Oshiomhole, CSOs Condemn Calls for Emefiele’s Sack Edo State governor says CBN governorship should not be politicised
Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Paul Obi in Abuja
Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and
a coalition of civil society groups in the country yesterday condemned those calling for the sack of the Governor of the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, describing them as faceless manipulators of the Nigerian economy who are bent on
wasting their time. They stated that President Muhammadu Buhari would not be fooled by them into sacking the CBN governor.
Oshiomhole said the hiring and firing of the CBN governor is not a political decision because institutions such as the central bank are
central to economic growth and development of any serious nation. Continued on page 6
No End in Sight to Fuel Queues, Kachikwu Finally Admits…
Page 8
Thursday 24 March, 2016 Vol 21. No 7644. Price: N150
www.thisdaylive.com TR
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Brussels Attacks Draw World Attention to Airport Security… Page 6
After Delays, N’Assembly Passes Record N6tn Budget Presidency, Udo Udoma applaud legislature for its passage Ndubuisi Francis, Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja After a three-month delay, the National Assembly yesterday passed the 2016 budget of
N6.060 trillion, the first that will be implemented from scratch by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, thus laying to rest the numerous controversies which trailed its presentation by the president last December.
The budget that was passed by the legislature had a reduction of N17 billion from the N6.077 trillion proposed by the executive. Continued on page 6
MEETING OF DELTA ROYAL FATHERS
L-R: The Obi of Owa Kingdom, HRM Obi Efiezomor II and the Olu of Warri, King Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko Ogiame Ikenwole 1, when they met in Owa-Oyibu, Delta State… yesterday
2
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS PURCHASED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA BANK NAME: GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC DATE OF RETURNS: 23 MARCH 2016
S/N CUSTOMER NAME
FORM M/A NUMBER
LC, BC or PURPOSE INV
DATE OF FUNDS PURCHASED
1 2 3
AA2683078 AA2765077 AA2764399
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
9,552.51 1,145.04 4,603.05
AA2744120 AA2761484 AA1887866 AA2687302
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
2,824.43 3,053.44 3,387.78 8,015.27
AA1887897
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
4,091.60
AA1944798 AA1901762 AA2695899
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
3,816.79 2,290.08 763.36
AA1162117 AA2675916 AA2782716 AA2761471
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
5,725.19 6,305.34 4,580.15 4,580.15
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126
ABDURRAHIM, YUSUF ABIODUN OLAYEMI SUMONU ABODERIN, OLUJIMI ADEBAYO ADOKWU,PATRICK AGGREH, FELIX BRUME AJAYI OLADAPO DAVID AKHIGBE, EGHIETHAMHE RAMAN AKINDAYOMI, FABIAN AKINTUNDE ALAKA, LATIFATU ATSELEFUN JOHN AWONAIKE, OLUWATONI TOLUWANI BALOGUN, JAMILA SHERIFF BAWO, DOMINIC DUMKA DUROJAIYE OLAJIDE DELE IFIONU, PATRICK CHUKWUNYELU OGUNBIYI TAIWO ADEOLA LADITAN OKUNBO AYODEJI ANDREW ANENE, ELOKA OLAJIDE,SIMON FREEMAN OSIRIM MICHAEL POPOOLA OLUGBENGA I UGWUOKE WALTER AMAOBI ULOFU,MEFONI ANTHONY YUGBOVWRE, SIENAOKEDAYE NELSON NDEFO ONYEKACHUKWU O. M. OSHIKANLU JOKOGBOLA ABIODUN EBE, ETOP EKPAINUA ADISA, OLUTUNDE BOLAJI AGEGE STELLA BENAIAH MOSES AKINOLA OLADEPO KINGDOM, BLESSING ABDULGAFAR,MAHMUD ABIODUN, FANIRAN PATRICIA CARDILLO, MARIA ADEAGBO, ADEOYE OLUWAFEMI ADEDUNTAN,ADEMOLA SHAKUR ADESIDA, ADEYEMI AKANDE, FOLAJOGUN ANENE, ELOKA ANIDI, CHUKA FELIX ABDULLAHI ANYAMELE,CHIOMA ARENYEKA, OMERESAN TORITSEJU BANKOLE OLUGBENGA A. BELLO, ADEYEMI ADETUNJI CARDILLO, MARIA EDEMEKA, JOANNA EKAIDEM, EKAETTE EMMANUEL IBRAHIM KOFA IJABADENIYI, OLUWAYOMI JOHN-IBRO, LOIS JONS NDY LTD KINGDOM, BLESSING LAWAL, AISHA INDO YUGUDA MANSOUR, HASSAN GAZI MOSERI,NDUKA MOSES MUSTAPHA SIKIRU KUNLE OBE IBUKUN ODUYEMI, OPEYEMI ADESOLA OGUNMUYIWA BALOGUN OGUNRIBIDO, TITILOLA OLAWALE ORONSAYE EFOSA BETTY EVELYN OWUMI, BENIGNUS RUFAI, AHMED UMAR SADIPE, TOLULOPE UHIAH, JAY OGBU-UHIA ENI CHINEDU UKIRI OVIE E. UWAIFO, ITORO EFE ADEOSUN , OLUWABAMIWO IROWA WALAMA,AHMED ABUBAKAR YAHAYA,MUSA HAMZA YISA ADESEGUN SIKIRU SAAD, MOHAMMED MUSTAPHA ABDULLAHI, BALA YUNUSA