Theniche may 22,2016

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May 22, 2016

Immigration officers seek ex-CG Abeshi’s probe over extortion PAGE 4»

Runaway lifestyle aside, Gombe is serene, friendly PAGE 2» SUNDAY WEATHER

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Vol. 2 No. 41

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More trouble for 2016 budget

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As oil multinationals move out of Nigeria

'Buhari's aides embarassing him with fuel price hike' PAGE 22»

BUSINESS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Zenith Bank lights up Gencos, Discos with $100m facility

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

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Why we opted out of strike, by Ajaero »

Forex sales to banks drop to $131m

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'India Arie excited to headline Sax Appeal 5' PAGE 38» Page 54

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TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

News

Runaway lifestyle aside, Gombe is serene, friendly A man used to Lagos and its free spirit had qualms when the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted him to Gombe State after he graduated from university.

To his surprise, despite the threats of jihadist insurgents, Reporter HENRY ODUAH finds a friendly people; even with their different kind of lifestyle.

Lagos, with all its money, fame, and prestige – and quick fixes – has a lot going for it. But he discovers, too, that Gombe is better; in at least one aspect.

Almajiri boys for TheNiche, to further cut my teeth in journalism after industrial training with other media houses in both my two hundred and three hundred levels in the university.

I told my colleagues at TheNiche, with shoulders suspended in thin air and a seemingly bold look, that I was accepting the offer to serve in the North East.

Like a journey to a far country

Dankwambo

D

eployment to Gombe State by the NYSC seemed to cut my excitement short at a time when the victory of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 2015 election, Muhammadu Buhari, was still fresh in the mind.

He prevailed in a fierce contest against a sitting President, Goodluck Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a first of its kind in Nigeria.

Initial anxieties Being a stern supporter of Buhari, my celebration of his victory was shortlived. Gombe at that time was blacklisted by many as a Boko Haram territory.

The evidence on the ground lent weight to the consensus. And such a deployment was sure to come with anxiety, disbelief, disappointment, and fear.

It was frightening. But courage eventually led me by the hand.

Between graduation and NYSC call up, I freelanced

I was used to travelling long distances by road as I live in Lagos and studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State – a transit of eight hours. But sitting on a bus for nearly 24 hours travelling to the North East was a shocker.

The journey was certainly going to be long, and tiring, and I thought I would let go of the stress and anxiety by starting a conversation with my female seat partner. Disappointingly, she ignored my presence by throwing her face towards the window.

Like the Mosaic law of an eye for an eye, to amuse myself, I patiently and shrewdly waited for the break of day after the night-long drive from Lagos to Jigawa, just to see the worn-out face and faded makeup of my unfriendly seat partner.

I met fellow corps members in the Jigawa orientation camp of the NYSC, most of them from the

Young men who operated motorcycle taxis (okadas) would enthusiastically want to engage you in a conversation the moment they saw the famous NYSC “khaki” uniform.

They practically struggled among themselves to have the honour of taking the privileged corps member to his destination.

South, who confessed that they hitherto had no clue of where Gombe State is on the Nigerian map.

It was like being in another country altogether.

And with that scant knowledge of Gombe State, we were discharged from camp on June 22, 2015 and my primary assignment in Gombe city kicked off.

Welcoming arms Unlike the hostile idea I had nursed about the North, the people were very receptive and seemed to be very comfortable with other Nigerians coming to the state to serve the green-white-green.

Young men who operated motorcycle taxis (okadas) would enthusiastically want to engage you in a conversation the moment they saw the famous NYSC “khaki” uniform.

They practically struggled among themselves to have the honour of taking the privileged corps member to his destination.

Even a cut in the normal fare for a trip for the

benefit of the corps member would not discourage them. Who wouldn’t feel on top of the world with such treatment?

But not long into the service year, I began to observe the weaknesses. The language barrier stuck in.

One time I was taken round the small state capital by an okada man who pretended he understood English and knew where I was headed. After a frustrating long ride I realised he was just driving me round town with no direction.

To my chagrin, he asked for more money, claiming that our previous bargain was not enough for the ‘treat’ he had just given me. Taking me to my exact destination mattered little to him.

Quite disturbingly, the motorcycle riders moved with such great speed that my heart would literally be in my mouth. I prayed to God several times the day I rode with one who did not care about a possible crash.

Allowance and rumours

The Gombe State government, under the watch of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, did not help matters.

We had hoped the government would prioritise the welfare of corps members and pay state allowance regularly. Gombe is among the least paying states with N1, 000 as basic allowance.

We could only envy our colleagues in other parts of Nigeria receiving N7,000 or more a month from state governments. Throughout my service year, Gombe mustered three months’ payment and went to sleep.

Stories of a proposed increase in the federal allowance of corps members being tabled for deliberation in the National Assembly (NASS) filled the air. Federal allowance is currently N19,800 per month.

Gombe State NYSC officials kept mute, preferring to allow speculation fly around – the way Buhari jets around the world.

Corps members danced with excitement only to be disappointed as the rumour peddlers had had their fill.

Boko Haram up close The activities of Boko Haram tell greatly on the state.

I was on a visit to a friend in July 2015 when Gombe city came under attack again by the insurgents.

Twin blasts occurred at

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

3

Women in hijab

Beggars

Okada riders

Gombe Airport Gombe city for fear of the fundamentalists.

Those who need to make transactions see the crowd at First Bank and are discouraged and decide to go to Gombe city.

They drive one hour all the way. They then add to the already teeming number of people on the queues. Not to mention those from other local government areas.

Colleagues serving in councils far from Gombe city used the opportunity to visit us at our quarters whenever they came to cash their allowance from the bank.

Gombe NYSC camp

Tunfure-New Liji Road

Good roads Dadin/Kowa and Dukku motor parks killing over 30 people.

It was my first experience of an explosion of that magnitude.

There was always an air of suspicion of everybody, and of everything inside a polythene bag. Even security checks were mounted at the entrance of motor parks.

The first explosion occurred at Dadin/Kowa park some minutes before eight o’clock. It shook the building where I was. About two hours later, another one went off at Dukku park, a considerable distance away.

Fear gripped me. At once the living took to their heels.

Buried in fear, I stayed indoors all night. At dawn I was hoping to see for the first time human parts scattered around the streets with blood everywhere.

But everything had been cleared up.

I marvelled at the way people went about their businesses that morning as though nothing had happened the previous night. They were used to the bombings, I thought.

ATM crowd My most frustrating mo-

ments were usually at the end of the month.

Gombe city is filled with government parastatals and a considerably high number of residents are civil servants. Before the month ends, say around the 27th, queues would start building up at the automated teller machines (ATMs) of banks.

Unlike in other major cities where banks are closer to one’s doorstep, banking in Gombe is a herculean task.

For example, only First Bank is brave enough to have a branch in the entire Kaltungo Council. All other banks are in one location in

I initially thought I was going to a state where the government did not remember to build roads. I thought I would meet untarred and unmotorable roads. I was disappointed.

Gombe State residents enjoy motorable roads, largely credited to former Governor Danjuma Goje.

The good roads are not restricted to Gombe city.

The state is only two decades old; it does not attract as much attention as Lagos but has better roads than Lagos, which has N23 billion internally generated revenue (IGI) monthly, the highest in Nigeria.

I was hoping to see for the first time human parts scattered around the streets with blood everywhere.

But everything had been cleared up.

I marvelled at the way people went about their businesses that morning as though nothing had happened the previous night. They were used to the bombings, I thought.

Beggars – genuine ones However, street begging is a common sight.

Unlike ‘corporate beggars’ in Lagos who dress up in designer suits and approach you for assistance, beggars in Gombe are not ashamed to stand on the road, in the market, in front of banks, and wherever possible, to ask for a piece of your cake.

There were only a handful of them when I arrived the state in June 2015.

Before I left in April 2016, their number seemed to have doubled.

It is only a matter of time before the alarm bells start ringing for the government to hear.

Nowhere to relax When stressed up and in need of a relaxation centre, I could hardly find any.

There are a few hotels, one of them Gombe International Hotel. But not the

quick fixes.

I went on a curiosity ride around town and could not find an events centre.

Unlike the owambe lifestyle of Lagosians where every weekend is party time, Gombe residents enjoy serenity when the bombs are not flying.

Parties are held, but they are low-key by the predominantly Muslim population.

Women, all covered up Young girls and women dress decently. A friend joked that a bachelor in Gombe could be tempted to stay single for a very long time as there are hardly ladies walking nude or semi-nude on the streets to entice him.

This high rate of decency is attributed to the culture and values which do not allow women to expose their bodies. Most times the only way to distinguish a Christian female from a Muslim female is the hijab.

4

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

News

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

Immigration officers seek ex-CG Abeshi’s probe over extortion

By Ishaya Ibrahim

S

Acting News Editor acked Comptroller General (CG) of Immigration, Martins Abeshi, may not be resting after

all.

Some officers of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe him for allegedly collecting money from colleagues to post them abroad.

A report in TheNiche on April 17 had predicted Abeshi’s sack because he had been due for retirement in October 2015, having attained the age of 60 and exceeded 35 years in service.

A month later, May 17, a letter signed by Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Danbazau, directed Abeshi to proceed on retirement.

He was asked to hand over to Deputy Comptroller General, Mohammed Babandede, who will act as CG. Deputy Comptroller Julius Adejo and Comptroller Ad-

amu Yunusa petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari alleging that those posted abroad had a covenant with Abeshi to pay him their first allowance (about $20,000).

“When on these missions, the officers who have a minimum of four years to spend abroad receive allowances totaling about $20,000 (N3,981,000) monthly.

“These officers, who are eager to go on the foreign missions, bought their way into Abeshi’s list by going into a strong covenant with him,” the petitioners alleged.

They urged Buhari to investigate the allegation and stop the corruption in the NIS. “The principle of Federal Character was flouted as most of the states of the federation were not considered while others are having more than 10 officers on the strength that their relatives are the controlling force in either the Ministry [of Interior] or the service.”

The petitioners also claimed to have evidence that the foreign postings released by the NIS include

officers with disciplinary records with the EFCC. “Surprisingly, it is disheartening to know that a sizeable number of those on the list released were just newly recruited into the service in December 2015.

“Officers who can hardly differentiate their left from their right; they are not yet acquainted with the nitty gritty of the service.”

See who is reading TheNiche...

Abeshi

Ebonyi discovers 838 new ghost workers

By Chijioke Agwu

Special Correspondent, Abakaliki

Emeka Ugwu-Oju, president, South East, South South Professionals; and founder of Nigeria Enterpreneur

Ebonyi State government has fished out 838 new ghost workers in councils who were purported to be cemetery keepers.

Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner, Samuel Okoronkwo, who made the announcement in Abakaliki, however quashed the rumour that the government plans to sack medical workers in councils.

He explained that the government is only trying to find out those who are not health workers but who earn salary under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

He said investigation showed that the previous administrations employed about 838 workers as cemetery keepers even as there is no public cemetery in the 13 councils in Ebonyi.

“The only cemetery in the state is in Abakaliki and it is being managed by the Catholic Church, so what are the cemetery keepers doing? Why are they earning CONHESS?” he wondered.

“So these people have no work schedule, they don’t go to work but take very high salary at the end of the month, more than those who are actually working.

“That is fraudulent and this government will not allow it to continue.”

Okoronkwo assured that workers who earn salary under CONHESS but do not belong to the group will not be sacked; they will be removed from CONHESS and reposted to other areas in the council system where they will be useful.

A committee comprising government and union officials has been set up to examine the matter.

The ministry also plans to screen certificates having discovered that many council workers hold fake certificates.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

News

5

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

More trouble for 2016 budget

Niger Delta Militants

By Ishaya Ibrahim

H

and Henry Oduah

ow Abuja intends to fund the N6.07 trillion federal budget remains tricky.

The treasury is broke. Oil revenue declines.

External reserves deplete. And it is hard to generate enough tax as businesses collapse in the faltering economy.

The budget deficit is N2.2 trillion. Yet Nigeria loses N2.8 billion a day to oil pipeline vandalism alone.

President Muhammadu Buhari plans to borrow money to fill the gap, as well as level off oil revenue, the country’s main foreign exchange earner.

However, a more aggressive and sophisticated form of attacks by militants in the Niger Delta – the country’s oil basin – has reduced oil production from 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd.

Also, multinational oil companies whose technology and capacity Nigeria relies on to compete in the industry, are freshly divesting out of Nigeria, a source told TheNiche.

The source was, however, silent on the particular oil multinational firms that are moving out of the country.

On Monday, May 16, Minister of State for Petroleum Resource, Ibe Kachikwu, said the inability of Nigeria to meet its crude oil production target of 2.2 million bpd was due to pipeline vandalism.

He made this known at a special session of the House of Representatives convened over the new petrol price hike.

“We declined from 2.2 million barrels, which was the focus of the 2016 budget, to 1.4 million barrels as of today. We are go-

ing to work hard to see how we will get these issues resolved and get our production back,’’ Kachikwu said.

But a high profile source well versed in the oil sector told TheNiche that Kachikwu was being economical with the truth.

“Let [him] deny or confirm whether some oil companies are divesting from Nigeria silently.

They are leaving Nigeria.

We cannot produce 2.2 million barrels per day not only because of Niger Delta militancy.

“Some oil companies are slowly and silently slowing down their investments in Nigeria because the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) does not encourage oil investments,” the source said.

“Let [Kachikwu] deny or confirm whether some oil companies are divesting from Nigeria silently.

They are leaving Nigeria. We cannot produce 2.2 million barrels per day not only because of Niger Delta militancy.”

Grouse with PIB Multinational oil companies are required by the PIB to give 10 per cent of their profits to host communities.

The bill also confers enormous power on the minister of petroleum resources to make unilateral policies that could affect their investments.

Oil companies are scared of that power because everywhere in the world, foreign investors do not trust governments to protect their interest.

The delay in the passage of the bill slashes significantly the confidence of the oil companies in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Former Public Relations Officer of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Oluseyi Gambo, had sounded the alarm in 2013 that international oil companies are leaving Nigeria for other

countries in Africa.

They are also peeved with the increase in gas tax from 30 per cent to 80 per cent, and royalty payment from 7 per cent to 12.5 per cent.

Niger Delta Avengers Buhari’s policy on the Niger Delta has not been clearly defined.

Although he has shown more commitment in the clean-up of the region and compelling oil companies to operate within global acceptable standard, collecting largesse in the name of “amnesty programme” seems the immediate grouse of pipeline vandals.

While the government was recording successes in suppressing Boko Haram militants in

the North East, a new band of terrorists emerged in the South South taking responsibility for the vandalism. They go by the name Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

NDA members said in their blog that they are young, educated, well-travelled persons.

They declared that “most of us were educated in Eastern Europe; but don’t worry, when we achieve our goal (sovereign state of Niger Delta) then you people will be proud of us.

“In as much as we respect you as our elder brothers (former agitators) please don’t dare to stand in our way because if you do we will crash you.

“To former agitators of the likes of [Government Ekpemupolo] Tompolo, we know why you people are after us. Our agitation is more civilised than yours.

“The Niger Delta Avengers is more concerned with people of Niger Delta unlike you (former agitators) that were into kidnapping, killing of Nigerian soldiers, sea pirates, vessel and tanker hijacking.

“But we were able to carry out all our operations without killing a fly. We have sophisticated arms far better than what you use to have during your kidnapping days.”

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) spokesman, Garbadeen Mohammed, did not answer calls to his telephone line at press time. He Kachikwu also did not reply

to a text message.

Vandalism threat The government is also at a loss on how to deal with the renewed vandalism in the Niger Delta.

At the 67th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Abuja on Thursday, May 19, the Adhoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control disclosed that the government does not have adequate operational vessels to patrol and secure the network of pipelines in the area.

The committee decried the massive unemployment of the youths in the Niger Delta, most of whom see pipeline vandalism and oil theft as a means of survival.

Our source said these reasons, coupled with the insight into provisions in the PIB, are making the oil majors uncomfortable.

6

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

News

Police arrest colleague over officer’s murder

Be wary of herdsmen issue, Chibeze tells Buhari • Asks Ambode to review multiple taxes

By Daniel Kanu Assistant Politics Editor

P

eoples Club International Chairman, Chigoziem Chibeze, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of herdsmen and grazing options as both portend great danger.

He also tasked Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on security and tax matters.

Chibeze spoke in Lagos after he took office as the new chairman of the club, a non-political but socially-oriented organisation.

He said the Herdsmen Grazing Bill is a time bomb waiting to explode if it is politicised, warning Buhari to handle it with care so as not to bungle the “ovation, confidence and trust of the people which brought him to power.”

He urged him to “look into the herdsmen problem. He

should look into the Grazing Bill with great caution because what is happening can plunge the country into war. What we are seeing now will cause much more problems if not properly handled.”

Chibeze added that he has “travelled far and near” and believes there should be “ranches for cattle” as done in developed lands.

“You don’t allow cattle to roam about the street in the name of grazing them while they destroy other people’s farm businesses.

“You can’t damage other people’s farms which is their business and expect them to keep quiet, and when they complain herdsmen unleash terror on them. It’s unacceptable.

“Create grazing lands. This business is their business, it is somebody’s business, and they don’t need to acquire another person’s land to grow their business.”

He asked Ambode to be on top of security in Lagos

given the population of the state and that people troop into it daily.

Chibeze, who holds a traditional title of Ichie Omenukoaku, Awka Ekiti, also urged him to review the tax system as most businesses are crumbling due to high multiple taxes.

“Ambode is trying but he should be on top of security in Lagos, even more than 24 hours, given the nation’s security challenge, the population trooping into Lagos each passing day, armed robbery, kidnapping; but above all, the strategic place of Lagos.

“He should look into the tax system, it’s killing businesses.”

On his vision for the club, Chibeze said: “I have a threepoint agenda: The first is about our land matter which we suspect there is a strong conspiracy with the judiciary to deny us of the club’s land which we have acquired for years.

“Second is a strong membership drive, particularly youths who will take over from

By Chijioke Agwu Special Correspondent, Abakaliki.

Chibeze us. Most of the members we have are all aging, many above 50 years.

“Third, to bring our backsliding members back.”

He advised South East governors to forge a united front to ensure “nobody takes the zone for granted in denying it of its rights and all things due to it.

“We must devise a means of agreeing on issues of great importance to the zone. We must begin to understand that everything has a limit and it is time for us to re-think.

“It is time for us to also think home. We should refuse to be used as instruments of destabilisation by other groups at critical situations.”

PDP leaders commend Edebiri’s campaign

By Titus Oise

Special Correspondent, Benin

P

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial leaders in Edo State have commended the party’s governorship aspirant, Solomon Edebiri, for

his humility and maturity in his electioneering.

The leaders from Edo North and Edo Central gave the kudos during his separate campaign tours in the districts.

Etsako West Council Senatorial Leader, Anslem Agabi, told Edebiri in Uzaure: ``We are proud that throughout your speech, you neither indicted anybody

nor used any disparaging language on any opponent. ``We have heard you, we pray that God will support you to realise your aspiration.”

In Irrua, the Senatorial Chairman, Caesar Ehigiegbaye, said Edebiri is “eminently qualified to pick the party’s ticket in the primary.

``We are impressed with your vision and mission statement.

Most of us have all along craved for you to join the PDP. ``And now that you have joined us, we will help you to work; and pray that God will see to the realisation of your dreams. ``We want to thank you for your brilliance and that throughout your speech, you did not castigate any individual for the sake of winning support.

``We commend your humility and maturity as a politician.”

Edebiri, at the two fora, appealed to the leaders not to mortgage the future of ``our children over personal gains.’’

He said Edo needs to grow in the hands of a man with a corporate experience to turn it into a wealth creating state that guarantees speedy development in all the 18 councils.

Accept posting anywhere, Okorocha tells corps members •

Ikpeazu assures them of safety in Abia

By Onwukwe Ezeru

Special Correspondent, Umuahia

N

ational Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members should not reject posting to any part of the country over fear of molestation or of being killed, because their call up is for nation-building.

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, gave the advice when NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure visited him at Government House, Owerri.

In neighbouring Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assured of safety for NYSC members posted to the state despite the national security challenge.

Ikpeazu made the pledge at the end of the orientation camp of 2016 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Abia.

Okorocha urged them to regard their posting as a test of patriotism, which means both the fear of the law and the love of country.

“Even the greatest love a man can show for his nation is that he dies to save his nation. We must therefore never, for

reasons of terrorism or cult activities, refuse to fight this battle of the indivisibility of the nation.

“We must remain so united. The essence of the NYSC is integration. Our country is going through a very difficult moment and harassment by men of the underworld who have organised themselves to humiliate, kill, and maim people,” Okorocha said.

“The NYSC members should be bold to stand up and serve their fatherland without fear of terrorism. Time has also come for the NYSC members to begin to receive some forms of military training for reasons of self defence.

“The most humiliating case is to see a man with gun who ordinarily cannot beat you face to face but because of the piece of metal he has, he treats you like shit.

That is most painful.”

Okorocha described Kazaure as a vibrant soldier with integrity, saying Nigeria is in dire need of such men and women to contribute their quota to the development of the country.

He charged Kazaure to use his appointment to prove his God-given talent, be-

cause those who misuse such privilege are bad leaders.

Kazaure said he was in Imo to acquaint himself with the NYSC camp, as he is new on the job.

He commended Okorocha for the camp he is building for the NYSC in the state.

Ikpeazu, represented by his Youth Development Commissioner, Hagler Okorie, said Abians are kind, loving, and willing to receive visitors.

“I urge you to mix freely with your host communities and respect their culture, values, and traditions. On our own part, this administration will continue to give the necessary support and enabling environment needed for you to serve effectively.

“I enjoin all the local government transition committee chairmen to assist in providing residential accommodation for these corps members to enable them put in their best,” he stressed Ikpeazu told NYSC members to “accept your posting in good faith and be guided by the fundamental motto of the scheme which is ‘service and humility’ and ensure

you leave indelible footprints here in Abia State.”

State NYSC Coordinator, Francesca Ifon, disclosed that 1,616 corps members who registered for the orientation course were trained in areas that would help them become self employed amid shortage of white collar jobs.

She lauded them for their co-operation in the camp.

“I am proud to inform you that these youths exhibited real sense of humility and patriotism.

“I wish to state that the flags we used to decorate the camp; and maintenance of electrical faults and security light, plumbing work was done by the corpers. They performed better than their female counterparts,” Ifon said.

She thanked Ikpeazu’s wife, Nkechi, for donating food items and other materials to the camp, adding that she made history for being the first wife of a governor to visit corps members in the camp.

Ifon urged corps members to be good ambassadors of the NYSC by putting into practice the good things they learned in the camp.

ered their health and are back on their feet.

They were shot when Odubu was addressing delegates at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Auchi.

It was learnt that all the victims

have been discharged from hospital after being found to be in good health.

A source in the Odubu campaign office confirmed that the escort commander, Inspector Felix Agge, who was also shot in the eye, under-

went surgery to remove the bullets lodged in his eye.

A thanksgiving service may be held in their honour soon, according to the source.

The police are investigating the case.

Shot Edo deputy gov's aides back on their feet

By Tony Campbell Special Correspondent, Benin

F

our aides of Edo State Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, who were attacked by gunmen on April 30 have recov-

Policemen have arrested a colleague over alleged involvement in the murder of a police officer who was shot to death during a robbery in Abakaliki.

Investigation by TheNiche showed that he was detained for questioning following alleged links to the murder.

A source in the command who pleaded for anonymity said the policeman was arrested based on information from other arrested suspects.

A police officer attached to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega filling station on Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway was shot and killed by hoodlums on April 8 while returning from his duty post.

Police report said he was killed while trying to rescue victims of armed robbery on the expressway.

Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, George Okafor, confirmed that "on April 8, 2016, a police officer on duty was shot and killed and his rifle taken away from him by armed robbers along Abakaliki-Enugu Express Road.

“In the course of our investigation, we arrested some suspects, and the arrest of the police man is also part of the investigations.”

Okafor rejected speculation that it was the arrested officer who pulled the trigger, saying until investigation is completed, nobody can confirm who fired the shot.

Ekwueme, Adefuye for St. Cecilia Choir’s anniversary Laz Ekwueme is among dignitaries expected to attend the silver jubilee of St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Denis Catholic Church, Akoka Bariga, Lagos today, Sunday, May 22.

The professor of music, musicologist, and orchestra conductor will play the dual role of chairman and performer.

He will conduct the Laz Ekwueme Chorale (LEC) which will render Latin Motets.

Senator Anthony Adefuye will be the special guest of honour at the event, which will hold at the church hall.

Choral groups that will perform alongside the LEC male voices and mixed choir are St. Giles Choral Society and Thomasian Choir of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Catholic Chaplaincy.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

News

7

International

Richest 10% in UK 'own half the country's wealth' New study finds the poorest half of households represent just 9 per cent of Britain's wealth

T

he richest 10 per cent of households in the United Kingdom own nearly half of the country’s total wealth, while poorest the half of households represent just nine per cent, new official statistics reveal.

Findings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reveal that wealth inequality is growing, with the richest 10th of society seeing their wealth grow 21 per cent since 2012, compared to just seven per cent growth for the poorer half.

Experts said that rising property prices and a widening gap in the value of pensions between rich and poor were partly to blame for the gap, but also pointed to government policies, including cuts to inheritance tax.

The United Kingdom is already one of the most unequal countries outside of the developing world in terms of income.

The country has performed better in international league tables on wealth inequality as a result of widespread home ownership.

But the new figures indicate this is now breaking down as the rising value

of property and slow wage growth leave people on low incomes, often young wouldbe first-time buyers, frozen out of the market.

At the other end of the scale, Britain has seen a boom in people buying up multiple properties to let.

“In wealth terms we weren’t doing too badly in international league tables, but this looks like the income effect is starting to drip through, creating a ‘two-nations’ picture,” said Duncan Exley, director of the Equality Trust.

“There are moves that have been made that will drive this even further. The most obvious is taking more and more people out of inheritance tax.

That means the people at the top will be able to keep more wealth.

“I would expect the trends to head in a similar direction over the next few years.”

According to the new ONS figures, the aggregate total wealth of all private households in Britain was £11.1 trillion between July 2012 and July 2014.

The median household total wealth was £225,100 – up 4 per cent on the most recent previous figures, from 2010 to 2012.

The top 10 per cent

Rising property prices are partly to blame for the gap. Getty of households were those owning at least £1,048,00 in assets, while the bottom 10 per cent had a maximum of £12,600.

There are also vast regional divides.

Twenty per cent of the wealthiest 10th of households were in the South East, and 18 per cent in London, but only 2

per cent in the North East and 4 per cent in Wales.

Property made up 35 per cent of total national private wealth, financial wealth 14 per cent and physical wealth 10 per cent.

The biggest – and fastest growing – component of national wealth, however, was private pension wealth,

at 40 per cent.

Exley said that it was now “fairly unarguable” that inequality carried a high social cost.

“You’re also seeing an economic cost because when a lot of wealth is concentrated in a small group of people the average person can’t spend as much as

they would like to do in the shops.

“It brings down demand and means there is an awful lot of money concentrated in footloose capital at the top. This is what drives people buying properties as investment assets rather than homes.”

• Culled from www.independent.co.uk

Richest 1% 'have as much wealth as the poorest 57 per cent combined' The full extent of the banking industry’s influence over the British chancellor has been revealed

T

he economic disparities of modern Britain have been put on stark display, as official statistics revealed that the nation’s alreadyyawning wealth gap has widened still further over the past two years.

The richest 1 per cent of the

population have as much wealth as the poorest 57 per cent combined, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

The agency also found overall wealth inequality has increased since 2012, mainly thanks to the soaring price of housing in the South-east of England and London.

The news came after the head of the government’s Child Poverty watchdog, Alan Milburn, warned that Britain is in danger of becoming an “ever-more divided” society, making a mockery of David Cameron’s “One Nation” rhetoric.

The fresh evidence of economic polarisation also coincides with the revelation by The Independent

that the Chancellor, George Osborne, has stepped up his private meetings with representatives of the United Kingdom’s big banks since the general election, amid a rising tide of concern that the banking lobby is again exerting an undue influence over government policy, just as it did before the 2008 financial crisis.

The image of a divided Britain was accentuated by the closure of Britain’s last deep coal mine, in North Yorkshire, putting 450 miners out of work.

As recently as the 1970s, more than 250,000 were employed in pits that were a focal point for communities across Wales, the Midlands and the North of England.

• Culled from www.independent.co.uk

8

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Notes From

Nnanna Okere okere_nnanna@yahoo.com +358 4684 74258

Finland

Finnish passport ‘third best in the world’

E

uropean passports are the most useful in the world, with Finland’s coming third in a new index that ranks passports by the number of countries to which they allow visa-free access.

Finnish passports are among the most useful worldwide, based on comparison by British immigration lawyers, Henley and Partners.

The index ranks passports by the number of countries a holder can visit without a visa.

Finland came in joint third place behind Germany in first and Sweden in second.

The ranking showed Europeans

have the easiest time when travelling, with Germans able to visit 177 countries without a visa.

Swedes can get into 176 without extra documents and Finns, Brits, Spaniards, Italians, and French all can visit 175 countries without a visa.

Afghans have the trickiest time crossing borders, with just 25 countries allowing them in after showing just a passport.

Pakistanis also have it tough, with just 29 visa-free destinations, while Iraqis have the third-worst passport in the world with only 30 countries allowing them entry without a visa.

Finnish passport

Finland opens 13 new visa centres in China

T

Finnish President, Sauli Niinisto

hirteen new visa application centres have been opened in China by the Finnish Foreign Affairs Ministry to make visa issuance easier.

"The number of Chinese tourists in Finland is rising rapidly. We want to support

this trend in every way we can," explained Marja Rislakki, Ambassador of Finland to China.

"This gives a strong signal to the Chinese that we wish them welcome to Finland."

A year ago, the Foreign Ministry opened visa application centres in Beijing and Shanghai.

On April 5, the services were brought close to applicants in Xi'an, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou.

Later in the month, visa application centres were also opened in Shenyang, Wuhan, Changsha, Kunming, Jinan, Nanjing, Chengdu, and Fuzhou.

The centres operate in larger units shared by other Schengen countries.

The decision to grant a visa will be made at the missions as before.

It is in the interest of applicants to visit and submit applications and have their fingerprints taken at the nearest visa application centre, rather than having to travel to Beijing or Shanghai.

"This is a major improvement in service, because the area that we serve is nearly as large as Europe," Rislakki said.

The number of visas granted to Finland in China was about 17,000 in 2014 and about 21,000 in 2015.

Attractions in Finland that the Chinese find fascinating include beautiful and pure nature, the northern lights and the midnight sun, as well as Finnish food and culture, and the all-time favourite Santa Claus.

Chinese tourists' overnight stay in Finland totalled 182,000 in 2015, up 41.2 per cent on previous year.

Chinese tourists spend more money than other international travellers.

According to Visit Finland, their average expenditure per day between May and October 2015 was about EUR 165 for purchases and EUR 73 for services.

This is more than twice as much as Russian visitors spend and more than three times the amount spent by Japanese or South Koreans.

The majority of travellers from Asia to other destinations do not stop in Finland at all nowadays.

While the visa application procedure becomes easier, Visit Finland will launch a new Stop Over Finland travel concept in cooperation with Finnair and Finnish travel businesses.

Stop Over Finland will offer packages for both those who will stop for a connection flight in a few hours and travellers staying in Finland for some days.

"We hope that these joint efforts will help keep up the strong growth trend in tourism," Rislakki enthused.

Humanitarian work gets EUR 61m

F

inland has granted EUR 61.9 million in humanitarian aid to the most severe crisis ridden areas in

the world.

Foreign Trade and Development Minister, Lenita Toivakka, decided that aid will be granted to, for example, Syria and its neighbouring areas – South Sudan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Yemen.

The majority of the support will be channelled to Syria and its neighbouring countries, which will receive EUR 15 million through different organisations.

In Syria, 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and nearly five million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries.

Countries suffering from decades-long crises – such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Afghanistan, and Somalia – will also be supported.

“Finland targets assistance to where the need is the greatest. Humanitarian aid is meant to save lives and to alleviate human suffering. Emergency relief also reminds us of respect staff to process applications.

The asylum unit has approximately for human dignity," Toivakka

Asylum applications to be decided by summer

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Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister, Timo Soini

sylum applications received last year should be processed by the end of the summer, the Finnish Immigration Service (FIS) has confirmed.

“A target was set at the turn of last year that we would process the 27,000 applications received last year by the end of August and issue decisions,” said Esko Repo, asylum unit director at FIS. More than 4,000 applicants have received decisions this year, and FIS aims to issue 1,000 decisions per week from the end of March.

More than 32,000 asylum seekers came to Finland last year. To handle this influx, FIS has recruited more

530 employees at the moment but the number is expected to rise to around 580 during the summer.

Immigration staff work in Helsinki, Turku, Vaasa, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Kuhmo, and Lappeenranta.

FIS has also streamlined other services, such as interviewing asylum seekers and developing the processing system.

The police handed over the responsibility of investigating asylum seekers to FIS at the beginning of March, and asylum investigation and interviews with applicants are combined.

FIS estimates that between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of applicants can be handled with one interview.

Toivakka

said.

"We respond to food, health, education and protection needs especially in the Syria crisis, and in Yemen and South Sudan. We also provide assistance to Ethiopia, which suffers from the most severe draught for decades.”

Up to EUR 35.9 million will be granted to organisations' operations in different countries and regions.

Aid is channelled through United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

It is also channelled through the International Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, Finn Church Aid, Fida International (FIDA), World Vision Finland, Plan International Finland, and Save the Children.

Moreover, the Finnish Red Cross provides support for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC).

The support comes from Finland's development cooperation appropriations earmarked for humanitarian aid.

The decision is largely based on the UN Consolidated Appeal to Support People Affected by Disaster and Conflict, which currently amounts to about EUR 18.3 billion.

Some EUR 18 million will be granted in form of core funding to the UNHCR, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and ICRC. A total EUR 8 million will be allocated to the WFP.

TheNiche

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PhotoNews

Management staff of Acclaim Communications Limited, publishers of TheNiche, during their visit to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander, Tunji Disu (3rd right) in his office.

L-R: Executive Director, Capital Market, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna JaloWaziri; Group Managing Director/CEO, Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie; CEO, NSE, Oscar Onyema; and Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Bola Adeeko, at the 2016 NSE Corporate Challenge in Lagos.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a state plaque to President, Microsoft International, Jean-Philippe Coutois, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema, and Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, at the Closing Gong Ceremony at the Exchange.

May 22, 2016

9

L-R: Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau; immediate past ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration, Peter Ekpendu; and Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, during Ekpendu's pull-out ceremony at Owerri.

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence; Wife of the Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola; and Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, at a high-level meeting on female genital mutilation, organised by Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation and international development partners, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Sani; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at the opening ceremony of a two-day stakeholders conference on the maritime industry in Lagos.

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle); Resident Coordinator of United Nations Country Team and the new FIFA Secretary General, Ms. Fatma Samoura (left); and Country Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms. Jean Gough, during the 2016 United Nations Country Team Retreat in Enugu, yesterday.

10

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Diplomacy AGOA: Another yawning opportunity for Nigeria Notwithstanding that the United States extended the tenure of Africa’s Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) up to 2025, Nigeria is yet to tap into the window for robust growth, writes SAM NWOKORO

Clinton

N

igeria under the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari has made expansion of its economy topmost priority. The challenges confronting the economy which the government has made public include over-reliance on crude oil exports for revenue generation, shackled exchange rate that rendered the naira weak against international currencies, and uncompetitive real sector.

The volatile exchange rate has made the country unable to sustain its import bills and the dearth of competitive products to challenge foreign goods make the naira weaker, by putting needless strain on foreign exchange.

Other problems it has identified include: improving infrastructure to drive economic activities, improving electricity generation and expanding Nigeria’s trade and exchange rate mechanism closer to China and other Asian developed economies whose trade relations with Nigeria has been robust over the years.

There seems to be efforts by the present administration to shift economic relations a bit from the Western which harbours much of Nigeria’s looted wealth and whose currency exchange rate policies towards the naira has not helped the economy.

However, some scholars who have been monitoring Nigeria’s economic and political relations with the West in the past few

Buhari

decades attest to the fact that successive Nigerian leaders had failed to tap from the economic growth opportunities created for the benefit of African governments, both at official and private levels, to advance the wellbeing of Nigeria’s teeming population and zestful youths who graduate from her tertiary institutions. The blame is laid on fixation to oil revenue which in recent times has been less attractive in Nigeria’s fiscal calculations. Thus the new emphasis nowadays is on the expansion of the productive base of the economy and re-invigoration of the inward-looking policy to encourage consumption and export of local produce, and consequently create employment opportunities.

The thrust of the present administration’s policies obviously benefits from the United States of America (U.S.A.) legislation on Africa’s Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA is a U.S. Trade Act, enacted on May 18, 2000 as Public Law 106 of the 200th Congress.

The legislation significantly enhances market access to the U.S. for qualifying Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Though it expired in 2015, after much lobby from African governments and sympathetic congressmen, the Barack Obama administration renewed it to run till 2025.

What’s in AGOA? It was the U.S. Government’s intention that the largest possible number of SSA countries are able to

take advantage of AGOA. President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation on October 2, 2000 designating 34 countries in SSA as eligible for the trade benefits of AGOA. Nigeria was declared eligible from day one.

The proclamation was the result of a public comment period and extensive inter-agency deliberations of each country’s performance against the eligibility criteria established in the Act. Eligible countries On January 18, 2001, Swaziland was designated as the 35th AGOAeligible country and on May 16, 2002 Cote d’Ivoire was designated as the 36th. On January 1, 2003, The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were designated as the 37th and 38th AGOA eligible countries. The DRC, however lost its eligibility on January 1, 2011. On January 1, 2004, Angola was designated as AGOA eligible.

Effective January 1, 2004, however, President George W. Bush removed the Central African Republic (CAR) and Eritrea from the list of eligible countries. On December 10, 2004, he designated Burkina Faso as AGOA-eligible. January 1, 2005, the President removed Cote d’Ivoire from the list of eligible countries.

On January 1, 2006, Bush designated Burundi as AGOA-eligible and removed Mauritania from the list. December 29, 2006, he designated Liberia as AGOA-eligible.

Togo joined on April 17, 2008 and Comoros on June 30, 2008.

