE 61

Ayo Bada Senior Correspondent 0805 410 3980, 0803 332 2615 ayobad@yahoo.com a.bada@thenicheng.com

FLASHBACK

PAGE 63

Iyaye wants NPFL title badly

Denial of visas may scuttle Super Eagles’ friendlies in Europe

West Ham to issue life bans over attack on Man United’s bus

uper Eagles’ friendly matches in Europe at the end of this month are being threatened by denial of visas to one home-based player, two coaches, and administrative officials. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appealed to the French embassy in Nigeria to approve the visas for two international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg. NFF General Secretary,

Mohammed Sanusi, said the development is not good for the team as it could demoralise the players and officials. “We are appealing to the embassy of France in Nigeria to reconsider its stance and issue visas to these officials. “They are going to Europe for very important assignments as the two matches are key to the preparation of the Super Eagles for future engagements,” Sanusi added. NFF protocol officials con-

firmed that about 60 per cent of the passports taken to the embassy on Friday, April 29 were returned without visas. The Super Eagles play Mali’s Les Aiglons in Rouen, France on Friday, May 27 before engaging the national team of Luxembourg in Luxembourg on Wednesday, June 1. Arrangements for the two matches, including payments for stadia use, training facilities, and hotel accommodation have been concluded by the organisers.

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Table Tennis

We can break the jinx this year, Toriola assures

igerians may clinch the 2016 ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open to break the jinx of not winning the competition since inception. Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola, says there is a possibility of Nigerian players dominating this year’s tournament. Twice they have made it to the final of the ITTF Premier Lotto but lost. And with just a few days to the latest kick off, Toriola, former African champion, believes the title will not be beyond the reach of his compatriots. Toriola, a finalist at the 2013 edition, said Nigerian players have the wherewithal to claim the laurel, stressing that Egypt’s Omar Assar has been “extraordinarily lucky” to have won the title three times. “I think Nigerian players have always been capable of winning the title in all the three editions of the competition. It was just that we were unlucky not to have won the title having made it to the final twice,” he added. “I played in the final in 2013 and Aruna Quadri made it to

Polo

his year’s edition of the Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield polo tournament will hold in Kangimi Resort, Kaduna, from May 25 to June 5. The tournament, the biggest charity polo event in Africa, will feature 15 teams vying for honours in three categories, according to the organisers. Fifth Chukker Polo Captain, Babangida Katsina, who unfolded plans for the event, the 10th in the series, said the UNICEF Cup will run from May 25 to 29 and both the Access Bank Cup and High Goal Charity Shield will run from June 1 to 5. He added: “The future of our children is very bright with this tournament as it has helped in the past to put smiles on

the final in 2015. Apart from this, Nigerian players have always been making it to the semifinal stage. “I believe we can win the title this year because most of the foreign-based players have been doing very well in their various clubs and the skills and talents of the local players cannot be underestimated. Toriola, who is also former Commonwealth champion, will be at his seventh Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. He expressed delight at the turnout of players, particularly from Europe, for the ITTF Premier Lotto, saying this would help raise the standard of the sport in Nigeria. “I believe the presence of players across the globe particularly the ones from Europe will surely help our players who have not been playing against Europeans. “The eyes of the world are now on Nigeria with the giant stride the country has made in the last four years by hosting such quality competition. “I am hopeful that our players will surely gain from taking part in the tournament and the profile of the sport will continue to improve in the country.

the faces of the less privileged and this year will not be an exception. “We are expecting participating teams from across the country as well as outside, with a team coming from Johannesburg, South Africa. “All arrangements have been concluded with the teams and players, and some of them have already started sending their horses to Kaduna.” Three teams each will compete for the Access Bank Cup and the High Goal Charity Shield. Others will compete for the UNICEF Cup. Access Bank Executive Director (Personal Banking), Victor Etuokwu, pledged that the bank will continue to sponsor the tournament as long it is part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR). His words: “We’ve been

Toriola, one of Africa's most respected players, will compete in the 2016 ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open

Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield polo tourney gets dates in this partnership for 10 years running and we will continue to support UNICEF and Fifth Chukker for the betterment of the lives of internally displaced persons (IDP). “We will extend our sponsorship to more IDPs to see how we can support in areas of health, education, and sports. Etuokwu disclosed that some of the projects implemented through the tournament have been yielding results. “We are really monitoring the projects and I am happy that we are getting positive results from the areas that we’ve touched and this continue to encourage us to do more for the IDPs.” UNICEF Communication Officer (Advocacy, Media and External Relations), Blessing Ejiofor, said the main purpose of

Action from last year's tournament the tournament is to unite children and bring succor to IDPs. “We are actually using the tournament to create opportunity for children

and help them have access to education, health and sports. “We appreciate the management of Access Bank for the roles it has

been playing in the past 10 years, and like Oliver Twist, we will be happy if the bank can increase its sponsorship largess for the tournament.”

TheNiche May 15, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

Football Iyaye wants NPFL title badly

ivers State Sports Commissioner, Borma Iyaye, has charged players and officials of Rivers United to gun for this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title. The club has been in impressive form in recent weeks, dispatching the log leaders, Enugu Rangers, 3-1 in Port Harcourt on May 1 before following it up with a 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves last Sunday. Addressing the players and officials after their return from Warri, Iyaye urged them to reciprocate the gesture of Governor Nyesom Wike by winning the 2015/16 title. He said Wike “has shown he is a man of action by

ensuring that your priority is placed at the top burner. I am urging you all to reciprocate this commendable gesture by ensuring that you go all out to win this season’s NPFL title. “If this feat is achieved, it will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of all Rivers people and also justify the huge investment in the club.” Rivers United is sixth in the NPFL standings with 25 points from 15 matches, three points adrift of the leaders, Enugu Rangers. Wike has approved the immediate payment of the sign on fees for the 2013/2014 season owed the players by the previous administration, in recognition of their recent upsurge, especially their away win against Warri Wolves.

It’s fight to finish for Boboye

Boboye

bia Warriors tactician, Kennedy Boboye, says he will be disappointed if the team does not win the NPFL title having missed out of the Federation Cup. With a game in hand, the Umuahia based outfit is a point behind leaders, Enugu Rangers, after defeating Giwa FC 1-0 and losing just once in 14 games. The Super Eagles’ interim assistant coach said he will regret it if Aba Warriors fails to keep up its recent form. “We give thanks to God for the victory [against Giwa] and our focus is how to get a result against Makurdi and against Nasarawa United,” Boboye enthused. “I think the presence of experi-

Iyaye enced players like John Ghaddi, Valentine Nwabil and Stanley Okoro is one factor, but most importantly we are a team that works so hard and that is why we keep getting good results. “Apart from this, we all nurse the same ambition of winning the NPFL title and also playing in the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League. “And in achieving this, that means we have to be very solid in defence and brilliant in attack, not forgetting other departments of the game; but most importantly we must be able to convert our chances and avoid being complacent. “It will be a massive disappointed if we do not win the league because that is our target this season. Besides, we are not in the Federation Cup.

Afelokhai hails Enyimba’s defenders

Afelokhai

Yobo testimonial underway

ormer Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo, is pleased to have secured the services of major international players to take part in his testimonial game later this month in Port Harcourt. Yobo, 35, has been in Europe visiting his old stomping grounds and speaking to players expected at the game and is happy with the response. "It has been amazing. Almost everybody wants to come and play," he said. "My only regret is that I can't invite everybody." At Everton where Yobo spent nearly a decade of his playing career, he was warmly received by the club and presented to a stadium-wide ovation by the fans at half time of the Premier League game against Bournemouth. "That was an emotional moment for me. And I would like to thank Evertonians for the love." The testimonial on May 27 will be hosted by the Rivers State government at the new Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

nyimba’s goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, has praised his defenders for putting in their best during the goalless draw with MFM last

Wednesday. The former Kano Pillars first choice goalkeeper was in fantastic form as he stood between the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) debutants and goal while centre backs, Chinedu Udoji and Ike ThankGod, made key interceptions. Afelokhai made point blank saves from Stephen Odey and Musa Newman's efforts. The most spectacular was his save in the six-yard when pintsized Onuwa opened up the Aba Elephants' backline from a cut back from Olatunbosun Sikiru from the left but a final tap in by Stephen Odey was denied by the goalkeeper. "Like you all know too well, Enyimba FC has experienced players. The defenders protected me very well. "Football is basically about scoring goals and it's important I also do my job very well as a goalkeeper," Afelokhai stressed. He joined Enyimba this season from Kano Pillars and has held down the starting shirt both in the domestic league and on the continent.