ABEL-TARIAH NGOBA DUMO ABODERIN, DAVID & KIKE ADEBAYO OLAWALE SURAJUDEEN ADENUGA ROSEANA OKACHI AGBOOLA,OLUSEUN TEMIJUOPE AGUIHE, RICHARD CHIMAOBI AIGBEDION, EDWARD ALAGHA, DEIGHA AUGUSTUS MAMUDU, RASHIDAT AMANOSI AREGBESOLA JULIUS KAYODE BABATUNDE, ADEBUKOLA MARIAM BASSEY,ANDEM BAZUAYE, BLESSING EHI BRIGGS, ADOKIYE DALA,NANDAT NIMRAM EDDY BROWN ELECTRONICS ENATO, RABI EMIKE ENI CHINEDU ETIM-IDEKPE,DANIEL NSEH GAMSHISHI LUCY HASSAN IBRAHIM OGIRI HUSSEIN MUSA ESQ. IBRAHIM, SHEHU OMONIYI ISAH AMINA ABDUL JORDANS,DAVIDKING SHEGUN KANU-IVI, TOCHI KWAGHE ABRAHAM ESTHER MAMUDA MAMMAN MOJEKWU LOVETH MUHAMMAD,ALIYU MUSTAPHA, MARUF NASIR,SADIYA NELSON, INUWEI EMMANUEL NWEKE JOSEPHINE CHINELO NWIGWE, PASCHAL CHUKWUNYERE ODHE,EMAMOKE ODIRI ODUTOLA, OLUSHOLA OLUBUNMI OGAR, FELIX DAMIAN OJOADE, ADEDUNNI AYOOLA OKOH, ARTHUR ARMANDO OKPAKA,UZOAMAKA JUSTINA ORAEKWE ANTHONY EJIKE OVUOBOVWORI DIVIEKE ANTHONIA OYEDELE,MODUPE LUCY OYEDOKUN, OGUNDELE SAMBO, ABDULSALAM SAULAWA, NURA UMAR TUKUR, MUBARAK UFORO UNWANA ENOBONG UGOKWE, JERRY SONNY OKECHUKWU, JAMES UKACHUKWU BABATUNDE, ADEBUKOLA MARIAM
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
EXCHANGE RATE
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
AMOUNT
AA2765222
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,606.87
AA2406796 AA2581580 AA2798763 AA2421098 AA2792790 AA1237549 AA1906844 AA2656950
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
5,030.53 7,225.00 1,526.72 4,389.31 5,030.23 9,160.31 2,710.68 1,170.23
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
AA2761148
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
6,605.34
AA2687335
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
2,554.41
AA2736648 AA2764401 AA2419428 AA2769289 AA2683640 AA2761586 AA2508260 AA2736243
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,008.33 1,612.13 5,915.77 562.50 7,225.00 3,311.72 8,670.00 7,899.82
AA1659384
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
5,780.00
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
AA2616038
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
3,484.26
AA2798094 AA2510989 AA2531581 AA2790578
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
7,225.00 5,845.03 5,780.00 2,438.44
AA2695870 AA2687182
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
8,056.03 7,652.20
AA2752964 AA2808959 AA2736242 AA2659661 AA2683849
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
2,000.00 5,462.10 7,900.19 3,745.44 5,057.50
AA2767086 AA2798574 AA2764516 AA2639687 AA2744322 AA2436739 AA1177202 AA2429353 AA2808957 AA1953213 AA2765236
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
9,392.50 2,167.50 5,539.18 3,233.04 5,780.00 9,839.96 2,673.25 2,320.44 3,251.25 5,644.89 1,278.83
AA2767047 AA2765019
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
9,222.63 8,549.41
AA2761473
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
6,533.47
AA2769410 AA2694785 AA2695869 AA2790672 AA2764037 AA2764059 AA2683409 AA2580509
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
3,999.99 4,118.25 4,000.01 5,852.25 1,750.00 5,035.61 903.13 9,963.28
AA2792156 AA1704631 AA2764387 AA1186214
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
3,648.63 3,754.11 541.88 5,467.18
AA2769242 AA2571235 AA2406799 AA1206971
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,500.00 1,200.00 3,000.00 1,688.00
AA2545833 AA1574750
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,520.00 2,500.00
AA2736328 AA2661036 AA2744328 AA2767142
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
1,166.03 2,617.50 2,164.44 1,150.00
AA2380935
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000.00
AA2695891
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
3,368.36
AA2406500 AA2363922 AA2765010 AA2790503 AA2744907 AA2761483 AA2764038 AA2744355 AA1206970 AA1206987 AA2764599 AA1126003 AA1283024 AA1908431
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
3,278.59 658.95 2,150.00 4,165.00 2,200.00 1,524.00 1,750.00 1,111.11 1,142.50 1,055.90 2,950.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 2,300.00
AA2792563 AA2678981 AA2683973 AA2765683 AA2616935 AA2792370 AA1288183 AA2732890 AA2683810 AA2792797
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
2,000.00 1,955.00 1,720.00 1,942.00 2,000.00 960.71 3,581.00 863.00 3,526.10 2,565.85
AA1910092 AA2792547
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
1,150.00 1,500.00
AA1177071 AA2744654 AA2792874 AA2678673 AA2744388 AA2424396