Mauritania was listed as eligible on December 23, 2009 and delisted Guinea, Madagascar and Niger.

In October 2011, President Obama restored eligibility to Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Niger. On December 20, 2012, South Sudan was announced to be AGOA-eligible while Mali and Guinea-Bissau were delisted. Mali’s AGOA benefits were restored on January 1, 2014. On June 26, 2014, President Obama reinstated Madagascar’s AGOAeligibility.

Significance of eligibility The U.S. government will work with eligible countries to sustain their efforts to institute policy reforms, and with the remaining SSA countries to help them achieve eligibility.

The Act authorises the President to designate countries as eligible to receive the benefits of AGOA if they are determined to have established, or are making continual progress towards establishing the following: market-based economies, the rule of law and political pluralism, elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment, protection of intellectual property and efforts to combat corruption.

Others include policies to reduce poverty, increasing availability of healthcare and educational opportunities; protection of human rights and workers’ rights; and elimination of certain child labour practices.

These criteria have been embraced overwhelmingly by the vast

TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

Diplomacy

Ohuabunwa

majority of African nations, which are striving to achieve the objectives, although none is expected to have fully implemented all.

AGOA provides duty-free market access to the U.S. for qualifying SSA countries by extending preferences on more than 4,600 products eligible under the U.S. Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), in addition to a further 1,800 tariff lines added by the AGOA legislation. The legislation also provides dutyfree access to all clothing (as well as certain textile) exports from countries that qualify under the Act’s ‘wearing apparel provisions’, subject to the Rules of Origin (RoO) being met.

Why Nigeria failed to exploit AGOA The President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Sam Ohuabunwa, says Nigeria has yet to enjoy the benefits of AGOA. Ohuabunwa made the statement at the 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NACC in Lagos late last year when the first phase of AGOA expired. He warned that Nigeria risked not tapping the growth opportunities in the legislation due to lack of effective support for the export sector of the economy.

It was this that led the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration to institute series of bail-out funds aimed at improving the general sectors of the economy. But observers are of the view that much of those bailouts were not tailored to the specifics.

He said the incentives provided on the AGOA platform were not substantial enough to balance trade volume deficit between Nigeria and the U.S. “The United States of America remains Nigeria’s biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade between both countries has risen to $36 billion just as President Goodluck Jonathan has called for more U.S. investments in Nigeria.

“We have exported more crude oil to the U.S. than manufactured goods.

“There is a need for capacity building in customs regulations and operations and policy reforms that will develop the private sector to produce products that meet international

trade and export standards,” Ohuabunwa had said.

However, according to an industrialist, Chief Gregory Egbe, “AGOA was a good initiative. Nigeria failed to tap from it substantially as it ought because our productive base was nothing and our export commodity was mainly oil and gas. The oil madness and the easy money that was coming from it made us not to develop the industrial base, especially exportable commodities listed under AGOA in a competitive manner, despite series of workshops and export tutorials for other non-oil commodity exporters who wanted to participate in the AGOA trade window. Some other African countries that did not have oil did well unlike Nigeria.”

He however posited that Nigeria still has another AGOA tenure to make up for its deficiencies.

“AGOA has graciously been extended. That gives Nigeria another opportunity, especially now that the present government’s new agenda is to ginger productivity and re-create import substitution. What the government should do is to vigorously implement the Export Credit Guarantee Scheme (ECGS) which implementation has not efficiently helped product exporters, especially in the area of standard.

“Nigeria’s present quest to deepen commerce with China which automatically results from the currency swap arrangement between the two countries should not blind us to the opportunity that still exists in AGOA,” he added.

Why products fail to meet AGOA’s rules Investigations by TheNiche reveal that most of the items Nigerian businessmen tried to export included primary commodities such as garri, vegetables, rubber products, local fabrics, packaged beef, cassava, and other essential local produce, most of which did not meet the health and safety regulatory standards of competing countries.

It has been suggested that with the present government’s new emphasis on creating an export-based economy, the country should try to tap into the remaining window of AGOA. Probably, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) could probably be thinking in the same direction when recently it restated commitment to help Nigeria benefit more from AGOA. USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment

11

Entwistle

Hub (Trade Hub) disclosed recently that it had trained coordinators from seven West African countries to assist businesses with the processes and documentation required for exporting to the United States under AGOA. The two-day training, which was conducted between April 12 and 13, 2016, saw coordinators from AGOA Trade Resource Centres (ATRCs) in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal convene to learn new skills on how to deliver services in trade intelligence, export development, business promotion and trade facilitation to existing and potential exporters.

A statement issued by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, and made available to newsmen, explained that the participants also learnt from best practices across the region, and shared experiences in supporting exporters.

Hosted within local institutions, the statement indicated that the ATRCs assisted over 2,700 businesses seeking to export to the U.S. under AGOA, which waives duties and quotas on thousands of goods made in eligible SSA countries.

USAID/Nigeria Director, Michael T. Harvey, said that since 2005, the agency has provided grants to build the sustainability of the ATRC network and the host institutions that provide traderelated services to private sector companies.

He noted that the grants cover training and the costs of building a database of exporters, further enabling ATRCs to develop exporters’ capacity, market linkages, and sector-specific strategies to boost trade.

According to the statement, “Each ATRC is expected to undertake activities that enhance the export potential of companies seeking to take advantage of AGOA. “These activities include: Harvey developing and providing

trade intelligence services through trade and business associations or directly to individual businesses; promoting trade and export development advisory services by providing hands-on assistance directly to companies to help them understand market requirements and regulations, packaging/labelling, costing, and finance; providing business promotion services with trade show/fair participation and facilitation of regional and international business linkages; and providing customs documentation assistance to businesses.

“This support is building a solid and sustainable network of local institutions that can tailor services to the private sector to enhance their capacity to trade regionally and export to international markets,” it added.

12

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Civil Society Platform

Kachikwu

Ezike

Petrol station displaying the new pump price

Photo: Innocent Anoruo

Fuel price hike: CSOs, traders lament FG’s insensitivity

The increase in the pump price of petrol and other austerity measures have brought Nigerians on their knees, as activists and other stakeholders lament government’s ‘rash’ decision, reports. Senior Correspondent, ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA.

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isenchanted with the uncertainties that hover around him due to the ugly turn of events in the country, an electric welder in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos State grudgingly told TheNiche: “I am not happy with this government. There is no light for me to work, no water, no kerosene and now they have increased the price of petrol.”

His response stemmed from the recent ‘deregulation’ of petrol business and consequent increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) last week by the federal government. With the increase, Nigerians who are already overstretched with hardship are now groaning under severe economic and social uncertainties.

Traders’ dilemma Mrs. Folashade Ajiboye who sells foodstuff at Oshodi in Lagos screamed: “Transport fare has gone up; drivers and conductors double their fare and it has affected our profit.” She noted that because if the increase, cost of foodstuff has equally gone up “because we have to add our transport cost before we sell.”

Other traders who spoke to TheNiche at Otto market in Lagos condemned the increase, saying that with it, severe hardship awaits Nigerians. They posited that the hike brought about the increase in transportation, foodstuff and other essential commodities.

A senior citizen who manages a little kiosk said that before now he hardly made reasonable sales that would take care of the family’s feeding. And he wonders how he could feed a family of six with the high cost of rice, garri and beans.

A woman simply known as Iya Akeem who sells soft drinks complained of low patronage, as people go for solid food first before thinking of soft drink.

Risikatu Aregbesola, who sells pepper in Orile market, decried the increase. “How can I make profit from this little pepper I am sell-

ing, after paying big money for transport?”

Chidi Okeke, another trader, viewed the increase as federal government’s insensitivity on the suffering masses. He stressed that not only the traders are affected but the consumers, because transporters have increased their fares.

Activists’ reaction Reacting to the fuel price hike, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) decried the action. Its executive director, Ibuchukwu Ezike, said: “The Civil Liberties Organisation is begging the Labour unions not to disappoint Nigerians in the current protest against the senseless and unacceptable increase in the pump price of petrol by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

“We are making this appeal in the aftermath of the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protest against the same practice by the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in which Labour disappointed all its allies and Nigerians.”

Ezike disclosed to TheNiche that CLO had met with its members and affiliates nationwide who are very keen in joining the protest to demand government’s action described as “lacking human face and a gross violation of the rights of the citizens and laws of the land”.

He added: “We make bold to reiterate CLO’s position that what government after government has done over the years has been to increase the pump prices of petroleum products and not oil subsidy that has been withdrawn since the military government.”

It is agonising, he lamented, to note that a litre of petrol sells for N15 equivalent in wartorn Libya, and that Nigeria, which is Africa’s second largest producer of oil, is selling at N145 per litre.

“CLO condemns this increase and demands a reversal to the old N86.50 pump

price,” Ezike stressed.

He enjoined members of CLO nationwide to join the organised Labour in the protest to drive home the demand to reverse to the old price which was imposed on Nigerians few months ago.

Another civil society group, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), expressed shock over the increase of petrol pump price from N86.50 to N145 by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.

CCD believes the action of the federal government is an example of government’s insensitivity, carelessness and effort to inflict pains and uncommon hardship on the poor masses, particularly Nigerians with disabilities.

According to CCD’s executive director, David Anyaele, the increase in fuel pump price means that the cost of living will definitely increase far beyond what one can think of or imagine. “A blind Nigerian will pay more than ever before to move around with his personal assistants, so also is a person with physical challenges,” he said.

TheNiche gathered from CCD that the increase will affect the disability community and decrease their participation in economic activities due to high cost of living and sometimes to untimely death.

“It is disheartening to note that Nigerians living with disability will suffer more as a result of this hike in petrol price due to absence of social security measure for the vulnerable groups, Nigerians living with disability,” CCD added.

Against this backdrop, CCD called President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the pump price to N86.50 and ensure adequate measure to reduce the pains of living with disability in Nigeria.

The organisation expressed strong support for mass protest against the increase and urged Nigerians to ensure that issues of concern to Nigerians living with disability are adequately presented in all dialogues with

the government.

Discordant tunes However, the Centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives, in its reaction, wondered why the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) should ask Nigerians to stockpile food in anticipation of the mother-of-all strikes when about 28 states currently owe salaries, and pensioners are owed up to 11 months.

Kunle Idowu, executive director of Nigerian Network of NGOs simply said: “I have nothing against the price increase. I support deregulation.

“Let everybody go and sit down. Why should Labour be fighting fuel increase always. Let them fight against casualisation.

“I am solidly behind the deregulation. Petroleum products should be deregulated.”

Anyaele

TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

13

Civil Society Platform ActionAid’s war against malaria in Delta community An anti-poverty non-governmental organisation, ActionAid, recently conducted free malaria screening and treatment in Okwemor Community, Delta State, where no healthcare facility exists. Senior Correspondent, ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA, reports.

A

non-governmental, philanthropic and anti-poverty organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, recently visited Okwemor community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State to conduct free malaria screening, treatment and distribution of treated mosquito nets to members of the community.

During the visit, ActionAid provided mosquito nets to about 55 people in the community. Priority was given to pregnant women, the elderly and parents with children below five years old. The entire community was also sensitised on the causes, symp-

toms and ways of preventing malaria.

“We engaged medical personnel consultants to conduct malaria tests on 70 people which included the sick within the community,” ActionAid informed TheNiche.

ActionAid’s primary objective is to help the poor and impact positively on vulnerable women, children, families and their communities in Nigeria through developmental projects and services.

Okwemor is one of the malariaprone communities in Delta. In its investigation, ActionAid discovered that the area had no health facility, hence the inhabitants, especially

Domestic violence and the society

T

By Temilade Aruya he bedrock of every society is the family. As the primary agent of socialisation upon which is laid the foundation for a good society, the family plays a vital role in building a healthy society. It is, therefore, quite unambiguous that any threat to the family unit is a threat to the society. Recent onslaught on this enormous societal pillar in form of domestic violence is, therefore, a serious threat to the society which calls for urgent attention and action from all relevant stakeholders.

That the marriage institution is currently under severe pressure is not in doubt, as we witness unimaginable violence hitherto seen only in movies among couples. The alleged murder of a 36-year-old woman by her 51-year-old husband over allegation of infidelity is still very fresh in the news. This is coming on the heels of the brutal killing of a young woman in Ilorin, Kwara State, by her admirer for refusing to marry him.

As if that was not enough, barely three months ago, Nigerians were shocked with the news of how a young woman slit the throat of his husband in Ibadan, Oyo State. Perhaps, the most disgusting acts of family desecration in our society, today, involves the gory tale of one Lekan Shonde who allegedly killed his wife, Ronke, in Egbeda, Lagos State,

for purportedly provoking him by describing intensely how her lover slept with her in a hotel in Abuja.

It is distressing to discover that the home is no longer safe and peaceful for children, as fathers and mothers now engage in bitter and deadly squabbles.

In Lagos, for instance, it is rather dreadful to note that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation received over 382 mails on domestic violence and over 553 distress calls recently. This is how serious the issue of domestic violence has suddenly become in our society.

According to experts, domestic violence – also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence – is a pattern of abusive behaviours by one partner against the other in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family or cohabitation.

Domestic violence and abuse is not limited to obvious physical violence. It can also mean endangerment, criminal coercion, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, trespassing, harassment and stalking to gain or maintain control over a partner.

It is a global phenomenon. It occurs across the world, in various cultures, and affects people irrespective of their economic status.

According to one study, the percentage of women who have reported being physically abused by an intimate partner vary from 69 per cent to 10 per cent

Caption: ActionAid staff distributing insecticide-treated mosquito nets to inhabitants of Okwemor community. pregnant women and children, usually trek about 20 kilometres to seek medical care at a poorly-equipped health centre in Okwagbe, which is nearest to them. There, they could access some health services from traditional practitioners.

According to ActionAid, one of the people met was a 36-year-old Johnson, a father of four who also narrated his ordeal.

“At first, it was my first daughter that was sick and we were treating her with local herbs; then this week, Ogho my second daughter, also became sick. I decided it was time to take them to Okwagbe Health

depending on the country. In Nigeria, spousal abuse has become a scourge and there is a report that 50 per cent of our women have been battered by their husbands and, unbelievably, more educated women (65 per cent) are in this terrible situation compared with their low income counterparts (55 per cent).

The effect of domestic violence on couples is far-reaching, as it affects not only the children but the entire society in the long run. The effect on children is most devastating, as they exhibit fear, anxiety, feeling unsafe, anxious to please, withdrawal syndrome, depression, shame, guilt, anger, sleep disturbance and a whole lot more.

According to a recent research, 48 per cent of Nigerian women have experienced physical violence in one way or another. This is a significant number in a country of almost 160 million people where almost half are women.

This has serious implication for the marriage institution, the children who are most vulnerable and the society at large.

The implication of this is not lost on the Lagos State Government as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation recently came up with different programmes to deal with the incidence of domestic violence in the state and hopefully put an end to it. The ministry, which had successfully intervened in over 234 cases of domestic violence of late, has equally organised various enlightenment programmes as well as the rehabilitation and

Centre, but I am still trying to raise some money like N3,000. Healthcare in Okwagbe is never free.”

Malaria in Okwagbe community is particularly severe among pregnant women and children under five years. This is due to their relatively lower levels of immunity.”

Johnson recounted the lives lost last year. “It is very sad that we lose people to various sicknesses in this community because we have no health centre. The one in Okwagbe is really too far and not all of us can afford it. I know of four people that died in this community from sickness last year. Our

re-integration of survivors.

Additionally, it has empowered 164 women in vocational and skill acquisition programmes while 100 counsellors in public secondary schools were trained in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in guidance and counselling courses. This has greatly impacted the victims in a positive way, as it serves as a morale booster to their dampened spirit.

This is quite significant because in our clime, many victims of domestic violence usually lack the courage to seek legal redress on the violation of their rights due to lack of positive response from the society. Domestic violence is so entrenched in our society that even the victims condone such violations of their rights, as some perceive it as sign of love and the socio-religious belief that a broken marriage or relationship is a mark of failure in life.

Due to poverty and economic dependence on men, many female victims may also choose

pregnant women rely heavily on traditional birth attendants; they help with the ante-natal, delivery and post-natal.”

When asked if women had died as a result of using traditional birth attendants, Johnson said: “Of course, many women have died with and without their new babies. Sometimes there would be a need for an operation (caesarean section) in cases where the child is breached, but it would have been too late to get the woman to Okwagbe. We need our own health centre. That is the only solution.”

to suffer in silence for fear of losing the economic support of the male perpetrator. This trend is evident in several of the reported cases where victims prefer to withdraw their complaints where it becomes apparent that punitive measures will be meted out to the abusive spouse. Their usual objective is for the authorities to appease rather than punish the abusive partner for fear of backlash.

Where the victim is courageous enough to seek legal redress, the Nigerian legal system is more adversarial than reconciliatory. The outcome of most judicial proceedings is usually the termination or straining of the relationship of the litigants, and this is true of a domestic violence victim who takes the perpetrator to the police station or the court for redress under the present law.

The police also operate from the prejudices and stereotypes of the male-dominated customs and traditions of the society. Many victims of domestic violence, who lay complaints at police sta-

tions, are usually taunted, humiliated, and their complaints trivialised, probably because the complaints desk officer also engages in wife battery.

To reverse this ugly trend, all hands must be on deck to re-build the family unit and strengthen the values that hold the family together. All concerned must ensure that mutual respect and understanding are upheld. Religious bodies, socio-cultural organisations and relevant government agencies must live up to expectations.

Men must exercise self-restraint and patience in dealing with women as the weaker vessels, while women must not provoke men to avoidable anger.

Though the present economic strain in the country puts more pressure on the family, couples still need to tread with caution and patience. Rather than solve issues, resorting to violence would only worsen matters.

• Aruya is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

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TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

News The Week Ahead Obama visits Vietnam May 23 United States President, Barack Obama, will arrive in Vietnam tomorrow, Monday, May 23, an official visit.

It would be his first time there and the third presidential visit since the end of the Vietnam War over four decades ago.

Tricycles get wider scope in Imo taxi cab system The taxis

Washington holds presidential primaries May 24 Washington’s Republican voters will on Tuesday, May 24 decide which candidate will take the state’s 44 delegates to the Republican Convention in July.

This is the first time since 2008 that Washington will hold a presidential primary alongside its caucuses.

Democrats say they will use the result from their March 26 caucus which Bernie Sanders won.

Nigeria marks Children’s Day May 27 The most populous black nation will celebrate Children’s Day on Friday, May 27.

Dates designated to celebrate children as life’s precious gifts differ the world over. On this day, children take holidays. They are expected to engage in march parades in open fields and enjoy their day across the nation.

Madrid clubs battle for ultimate title May 28 Real Madrid and local rivals Atletico Madrid will on Saturday, May 28 fight for the bragging rights of the UEFA Champions League title in Milan, Italy.

The duo met at the 2014 final with the white side of Madrid winning after extra time goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo, following a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser by Sergio Ramos.

Buhari marks one year in office May 29 President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, May 29 clock one year in office.

He was sworn in on May 29 last year after defeating sitting President Goodluck Jonathan on the crest of a national clamour for change.

The Tricycles

By Oguwike Nwachuku Executive Editor

E

dwin is a rider of one of the tricycles, popularly called Keke NAPEP, that dot the nooks and crannies of Owerri and its environs.

He has been riding the three-wheeled bike for about four years, makes a living to feed his family of six, and wants to continue with the business.

Two of his children are in primary school and two in secondary school in Owerri.

His major concern is how to benefit from the taxi cabs the Imo State government wants to distribute to tricycle operators as it plans to relocate them from the state capital to the suburbs.

Conveying this reporter round Owerri, Edwin (not his real name) says he is aware that the government has a bigger plan for Keke riders and a package that will change public transport without throwing the operators out of business.

“What that means is that we will not be thrown out of business and our business outlook will also change,” he tells TheNiche.

Taxi cabs complement Keke About three years ago, the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed plans to launch a taxi scheme that will give the state a pride of place in public transport.

His Deputy, Eze Madumere, and former Works and Transportation Commissioner, Nick Oparandudu, both spoke on his behalf at different times, disclosing that the scheme will help ease transportation problems and restore sanity to Owerri roads.

But the moment information filtered out about government plans to launch taxi

“The scheme will be the best thing to happen to all operators of Keke when it finally takes off. Okorocha is determined to give Keke riders the best and the best they will get.” cab operation, the opposition latched on to it that Okorocha was planning to scrap Keke ride.

TheNiche learnt that the opposition wanted to use that as a political tool against his administration.

However, the government insisted that it has no intention of banning Keke operation in Owerri metropolis; instead, it would introduce taxis to complement the tricycles.

Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Uche Nwosu, explained at a meeting with the Imo Pilot Transport Association (Keke NAPEP) that the introduction of cabs would help maintain transport order in Owerri.

There are no plans to replace Keke with government acquired vehicles, he said, and urged Keke operators to be vigilant and partner with the security agencies to eradicate kidnapping and other crimes.

Nwosu also stressed the need for the association to enlighten its members on how to fish out criminals among them. He thanked them for their support for the Okorocha administration during the last election.

Ban rumour quashed Vice President of the group, Bright Iroka, commended Nwosu for his humility, support, and cooperation with the association, saying the rumour on the ban of Keke emanated from a faction of the association.

Iroka reiterated that the as-

sociation supports the Rescue Mission administration of Okorocha and will partner with security operatives to tackle kidnapping and other social ills.

Madumere told TheNiche that “the scheme will be the best thing to happen to all operators of Keke when it finally takes off. Okorocha is determined to give Keke riders the best and the best they will get.”

Oparandudu added that Keke operators make significant contributions towards the enthronement of the Imo Rescue Mission Government and must be the focal point in the replacement programme.

Owerri eyes modern city status “It is true that the government is trying to introduce taxi cabs in Owerri. Owerri is now a modern city and there is no way you talk about a modern city without a modern taxi cab system,” Oparandudu said.

“If we must have a modern taxi system, we must make sure that the Imo pilot Keke operators are in the central part of that programme.

“Keke operators made significant contributions in the enthronement of the present administration and we must make the Keke operators the focus of the programme.”

He reiterated that Okorocha has deep interest in the welfare of Keke riders, and “those who are Keke operators today can be car owners tomorrow.”

He thanked them for the support they “have been giv-

ing to the present government” and for “protecting the vision” of Okorocha for Imo people.

“We are going to work as partners in developing Imo state,” Oparandudu added.

President of the group, Austin Ojukwu, said there is no governor in the history of Imo State who has matched the achievements of Okorocha. He thanked him for transforming Keke operation.

Unveiling KIA cars Last week, Okorocha unveiled before journalists no fewer than 1,000 brand new KIA cars his administration procured for the taxi scheme.

He said the idea was carefully thought out, to upgrade the status of Keke riders to that of car owners, and restore order to the transport system.

He disclosed that Owerri is being planned as a megacity of tomorrow with the kind of infrastructure on the ground.

Because not all Keke riders will have the resources to buy off the taxi cabs, Okorocha explained, the government has a plan that will accommodate those who can pay in installments.

Wider scope for Keke operation Asked what will happen to the numerous tricycles in Owerri and its environs, Okorocha said they will continue to operate in areas where the means of transport may pose challenges.

“There are still areas where Keke can operate. The suburbs, the outskirts. They will have the opportunity to ply the trade in such areas.

“But what we have simply done is to create more opportunities for our people rather than render them redundant as some people ignorantly think.”

15

PARLIAMENT THE GRASSROOTS

TheNiche

May 22, 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

The NLC challenge amid change INTERVIEW

»

PAGE 20

A vote for professional education practice

PAGE 16»

JUDICIARY

»

PAGE 25

Ogba: Agenda for Ebonyi constituents

Why we opted out of strike,

by Ajaero PAGE 16 Factional President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jeo Ajaero, tells Editor, Politics/Features, EMEKA ALEX DURU, the reasons for non-participation of his group in last week’s Labour strike against fuel price increase, genesis of impasse in the Congress and activities of his camp in dealing with the federal government.

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TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

interview Why we opted out of strike,

by Ajaero

W

hy did your faction of NLC opt out

of the strike?

The other faction just gave the directive on the action to commence on Wednesday (May 18). And the government invited us for discussions on all the issues. At the meeting, members of the other faction said they would not meet with us. They objected to the government meeting with us. In that case, there was no way we could go on strike with them on Wednesday.

But as the deliberations were on, we were able to secure the setting up of a committee that will report back to us in two weeks, to look at the N145 price for petrol and the need to review it, look at the issue of the N500 billion Social Investment Fund as provided in the budget and how to manage it, without it being like the SURE-P (Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme), so that it would be beneficial to Nigerians, look at the issue of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which is the regulatory agency in charge of fixing of prices, and reconstitute the board

within that period, so that they can do their job and set up a tripartite committee to review the minimum wage.

These were issues that, historically, we had gone on strike for one or two weeks and had returned to discuss. So, this time around, we reasoned that it would be better to go on strike when dialogue must have failed. These were some of the issues that made us to go the way we did.

But the argument of the other group said that the government did not consult them before fixing the price, hence the need to revert to the former price before any negotiation.

We were guided by historical experiences. From the time of the then General Olusegun Obasanjo till now, there have been cases of increase in petroleum prices. If you check, the trend had been that they would do the announcement without negotiation with us, following which we would go on strike or protest after which we would come back to negotiate. Except in the case of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua who reduced something

minimally, there had never been a case where the issue was reversal to the old price.

When it gets to the issue of reversal to status quo ante, ego comes in, and when ego comes in, nothing can be achieved.

If you go back to the case of 2012, then President Goodluck Jonathan even announced the N97 on his own. There was no agreement. If any person is in doubt, let him come out with the agreement.

So, with this experience, coupled the Ayuba Wabba group declaring the strike to commence last Wednesday – barely one or two days of mobilisation, there was no how it could be successful. Before a union goes into an action, it would buy time, move round, sensitise and mobilise the members.

There should be leaflets, pamphlets. You need to convince the workers and other Nigerians on why the action must take place. But even if you want to embark on strike, within the two weeks that we are negotiating with them, you should be able to explain to the people the import of the action you want to take. These are some of the areas we felt that as operators in the system, we should be

Ajaero thorough and strategic.

Some people are accusing your faction of selling out to the government. Are you not worried about that?

That is the easiest question to ask. Of course one of the reasons we pulled out of whatever the other group is doing is that they went there and were trying to strike a deal with the government side to write off the N2 billion loan given to NLC for its transport scheme.

But government refused, insisting that if the loan had to be written off, they had to pay something since the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had paid a certain percentage of its own loan.

But we told them that what we had at hand was not an issue of loan negotiation, but an issue that affected the whole

Nigerians.

I don’t know what is meant by sell-out. That was why we even said if the other group had something better, we could run with it. But if after this while you don’t have anything on the ground except strike, which you cannot even carry out and you turn around to accuse the other person who had got something of sellout, I can’t understand you. Unless you have any evidence that any person had given me even a sachet of water or had cajoled me, then, we can discuss that.

Are you also not worried that government may be playing divideand-rule on the Labour Union?

Perhaps, they may start doing so now. But before that meeting, they were

not. Why do I say that? As at the time we went into the meeting, it wasn’t the government that divided us because they couldn’t have invited us together.

We, on our own, could have agreed on a particular position and should have maintained it and not for one group to say, ‘no, I don’t have the same position with that person and we cannot meet together’. That is the fact, unless the government will start now to play that role of divide-and-rule.

But even with the TUC that they (Wabba group) met with, they are not with them. They pulled out and preferred dialogue. I have asked those ones (Wabba group) to present something better than what I have gotten.

They are three groups now; which one has gotten something better? It is after that that we will

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May 22, 2016

interview We as a union even face the threat of losing more members; more workers. Because more than 20 states are not even paying the N18,000 minimum wage. They say it is because of lack of fund. So, we need to be holistic in our approach to issues now, not “we no gree o, we no go gree”. come down and look at our negotiating ability. So, it is not a case of sitting down and calling another person a thief or whatever. We have moved beyond that.

Do we take it that you are in support of the fuel price increase?

Never, never! But you see, the approach to engage an opponent is important. The fuel price increase is not a Labour issue; it is an issue that affects all Nigerians. There are about four million Nigerians on employment. If we discuss Labour issues alone, what happens to the other 155 million Nigerians or more?

So, Labour should not appropriate the monopoly of whatever happens with the increase.

The price increase has the tendency to affect everybody. How we oppose it is very important. But even in opposing it, do you adopt a half-measure approach? You need to work on it. And in dealing with a government that came in barely one year ago through mass support with a change mantra, for you to move against it, you have to deconstruct whatever popularity that brought it in place. If you do not, you move against the trend and get stranded somewhere along the line.

These were some of the things we saw and decided to work towards them. But on the N145 price, even till now, they have not been able to explain to us the rationale. And we are asking: Is it price fixing or are you regulating pricing in a deregulated market? These are some of the things we need to know. If you have deregulated, you have to leave it to market forces and not to fix prices. If you are fixing prices, you are arrogating to yourself the position of market forces.

These are issues we need to engage them on.

They have been making the argument that they are not the people that messed the system; that they came and met an empty purse. So you need a technical team to look at that.

We as a union even face the threat of losing more members; more workers. Because more than 20 states are not even paying the N18,000 minimum wage. They say it is because of lack of fund. So, we need to be holistic in our approach to issues now, not “we no gree o, we no go gree”.

With the seeming failure of the strike called by the Wabba faction, would you say you have been vindicated?

The issue is that, historically, the ingredients, the power, the milk of the NLC is no longer there. Before you have

an NLC that is functional, the bank, electricity and petroleum unions must be there. With these, they can organise a successful protest. Even, their members can come out and join any of these protests.

But when you talk of an action that will make government to, within 48 hours, reverse its decision or to talk with you, it is the one by either the banks, electricity or petroleum. These groups are not with them (Wabba faction).

In that case, they can organise protest even in the next one month. But I am talking of something that can paralyse activities and have desired effects.

Can NLC ever be one again in Nigeria, given the current development?

We have passed this road before.

In 1988, NLC, in Benin, held separate congresses. They split into two and held different congresses. Unfortunately, again, the key players happened to come from the health workers and electricity unions. Tatai Shamar, who was president of the electricity union, led one group, while Alli Ciroma led the other group.

It took the intervention of the then military president, Ibrahim Babangida, to set up a sole administrator arrangement. After a transitional period, NLC came together again. I think that NLC can still come together.

It was the same incident that saw NLC and some people arrogating to themselves the power to be everything that saw the emergence of TUC as the second Labour centre. In 1978, before the incident, there were about four Labour centres. In South Africa, they are about three or four. Even this split here is happening in their major union in South Africa. But it does not mean that even with five or six Labour centres in Nigeria, we cannot team up and fight the issues.

So, NLC can still, if that is our desire, work together, remove bias, remove injustice. What we are seeing now is the private sector unions versus the public sector unions. After Ciroma, Paschal Bafyau, Hassan Sunmonu from the public sector unions, Adams Oshiomhole was the only private sector union man that came up.

When he finished, the public sector unions came up again. After Abdulwaheed Omar, we agreed that it should be the turn of the private sector unions. But they refused.

So, you can see the situation. When I mention the unions in the other group, they are the private sector unions.

And nobody is addressing our issues.

If 20,000 workers are sacked from the electricity, petroleum or even the banking sector, you do not get any protests.

But if 1,000 workers are sacked in any state of the federation, you see NLC being drawn out as if the Congress is reserved for the public sector workers alone.

These were some of the issues that created that division in 1988. And they are back again. But I believe that with unity of purpose and sincerity, we can get back on track.

Do you still lay claims to NLC presidency, given the thinking by many that the contentious issues have been resolved and the Congress agreeing to go with Wabba as the President?

I don’t know where Nigerians got that assumption from. In the last meeting where the whole thing was to have been resolved which Oshiomhole addressed with past NLC presidents in attendance, it was announced that we had to run an all-inclusive Congress.

That’s their word, unless anybody heard anything to the contrary. I thought that is moving forward.

But if you had watched last year’s May Day and the last one, you would notice that each group had its own May Day, as well as its May Day Committee.

Even the other group (Wabba faction), while preparing its own minimum wage proposal to the federal government, projected N56,000. My group proposed N90,000. So, contrary to the issue of having an all-inclusive NLC, we have never worked together.

17

You will also notice that while the other group has been concentrating on public sector issues, we have been looking at issues in the private sector.

If you had been monitoring the issue of Ikeja (Lagos) electricity issue, you would be hearing of NLC protesting.

That is our own group of NLC. We are attending to the problems of the unions in the private sector while they are working on theirs.

Does it not bother you that Nigerians have a very low opinion of the Labour movement now?

I don’t even know where they have a very high opinion. Nigerians’ opinion on the political class is even damning. So, I don’t really know where the opinion is high. But why am I saying this without holding brief for the Labour movement and its operators? Why I am saying this is that you get the reflection of the country either as a teacher, journalist, or unionist from whatever is happening there.

Would you say that it was the failure of the Wabba group to get the N2 billion loan from government written off that informed their going on strike?

I won’t say that. But I think part of the motivating factors for the strike is the government talking with Ajaero. But I know that if we had agreed to look into these issues for which they protested, they would look at the other option. It was an issue that had to do with ego.

Ordinarily, they would agree with the committee arrangement. They could even insist on the committee working for two days or one week. In the committee, they could equally make their point if what they are looking for is price reversal. If they succeed in the price reversal, no Nigerian would oppose it. But it was a matter of ego, hence their option to take the other way.

With your group going into negotiation with the government, what is the minimum demand?

When you are negotiating, you don’t expose it. We had the committee set up on Tuesday (May 17). We will go back and articulate our position for those who are going to represent us there. I am not even among the people representing our group. But they will report back. We will meet and articulate positions for them. I will not, independently, dictate to them an agenda to pursue.

Our group will articulate that.

What if the negotiation fails to yield any result, would your group go for industrial action?

If the government decides not to agree with all these issues that they had agreed with us on the need to address them, every person would know that we are justified to look for any alternative. I say this without prejudice to my colleagues in the group. But I think that government equally knows what will happen when the electricity supply is cut, when the petroleum sector refuses to lift crude or when the banks are shut. These are the people they are dealing with in my own group. I think they will equally be conscious of that.

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TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

Big Issue

The NLC challenge amid change

Waba

The call by Labour for industrial action to protest the recent increase in the pump price of petrol by the Buhari-led government and failure to effectively mobilise Nigerians to comply due to internal conflict may be the death knell for a once-vibrant union that provided hope for the masses, writes Assistant Politics Editor, DANIEL KANU.

F

ollowing the recent increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit popularly known as petrol, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday, May 18, mobilised workers to begin an indefinite nation-wide strike.

Labour said it had no option after exhaustive deliberations on the recent hike from N86.50K to N145 by the federal government and the attendant consequences on the Nigerian workers and the general public than to proceed on their protest. This was despite an injunction by the Industrial Court stopping Labour from such action. Labour said it was even infuriated by the court injunction.

Edo State Chapter of NLC described the court ruling as a black market injunction, as it urged its members and civil society organisations not to succumb to any threat.

Said Labour in its resolution at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja: “Our decision not to suspend the strike was further fuelled by the injunction given by the Industrial Court restraining us from proceeding on the strike expected to begin tomorrow (Wednesday). We had to disobey it. It is curious.”

Labour said it would support all right policies of government only, but would resist any antipeople policy which the fuel increase represents.

Unlike most strike actions

embarked upon by Labour in the past, the present resolve to down tools witnessed dissenting voices. Example is the NLC faction led by the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajaero.

Aside petroleum workers who indicated that they would not be part of the strike, there were feelers that transport unions and banks are also on the side of Ajaero. They are seen as major actors in every industrial action. Banking and transport activities remained normal in Lagos and many other states monitored by the TheNiche.

Also, civil servants and private offices were opened for work in those states.

Observers believe that the recent development will set NLC leaders against one another, denying them the strong united force that would dare any government. But the other factional president of NLC who is pro-strike, Ayuba Wabba, disagrees. According to him, faction or no faction, NLC can still challenge government, arguing that some countries have up to four factions of the Labour union.

Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) member, Malachy Ugwumadu, said a people united could never be defeated, just as he urged Labour to be united in any struggle.

Early scorecard on strike The faction of Labour led by

Wabba which called for the strike has remained optimistic, despite that the strike has suffered poor compliance.

Reports from majority of the states indicated that workers went about their normal duties and commercial activities in major metropolis went on unhindered.

But NLC has maintained that the strike would continue despite reports that most workers shunned its call to support the action in many states.

NLC Secretary General, Peter Ozo-Eson, in a statement, commended unions and affiliates that responded positively to the strike, urging them to sustain the tempo of the action.

Part of the statement read: “We commend our members and civil society allies for turning out en masse today (Wednesday) to prosecute the strike action against the increase in pump price of petroleum products despite teething challenges.

“We salute their courage, patriotism and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming acts of threats and treachery. We note that no reasonable struggle comes easy, and this cannot be different. Thus, in pursuance of the mandate given by the NEC of the Congress in conjunction with our civil society allies, the protest continues tomorrow

Lawal (Thursday).”

The statement noted further that “no level of comfort today or primordial sentiments should blind us to the cruel realities of the increase in the pump price of the petroleum products, as what we are seeing is just the beginning”.

From TheNiche findings, more civil society groups seem willing to support the struggle.

Given such development, some commentators say it may be too early to predict that the strike has failed.

“We are still doing underground mobilisation and many groups are still joining. Buhari will be shocked at how he will be put to shame for this fuel increase rubbish,” Labour activist Nnamdi Nkwo, told TheNiche on phone.

Who is fooling who?

Labour said it was not consulted before the new price regime. But in a swift reaction, the federal government on Wednesday, May 18 insisted that it indeed consulted widely and carried all stakeholders along before arriving at the decision to increase the price of petrol.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, stated: “I wish to further state that series of meetings and consultations were held between the federal government through the Minister of State for Petroleum, the Office of the Vice President, the Minister of Labour and Employment and organised Labour unions.

“It bears putting on record that on May 4, 2016 while discussing the template put forward by the Minister of State for Petroleum, the NLC, TUC, NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other major stakeholders even advised that the NNPC pricing should be the same with that of the Independent Petroleum Marketing Companies at N140 per litre.

“There was another meeting on May 11, 2016 where governors, National Assembly leadership and some ministers were in attendance, with NLC, TUC, PENGASSAN and NUPENG promising to take the decision of the meeting to their respective organs for further necessary actions.”

Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LACSCO), Dipo Fashina, said whether La-

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Ngige

bour was consulted or not was not the issue, insisting that government’s action was “arbitrary, unjust and against all rules of good governance”.

Fashina stressed further that the increase was a subversion of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and undermining of democracy, as well as short-changing the Nigerian populace.

FG wields big stick The federal government has warned striking workers not to expect any pay for any day work was not done. It also warned Labour that it would not take kindly acts of intimidation and harassment, including barricading of gates, locking up of offices and preventing workers from carrying out their lawful duties.

The penalty is that those caught would be met with appropriate response by security operatives.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, warned all workers to respect the rule of law and desist from participating in what he describes as “an illegal strike”.

Lawal, in a statement on Tuesday, May 17, assured: “Government undertakes to guarantee the safety of workers and their workplaces, and expects that normal work will continue in the interest of the nation.

“Accordingly, security agencies have been directed to ensure unimpeded access to offices, workplaces and markets.

“Acts of intimidation, harassment, including barricading of gates, locking up of offices, blocking of roads and preventing workers from carrying out their lawful duties will be met with appropriate response by the law enforcement agencies.

“All workers, whether in public or private sector are further reminded of the Trade Dispute Act 2004, which provides that ‘where any worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any wage or remuneration for the period of the strike.

“Any such period shall not count for the purpose of reckoning the period of continuous employment and all rights dependent on continuity of employment shall be prejudicially affected accordingly.

“Accordingly, all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies are hereby directed to invoke the provision of ‘no work no pay’ in respect of any staff who absents him or herself from work to join the strike action.

“To be sure workers were at their service posts, there will be register for them to sign.”

Overview of the road travelled NLC, an umbrella organisation for trade unions in Nigeria, was founded in 1978 following a merger of four different organisations: Nigeria Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Labour Unity Front (LUF), United Labour Congress (ULC) and Nigeria Workers Council (NWC).

Trade union movement in the country attained its climax under military regimes of Yakubu Gowon (1967-1975), Murtala Mohammed/Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-1979), Muhammadu Buhari/Tunde Idiagbon

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Oshiomhole

(1984-1986) and Ibrahim Babangida (1986-1993).

It was the Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime (1993-1998) that witnessed active involvement of Labour in the struggle both for the improvement in the living standard of members and restoration of democratic rule.

In 1992, for instance, there was widespread discontent in the country in which citizens were harassed, repressed and hungry.

Wages were perceived to be generally low. However, the leadership of the central Labour organisation, NLC, were accused of being collaborators of the then military junta, hence could not muster any resistance against the military government.

It was against the background that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on a nation-wide strike in 1992 to advance the improvement of the working condition of its members. The high level of poverty among members fostered unity of purpose among them. The strike was largely successful in terms of total participation of members and the military government was forced to negotiate with the union.

Also, the experience of the struggle towards revalidation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election was another instance of workers’ struggle during the military era. The struggle was spear-headed by workers in the oil sector, namely National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Although the strike failed to achieve its goal of restoring the mandate of the purported winner, Moshood Abiola, it was effective with regard to full participation of a large number of members. It further strengthened the unions and made members conscious that they could achieve a lot by remaining steadfast with their unions.

Again, during the IBB regime, they were able to mobilise their members to protest the negative effect of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the government. The protest led to the introduction of some relief measures meant to cushion the effect of economic policy on the citizens.

Some writers observed that SAP led to economic privation of workers, thereby heightening their consciousness which in turn led to increasing militancy on their part.

Such actions, it is believed, forced government to adopt some relief measures, especially in the areas of wages and salaries increment.

Labour has always sensitised its members and the general public against government’s repressive programmes such as increment in petroleum pump price.

Past experiences have shown that on each occasion that government desires to effect change in fuel price, trade unions have played significant role in mobilising their members and the general public on the need to resist such action.

Some Labour experts have argued that during the times of Pa Michael Imoudu, Hassan Sunmonu, Pascal Bafyau etc, Labour forged ahead as a united front un-

like what obtains today.

In September 2004, NLC gave the federal government an ultimatum to reverse the decision to re-introduce the controversial fuel tax or face a nationwide protest. The strike threat was made despite that a Federal High Court judgment in an earlier dispute had declared that the organisation lacked legal power to call a general strike over government policies.

Following the announcement of the strike plans, then NLC president, Adams Oshiomhole, was allegedly arrested on October 9, 2004 at a protest at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

The history of Labour was that of vibrancy, many have posited, but today it appears the bite has diminished.

Can Labour bounce back?

Commentators who gave their views to TheNiche are in agreement that it would be difficult for Labour to regain its fire given the balkanisation of the union, unless the factions settle for peace.

But there seems to be no peace agenda soon.

The present crisis within Labour, which has affected its unity as one strong body, many believe, has dealt a deadly blow on the strength of Labour unionism and that it would be perhaps a miracle for Labour to regain its confidence with the masses.

There is also this perceived impression in most quarters that Labour has sold out, thereby becoming a pawn in the hands of government.

Fashina

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May 22, 2016

Encounter A vote for professional education practice Provost of College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State, Professor Josephat Ogbuagu, shares his thoughts on the need for professionalism in education with Special Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO.

Ogbuagu

H

e, before now, literally was a lone voice in the wilderness. But the insistence of the Provost, College of Education (Technical) Umuneze in Anambra State, Professor Josephat Ogbuagu, on professionalising education seems to be achieving results, even if belatedly.

The campaign by the professor, somehow, received an official seal during the last convocation ceremony of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, reiterated government’s policy that all lecturers in tertiary institutions must possess a certificate in Education.

Though the directive was in line with the advocacy by Ogbuagu, there is need for it to go beyond mere pronouncement and be backed with action.

“It is not the first time such statements have been made. In the past, we in the educational sector had expressed dismay over the productivity and professional status of some lecturers in the universities, colleges of education and polytechnics. It does not stop at a lecturer imparting those learning experiences on the student, but the process by which it is done,” he told TheNiche.

“A lecturer may process a Ph.D degree, but you discover that at the end of the day not up to 50 per cent of the students in the class can effectively comprehend what he is teaching. This does not speak well of effective teaching and learning and it indeed

rubs off negatively on the larger society.”

The federal government’s recent efforts to reverse the trend through the certification exercise gives him satisfaction.

But achieving the goal cannot come easy, our reporter reminded the don. It will, for instance, entail those already in the field meeting the requirement.

He agreed, stressing that against this backdrop, colleges of education and faculties of education are already bracing up for the challenges of ensuring that professionalisation of education is achieved in the shortest possible time.

The policy, he said, is long overdue.

His words: “There has been that clamour in most quarters for us to professionalise education. In the past, there had been this attitude of paying lip service to this policy.

“But in this new dispensation, you can agree with me that the federal government is determined to do the needful, and that is good for our educational system.”

The directive is not entirely new, Ogbuagu recalled, remarking that in the past, it was a major requirement for every teacher to attend teachers training college before going into practice.

“We used to have Teacher Training College in the past and the products were exposed to the basic and technical knowledge of transferring knowledge to the pupils.

“We later had Colleges of Education like Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, where Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) was awarded and later the products

may well complete a programme as postNCE at the university level and end up with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education,” he said.

The policy being implemented, according to Ogbuagu, is known as pedagogy, which, he said, is the act of acquiring teaching skills with the ultimate goal of setting objectives to produce good, professional and knowledgeable teachers in the system.

According to the Provost, “You do not just walk into a classroom and introduce a topic or a subject without appreciating the need for entry behaviour on the pupil or student or the process of set induction.

These teaching skills, no doubt, make teaching and learning easy and interesting.”

He recalled that teaching practice has always been compulsory among colleges of education and teacher training colleges, adding that with the new policy on education for tertiary institution, teachers would follow suit to achieve the desired results.

“You are thought to do teaching practice at all levels. You are exposed to Philosophy of Education, Psychology and Comparative Education. But this is not a practical thing.

It is not like the sandwich education at this level because these lecturers or beneficiaries are graduates in their respective disciplines. It is only that they need to be effectively armed with those basic teaching skills and ethics in the act of imparting knowledge and learning experience to the upcoming generation,” he stressed.

Ogbuagu noted that the programme is a nine-month exercise of active teaching and learning and three months to tidy up the process.

“We have programmes like Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGD). We also have another one that is being organised by the Teachers Registration Council (TRC) which is a Professional Diploma in Education (PDE). There is also National Teachers Institute (NTI). Universities and Polytechnics also have programmes that are in tandem with this exercise,” he added.

To ensure success of the exercise, however, the Provost observed that the federal and state governments should endeavour to improve on facilities in the institutions, especially in the universities and colleges of education within their areas of jurisdiction for the expected surge and in meeting the goal of the directive.

“I know that the challenges are much, but that does not mean that government should allow the affected institutions to remain the way they are. No doubt, though, government is doing its best in the present circumstance and we know that this is a gradual process in view of the economic situation in the country.

But there is urgent need to improve on the facilities on the ground,” Ogbuagu emphasised.

He called on the federal government to make good its announcement of upgrading College of Education (Technical) Umunze to University of Education.

TheNiche

Perspective www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

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How NDDC solarpowered water partnership boosts life, jobs in Niger Delta

By Pius Ughakpoteni

or Emotiti, a mother of three, growing up in her birthplace, one of the remote villages of the Niger Delta, was gruesome. Every morning, she would trek about two kilometres, along with several other children, to a river. She would take her bath, wash her clothes, cups and plates at the river, before fetching home some water for household cooking and drinking. That was a daily routine in her time as a child in the village, then.

Today, life is much better in Emotiti’s village. Following a recent intervention by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), children in Emotiti’s village no longer trek to the river every morning for shower or laundry. Thanks to a solar-powered water project executed by NDDC. Yet, 40 years after Emotiti had to contend with such experience as a child, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its Human Development Report published in 2006 stated that in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, millions of people share their domestic water sources with animals or rely on unprotected wells that are breeding grounds for pathogens, while the average distance women in Africa walk to collect water is six kilometres.

What the UNDP report suggests is that although NDDC has alleviated the water burden of people in Emotiti’s village and numerous other communities in the Niger Delta, very many people across Africa remain without access to improved source of drinking water.

F

However, the NDDC has devised a win-win approach to tackling the potable water challenge Emotiti contended with while growing up. The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has embarked upon a solarpowered water partnership designed to ensure that people of the Niger Delta enjoy the right to water. According to the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 64/292, every human has the right to sufficient water for personal and domestic uses, which must be safe, acceptable and affordable, and physically accessible. In deference to this right, the NDDC has started expediting work on solar-powered water projects across the Niger Delta. The model entails a partnership with youth leaders, who are engaged in various aspects of the projects’ headworks and a solar power technology company, Akogate Ventures Limited.

In what is akin to killing two birds with one stone, the NDDC solarpowered water projects do not only make life worthwhile in Emotiti’s community and several others across the Niger Delta. They are also creating jobs and boosting health, to the acclaim of youth leaders who have been reformed and now constitute the vanguard of attitudinal change among youths of the region.

The job creation potential of the NDDC solarpowered water projects is underscored by the 2016 edition of the World Water Development Report.

According to the report, three out of four jobs that make up the global workforce are either heavily or

moderately dependent on water. It interprets this to mean that water shortages and problems of access to water and sanitation could limit economic growth and job creation in the coming decades.

As the Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, commented on the World Water Development Report: “Water and jobs are inextricably linked on various levels, whether we look at them from an economic, environmental or social perspective”.

Paul Asemota, a youth leader from Edo State, said: “I want to commend Mrs. Ibim Semenitari for a laudable job – for the partnership with Akogate.

Before now, the youths were just being given stipends when they came to NDDC. But with this new administration, with the cooperation between Akogate and NDDC, the solar water scheme has helped to develop and open up the communities. Communities now have water without having to go as far as four kilometres to fetch water. With this scheme, in the communities we have worked, the youths are engaged in clearing, mason jobs, welding and fabrication, while the women sell food to the contractors. Unlike before when the youths would be aggressive, not allowing the contractors to work; with this new development of partnership, we have peace, which leads to development. We are very grateful.”

A youth leader from Delta State, Newton Aburu, said: “NDDC has been partnering and doing a lot for the Niger Delta youths and our communities. I can say with all

NDDC solar-powered water project. Inset: Semenitari confidence that my community is enjoying what we call real and good clean water with the help of the NDDC, especially the MD, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari. She is a mother to us; she listens to the youth. She has affected lives positively. A lady in my community said she can’t even remember the last time she went to the stream to fetch water.

I think this is a plus to NDDC and, once again, I want to say thank you, to Mrs. Semenitari.

“This scheme has gone a long way in helping the youths in our communities. It has provided jobs for them, and helped to remove their minds from evil things. When you are busy doing something, you will not be thinking of negative things to do. The boys are happy.

Some of them say they want more of these water projects in our communities because they have really gone a long way to provide jobs for them.”

Aliyu Monday, a youth leader from Akwa Ibom State, equally attested to the positive impact of the NDDC solar-powered water projects. He said: “In times past, our families, our parents, our aged mothers, our little ones go to streams to fetch water. But today, at least five communities in each Niger Delta state can feel the impact of solar water projects, which have helped to empower the youths. You know in times past that we were there in the bush, in the creeks destroying all be-

cause we were fighting.

But through this scheme, we can now make good use of ourselves. They say you can never know the potential hidden inside of you until somebody brings it out. This is a big plus for our sister and our mother, Mrs. Semenitari, who gave us this kind of opportunity.

“Violence does not pay anybody. It will only make you remain stagnant. So my advice to our youths is: please, we do not need to be violent.

We should give NDDC the chance to continue to touch lives. I am a beneficiary, my brothers are beneficiaries and the communities are beneficiaries. So let us put our heads together and make sure it is a success.”

Elaborating on the impact of the NDDC solarpowered water scheme, Chairman of Akogate Ventures Limited, Felix Aganbi said: “In each site, we employ masons, people of the community come and sell food, the electricians are there and the youths that are empowered are equally taking care of others.

Some of their wives now have stores to sell various goods. So, it is a cycle of events that this scheme has created. It not only gives life, which is water, it is creating jobs for the youths and enabling them to take care of their families.

“Another derivable of this scheme is that the communities where the projects are sited do not only feel the impact of the

empowerment, but they also see that provision of good drinking water has taken care of the health hazards of water-borne diseases. In communities where the projects are sited, gone are the days when the children and women go to rivers to fetch water. In some Niger Delta communities where people used to go to rivers to fetch water, NDDC has made it possible that they now have taps, which they can open and fetch water.”

Evidently, by working with youths and Akogate, NDDC and various communities have achieved more than would have been possible without this partnership. This partnership has been a tremendous boost to life, livelihoods, health and jobs across various communities in the Niger Delta. It ensures that garri processing, palm oil production, animal husbandry and fish processing are more hygienic, easier, cheaper, faster, healthier and more engaging. No wonder Simon Mainwaring said: “Creating a better world requires teamwork, partnerships and collaboration, as we need an entire army of companies to work together to build a better world within the next few decades. This means corporations must embrace the benefits of cooperating with one another.”

• Ughakpoteni wrote from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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May 22, 2016

Interview Buhari's aides embarassing him with fuel price hike, says DavidWest In this interview with Acting News Editor, ISHAYA IBRAHIM, Professor of Virology and former Minister of Petroleum, Tam David-West, says the decision to increase the pump price of petrol by Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, contradicted President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance that fuel subsidy does not exist, adding that the President was not consulted on the issue.

David-West

A

section of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) embarked on strike last week to protest the petrol price hike. How would you react to that?

I was a Labour leader as a student both in Nigeria and abroad. If Labour has a good cause, they should go on strike. But they should explore all avenues first. When I was a Labour leader, I had three conditions that I gave to students to go on strike. And they apply to any Labour union. First, you must have a good cause. Second, there must be unanimous or majority of members supporting that view. Third, there must be a target of protest. Any Labour union that satisfies these three conditions should go on strike. In this particular one, they have a good cause.

I am against fuel price increase. There is no subsidy and I am going to make a formal statement in the press later; a big formal statement. I don’t say things that I have no evidence to prove. Does Labour have a good cause, yes it has. Not only because I am opposed to price increase, I am opposed to anything that will make poor people suffer.

Government exists to serve the people and make them comfortable. Any government that fails in that regard is a failure. Edmund Burke said that much.

Burke, the great British philosopher, said “government is a contrivance of human wisdom. Government exists to

provide for human wants. Any government that fails to do that is a failure”.

I don’t want Buhari’s government to fail. I have a high stake in this government. Some people are saying I have run away. That is nonsense. I have not run away. Nobody can stop me from talking in the interest of the society. Do I depend on anybody? I depend only on God. And before I speak to the press, I always pray to my God to guide me, to say things and take a position that will glorify his name and positively contribute to the system.

The minister of state, by protocol, had no power to announce this major change when the president was out of the country. Why couldn’t they have the respect to wait until his return? This is a major decision that can cause problem for the government. If they had the interest of this government at heart, they should have waited for him to return.

He was away in London. In fact, I had to phone two or more people, and they said they also saw it on the internet.

Don’t you think the president must have given them the nod to announce the increment?

I don’t think he was aware. I have very strong belief that Buhari did not know, because if he knew, he would not have given them the nod because what they are doing is contrary to what he has said over the years.

But why couldn’t they have the re-

spect to wait for him? What if Labour had given you only 24 hours and the president was abroad, and by the time he came back things were disrupted?

I will tell you why Labour has justifiable cause. First, if there must be an increment, it will be for a justifiable reason. I don’t see the justifiable reason now?

The second ground; there must be unanimity of purpose for the members to support their action. On this one, do they have support of majority of their members? The answer is yes and no. Majority of them are united, but not all of them. But that is neither here nor there in a democracy because the national executive has taken a decision, so you are bound by it.

Now, I read that Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) said they support the increment. It is a lie. I’ve worked with these people. Are PENGASSAN and NUPENG members not members of the society?

Won’t the pinch affect them too? So I did not believe it and I have been proved right.

PENGASSAN has issued a statement that it did not support fuel hike, but supports deregulation. Deregulation and price pump increase are completely different things. When you deregulate, you are saying that a lot of participants will come to the market and price will be

determined by market forces. You don’t deregulate and increase price yourself.

Don’t you think the reason given

by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is strong in the sense that we are not earning enough foreign exchange?

I will come to that later. Does Labour have a target? Yes, they have a target.

The target is the minister of state for petroleum and the people who increase the price. I will not say government because this is a government decision by implication. There was no time the Federal Executive Council (FEC) sat down and approved this. The head of the government is President Muhammadu Buhari. He was not in the country. Did you take him into confidence? Did you tell him? Let them answer that question.

I have an answer.

You think they did not tell him?

If you want to increase the price, why did you rush it? You are increasing price by about 70 per cent and you say with immediate effect. And the President was not in the country. Why do you rush it? Are you afraid that if he comes, he would change it or that he will not support you? There are a lot of questions for the minister of state for petroleum to answer. And a minister of state has no power to do what he did. The permanent secretary in the ministry is even more powerful. Permanent secretary of a ministry is the accounting officer of

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May 22, 2016

interview

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the ministry. He is also the administrative head of the ministry. The minister is the policy head of the ministry. Minister of state by protocol is not above permanent secretary.

Time will come and I will make formal statements, not just a statement. People are saying that David-West has kept mute and gone into hiding. It’s a lie. A friend of mine whom I respect wrote in Vanguard that I’ve gone into hiding. I’m not in hiding. I’m very much around. I don’t want to make a big and comprehensive statement out of respect for Buhari. I must see him first and itemise the implications of what they have done.

By what they have done, they have embarrassed Buhari. Buhari has always said there is no subsidy. The vice president also was compromised. When they were taking the decision, was the vice president the chairman of the meeting?

No. Even Labour (union members) said they were not consulted. They only mentioned it to them.

They brought it like the 10 Commandments, as Christians would say, from Mount Sinai: Here it is; take it. And they pushed it down their throat. It doesn’t work like that in a delicate society like Nigeria. I don’t think people who have done this want Buhari to succeed.

Look at the confusion. Minister of state for petroleum said subsidy removal.

The chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, said subsidy removal. Vice President said it’s not subsidy removal; it’s forex problem.

Look at the confusion. Forex problem?

Today (May 17) it’s about N340 to one dollar. By what they have done, they have legalised the black market. They are saying since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not have dollars, go to the black market and buy. They call it parallel market. It is not parallel anything; it is black market.

Now, whether black market, white market or normal market, why should the man on the street suffer for your mismanagement of your foreign exchange? All the money Nigeria has abroad, oil makes about 90 per cent.

If you have mismanaged your savings abroad, why should the man on the street suffer for it? I wouldn’t have said all these, but for the fact that people are saying I have run away.

I know what to do. I am only respecting Buhari. I respect Kachikwu. I’ve seen his Curriculum Vitae (CV). I respect the CV. But I don’t respect some of the things he says. A man that will say that we have oil in every state in Nigeria is

not a serious person. Kachikwu said we have oil deposits in every state in Nigeria. This is scientifically scandalous. It is in fact heresy against science. Heresy against geology.

I don’t regret supporting Buhari. I support him as long as he is on the right track. And if they are trying to deceive him, I will give him my opinion. If he doesn’t take it, I go back to the trench.

I agree that the exchange rate is so bad.

But all they are doing is not going to solve the problem. They are giving palliatives.

Didn’t Goodluck Jonathan give about 70 palliative? Palliatives are only good on the surface. They don’t address the issues. The fundamental issue is one, is there subsidy? Second question, should there be subsidy? Even Kachikwu himself said subsidy is fraud. Must Nigeria import fuel? Why should exchange rate affect pump price in Nigeria? God has given us oil under our soil. We have marketing outlets above the soil all in naira. Why should exchange factor come in? Why? The refineries are deliberately sabotaged, so that they can import fuel.

In all this rigmarole, a quarter of what we have spent on subsidies would have given us 10 to 20 refineries. How much does a refinery cost?

The government says it doesn’t have the money to build refineries.

Must government build refineries?

Can’t they make private people build refineries? Allow private people to build it. Give them good atmosphere for business. If you don’t give them good atmosphere, the oil industry will collapse and Nigeria will die. I’ve already said more than what I should. I wouldn’t have said all these, but some people said I have run away. So I have to protect my honour. I have not run away.

Some people are saying that in the last one year there are no signs of change?

That is nonsense. First, they said he did not sign the budget in time. Obasanjo, Jonathan all of them signed budget late. What do they want him to do? I told the president you are not starting from zero. You are starting from minus zero.

If Jonathan government had continued for few months, Nigerian government would have been more bankrupt than Greece. You are not coming to renovate a house; you are coming to start from the foundation. It is a different matter if he came and the roof was leaking and the wall was broken. But here, you are

Photo: Ishaya Ibrahim

Look at the confusion. Minister of state for petroleum said subsidy removal. The chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, said subsidy removal.

Vice President said it’s not subsidy removal; it’s forex problem. Look at the confusion. Forex problem?

David-West

not starting renovation. You are building from beginning, and more difficult is that he is starting from minus zero.

I don’t see anything slow in what he is doing. If you say he is slow, it must be slow in reference to something. In this case, in reference to what? Slow is relative terms. You said he did not sign budget in time. It has been proven that three presidents before him signed budget later than himself. They say oh he travels too much. Is it as a jamboree?

That is also nonsense. Buhari, if you know him, is an ascetic man. He is not just going round to make money or to enjoy himself. Here is a man that is so frugal with money. Do you know when I was a minister, the pocket allowance was N2,000 a month. You could spend N2,000 without giving account for it.

But if you spend more than N2,000, you must give account for it.

He is travelling round! Don’t they see that we need international credibility?

What greater credential can Nigeria get? When British Prime Minister, David Cameron, goofed, a whole Archbishop of Canterbury said before the Queen that Buhari is not corrupt. Whether we are fantastically corrupt or whatever corrupt, I don’t know. But we are corrupt.

That is true. But what I have against Cameron is that he should have qualified it to say that the present president is doing everything possible to correct it.

That is why he invited him to the anticorruption conference.

In retrospect, I am happy that Cameron never qualified it. If Cameron had said Nigeria is fantastically corrupt, but the present president is trying, it will not be as effective as the Archbishop of Canterbury telling him (Cameron) and the Queen that the current leader is not corrupt. The Archbishop of Canterbury is to Anglicans what Pope is to Catholics.

on him. I’ve written series of articles, interviews. I’ve spent my money on advertisements. A page of advertisement is about N600,000 and I have at least four of them. Have I gotten any money from him? They say he appoints only people that he knows. Am I in his cabinet? Everybody said I would be in the cabinet. In the internet, they said I was number one. Am I complaining? So how can he be clannish? It’s a lie. There are one or two things that I don’t like. I will not say them. But when I see him, I will tell him few areas he has to re-examine and reposition. When I see him, we will discuss one-on-one, alone in the room, nobody with us. In fact, the door will be locked. I will give him my piece of mind, honest assessment and leave him to look at it. But I know that he is still focused. I trust his integrity. I trust his judgement.

What about his leadership style and the nature of his appointments?

People are saying he is clannish.

Buhari is not clannish in his appointments. I am one of the foremost supporters of Buhari and I wrote two books

If you are to score Buhari’s government, what mark will you give him so far?

I will give him credit. I will not give him A. I will not give him B. But I will give him C or C plus.

Are you comfortable with his handling of the Niger Delta issue and the pro-Biafra agitation?

All I will say is that Niger Delta is for Niger Delta. I have always cautioned that we should be very careful how we handle it. They are embarrassing him.

Now they have brought in herdsmen.

And he is a Fulani. They are not helping Buhari at all. Why are you making things difficult for him? Why can’t the Northern leaders make things easy for him? I know some of the militants. Asari Dokubo’s mother and my mother are from the same father. Asari Dokubo used to stay with me here at Sankore Avenue.

I used to give him ‘pocket money’. I’ve always cautioned that we should be very careful. The companies that are partners with our oil industry, if things are too difficult for them to operate in Nigeria, will go away. Nigeria will suffer and all of us will suffer.

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May 22, 2016

Perspective Grazing Reserve or Ranch Bill in Enugu?

By Igbonekwu Ogazimorah

O

ver time, Nigerians had asked if there was any pending Grazing Reserve Bill in the National Assembly. The Senate, which admitted it had a bill proposed in 2008 by Mrs. Zainab Kure and which was abandoned, insisted that there was no such bill at present.

Strangely, shortly after, the House of Representatives owned up to having such a bill and was going ahead to debate it.

Since then, it has been torrents after torrents of rejection by governors. The governor of Oyo State was about the most coherent in his rejection of the bill. He rightly situated the matters of grazing as businesses of individuals, and being quite a statesman, he offered that if any person wanted to take lands to farm, he would be offered, not just on availability, but on the prevailing cost such property are sold to any person.

Nothing can be more realistic and responsive to a people who reposed their trust in a governor.

Other states had declared that they did not have such lands to offer, and attendant upon the recurring troubles associated with herdsmen and their enforcers, it was not appealing for them to permit grazing reserves in their states. This is largely the position of the Middle Belt states which had borne the ferocity of herdsmen menace for decades now.

As a follow-up or fall-out of the predictable volatility of such propositions in the South East, Anambra State government had said it was not considering permitting grazing reserves in the arable land in the state.

Then the recklessness of the soldiers in Aba quickly forced the Abia governor to

follow suit. For God’s sake, Abia was not giving any land for any grazing reserve or ranch in the equally megre arable land of Abia.

Strangely, again, Ebonyi declared it was creating reserve routes in its state.

Well, that was yet a mere talk of the governor, David Umahi.

But the most baffling of this unfolding drama is what has just been announced in Enugu State, last week, as a bill to create a grazing reserve in each of the three senatorial zones.

This bill, proposed by a certain Chinedu Nwamba, member representing Nsukka East Constituency (same zone as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) is driving at making a law, not only to allow for grazing reserves or ranches in the state, but throwing it open, upon the people, that government would, by the bill becoming law, take people’s lands and cause them to be reserved for grazing and ranching of private investors in livestock business.

And I ask, whose land are they actually talking about?

Perhaps, working on the mindset of the Land Use Act, the lawmaker believes that people’s lands, as roguishly envisaged by the Act, would be taken as property of government and handed over to ‘livestock investors’ just like that.

I think there is a mistake somewhere!

In the first place, the major issue with herdsmen in Nigeria, especially in the South East of recent, is not actually grazing of cattle.

Cattle have been grazed on South East territories since the conquest of the Igbo in 1970. In the early days, the herdsmen had respected people’s rights and avoided farms. In those days, they were seen as pure, fair-dealing and cultured persons.

But today, they have turned rapists, armed robbers, land grabbers, sackers of communities, and general threat to

Buhari

the entire society.

Second, every part of Nigeria, especially South and Middle Belt, is not only sceptical but quite vehement in rejection of any such arrangement as grazing reserves.

Third, has the lawmaker, Nwamba, given his proposed bill the deeper reflection with a view to factoring the acute land shortage problem in the state before he crafted it? Put the other way, has Nwamba waited to ponder why the people of Ukpabi-Nimbo, just like most communities in his beloved Enugu, have been in deep, long and death-threatening battles over farming lands, the most recent – being Ukpabi-Nimbo – resulting in gruesome murder of sleeping natives in the most horrifying manner never known by the community or even their neighbours?

If Nwamba, or the Enugu State Assembly, had given this a thought, could it be something beyond them to even wait a bit and see how this struggle – yes struggle – plays out across Nigeria, before rushing to hammer out a bill, which, if it rides the familiar tide of government bills in Nigeria, will become law in a matter of days?

Members of Enugu Assembly must quickly understand that, by this bill, they are putting the lives of the people who elected them in danger’s way, if not today, in days not even far removed from the present tempo of national politicking.

It cannot be beyond the state government to say, we would wait and see! It is not even beyond the government to actually stand firm against such bill if only on account and memories of those innocent sleeping natives – women, children, aged – cut into most primitive pieces with the hacksaws of the murderous herdsmen.

Being a resident of Enugu since 2001, I am aware that every private business man

Ugwuanyi is entirely on his own in putting together a business of his interest. I have tried out my hand in one or two.

You pay down to the last kobo for location, government approval, various taxes (multiple and destructive of course), and even back-hand fulfilment to state mandarins.

Those who are into hotel, hostel, small trade, clothemaking and sales businesses, etc all pay their rents to either the property owner, or where such is for large land areas, negotiate and buy land from the communities in which such businesses would be sited.

Is it not even worrisome that by the drive of some strong hand-wringers, Nigerians and the South East are being made to provide business premises for livestock farmers, willy-nilly?

And wait a minute; it is common knowledge that the government is not even considering going into livestock business or providing for rents, closed in ranches, but is in a haste to provide the entire leverage of business for persons, some travelling from as far as Gabon, Central African Republic (as they claim) with the resources of the people of Enugu,

Ogazimorah without a thought about the predicable violent backlash.

My worry is that the government of Enugu, while meaning so well for the people, is being brow-beaten into submission to so act by forces we do not know.

There is nothing hidden about the governor meaning well in his haste and hunger to develop Enugu. But at the same time, there is nothing hidden about the likely, in fact certain, atrocities this action of creating grazing reserves and ranches will cause the good and very hospitable people of Enugu.

True, the real issues of these herdsmen marauders may be somehow complicated for the uninitiated. To that unfortunate effect, they may consider that it is a way of extending the hospitable attributes of the Enugu man to get into this and get done with it.

No! No, sir!

Much as I do not believe that the herdsmen are the New Martians coming to wipe us out, a government, at least a democratic one, if so pretended, must consider the worries and fears of the people. The onus has moved on the hustlers, I do not mean the so-called rustlers,

to stay at a place, do some seasons of self-purge, for Nigerians to begin to consider them with the same fright the world had feared nuclear holocaust.

If a people say they have faced possible genocide in the hands of some others who are not even ready to make changes, who actually mount the roof tops to proclaim their capacity for the most heart-wrenching bestiality, then government must step in to let all things wait until issues are sorted out.

Enugu should not be the first state to proclaim a law granting lands of the natives to private livestock dealers who make no bones about killing people, including entirely uninvolved children, the aged and the sleeping – in their villages, the purest place for the typical African.

Your Excellency, please get this member, Chinedu Nwamba, to stop and think.

Pull out the bill now, until we get the clearer picture of the unfolding deadly drama!

• Ogazimorah, former Enugu State Commissioner for Information, wrote from Enugu.

TheNiche

Judiciary www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

25

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

Supreme Court justices should come from outside govt – Sowemimo Secretary, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Seyi Sowemimo, speaks with Senior Correspondent, ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA, on the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court, succession of the Chief Justice, the forthcoming NBA elections, among other issues.

F

ormer Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, recently said that senior advocates should not be appointed to the apex court directly. Do you agree with him?

I find that reasoning quite strange that anyone will say that a person who has attained the rank of a senior advocate lacks requisite qualifications to be on the Bench. I really do not appreciate that way of thinking. In England, high court judges are appointed from the ranks of Queen’s Counsel and King’s Counsel in the earlier days. So, I do not see how someone will now say there are some integrity issues. You even find that those appointed into the Bench, who have gone through the civil service, have so much allegations of corruption against them, from the lowest to the highest courts.

So, what sort of integrity issues are we talking about?

Even at the level of Supreme Court, there are allegations.

I do not see how coming through a civil service structure can be a guarantee for judges not being opened to favours. I do not see the correlation. Until we begin to appoint people from outside government structure, we will continue to have the problem we are having with our judiciary. We will continue to operate our judiciary like the civil service.

We need to do things differently. I do not think that Justice Augustine Nnamani went through some civil service structure before he became Justice of the Supreme Court.

Appointing people from the practising Bar has worked in other jurisdictions. So, I do not see why it should be different here.

We have a President who also seems to be dissatisfied with the state of our judiciary and who people think may take dramatic steps by introducing some senior practitioners from the bar. If we have been doing something over the years and we have become dissatisfied with it, why not

try a different situation? They have tried it in Canada and the United States of America. They bring somebody from outside the rank of justices and make him the Chief Justice, taking him away from the internal politics of the Supreme Court – whereby once a person becomes Chief Justice of the Federation, all other justices cower before him and cease to be independent as they ought to be.

In Nigeria, you have people who believe so much in doing things in line with civil service procedure. Why should people on the Supreme Court Bench be frightened about people coming from the outside? Your greatest asset lies in your intellect.

With many judges queuing up on the Bench for years, will it be fair for a senior advocate from private practice to be appointed as the CJN ahead of them?

Many of these people went to the Bench because they did not have much of a choice. How many lawyers today having thriving practice will accept Bench appointment? It was in the early 1960s that it used to happen. But most of the people you have today got unto the Bench because they do not have much in terms of practice. Some, because they have applied for silk for years and were not given, see the Bench as a viable alternative. This is not somebody’s inheritance where you say you have queued for many years; it is totally a disingenuous argument. Is that how we want to populate our Supreme Court? We want our Supreme Court to be populated by a lot of diversity and lots of robust intellectualism, not people who have civil service mentality.

Many have been in Supreme Court without getting to the position of the CJN. It is political in nature. There is nothing that says the occupant must be appointed according to seniority. You could even pick the lowest justice and make him the CJ. We cannot have a situation where people have

positioned themselves on ethnic grounds for that position.

It takes time before one could master the art of writing judgments. If a senior advocate is appointed Justice of Supreme Court, how will he cope at that level?

There is nothing in writing judgment; no exceptional skill is required. If you are a senior advocate, it then means you know the pros and cons of arguments presented by both sides. So, by your training, you will know how to balance the evidence. In fact, it is having practical knowledge in practice that aids your ability on the Bench.

Judges that come from the practising Bar are far better than those that come from the civil service structure. So I do not see anything so unique in judgment writing. Until, Elias became the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he was not a judge; would you then say he was not in a position to write good judgments?

Recently, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) cautioned the federal government and its agencies to ensure that the anti-corruption battle is fought within the ambit of the law, devoid of abuses of the fundamental rights of Nigerians. Would you want to react to this?

I do not think that comment is fair. People saying that seem to have misunderstood the statement we issued. The important thrust of our statement is that, we are wholly supportive of the government in its anti-corruption crusade, but we want them to observe due process. That is the only reasonable position for any lawyer to take. There is a risk that if they fail to do that, they will undermine the credibility of the process itself. I do not think there is anything in our statement that shows we are trying to protect some people.

Even in that statement, we made it clear that we are not going to support any member of the body found on the

Sowemimo

wrong of the law. We do not intend to shield anybody.

Nothing in our statement suggests that the government’s anti-corruption fight is not appreciated.

Is there anything wrong in you assisting your colleagues on the bench financially when necessary?

Personally, I do not interact with any of my colleagues who are on the Bench. I do not recall any social interaction with them. Of course, if we meet at any function, we probably greet; but to go to their chambers or their homes to visit them, I cannot even recall in the past 20 years that I have done so. Speaking for myself, that has not been my experience. I have colleagues at the Supreme Court whose names I do not even remember. People tell me that some of our colleagues at the law school are now Justices of the Supreme Court. Until they tell me, I do not even remember.

So, the question of following up does not even arise.

But, in any event, it is even wrong to foster any close interaction with any judge because there is bound to be that integrity issue. Even if there is a judge that you want to assist,

you must make sure it is not a judge handling your case.

If I had a blood brother who was on the Bench, I will say, of necessity, we will interact as close relations. But if we are not related, such assistance could be misinterpreted. One should avoid it, except there’s a way of making disclosure of facts. Honestly, I cannot really explain how a lawyer assisting a judicial officer will not be misinterpreted, especially if that lawyer has case(s) before the judge. So, it is better not to engage in that kind of interaction.

A lawyer has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to declare sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act illegal. Do you agree?

I am wholly in support of those provisions because the issue of stay of proceedings in criminal trials has been the cause of delays. We have criminal trials being on for years on interlocutory objections, only for the matter to be sent back after several years.

I think these provisions are in order. We all need to adjust and try to conduct cases in the framework of that law. It is intended to remove that abuse

of delay. If that is the case, we should applaud these reforms.

But it does not mean you cannot appeal. All we are saying is that interlocutory appeals will be taken along with the outcome of the final judgment. They are not saying you cannot appeal, but that while you are appealing, it should not stop trial from going on; otherwise, we will have a situation whereby if that appeal lasts for two or three years, the trial at the high court will stop. By the time you come back from the Appeal Court, you will find that the witnesses are no longer there or you have succeeded in affecting the morale of the prosecution or witnesses.