Yobo

TheNiche

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May 15, 2016

Football

Corvaro, FIFA man who fixes everything Nigeria

Corvaro

By Olajide Fashikun

s the tussle grinds deeper over the authentic leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) we can reveal the FIFA official, Primo Corvaro, who is like the desk officer for Nigeria and is allegedly behind all the fake

letters from FIFA that arm twist the nation. FIFA is facing a massive corruption scandal being investigated by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Besides, documents obtained by www.gongnews. net point to allegedly damning evidence against FIFA officials who allegedly make a colossal fortune manipulating Nigerian

football. www.gongnews.net possesses a long string of private mail spanning almost a decade exchanged between Corvaro and his Nigerian friends where they allegedly discussed and exchanged mail, terms, and confirmed monetary exchanges. An ostracised member of the clique forwarded the documents to www.gong-

news.net out of annoyance. The documents showed that Corvaro allegedly was a key player in the scheme to manipulate the NFF 2014 Electoral Committee Chairman, Amoni Biambo. Plans were allegedly hatched as to how they would use the instrumentality of FIFA to arm twist Baimbo to create room for Aminu Maigari to run in the election. Corvaro wrote in one letter: “Please find enclosed the FIFA letter I mentioned to you on the phone. For your information, the chairman of the electoral committee, Mr. Biambo, called me to explain the reasons of yesterday’s disqualifications. “I told him that FIFA was going to send a letter advising for a reunification of the NFF Executive Committee and that the electoral process should be restarted and open to everybody. I added that you (the reunified ExCo) would contact him. “We therefore expect that the Exco, as it was before the World Cup (meaning 13 members) meets soon and defines the new roadmap which will be communicated to FIFA. “We hope that everybody will set aside person-

al interests and focus on the elections. Don’t hesitate to contact me for whatever reasons.” Corvaro, an Italian who allegedly has a record of making good money manipulating football officials in Africa (he was attacked in Sierra Leone) may have brought to his stable acting FIFA Secretary General, Markus Kattner. Kattner’s predecessor, Urs Linsi, lost his FIFA job on account of Nigeria’s electoral turns. Corvaro and his allies, James Johnson and Thierry Regenass, who are also FIFA officials, allegedly work hand in hand to ensure their friends in the NFF get exactly what they want. Most times, they allegedly ask their Nigerian friends to write a letter of threat the way they want it; they then copy the letter to a FIFA letterhead and send it to the NFF. This probably explains why boastful Nigerian officials can predict, even on social media, the exact date FIFA letters would arrive. FIFA officials have been at the centre of the bad leadership and faulted elections in the NFF since the 2006 vote which was used to eject Ibrahim Galadima

for the second time. That process was allegedly midwived by Amos Adamu as the director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC). The very high decibel corrupt in Nigerian football has been a veritable ground of cheap funds for FIFA officials. Last week, there were reports that FIFA would write to suspend Nigeria if the Chris Giwa group acting on the orders of a court dare step into the Glass House. They did on Friday, May 6. However, the FIFA letter is not coming because of fears that the no nonsense President Muhammadu Buhari administration may accept the ban and keep the NFF at bay or even pick up the facilitators of the letter. Alleged corruption that has dogged the NFF leadership is monumental, including awarding contracts to personal companies. We shall take Corvaro, Kattner, Regenass, and Johnson to the FIFA Ethics Committee, and if they also cover up the scandal – as the committee did in the 2014 election round of sleaze – we shall proceed to the policing agencies. • Fashikun is managing editor, www.gongnews.net

Neil laments letting down Norwich fans

orwich was relegated to the Championship despite a thumping a 4-2 victory over Watford at Carrow Road last

Wednesday. And Sunderland's 3-0 win over Everton consigned the Canaries to the second tier, as it is now four points from safety with today’s last match against Everton. Manager, Alex Neil, however feels that he let the team and its teeming supporters down during the season. He said: “It is severe disappointment. The story for us is that, as a club, we have dropped short for a variety of reasons. “We have made vital errors in games at crucial times and the recruitment has not been as good to strengthen the squad. "I am here to do a job, the club will be bigger than me, and I am not fearing for my job."