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
518.52 691.46 4,000.00 1,317.00 1,000.00 750.00
AA2659691 AA1256054 AA2790674 AA2792261 AA2616930 AA2761460 AA2744130 AA2690994
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,483.50 1,111.11 3,816.00 5,500.00 4,815.00 1,982.76 3,000.00 863.58
AA2792607
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
7,554.08
S/N CUSTOMER NAME
127 DARU DAWAT ARABIC SCHOOL 128 LADEINDE, AYODEJI ADEGBOLA 129 SHADA, OLATEJU OMOTAYO 130 OSANIFE CHUKS OLUSEGUN 131 ALI VICTOR WOBIDIKE 132 ANDSAM GLOBAL VENTURES 134 LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES 135 DELTA AIRLINES INC. 136 LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES 150 M.R.S. OIL & GAS CO. LTD. 137 BSV INDUSTRIES LTD
FORM M/A NUMBER
LC, BC or PURPOSE INV
DATE OF FUNDS PURCHASED
EXCHANGE RATE
AMOUNT
AA2764411
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
9,938.73
AA2511618
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,846.84
AA2639083 AA2798776
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,752.00 5,000.00
AA2764022 AA2616031 AA2317546
INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT INVISIBLE TICKET SALES REMITTANCE
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
9,900.00 5,484.38 247,376.88
AA2798008 AA2317548
INVISIBLE TICKET SALES REMITTANCE INVISIBLE TICKET SALES REMITTANCE
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
750,000.00 752,623.12
MF20150128540 MF20150101201
LC LC
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00 147,900.00
138 SHIV LILA POLYMERS LTD 139 METCEM LIMITED
MF20150127540 MF20150060611
LC LC
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
181,170.00 85,807.00
140 RIGIDPAK CONTAINERS LIMITED
MF20150047521
LC
22-Mar-16 197.50
102,050.00
141 DAG MOTORCYCLE IND. NIG. LTD. 161 M.R.S. OIL & GAS CO. LTD. 142 RIGIDPAK CONTAINERS LIMITED 143 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC 144 BOULOS ENTERPRISES LIMITED 145 RELIANCE CHEM. PRODUCTS LTD 146 SHIV LILA POLYMERS LTD 147 MODERN STEEL MILL INDUSTRIES 148 UNIQUE PHARMACEUTICALS LTD 149 METCEM LIMITED 133 DANGOTE INDUSTRIES LIMITED 151 MIDLAND ROLLING MILLS LIMITED 152 SUNRISE PRODUCTS LIMITED 153 TOWER GALVANISED PRODUCTS LTD 154 BOULOS ENTERPRISES LIMITED 155 DAG MOTORCYCLE IND. NIG. LTD. 156 AMMASCO INTERNATIONAL LTD 157 DANIUM ENERGY SERVICES LIMITED 158 DOZZY OIL AND GAS LIMITED 159 METCEM LIMITED 160 FATGBEMS PETROLEUM COMPANY LTD 162 NIGERPET COMPANY LIMITED 163 NORTHWEST PET &GAS CO. LTD 164 RINGARDAS NIGERIA LIMITED 165 SAHARA ENERGY RESOURCE LIMITED 166 RIGIDPAK CONTAINERS LIMITED 167 STARPOINT COMMODITIES LIMITED 168 CAST OIL & GAS LTD 169 ILEOGBEN SHANUOLU TEMITOPE 170 ORAZULIKE IZUCHUKWU 171 INYIAMA IFEOMA CHINYERE 172 YAHAYA SAFIYA SANI 173 INOPE IDANESI 174 ANITE MOSES UGBO 175 OGUNDERO MOYOSORE ADETOLA 176 BOLORI NAFISA MOHAMMED 177 SOBIMPE LUKMAN LANRE 178 ABDULLAHI RABIU UMAR 179 ADESOLA ADEKANMI OMOTADE 180 OYEWOLE BUSAYO MARGARET 181 NONEY OCHELI MBAH 182 OLULANA DANIEL FOLAWOLE 183 ABIOLA FOLASADE 184 DAVID GLADY OLUWAFUNMILAYO 185 KUKU ABIODUN OLATUNDE 186 AISIDA ABIDEMI FOLAKE 187 MARKUS PAULINA ZACHARIA 188 MUSTAPHA IDRIS MOBOLAJI 189 AFODESO KEHINDE 190 DEPIVER KAFAYAT AYOBANJI 191 ALAUSA OLAITAN MONSURU 192 MOJOLAOLUWA OGUNSAKIN 193 ERI-MOHAMMED AISHA 194 ILONAH CHIKA CALISTA 195 DOTUN FASERU 196 ITSEUMAH OMOTAYO LATEEFAT 197 OGUNJIMI OLADIPUPO IBRAHIM 198 ALI FOLORUNSHO 199 D'FAVOUR SONIA IHUOMA 200 LATIFAH OLUDAMILOLA ODUNOWO 201 OKPALLA KOSISO 202 ADEKUNLE OLUWATOYIN OLUGBOYEGA 203 EBERE OKOLIE 204 ADIMORA AMARACHUKWU NKECHI 205 MESHACH MISHAEL ANIEKEME 206 UYI LOUIS OGBEIFUN 207 ALADE ESTHER IBUKUN 208 PAULINE OMOSIVIE 209 FALODUN OLUSEYI OLAKUNLE 210 IJEBOR NONYELUM PHINA 211 ALUKO JOANNE ADAEZE 212 JOSEPHINE OKOLIE ESSIEN 213 OLADAPO DIXION TUNDE 214 EROMOSELE BENEDICT 215 ONYEJI ABIMBOLA OLUJOKE 216 OBADAGBONYI IGHOMO TOLULOPE 217 EDOHO GEORGE 218 ADENEYE AKANNI SHONUBI 219 LAMAI OLABIMPE 220 OSHO AYOWOLE MARTINS 221 OLOWOLAGBA BODUNRIN OMOSUYI 222 OGHENEKARO OSAYIMWENSE 223 LAMAI JIBRIL 224 ADEDURO TAIWO HENRY
MF20150139060
LC
MF20150084449 MF20160034648
LC LC
30,000MT OF PMS 102MT LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE PET BOTTLE GRADE RESIN RAW MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIES : ESTEEM - MFA 155 METRIC TONS INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL FOR CORRUGATED CARDBOARD BOX MAUFACTURE 2 LOTS SPARE PARTS FOR BAJAJ VEHICLES 10000MT OF AGO 360 METRIC TONS - INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL FOR CORRUGATED CARDBOARD BOX MANUFACTURE SHRIMP SHELL POWDER 3070 UNITS OF HAOJUE BRAND MOTOR CYCLES PETRESUL 550 IBC CONTENEDOR CQ PURCHASE OF RAW MATERIALS COLD STEEL PRODUCTION LINE