What are your expectations from the forthcoming election of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)?

I am happy that it is not going to be delegates’ affairs, but universal suffrage. In terms of democratic principle, I think that should be applauded. So, I am looking forward to a keen election and the election will be on merit and not arranged.

We all know that whoever is coming in is by popular vote and not by selection or a stagemanaged outcome. It is a good thing.

26

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

FREE SPEECH

Editorial Now that Nigeria is broke

N

igerians had suspected that the country was insolvent long before the gov-ernment officially announced to the world last Wednesday that it is broke.

Of course, when most of the 36 states could no longer pay salaries, let alone executing any capital project, and when even the federal government began borrowing money to carry out even the most basic duties of state, then it does not require the skill of a fortune-teller to know that all is not well.

But Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, could not have been more dramatic in telling the doubting Thomases how precarious the financial health is.

Briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting against the backdrop of the angst over the increase in the pump price of petrol from N86 to N145 per litre, Mohammed said the decision had to do more with biting economic crunch than subsidy.

“The current problem is not really about subsidy removal. It is about (the fact) that Nigeria is broke. Pure and simple!

“It is like somebody who has been earning N100,000 a month and he is faced with a situation where his employer says henceforth, he will be earning N10,000 a month.

“He would need to make some very painful decisions and some very painful adjustments,” he said.

Even before Mohammed, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, had said that much in a statement he issued explaining the reason for the pump price hike.

“The real issue is not a removal of subsidy. At $40 a barrel, there isn’t much of a subsidy to remove,” Osinbajo clarified.

The insolvency of the country had become a recurring decimal in the recent past.

Shortly before the 2015 elections, alarm was raised in certain quarters that the country, which was borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries, was broke.

But the then Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, would hear nothing of it.

That was understandable. It would have been a contradiction in terms for a country that had declared itself the largest economy in Africa after rebasing same to suddenly admit it was broke.

But even if Nigeria was not broke then, as claimed by the government, the very costly 2015 polls, depletion of the foreign reserves, drastic fall in the price of crude oil, and the vandalisation of the crude oil infrastructure in the Niger Del-ta by resurgent militant groups have all ensured that the country was brought to its knees financially.

Yes, Nigeria is in dire economic straits. And while it is true that stealing of crude oil or sabotage of the infrastructure poses grave danger because it limits, for instance, what the oil majors remit to the treasury – and therefore, must be stopped – that in itself will not rejuvenate the economy.

Imposing punishing taxes on hapless citizens, which is what the unconsciona-ble increase in the pump price of petrol and hike in electricity tariff are all about, is no solution either.

Because such economic measures only induce run-away inflation thereby en-trenching the vicious circle of poverty.

What is required in circumstances like this is creative financial engineering. The government must think outside the box, which was what Barack Obama did when he took over the Presidency of the United State in January 2009.

Unfortunately, this government has not exhibited any inclination towards that.

The uncomfortable truth is that it is not only reduced oil proceeds that has put economic activity in Nigeria in jeopardy.

While that reality cannot be discountenanced, the most potent threat to Nige-ria’s economic rebirth is the politics of sharing, which has triumphed over cake-baking and job creating economic growth policy making.

To climb out of this economic cesspit, both the federal and state governments must come to an agreement that as long as everybody heads for Abuja at the end of the month to share ever dwindling revenues, Nigeria will remain broke.

For too long, both the leaders and followers have lived in the axiomatic fool’s paradise. The economic crunch may well be a wake-up call.

Tree planting and extreme heat wave

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

O

f late, the heat wave being experienced from across the country is becoming quite unbearable. Coupled with the unstable nature of power supply in the country and incessant fuel scarcity, many people are finding it very difficult to cope.

Children are principally worse hit as they develop heat rashes and become naturally uncomfortable, particularly at nights.

According to medical experts, excessive heat has damaging effects on victim’s health as it can lead to dehydration-due to excessive loss of water, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sometimes death.

Among others, critical danger indicators to pay attention to in hot weather include weakness, tiredness, and dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting and general body disorder.

Experience from across the globe actually validates the reality of the menace of excessive heat.

In August 2003, northern France had a nasty experience of rare extreme heat for over three weeks. The result was catastrophic as it led to the death of over 15,000 people.

Same year in England, over 2,000 people died as a result of a 12-day heat wave.

With the current state of heat wave in the country, one only hopes things won’t become worse.

Unfortunately, succour is not likely to be in sight yet as experts at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) have earlier warned of more hot days, warm night and heat waves ahead.

In Lagos, the situation is even more unpleasant as the metropolis is presently experiencing a protracted heat wave which has ushered in strange hot weather with temperature over and above 32.2oc.

Characteristically, lots of tips are being offered by experts on how to keep abreast of the situation. Top on the bill is a good eating habit that is effectively complemented with drinking of plenty of hygienic water at intervals.

Naturally, to fight dehydration, the body requires constant supply of water. Reduction in the intake of caffeinated or intoxicating drinks is also one of the recommended antidotes to the consequences of excessive heat.

It is, however, important to stress that being a direct consequence of the global warming challenge which the entire world is currently contending with, long term solutions as against immediate remedies would be more appropri-

ate and effective in dealing with excessive heat.

In this respect, one would like to make a strong case for tree planting.

Trees have been scientifically proven to be very useful as first line of defence in the fight against global warming as they absorb the carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere, replenish the air with oxygen and also contribute immensely to the aesthetics of the environment.

They also check erosion and stem the tide of windstorm by serving as wind breakers.

On another note, trees are brilliant cleansers.

They remove other pollutants through the stomates in the leaf surface.

It is considered that trees act as what some call a Carbon Sink, storing the gas in its branches, trunk, leaves etc. instead of leaving the gas to become free floating and further polluting the atmosphere.

In this natural function alone, trees directly reduce the growth of the Greenhouse Effect and counteract Global Warming.

Trees also serve the purpose of overall air quality enhancer, and a much needed one at that.

They provide natural habitats for many small creatures, and reduce the temperature by providing shade.

All in all, a tree is not just a beautiful work of nature standing amongst the many phenomenal picturesque settings of this world; it is a powerful and vital tool for human survival.

Modern science recognises that without tree manufacturing oxygen, life on earth would have been impossible.

As the world concentrates on global warming and its adverse effects on climatic changes, it is imperative that the public be more educated and enlightened on efficacy of trees.

Although planting of trees has long been a suggestion to better the earth, there is a desperate need for sustained action at making it not just an annual ritual as it is being practiced in most states of the country but what everybody, especially land owners, must embrace if we are to take the decisive trend of climate change serious.

According to climate experts, human-induced global deforestation is responsible for 18-25 per cent of global climate change.

The United Nations, World Bank and other leading non-governmental organisations are therefore encouraging re-forestation and other activities that promote tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Ironically, as simple as tree planting process is, only a few pay adequate attention to it in this clime. This is not surprising since we are used to

Observations from...

Is print media dead?

Another casualty has been recorded on the global media scene. The Independent newspaper in the United Kingdom is going all digital, burying its print edition forever.

At its peak, The Independent churned out half a million daily prints and then went down to 50,000. ‘‘There are not enough people,’’ Independent Editor, Amol Rajan wrote, ‘‘who are prepared to pay for printed news, especially during the week.’’

“More newspapers will disappear. I’m worried about the future of journalism,” warned former Independent Editor, Simon Kelner Press Gazette research estimates that about 300 local newspapers in the UK have been closed in the past 10 years.

It is amazing how digital is torpedoeing print right, left, and centre. The iconic Newsweek went all digital a few years ago.

Here in Nigeria, PM News and The News have vanished from the newsstands into the digital space.

It is indeed a tough and rough time for print around the world.

Should media professionals be worried? I don't think so!

Change is constant. Media professionals should get on the digital train. No need to fight it, just

embrace it.

Media professionals must wake up to the reality that their audience has migrated online. There is opportunity in this migration. Put on your thinking caps, dive into digital space, mine the treasures.

Media professionals stand to make more money from digital space than they made in the golden era of print.

But what makes a newspaper the most read in Nigeria may not necessarily apply online. Newspapers that provide engaging, shorter, sharable, and interesting content online will amass massive audiences and win big.

Print may be distressed and on life-support. Junk may have taken up digital space. But only quality will matter in the end.

Newspapers that will have the ace are those that focus not on merely reporting events and breaking news, but breaking down those complex figures to the understanding of the layman.

That is why data and development journalism will flourish in this digital age.

The future of the media is bright. Be encouraged, fellow journalists!

• Samuel Adeyemi Journalist and media strategist, Lagos.

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

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

27

On the beat Oguwike Nwachuku

waiting for disaster to occur before doing the right thing.

It is in order to alter the trend and preserve the environment that Lagos State Environment Commissioner, Samuel Adejare, at a recent press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, urged Lagos residents to embrace the culture of planting trees in view of its obvious benefits.

According to him, tree planting is one of the most valuable tools available to help to provide environmental stability.

Consequently, the Lagos State government has concluded plans to plant 10 million trees by 2020.

It has, therefore, become imperative for individuals, corporate bodies, community leaders, religious bodies, non governmental organisations (NGOs) and all tiers of governments to give sufficient attention to tree planting.

In view of the enormous importance of trees to the quality of human life, it would be foolhardy to neglect this simple and less expensive venture that is naturally endowed with life giving aura.

With natural disasters occurring across the world, as a result of the abuse of the environment, this is the time for everyone to have a rethink about our attitude to the environment.

That we have not experienced monumental environmental tragedy should not be taken for granted as being immune from such.

Thus, we must take our destiny into our hands and do all the needful to ward off avoidable natural calamities.

Hence, the need for everyone to embrace the tree planting project as well as other such ventures that could protect the environment.

• Ogunbiyi is of Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

oguwikeng@yahoo.com, o.nwachuku@thenicheng. com

Labouring in Buhari’s vineyard

L

ast week’s announcement of the “removal” of fuel subsidy and the “deregulation” of the petroleum sector by the government has opened the eyes of many to so many things.

It is now obvious that Nigeria is broke and in serious financial quagmire. That is why the government is looking for money and believes taxes could be the only way to finance the more than N6 trillion budget recently signed into law

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The current problem is not really about subsidy removal. It is about Nigeria is broke. Pure and simple,” Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, said last Wednesday in Abuja after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“Nigeria is like somebody who has been earning N100,000 a month and is faced with a situation where his employer says henceforth you will be earning N10,000 a month.

“He would need to make some very painful decisions and some very painful adjustments. That is the situation with Nigeria today .…

“We appreciate … the decision is going to affect everybody. We appreciate what we are going through, but Nigerians should also know that the government has the responsibility at times to take very difficult decisions.

“So it is not always about popularity.”

We are now witnessing a bungled industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which leadership has been polarized since last year, with a faction loyal to Ayuba Waba and another to Joe Ajaero.

I use the words removal and deregulation with inverted comas because over the years those in position to know have argued that the government’s claim that it was subsidising fuel was a blatant and mischievous lie.

Former Petroleum Minister, Tam David-West, challenged those claiming there was fuel subsidy to come forth for

a debate.

Shoddy best describes our brand of deregulation because the government still fixes prices for operators in the petroleum sector instead of allowing the forces of demand and supply that govern the market all over the world to apply.

While announcing the new fuel price, Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, after rambling with the word modulation, said consumers will pay N145 per litre at any filling station apart from those owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Petrol will sell for N143 per litre at NNPC stations nationwide.

After putting a price tag on the product, Kachikwu spoke about removal of subsidy and the need for dealers to operate in line with the forces of demand and supply.

Nigerians have since questioned the rationale behind the deregulation where the minister solely fixed the price without recourse to the board of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which has the statutorily responsibility. The board is yet to be constituted.

A few things struck me when Kachikwu made his price modulation statement that dwelt on two key issues: subsidy and deregulation.

One. We are again out on the street for the usual stabbing of the air with our hands while shouting alluta continua over fuel price hike and which will not assuage our suffering or help better the lot of the masses.

Two. The opportunity had provided itself for the government led by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to sustain its excuses on why it has not made any good economic scratch since it came to power a year ago.

Three. Nigerian workers will continually be robbed by their so-called leaders because the strategy of former and succeeding leaders is the template of lies, lies, and more lies to justify their failure to deliver on electoral promises.

In years past, Labour leaders fought as a team against fuel price hike regardless of whether their struggle would yield desired result.

But signs that the NLC leadership had been infiltrated started showing last year.

And by the time the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, held a meeting with the two factions last week it was obvious that workers, whom NLC leaders claim to lead, are on their own. They can as well be said to be labouring alone.

Yes, the government has removed the fuel subsidy which even Nigerians doubt benefitted them. It has also proposed full deregulation.

The lot of workers today is hardship on all fronts. No food. No light. No water.

No money. Movement from one point to another is problematic. No hospitals.

No good schools. No roads. Life, for the average worker, is brutish.

A united Labour would have demanded to know from the government why it should fix prices if convinced that deregulation had been rightly instituted.

A united Labour would have persuaded the government to think of subsidy in other sectors of the economy or lifestyle like in education, agriculture, or even industries, rather than in the petroleum sector where the rich were subsidised for years.

That NLC factions led by Waba and Ajaero danced naked and pursued selfish interests in meetings with the government instead of putting aside their differences to seek a common cause in the interest of workers speaks volumes of the calibre of people who masquerade as our leaders in every sphere of national life.

Did Plato not say that “the price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men”?

The weak, vulnerable, devastated, poor Nigerian workers serving the lord of the manors called their leaders have come face to face with evil men as their leaders.

More regrettable is that even within workers’ ranks are more evil men than there are in government establishments.

With or without Waba or Ajaero, let workers see the struggle as that of their life. They should think of Lenin’s saying that “despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out, and are incapable of struggle.”

Nigerian workers are not against government policies that would better their lot. Not even subsidy and deregulation.

They appreciate the country is broke, as Mohammed said – not due to their fault but because of the propensity of leaders to steal everything trusted in their care, even the ones that bother on our future.

The difficult pill workers cannot swallow, and should not be encouraged to swallow, is to fold their hands and watch this same government and its leaders tread a lifestyle that differs from what they expect ordinary Nigerians to lead.

There is nothing to suggest that key members of this government have not jumped into the same boat that those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) they are blaming for all the woes in this country jumped into.

For instance, Mohammed said recently that he does not owe Nigerians explanation for the N13 million he was said to have borrowed to go on a trip to China with other officials.

What can be so nauseating a comment from someone who calls himself a public servant supported with the tax of the masses?

It reminds one of the position taken by former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, when asked to explain the huge amount his administration spent on building a website.

It also brings to mind the recent report that Buhari’s daughter travels first class by air when he is advising Nigerians to rethink their taste because of the economic woes.

I do not anticipate Uhuru for workers.

Not now, not in the nearest future. Not even when the ranks of their umbrella union are messed.

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

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May 22, 2016

Words &Worlds

Remi Sonaiya

»

A tale of two fuel price hike protests

I

t all started at the beginning of the week when a young friend, a university student, called me up to ask what my perspective was on the call by (a faction of) the NLC to embark on a nation-wide strike over the increase in the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) announced by the Federal Government. He – and he was sure several young people like him – would wish to know what my take was on the whole issue.

I probably had been hesitating to voice my position on the matter, possibly because I had not completely sorted out my thoughts on it and did not wish to make public some half-baked opinions. I just felt intuitively that this was not a protest I would feel comfortable to participate in. Now that I had received a wake-up call, as it were, from my friend, I knew I had to quickly clarify things in my own mind and get my voice out into the public domain. By the following day, I was sending out tweets, about a dozen in all, explaining why I would not be participating in this year’s anti-fuel hike protests, whereas I had travelled from Ife to be part of the demonstrations that held at the Freedom Park (Lagos) in 2012.

Basically, my explanation went, I felt that the circumstances surrounding the two protests were not the same. Prior to the 2012 protests, the Nigerian public had been treated to revelations concerning the huge scam that was the fuel subsidy regime of

Mac Odu

the previous administration. Apparently, the government was simply dashing out huge sums of money to anyone who merely presented papers, claiming to have imported such-and-such an amount of fuel into the country. I was aghast to hear the then minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, declare during the fuel subsidy probe conducted by the Farouk Lawan committee, that the government did not physically conduct any inspection to ascertain the delivery of the fuel which all those presenting documents claimed to have brought into the country. Our government, under the supervision of an MIT and Harvard-trained minister who was a vice president at the World Bank, was paying for goods it did not bother to see!

So, my understanding was that the fuel increase of 2012 was unfair because the federal government was trying to make innocent Nigerians bear the brunt of the incredible level of corruption which was going on under the fuel subsidy programme.

This is a point that has been made by several commentators on the difference between 2012 and 2016. The current situation, according to this perspective, is completely different in the sense that the Buhari administration has found itself confronting challenges for which nobody can, in all sincerity, hold it accountable.

These challenges include the global crash in the price of crude oil which

has drastically reduced the government’s revenue and, possibly more importantly, the very high incidence of pipeline vandalism which has severely affected local production, thus making the country increasingly dependent on importation.

Meanwhile, the loss of revenue from fuel has crippled our fuel-dependent economy, resulting in severe foreign exchange scarcity.

Just a few hours before writing these lines, I had the opportunity to discuss with a man who had worked with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and had first-hand information regarding the extent to which pipelines were being vandalised across the country, from north to south and east to west.

He made me realise how serious a challenge this evil, anti-social behaviour has become; and one just wonders what it is that drives Nigerians to this level of criminality.

I equally made it clear in my tweets that I had become increasingly concerned about the role of labour unions in our nation. While one recognises that the primary concern of unions is the welfare of their members, one is bound to wonder whether getting more money into their members’ pockets should be at the expense of the overall wellbeing of the nation. There is no doubt that Nigerian workers have always got the shorter end of the stick from successive governments, and when

one considers the percentage of our commonwealth that goes into the pockets of high-level public officials, one tends to understand why unions normally assume an uncompromising stance in their discussions or negotiations with government. The National Assembly is a case in point: while the nation is in dire financial straits, the members are still insisting on buying themselves jeeps costing N38 million each; meanwhile, they express “sympathy” for the Nigerian people and call upon the government to immediately begin to implement palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel price increase. Complete hogwash! Why do they not show real sympathy by slashing their own salaries and perquisites?

But that does not mean that Labour unions should equally not care about the development of the country. The time has come to question what real benefits have accrued to the nation from all the strikes we have had over the years.

I believe that the time has come for unions to diversify their strategies; for example, more lobbying should be done to influence decisions before they are taken, rather than wait to go on strike after the deed is done. It is clear to me that the National Assembly deserves to be picketed over the goings-on there.

Let us find some more creative, less destructive ways of engaging with our governments.

Echoes from my past

INDELIBLE MARKS

0806 8909 467 profmarkodu@yahoo.co.uk

B

y the end of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) job, I was virtually on the staff of Harriman and Company, the leading indigenous firm of estate surveyors and valuers at the time. Hope Harriman, the Principal of the practice, did not fulfil his pledge to take over my practice and pay me a handsome sum thereof.

He merely gave me a sum as compensation for handling the Shell job with minimum supervision and bluffed the commitment.

However, I knew that with his influence as President of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), I stood a good chance of advancing my professional status, so I overlooked the unfairness in his conduct. He showed me that business life was not all that straight. I learnt that

there was quite a bit to expect from even professionals. I pleaded, however, for one of my loyal staff in Enugu, Timothy Okwuosa, and Harriman allowed me to bring him over to join his practice. I was pleased.

I occupied myself during that year and the one following, learning the profession with zest. I was at the office early and left late but for a short spell of one hour, which I took off to have lunch at Agip Petrol Station, Ikoyi, where a lady made irresistible fish soup and pounded yam meal. Harriman and Company’s head office was at 4-6 Oil Mill Street, Lagos Island. I commuted from Yaba to be on my desk before 8 a.m. daily.

Later that year, 1972, I was allowed the benefit of the Kombi bus I used for the survey for a while. Thereafter, I had the benefit of a Volkswagen Beetle from the pool. It was pleasant to be trusted with company assets and I knew I had to show maturity in the use of the

vehicles. In a short while, I matured for a car loan. I got £1,500, with which I bought myself a brand new Toyota Corona saloon car with factory-fitted air-conditioner.

I write these details for posterity to measure the deterioration that has afflicted the Nigerian economic system as a result of our national poverty in leadership. As I write, the cost of a Toyota Corona now stands at about N2 million. This represents over 10,000 per cent depreciation in the value of our national currency. My salary was £1,500 per annum. With my pay, I was able to lease a little bungalow at the rear of a duplex at Onike, Yaba. Rent for the unit was half of my salary at first. I knew that I would grow into it as time went by. My little increment at the beginning of 1973 bore me out. I started enjoying myself as a top executive of an influential indigenous practice.

In fulfilment of my extensive and intensive search for truth in detention, Colonel Rudolf Trimnel, who I

had met in prison, came to me and introduced me to a book called In the Light of Truth, The Grail Message by Abd Ru Shin. I was thoroughly taken in by the book. I read it quickly and appreciated the immense import of the book to my life. I thought that my life was complete with it. This was the third and most potent spring I had to drink from in my life. The training being in confinement had given me on discrimination was sharpened by this work. The positive tenets of life, which I had accepted were confirmed. A new meaning to everything without exception was given to life on earth. I knew I was being prepared for something at that stage of my life. Even if I had no role in creation and for humanity, I had a role to radiate joy and fulfilment in any endeavour I found myself. I was determined to build on that through the remaining part of my life. I was determined to engage myself in whatever gave me joy, caring little of what people thought about me.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

See what they have made of PDP

T

he story of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s leading opposition political party, is not one that can be exhausted in a setting. This, perhaps, is coincidental; or providential

as some say.

Just as the party, at its height, had appropriated the claim of the largest political party in Africa, the dimensions of its story have been those of an octopus. Both at its fame and its current lowest point, PDP has always defied precise prediction.

But one thing that cannot be contested by even its committed members (assuming there are still some) and its supporters (if there are still) is that the party has become a bungled dream, in a way.

Even when it had been thought that managers of the party would learn from its disastrous outing in the last general elections, nothing seems to have been learnt. In the process, the slide continues.

If there had been any shred of hope on the party rising from its obviously comatose position, especially at the national level, the carriage of its leading figures in the buildup to its national convention scheduled to take place yesterday, had made total nonsense of such.

Even without mouthing it, it has become obvious to even any casual observer that most of the remaining members of the party are merely with their body in it but with their mind elsewhere.

patazurunwa@yahoo.com 0802303488 (SMS only)

Trademark Lines With

T

PAT AZURUNWA

he Hausa, the Igbo, and the Yoruba form the tripod on which the Nigerian nation stands. They are also referred to as the majority ethnic groups.

Other ethnic nationalities are called the minorities. For the fact that people from a particular ethnic nationality share cultural similarities and even common ancestry, their developmental needs and challenges are usually similar. The division of Nigeria into regions, zones, states, local governments and autonomous communities has had very little effect on the known characteristics of people from a particular ethnic nationality.

So, the Yoruba found in Kogi or Kwara will not dispense with the core Yoruba way of dressing, greeting or marriage. The Igbo are in Rivers and Delta states. They remain Ndigbo in body and soul.

Notwithstanding that unfortunately each region or zone looks askance at others, the reason for splitting the country into smaller entities is to encourage development and enable the people to know their leaders at close quarters. When Nigeria practised a more semblance of federalism, each region was proud of at least one agricultural produce that was her mainstay. The resources from the produce were used to cater for the peculiar needs of her people. This meant that competition for development was several, not joint.

It is regrettable, however, that Ndigbo have not fared well since the collapse of regional

Of course, it may be convenient to watch from the sideline and say, ‘it is their thing’. That may be correct. After all, it is not everybody that is a politician. Not all the politicians belong to its fold, moreso.

But whatever any person may make of the current situation in PDP, it points to a sorry tale in the country’s political development.

The problem with developments in the party is not that of losing an election. That is normal in democracy. It is rather the sheer inability of the political class to apply the party in instituting a credible and identifiable democratic culture in the land.

At its formation on July 29, 1998, the facilitators of PDP were guided by farreaching visions. They had for instance dreamed of a party that would put the Nigerian nation on a new phase of political engineering.

Part of their intention was to put in place a political platform that would ensure a “recreation of civil political institutions, reconciliation of Nigeria, rekindling of the spirit of unity and brotherhood in the polity and the revitalisation of powers of the people to build a prosperous industrial democracy”.

Propelled by these lofty ideals, the founders of the party had aimed at bringing together all patriotic and like-minded Nigerians into a single formidable party, capable of renewing and refocusing the loyalties and productive energies of the nation to work for national reconciliation, economic and social reconstruction, respect for human rights and rule of law, and to

restructure the country in the true spirit of federalism.

Their long term aspiration was to erect a framework that would ensure a just and equitable distribution of power, resources, wealth and opportunities to conform with the principles of power shift and power sharing, rotation of key political offices and equitable devolution of powers to zones, states and local governments, to create socio-political conditions conducive to national unity and to defend the sanctity of electoral democracy.

The encompassing principles of the party were adequately complemented by an embracing motto – Justice, Unity and Progress – while the slogan of the party instructively acceded “power to the people”.

To add up, the PDP had in its fold a generous spread of the nation’s first rate politicians. It also appropriated to itself the tag of the “largest political party in black Africa”.

In a way, its claim of greatness paid off handsomely, initially, as it garnered many electoral victories, though, often questionable in some cases.

How then did the party get it wrong? And where has that taken the party to? These are the questions that many chieftains of the party do not seem to ask themselves or conveniently choose to ignore. This is why PDP has remained a toddler at 18; a scarecrow of sorts and indeed a shadow of its old self.

It is the convenience to dodge this question that has seen the organisation callously

29

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with Emeka Alex Duru

raped by its officials and members who only see in it a platform for attaining political offices.

This accounts for the nauseating culture of impunity in the party. It is this stinking culture that has seen mere political upstarts, who ordinarily should take back stage in the organisation, assuming positions of importance in its affairs.

This is why, from the skewed emergence of Olusegun Obasanjo as its presidential candidate at the 1998 Convention in Jos, Plateau State, PDP has not had any transparent primary even in its state chapters.

The party has also not had any democratically-elected National Chairman since the erstwhile Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, and former Plateau State governor, the late Solomon Lar, occupied the office in interim capacity. What has rather been the norm is a culture of imposition and absence of internal democracy. The trend, sadly, replicates in the state wings.

For a party that sells the impression of clawing itself to power three years ahead, the expectation had been that of a radical departure from this unrewarding trait. But that seems far-fetched.

The danger is that All Progressives Congress (APC) may have a free rein to ride roughshod on Nigerians in the absence of a viable alternative. Somehow, the ruling party appears to be enjoying that vacuum, hence one year after coming to power, it is still confused on what to do. And Nigerians have remained the losers.

Who can speak for Ndigbo? governance, and they point to the past as their best period of selfless leaders.

It is not in doubt that talking about potential, no ethnic nationality can match Ndigbo.

What then is the problem? Or is there no problem? In my very humble opinion, it will be asinine to imagine that all is well.

An effort will be made here to situate the problem. Ndigbo are believed to be republican. They are independent-minded. They are industrious.

Many of them, especially the so-called today’s leaders, are stone-hearted, and engage in the most primitive form of kleptomania.

Some people argue that Ndigbo are not the most backward in Nigeria. Away with that patronage! Considering the devastation of the civil war, are Ndigbo not supposed to confront development like a house on fire? Has that been the case? Can anyone point at any industry established in the South East in the last 40 years by successive governments of the zone? Those established by our hero-leaders like the late Michael Okpara have been allowed to die.

The zone has produced governors who only existed on billboards for eight years, sponsoring kidnapping and muzzling opposition. Some made anticipatory declaration of assets, so their stealing was to meet some already-declared figures and values.

Assuming the allegation of conspiracy by the government at the centre against the development of the zone is true, does that sound the death-knell if there is a desire to achieve?

As the zone with the least number of states, what has been the political bait-and-switch of Ndigbo? Politically not as astute as some other zones and lacking in recognisable leadership,

the other zones have always capitalised on these clear short-comings to do a hit-and-run on Ndigbo.

The talk of political marginalisation is neither here nor there? Is there any political office of relevance that has not been occupied

by Ndigbo? From the late Nnamdi Azikiwe as Governor-General and President to the late General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi as military head of state, to Alex Ekwueme as Vice President, to several senate presidents, to Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke as House of Representatives Speaker to Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff, just to name a few. The issue should be how they fared as occupants of these positions.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) government has been fair to Ndigbo in the allocation of ministries to our sons. Knowing that we are technology-friendly, Buhari appointed Ogbonnaya Onu as the Minister of Science and Technology. We are industrialists and traders, and Okechukwu Enelama is in charge of Trade and Industry. We have always complained that employment into the federal civil service is skewed against us and Dr. Chris Ngige is at the helm of the ministry of Labour and Employment. To allow our cry of marginalisation get world attention, Geoffrey Onyeama is Minister of Foreign Affairs. What else do we want? The credentials of these our sons may be intimidating, but have they gone “abroad” to serve, knowing the “situation at home”?

It is disturbing that instead of calling the self-appointed leaders of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to order, the elders are watching this egregious breach of conduct. For an ethnic

group in dire need of growth and development, these amorphous groups shut down markets and roads and coerce people to show support for what they do not understand. A few individuals get richer by the day, while the security agencies prey on the sheep-like followers and supporters.

Ndigbo must accept that they are the architects of their arrested development. Chieftaincy titles appeal more to the average man from the South East than good roads, potable water, and electric power.

It was a collection of these fellows that went to the Oba of Lagos last year, claiming to represent Ndigbo. What transpired there and the aftermath has been in public domain since then.

Like all mortals, Ndigbo have all sinned and come short of our collective expectations. The way forward is to put away our idiosyncrasies and at least, for once, pull together as a TEAM (Together Each Achieves More). But we need a leader, a respected figure, a fair and firm person, an intelligent man, a wise man, an exposed man, an altruistic man, a fulfilled man. My humble suggestion is that we send Alex Ekwueme and Bishop Anthony Obinna of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese to go on our behalf and persuade Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) to become the undisputed leader of the new Igbo nation.

As Chief of General Staff during the burgeoning years of the Ibrahim Babangida regime, Ukiwe discharged his duties in a stand-out manner and has since kept his cool. Let him be our chief negotiator, our Jagaban, our template for responsible leadership and moral behaviour.

The chance to be great again is beckoning. The time for action is now. Procrastination is the thief of …destiny, in this case.

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TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

FREE SPEECH

By Fred Nwaozor

T

he last time I checked, several legislative councils at various quarters across Nigeria had in one occasion or another violated the law which they are bound to safeguard. The most popular phenomenon in this regard is impeachment saga, which has abruptly become the order of the day in the country’s political terrain.

Currently, one would hardly wake in the morning without hearing that a certain House of Assembly speaker, alongside other principal officers of, is about to be impeached, or has already been impeached, probably for a frivolous or selfish purpose.

Similarly, sometimes you would hear that a particular deputy governor or even a governor is passing through such ordeal in the hands of the lawmakers. This uncultured practice has continued unabated that most concerned activists or Nigerians in general have wondered if the so-called impeachment took place during the midnight at one of the lawmakers’ abode.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, likewise the laws of the various states, categorically stipulates the procedure through which any intending impeachment could be actualised, but it is very baffling that most of these legislators would wake one morning to inform the general public that they had ‘successfully’ impeached their speaker. Funny enough, the clerk of the affected house would welcome or assent to such unconstitutional and nauseous conduct, thus agree to swear in

When lawmakers become lawbreakers

other principal officers who claimed to have taken over the leadership of the assembly.

The most recent of these were the ones that transpired in Kogi and Edo states.

Pitiably, like what happened in Enugu State few years ago in the case of the former deputy governor – Sunday Onyebuchi, the judiciary, owing to prolonged delay in prosecution, would only reverse such act after the tenure of the affected politician or officer had elapsed. Then in such situation, the aggrieved person would only be entitled to compensation as regards the inconveniences and damages caused his/her person.

Even, in most cases, the compensation as pronounced by the judiciary would be farfetched.

This implies that there is a compelling need to strengthen the country’s judiciary in its entirety. There ought to be duration for any given prosecution, irrespective of the circumstance. The prosecution of a certain lawsuit should be meant to constitutionally last within a stipulated period. Such approach would tremendously help to save people from unsolicited prolonged wait during any prosecution.

Aside impeachment, sometimes you would observe the lawmakers acting funny such as dodging a certain plenary, indulging in a fracas, creating inconsequential factions, among other forms of contempt of a legislative council. Such incident was witnessed recently in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. For crying out very loud; the legislature, which is widely regarded as the backbone of any democratic system, is supposed to fiercely protect the

laws of the society in question instead of breaking them.

A legislature is the lawmaking body of a political unit that has power to amend and repeal public policies. It’s an assembly of persons that make statutory laws for a municipality, state or nation. A legislature is well respected in any country where it exists because it creates a complex interaction between its members, committees, political parties, rules of parliamentary procedure and informal norms, among others.

A legislature is the embodiment of the doctrine of popular sovereignty, which recognises that the people are the source of all political powers. In advanced democracies, citizens choose via popular votes the persons that would serve them as their legislators or representatives because they understand the sensitive nature of a legislator’s responsibilities.

The representatives are expected to be sensitive to the needs of their constituents and to represent their common interest in the legislature, thus they need to take cognisance of the people’s feelings regarding any action they intend to carry out.

In view of these facts, the legislators, either state or federal, who are expected to control, criticise, supervise and scrutinise the administration or activities of the executive, as well as influence the policies of the government, aren’t meant to indulge in any thought, action or inaction that would attract public criticism or condemnation, regardless of the circumstance.

The various parties that remain the primary political homes of these lawmakers have

a very vital role to play in this aspect, since every legislator is affiliated to a certain party.

It is their duty to call any of their members to order when the need arises, make them acknowledge that they are not just representing their constituents but also the party, as well as suspend them indefinitely, if need be.

The lawmakers ought to be the number one constitution activists, thus the constitution, either national or state, should always guide every move they make, their utterances and how they relate with the public.

They are invariably expected to speak unanimously because the same tool or principle is guiding them; due to their inability to establish one voice in most occasions, their positions are often abused by the members of the executive arm, thereby ridiculing their stance or immunity.

We need to wake up from our slumber. It is high time we told ourselves nothing but the gospel truth. Our democracy has suffered untold hardship because we refuse to face the reality. And the reality remains that every democratic state must be guided or controlled by the language of the constitution. The rule of law must be observed as a priority, hence shouldn’t be maltreated by anyone in a position of authority.

At this juncture, I have just a question for our teeming lawmakers: why would you attempt to break what you took your precious time to make, rather than safeguard it? Think about it!

dam for solution to its power quagmire.

At a time, even much more endowed nations in the oil and gas sectors, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE are investing heavily in renewable energy technology as a present and long-term solution, our leadership is obsessed with the moribund Egbin power(less) station for succour.

When the world, including the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France and other advanced and not-so advanced societies are tapping into all possible sources of energy simultaneously, we are protecting special interests in the power sector, playing dirty geo-political and partisan politics while Nigeria lies prostrate.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari went to China and entangled Nigeria in some other messy stuff, the construction of a solar farm-based power plant, a technology that has since become virtually moribund but which China is busy replicating all over Africa, from South Africa to Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania etc. The cost and source of funding are even the more worrisome.

For a nation that has some of the most brilliant experts in the power sector in the world today, it is inexplicable that rather than declare a state of emergency in the power sector and invite these

experts to come home and rescue the nation, we have lumped the power ministry together with those of works and housing in apparent emphasis of our ignorance and low priority for the power sector.

Truth is that no nation, including Nigeria, can develop without sufficient electricity to power its infrastructure, electricity being the bedrock on which every and any other development or project depends for sustainability.

In addition to geo-thermal technology, there is an abundance of technology and funds in the renewable energy sector outside Nigeria to power the nation, but for some anachronistic policies and the greed of Nigeria’s political class. It becomes even the more bizarre when you reckon with the fact that God has placed Nigeria right at the equator which means that she can generate renewable energy, twice or even thrice the amount of power that other nations can generate with the same equipment and investment.

Unfortunately, even states, local governments and institutions are also folding their arms, waiting for the federal government which appears today so confused and helpless in the face of the crisis. Only God knows how many lives have been lost to the power crisis, how much financial loss we have

incured, the damage to the manufacturing sector and the economy generally, the discomfort to the people as well as what is going on in the minds of our rulers, particularly former Governor Babatunde Fashola whose benchmark for determining competent administrations is provision of adequate power supply within six months, but who after one year seems to be wondering if he is actually the Minister of Power, Works or Housing.

I guess whenever we come to terms with the fact that the status quo ante in Nigeria, our present politics, bitterness, vindictiveness, perception and manner of approach to our problems are unsustainable, we will turn around and make the necessary changes for the better.

Nigeria needs all Nigerians, particularly its ‘first eleven’, to bring her back to life.

Those Nigerians making excuses for the political class, the president and present and past administrations should hide their faces in shame. The decision to move the country forward must begin with the people and quickly enough, unless we want Nigeria to die of an imminent heart attack.

• Nwaozor is public affairs analyst & civil rights activist.

Lamentation on Nigeria’s power woes

F

By Uzo Nwokwu or too long now, Nigeria has become synonymous with epileptic power supply. Without doubt, of all nations on earth, the country harbours the most generators, including brands and sizes. Today, we have graduated from epileptic supply to virtually zero supply of electricity to our citizens with over 170 million people sharing 1,400 megawatts.

No one in government seems to be worried about the incalculable harm of these generators to public health, the environment, our psyche as well as the owners of these harmful machines and their neighbours.

But it is scandalous that a nation that sits on nearly inexhaustible quantum of oil and gas, petro-chemicals, trash, wind and sunshine is at the same time living in the darkest part of the earth.

This is mainly because of the greed, ignorance, mediocrity and partisanship of its leadership. At a time the world’s water resources are fast drying up as a result of climate change, and nations are in panic mood, desperately exploring and deploying all sorts of alternative energy technologies, Nigeria’s leadership is still focused on the Kainji

• Nwokwu wrote in from the United States of America.

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May 22, 2016

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May 22, 2016

Ben Ayade: The gov for development

Profile

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The recent inauguration of the construction of Calabar/ Obudu highway and Calabar Deep Seaport simultaneously

by Cross River State government says so much about the governor’s hunger to develop his state quickly, writes SAM NWOKORO.