Norwich players after the victory over Watford

TheNiche May 15, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

Football

West Ham to issue life bans over attack on Man United’s bus

est Ham will issue life bans to fans found responsible for attacking the Manchester United team bus before last Tuesday's game at Upton Park. A window on the bus was smashed and the kick-off delayed by 45 minutes as a result of the trouble. "We are aware that there were some supporters outside the Boleyn Ground who didn't act in an appropriate way," a club statement read. The Football Association (FA) also condemned the "unsavoury incidents" and said it “will work closely with both clubs and the Metropolitan Police to fully investigate these matters." Bottles were also thrown at Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea,

Manchester United's coach was attacked on the way into Upton Park

during the match, while another fan invaded the pitch to confront him. West Ham eventually won 3-2 in what was its final game at the ground before moving to the Olympic Stadium. "It was an extraordinary night full of extraordinary moments in front of extraordinary fans, 99 per cent of whom behaved impeccably and were a credit to the club. "We have already had thousands of tweets and emails from fans to say how proud they were to be a part of such a special evening in West Ham's history," the club statement said. But the club stressed that the behaviour of some fans was "not acceptable" and promised to "work with the police to identify those responsible and ban them for life.” West Ham Vice Chairman, Karren Brady, used

Twitter to condemn the attack on Manchester United's bus, saying: "The events in the stadium last night were incredible and it would be a shame if the actions of a mindless few outside overshadowed them. "Their behaviour was unacceptable and won't be stood for. But my overriding memory will not be of them but of a fitting farewell to the Boleyn." Footage filmed on the coach by Manchester United winger, Jesse Lingard, showed the players shouting, screaming, laughing, and hiding on the floor as the coach was hit by objects thrown outside the ground. "It wasn't nice, the coach got smashed up," Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, told Sky Sports. "I'm sure West Ham as a club will be disappointed with what the fans have done."

City, United battle for Top Four slot

ith the last English Premier League (EPL) matches holding today at different venues, pressures would be on players and officials of Manchester City and Manchester United as the battle for the Top Four slot hots up. City, with 65 points from 37 matches, has an uphill task as it visits Swansea City and a defeat for the Manuel Pellegirini side

could see it slip out of the Top Four cadre if Manchester United sees off Bournemouth at the Old Trafford. City is in fourth position, and United is fifth position with 63 points from the same number of matches. Arsenal may end the season second in the table if Arsene Wenger’s young lads beat Aston Villa, which is already relegated as it sits in the rear and hopes Tottenham loses against Newcastle United.

Arsenal is currently is in third position with 68 points; Tottenham is second with 70. Still smarting from its away 1-1 draw with Liverpool last Wednesday at Anfield Stadium, Chelsea’s match against Leicester City may have little or no effect on the champions. Win or lose against Chelsea, Leicester City has already won the EPL for the first time.

Pellegrini

Pochettino agrees new contract

Pochettino

ottenham Manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has signed a contract extension which commits him to the club until 2021. The Argentine, 44, was appointed in May 2014 on a five-year deal and guided Spurs to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League and a League Cup final in his first season in charge.

With one game to go, Spurs is guaranteed a top-three Premier League finish this season. "We believe this is just the beginning," Pochettino said. Spurs was challenging for the Premier League title until a bad-tempered 2-2 draw at Chelsea last week ensured Leicester City was crowned champions of England. Pochettino has created a fast and

powerful side with a backbone of young English players such as striker Harry Kane, defender Eric Dier and midfielder Dele Alli, who have all received their first international caps during the Argentine's tenure. He was photographed having lunch with former Manchester United Manager, Alex Ferguson this week, prompting rumours he could be a target for the Old Trafford team this summer. However, the former Paris StGermain player believes he can bring trophies to Spurs. "We have a long-term project and huge belief that we can achieve something big here for the future," Pochettino added. "This club has all the ingredients to continue to challenge at the very top in both the Premier League and in Europe. "We want to be here to be a part of what I believe will be a special period in the club's history." Assistant Head Coach, Jesus Perez, first team Coach, Miguel D'Agostino, and first team goalkeeping Coach, Toni Jimenez, have also agreed extensions to their contracts.