MF20150127566
LC
WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY
MF20150077106
LC
MF20150045101
LC
MF20150062161 MF20150043297
LC LC
MF20160022058 MF20150123113
LC LC
MF20140080690
RAW MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIES :TEGO ACID S 40 P INVISIBLE PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON SYNDICATED FACILITY LC HOT ROLLED STEEL IN COILS
MF20150094082
LC
AA2788303
22-Mar-16 197.50
100,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00 73,494.00
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
82,047.88 200,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
100,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
99,000.00 2,000,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
100,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
22,620.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
5,000,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
465,136.84 100,000.00 100,000.00
MF20140159534
LC
144 MTS RAW MATERIALS FOR 22-Mar-16 197.50 INDUSTRIES ARTIFICIAL RESIN LLDPE FILM 700MT HOT ROLLED STEEL COILS 22-Mar-16 197.50
MF20150089627
LC
HAOJUE BRAND MOTORCYCLES
22-Mar-16 197.50
250,000.00
MF20150048581
LC
22-Mar-16 197.50
250,000.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00
MF20150060233
LC
2 LOT SPARE PARTS FOR VEHICLE SN900 BASE OIL
MF20150012027
LC
10,000MT (+/- 10%) OF AGO
22-Mar-16 197.50
750,000.00
MF20140159581 MF20150079969
LC LC
22-Mar-16 197.50 22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00 85,821.00
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00
MF20150085545
LC
15,000MT (+/5%) OF PMS RAW MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIES :ESTEEM - MFA 7,500MT (+/-10%) OF PMS
MF20150111269
LC
4,000MT (+/-10%) OF BASE OIL
22-Mar-16 197.50
750,000.00
MF20150133905
LC
15,000MT (+/-10%) OF PMS
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00
MF20150120972
LC
BITUMEN
22-Mar-16 197.50
912,313.66
MF20150077359
LC
4,000MT (+/- 10%) OF AGO
22-Mar-16 197.50
1,000,000.00
MF20150035487
LC
65,190.00
MF20160020362
LC
170 METRIC TONS - INDUSTRIAL 22-Mar-16 197.50 RAW MATERIAL FOR CORRUGATED CARDBOARD BOX MANUCTURE NEWSPRINT PAPER IN REELS 22-Mar-16 197.50
96,929.00
MF20160022913 AA2761486
LC 5,000MT OF AGO 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
1,975,000.00 2,500.00
AA2693569 AA2792710 AA2769012 AA2798633 AA2808968 AA2844253
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,000.00 3,500.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
AA2844021 AA2798635 AA2844256 AA2744729
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,000.00 2,000.00 2,500.00 4,000.00
AA2744730
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,000.00
AA2798048 AA2844257
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
2,000.00 4,000.00
AA2687783 AA2659248
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,000.00 4,000.00
AA2690284 AA2659212 AA2736871 AA2659637 AA2792709 AA2659638 AA2765033 AA2790950 AA1953227 AA2690939 AA2798640 AA2844013
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
3,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 3,500.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
AA2798641
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,000.00
AA2690279 AA2683097 AA2798644
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
AA2798643 AA2744701
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
3,000.00 4,000.00
AA2798646 AA2844015
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,000.00 4,000.00
AA2844016
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
2,000.00
AA2798645 AA2844019 AA2844851 AA2844852
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
AA2678942 AA2798647 AA2510898 AA2510899 AA2744724 AA2744722 AA2744721
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
AA2798046 AA2744725 AA2510909 AA2744727 AA2744728
INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE INVISIBLE
PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 2,000.00
AA2844258
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
2,000.00
AA2744723 AA2250898
INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50 INVISIBLE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE 22-Mar-16 197.50