G

OVERNOR Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade of Cross River State must be a man in a hurry. And for the very best reason: to develop his state and make it an investors’ haven within the next 18 months.

Past governors Liyel Imoke and Donald Duke probably had such ambitious projects in their development template; but the sudden transfer of most of its oil wells to Akwa Ibom, few years back, might have hindered past governments from achieving its plans.

The two projects that put Ayade on the list of visionary leaders are flagoff of the Calabar/Obudu highway of about eight lanes and the deep seaport located around Bakassi waterways and the Atlantic Ocean.

In the eastern axis of the country, Governor Ayade has painted himself as a source of pride and a strategic thinker who looks at the big picture.

Of course, had the 11 governors of the South East and South South been thinking like Prof. Ayade, the hue and cry about the second Niger Bridge or River Niger seaport would have become an accomplished task long ago.

Babatunde Fashola did not wait for the federal government before kicking off the 10-lane Marina-Badagry highway. That is good governance which Ayade may be emulating.

Projects of timeless value The strategic importance of the Calabar highway is huge. Considering the muted politics of development in Nigeria since the end of the civil war, which led to unpretentious incapacitation of the Calabar port dredged by the federal government over 50 years ago, the mere conceptualisation of a deep seaport capable of coping with today’s increasing maritime traffic is a glorious manifestation of pragmatic leadership, intellectual sophistication and business acumen.

Little wonder, the two projects were the first official outside Villa assignment

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari undertook on October 20, 2015. The projects are expected to create over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs for Cross River indigenes as well as other Nigerians living in that state, since the state is generally known as one of the most hospitable places to live in Nigeria.

During the ground-breaking ceremony of the highway at Obung Village in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, Ayade noted that the seaport would act as a route to modern vessels.

His words: “In clear terms, that highway and deep seaport will benefit Kogi and Nassarawa states because without a deep seaport, it will be almost impossible to exploit the iron ore export in those states. That is why those who understand what a federal structure looks like would have coastline in the Northern and Southern regions. Having one major seaport in Lagos and another in Calabar will feed the North East, and the North Central from Calabar, and North West and Middle Belt from Lagos.”

Affirming that the Buhari administration is disposed to the highway project which will be completed by August, Ayade said: “The President did give an advice that as far as he has come to give support to the project, I must come to give him quarterly progress report on this project.

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May 22, 2016

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vernor in hurry

The project is real and that is part of what I discussed with Mr. President and (he has promised to support) the deep seaport and the evacuation corridor, which is the 260km super-highway.”

Value chains Just to make sure the projects when completed do not lie idle for one moment, the governor has already got an agricultural credit facility to the tune of about N4.8 billion for an expansive rice production project in the state. Harvests from the project will probably be the first practical demonstration of the use of the super highway and deep seaport in the agric produce/ transportation chain. After trips to about 11 countries scouting for foreign technical partners, from Europe to Asia and South America (for the projects are being executed under Private-Public Partnership), the governor has been able to secure a N10 billion worth of investment in the state just within two years. Because of the high profitability of the projects, sources said the foreign investors queued up to be partners.

On February 14 this year, Ayade commissioned a modern mono-rail at the Tinapa Business Resort, the first of its kind in West Africa. He has planned to build three new cities in the state also.

The garment factory located along the Goodluck Jonathan Bypass in Calabar, is another of Ayade’s signature projects.

When completed, the factory will produce fabrics for the production of uniforms of all kinds.

It was earlier scheduled to be commissioned within Ayade’s first 100 days in office, but heavy rains and other natural factors have

caused delays in the commissioning.

A statesman Governor Ayade got the support of the federal government and international partners for the project. This feat is rarely achieved by other governors whose profile hardly impress Abuja. Thanks to the governor’s focus and determination to make impact. As an academic, he has this perceptive insight into the mindset of the President: the former military head of state loathes anything that could lead to waste of public fund or not add value to development.

“It is only obvious that any serious government must take the issue of corruption seriously, and I think that is why, today, Nigeria is beginning to have a national and international image that looks like it is getting prepared for business. That is why investments are flowing into Cross River State. That is a sign that the anti-corruption war is actually working and it is giving Nigeria the international image that we need. Those who know the pains, hardships and frustrations Nigeria has passed through will agree with me on this,” the governor added.

Testimonials On the governance of Ayade, Project Coordinator of the Canadian International Agency (CIDA), Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, wrote on his blog: “An important distinguishing characteristic which makes a leader stand out among others at any level is the ability of such a leader to dream dreams and being able to transform those dreams to concrete reality.

“Concrete reality will be in form of the policies of such a leader having a positive impact in the lives of those he/she leads as well as the infrastructural and technological transformation of the entity being led by such a leader. Undoubtedly, the quality and direction of a leader are what will in the long run define the place of any nation or state in the comity of nations and how it can be classified as developed, developing or underdeveloped society.

“The leadership qualities of the Governor of Cross River, Senator Benedict Ayade, can be classified in the same mould of leaders such as the late Singaporean President, Harry Lee Kuan Yew who was born on September 16, 1923 and died on March 23, 2015 at the age of 91 of severe pneumonia.

“Like Harry Lee Kuan Yew whose English-educated parents peeped into the future to know the significance role their son was going to play in the development of their country and its transformation from third world to a developed nation, and named him ‘Kuan Yew’, meaning ‘light and brightness’, or ‘bringing great glory to one’s ancestors’, the parents of Governor Ayade were also able to look beyond the challeng-

es of existence which confronted them then and gave him the English name, ‘Benedict’ meaning ‘blessed’ and the native name in Bette dialect ‘Benyaushuye’ meaning nobody knows the future or the future is unknown, and the young Ben went ahead to prove his parents right, the way Lee did.”

Man of vision Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade, born March 2, 1969, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Akinsheye Ayade, of Kakum, a village in Obudu Local Government Area, northern Cross River. His parents were devout Catholics. His father worked as a public servant with the water board.

Ayade received his primary education at St. Stephens Primary School, Obudu, and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Obudu.

He got his BSc. honours in Microbiology at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma (1984 -1988) and proceeded to the University of Ibadan 1990-1994 where he obtained his Ph.D and won the best Doctoral Dissertation award in Environmental Microbiology. Ayade went on to work as a lecturer at Delta State University, Abraka where he was subsequently appointed Professor.

From his work in Groundwater Remediation in Nigeria, Ayade invented a sewage treatment plant which depended on solar energy. His invention is currently being used off-shore by oil producing companies in Nigeria.

Ayade entered the political stage when he ran for the northern senatorial seat beating his closest rival Patrick Agbe of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with over 80,000 votes in the April 9, 2011 elections, with 91,123 votes against 11,056 votes. During his term in the Senate, Prof. Ayade held the position of Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology. He was member of other Senate committees such as Petroleum Downstream, Education, and Drugs/Narcotics/Crime.

He was one of the most active senators of the 7th Senate having sponsored a total of 41 bills to rank the highest. Four years later, the don won the gubernatorial polls under the platform of the PDP in the April 2015 governorship elections in Cross River State having polled 342,016 votes, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Odey Ochicha, with 53,983 votes.

Ayade was the only African governor listed to speak at the summit by the United Nations Secretariat for Climate Change when he led the African Governors to the Climate change summit in Paris on December 7, 2015.

He is married to Dr. Linda Ayade and has children. His hobbies include reading, playing/watching games and dancing.

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May 22, 2016

Why I quit NTA for filmmaking – Alex Byanyiko

By Ishaya Ibrahim

Acting News Editor

S

ix years into a promising broadcasting career with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Alex Byanyiko found his job as a cog in the wheel of his filmmaking adventure. So he resigned.

While at NTA, he was juggling his routine with doing his films, writing scripts and rapping.

He joined the network in 2010, during which he did reporting, cast news, directed, edited and wrote

scripts for Tales by Moonlight and Weekend Deal.

In 2013, he did a short film, The Wrong Number – a story of a man who takes the wrong decision in solving his marital issues and, in the process, compounds it.

Other works include, Mr Rendel, a film, ‘Getting High’, a rap song on the dangers of drugs and ‘Oluwa Mi’, a video he shot, edited and directed.

He said he left the NTA in order to have enough time to actualise his dream.

“Even before going to Kaduna Polytechnic to

Byanyiko (middle) and crew of The Wrong Number study mass communication, I already knew what exactly I wanted to do.

When I finished studying, I wanted to go straight to Lagos to develop myself, considering that Lagos is the hub of filmmaking.

“But just as I finished my studies, I learnt that NTA was employing.

So I took on the NTA job just as a stepping stone. I knew that I wasn’t going to build a career there. That’s the more reason it was easy for me to

leave because I knew that if I stayed there I won’t be able to use my full potential as a filmmaker. I could be limited. You know the industry is very competitive. So I needed to constantly learn, which I think, while still in NTA I wouldn’t be able to do,” he said.

Byanyiko started off loving rap music in 1996. “All I wanted to do at that point in time was just to rap.

Later around 2001, from reading

novels, I fell in love with writing. And the novel that inspired me was Oliver Twist (by Charles Dickens). When I read it, I just fell in love with storytelling, so I started trying my hand at writing short stories,” he said.

In 2008, a story he wrote fetched him N91,000 from a Kaduna-based filmmaker, Hakim Sani. Although he said that was small, it felt good knowing somebody could actually pay him for what he has passion for.

AMAA 2016: 25 feature films make it to final stage

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Husseiniw

haibu Husseini has said that only 25 feature films made it to the final judging stage for the 2016 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

The President of the Jury and chairman of the College of Screeners for this year’s edition said this while announcing nominees in 26 out of the 28 categories of the AMAA on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Reiterating that AMAA is a jury-based award and not a voting awards where nominees embark on voting campaigns to win any of the categories, he recalled that over 420 submissions were received from across Africa and the Diaspora.

Husseini said only 26 categories were announced because the Board of Jurors was yet to conclude on the remaining two categories.

“The remaining categories are special jury awards and before the awards ceremony

we would have decided on the nominees and eventual winners, and by that time we would have the full jury members on the ground,” he said.

The jury president revealed that quality of movies that came into the competition improved greatly, adding that “more young people across the continent are coming into the industry as filmmakers” with over 150 short film entries.

“Our filmmakers only need to pay attention to details, especially in the technical areas. We have the stories already, especially filmmakers producing films in African languages. Truth is, we can only compete at the Oscars with our indigenous language films. To do this, we must improve on our photography, sound, editing and other technical areas. Our people need to improve on sub-titling of our films. What we do as sub-titling are jokes and there is no way our films can travel within the international film festival circuits

when the people can’t make sense of our films.”

Films from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Burkina Faso are in hot chase for the AMAA glory in the acting departments and Best Director’s Category with such films as Fifty, Dry, The Cursed One, Eye of the Storm, Ayanda, La Pagne, Tell me Sweet Something and Behind Closed Doors.

“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 film makers in Africa and beyond upping their game,” Husseini added.

The Board of Jurors of AMAA, which has academics, film makers, critics and Film Festival curators from Nigeria, Germany, United States, Zimbabwe, Jamaica and Burkina Faso as members, will decide on which film and individual talents that will emerge winners at a glamorous Awards Night on Saturday, June 11, 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

tainment

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with Terh Agbedeh

Ghana Must Go in June

G

hana Must Go, a comedy produced by award-winning Ghanaian-Nigerian actress, Yvonne Okoro, will be coming to Nigerian cinemas next month.

The actress, who likes to describe herself as an African owing to her Ghana and Nigeria roots, said at the media screening in Lagos on May 17 that it is one film that everyone should see.

This is the second feature movie from the stable of Desamour Production Company founded by the actress and her sister, after the 2012 box office success of Contract.

Directed by multiple award-winning filmmaker, Frank Rajah Arase, the movie stars Yvonne Okoro, Kofi Adjorlolo, Ik Ogbonna, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Helen Paul known as Tatafo, Ada Ameh and Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia.

Of the aforementioned, only Adjorlolo was absent at the event which took place at The Film House Cinemas in Surulere, Lagos.

Osuofia told reporters after the screening that the flick has a lot of lessons to teach those who come to see it. He also encouraged the public to come out en masse to see the film when it opens in June.

Set in Accra, Ghana, the comedy revolves around two young lovers who are of Nigeria and Ghana origin.

Okoro plays the role of Ama, a London-based Ghanaian lady who brings her Nigerian boyfriend, Chuks (Chukwujekwu), home to meet her parents resulting in all hell being let loose. Ama’s parents, especially her father, refuses to give their blessings to the relationship, citing historical upheavals between both neighbouring countries.

The series of events that play out test the love of the young couple in the most hilarious and unexpected ways.

Released earlier this year, it has already enjoyed box office success in Ghana. The Nigerian premiere is set for Friday, June 3, in Lagos. FilmOne Distribution Company will be taking the movie to cinemas across the country from June 10.

The CEO is an exciting project – Kunle Afolayan

K

unle Afolayan has said that his new film, The CEO, is an exciting project. He made the declaration at the media screening of the motion picture expected to premiere onboard an Air France flight on June 1.

“A truly pan-African film that boasts a stellar cast drawn from across Africa, the movie will change the course of filmmaking in Africa, while undoubtedly and truly putting Africa on the global cinematic map,” Afolayan stated.

The media event took place on May 11 in conjunction with Africa Magic where release dates and other

May 22, 2016

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Favourites

Emodee Song: ‘Ghetto’ by Akon and ‘Why e be say’ by P-Square Music Video: ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson Movie: Action movies particularly Kong fu Book: The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Ayi Kwei Armah

Birthday

Elvina Ibru Elvina Ibru, born on May 22, 1972, is 44 today.The daughter of billionaire businessman, Olorogun Michael Ibru, runs Twice AsNice,aproductioncompany.

Her company, in conjunction with Dr. Soji Akinkugbe, is poised to bring the musical, Sister Act, to Nigeria this year.

She joined Lagos-based Classic FM as a presenter in 2013 and has built a huge fan base. A member of cast of the critically acclaimed HearWord! she has toured Nigeria and many parts of the world with the play.

New Music

‘Love Don’t Care’ The video for Simi’s song, ‘Love Don’t Care’, is a commingling of love and art.

Signed to X3M Music label, Simi’s meteoric rise in the industry emphasises the label’s reputation in building music superstars.

She again wows with her artistic talents in the new music video, which speaks of a love that soars above tribal and social prejudices.

Directed by Clarence Peters, the video is subtly embellished with iconic images of Nigeria’s history, a reminder that in the country’s diversity lies its unity.

Born Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, the singer is a mass communication graduate.

Location Air France Commercial Director, Arthur Dieffenthaler, Actor, Wale Ojo and Actor,MD CEO, Golden Effect, Kunle Afolayan

plans for the highly anticipated pan-African thriller were announced.

The CEO will be exclusively screened on June 1 before a select audience onboard an Air France flight from Lagos to Paris, in a first of its kind in-flight premiere.

Set on a beautiful beach resort on the outskirts of Lagos, The CEO follows five top executives from across Africa who are dispatched on a one-week leadership retreat by a multinational telecommunications firm to determine who gets selected as the new CEO. Things go awry when, one after another, the executives are eliminated in sudden death circumstances, with fingers pointing at the last two ex-

ecutives as prime suspects.

Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said at the event that The CEO promises to be unlike anything ever seen from Africa.

“We are familiar with the stellar work that Kunle Afolayan does with his Golden Effects company and we are therefore more than excited to jump onboard The CEO project right from its inception. This partnership is in furtherance of our continued drive to support Nigerian and African cinema by investing in people, ideas and talents, and we can’t wait for fans and lovers of good cinema to watch this movie.”

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and en-

tertainer from Benin Republic, Angelique Kidjo; Haitian actor and model, Jimmy Jean-Louis; Nigerian actor, Wale Ojo; French-Ivorian actress and model, Aurelie Eliam; South African actor and presenter, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos; Nigerian actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Moroccan star, Fatim Layachi; Kenyan actor, Peter King; Nigerian actress, Hilda Dokubo as well as Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, and Moroccan artiste, Ahmed Soultan, are in the cast list.

The movie comes to Lagos on July 10 with a grand premiere. On July 15, Silverbird Cinemas will release the movie all over Nigeria and Silverbird Ghana.

‘Pray For Me’ Darey Art-Alade has released the video for ‘Pray For Me’, the latest video off his fifth studio album, Naked, featuring South African Grammy Award winners, Soweto Gospel Choir.

DirectedbyMex,thevideo,whichwasshotinAbeokuta,Lagos and Johannesburg features guest appearances from Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva. It follows an exchange between a young man and his estranged father after he leaves his family to chase his big city dream, but soon finds that progress in the city isn’t as it seems but a slow and stressful affair. The track is produced by Oscar Heman-Ackah.

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Event Children and in-laws during the lying-instate

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, and former Librarian, Institute of Legal Studies, University of Lagos, Mr. T.O. Dada

Daughters of the deceased, Mrs. Bukola Adepitan (left), Mrs. Foluso Akingbade (middle) and daughter in-law, Mrs. Esosa Longe.

Hon. Ifaluyi Isibor and wife, Cecilia

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May 22, 2016

Chief Longe laid to rest Author of Modern Economics of West Africa, Chief Funso Longe, was buried in Akure, Ondo State, on Friday, May 13, 2016.

Former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, and wife, Bola.

Children of the deceased, Messrs. Tokunbo Longe and Engr. Babatunde Longe

Daughters of the deceased, Mrs. Bola Esene (left) and Miss. Funmi Longe

L-R: Mr. Lekan Adepitan, Babatunde Longe, Tokunbo Longe and Mr. Lanre Akingbade

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May 22, 2016

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May 22, 2016

Close Up 'India Arie excited to headline Sax Appeal 5'

Like many a Nigerian musician, Mike Aremu started music in the church. Though born in Kaduna, he grew up in Minna Niger State. The founder of the Sax Appeal concert revealed to Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, among other things, the artiste for the fifth edition of the event.

S

ax Appeal is still annual, right?

It was meant to be an annual event, but we have missed a few years.

I think the first one was 2009 and then this is the fifth edition. So I would say we have missed three years between 2003 and now. We did 2009, 2010, 2011, then 2014 and now this one 2016.

Is this because you have to bring a headliner from abroad?

Usually it is funding and as soon as we finish one, we are already working for another.

It is quite an expensive event and so I would go broke and go work on myself, try and pay debts and then come back.

Whenever you say it is happening at Eko Hotels...

(Cuts in) Funny enough, this is the second time it is happening at Eko Hotels. The first and second Sax Appeal were at the Muson Centre, and then the third at Eko Hotels. The fourth one was in Abuja at Transcorp Hilton and this one is going to be at Eko Hotels.

Do these venues give you any consideration?

This year, in a way, Eko Hotels has done so well to a point where we can actually call them part of the sponsors.

They have given us very ‘fantastically’ (pun intended) huge discount (laughter). A major discount, to be honest.

Sax Appeal is a known brand; the moment you mention it, one expects everyone to line up behind it. Is it because you are marketing it yourself?

This time, I am working with a lot of other people. It is not as if I have not tried to work with people in the past.

For instance, I get people to invest in Sax Appeal and I have the responsibility to meet up with my commitments.

And when you are noticing that people are slack, and you are thinking, I signed these documents, I get into town. So that is what happens most of

the time. Most of the time, at the last minute, it comes back to three people. That is myself, some gentleman called Femi Dahunsi – we call him Fado, Shaddie (Ayoola Sadare of Inspiro Productions) and my graphic artist. Of course, you have some nice people who are also helping out.

nate to do a lot of gigs because of live performances. So, I mean, my first album was 1999. That was the official launch of myself as an artiste.

I have done just four albums; Dance, No Shaking, Unveil and then Coat of Many Colours. When I did my first and second albums, I had it easy.

Is that what happens to most concerts in Nigeria?

No, some concerts have funding. I have never really had a major sponsor that will give N20 million for sponsorship from one company. Most of them would buy a table, but I am talking about sponsorship; like putting weight behind the project.

You don’t seem to do a lot of what Kenny G does – jazzing up a popular song?

I have done a lot of that.

After this edition, do you plan to get corporate Nigeria on board?

We always do. After one show, we would start pitching for the next one. We send proposals, (but) nothing happens.

There are always excuses. We have delivered, but that hasn’t deterred our pursuit for excellence. We could do a lot more if we had it easier.

When was the last time you did an album?

In 2013, which I am still promoting. The album is called Coat of Many Colours.

I don’t think I have promoted it enough. So that is what I am working on. There are 16 songs on that album.

Not recently.

When I started, because it was a case of not being sure about the kind of music I was playing, I started off with gospel and hence it was easier to pick tunes that people already knew. But as a creative person, I want to create my kind of music, I want to explore my own gift, to express the uniqueness that I have in my composition, in my interpretation about life, about things happening, about my beliefs, about my faith. I can’t achieve that by playing somebody else’s song. Songs in my latest album, Coat of Many Colours, are majorly my own compositions that mean a lot more to me because they are personal experiences and I have more conviction about them.

A double album, right?

Yes. I did a video recently for ‘Vow’, one of the songs on the album and somebody said, “wow, that is your new album, can I get it?” So, it just shows me that I have not done much promotion. Everything has changed. In the past, you were signed to a label, they looked after all of that. But now there are many songs that it is even harder for broadcasters to know. A lot of people have to buy their way, ‘sort’ people, to get air play. I can’t stand that; it is really painful.

Have you decided who is coming for Sax Appeal 5?

It is next month, so I have.

This is the first time I am making it official because the concert contracts are signed and we are ready to go. It is India Arie. I was hooked on bringing somebody else – she is also a very huge American with almost the same kind of music. But I have noticed that I have gotten more resonance from mentioning India Arie.

Honestly, I was so scared that Nigerians may find it a bit extreme. But most ladies are like, I’ll work for free. I know I am making the right decision. They are so excited. And because of her story, where at some point she had about...

What is your survival strategy?

Some of us are very fortu-

Eight Grammy nominations for her very first album, Acoustic Soul, and

Mike Aremu she didn’t win any.

So, that emotion, and a lot of people know a lot of her songs. We are excited.

She sells a lot of ideology, has a lot of philosophy in her music. How exactly are you going to blend these perspectives when you work together since yours is more of gospel?

Music is universal. I have researched on her as well. I have noticed some kind of consistency and in a way, and I believe there is nothing contrary to my own belief that she has. Some people just don’t build their faith into what they are doing, but they have what they believe in, so I think there is nothing in the contrary, so far that I know.

But at the end of the day, what we are celebrating is jazz.

People can profess something and be something else. There are many gospel artistes, but there is nothing gospel about them. The only thing gospel about them is their music. So, I will not judge people by anything. People have rights for everything. What we are selling is Sax Appeal, which, for me, is what I do. How do I put it? You know I am not tied to a gospel event because it is not, but I bring what I have to the table. My music is what I have got and it is about making people happy; it is inspirational. That is what I bring to that table. India Arie can bring whatever she has.

She has good music. She has influenced people. Her music has lifted people regardless of where (they come from). In Nigeria, we are quick to box people into a corner.

Who else is coming?

I am going to have Timi Dakolo and Praiz. Not too many people, so that you can enjoy the artistes and enjoy my music. We are going to have at least a 60-minute set or more.

When is it taking place?

June 26.

What influenced you to do jazz?

I started music as long as I can remember from the North in a white garment church in Minna, Niger State. I was born in Kaduna, but grew up in Minna. That is where I started music. I played the flute, the keyboard, drums, the guitar, talking drum, trumpet. Then I picked up the saxophone, which eventually became my major instrument.

If saxophone is your major instrument, does it mean you go back to the others?

Major means, sax is what I am doing right now.

So you don’t go back?

It is those things that made me, developed me. They are considered in my compositions.

Do you have any grouse with popular music the way it is in Nigeria?

I don’t. I am actually excited about it because over a decade ago, we were hooked on foreign music. Now, it is our music. If you go anywhere now, you hear more of Nigerian music than any other. I think it is a major improvement, a major occurrence that has changed the face of entertainment. So it is in Nollywood. Everything has changed and people are looking inward. In fact, some brands are more interested in

Nigerian artistes.

Why is it that when it comes to jazz, they look the other way?

Most of these brands are into numbers and they believe the more fan base an artiste has, the more he can push their own brand. So they cling to that, rather than other companies who look at what the artiste stands for.

The jury is still out on that.

Fela has a huge following, but they also have this problem of getting sponsorship for ‘Felabration’, except for ‘Fela On Broadway’ where companies were falling over each other to sponsor. And that wasn’t even Fela in the true sense of it. So, there must be something else.

Fela’s music was really not popular with everyone but some followers. He had issues with many and no brand would like to invest in a controversial brand.

But you should see the crowd there for Felabration.

People appreciate Fela more after he had passed on, and that is what usually happens when an artiste dies.

Is India Arie excited about coming to Nigeria?

She is very excited about coming. Before we go public, we have been on this. I could have done this interview four weeks ago and could have been safe, but until we know that contracts have been signed and there has been financial commitment, then I

Continues on page 47

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Relationships Anniversary ideas for everyone Let all you do, be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14) Is your special anniversary coming up pretty soon? And you are kind of stuck on what exactly to do with your spouse to make it as special as you want it to be.

No matter how long you’ve been together; one year, nineteen years, or fifty years, it is important to celebrate the day in a special and memorable way.

You might find it hard

to come up with great ideas, but looking back and thinking of the special parts of your relationship could help with ideas on what to do.

An example could be remembrance of your first date together, and recreating the things you both did on that day; that made it so magical, romantic and special. This is an evidence of how far you and your spouse have come.

It can also show how things in your relationship have changed for the better or otherwise.

If otherwise, this will also create an avenue for both of you to fix things and get it right ones again.

Another example could be, thinking back at the very first song you both danced too, that made you both feel like you were the only one in the room at that moment, and nothing else matters. Or the very first movie you watched together.

This can be incorporated for an anniversary idea by simply renting that first film again to watch or tracking down

that old love song and dancing to it again.

Your spouse will feel very special, blessed and surprised with your planning and creativity in your anniversary idea.

You could also brainstorm on things you know you and your spouse enjoy doing together or things you know your spouse have being wanting to do for a long time.

You can incorporate this into your anniversary idea. Such idea could be a gateway weekend to an area that you have both wanted to visit.

Her conduct blocks my declaration of love for her Dear Agatha There is a girl I have a crush on and wishing we would end up getting married. I am 30 years of age and an engineer by profession.

I am currently doing my Master’s programme. She has finished her Master’s.

She is also an engineer but unlike me, she is yet to secure an appointment.

We met about two months ago but my problem with her is that she acts funny at times.

One day we are the best of friends and another day she goes all cold on me to the extent of not picking my calls.

Although I have not made known to her what my real intentions are she knows about my soft spot for her.

She started her funny attitude after I declared my likeness for her. This behaviour of hers has made it difficult for me to make my intentions known to her because she might just start avoiding me completely.

Agatha, I do not really know how to approach

her so as not to embarrass myself and as well scare her away from me completely.

Sometimes I think part of her problem has to do with pride due to her level of education or just doing the normal things women do, play tough before agreeing to a man’s request.

Kindly assist me on how to approach her because I would really wish to marry her if she pays me attention.

Worried guy.

Dear worried guy To desire to have her in your life permanently means you have seen some very rare qualities in her which are absent in the women that have graced your life so far.

There a saying that the more rare the qualities of gold, the more precious it is to those who want it?

Therefore it follows that there is always a price of patience and perseverance that must accompany something very precious.

Success does not come easy in life. A determined mind must cross so many obstacles to get to that desired goal. If you really want this woman so desperately in your life, you must develop the thickness of skin to overlook her current disposition towards you.

That she is behaving this way does not necessarily mean she is arrogant about her educational accomplishment; after all, you are not without the same scale of education as she has. So why would she want to show off to you?

To assume that is her reason for doing what she is doing is a restricted way of thinking and is completely unfair to her, since you don’t even know anything about her past as well as her experiences with men.

So many things could make a woman wary of going into a fresh relationship.

For instance, she may just be recuperating from the after effect of a relationship that she had invested so much in. To jump therefore into an-

other relationship may not be on her menu for now.

She would certainly require from any man who wants her, certain measure of sympathy and tolerance to vacate whatever bitterness she has accumulated from her not too pleasant experiences in the hands of men.

She also may be the kind of woman who has persistently fallen into the wrong hands of men who only want a woman’s body.

You must also appreciate one fact; that she may currently be in a very profitable relationship. Other men are not blind to the qualities you see in her.

Just as you desire her for those qualities so would other men. Simply because you are single does not mean she is. To think that way would be very presumptuous of you.

In addition, when a relationship goes sour, the woman is the one who suffers the most; because apart from missing the affection of the man, she is the one whose body suffers the wear and tear of intimacy.

May 22, 2016

39

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

Be extravagant and do everything you can afford to make sure your anniversary is special.

The whole essence of celebrating anniversaries is to keep the spark alive in your relationship, and to remind your spouse that he/she is still very much special and important in your life.

When you remember where you have been and all of the hard times that you have gotten

through together it will be easy to celebrate a variety of anniversary ideas that come to your head.

And perhaps the most important thing to remember as you try to gather and narrow down anniversary ideas is that in the end all that will matter is that you and the one you love get to spend quality time together.

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

For every unplanned pregnancy and abortion that take place in her life, the lifespan of her womb depreciates. Some women never recover from such experiences.

If at the end of the day, the man for whom she procured the abortion ends up not marrying her, she becomes the sole victim of that decision and entire experience.

These are some of the reasons some women put stiff obstacles on the path of men wanting to get close to them.

Rather than begin your quest to win her with calling her names, first make the effort of getting to know her by becoming her friend.

On the days she is quite friendly, ask her why she goes completely cold on you at times. It might be her cue to open to you.

Knowing you are willing to get to know her beyond the façade she presents to the world might warm her heart enough to share her past with you.

For women who know how to think, love is not the first thing a woman

looks out for in a man.

Rather, she looks out for friendship, a man who can make her talk about those things hidden deep in her heart, who can make her laugh, forget her challenges, cry her heart out over those things she has no solutions to, make her smile even when she is hurting so much and making her appreciate who she is.

What she may really be in need of is a friend who would make her feel all these things.

Love is woven into friendship; by the time she is relaxed with you, looks forward to seeing you, and brightens up at hearing your voice, then you know she is ready to feel love again.

Your concern now should be what is responsible for the way she is currently behaving. Once you know, it would be easy for her to see how much you want to make her happy.

This way you would have allayed whatever fear of insincerity she may think you have towards her.

Good luck.

40

Faith TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

‘Nigeria has no future, unless God intervenes’ Chidi Anthony, pastor of Kings In Christ Power Ministry, speaks on the state of the nation and why Nigerians should run to God. He also discloses plans by the church for an academy to help the poor.

Pulling through the national economic crunch I have said it times without number that we need God’s intervention.

God says in the Bible, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that ‘if My people who are called

by My name shall humble themselves, pray and ask for forgiveness of sins, I will heal the land.’

Nigeria needs God’s intervention because the economy is going down steadily; the poor are getting poorer and people cannot feed themselves.

The worst hit is our unsecure environment.

The Fulani herdsmen attacks have not been like this before, which is why I say we need God’s intervention. If we do not seek the face of God, things will not get better in this country. And if God does not come to our aid early, things will get worse.

Nigeria’s future in this administration Seeing the future is when you involve God. A vision without God cannot work, no matter how intelligent you might be, no matter how wise you may claim to be.

If God is not in any vision it will be visionless, it cannot work out. If God does not intervene, I do not see any future in this nation.

Counsel for Buhari

My counsel to President Muhammadu Buhari is that he should seek the face of God. No man assumes a seat without God’s knowledge.

Some of my friends say that Buhari is not supposed to be on that seat, that he rigged himself there.

Whether he rigged himself in or not, God is aware of it. If God does not want him, God wouldn’t have allowed him there.

That means that what he needs to do is pray to God to give him wisdom on what to do, otherwise the way we are seeing things, Nigeria is not getting better and we cannot hide it. It’s high time we told ourselves the truth This year’s ‘Pool of Bethsaida’ programme This year’s edition, which is the fifth, was powerful and far more successful compared with previous ones. The church was filled to the outside and over 4,000 participants were recorded every day.

It was really a huge success, unlike last year when attendance was not encouraging because the programme clashed with the election. A lot of Nigerians were scared of the outcome of the election and did not leave their homes.

But the first, second, and third editions held on Ajao Estate, at the National Stadium, Surulere, and Os-

Seeing the future is when you involve God. A vision without God cannot work, no matter how intelligent you might be, no matter how wise you may claim to be.

If God is not in any vision it will be visionless, it cannot work out. If God does not intervene, I do not see any future in this nation.

hodi Mini Stadium respectively were wonderful.

Expectations for next year’s edition Next year we are heading to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos because the space in the church will not contain us.

Vision grows. I mean true vision, if the vision is of God, grows. From the middle of this year we will start working on the date and on fixing the venue for next year’s ‘Pool of Bethsaida’.

Whatever God is blessing me with am putting it into the Gospel. My TV station is coming back soon. My friend, Idahosa, would say “Every day is a Plus.”

Born Great Academy Born Great Academy is a school established to help parents who cannot afford to train their children in expensive schools.

There are people in the world and in the church who are intelligent; we don’t want their destiny to be wasted.

That is why we decided to introduce Born Great Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools, to help the less privileged obtain quality education.

This is not a totally new concept. Many motherless babies’ homes we see today were built by Catholic and Anglican Churches to help the less privileged ones and orphans.

However, schools built by most Pentecostal churches, even the pastors in those churches cannot afford to train their children in them.

Inspiration for the academy My vision is to help people who cannot afford quality education to have access to it, whether you have money or not.

Anthony Some of my friends say that Buhari is not supposed to be on that seat, that he rigged himself there.

Whether he rigged himself in or not, God is aware of it. If God does not want him, God wouldn’t have allowed him there …. He needs to pray to God to give him wisdom on what to do.

The vision has always been there. There are a lot of people living with me in my house; at times people think they are my relatives.

I don’t even know where most of them come from.

I have an orphan who is in university, there are some whom I adopted and trained. I have also given a lot of people scholarship; though I don’t have money, I strive to do that.

We have this mentality in this country that if you have a housemaid, the greatest thing you can do for her is make her learn trading, hair dressing, tailoring, et cetera – that housemaids are of low class and are not quali-

fied to have education.

When you go to the homes of most Christians you don’t need to be told who their biological children are, you will know by their dressing.

You will also see some families having their children in the best private schools while their housemaids struggle in public schools.

My vision is to change this kind of discriminatory mentality, affect lives positively, and give lives a meaning; which is why I came up with the academy.

Funding the academy

I have never been a failure, and anything I start I see the hand of God in it.

He who has given me the vision will make a provision, because where there is a vision there is always a provision; and where there is a mission there is always a vision to accomplish the mission.

So, since it is God’s will it is God’s bill. God will fund it.

After all, God is the Father of the orphans who are there. If He refuses to sponsor His own children, then I withdraw. But I know the hand of God is on me and God can never stop half way.

Location, commencement of the academy Born Great Academy School is located at Kings In Christ Power Ministry at Jubilee Close, Ago Palace Way, Lagos.

It will open next term, September 2016 to be precise.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

41

Miracles outside Scripture questionable Marvelous Kalu, pastor of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN), Ikotun Parish, Lagos, tells Assistant Politics Editor, DANIEL KANU, the challenges facing the Christian community.

Call to ministry The idea of being a pastor cannot be an issue of coincidence for anyone who is called to be a pastor. Like every other growing child, I had my dream, perhaps to make a career in the secular field. With such enthusiasm, I thought I could be a lawyer or even a mass communicator; but somewhere along the line, I discovered that these dreams were not actually the call of God upon my life. Looking back, I now remember that the Lord called me for a specific assignment, to serve Him in the area of holy vocation. The inspiration came strongly, and even when I wanted to get involved in a secular career, God made it impossible, as He showed me the Christian ministry as an area I can make a career from. So, the more I tried to get myself involved in secular engagements, the more the Lord tried to hinder me from succeeding, until I accepted the call in His ministry. I have not done any secular job since I was born. My being in the ministry is a divine call, just like in the days of Jeremiah. I think the Lord called me when I was still in the womb and I am happy and excited that I harkened to His voice.

Pastors wanting to be addressed as 'man of God' rather than 'servant of God' It could be an issue of nomenclature, but more to that, it can equally be an issue of service, understanding the right thing to do. Those who answer “Man of God” for some reasons may want to move with the acronym to distinguish themselves from people whom they consider secular. But I think if you want to go by what is proper, servant of God should be the better

phrase to classify anybody in the service of God because the ministry is all about service. You can even find a women being addressed as “woman of God”; I do not think it is biblically rooted. You either become a prophet or you are a priest by your office and calling. In the days of Moses, Elijah, Elisha and so on, the idea of the use of the phrase was not there. The phrase is modern-day coinage.

There is big honour in service, and if you ask me, it is better to answer servant of God. Challenge in the church which bothers you most The church is in a very serious phase of corruption now.

The issue of corruption is very endemic in the church. I was addressing a group of Christians recently, and I told them that what is happening in the church is becoming worrisome because if you go into the secular society, you still see people who have the fear of God in them more than some in the church.

Some in the church practise corruption with impunity, under the covering of Christianity. So the idea of monetary corruption, what I consider as financial immorality as well as sexual immorality, is a problem.

Another serious problem facing the church now is the issue of homosexuality. This is a big

Another serious problem facing the church now is homosexuality. This is a big issue in the sense that some pastors in recent times have been caught practising it.

This is terrible and evil. We should all condemn it with all amount of seriousness. The animal act whittles down the glory of God in the church.

We also have the problem of most people who claim to be servants of God meddling with fetish practices, just because they want to have power for miracles. issue in the sense that some pastors in recent times have been caught practising it. This is terrible and evil. We should all condemn it with all amount of seriousness. The animal act whittles down the glory of God in the church.

We also have the problem of most people who claim to be servants of God meddling with fetish practices, just because they want to have power for miracles.

Most people don’t settle down to pray again, following biblical principles as it was in the days of Moses and Jesus.

The way and manner we expect things to happen in the church now was not the way and manner it happened in time past.

When Jesus Christ was ministering on earth, miracles took place, but we have not taken time to understand the context of those miracles. Who and who were the recipients of such

miracles? And what was the response of those who received the miracles? Where were they when the miracles happened?