Manchester United Manager, Louis Van Gaal

EPL fixtures today Arsenal Chelsea Everton Man Utd Newcastle Southampton Stoke City Swansea Watford West Brom

Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs

Aston Villa Leicester Norwich Bournemouth Tottenham Crystal Palace West Ham Man City Sunderland Liverpool

15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00

Barclays Premier League Table Team P W D L F A GD 1. Leicester 37 23 11 3 67 35 32 2. Tottenham 37 19 13 5 68 30 38 3. Arsenal 37 19 11 7 61 36 25 4. Man City 37 19 8 10 70 40 30 5. Man Utd 37 18 9 10 46 34 12 6. West Ham 37 16 14 7 64 49 15 7. Southampton 37 17 9 11 55 40 15 8. Liverpool 37 16 11 10 62 49 13 9. Chelsea 37 12 3 12 58 52 6 10. Stoke City 37 13 9 15 39 54 -15 11. Swansea 37 12 10 15 41 51 -10 12. Everton 37 10 14 13 56 55 1 13. Watford 37 12 8 17 38 48 -10 14. C' Palace 37 11 9 17 38 47 -9 15. West Brom 37 10 12 15 33 47 -14 16. B'mouth 37 11 9 17 44 64 -20 17. Sunderland 37 9 11 17 46 60 -14 18. Newcastle 37 8 10 19 39 64 -25 19. Norwich 37 9 7 21 39 64 -25 20. Aston Villa 37 3 8 26 27 72 -45

Pts 80 70 68 65 63 62 60 59 49 48 46 44 44 42 42 42 38 34 34 17

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15:05:2016

Fix fuel supply problem; don’t dump it on Nigerians

By Moses Ochonu he astronomical hike in the price of fuel has nothing to do with the “cost of production” argument we have become accustomed to hearing. There is some cost involved in refining crude oil abroad and transporting it to Nigeria, but with crude being so cheap, the previous price of N86 a litre had already accounted for all the cost, give or take a few naira. With the price of crude inching up slightly in the last few weeks, it should add no more than a few naira to the price if indeed we want to let market fluctuations modulate the pump price. This increase has everything to do with government’s last ditch effort to end the scarcity, which is caused by the inability of fuel importers to secure foreign exchange, a problem that was in turn caused by the government’s rigid restrictions on access to foreign exchange (forex). It was unrealistic to expect fuel importers without access to forex at the official rate to continue to import fuel with forex sourced from the parallel market ($1=N320) and then sell the same fuel at N86. They would have lost money. The government wittingly or unwittingly created a problem, which caused many fuel importers to quit the business, and the same government is now deregulating the sector fully so that it does not have to (1) pay subsidy, and (2) subsidise forex for fuel importers. The government also desperately wants to end fuel scarcity, which has eroded its political goodwill. In plain language, the government

wants to kill three birds with one stone. But the main problem still remains the absence of significant local refining capacity. Along with President Muhammadu Buhari, the NNPC boss, Ibe Kachikwu, promised to fix the local refineries to enable them meet domestic fuel demand for petrol. Had the government been able to turn the refineries around, the questions of fuel scarcity, pricing, and forex restrictions would not have arisen in the first place, let alone forcing the government to take this drastic measure. Buhari will get a pass on this policy because most Nigerian’s still trust his intentions if not his policies, and because he is still seen as a man of integrity who does not waste or steal public money and is not beholden to a cabal of subsidy fraudsters like his predecessor was. However, if the scarcity does not abate and/or marketers find dubious ways to further mark up the price, this trust will quickly vanish. Many of those who participated in the 2012 ‪#‎OccupyNigeria movement to protest the hike in fuel price are now on the defensive, spewing both valid and unconvincing alibis for their present indifference. There is no need to be too defensive. I agree that the times are different. Buhari’s personal integrity and the public trust that it engenders have erected a wall of difference between 2016 and 2012. Moreover, in 2012, the massive subsidy fraud had just been exposed, along with other corruption scandals, eroding public trust in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. In other words, there was an ongoing narrative of waste