4,000.00 4,000.00
www.gtbank.com
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
3
4
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
Access Bank Plc RC125384
RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS PURCHASED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA DATE OF RETURNS: 17/03/16 SN
CUSTOMER
FORM M/A NUMBER
LC, BC or INV
ITEM OF IMPORT
DATE OF FUND PURCHASE
EXCHANGE RATE
AMOUNT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195
DANA MOTORS JUBAILI AGROTECH JUBAILI AGROTECH JUBAILI AGROTECH JUBAILI AGROTECH MARS PAPERS NIGERIA LIMITED ABC POLYMERS LIMITED ABC POLYMERS LIMITED AIRTEL NETWORKS LIMITED BEL PAPYRUS LIMITED BOCCOLINI PULP AND PAPERS BSV INDUSTRIES CITIBANKCO PLASTIC INDUSTRIES LTD CROWNPACK NIGERIA LIMITED CROWNSTAR COMM. INVEST. NIG. LTD. CYBELE COSMETICS LTD DANTATA PLASTIC LTD FASS KARAMSON INV FEDERATED STEEL MILLS LTD FORTHWORTH FARMS HOLLKEM NIIGERIA LTD INNOPLAS COMPANY LTD INTEGRATED OIL & GAS LIMITED INTEGRATED OIL & GAS LIMITED LBENERG LIMITED LBENERG LIMITED M.C. PLASTIC LIMITED M.C. PLASTIC LIMITED MIKANO INTL LTD MIKANO INTL LTD MONTANA INDUSTRIES NIG LTD MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC NEW HOME PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES LIMITED NKOYO CHEMISTS NKOYO CHEMISTS ORIENT GLOBAL MANUFACTURING PIONEER EQUIPMENT NIGERIA LIMITED PLASTIFLEX NIGERIA LIMITED QUALITEC INDUSTRIES LIMITED QUANTUM PACKAGING RADIUM NIGERIA LIMITED SAHARA ENERGY RESOURCES SARSOLI INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LIMITED SHIV LILA POLYMERS LTD SHIVRAM IND LTD SIEGWERK W/AFRICA SIMS NIGERIA LIMITED SIMS NIGERIA LIMITED SINO PACKAGING SINO PACKAGING SINO PACKAGING SINO PACKAGING SOMOTEX NIG LTD STARSONIC NIGERIA LIMITED SUPERFLUX INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-OIL LTD TUYIL PHARM LTD VISTA INTERNATIONAL LTD WEST AFRICAN SEASONING BLAKENEY MANAGEMENT ADEBAYO EZEKIEL OLUSEGUN ADENUGA ADEWALE AGU EJIKE VALENTINE AISHA AUWALU RIMI AIYELESO OLSEYI S.K. ALUEBHOSELE OJE OMOLOBE AMADI IKECHUKWU JOHN AMADI IKECHUKWU JOHN ATSENUWA AYODELE VICTORIA AUGUSTINA AKWAUGO ESINNA BASHIRU GANIYU ADEMOLA BASHIRU GANIYU ADEMOLA BISOLA ADENIKE AJAYI CHIDINMA SOUTHEY-EFFIONG DENNIS OZOH DRODU O. BEATICE EIMONYE EYUM VICTORIA EIMONYE EYUM VICTORIA GANA ABIGAIL IBRAHIM BABAYO IBRAHIM BABAYO IBRAHIM BABAYO IBRAHIM BABAYO IDONGESIT ENO ESSIEN IGIEHON HARRIS AIB IJEZIE H. O. ILE NGOZI NKWOMA ILE NGOZI NKWOMA ILE NGOZI NKWOMA ILE NGOZI NKWOMA ILIMA ABOSEDE EUNICE ISIORHO OMAMODE TYSON JAJI HADIAT BOLANLE JINADU UTHMAN AJADI JINADU UTHMAN AJADI KOTUN SHAKIRAT LAPITA IBIRONKE OLUJIMI LAWAL JACOB ADENIYI LAWAL OLUYOMI FOLASADE MUHAMMED IMAR ISA MUHAMMED M ABDULKAREEM MUHAMMED UMAR ISA MUHAMMED UMAR ISA MUHAMMED UMAR ISA MUHAMMED UMAR ISA MUHAMMED UMAR ISA MUSA KHADIJAT NWAKWU UCHECHUKWU ANTHONY NWANKWO LINDA NWOKOLO GODSPOWER ODUFUWA MODUPE ODUTOLA ADEWALE OGBUJU-EMEKA NKEIRUKA OGHENEVOWERHO EMMANUEL OVUASA OGHENEVOWERHO EMMANUEL OVUASA OGUNLADE OLUBUNMI M. OGUNYEMI TOLU OGUNYEMI TOLU OGUNYEMI TOLU OKE EJIOFOR OKIY FLORENCE OKPUE NDUKA OLAWUNMI SAIDAT OLUBIYI OLOWE ABRAHAM KOLAWOLE OLU-ONANUGA OLUWATOFUNMI FOLABOMI OLU-ONANUGA OLUWATOFUNMI FOLABOMI OLUWAKAYODE OLUTADE OLUWATOSIN ONANUGA OLUWATOSIN ONANUGA OMEIZA MICHAEL SUNNIE OMORUYI HENRY UDOGIE ONYUKA KELVIN STELLA ORAZULIKE MAUREEN OSUNDIMU OLASUNKANMI EBENEZER OYETUNDE SEYI RANA FADALLAH RANA FADALLAH SALEH MAINA TAIWO OLAYINKA TOPE. M. KOLAWOLE TOPE. M. KOLAWOLE UMEOZULU OGOCHUKWU FRANCISCA UZOMA PATRICK IKECHUKWU UZOMA PATRICK IKECHUKWU YUSUF MUHAMMAD ADEBOYE ABEKE OLUWATOMISIN ADEBOYE PIUS ADEYINKA ADEGOKE ADEREMI JOEL ADELEYE HANNAH SIMI ADENIYI-LADIPO IZI ADEPOJU ADENIKE ADEWUMI ARINADE OLUFUNKE AFOLABI JANET ABIOLA AGBEBI ABIMBOLA O AJISAFE BOLAJI ADESOLA AKANBI ODUNAYO OWOLABI AKANBI ONYINYE FRANCES ALAWODE SAMUEL SEYE ALHASSAN DANLAMI ALHASSAN AMAECHI OKOBI AMBURSA HADIZA ASAFA OPEYEMI ABISOLA AUDU DORCAS AWOSEMUSI CHARLES AYOOLA AWOSEMUSI OLUWAYEMI IFEDOLAPO AYENI MODUPE DALAMAL DEEPAK VISHANT DANJUMA JOHN JACOB DAVID AINA TITILOLA DESOUZA HANNAH VANESSA EJINWA FELIX E GBADEBO TEMITOPE ADEOLA GBADEBO TOYIN IDRIS AKINTADE ADEDIMEJI IVOWI JOSEPHINE EMIKE KABOSON NACHA SAFIRAT KEN-WORGU CHIKA KOMOLAFE OLAOTAN OLUBIYI KOMOLAFE TEMITOPE MIGRATAR-LANDAIR/NDIDIAMAKA PRISCILLIA MORAKINYO ABIMBOLA LINDA MUKORO OGHENETEGA OTESIRI ODUKOYA AKINWALE OLADAPO DIEKOLA AYODEJI OMOSEBI ABIMBOLA ONOBHAMIUKOR ILOHAMEN STELLA ONUOHA CHINEDU F ORUENE OSAYI ALILE OSUNNUYI ABAYOMI ADEOLA OYEDEJI OLUWASEUN FUNKE SHROFF SHEKHER PAHLAJRAI CHUGH TEDDY-ONAGHISE ELFREDA EKINDAOSE TITILOLA OLOGE UDEMGBA THELMA ADAEZE UKPABI NDUKA LEWIS