What was their mindset?

People are now running after miracles without considering the power that is behind such miracles. Most of the miracles we see are diabolically oriented.

You begin to wonder if we are still serving a living God. I think the bible is still the base, the foundation. The fundamental thing about the Christian faith is not miracles, but the salvation of the believer, the soul. So we should try and be careful the way we pursue miracles.

Another challenge for the church is that the gospel is diluted and dissected each passing day; people are now preaching the gospel for the purpose of making money. People are now preaching the gospel because they want to be rich overnight, for their stomach,

and they now employ dubious means of obtaining money from their clients, their victims who are perhaps ignorant. I don’t see a situation where a person that wants to see a pastor for counselling should fill a form with money, sometimes up to N1,000 and above. But the Bible says freely you have received and freely we shall give.

Some of the so-called men of God now have series of anointing oils with different prices and different volume of miracles.

People are now meant to believe that they can buy the gift of God with money. Any miracle that takes place outside the context of the scripture must be questioned.

You must be born againn; the Holy Spirit dwells in a pure heart.

There is great abuse in Christian faith; so we must be very careful.

Someone who dropped out of school, someone who lost their job, someone who was a criminal, out of one misfortune or another, the next place the person will find succour is to hire a hall and start a ministry, and start duping people.

I do not want to generalise, but we must shine our eyes. Religion is a strong weapon; hence you even see a professor falling victim to an illiterate street pastor. Nigerians and the society keep falling victims. If you enter into the office of a man of God or into a church that is a living church, the aura of heaven should be there.

42

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

The spirit of entrepreneurship (1) A paper presented at the third International Christian Business Conference.

Who is an entrepreneur and what is entrepreneurship?

An entrepreneur is an individual who organises and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so.

An entrepreneur is an agent of change. Entrepreneurship is the process of discovering new ways of combining resources.

Entrepreneurship is also consistently equated with the establishment and management of small business enterprises.

An entrepreneur is a person while entrepreneurship is the process of its actual working.

Entrepreneurship is a human activity which plays a major role in economic development; its history is as old as human history as it indicates to the spirit of enterprise.

Such a spirit transform the man “from a nomad to a cattle rearer, to a settled agriculturist, to a trader and an industrialist” (Murthy, N. (1989a) Entrepreneurship in Small Towns, in Samuddin (ed) Entrepreneurship Development in India, Mittal Publication, Delhi Pp4.)

The word “entrepreneur” originates from a 13th century French verb, entreprendre, meaning “to do something” or “to undertake.”

By the 16th century, the noun form, entrepreneur, was being used to refer to someone who undertakes a business venture.

The first academic use of the word by an economist was likely in 1730

by Richard Cantillon, who identified

the willingness to bear the personal financial risk of a business venture as the defining characteristic of an entrepreneur.

In the early 1800s, economists Jean-Baptiste Say and John Stuart Mill further popularised the academic usage of the word “entrepreneur.”

Say stressed the role of the entrepreneur in creating value by moving resources out of less productive areas and into more productive ones.

Mill used the term “entrepreneur” in his popular 1848 book, Principles of Political Economy, to refer to a person who assumes both the risk and the management of a business.

In this manner, Mill provided a clearer distinction than Cantillon between an entrepreneur and other business owners (such as shareholders of a corporation) who assume financial risk but do not actively participate in the day-to-day operations or management of the firm.

Entrepreneurs as change agents In the 20th century, economist Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950) focused on how the entrepreneur's drive for innovation and improvement creates upheaval and change.

Schumpeter viewed entrepreneurship as a force of "creative destruction."

The entrepreneur carries out "new combinations," thereby helping render old industries obsolete. Established ways of doing business are destroyed by the creation of new and better ways to do them.

Business expert, Peter Drucker (1909-2005), took this idea further, describing the entrepreneur as someone who actually searches

Becoming the best Ituah Ighodalo

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

for change, responds to it, and exploits change as an opportunity.

A quick look at changes in communications – from typewriters to personal computers to the Internet – illustrates these ideas.

Examples include Bill Gates, who as an undergraduate at Harvard developed BASIC (a computer programme) for the first microcomputer and went on to help found Microsoft in 1975.

During the 1980s, IBM contracted with Gates to provide the operating system for its computers, a system known as MS-DOS. Gates procured the software from another firm.

Microsoft’s Office and Windows operating software now run on about 90 per cent of the world’s computers.

By making software that increases human productivity, Gates expanded our ability to generate output (and income), resulting in a higher standard of living for all.

Sam Walton, the founder of WalMart, was another entrepreneur who touched millions of lives in a positive way.

His innovations in distribution warehouse centres and inventory control allowed Wal-Mart to grow, in less than 30 years, from a single store in Arkansas to the largest retail chain in the United States.

Shoppers benefit from the low prices and convenient locations that Walton’s Wal-Marts provide.

Along with other entrepreneurs such as Ted Turner (CNN), Henry Ford (Ford automobiles), and Ray Kroc (McDonalds),, Walton significantly improved the everyday life of billions

Opportunities for Higher Contacts (Part 4)

T

he challenges you meet on earth and in the heavenly planets are all part of the growth experience you undergo in your endeavor to return to your original home in the spiritual kingdom.

According to what you need for your own acceleration, certain kinds of impressions, realizations, and associations will come to you. Why seek to acquire mystical abilities when their possession does not necessarily imply wisdom?

Knowledge can and should lead to wisdom. Wisdom means you go beyond the mundane and material into deeper consciousness to open up the heart.

Wisdom means you no longer look aimlessly for God, the angels, or the higher beings, because you begin to realize that they were always with and around you.

You were just not allowing yourself to see, hear, or associate with them, to be guided by them, or to be sufficiently protected by them.

Thus, self-realization does not involve going out and acquiring something. It is a matter of opening up, receiving, and using what is already part of you.

There are persons in the world who are in constant communion with

angelic beings.

These beings give them information that allows them to do things that are beyond the normal scheme of activities.

As mentioned, you don’t have to focus so much on how to see these beings or even on how to see God. You do, however, have to understand that such beings see and notice you, so you must purify yourself in order to eradicate the coverings that are denying you association with them.

These associations occur in some rare cases, such as on space missions when astronauts have had sightings.

Because these people were outside their normal earthly environment, these types of experiences were more accessible.

The living entity is wandering from lifetime to lifetime – sometimes in the earthly kingdoms, sometimes in the heavenly kingdoms, sometimes in the body of a man, sometimes in the body of a woman, sometimes in the body of an angel, sometimes as a demigod.

Each individual is constantly exchanging one body after another for lifetimes – sometimes hundreds of thousand of lifetimes, sometimes millions of lifetimes.

As the intelligence pushes one’s consciousness beyond the desire to

simply gratify the material senses, one acquires enough intensity to come into contact with agents of the Lord.

The Lord constantly sends representatives according to time, place, and circumstance to help cut some of the ropes that are binding us. This helps to free us of the amnesia that has caused us to forget our true nature and to not experience the blessings available to us.

By having contact with the Lord’s emissaries, one begins to make a major jump in consciousness and will soon be able to connect once again with the spiritual kingdom. What you do with that contact is up to you.

Having that contact means you will never be the same. You cannot hear this kind of knowledge and actually think that you are going to continue as before.

This information is like a time bomb.

It’s a seed that has been planted, an opportunity that has been earned. You cannot suffer from amnesia, regain your memory and find it easy or comforting to forget again.

This information has been given to the soul. It is only a matter of time before the soul begins to act upon the stimulation it has received. If anything is said that you do not feel comfortable with, just file it away, as if for someone

of people all over the world.

Importance of entrepreneurship Most economists and business managers agree that entrepreneurship is vital for stimulating economic growth and employment opportunities in all societies.

This is particularly true in the developing world, where successful small businesses are the primary engines of job creation and poverty reduction.

Wealth and a high majority of jobs are created by small businesses started by entrepreneurially minded individuals, many of whom go on to create big businesses.

People exposed to entrepreneurship frequently express that they have more opportunity to exercise creative freedoms, higher self esteem, and an overall greater sense of control over their own lives.

As a result, many experienced business people political leaders, economists, and educators believe that fostering a robust entrepreneurial culture will maximise individual and collective economic and social success on a local, national, and global scale.

• Entrepreneurs create businesses that hire people. Their businesses require a number of hands to help them translate their vision into reality.

It all starts of with one persons’ vision that turns into a shared vision for the rest of his/her team.

• Entrepreneurs create wealth for nation and for individuals as well. All

individuals who search business opportunities usually, create wealth by entering into entrepreneurship.

The wealth created by the same play a considerable role in the development of nation.

The business as well as the entrepreneur contributes in some or other way to the economy, may be in the form of products or services or boosting the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) rates or tax contributions.

Their ideas, thoughts, and inventions are also a great help to the nation.

• Entrepreneurs create demand for products which in turn creates jobs for other businesses. Buying raw materials for their businesses will in return create other businesses and more jobs will be created as well.

• Entrepreneurs introduce new technologies in the market. There is always a fresh angle and a new way of doing things/providing services.

They create new products and provide new services to the market.

Almost 66 per cent of all innovations are due to the entrepreneurs.

Without the boom of inventions the world would have been a much dry place to live in.

Inventions provide an easier way of getting things done through better and standardised technology.

• Entrepreneurs stimulate the economy by instilling confidence in people. Entrepreneurs, through the jobs and businesses they create, are vital to the GDP equation.

• Continues in next edition.

Self-discovery Kavikarnapura Das

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

else.

Don’t become disturbed. If anything is said that challenges your tradition, don’t put up a wall; just accept that right now you are situated where you are.

If, however, something that is said adds to your tradition or acts as a catalyst to open a door for you, go through it! We have purposely put out knowledge for those of you who have spent many lifetimes in the heavenly kingdoms or who are still caught up in trying to acquire the mystical perfections. This knowledge will enable many of you to interact with the angelic hosts when they come. When the angels associate with you, you will be receptive and able to use the empowerment made available to you.

These beings we are speaking about come in their pure, complete states and you will have a chance, if you are ready, to join them.

Just as different countries all over this globe are operating on different

times of day, every universe is operating on a different time schedule. In one universe, a particular cosmic manifestation is just beginning; in another universe, everything is coming to an end; and in yet another, the material manifestation is unfolding.

The Supreme Lord resides in His own abode, with His loving associates.

As you enter and join that association, all remaining sins and confusion are wiped away. As the love, guidance, and compassion of those associates spills over onto you, all that is negative within you is destroyed.

All the last traces of greed, all the last patterns of frustration and fear, all the last questions of whether or not you are loved by God and what your purpose is – all of those concerns disappear.

You begin to experience actual love in your associations. Loving relationships then become real and you begin to know what it means to be home again.

TheNiche

Health www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

43

Seven dangerous acts after meal Don't smoke Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

Don't eat fruits immediately When you eat your fruits with meals, the fruit is stuck in the stomach along with the contents of the meals and cannot reach the intestines in time. Lying there they get spoilt and spoil the remaining food in the stomach too.

Thus it is recommended that you eat a fruit at least one hour after eating a meal or before your meal and preferably in the morning with empty stomach.

It is in the morning that the body can best use the nutrients in the fruit and get enough energy to start the day.

Don't drink tea

Tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

It is preferable to drink tea an hour after meals.

Don't loosen your belt Fiction, not particularly bad for you!

We generally have an attitude that a good meal is that which forces us to loosen our belts.

However, loosening the belt is bad, not because it causes the intestines to twist or block but because it means that you have over eaten to a level that you are uncomfortable.

Loosening of the belt may also cause you to feel comfortable once again which means you may continue overeating.

So eat only to the extent that you can be comfortable without loosening your belt!

Don't bathe Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease.

This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

Don't walk about Fact, it is bad for you!

Walking directly after meals is a bad idea, it can result to acid reflux and indigestion. However, walking about half an hour after meals is known to be good for you.

Researchers in the department of exercise science at the University of

Common feet problems

Y

our feet must last a lifetime.

Regular foot care can make sure your feet are up to the task. With proper detection, intervention, and care, most foot and ankle problems can be lessened or prevented.

Experts say some common feet problems may be a symptom of other diseases.

come from a stress fracture, a small crack in a bone.

One possible cause is exercise that was too intense, particularly high-impact sports like basketball and distance running.

Also, weakened bones due to osteoporosis increase the risk.

Cold feet

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, inflammation where this long ligament attaches to the heel bone. The pain may be sharpest when you first wake up and put pressure on the foot.

Arthritis, excessive exercise, and poorly fitting shoes also can cause heel pain, as can tendonitis.

Less common causes include a bone spur on the bottom of the heel, a bone infection, tumour, or fracture.

If your toes are always cold, one reason could be poor blood flow, a circulatory problem sometimes linked to smoking, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

The nerve damage of uncontrolled diabetes can also make your feet feel cold. Other possible causes include hypothyroidism and anemia.

A doctor can look for any underlying problems, or let you know that you simply have cold feet.

Foot pain When feet ache after a long day, you might just blame your shoes. But pain that’s not due to sky-high heels may

Heel pain

Dragging your feet Sometimes the first sign of a problem is a change in the way you walk – a wider gait or slight foot dragging. The cause may be the slow loss of normal sensation

in your feet, brought on by peripheral nerve damage.

About 30 per cent of these cases are linked to diabetes.

Nerve damage also can be due to infection, vitamin deficiency, and alcoholism. In many cases, no one knows what caused the nerve damage.

Other possible causes for foot dragging include problems with the brain, spinal cord, or muscles.

Clubbed toes In clubbing, the shape of the toes (and often the fingers) changes. The nails are more rounded on top and curve downward.

Lung disease is the most common underlying cause, but it also can be caused by heart disease, liver and digestive disorders, or certain infections.

Sometimes, clubbing runs in families without any underlying disease.

Swollen feet This is usually a temporary nuisance caused by standing too long or a long flight, especially in a pregnant woman.

In contrast, feet that stay swollen can be a sign of a serious medical condition.

The cause may be poor circulation, a problem with the lymphatic system, or a blood clot.

A kidney disorder or underactive thyroid can also cause swelling.

If you have persistent swelling of your feet, see a physician.

South Carolina, United States, have found that walking after exercise is a good way to burn energy.

The point to note is when to walk.

You should ideally walk for about 10 minutes and only 20-30 minutes after meal to prevent acid reflux and stomach upsets.

Burning feet A burning sensation in the feet is common among diabetics with peripheral nerve damage.

It can also be caused by a vitamin B deficiency, athlete’s foot, chronic kidney disease, poor circulation in the legs and feet, or hypothyroidism.

Sores that don't heal Foot sores that will not heal are a major warning sign for diabetes. Diabetes can impair sensation in the feet, circulation, and normal wound healing, so even a blister can become a troublesome wound.

Those sores also are prone to infection.

Diabetics should wash and dry their feet and check them for any wounds every day. Slow-healing of sores also can be caused by poor circulation from conditions such as peripheral artery disease.

Itchy feet Itchy, scaly skin may be athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection.

A reaction to chemicals or skin care products, called contact dermatitis, can cause itching, too, along with redness and dry patches.

If the skin on itchy feet is thick and pimple-like, it may be psoriasis, an overreaction of the immune system.

Medicated creams can relieve the symptoms.

Claw toe This foot deformity can be caused by shoes that are tight and pinch your toes or by a disease that damages nerves, such as diabetes, alcoholism, or other neurological disorder.

Your toes will be bent upward as they extend from the ball of the foot, then downward from the middle joint, resem-

Don't sleep immediately The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric and infection in our intestine.

• Culled from Conscious Life News

bling a claw.

They may respond to stretching and exercises of the toes or you may need special shoes or even surgery.

Foot spasms A sudden, sharp pain in the foot is the hallmark of a muscle spasm or cramp, which can last many minutes. Overwork and muscle fatigue are common causes.

Other causes include poor circulation, dehydration, or imbalances in potassium, magnesium, calcium, or vitamin D levels in the body. The changing hormone levels of pregnancy or thyroid disorders may play a role.

If spasms are frequent or severe, see a doctor. Strengthening exercises can help with muscle fatigue.

Yellow toenails Your toenails tell a lot about your overall health. A fungal infection often causes thickened yellow toenails.

Thick, yellow nails also can be a sign of an underlying disease, including lymphedema (swelling related to the lymphatic system), lung problems, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

White nails Injury to the nail or illness anywhere in the body can cause white areas in the nails.

If part or all of a nail separates from the nail bed, it can appear white, and may be due to an injury, nail infection, or psoriasis.

If the nail is intact and most of it is white, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, including liver disease, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease.

Talk with your health care team about any concerns.

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TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Kiddies

Arena Brain tickler

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

Historical personality

Ladi Kwali (1925-1984)

L

Timmy’s mother had three children. The first was named April, the next was named May. What was the name of the third child?

Timmy of course!

Answer

I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind.

What am I?

Nose

Solution

Invention Computer keyboard The invention of the modern computer keyboard began with the invention of the typewriter.

Christopher Latham Sholes patented the typewriter that we commonly use today in 1868. The Remington Company mass marketed the first typewriters starting in 1877.

A few key technological developments created the transition of the typewriter into the computer keyboard.

The teletype machine, introduced in the 1930s, combined the technology of the typewriter (used as an input and a printing device) with the telegraph.

Elsewhere, punched card systems were combined with typewriters to create what was called keypunches. Keypunches were the basis of early adding machines and IBM was selling over $1 million worth of adding machines in 1931.

Early computer keyboards were first adapted from the punch card and teletype technologies.

In 1946, the Eniac computer used a punched card reader as its input and output device.

ady Kwali was born in the village of Kwali in the Gwari region of Northern Nigeria where pottery was an indigenous female tradition.

As a child she learned to make pottery from her aunt using the traditional method of coiling. She made large pots for use as water jars, cooking pots, bowls, and flasks from coils of clay, beaten from the inside with a flat wooden paddle.

They were decorated with incised geometric and stylised figurative patterns, including scorpions, lizards, crocodiles, chameleons, snakes, birds, and fish.

In 1954, Kwali joined the Abuja Pottery as its first female potter. There, she learned wheel throwing, glazing, kiln firing, production of saggars, and the use of slip – eventually assuming the role of instructor.

Her pots were featured in the international exhibitions of Abuja Pottery in 1958, 1959, and 1962; organised

by Cardew.

In 1961, Kwali gave demonstrations at the Royal College, Farnham, and Wenford Bridge in the United Kingdom. She also gave demonstrations in France and Germany over this period.

In 1972, she toured America with Cardew.

Her work was shown to great acclaim in London at the Berkeley Galleries. The Abuja Pottery was renamed the Ladi Kwali Pottery in the early 1980s.

Kwali was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1962.

In 1977, she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree

by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

In 1980, the Nigerian government awarded her the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA), the highest national honour for academic achievement.

She also received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 1981.

Her picture appears at the back of the N20 note.

A major street in Abuja is called Ladi Kwali Road.

The Sheraton Hotel houses the Ladi Kwali Convention Centre, one of the largest conference facilities in Abuja with 10 meeting rooms and four ballrooms.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Kiddies Arena StarKid Name: Victory Adaeze Oparada Age: Five years School: YEMAB Crown of Glory Private School, Ifo, Ogun State Class: Basic 1 Career goal: Law Best colour: Pink Best food: Jollof rice and plantain

Umbrella

45

Poems

By PD

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

If this world really mattered,

Why does it bleed?

I could tell you how much I love you,

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

46

Arts TheNiche

with Terh Agbedeh

REVIEWS&PREVIEWS

Emeka Okereke Ellen Kondowe

T

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

he fiveyear-old Crossing Borders will this year continue its annual tradition but focusing on the Borders Within, said the organisers.

That is because the next road trip will focus on Nigeria with the theme: ‘Borders Within 2016: Trans-Nigerian Road Trip’.

“From May 12 to June 26, 2016, a team of nine participants (seven artists and two administrators) will travel by road across 14 states in all regions of Nigeria. The aim of the project is to engage in the conversation about diversity, making attempt to offer a map of it, across regions, states and ethnic formation in what we know as Nigeria today,” said a statement from Ellen C. Kondowe, head of Communications/Lifestyle Brand De-

The Borders Within loom large in Crossing Borders Emmanuel Iduma

Uche Okonkwo

Innocent Ekejiuba

Eloghosa Osunde

Zaynab O. Odunsi

velopment, Invisible Borders Trans-African Photographers Organisation.

The participants were presented to the media at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), Lagos, on Monday, May 16 to include: Zaynab Odunsi, a Saudi-based Nigerian photographer who lecturers full-time at Dar Al Hekma University, Jeddah; Emeka Okereke, a Nigerian photographer who lives and works between Africa and Europe; and Uche Okonkwo, a writer and editor who works as managing editor at Kachifo

Yagazie Emezi

Yinka Elujoba

Limited (publishers of Farafina Books) in Lagos.

Others are: Yinka Elujoba, a Nigerian writer whose meditative essays focus on literary and art criticism; Yagazie Emezi, a multi-disciplinary artist and photographer based in Lagos; and Emmanuel Iduma, writer and art critic who authored the novel Farad and coedited Gambit: Newer African Writing.

Others are Eloghosa Osunde, a writer and photographer who lives and works in Lagos; Innocent Ekejiuba, an amateur

photographer, content developer and project manager with a bachelor’s degree in English from Obafemi Awolowo University; and Ellen Kondowe, a Malawian-South African fashion graduate of Spero Villiioti Elite Design in Johannesburg.

The Invisible Borders TransAfrican Project has, over the last five years, focused on promoting Trans-African exchange through various artistic interventions of which the most prominent is the Trans-African Road Trips. The latest edition was the 141-day Road Trip

from Lagos (Nigeria) to Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina).

The trip will be across 14 states with about 15 stops in cities scattered across the regions of the country. Photographers, filmmakers and writers invited to participate in the sixweek road trip will undertake to produce images and text that reflect impressionistic, yet critical readings, of contemporary Nigeria.

The statement explained that the central questions to be reflected in the works would be: Who am I in relation to Nigeria as we know it? How am I product of what I have been inevitably named? How do I interact across the several visible and invisible borders I confront as a Nigerian?

“While the artists are expected to employ a subjective gaze to the exploration of these questions, their work will focus primarily on reflecting the voices of individuals – the average Nigerian,” the statement said.

The Difference hosts Africa Day on May 25

T

he pan-African news chronicle, The Difference, will be hosting its annual Africa Day event on Wednesday, May 25.

A statement from its holding company, Sunbird Africa Media Limited, said the event would hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Africa Day is commemorated across the continent to mark the founders’ day of the continent’s first post-colonial supranational body, the Organisation of

African Unity (OAU).

In Nigeria, however, the day has over the years been very sparsely commemorated with organisations like The Difference and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) being about the most notable celebrants annually.

While The Difference hosts talkshops and motivational events in public places and schools within the country, UBA marks it as a ‘Dress African Day’ with staff being encouraged to come to work in African attire.

The OAU has since been restructured and

transformed into the African Union (AU). Its secretariat, the African Union Commission (AUC), is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopa.

The theme of the event is ‘Economic hurdles on the path of African Integration – Examining 25 years of the Abuja Treaty and the African Economic Community’ and the subject would be addressed by a multi-disciplinary panel of speakers that has already been assembled for the purpose.

They include Dr. Joshua Bolarinwa and Mr Sharkdam Wapmuk.

With many African countries battling

the negative headwinds of the fall in commodity prices, analysts aver that this is about the best time to address economic issues and their place in the continuing march for African integration.

The statement was signed by a director of the media outfit, Albert Iyamabo.

Established in Lagos, Nigeria, in July 2007, The Difference circulates in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

It is a bilingual publication whose content is usually rendered in English and French.

Arts www.thenicheng.com

TheNiche May 22, 2016

Maiden Lagos Reggae Festival May 29

T Captain Blazee

he first edition of Lagos Reggae Festival will take place on Sunday, May 29. Organised

by Conscious Vibes Africa, it is to mark the first anniversary of the monthly reggae revival movement of the same name.

For Captain Blazee, the reggae musician behind the event, the

festival will be grand.

“The celebration will serve as an introduction to the Lagos Reggae Festival. This event is designed to hold annually; gathering all Nigerian reggae artistes/fans together to celebrate reggae music in Nigeria,” he said.

He further explained that the festival would be held a few days after the launch of the Lagos @ 50 celebrations, placing it in the La-

47

gos State celebration fiesta mood.

The festival, he said, will welcome lots of reggae enthusiasts, foreigners and diverse ethnicities to the Freedom Park, Lagos, where the atmosphere is perfect for the magnitude of spectators and the line-up of events packed for that day.

“This will be a gala event any reggae lover would not want to miss,” he declared.

Five African filmmakers to participate in Realness

U

rucu Media has announced the selection of five African filmmakers to participate in Realness Scriptwriting Residency.

It made this public at the Cannes event last weekend, naming five emerging African screenwriters to participate in Realness.

The pioneering residency initiative that will afford a new generation

of filmmakers the opportunity to nurture and cultivate their talent as authentic voices in African cinema is presented under the mentorship of Berlinale Talents with several partners.

A statement released by Sharlene Versfeld of Versfeld & Associates Public Relations and Communications named the five as Amirah Tajdin, Hiwot Admasu, Luke Razanajaona, Sheetal Magan and Wim Steytler.

Tajdin is a Kenyan artist and filmmaker, Admasu is an Ethiopian filmmaker, Razanajaona is a Madagascan filmmaker, Magan is an emerging South African talent and Steytler hails from a family of pioneering writers and has been mentored by some of South Africa’s top directors.

The five writers, Versfeld stated, will participate in a programme that will begin with an immersive industry experience at Africa’s leading finance and

co-production market, Durban FilmMart (from June 17 to 20), which will give residents an opportunity to attach producers to their projects, and be publicly presented on a date to be scheduled.

This will be followed by six weeks at the Nirox Artists’ Residency in the Cradle of Humankind, where they will be given the time and space to develop drafts of their screenplays under the guidance of some of the

industry’s top professionals.

The most promising project will be selected and funded to participate in the prestigious La Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde in Cannes, receive an EAVE Producers’ Workshop Scholarship, and be invited to Torino Film Lab Meetings.

Urucu Media envisions a future in which African storytelling occupies a central space in the international arena.

Admasu

India Arie excited to headline Sax Appeal 5 Continued from page 38 properly.

can do this. We are just trying to do things

How huge is the financial commitment?

Let me say that we are going by passion. I am already getting a lot of fulfilment with the reaction I am getting from (people’s) excitement; that is some kind of fulfilment that I am the one to think about bringing an India Arie to Nigeria.

That, in itself, is fulfilment for me. Maybe that is why I have not made much money. I have sold my properties to push (Sax Appeal). Some of us just believe in things and it just goes all the way for it. I just believe everything is a seed. You have to stand for something, you have to be doing something.

You must be working on an album right now; when is it due out?

I have like four albums ready for release. I just haven’t ‘chopped’ enough. Not many people already know about the last one. So it needs to get to that point then I can think about it.

How long does it take you to ‘chop enough’ on one album?

It depends, and my first album was a combined sales of over two million copies and that was 1999, 2000, 2001 when CDs were sold for N1,000. Before I could make the kind of royalties I was collecting from Kennis now, I would have sold maybe like 100 million copies. These are some of my concerns that have held me back.

Our CDs are worthless. An empty CD costs even

more than the content; it doesn’t just make any sense to me, and as a creative person, it gets to me. What is the point? I recorded my last album in one of the best studios in the United Kingdom with my whole band; did many sessions for my CD to be sold for less.

You are definitely not one of those who go to Alaba to sell the rights to your music.

No. In fairness, I have gone for concerts where I sell 1,000 copies for £10 each, or when it came out, it was £15. I have done that many times. Maybe not on a massive scale. So, that market actually pays me a bit more and then, I still have my royalties from time to time; that makes sense because it took me time, creativity.

I don’t know about any other artiste, I don’t just do, I do proper recording.

In Economists as Assassins, Dr. Jemanze Ego-Alowes declares that music is no longer the bus on which the destitute kid will get on to ride out of poverty, since kids from rich households have taken it over.

How do you react to that?

I don’t agree with that.

He is referring to the Davidos of this world, and kids from Ajegunle no longer have a chance?

I still don’t agree with that. I mean, look at the line up of our Nigerian artistes. I think Davido and Naeto C are the ones whose parents are really well to do. There are just a few of them.

But studio sessions have skyrocketed.

Not really. I would go against that because I could recall my friends coming over to my house and we recorded a fantastic music. You would have needed several sessions in those days to come up with that. Music production is now as cheap as your laptop and software. I know producers who would wow you with productions from their laptops.

That is why there are so many people in the music industry.

A lot of the beats these days are jarring.

We can be better in terms of content especially. Lyrical content can be a lot better, but production-wise. There has been improvement, I must admit that. Then there is disparity between a particular kind of music like hip-hop Aremu with Yolanda Brown at Sax Appeal 3 and some other kind of music.

Some of us just have agidi, that is why we are I guess, an Olamide collaboration is in the not compromising a lot of things. We intend to works? balance them.

(Laughter) That bad boy, I don’t know.

Badoo (more laughter). I am not sure, but like Is that why you don’t do collabo with I said, music is flexibility; as long as what he is some of these new acts? singing makes sense to me, as long as they are Actually, on Coat of Many Colours, there is things I agree with, why not? I don’t mind. collaboration with M.I, Chidinma, Sasha...

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TheNiche

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Fashion May 22, 2016

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

Kiss Daniel’s New Era album launch

Kiss Daniel’s New Era album launch concert was held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The show, organised by Lanre Makun Events, had performances from 2Baba, 9ice, Vector, Tekno, Skales, Emma Nyra, Cynthia Morgan, Pryse, Dice Ailes, Mr. 2Kay, and Solidstar to spice up the evening.

It was attended by music lovers, celebs, and socialites.

2Face and Annie-

9Ice

Ama Time Alexx

Lilian

Funny

Hauwa

Chinonso

Jaywon

Emma

Juliet Ibrahim

Toby Grey

Jumoke

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Bantu knots make a comeback Call it a bantu knot, a protective style, or a 90s look; it is certainly making waves again.

Before now, bantu knots were usually worn late at night, covered with a scarf, and hidden from everyone. Nowadays, you are likely to pass by one or two ladies wearing the hair style in full view.

It takes a certain level of confidence to rock a bunch of knots in your hair. But once you do, it really becomes this threshold of style and hair confidence.

Bantu knots are traditionally sported by Ibibio women, mostly from Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States.

For modern natural divas, these knots work well with just about all hair types.

They are created when the hair is sectioned off and twisted into knots. The shapes of the sections depend on how the hair is parted, and can easily be made into diamond, triangle or square shapes. The possibilities are endless.

To get a fuller look, this style is formed when the hair is twisted around itself until it forms a knot that resembles a stack of tyres. When you remove the knots your hair will resemble a corkscrew rope.

The “rope� may then be separated with your fingers and, if necessary, finger combed to loosen the curl and shape it into the style you desire.

The finished result is a head full of springy, bouncy curls that may be as tight or loose, as defined or tousled as you desire.

It is a way to style your hair without using heat, and does not require much manipulation.

You can do this style at night, and by morning it’s air-dried.

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TheNiche

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May 22, 2016

FOOD &DRINK Metamorphosis of noodles

T

he noodle, according to Wikipedia, is a type of staple food made from some type of unleavened dough which is rolled flat and cut into one of a variety of shapes.

The long, thin stripes is actually the most popular these days, and are served with eggs, chicken, beef and mostly vegetables like carrot, peas and so much more.

Noodles have been a staple food in many parts of the world for at least 2,000 years. But in 2005, the eldest noodles ever found were discovered inside an upturned sealed bowl buried under three metres of residue in Qinghai, northwest China. Scientists determined that the 4,000-year-old, long, thin yellow noodles were made from broomcorn millet and foxtail millet, and show a fairly high level of food processing and culinary sophistication.

A noodle includes all varieties from all origins.

However, wherever they originated, noodles have maintained their popularity over the centuries and owe their permanency to a mixture of being relatively cheap yet nutritious and filling,

fast to prepare, can be eaten hot or cold, can be stored for years and can be transported easily.

The noodle has managed to capture the Nigerian market fully.

In the 1980s/90s, the two-minute noodle from Maggi was the rave of the moment before its extinction. But now, there are a whole lot of noodles from Indofood, Honeywell, Golden Penny, Dangote Foods, Chikki Food and many more.

Noodles manufacturers in Nigeria have in a way created a niche for their products in the noodles market. Having captured their target generations for years now, they are still capturing more, as not only children eat noodles; both the young and old.

Many questions pop up. Why noodles? Why do children especially crave for noodles?

After some inquest, TheNiche discovered that noodles manufacturers target the younger generation. And they have captured their market. This is evident in the fact that a household with kids but no noodles is relatively in-

eating out Izanagi

I

zanagi is an elegant restaurant known for its Japanese meals.

With mild illumination, sushi bar and a little lightly decorated room with cushions and a table top refrigerator on the floor for those who want a more Asian-style dining experience, Izanagi is distinct.

It is also distinct in its choice of meals, like Izanagi Lagos miso soup, sweet and sour shrimps, sweet and sour shrimps

with steamed rice, the chicken yaki soba, and a whole lot of varieties. Also available is sushi delicacies like teppan yaki and Japanese dumplings. Food are ser ved hot – seems they prepare your order immediately you arrive there.

Not only does Izanagi have a conducive environment, it also has a hospitable well-dressed staff.

It is situated off Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

complete. There are also commercials from different manufacturers like the sing-along advert which is rather the most common of all the promos.

Go to parties these days, especially those organised for children, you realise that noodles have also been added to menu. The crave for the worm-like meal is increasingly high, with a wide variety out there – from chicken flavours, onion chicken, pepper chicken, and many more.

Not only is it nourishing, any cook can add their own uniqueness to the meal. Without emptying your pocket,

you can have a full plate of noodles.

Some noodle packs come with chilli and seasoning powder.

Ingredients obtainable in the modern noodle are majorly wheat flour, vegetable oil, iodised salt, sodium polyphosphate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, guargum, tartazne CI, antioxidant ( TBHQ), while the seasoning powder contains iodised salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, hyrolysed vegetable protein, soya powder, pepper, garlic powder, and chicken flavour.

51

BUSINESS UNUSUAL FINANCIAL NICHE PERSONAL FINANCE MARKETING NICHE

TheNiche May 22, 2016

BUSINESS

www.thenicheng.com

INFLATION RATE Inflation month Inflation rate

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK ICT

MONEY SUPPLY (Trillion)

April 2016 13.72%

OIL PRICE WTI INDEX $48.55

Broadmoney (M2) N20,727,909.47 Narrow Money (M1) N9,136,068.46

PER BARREL

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

»

Gold

PAGE 58 Silver

PER OZ

$16.49

$1,250.66 TROY OZ

PER BARREL

Swiss hotels look to gulf guests to offset Europe shortfall

Now is the right time to reform oil pricing

COMMODITIES SUMMARY

$48.74

Tourism/Aviation

STOCK MARKET

PAGE 55

Brent Crude

Tin

$7.58

Platinum

Copper

$1,021.29 $2.28

PER OZ

PER LB

Nickel

Wheat

$3.85

$467

GRADE A

Lead

» Exchange Rates

Palladium

$0.77

$608.25

Cocoa

$2, 919

PER OZT

N-$

N-£

N-€

RATE

RATE

RATE

197

287.8564 220.5021

FGPL founder, Duru, cries foul as intrigues dog firm

By Kelechi Mgboji

T

Assistant Business Editor his is not the best of times for First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL's), promoter and Vice Chairman, Nze Chidi Duru.

With trumped up charges levelled against him, Duru has been eased out of the company he founded in 2004 and nurtured to become one of the leading Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) in the country.

A cocktail of allegations lodged with the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the industry regulator, by a stakeholder gave rise to a series of litigations in the courts in Abuja and Lagos.

In all the cases, Duru was discharged and acquitted of any financial misdeeds and the courts directed PenCom and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to relinquish the company to the former member of the House of Representatives.

But rather than execute the court judgments, officials of the EFCC have turned the matter into a game of sorts, with incessant arrests of Duru or his family members or sureties.

In some cases, they have slammed fresh litigations against him despite subsisting court judgments begging for implementation.

Duru told TheNiche that the latest arrests by the EFCC saw his surety, Chinyere Christie Ekweonu, who is also his sister, being detained since May 11.

She was finally released by the EFCC on May 20.

He said Ekweonu was arrested in Abuja while he (Duru) was away to Lagos attending court summons at the instance of the same EFCC which arrested her.

He narrated that the senior civil servant with one of the ministries in Abuja had called him on telephone that day to alert him of her arrest.

Duru was just coming out of the court proceedings in Lagos which were adjourned until June 8.

He said it is curious for the EFCC which instituted a court action against him in Lagos to turn around and arrest his surety on allegation that

she (Ekweonu) failed to produce him.

Statement issued by the Duru family A statement issued by the Duru family, signed

by Stell Duru, tells more of the heart rending story the family has come to regard as unlawful persecution of their son and family members.

The statement appealed to the EFCC to release Ekweonu immediately It recounted that “over the last five years, beginning from August 2011 to date, we have refrained from commenting on the affairs surrounding First Guarantee Pension Ltd (FGPL) which our son, Chidi Duru, founded and promoted in order to protect the sanctity of the business of First Guarantee Pension Ltd (FGPL).

“However, the continuing threat to the personal liberty and life of members of my family, in particular the detention of Mrs Ekweonu, has left us with no other alternative than to issue this statement."

“On May 11, 2016, about the hours of 10.15am our elder sister, mother and wife of Mike Ekweonu, was arrested by the EFCC at her office at the Ministry of Justice, Abuja.

“Mrs Ekweonu, a lawyer, is the mother of four children (three sons and a daughter) and she is the director of law reporting at the Ministry of Justice, Abuja.

“She has since been detained and in the custody of the EFCC, without lawful cause, in disregard of relevant laws of Nigeria.

“Section 7 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act states that ‘a person shall not be arrested in place of a suspect.’

“On Monday, October 3, 2011, a public holiday, at the hours of 8:45am and at the prompting of two individuals, the EFCC, without any invitation nor call to our son Chidi Duru, invaded his residence in Maitama, Abuja, arrested him and detained him overnight.