and corruption that the protests mapped onto and derived oxygen from. In 2012, the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), a motley crowd of ambitious politicians and activists struck a convenient activist marriage consummated on their common opposition to Jonathan. The activists had a different motive from that of politicians but, lacking resources of their own, they welcomed the sponsorship of the politicians, some of them (Nasir el-Rufai and Bola Tinubu) neoliberal fanatics and supporters of fuel price increase who are now, in 2016, vehement supporters of the announced deregulation. #OccupyNigeria was bankrolled mostly by El-Rufai, Tinubu, and other opposition politicians who provided organisational and logistical leadership to the protests in an opportunistic quest to discredit Jonathan and give themselves political leverage. The movement and its opposition supporters also had the Lagos-Ibadan press, the primary agenda-setting organ of Nigerian politics, behind them. Today, many members of the SNG have been co-opted into the ruling APC government, and the Lagos-Ibadan press is still upholding the Tinubu-led South West elite political consensus that brought Buhari to power. So, even if Nigerians are as angry today as they were in 2012 over the hike in the price of petrol, they lack the financial, media, and organisational leverage necessary to coalesce into a coherent protest movement in the mould of OccupyNigeria2012. When you strip away the big grammar and the esoteric explanations, a few important issues remain and can be distilled into fairly straightforward points and questions.

1. Wherever you stand on the fuel price increase, at least we can all agree on one thing: the root of the problem is Nigeria’s embarrassing reliance on imported fuel. No other major oil-producing country to my knowledge has this shameful profile; 2. The Buhari administration has broken a key electoral promise to revamp the refineries and wean Nigeria off this destructive reliance on fuel imports. This deregulation/fuel price increase is effectively a declaration that they’ve given up on restoring our refining capacity; 3. With crude oil being so cheap, Nigerians should be paying dirt cheap prices for petrol, not having to pay almost twice what they had been paying pre-scarcity. Falling crude prices should not result in rising petrol prices. This defies the law of the market, and it is because we import petrol. As things stand, the only people benefiting from our cheap crude are foreign buyers, not Nigerians; 4. Subsidy has become a bad word in our neoliberal world, but it is not subsidy per se that is the problem but rather how it is administered, what product is being subsidised, how much the subsidy costs, whether it is sustainable and for how long, and its multiplier effect on the economy. If you can afford it, you can use a temporary, transparent subsidy regime to support the affordable supply of a strategic national product while you work on a permanent solution. If there is any product worth subsidising in Nigeria it is oil. Oil, pardon the pun, fuels the Nigerian economy and connects to all facets of our national life, so making it affordable and available is a national priority that should be

secured even if it takes subsidy to do so. Nigerians are not opposed to subsidy per se. Rather, they are opposed to its corruption and abuse. Nigerians expect Buhari to sanitise the subsidy regime with a combination of courage and personal moral capital until domestic refining fully recovers and makes importation and subsidy unnecessary; 5. Deregulation is only a short term, knee-jerk halfsolution. The real, permanent solution for providing affordable petrol to Nigerians is to revamp our domestic refining capacity so that 100 per cent of Nigerian fuel consumption is supplied from domestic refineries, as used to be the case. Unlike in the past, this will now be achieved through a symbiotic mix of state and private refineries. Taking easy shortcuts will not solve the problem at its root. On this score, one thing that may come to the government’s rescue is Dangote’s refinery, which will begin operation in two years; 6. The loss of refining capacity is a 20-year old problem, so Buhari should not be blamed for it. However, he promised to reverse it and Nigerians voted for him on that premise. Not only that, Kachikwu has been running upandan (I like that Nigerian word!) excitedly telling the country that domestic refining was being restored only to basically throw in the towel; 7. The government has essentially fobbed off the subsidy to Nigerians. It is a pattern. If the government can’t fix a problem, it dumps it on Nigerians.

• Ochonu, a professor of history based in the United States, can be reached at meochonu@gmail.com

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