MF20140137003 MF20140128895 MF20140150171 MF20140128374 MF20140128873 MF20140071458 MF20150056599 MF20150098362 MF20150129457 MF20160007498 MF20150078935 MF20160027501 MF20150109853 MF20160030193 MF20160030186 MF20160025835 MF20160023935 MF20160029387 MF20160023471 MF20160023846 MF20160024266 MF20160022659 MF20150084177 MF20150054293 MF20150021960 MF20150101273 MF20160023467 MF20150057520 MF20160018813 MF20160018057 MF20160009837 MF20150049805 MF20160011950 MF20160034130 MF20160034129 MF20150060348 MF20160021421 MF20160029846 MF20150048017 MF20150040807 MF20160030224 MF20150066823 MF20150101411 MF20150105331 MF20160026647 MF20160017442 MF20160012621 MF20160012634 MF20150064737 MF20150057455 MF20150090225 MF20150086669 MF20160013184 MF20160027487 MF20150049425 MF20150080626 MF20160027900 MF20160022855 MF20150108732 AA2830945 AA2404694 AA2679455 AA2685947 AA2702412 AA1874176 AA2830827 AA1327517 AA2680272 AA2430773 AA2466887 AA2478445 AA2478444 AA2782583 AA2762521 AA2654432 AA2306273 AA2628074 AA2837618 AA1922782 AA2702033 AA2702033 AA2702033 AA2702033 AA2702950 AA2702387 AA2657333 AA2792131 AA2409644 AA1949244 AA2792131 AA2438843 AA1906846 AA2409645 AA2494461 AA2698685 AA2762039 AA2657814 AA1409650 AA2698842 AA1930499 AA2420689 AA2762870 AA2762865 AA2762866 AA2762864 AA2762867 AA1949737 AA2654397 AA2470572 AA2489958 AA2698752 AA2798054 AA2457301 AA2487809 AA2487809 AA2680850 AA2702866 AA2702868 AA2702867 AA2755180 AA2702670 AA1884226 AA2491449 AA2409498 AA2489198 AA2495676 AA1952385 AA2489198 AA2495676 AA2423148 AA2484921 AA2685387 AA2409760 AA2698686 AA2830922 AA2702443 AA2702426 AA2491550 AA2762868 AA2688931 AA2688931 AA2759742 AA2685099 AA2685099 AA2792153 -
BC BC BC BC BC BC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV
KIA BRAND VEHICLES IN SEMI KNOCKED DOWN -1 AGRICULTURAL HERBICIDES AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES ENROFLOXACIN 10% INJECTA 100ML FLOXINOR FISHMEAL 72% TVA 50KG HANSTHOLMPRIME TYRE - ZEETEX BRAND 198 MT PVC RESIN GRADE 225P/F622/123OP "51 MT POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMER GRADE B1990 3 X 20 SMARTPHONES FOR USE ON A CELLULAR NETWORK RAW MATERIAL (BLEACHED EUCALYPTUS KRAFT HARDWOOD) PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS (RAW MATERIAL FOR EXERCISE BOOK PRODUCTION) POLYVINYL CHLORIDE MARLEX HDPE FILM GRADE (RAW MATERIAL) 100 MT OF PLAIN PAPER IN REELS 160 MT OF PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINE ARGENTINE YELLOWCORN 600.00 MT BILLETS IN QUALITY 3SP/PS (MODIFIED) POULTRY PROCESSING UNIT PETRESUL 550 IBC CONTENEDER CQ RAW MATERIAL : HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE GRADE HM6015 19000 MT (+/- 10 PERCENT) OF UNLEADED GASOLINE (PMS) 15000 MT (+/- 10 PERCENT) OF UNLEADED GASOLINE (PMS) 89.60MT HYDROCHLORIC ACID 33 PERCENT MIN BUTYL GLYCOL POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMER INJECTION POLYVINYL CHLORIDE RESIN (GRADE F622) VARIOUS ITEMS USED IN MANUFACTURING SOUND-PROOF GEN SET EMPTY PANEL BOARDS PP COPOLYMER (RANDOM) OIL SCAN FROST BRAND REFRIGERATOR IN CKD MAXIBU CAPSULES AND NKOYO PIROXICAM CAPSULES NKOYO DEXAMETHASONE TABLETS SODIUM SALT OF PALMITIC ACID PREDATOR 3000-18 CUTTER HEAD DREDGE POLYVINYL CHLORIDES RESIN- RAW MATERIALS ALUMINIUM PLAIN COILS FLOTING IN REELS INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS 405 MT 100 MT OF PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS GAS OIL PLASTIC RAW MATERIAL: POLYPROPYLENE PP H1045 - 160.00MTS PLASTIC RAW MATERIAL: POLYPROPYLENE PP H1045 - 160.00MTS POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMER VARIOUS PRINTING INKS PANASONIC CHEST FREEZER IN CKD BRAND NEW PANASONIC LED TELEVISION IN KNOCKED DOWN ALUMINIUM SILICATE BOARD CHAIN CONVEYER FOAM SANDWICH PREFABRICATED HOUSES TAPIOCA STARCH HAVELLS PRODUCTS POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMER RAW MATERIALS FOR PRINTING IN REELS PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT PHARMACEUTICAL MACHINERY UNCOATED WOODFREE PAPER IN REELS 50 GSM "AJINOMOTO MONSODIUM GLUTAMATE 99 PLUS PERCENT PURE LARGE CRYSTAL " REPATRIATION SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA BTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA
22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
1,000,000.00 157,906.36 292,328.00 72,220.00 53,545.64 24,648.52 49,680.00 72,420.00 103,423.00 322,500.00 25,174.62 171,000.00 60,000.00 100,000.00 150,000.00 154,003.38 107,851.00 125,150.00 237,000.00 95,923.42 258,300.00 231,000.00 500,000.00 860,389.56 22,668.80 47,064.00 173,400.00 13,000.00 104,309.98 152,226.43 114,964.20 1,000,000.00 28,892.00 90,227.14 105,560.00 31,487.56 650,000.00 147,600.00 28,555.44 23,430.50 94,250.00 501,640.74 76,560.00 182,400.00 133,280.00 50,747.00 98,310.00 208,005.37 15,837.00 26,954.60 28,729.60 37,327.86 238,109.19 221,000.00 31,186.31 1,000,000.00 57,800.00 220,000.00 78,831.00 1,000,000.00 3,193.54 3,520.00 2,780.07 6,034.93 550.00 5,322.32 4,050.25 6,000.00 8,725.20 1,772.76 1,570.54 3,664.58 3,625.48 1,935.90 1,950.00 2,200.00 5,317.97 6,606.90 6,409.60 5,235.12 9,452.30 9,452.30 9,452.30 9,669.62 10,000.00 3,000.00 2,181.30 9,452.30 9,452.30 9,452.30 8,219.18 3,490.93 6,446.41 367.62 580.00 10,000.00 9,374.00 5,816.80 2,000.00 400.00 7,506.00 500.00 1,200.00 1,400.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 341.00 10,000.00 4,029.01 8,725.20 1,810.48 5,000.00 1,111.29 2,500.00 2,500.00 3,260.26 3,000.00 3,000.00 4,000.00 5,317.00 4,800.00 5,050.00 2,144.57 3,000.00 6,660.22 6,668.23 9,117.58 6,660.22 6,668.23 1,219.75 966.96 1,997.57 10,000.00 4,793.00 9,255.69 9,500.00 9,500.00 2,500.00 7,070.19 4,029.01 6,446.41 2,460.51 2,417.41 2,417.41 1,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,600.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,400.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 5,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
5
6
THURSDAY, march 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
PAGE SIX
Brussels Attacks Draw World Attention to Airport Security FAAN beefs up security at nation’s airports
Chinedu Eze with agency report The suicide bomb attack at the departure hall of Brussels’ Zaventem Airport on Tuesday has prompted several countries worldwide to review or tighten airport security and raised questions about when passengers should be screened when entering airport or train terminals. In Nigeria, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
(FAAN), announced yesterday that it had beefed up security in and around all the airports in the country. Speaking on the steps being taken to avoid a reenactment of the Brussels incident in the country, the General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said sniffer dogs had been deployed to airports in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force. Dati also said FAAN would not leave any stone unturned to ensure maximum security at the
airport, especially with the Easter celebrations around the corner. He said all body and luggage scanners and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras were operational, beaming activities at all the airports and advised passengers to arrive the airport on time to conclude their check-in procedures on time in order not to miss their flights. Dati also advised air passengers not to leave any luggage behind, as unattended items would be
taken away and destroyed. Reuters reported that investigators said the blast at the Zaventem Airport, which serves more than 23 million passengers a year, was believed to have been executed by suicide bombers connected to the November Paris attacks. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the twin attacks in Brussels. Authorities in major airports around the world immediately responded by stepping up the
number of police on patrol at airports in London, Paris and Frankfurt and at other transport hubs, as Brussels train services were also halted after its metro station was attacked. According to Reuters, in the United States, the country’s largest cities were placed on high alert and the National Guard was called in to increase security at New York City’s two airports. Speaking on the threat at airports, aviation security expert,
Adebayo Babatunde said FAAN should ensure continuous profiling of security personnel and advise the agency to acquire and deploy more technology-driven equipment at the airports to avert human failure and insider threats. He noted that terrorists continue to advance their strategies while efforts are being made to invent tech-driven security gadgets that can detect and preempt the obnoxious activities of terrorists.