“He was presented with a petition signed by Kashim Ibrahim Imam arising from the ‘Draft First Guarantee Pension Examination Report’ and ‘First Guarantee Pension Target Report’ authored by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

“October 4, 2011, our daughter, Mrs Chinyere

Duru Christie Ekweonu, and Mr. K N. Nwanze, stood as surety for our son, Chidi Duru.

“On June 18, 2012 Justice D.U. Okorowo in a well-considered judgment, quashed the aforementioned draft Examination and Target reports of First Guarantee Pension produced by … PenCom.

“Justice D. U. Okorowo had before this judg

Continues on PAGE 52

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TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Cover

with Dr. Okafor

FGPL founder, Duru, cries foul as intrigues dog firm Continued from PAGE 51

tors are bound by law to submit that report to the shareholders who will vote on the report.

“And whatever is the outcome of the vote becomes the decision of the company. But PenCom didn’t allow us to go through that process. They insisted on that target report which they wanted to ram down on shareholders.”

PenCom queried the way FGPL was being run.

It also reported that the executive committee the board used to oversight the management was one committee too many; that it was getting more involved in oversight, a claim FGPL denied.

The oversight function which the board detailed in the executive committee of the board was to help the management become profitable, well run, and organised.

Duru said the result manifested in 2010 when the company became profitable, declared dividend, and was categorised as ‘The Most Improved PFA’.

“One of the issues that was contained in the report was that the meetings of the board were becoming too many; that we had six meetings.

“And that the chairman of the board couldn’t have been chairman because he had insignificant shares in the company. We didn’t consider that as significant which was why we had independent directors.

“The chairman, who had over N20 million worth of shares in the company, could not be said to have insignificant shareholding.”

chijioke Chuku, the shareholders accused PenCom Director General, Chinelo Anohu-Amaizu, of instigating the crisis in FGPL in order to transfer the asses to Premium Pension in which her family has considerable interest.

They also accused her of having a vested interest in the industry in which she is a regulator, alleging that she threatened to transfer FGPL’s assets to another PFA owned and operated by her family members.

"This suspicion is further aggravated by the DG's repeated threat to transfer FGPL's pension shares to another PFA. "It is important to point out that the FGPL board, which was purportedly removed by PenCom in 2011, had terminated the appointment of its then Managing Director - Wilson Idera - who was thereafter appointed and remains the chief executive officer of Premium Pension Ltd. "The AGF will confirm that the DG's family holds considerable interest in that PFA. "Indeed, the DG's mother, Mrs Virgy Anolu, served two fulls terms as director totaling 10 years, the maximum allowed by PenCom regulations.

"The DG's elder brother - Mr. Victor Anolu - has only recently replaced the mother on the Premium Pemsion board.

"The shareholderss of FGPL are afraid that if not restrained, the director general may carry out her threat and transfer FGPL pension assets to Premium Pension."

Accusing Anohu-Amaiziu of conflict of interest, the petitioners appealed to Malami to restrain her.

Court decision on the report

Confusing board of directors

The Federal High Court, Abuja issued an exparte order on August 11, 2011 restraining PenCom from implementing the “Target Report” pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

But on August 15, 2011 PenCom dissolved the board FGPL and appointed an interim management which is still running the company till today.

The partners from South Africa and other shareholders petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke, on this disrespect for court order.

Adoke, in two letters dated August 18 and September 8, 2011 directed PenCom to obey the court order, revert to the status quo, allow the board to function, and dismantle the interim management.

The letters were also disregarded.

The court delivered full judgment on June 18, 2012 which upbraided PenCom for acting above the law and ordered that the interim management of FGPL be removed.

It requested the commissioner of police in Lagos State, where the company has its head office, and the police commissioner in Abuja to enable the board members take back their business.

The judgment has not been implemented and the original directors and shareholders of the company are still kept out. PenCom is still managing FGPL. Duru said Imam, who could have been the fourth largest shareholder of FGPL along with eight other shareholders, alleged that he forged Imam’s signature, to the effect that the key shareholders approved that Nouvera should be admitted as an investor and shareholder in the company.

There are 37 shareholders but nine joined Imam to petition PenCom which removed the management and board of directors, and imposed an interim management team and board.

However, seven of the nine later withdrew from the case, leaving Imam and one other shareholder on one side against the rest of the 35 shareholders.

Those seven who were initially with Imam are now fighting against him after they stumbled on a shocking revelation.

In a petition written to Malami, dated April 14, 2016, and signed by George Ozodinobi and

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) recognises Imam as the chairman of FGPL but PenCom deals with Issa Iremu as chairman after they removed the original board members.

Asked whether the CAC has the power to impose a chairman on a firm it registered, Duru said it was based on the document PenCom filed to the commission.

The same PenCom also deals with Johnny Ojeghara as chairman and Chima Akaleze as a member of the board.

It is curious that PenCom refuses to obey court judgment which directed the industry regulator to hand over the firm to the shareholders.

In his reaction, PenCom spokesman, Emeka Onuorah, said there is a court order restraining the commission from restoring the FGPL to its original shareholders, and that the commission will not act against court order.

He refused to comment further.

While Onuorah refused to name the court or Judge who gave the order, industry watchers insist that no such order exists.

"It is all part of the intrigues to steal the company from its promoters. If such court exists, PenCom should make it public," a player who pleaded anonimity told The Niche on Thusrsday.

While the game of musical chairs continues, and having lost faith in the ability of PenCom and the EFCC do so justice in the matter, Duru, on April 22, petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari alleging threat to life.

"When it became very clear that the person behind all these, Ibrahim Kashim-Imam, appeared to be very strong with his view and the pressure that he is mounting, I have no choice than to petition the president to say that my life is in danger and I need his protection," he told The Niche in an exclusive interview.

"If anything happens to me or any member of my family, then these are the people who did it."

Buhari is yet to respond but Duru is confident that in Buhari Nigerians have a just president who will always be on the side of justice.

"My appealed is that if it is found that there has been an infraction on our part, then let justice be done, but if it is found that we have not done anything wrong, and some other people have misused their powers and influence, let justice also be done."

The ‘Target Examination’ report

Duru ment issued an ex-parte order on August 11, 2011 restraining PenCom from implementing the draft reports.

“In January 2013, the two individuals aforementioned, visited the then inspector general of police, and the then minister of police affairs respectively. The intention of both visits was to ensure the non-enforcement of the judgment of Justice D. U. Okorowo.

“Shortly after this visit our son, Chidi Duru, was declared wanted by the police and a spurious and made-up charge was preferred against him at the Magistrate Court in Abuja – which was quashed by the magistrate on grounds of abuse of court process and a mockery of, and contrary to, the judgment of Justice D. U. Okorowo.

“Notwithstanding the above, and three years later, on January 12, 2016 we became aware of another spurious charge preferred against our son, Chidi Duru, at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja October 5, 2015 by the EFCC – again at the instance of one of the two individuals aforenamed.

“Our son immediately entered appearance in the case by way of preliminary objection challenging the charge as another abuse of court process, ‘forum shopping’ and contrary to the judgment of Justice D. U. Okorowo.

“Arguments for the preliminary objection were heard on April 11, 2016 with ruling fixed for May 11, 2016.

“In March 2016, we advised our son to once more petition the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and bring to his attention this continuing and never-ending malicious persecution and threat to his life. “[Malami] April 6, 2016 wrote the EFCC inter-alia ‘... to forward the case file to this office to enable the attorney general of the federation review the case file and take an informed decision.'

“When the EFCC failed, refused, and neglected to respond to [Mallami’s] letter … [he] caused a reminder letter to be written to the EFCC on April 22, 2016.

“It is to be noted that this will be the fourth letter from the office of the attorney general on this subject matter to the EFCC. “Two prior letters dated January 10 and 29, 2013 respectively had been written by [former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice], Mohammed Bello Adoke, requesting for the case file without response from EFCC. “On April 27, 2016, the Maydan Legal Consult – solicitors to our son, wrote the EFCC requesting it

to confirm if, in the light of the two recent letters from … Mallami, it still required the attendance of our son to any invitation.

“To this day, there has been no response to this letter.

“On May 10, 2016 our son, Chidi Duru, a lawyer and notary public, flew to Lagos in order to be in the court the next day, May 11, 2016, the date scheduled for the ruling on his preliminary objection.

“However, the court did not sit and the matter was adjourned to June 8, 2016 for ruling on the preliminary objection.”

The problems, the allegations The problem began in 2010 when FGPL became a profitable business after it secured a large pool of “assets under management” which bring returns or commission for managing those assets.

Duru said: “We invited a group from South Africa, Nouvera, to invest in FGPL. And they invested a total N224 million staggered over a period of time. But what was more important was the technical skill they brought into FGPL. “So, with my help of bringing standing up contributors to FGPL, in 2010 the business became profitable. The business paid its first dividend.

“On February 23, 2007, PenCom presented to the board what it called annual view of each PFA, and in that PenCom report, FGPL was categorised as the most improved PFA in 2010. Every director was very happy with that ….

“But I was surprised that in March 2011, PenCom wrote us a letter that they would like to undertake ‘Target Examination’, that was barely one month after presenting to us their report for the preceding year 2010 which categorised our firm as ‘The Most Improved PFA’.

“The ‘Target Examination in FGPL’ was very strange to us.

“Only because our Managing Director then, Wilson Ideva, was relieved of his office for acts that bordered on insubordination, and for acts that members of the board did not find as befitting his office.

“Then PenCom started the Target Examination and when they wrote the report and sent to the board in June 2011, the board members queried the report and brought the attention of PenCom to the Pension Reform Act. “The Pension Reform Act requires that if a report is done by a regulator, the report will be submitted to the directors. Thereafter, the direc-

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

Financial Niche

May 22, 2016

53

Zenith Bank lights up Gencos, Discos with $100m facility Zenith Bankpooling $100 million withFrench Agency for InternationalDevelopment to raise Nigeria’spower supply says much about thebank’s pedigree as a global financepower house and also one sensitiveto national growth aspirations.

CorrespondentSAM NWOKOROreports.

I

n these days of rat race and survival of the fittest in the finance world, it is worth applauding that a bank shows concern about how to solve a national problem it did not create.

Some other banks are devising crooked ways to dodge punches from Treasury Single Account (TSA), no public sector deposits, shattered foreign exchange (forex) market, and many other shocks.

But Zenith Bank endears itself to the public – not by meandering through the corridors of Abuja or hijacking looted funds, but – by partnership with an international development agency.

It sees the potential of Nigeria becoming a regional economic powerhouse, a height it has failed to attain because of unpatriotic and myopic leadership which bankrupts key development infrastructure such as power and energy.

Zenith Bank earned the trust of the French Development Agency (the Agence Francais De Development, AFD), operator of France’s bilateral development mechanism, and last week signed a $100 million credit facility to inject new money into electricity generating (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos).

The facility will be a reprieve for Discos weighed down by historic debts owed mainly by government establishments. Military and security agencies alone owe them over N93 billion.

A delegation from Zenith Bank, led by the

Chairman, Jim Ovia, sealed the pact with AFD officials, led by the Chief Operating Officer, Laurence BretonMoyet, at the agency’s headquarters in Paris.

Under the loan arrangement, a maximum $50 million can be on-lent to any single borrower at single digit interest for a tenor of between seven and 12 years, with a moratorium of between two and three and a half years.

The facility is aimed at reinforcing, rehabilitating, modernising, and stabilising existing power distribution networks. It also provides for technical assistance and other advisory services, both to Zenith Bank and power companies.

Zenith Bank is already a leading financier of investment in power and energy, as well as in other sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, communication, transportation, real estate, and construction.

In the financial year ended December 31, 2015, Zenith Bank reported a profit after tax (PAT) of N105.66 billion, the highest in Nigeria’s banking industry, and total assets of over N4 trillion.

Problems of power companies Two years after privatisation, Gencos and Discos still face huge challenges – insufficient supply from the national grid; obsolete networks; non-maintenance of equipment; unskilled manpower; poor customer data; low meter penetration; health, safety, and environmental issues; low revenue, and external funding constraints.

Peter Amangbo, Managing Director Zenith Bank

Ovia

Under the loan arrangement, a maximum $50 million can be on-lent to any single borrower at single digit interest for a tenor of between seven and 12 years, with a moratorium of between two and three and a half years.

These problems can be summarised into the following broad categories: • Grid energy insufficiency and instability.

• Network infrastructure. Overloaded transformers and feeders, obsolete equipment, limited network, a lack of automation, et cetera.

• Tariff and revenue shortfalls. Non-cost reflective tariffs, low collection, et cetera.

• Metering. Huge metering gap, estimated billing, poor meter maintenance, et cetera.

• Operational. Long feeders, low quality workforce, large operational areas, et cetera.

• Energy theft.

• Funding. Absence of long term funding, high cost of borrowing, poor credit history, et cetera.

These challenges have severely constrained the operations of power companies and thus, the non-realisation of the gains of the privatisation of the sector.

However, these problems were precisely the reasons privatisation was done in the first place.

The broad objective

of privatisation is for the private sector to solve these problems that had plagued power generation and distribution under government ownership.

These challenges were underestimated, and in some instances completely overlooked by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), core investors and their financiers.

These are teething problems that core investors face, but will eventually overcome with time and right investment. This is where the intervention by Zenith and ADF is salutary.

Essence of facility

An entrepreneur, who gave his name simply as Ezeugwu, said the deal “shows the bank is truly a global bank. It shows the bank has more than profit motive.

“Few banks can advance credit these days at such liberal terms considering that the owners of Gencos and Discos stand the risk of losing their investment should the government, considering its mood

these days, decide to wield the big stick against them.

“The partnership is a very timely salvage intervention for which Zenith Bank deserves the praise of well-meaning people and the government.

“It has proved that it is indeed a global bank, and before the policy makers, that is a very reliable partner in nation-building.”

Tradition of steadfastness Zenith Bank has been consistent in helping to grow enterprises in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.

It is the most capitalised bank in West Africa, with portfolio investments traversing all sectors of Nigeria’s economy, and has in the more than two decades of its existence touched the lives of business people across the continent.

Zenith Bank • Is executing a petrochemical project in Akwa Ibom State, due for completion before 2019.

• Is involved in telecommunication with Visafone, which was recently bought by MTN. • Has won many prices as small investors prefer it because it supports the growth of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).

Ovia, the face of Zenith Bank Ovia obtained a Bach-

elor’s degree in business administration from the Southern University, Louisiana, United States in 1977, a Master’s in business administration from the same university in 1979.

And he is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

He • Is the promoter and founder of Visafone Communications, and proprietor of the University of Information and Communication Technology, Agbor, Delta State.

• Is the pioneer president of Nigeria Internet Group (NIG).

• Has over 23 years of banking experience.

• Was a co-founder of Zenith Bank and served as its group managing director and chief executive officer from 1990 to July 10, 2010.

Ovia joined IMB as a financial analyst in 1980 and moved to the management centre in 1987.

He headed the corporate finance department of Merchant Bank of Africa from 1987 to 1990.

His picked interest in computers in 1977 when he worked as a part time computer operator at Baton Rouge & Trust Company, Louisiana.

He has been the chairman of the board of Zenith Bank since June 16, 2014 and non executive director since June 12, 2014.

54

TheNiche

Business Extra

www.thenicheng.com

Forex sales to banks drop to $131m

First Bank launches debit card overdraft service

May 22, 2016

• Naira slips to N350/$ on speculation, demand pressure

Stories by Kelechi Mgboji Assistant Business Editor

T

here is a significant drop in foreign exchange (forex) allocation to banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), according to returns on forex utilisation published by financial institutions last week.

The CBN sold a total $130,755,294.59 to 14 commercial banks, four merchant banks, and the Bank of Industry (BoI).

United Bank for Africa (UBA) bought the highest amount.

Total CBN sales were lower by $5,283,163.58, compared with $136,038,458.17 allocated the previous week.

UBA bought $18,500,803.50 followed by Stanbic IBTC ($17,859,696.51), First Bank ($14,215,272.40), Zenith Bank ($13,236,651.70), Diamond Bank ($11,489,227), Standard Chartered Bank ($10,730,263), and Guaranty Trust Bank ($8,918,388).

A total 222 customers purchased the greenback from the banks.

UBA sold dollars to 224 corporates importing raw materials, industrial items, and individuals paying school fees abroad.

Dangote Sugar grabs lion share Dangote Sugar Refinery purchased the biggest amount of forex, having bought $6 million to import Brazilian cane raw sugar.

Other corporates which bought dollars from UBA

included Stallion Motors ($1,082,132), NFE Industries ($1,454,269.80), and IATA ($1,500,000).

A total 134 customers bought forex from Stanbic IBTC Bank, largely for capital exportation from the equities, bonds, and money markets.

Stanbic IBTC remains dominant Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers, the capital market trading arm of the banking and investment management group, is the leading dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and dominates equities transactions every month.

From the $14,215,272.40 allocation to First Bank, Dangote Cement and about 650 other customers bough $2 million to import machinery spare parts.

Zenith sold its $13,236,651.70 to 278 customers, the biggest being Tiger Branded Consumer Goods which purchased $1,285,774.87.

Diamond Bank's biggest customer was A-Z Petroleum out of 177 that purchased $11,489,227 from the tier 2 bank.

A total 222 customers bought dollars from Standard Chartered Bank which got $10,730,263.

Following the exclusion of funding of fuel imports from the official forex market, the amount of dollars to be allocated to banks is expected to reduce further in subsequent deals.

Naira slips to N350/$ As for the naira, it has slipped to between N345

and N350 per dollar in the black market, amid jump in demand for dollars by oil importers and speculation that the CBN will make the exchange rate more flexible.

However, on the official interbank market, the naira is quoted at N197.50 to the dollar, near the official peg of N197.

It had exchanged for about N340.86 to the dollar on the parallel market before news filtered in suggesting the government intends to make forex more flexible.

Reuters news quoted Aminu Gwadabe, chairman of Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), as saying that "more speculators are taking a position in the market, causing dollar scarcity and fall in the value of the local currency."

The government has announced that fuel importers are now allowed to get dollars from the parallel market to help ease acute shortages, and that may result in higher demand for dollars, and more pressure on the naira, as importers increase orders.

Hope of forex policy review Currency traders said they are hopeful the CBN will soon review its rigid forex policy.

"Banks are already calling the CBN to get clarity on the next move concerning the naira exchange rate.

“Our expectation is that the bank will provide some form of clarification on the next step on the naira," a senior banker who pleaded anonymity told Reuters.

"Hopefully, we shall soon have a more flexible

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

exchange rate in the next couple of days based on the pronouncement of the government in recent times," a currency dealer said.

The CBN banned dollar sales to bureaux de change (BDCs) in January and reduced supply at its official interbank forex market to conserve foreign reserves, now at their lowest levels.

Osinbajo triggers speculation Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has announced that Nigeria is re-evaluating its forex policy and a flexible approach is in the offing.

“We expect that with a

more flexible policy, we will be able to attract more capital into the system and ease business,” Osinbajo said at an investors’ conference organised by Renaissance Capital in Lagos.

“We expect that very soon we will see a more flexible approach to the currency.

“We believe there must be some substantial reevaluation of the foreign exchange policy, especially with a view to increasing foreign exchange supply, encouraging capital importation and also being able to allow free flow of remittances.”

SMEs decry crippling business environment

T

he Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) has decried increasing frustration faced by small scale manufacturers in procuring raw materials.

AMEN President, Saviour Iche, warned that more Nigerians would lose their jobs if the government fails to take urgent steps to improve the business environment and save micro industries from extinction.

He said Nigeria’s econ-

omy could be revived if Abuja devises measures to encourage manufacturing, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the economic drivers in any nation.

“If the current government truly wishes to revive the economy of the nation, it must encourage local manufacturers because they are the hope of the nation in terms of employment of labour,” Iche stressed.

“A lot of businesses have shut down while many others have been forced to cut down their staff

“If the current government truly wishes to revive the economy of the nation, it must encourage local manufacturers because they are the hope of the nation in terms of employment of labour.” strength. We are calling on the government to do something urgently to save micro industries in the country from extinction.”

He urged the government to “make raw materials duty free to boost local manufacturing” noting that “most local manufac-

turers cannot access bank loans because banks collect hidden interests."

Iche applauded the government for establishing the Bank of Industry (BOI) and microfinance banks but counselled effective monitoring to ensure small scale manufacturers have access to loans.

Iche

First Bank of Nigeria has introduced debit card overdraft service to enable customers have instant cash for urgent transactions The bank said the innovation, the first of its kind, is another avenue to support the lifestyle of customers.

The overdraft service can be accessed on Point-ofSales (PoS), web and automated teller machines (ATMs) worldwide with naira and dollar-denominated debit cards.

“With this service, card users can now enjoy a higher level of banking convenience as they are enabled to complete card transactions seamlessly,” the bank explained.

Its Group Head, Electronic Business, Chuma Ezirim, said card usage is fast becoming a lifestyle for the average customer in Nigeria, so the bank continuously offers innovative and differentiated products to improve banking experience.

“The debit card overdraft service will assist in providing our customers the highest level of service when they consummate card transactions,” he enthused.

A statement issued by First Bank explained that “this service reinforces the bank’s leadership in the provision of a full range of world-class debit card services and it is targeted at salary account holders as well as the Small and Medium Enterprises/individual account holders.

“Repayment options are flexible and the overdraft service will be valid for the three-year life span of the debit card.

“Customers signed up to this service will no longer need to worry about having insufficient funds when they initiate transactions with their debit cards.”

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Stock Market

55

Now is the right time to reform oil pricing Countries should seek to lower both the price paid to oil producers and raise the price paid by oil consumers. And now is the right time

W

orld oil prices, which have been highly volatile during the last decade, have fallen more than 50 per cent over the past year.

The economic effects have been negative overall for oil-exporting countries, and positive for oil-importing countries. But what about effects that are not directly economic?

If we care about environmental and other externalities, should we want oil prices to go up, because that will discourage oil consumption, or down because that will discourage oil production?

The answer is that countries should seek to do both: lower the price paid to oil producers and raise the price paid by oil consumers, by cutting subsidies for oil and refined products or raising taxes on them.

Many emerging-market countries have taken advantage of falling oil prices to implement such reforms.

The United States, which is now surprisingly close to energy self-sufficiency, so that the macroeconomic effects roughly balance, should follow suit.

Consider this: America’s roads and bridges are crumbling, and the national transportation infrastructure requires investment and maintenance.

And yet the U.S. Congress shamefully continues to evade its responsibility to fund the Federal Highway Trust Fund and put it on

a sound long-term basis, owing to disagreement over how to pay for it.

The obvious solution, which economists have long advocated, is an increase in America’s gasoline taxes.

The federal gas tax has been stuck at 18.4 cents a gallon since 1993, the lowest among advanced countries. And yet, on 30 July 2015, Congress adopted only a three-month stopgap measure, kicking the gas can down the road for the 35th time since 2009.

Fossil-fuel pricing is a striking exception to the general rule that if the government has only one policy instrument, it can achieve only one policy objective.

For starters, the money saved from a reduction in subsidies or an increase in taxes in the oil sector could be used either to reduce budget deficits or to fund desirable spending (such as highway construction and maintenance).

At the same time, lower oil consumption would reduce traffic congestion and accidents, limit local air pollution and its adverse health effects, and lower greenhouse-gas emissions, which lead to global climate change.

Fuel taxes are a more efficient way to achieve these environmental goals than most of the alternatives.

There is also a national security rationale.

If the retail price of fuel is low, domestic consumption will be high. High oil consumption leaves a country vulnerable to oil-market disruptions arising, for example, from instability in

Worldwide, fossil fuel subsidies are regressive: far less than 20 per cent of the payments benefit the poorest 20 per cent of the population.

Poor people are not the ones who do most of the driving; rather, they tend to use public transportation (or walk).

the Middle East.

If gas taxes are high and consumption is low, as in Europe, fluctuations in the world price of oil have a smaller effect domestically.

Subsidies to U.S. oil producers have often been sold on national security grounds; in fact, a policy to “drain America first” reduces self-sufficiency in the longer run.

Indeed, some developing country governments have faced civil unrest, even coups, over fuel taxes or subsidies.

Yet Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates have all reduced or abolished various fuel subsidies in the last year.

Subsidy misleadingly sold Finally, although fuel subsidies are often misleadingly sold as a way to improve income distribution, the reality is more nearly the opposite.

Worldwide, fossil fuel subsidies are regressive: far less than 20 per cent of the payments benefit the poorest 20 per cent of the population.

Poor people are not the ones who do most of the driving; rather, they tend to use public transportation (or walk).

The conventional wisdom is that it is politically difficult if not impossible to increase the gas tax. But some countries have political constraints, too.

Indeed, some developing country governments have faced civil unrest, even coups, over fuel taxes or subsidies.

Yet Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates have all reduced or abolished various fuel subsidies in the last year.

Besides raising taxes on fuel consumption, the U.S. should also stop some of its

subsidies for oil production.

Oil companies can immediately deduct a high percentage of their drilling costs from their tax liability, which other industries cannot do with their investments.

Likewise, the oil industry has often been able to drill on federal land and offshore without paying the full market rate for the leases.

Most politicians know that sound economics would call for these benefits to be eliminated; but those who complain the loudest that the government must not pick corporate winners and losers seem to be the least able to summon the political will to act.

A recent study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that global energy subsidies are running at more than $5 trillion (£3.2 trillion) per year, while fossil fuel subsidies in the U.S. have been conservatively valued at $37 billion per year (not including the cost of environmental externalities).

As leaders in emerging market countries have recognised, falling oil prices

represent the best opportunity to implement reform.

Governments that act now can reduce energy subsidies or increase taxes while sparing consumers an increase in the retail price from one year to the next.

For the U.S. and other advanced countries, it is also a good time for reform from a macroeconomic standpoint.

In the past, countries had to worry that a rising fuel tax could become built into uncomfortably high inflation rates. Currently, however, central bankers are not worried about inflation, except in the sense that they want it to be a little higher.

The U.S. Congress will have to come back to highway funding. If other countries have found that what was politically impossible has suddenly turned out to be possible, why not the U.S? • Frankel, a professor at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, previously served as a member of Bill Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers.

• Culled from www. theguardian.com/business

As leaders in emerging market countries have recognised, falling oil prices represent the best opportunity to implement reform.

Governments that act now can reduce energy subsidies or increase taxes while sparing consumers an increase in the retail price from one year to the next.

56

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Maritime

Nigeria now boasts 1,227 vessels Stories by Foster Obi

E

Motoring/Martitime Editor

xperts and investors, including indigenous ship owners and agencies, have argued repeatedly that Nigeria loses billions of naira annually for not putting its maritime sector at the reach of its citizens.

This poses great concern because Nigerians are not involved in shipping of its crude oil and commercial shipping activities even within the country’s territorial waters.

Paucity of properly flagged Nigerian vessels is the major reason.

The Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) and the Nigerian Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA) put the figure of loss to capital flight in the maritime sector at N2 trillion annually, mainly through crude oil carriage and other auxiliary maritime services.

SOAN President, Greg Ogbeifun, said ownership of tankers for crude oil freight and vessels for commercial shipping by the Nigerian government in partnership with the private sector should be the priority.

This is to ensure the utilisation of the country’s potential in maritime and cutting down massive capital flight.

Other indigenous shipping industry investors agree that there is an urgent need for Nigeria to float vessel fleets to transport oil products and possibly involve in commercial shipping on a

lower scale.

According to them, this is just one of the critical steps President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration should take urgently, among other policy decisions, to harness the huge, untapped potential of maritime resources.

Repeated hues and cries by stakeholders may have paid off at last as recent revelations show that there are now 1,227 vessels owned by Nigerians.

This means that capital flight, a major problem in this sector, may now be curtailed.

However, maintaining the vessels is a major problem.

Ogbeifun said at a recent maritime investors and shipowners forum in Lagos that it is now very challenging for shipowners to take their vessels outside the country for repair, urging the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to support development of existing ship repair yards and even build new ones.

He also stressed the need for NIMASA vessel surveyors to always refer to the head office when they are presented with excuses for lack of ship registration papers, instead of being in a hurry to seize vessels.

“It is bad that surveyors are always in a hurry to seize vessels. A situation where a surveyor is checking a vessel and the vessel has no papers, but had already started the process of obtaining or renewing the papers and all the survey says is ‘oh, I am going to detain the vessel’ is bad.

An AGO carrying vessel at Apapa “Surveyors should have a feedback mechanism with head office while in enforcement exercise,” Ogbeifun said.

At the forum, owners of stevedoring companies and dockworkers complained that jetties do not allow appointed stevedoring firms to work in their ports.

They said this creates an avenue to bring in illicit cargo.

During discussions on capacity of surveyors from NIMASA, the shipowners shared different

APMT to provide container-weighing services

A

PM Terminals is taking the lead to ensure a smooth transition into the new regulatory environment facing over 120 million containers entering the international supply chain.

The step comes less than two months for Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) Verified Gross Mass (VGM) to come into force.

Under international law, from July 1, 2016 shippers are required to provide a VGM for every container before it can be loaded with the shipping line.

In 2014, the International Maritime organisation (IMO), the agency of the United Nations which regulates international seaborne trade, approved amendments to

the SOLAS which, from July 1, 2016, will require verification and documentation of loaded containers (Verified Gross Mass, or “VGM”) before they can be loaded onto vessels.

This can be accomplished by either weighing the loaded container with calibrated and certified equipment, or weighing the cargo prior to loading and adding it to the tare weight of the empty container.

VGM regulations seek to assure safety of the vessel, as well as dockworkers and other cargo handlers by preventing overweight or otherwise misrepresented containers from jeopardising shipments or container movements.

“Our first priority remains to ensure safe and efficient operations for the supply chain,” said

APM Terminals Head of Global Operations, Jack Craig.

“It is crucial that these regulations are met in a way which does not create congestion bottlenecks that ultimately impose additional risk and cost for all stakeholders.”

APM Terminals teams are in dialogue with local regulatory authorities which are providing increasing clarity on national rules governing how to ensure compliance.

Operational procedures and processes are being reviewed to ensure VGM process compliance throughout the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network.

APM Terminals is planning to provide VGM Data Management capabilities in most facilities through accepting EDI

transmissions of VGM information into terminal operating systems from the shipping lines prior to vessel load planning.

Export containers which are received at APM Terminal facilities with a valid VGM will be accepted as per current local operational procedures.

Those export containers which arrive at APM Terminal facilities without a valid VGM will be generally accepted, but as they are ineligible to load on a vessel, may be segregated and subject to additional rehandling and storage requirements.

APM Terminals will initially provide VGM Generation Services to supply chain partners at 29 locations globally.

FOU 'A' makes 481 seizures in Q1

T

he Federal Operations Unit FOU ‘A’ achieved 481 different seizures of prohibited items valued at N527,830,350 with a payable duty of N140,562,590 and a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N668,392,940 between January and April 2016.

The Unit also apprehended 42 suspects in connection with the seizures.

The Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Umar Dahiru, gave the details as follows: • 141 different seizures of rice, totaling 8,148 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and 50 bags of 25kg with DPV of N53,124,500 • 112 different seizures of imported frozen poultry products, totaling 20,742 cartons

with DPV of N112,006,800.

• 50 different seizures of vegetable oil, totaling 2,519 kegs of 25 litres • 24 kegs of 10 litres, 140 cartons of kings oil • 120 pieces, 1,250 emp­ty kegs with DPV of N18,788,400 • 32 units of vehicles, 12 cut buses with DPV N87,210,000 • 148 different seizures of general merchandise comprising new and used textile materials, new and used foot wears, mosquito insec­ticide, spaghetti noodles, various soap and detergent, used tyres, narcotics, com­ pressors, hard drugs, Indian hemp, et cetera, with DPV of N397,263,240.

In the corresponding period in 2015, the Unit recorded 628 different seizures with a

DDP of N428,664,404.

Whereas the number of seizures for 2015 appeared higher, the quality of seizures in the first quarter of 2016 led to the wide gap in DPV at N668, 392,940.

Dahiru said whereas the Unit intercepted 628 different seizures with a DPV of N428,664,404 in 2015, it was obvious that the quality of seizures was far higher than in 2016.

His words: “This is an eloquent testimony to the fact that we are principally concerned about quality seizures as against inconsequential ones.

“Despite the harsh economic realities, the Unit was still able to demonstrate capacity in actualising the set

objectives of the Service, particularly in enforcing the fiscal policies of the government.”

He equally spoke on the challenges facing the unit and efforts to surmount them.

"The successes recorded in this first quarter came as a result of the painstaking effort of the operatives.

"Smugglers are becoming more daring by the day and in most cases displaying uncommon courage and tenacity in challenging our operatives.

“This hostile approach is actually quite expected because of the growing desperation among smuggling kingpins to thwart the efforts of our operatives, using all available means, both conventional and unconventional methods."

opinions.

Some said the surveyors were of international standards in operations, others cited severe knowledge and operational gap between the agency’s surveyors and those around the world.

They recommended further and continuous training for the surveyors.

A shipowner, Emeka Ndu, said the way the surveyors approach processes of registration and certification takes a lot of time.

Maritime industry requires 150,000 more seafarers in 10 years

U

nless seafarer training levels are increased significantly, the growth in demand for seafarers could generate a huge shortage in the total supply of officers.

The latest five-year Bimco/ICS Manpower Report forecasts that an additional 147,500 officers will be required by 2025 to service the world merchant fleet.

Launched at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the report said current shortfall stands at 2.1 per cent, amounting to 16,500 officers.

Some officer categories are in really short supply, including engineer officers at management level and officers for specialised ships such as chemical, LNG, and LPG carriers.

Although the global supply of officers is forecast to increase steadily, this is predicted to be outpaced by increasing demand.

In the past five years the industry has made good progress with increasing recruitment and training levels and reducing officer wastage.

The report estimates that there is a current surplus of 15.8 per cent, about 119,000 ratings, with demand only having increased by about 1 per cent since 2010.

However, unless training levels rise, a shortage in total supply of officers could emerge.

“Without continuing efforts to promote careers at sea and improve levels of recruitment and retention, the report suggests it cannot be guaranteed that there will be an abundant supply of seafarers in the future,” ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe, said.

China is thought to have overtaken the Philippines as the largest single source of seafarers qualified for international trade.

While data from international shipping companies suggest that the extent to which Chinese seafarers are available for international service may be more limited, the Philippines and Russia are seen as equally important sources of officers, followed closely by Ukraine and India.

The Manpower Report should act as a wake up call for the industry to address the issue of the accelerating shortage of seafarers, according to InterManager.

“Our people are our assets and we need to develop a strategy whereby shipping is once again seen as a career of choice for tomorrow’s young talented people,” said InterManager Secretary General, Kuba Szymanski.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

M toring 2016 Volkswagen Passat pitches fuel economy

By Foster Obi

C

Motoring/Martitime Editor ars undergo facelift yearly to make them more appealing to consumers.

Manufacturers have followed this tradition religiously.

The upgrade enables carmakers to compete for space in the highly competitive market where all cars look almost the same.

Manufacturers have tried to think out of the box to create marked differences with their product, which separates the men from the boys among the maddening crowd of marques jostling for consumer space.

For 2016 Volkswagen Passat, some features are remarkable which draw attention to it.

It has multimedia system updates, a slew of new advanced safety features and lower fuel costs which make the refreshed 2016 Volkswagen Passat much more attractive, even if its styling changes go largely unnoticed.

The lower fuel costs in this time of global increase in fuel price gives the car an edge.

Competition Passat remains one of the roomiest and best-driving mid/full-size sedans. Updates where they were most needed keep the 2016 competitive.

Though mechanical changes are few, VW dropped the manual transmission this year, leaving conventional and dual-clutch sixspeed automatics for the four- and six-cylinder engines, respectively.

The 2012-2015 Passat TDI got caught up in the diesel emissions cheating scandal.

For now, the 2016 TDI version is on hold because VW withdrew its 2016 diesel models from consideration for United States EPA certification, pending legitimately clean operation.

Trim levels have changed and now include the 1.8T four-cylinder in S, SE, SE with Technology, SEL and SEL Premium versions. A new 1.8T R-Line slots between the S and SE in price.

The six-cylinder comes only as the V6 SEL Premium.

External outlook One common complaint about the 2012-2015 Passat was that its styling was modest, even boring, and VW has taken steps to address that with an updated nose and tail for 2016.

The front fenders are shapelier, and the hood is creased and domed. The VW badge no longer creeps up into a cutout in the hood; a thick header piece separates the leading edge of the hood from the headlights, badge and grille.

The grille now has four horizontal bars in place of three. The headlight clusters are slimmer, and the front bumper is more intricately sculpted.

Creases are sharper, and all the chrome from higher 2015 trims now appears across the 2016

lineup, including the doors and window surrounds. LED headlights are available on all trims.

The rear enjoys a similar treatment, including a reworked trunk lid, taillights and bumper. Overall, the Passat's styling changes are an improvement, but it will probably go widely unrecognised as a new car.

The version most likely to be noticed is the affordable new R-Line, which is the most … exaggerated, with more pronounced rocker panels, black accents on the front and rear bumpers, and 19-inch wheels.

Carmagedeon

By Jonas Agwu 0805 316 6400 jonasagwu65@yahoo.com

New tyres in front or back axle? (1) • Good question for the rainy season When most people buy new tyres they tend to install them in the front axle. They give a number of reasons for doing so.

Among such reasons are: • With the engine in the front, new tyres should be in the front since they are stronger and should be able to effectively support the weight of the engine.

• New tyres will be less prone to suffer a blowout and since blowout of a front tyre is more dangerous than that of a rear tyre, it is safer to install new tyres in the front.

• Front tyres suffer the rigours of acceleration, braking, steering and bad road conditions more and so wear out faster than the rear tyres. So new tyres are better installed in the front.

The above reasons sound logically but following that logic would land you in serious trouble.

It is downright dangerous to install new tyres in the front axle, especially during the rainy season. Why? Because of a phenomenon called hydroplaning.

Interior Along with the outside, the 2016 Passat's interior gets a more liberal sprinkling of chrome and a "redesigned" dashboard that's little more than the old one plus a textured chrome trim strip across its expanse, separating the upper section from the lower one.

The steering wheel is updated with piano-black spokes and chrome – small steps that make a better overall impression.

Expert reviews have in the past criticised the low-resolution, monochrome display between the gauges on all but the SEL trim level, but apparently this protests haven't registered as this is still there on most trims.

The SEL Premium's display has 21st-century pixel sizes and adds colour, but still uses it too sparingly.

Hydroplaning Your tyres, if not worn out, have some grooves and channels on the treaded portion that is in contact with the ground.

Those grooves and channels are designed to, among other functions, help remove water under the tyres on a wet surface so that the tyre will maintain adequate contact with the road surface for proper traction.

A situation may arise where the channels are not able to remove water fast enough or where the channels are not deep enough because the tyres have worn out.

In either situation, the tyres will not maintain contact with the road surface and will simply float on the pool of water.

This phenomenon of floating on water because of lack of contact with the ground is called “hydroplaning”. It is dangerous and may lead to loss of control and a crash.

When a vehicle is hydroplaning, application of the brakes will make matters worse!

Now let us consider the effects of hydroplaning with new tyres in (a) the front axle and (b) the back axle.

Ergonomics and electronics

New tyres in front axle, old in back

Critics have always argued that the Passat was way behind in connectivity and entertainment technology, but for 2016 VW really stepped it up with the release of in-dash MIB II, the next-generation Modulare Infotainment Baukasten (that's German for modular infotainment platform).

There's now a device-agnostic USB port – replacing the longstanding Apple-only connector – accompanying the standard Bluetooth audio streaming and cellphone connectivity.

The colour touch-screens have faster processors for quicker response, starting with a 5-inch screen in the S and a 6.3-inch in the SE and higher.

New tyres, by nature, should have more tread depths than tyres in use. So the tyres at the back – because they have less tread depths – will hydroplane before the new tyres in front.

With the rear tyres hydroplaning first, a situation called “oversteering” may occur. The rear tyres will lose traction before the front tyres and the rear of the vehicle begins to slide.

Oversteering is far more difficult to control, and in addition to the initial distress felt when the rear of the car starts sliding, quickly releasing the gas pedal to slow down may make it more difficult for the driver to regain control, possibly causing a complete spinout, loss of control and a crash.

New tyres in back axle, old in front When you have new tyres in the back axle, the old tyres in the front will hydroplane before the back tyres. This may lead to “understeering”.

This means the vehicle will continue to move in the straight forward direction even when you want to steer it either to the left or to the right.

This is easier to control. By easing up on the gas pedal, the vehicle will slow down and make it very easy for the driver to control.

Testing experience

Safety Volkswagen modified the 2016 Passat's front-end structure, which has improved its score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small-overlap front crash test from acceptable to good Advanced safety options used to be a glaring Passat omission, but they're here for 2016.

Originally, the Passat's standard Post-Collision Braking System does indeed lock the brakes after a collision. Initial crashes are often followed by secondary ones, and that's what the feature attempts to prevent or lessen.

A significant sensor reading, not only a full airbag deployment, will activate the braking.

Fortunately, the 2016 Passat offers precollision braking, too (standard on SE models and up), in the form of forward collision warn-

57

ing with automated braking.

Unlike most vehicles, the Passat SE with Technology and higher trims will also brake when in Reverse if the driver doesn't heed the warning from the rear crosstraffic alert system.

The Technology trim also adds blind spot monitoring.

A backup camera is now standard on all Passats, and the car's visibility to the rear is also better than normal, thanks to a low trunk line.

Members of The Tire Rack team in the United States had the chance to experience hydroplaning at Michelin's Laurens Proving Grounds.

Participants were allowed to drive around a large radius, wet curve in vehicles fitted with tyres of different tread depths – one vehicle with new tyres in the rear and half-worn tyres in the front, and the other with the new tyres in the front and halfworn tyres in the rear.

The ability to sense and control predictable understeer with the new tyres in the rear, and the helplessness in trying to control the surprising oversteer with the new tyres in the front was emphatically proven.

It is better to experience this phenomenon in the safe, controlled conditions of Michelin's Laurens Proving Grounds rather than in traffic in a rainstorm.

In case there is any doubt, when tyres are replaced in pairs, the new tyres should always be installed in the rear axle and the worn tyres moved to the front.

• Continues in next edition.

58

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Tourism/Aviation Swiss hotels look to gulf guests to offset Europe

O

verlooking the palm trees and sparkling blue waters of Lake Lugano, the Belle Epoque Hotel Splendide Royal is looking to the East to make its guests feel welcome.

By devising an extensive menu of Middle Eastern cuisine, the five-star establishment opened in 1887 is part of efforts

by Switzerland’s tourist industry to attract visitors from emerging markets to offset a decline among European visitors, put off by the strength of the Swiss franc.

Arab visitors come because “the perception of Switzerland is that of a tidy country and a safe place with a lovely landscape,” Splendide Royal General Manager, Giuseppe Rossi said, explaining that he travelled to countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 2015 to nurture client relationships.

The number of bookings from mid-eastern countries climbed about 5 per cent by the second quarter of 2015, he said.

Since British mountaineer Edward Whymper and his team scaled the Matterhorn 150 years ago, the Swiss tourism industry has typically focused on welcoming European guests.

But the franc’s strength against the euro in recent years has forced establishments to change course and target visitors from elsewhere.

In Geneva, where Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd built a sum-

mer palace 36 years ago, the Grand Hotel Kempinski and the Mandarin Oriental have Arabic websites.

The same goes for the Splendide Royal’s menu, which features Lebanese wines and rose water pudding.

Visa rules In Switzerland, the number overnight stays by guests from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates almost doubled to 725,000 between 2011 and 2014.

With the franc up roughly 13 per cent against the euro in 2015, hoteliers and restaurant owners are complaining of tough business conditions.

The sector, which employs 210,000 people in a country of eight million, has for years faced declining numbers of guests due to the strong currency.

The central bank’s decision in January 2015 to remove its cap on the franc of 1.20 per euro has only exacerbated the problem.

In a move that is likely to boost tourism, the Swiss government eased the visa rules for Emirati citizens on tourist trips in June 2015.

“Developing nascent markets is helping to compensate for the declining numbers from Europe – but it’s not offsetting it 1 to 1,” said Daniela Baer, a spokeswoman for the Swiss tourism board.

Big spenders

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Switzerland

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Switzerland More than half the overnight stays in the first six months of 2015 were derived from European visitors, according to Swiss statistics office data.

Chinese made up 5.9 per cent, while the Gulf region accounted for 2.4 per cent.

The total number of overnight hotel stays of foreign visitors

declined 1.9 per cent in the first half, the data showed.

It helps that visitors from the Gulf tend to be big spenders.

They spent 430 francs ($444) a day on average in 2013, according to tourism board data.

That dwarfs visitors from India spending 240 francs per day, or Russians at 230.

Germans, by contrast, spent

Grand Hotel Kempinski, Switzerland 140 francs and the Dutch 130 francs.

Sarah AlDuiwaisan, 20, a student from Kuwait City, regularly visits Switzerland with members of her family, including her parents and aunts.

They own a house in nearby Evian, France and spend their days in Geneva and touring sites such as Lausanne and

Montreux.

“I’ve come to Switzerland every summer since I was a baby,” she said, enjoying the sunshine near Lake Geneva.

“We relax, we take in the view.

It may be more expensive but for us it’s well worth it.”

• Culled from www.bloomberg.com

Tourists in Greece seek out hotel safes to stash extra

G

reek resort manager Kostas Dimitrokalis’s customers have started asking about an amenity often ignored in an age of online and credit card payments: reliable hotel safes to stash their money.

“Clients want to feel secure that if something happens, they’ll have funds,” Dimitrokalis, who heads the KD Hotels chain with six resorts on the island of Santorini, said in a telephone interview.

“They’re coming with more cash.”

Helping travellers rest easy is something Dimitrokalis can handle.

More troubling for him is what if they simply don’t come at all? While his hotels are full right now, Dimitrokalis says forward bookings are weak given the uncertainty surrounding the country’s financing.

That’s a sentiment echoed

by Greece’s tourism industry as a whole.

Economic impact Tourism generates 17 per cent of gross domestic product in Greece, meaning

any slowdown would hit the economy hard.

Before the flareup in funding dispute with the International Monetary Fund in June 2015, the country was heading toward a record year for visitors, with the number of tourists surging 46 per cent in the first quarter to 1.73 million, according to data from the Bank of Greece.

TUI AG, Europe’s largest tour operator, said it’s only had sporadic inquiries from travellers about the impact a Greek exit from the euro would have on their holiday, while Thomas Cook Group said it still sees strong demand for travel to the country.

Both companies said trips wouldn’t be affected because they are selling package tours to customers.

The advice from experts for travellers heading to the country is to keep abreast of the latest developments and bring along enough cash to last three to four days just in case, said David Swann, a spokesman for Travelex, which specialises in foreign currency exchange and operates stores and ATMs around the world.

“Our advice for people

planning a trip to Greece is to exercise caution,” Swann said.

Shrugging off Greeks are hoping for more visitors like Elizabeth Sinclair, who shrugged off crisis-related warnings from others not to go to the country.

The 28-year-old New Yorker landed in Athens on the first stop of a Greece trip that will take her and two friends to islands including Santorini and Naxos.

“Some people definitely told us not to come but we just ignored that,” Sinclair said, adding that she didn’t take any extra precautions for her trip. “We’ve always wanted to come to Greece.”

One of Sinclair’s traveling companions, Laura Nagy, even sees a potential benefit in the situation.

“Some people told us not to come because of the economy, but I said, ‘cheaper’”, said Nagy, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher from Melbourne, Florida.

“People are going to be more desperate for my money.”

• Culled from www.bloomberg.com

Tourists gather to watch the sun set in Oia village on the island of Santorini, Greece. Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis/Bloomberg

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FOOTBALL ATHLETICS

TheNiche

BASKETBALL TENNIS

SPORTS

May 22, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

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

Ubah to sponsor national Under-20 championship

Pellegrini blames club for poor finish

Monitor talents at NNPC/Shell Cup tourney, Akinwale tells NFF

F

ormer international, Shola Akinwale, wants the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to monitor talents at the ongoing 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup tournament.

The one-time highest goal scorer in the local league said talents abound at the tournament but NFF officials have not paid attention to them.

“We’ve been clamouring for a long time that we have talented players in the country and the inability of NFF officials to

monitor them is the bane of the development of our grassroots football.

“For instance, NFF officials have not been watching the ongoing 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup tournament. And I must confess to you that there are abundant talents in the tournament.

“All the NFF officials need to do is to watch the players and recommend them for the national teams coaches,” Akinwale said.

The zonal preliminary matches at the Township Stadium, Katsina produced two schools for the quarter finals – Government Secondary School, Kwankaso,

Kano and Government Day Secondary School, Samaru Ibrahim, Gusau.

FOLSA Academy Secondary School, Abuja emerged from Minna zone; and Government Secondary School, Goniri from Jalingo zone at the expense of schools from Gombe, Borno, and Adamawa States.

In Ilorin zone, Bauchi State representatives, Government (Senior) Secondary School, Darazo progressed to the quarterfinals; Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt did from Uyo zone.

Owerri zone produced National Grammar School, Nike,

Enugu State.

St. Mary’s High School, Ifitedunu, Anambra State emerged from Ughelli zone; Pakoto High School, Ifo, Ogun State (Osogbo zone); and Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan (Akure zone).

Quarterfinal matches hold from today, Sunday, May 22 and Monday, May 23 at four centres with 10 teams to battle for four semifinal tickets.

The centre are Katsina, Ilorin, Benin and Osogbo.

Government Secondary School, Kwankwaso will battle FOLSA Academy Secondary

School in Katsina.

The winner between Government Secondary School, Goniri and Government Senior Secondary School, Darazo in the match in Ilorin will face Government Day Secondary School, Samaru Ibrahim, Gusau.

The winner between Excel Education Centre, Port-Harcourt and St. Mary’s High School, Ifitedunu in the contest in Benin will battle National Grammar School, Nike.

Pakoto High School, Ifo will trading tackles with Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan in Osogbo.

60

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Basketball Milo Basketball Championship moves to Equatorial Conference

W

ith the completion of the Western Conference in Lagos, Central Conference (Ilorin), and Confluence Conference (Lokoja), the stage is set for the Equatorial Conference at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu.

Matches will run from today, Sunday, May 22 to Thursday, May 26 to determine the champions in both the boys’ and girls’ categories for the grand finale.

Already qualified for the grand finale from the Western Conference are Henson Demonstration School, Benin City (boys’ category) and Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, Lagos (girls’ category).

Central Conference produced Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State (girls) and Government Secondary School Karu, Abuja (boys).

For 18 years, the Nestle Milo Basketball Championship has remained the flagship grassroots competition which gives Nigerian youths the opportunity to showcase their basketball skills.

Unlike football which is dominated by boys at secondary school level, Nestle Milo chose basketball to ensure both boys and girls get the same experience in the game and that, more importantly, they get the right foundation for development.

The grand finale of this year’s championship will hold in Asaba, and outstanding players will be invited for the Top 50 Camp

by Nestle in Lagos in September.

The camp will be conducted by NBA coaches, led by Masai Ujiri of The Toronto Raptors.

A selection of players from the tournament will represent Nigeria at an international tournament to be decided by the NSSF.

Polo

A

ll is set for this year’s edition of the Access Bank/ UNICEF Charity Shield polo tournament which will hold at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, Kangimi, Kaduna, from May 25 to June 5.

The venue is wearing a new look, and participating players and their horses have started arriving.

Fifth Chukker Polo Captain, Babangida Katsina, told TheNiche that renovation work began on Saturday, May 14 with the painting of the building and the levelling of the field.

“We need to put a lot of things in shape ahead of the tournament because this is the biggest charity polo event on the continent of Africa.

“The painting of the building has been concluded and we are putting finishing touches to the field where the main action would be.

“By the time we are through with the renovation, we will surely have a successful and fine tournament that we are used to at the club,” Katsina said.

Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club is a private club that caters

Action from the ongoing

Fifth Chukker Club looks fresh for Access Bank/UNICEF tourney to a range of equestrian sport activities. It is located half an hour’s drive from Kaduna.

Despite being a private club, it welcomes non-members to visit and enjoy many of its facilities.

Club staff are friendly and eager to take guests around the 300 stables as well as the exercise tracks. The club has a restaurant and lounge bar with vantage positions to watch polo games.

It hosts two main international polo tournaments, Access Bank's "The Emir of Katsina Charity Shield" (May to June) and "The African Masters Patrons Cup" (October to November).

Katsina confirmed that some of the players have sent in their horses which are being taken care of while they are expecting the players to start arriving from today, Sunday, May 22.

“We are also expecting top officials of our sponsors, the Access Bank management as well as officials of UNICEF and top government functionaries.”

The tournament, the 10th in the series, will feature 15 teams vying for honours in three categories.

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.

Fifth Chukker Polo Club and Country Resort

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Football

Ubah to sponsor national Under-20 championship

I

feanyi Uba, the owner of FC Ifeanyi Uba, has promised to sponsor an annual national under-20 tournament in his name, to be competed for by football talents from all the zones in the country.

Uba, also Anambra State Football Association (FA) chairman, disclosed this while being conferred with Grand Patron of the United Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (UYSFON)

by UYSFON President, Godspower Kokoriko, at his country home in Nnewi, Anambra state.

61

The tournament will be organised by UYSFON. Uba said: “I’ll take the under-20 Cup competition, I promise to support your needs for that competition and I’m going to direct our football consultant, Fanny Amun, to work with you because I believe it’s something that would add value to the youths of Nigeria.”

The championship will be held yearly in August in Anambra State.

UYSFON, an affiliate of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), promotes grassroots football countrywide.

NFF reminds Plateau FA of banned players, officials

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has written to remind the Plateau State Football Association (PSFA) that the ban placed on some football players and officials over scandalous results in the 2013 play-off of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNL) at Bauchi centre is still in force.

In results that attracted global alarm and condemnation, Plateau United Feeders, Akurba United of Lafia, Police Machine of Yola and Bubayero FC of Gombe were involved in score lines of 76-0 and 89-0.

The NFF set up a panel which recommended that players, team officials, and match officials involved be banned for life.

A letter written last Tuesday by NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, instructed the PSFA to enforce the ban.

The reminder became necessary because of the move last Monday by Plateau United to appoint Victor Wikadson as new head coach.

From Plateau United Feeders, 18 players and seven officials were axed. Fifteen players and three team officials of Akurba United were banned, alongside 18 players and five team officials of Police Machine and 16 players and three officials of Bubayero.

The NFF listed the banned players and match officials of Plateau United Feeders as Kenneth Ilo, Jacob Bulus, Emmanuel Mathew, Ezekiel Damiri, Paul Danjuma, Mathew Luka, Tenton Yamen, Katura Christopher, Kika James, John David, Ugochukwu Kingsley, Safiyanu Idris, Daform Pam, Alexanda Longs, Joseph Dokatri, Laila Ibrahim, Sani Mohammed and

Solomon Effom.

Victor Wikadson (chief coach), Sani Mohammed (assistant coach), John Babo (assistant coach), Shuaibu Usman (welfare), Garba Mohammed (masseur), Babawo Sambo (curator), and Danladi Bala (team manager).

Those banned in Akurba are Bahira Usman, Bala Dio, Musa Ahmad, Abba Musa, Usman Babaji, Abdullahi Arikiya, Arijide Timothy, Sabo Ahmed, Kasimu Yunusa, and Alkama Husseini.

Shehu Abubakar, Almakura Danladi, Yahaya Adamu, James Mathias, Abubakar Labaran, Osas Onuegbu (chief coach), Musa Abdullahi (assistant coach), and Tanko Usman (secretary).

Banned in Police Machine are Samuel Dairremi, Linison John, Enema Samson, Lazarus Ahmed, Bala Rabiu, Emmanuel Gringory, Gabriel Emmanuel, Abubakar Mustapha, Johnson Mike, Dahiru Mohammed, Bashir Yahaya, John Salisu, Baffa Abubakar, and Ibrahim Hamman.

Danjuma Friday, Samaila Adamu, Ahmed Kabiru, Harrison Smarth, Tukur Ali (chief coach), Gambo Yakubu (technical adviser), John Felix (deputy Action during a match this season. technical adviser), Bigman Emmanuel (training officer), and Danladi Musa.

Musa Ibrahim, Waziri Aliyu, Abdulganiyu Those banned in Bubayero are Sudais Samaila, Ephraim Alizo, Johnny Mark, Umar Mohammed, Isah Mohammed, Williams Bulus, Yahaya, Bala Yayari (chief coach), Usman Mubarak Dauda, Abdulwahab Salisu, Ibrahim Abubakar (assistant coach), and Umar Bappah Famous, Abdulrahman Abubakar, Stanley (team manager).

Wirba, Musa Adamu, and Abdullahi Abubakar.

Also banned are match officials Olu Oken-

eye, M. O. Bakare (match commissioners), Mohammed Mohammed, Umar Garba (referees), S. Chiroma, A. Shina, Sani Abdul, Hassan Pegt (assistant referees), and H. Murtala, M. Salahuddin (reserve referees).

Much ado about Giwa FC

I

Giwa FC players celebrate scoring against Ikorodu United

t is no longer news that Giwa FC stayed away from a third game last Wednesday in Ilorin against Enyimba International.

It is also already known that the rules of the Nigerian league state that any club that fails to honour three matches in a season risks expulsion from the league.

After Wikki Tourists and Akwa United walked over Giwa FC in Ilorin, where the Jos-based side was banished to following crowd trouble during a home game against Enugu Rangers, the League Management Company (LMC) formally cautioned the club it risks expulsion.

The LMC referred to Rule 13:28 which says: “If a club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within a season without acceptable reason to the LMC, such a club shall be expelled from the

league and its matches, played and not played shall be cancelled.”

When it seemed that it was all over, the club reached out to the LMC in what was an attempt to stay off execution.

The Jos Elephants agreed to play its match day 18 game against Enyimba slated for Ilorin last Wednesday afternoon. However, it asked that the game be rescheduled despite Enyimba already waiting in Ilorin.

A statement from the club showed that it wants to remain in the league while asking for the LMC to review the circumstances leading to its recent travails.

"Giwa FC has written to inform the LMC that it has accepted to play its match day 18 with Enyimba Int'l,” said a statement issued by its Media Officer,

David King.

“The club pleaded that the date of the match be rescheduled to enable the team play the match, but not in Ilorin.

“The club promised to do its best to uphold the integrity of the league for the good of the game, too.”

Fiwa FC expressed regret all inconveniences caused the LMC and pleaded for an independent commission to be set up by LMC to look into the cases of the last two matches missed with a view to allowing a replay.

The club is embroiled in the political drama involving its proprietor, Chris Giwa's fight for the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

It is now left for the LMC to enforce its rules or look the other way.

62

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Football

How Suarez eclipses Messi in Barca title win

Suarez

J

ust when the Catalans appeared to have imploded, losing their nine-point lead at the top, the Uruguayan's goals wrestled back momentum before he finished the job at Granada.

It took Barcelona just 11 minutes to take the lead against Deportivo back in April, their familiar talisman wheeling away in celebration after a typically crafty finish to be mobbed by his team-mates.

The Catalans had endured their biggest slump in years, picking up one point from a possible 12 and watching as their stranglehold on the title loosened. But it was not Lionel Messi who came to the rescue.

As has been the case increasingly often this season, it was Luis Suarez who stole the headlines and got Barca back on track.

Four goals in the drubbing of Deportivo, seven more in the three games that preceded last Saturday's finale, and crisis averted.

For so long Barca has looked to just one man to bail them out and provide

inspiration. Now they have a second superstar operating on an otherworldly level.

That Suarez-led resurgence proved vital in reasserting Barca's dominant swagger, and he finished the job in Granada to leave Real Madrid brokenhearted.

While Cristiano Ronaldo was suuu-ing pointlessly in La Coruna, Suarez was tapping in from close range.

The points were virtually assured when he headed home Dani Alves' athletic cross minutes later, before he completed his hat-trick late on.

With three instinctive flashes, the title had been won.

Suarez’s form this season has been quite extraordinary, in spite of the sense of normality Ronaldo and Messi’s stunning scoring records have bestowed on such feats.

Suarez has outscored five teams in La Liga and netted 59 goals in all competitions, exceeding his own personal best tally of 55 while still at Ajax six years ago – and that included goals for Uruguay.

He is also the joint-

leading assist-maker in La Liga, meaning no player in the top five leagues has contributed more goals.

And he is the first player other than Messi or Ronaldo to score 38 goals in a single Liga season since Hugo Sanchez in 1989-90.

He’s even done things the best two players in the world have never managed, scoring four goals in backto-back matches and having a hand in seven goals in a single La Liga match, the only player to do so in the 21st Century.

Unless Atletico Madrid does something incredible, he will also be the first player to top both the goals and assists charts at the end of a Liga season.

Even more impressively, and unlike the elite company he now keeps, he has done all this in a team that was not built around him.

He was supposed to be the wing-man, but is fast becoming the main man.

At the Bernabeu, there is a sense that Ronaldo is pandered to – some have even gone further, saying the side lacks balance and solidity when he plays – and that he scores mainly in irrelevant games (some-

thing that Madrid’s record of never winning the title when Ronaldo is top-scorer attests to).

Messi, likewise, is the focal point for Barca, and plenty of signings – from David Villa to Alexis Sanchez – have struggled to deal with the shadow he casts.

Suarez was bought predominantly to ease the goal scoring load on the diminutive Argentine. But he has done far more than that.

This season he has displaced him as the go-to man in attack, consistently unlocking otherwise impenetrable defences to bail out Barca and allowing his partner in crime to sit a little deeper, pulling strings rather than finishing off sweeping moves.

A natural evolution, you suspect.

Despite his phenomenal returns since swapping Merseyside for Catalonia, Suarez initially feared he would not be able to adapt to what had been a possessionheavy, tiki-taka style.

“I never imagined that I would be scoring goals here, I never felt I would adapt to this team's style of

play the way I have,” he told ESPN in the build-up to last Saturday’s match.

This season has brought a slight shift, a greater degree of trust in the 29-year-old.

“Most of my team-mates, like Messi or Neymar, have been looking to pick me out more, without me telling them, to give me options to score. It shows our team ethic.

“It is an honour to play at Barcelona with these players around me. On the field and off it they have been really important. This season we have shown we are great team-mates.”

In many ways, Barca adapted to Suarez, rather than the other way around, and he embodies so many of the changes Luis Enrique has made to the Pep Guardiola blueprint at Barca.

It is more direct, more efficient, counter-attack with blistering pace and is dominant on set-pieces, with much of that improvement from dead-ball situations coming courtesy of Juan Carlos Unzue’s whiteboard.

It was one such preplanned routine that produced Suarez’s opener against Deportivo and stopped the rot.

There is a huge sense of irony, too, in the fact that it is Suarez who has created a debate about whether there are now three – not two – players who stand apart from all others.

Madrid has spent years searching for such a player, and long considered the possibility of activating Suarez's release clause, but it is Barca who can now count on more bona fide Galacticos.

He rose to the occasion once again against Granada, helping seal the title and the Pichichi trophy in the process – breaking Messi and Ronaldo’s sevenyear domination.

Past infractions still count against him in the eyes of many, but the hot-headed man who needed a muzzle has come in from the doghouse.

More mature, more lethal, and now the leader of the Barcelona attack; a second Messi.

• Culled from www.Goal .com Fact file La Liga apps - 35 Goals scored - 40 Assists - 16 Shots per game - 3.9

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

May 22, 2016

Football

63

Pellegrini blames club for poor finish

M

anchester City Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, blames the club's announcement that he would be replaced by Pep Guardiola for his team's poor finish to the season.

Manchester City is all but assured of a place in next season's Champions League as Manuel Pellegrini's time at the club ended with a 1-1 draw at Swansea.

It was denied a win as Andre Ayew's deflected freekick cancelled out Kelechi Iheanacho's close-range opener.

In many ways, Manchester City's display at the Liberty Stadium was a fitting way to end an underwhelming season that began with such promise before limping to a satisfactory but below-par conclusion.

In securing a top-four finish, Pellegrini has achieved the very minimum required of him before handing over to Guardiola this summer, but it does not mask the failings of the Chilean's final campaign.

Despite winning the League Cup for a second time in three years and going further in the Champions

League than ever before, City's expensive squad has underachieved in the league.

Its haul of 66 points is its lowest in the top-flight since the 2008-09 season – the first under Mansour's ownership.

Pellegrini leaves the Etihad with a league title to his name, the best win percentage of any Premier League manager barring Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, and as the only City boss to have never finished below United.

But after starting so strongly, his reign has limped to its conclusion with a squad in need of an overhaul.

"I wanted to win the Premier League this season, but the atmosphere from February when the club announced the new manager was, maybe, not the best atmosphere.

"We lost two important games at home when we were three points behind the leaders.

"The only option we had today was that we needed to get the point to get Champions League for next year," Pellegrini said.

Pellegrini

Oshoala’s moment of glory

N

igeria international, Asisat Oshoala, starred for Arsenal Ladies in its 1-0 win over Chelsea to lift English Women FA Cup title on Saturday, May 14.

Oshoala started the encounter and was a delight to watch against fellow Nigerianborn England international, Eniola Aluko, and came close twice as Danielle Carter's brilliant strike handed victory to Pedro Martinez Losa's ladies at Wembley.

The Super Falcons striker came close in the 43rd and 61st minutes but her efforts were denied before she was replaced in the 88th minute.

The victory saw the Gunners win a record 14th English women FA Cup title and ensured Oshoala lifted her first silverware in England two months after she dumped Liverpool Ladies.

She made a goal-scoring debut in Arse-

Oshoala lifts the FA Cup

Cech wins EPL Golden Glove

Rooney makes EPL history

E

ntering last Tuesday, only one player ever had scored 100 English Premier League (EPL) goals at one home stadium, and that was Arsenal's Thierry Henry.

There are now two.

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney became the second player to reach 100 by scoring late in the first half of the Red Devils' makeup game against Bournemouth

nal Ladies 3-1 victory against Reading FC Women on March 23 at Meadow Park.

Her first appearance for the Gunners a few days after her switch from Liverpool Ladies became a reality as she started against Reading in her second season in the English Women's Super League.

Dutch star, Dominique Jansse, put the Gunners ahead in the 34th minute with the woodwork denying Oshoala of her debut goal nine minutes later before the break.

On the resumption of the second half, the 21-year-old sailed into the box and rounded the visitors’ goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net, her first goal, to double Arsenal's lead.

But Boho Sayo pulled one back for Reading in the 58th minute before Carter extended the Gunners' lead in the 70th minute to secure victory.

for the 1-0 lead.

Playing two days after originally thought after a security concern that turned out to be harmless resulted in the match being called off, Rooney scored 43 minutes off an assist from Anthony Martial.

Now that is an elite list, with two world superstars.

Henry finished his career with 114, and Rooney is likely to pass it in the coming years.

P Rooney

etr Cech has won the English Premier League (EPL) Golden Glove after keeping 16 clean sheets in his first season at Arsenal.

Cech conceded 31 goals in 38 matches for Arsenal to beat nine other goalkeepers to the award.

Manchester City goalkeeper, Joe Hart, came second with 15 clean sheets while both David de Gea of Manchester United and Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City) are placed Cech third and fourth respectively with 15 clean sheets each.

Tottenham goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, is fifth with 13 clean sheets while Heurelho Gomes (Watford) and Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) and sixth and seventh respectively with 11 clean sheets.

Stoke City goalkeeper, Jack Butland, is eighth with 10 clean sheets while Lukasz Fabianski (Swan-

sea) and Adrin (West Ham) are ninth and 10th with nine clean sheets each.

Leicester City won the EPL title for the first time with 81 points; Arsenal placed second with 71, and Tottenham third with 70.

Who wins Cope del Rey 2016?

T

he 114th edition of Spain’s primary football cup competition, the Copa del Rey final, holds today, Sunday, May 22 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.

It will be played between the reigning champions, Barcelona, and Sevilla.

Both teams had victories by wide margins on their

way to the final. Barcelona scored 25 goals and conceded five in eight games; Sevilla scored 22 times in eight matches, conceding only two in the second leg of its semi-final.

If Barcelona wins the Copa del Rey then the 2016 Supercopa de Espana will be Barcelona against Sevilla.

Barcelona has previously

played in 37 Copa del Rey finals, second only to Real Madrid's 39, and has a record 27 victories.

It is the reigning champion, having defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–1 in last year's final at the Camp Nou. Sevilla has been to seven finals, winning five, most recently in 2010 when it defeated Atletico Madrid 2–0 at

the Camp Nou. Its last defeat was in 1962, 2–1 to Real Madrid.

The 2016 final is the first between the two sides.

It will be the 13th such final at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, home of Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona previously won the final at the ground in 1968, 1981, and 2012; and

lost in 1974 and 1986.

It will be Sevilla's first final at the stadium, although three of its victories came from elsewhere in the Spanish capital.

The two teams began the season against each other in the 2015 UEFA Super Cup in Tbilisi on August 11, which Barcelona won 5–4 after exVicente Calderon Stadium tra time.

Candour's Niche

www.thenicheng.com

22:05:2016

Ikechukwu Amaechi ikechukwuamaechi@yahoo.com i.amaechi@thenicheng.com 0805 506 9065

Travails of Citizen Chidi Duru

L

et me disclose from the outset that Nze Chidi Duru is my friend.

I met him for the first time sometime in 1999 through a mutual friend who is now late, Tony Anyanwu, who represented my Federal Constituency, Ahiazu-Ezinihitte Mbaise, in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003.

Both Chidi and Tony, vibrant young lawyers, had won their elections and were waiting to be inaugurated when Tony and I went to see him in his law office in Lagos.

Upon inauguration in early June 1999, Duru became one of the stars of the National Assembly (NASS) of the Fourth Republic, bringing his erudition and huge intellect to bear on lawmaking.

Such was his contribution that he was appointed chairman of the very powerful and strategic House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation between 1999 and 2003.

So exceptional was he that he was nominated by the British government as one of 14 outstanding leaders in Africa and attended the Africa Future Leadership Pilot Programme in Manchester, United Kingdom.

For a man who believes so much in capacity building and that politicians should have a “second address”, when he left the NASS in 2007, he attended several management courses, including the Chief Executive Programme at the Lagos Business School; Competitive Strategy and Value Creation Course at the University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain; and the Privatisation, Regulatory Reform, Corporate Governance and Management of Political Economic Reforms at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

He also ran his businesses here in Nigeria.

Until last week, I had not spoken with him for about a year. So, I was alarmed when I read a story online on Wednesday with the headline “Pension Scam: Ex-Rep, Hon. Chidi Duru, goes into hiding as EFCC comes after fraudsters.”

I called him immediately and the story he narrated shocked me.

The whole crisis has to do with the First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL) which he founded.

Duru said: “The licence of the

First Guarantee Pension Limited was given to me in recognition of the work that one did bringing to fruition the Pension Reform Act of 2004.

“Fola Adeola, who was then the chairman of the Steering Committee of the National Pensions Committee, was so excited and so pleased with the hard work that was done in bringing this into fruition that one was encouraged to consider the possibility of also being a player in the industry.

“I applied and was granted a licence as one of the players in the Pension Fund Adminiatration (PFA) industry and the name of my company then was First Guarantee Pension Limited.

“Eventually, I brought together 37 shareholders to be able to promote First Guarantee Pension as a business.”

Unfortunately, that seems to be his mistake.

For five years, the company struggled but the tide turned in 2010 when it became profitable, paying its first dividend in 2011.

With that came the envy.

On February 23, 2011, the National Pensions Commission (PenCom), the industry regulator, released its annual report which categorised FGPL as the most improved PFA in 2010.

Surprisingly, one month later, the same PenCom on March 22, 2011 wrote the board of FGPL that it would like to undertake a target examination of the company.

The target examination report PenCom presented to the board in June 2011 was critical of the way the company was being run, asserting, among other issues, that the chairman should not have occupied the post because he had insignificant shares.

But the board reasoned that the chairman, who had well over N20 million worth of shares, could not be said to be a chairman with insignificant shares.

In any case, the company’s article and memorandum of association didn’t provide for a share qualification to even be on the board not to talk of a share qualification to be the chairman.

FGPL questioned the report and brought to the attention of PenCom that under the Pension Reform Act, such a report from the regulator will be submitted to

the directors, and the directors are bound under the law to submit the report to the shareholders.

It is the responsibility of the shareholders to vote on it and whatever is the outcome of such a vote becomes the decision of the company.

But PenCom would have none of that. The management of FGPL sued PenCom to court.

On August 11, 2011, Justice D.U. Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja issued an ex-parte order restraining PenCom from implementing the target report pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

PenCom demurred and four days later, precisely on August 15, 2011, dissolved the board of FGPL and appointed an interim management.

Outraged shareholders petitioned the then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, who wrote two letters on August 18, 2011 and September 8, 2011 to PenCom telling the regulator to obey the orders of court and revert to the status quo.

None of that was done.

On June 18, 2012, the court ruled on the matter. In a 132-page judgment, the judge took umbrage at PenCom for acting above the law and ordered that the interim management be removed.

The court requested the commissioner of police in Lagos State, where the head office of FGPL is, and the commissioner of police in Abuja to help the board members take back their business.

But before then, on October 3, 2011, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had swooped on Duru’s residence in Abuja and arrested him on the grounds that one of the company’s shareholders, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, had petitioned the EFCC to implement PenCom's target report.

The EFCC acted on the petition despite the fact that in August, the same Ibrahim-Imam and five other shareholders out of 37 had gone to a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order of mandamus to compel the EFCC to investigate the target report – and the court threw out the application as an abuse of court process since there was already a judgment on the matter.

Yet, Duru was detained overnight. On October 4, 2011, his sister, Mrs. Christy Ekweonu, a director with the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Ken Nwanze, bailed him.

But, immediately after the court gave the full judgment in 2012 nullifying the target report and mandating PenCom to hand back the business to the original directors and shareholders, the police invited the shareholders to make a report on why they were disturbing the peace of FGPL. The complainants suddenly became the accused. In fact, the police went a step further to prefer a charge against Duru before a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja bordering on theft and forgery.

But on March 28, 2013, the magistrate, after being presented with all the rulings on the matter, again threw out the case as an abuse of court process.

Then in January this year, a lawyer friend of Duru came to Lagos High Court and saw his name on the cause list.

Investigation revealed that the EFCC had actually come to Lagos on October 5, 2015 to prefer a charge on the same subject matter that has to do with PenCom target report before a High Court, without his knowledge.

Worried by the latest development, Duru now petitioned the current attorney general of the federation telling him that in 2013, his office wrote two letters on the matter.

That was on March 8, 2016. On April 6, the AG caused a letter to be written to the EFCC demanding that they should bring the case file to his office for review. But even a reminder letter on April 22, could sway the almighty EFCC. Meanwhile, on April 11, Duru’s lawyer and that of the EFCC had argued on his preliminary objection.

So, the ruling was fixed for May 11, 2016.

Unfortunately, the court didn’t sit because the judge was indisposed. The matter was adjourned to June 8, 2018.

But as he was leaving the court, he received a call from his sister who bailed him in 2012 saying EFCC operatives were in her office to arrest her in lieu of the brother who they claimed jumped bail.

But the law is very clear, you

cannot arrest one person in lieu of another.

Even if as a surety, the most you can do is go to court, and get the court to issue an order for her to forfeit her bail bond. She was in EFCC custody from that day untill Friday, April 20 when she was released.

Her offence? Being Chidi Duru’s sister.

How can a man who was in court to answer charges preferred against him by the EFCC be on the run?

While all these were going on, the interim management appointed by PenCom, which had been sacked by the courts, did a filing at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that neither had the directors approval nor the shareholders resolution restructuring the shareholding structure of FGPL where the shares of their South African partners, Nouare, were removed as investors and treated now as deposit for shares and Duru’s shares were reduced by 50 per cent from N248 million to under N122 million.

Duru’s tormentor-in-chief, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, was also purportedly elected as chairman of FGPL against subsisting court orders.

On April 22, Duru petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his life was in danger. He is yet to get a response from the Presidency.

In all these, his prayer is simple.

“My appeal is that if it is found that there has been an infraction on our part, then let justice be done, but if it is found that we have not done anything wrong, and some other people have misused their powers and influence, let justice also be done.”

When I went to see him last Thursday, he was clearly traumatised and couldn't believe that the system would allow this to happen to a law abiding citizen.

Chidi Duru is being persecuted.

This is not prosecution. What bothers him most is that the EFCC is using a section of the media to brand him a criminal.

I have said this before, that it is immoral, in fact the height of corruption, for the EFCC to use the media to diminish a man whose business has been stolen from him, literally.

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