to pensions and gratuities may be inadequate. But the Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin explained that the figure was a harmonised one with the executive. “They assured us that it would take care of the pension needs,” he said. Hon. Herman Hembe (Benue APC) who chairs the House Committee on FCT, also pointed out that about N9 million was reduced from the budget of the FCT for which the sum of N29.29 billion was appropriated. Speaker Yakubu Dogara however noted that the report being considered was a harmonised one, and any attempt of an alteration would obstruct its passage. The lawmakers, at the adjournment of plenary, embarked on a two-week Easter break. They scheduled to resume on April 12. Briefing journalists after both chambers adjourned, Goje and Jibrin advised the executive to be more coordinated in preparation of subsequent budgets, saying situations where ministers disowned their budgets were not healthy for the system. They described the process as tedious and tough, with Jibrin recalling that in some instances,
committee members had to shout at one another while others staged a walkout during meetings. He added that the budget had been substantially cleared of its errors, padding and duplication, adding that the inconsistencies were not exaggerated because even the executive itself admitted that there were problems with the budget. The lawmakers also said the figures as presented by the executive were tinkered with, pointing out that the committee, for instance, increased the budget of the armed forces, police and anti-corruption agencies in consideration of their genuine complaints. Heaving a sigh of relief after all the hiccups that trailed the presentation of the budget proposal, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, and the presidency yesterday applauded the National Assembly for the passage of the Appropriation Bill. The minister’s media adviser, Mr. Akpandem James, in a statement yesterday, said Udoma was particularly pleased that the legislature kept the budget within the amount proposed by the executive arm of government, especially as the fiscal deficit was not increased. “I wish to commend the National Assembly for passing the 2016 budget
today. I am particularly pleased that they have kept the budget within the amount the executive proposed and the fiscal deficit has not been increased,” the minister said. Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President, National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, said the expeditious consideration and passage of the bill was laudable. He further commended the Senate and House Committees on Appropriation as well as the subcommittees, for working hard in ensuring that the budget was passed. “I followed the entire process and I have seen the industry that has been exhibited by the senators. “I want to say that we appreciate particularly the fact that in the course of consideration, the committee chairmen, the committee members, and the chairmen of the appropriation committees were in constant touch,” he said. The president’s aide also commended the legislature for approving the harmonised version of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), adding that they were the parameters for passing the budget. Enang also extolled the media for its extensive coverage of the process leading to the passage of the budget.
who are known to be troublesome and have the capacity to disrupt the public peace. The groups said they fully appreciate the difficulties and anxieties of many Nigerians given the present tough economic environment, but maintained that the situation was not caused by one man or one institution and considered it unfair for anyone or group to try to put the blame on only one person or organisation. According to the coalition, relative to its peers, the Nigerian economy was not performing that badly. “Among commodity-exporting economies, for instance, inflation, GDP growth and employment are far worse in countries like Zambia, Ghana, and Argentina with inflation rates of between 19-28 per cent. As a matter of fact, Brazil and Russia are in recession, while South Africa is struggling to record positive growth. “These are all linked to the fall in commodity prices in the international market. Emefiele and the CBN have so far managed to keep inflation far below what has been recorded in many comparator countries,” the coalition said. It insisted that the policies of the Emefiele-led CBN are aimed at protecting ordinary Nigerians from the destructive capitalistic instincts of a few speculators. “Emefiele’s policies have truncated the rent-seeking ability of many of these economic parasites and saboteurs. And we believe it is for this singular reason that both Emefiele and the CBN are being vilified in the most unfair and disgraceful manner
by a sponsored group of anarchists. “Nigerians have been taken for a ride for too long. Our collective patrimony has been cornered by a few looters for too long. We can no longer stand idly by and watch these thieves, in collaboration with foreign neo-colonialists and imperialists, keep the masses of our people under perpetual bondage. This is the time to free Nigeria and its people from the dirty hands and greedy mouths of a few,” the civil society groups added. They stated that Emefiele’s detractors are aggrieved by his implementation of the BVN, which ensures that those who have looted the country’s resources and concealed them under various account names are detected. “Given their inability to hide their identities these thieves have vowed to hound Emefiele for daring to destroy their criminal activities. May God never allow them to succeed,” the groups said. They also noted that the list of 41 items not eligible for forex at the CBN did not go down well with Emefiele’s detractors, as the elite and business moguls had been depleting the country’s forex reserves by aggressively importing goods, which could be easily produced in Nigeria. “By their action, these profiteers have killed jobs in Nigeria and created jobs abroad. They have exported prosperity abroad and imported poverty into their fatherland. But as long as their huge profit margins are guaranteed, they do not care. What Emefiele and his team have done is to say that we can no longer import
unemployment and export wealth out of Nigeria,” the groups explained. The coalition also noted that Emefiele was being persecuted because of the reform of the BDC sub-sector that is being undertaken to ensure that genuine business people engage in the business and not serve as fronts for those who continuously loot the national treasury. “Indeed these looters and their sponsors have used all sorts of guises to register several BDCs with which they drain foreign exchange from the CBN and use such to transfer their loot abroad. It is only in Nigeria that BDCs expect government (CBN) to give them foreign exchange before they do business,” they added.
AFTER DELAYS, N'ASSEMBLY PASSES RECORD N6TN BUDGET Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, while presenting the budget report to the Senate, said never in the history of the National Assembly since 1999, has an annual budget witnessed more cuts as was the case with this year’s budget. He blamed the budgetary cuts on the country’s economic challenges, explaining that cuts were made in recurrent spending, the budget deficit and borrowing plan. While some senators expressed concern about the reduction in recurrent expenditure, saying it may affect the payment of salaries, Goje explained that provisions had been made under service wide votes to take care of the federal government’s wage bill. The budget as passed yesterday, contained N2.646 trillion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure; N1.587 trillion for capital expenditure; N351.3 trillion for statutory transfers; Nl.475 trillion for debt service and N500 billion for social intervention. The budget was also predicated on oil benchmark of $38 dollars a day, crude oil production volume of 2.2 million barrel per day crude, exchange rate of N197 to $1, a N2.204 trillion fiscal deficit, and a gross domestic growth (GDP) growth rate of 2.14 per cent.
Under the capital spending plan, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing got the lion share of N422. 9 billion, this is followed by the Ministry of Transportation with N188.6 billion. Other allocations are N130.8 billion for the Ministry of Defence; N61.7 billion for Ministry of Interior; N46.1 billion for Ministry of Agriculture, and N35.4 billion for Ministry of Education. Under recurrent expenditure, the Ministry of Interior got the highest allocation of N451.9 billion, followed by education with N367.7 billion. Other notable allocations are N312 billion to defence and N221.4 billion to health. While presenting the report, Goje read some provisions of the Appropriation Act including the stipulation that “the AccountantGeneral of the Federation shall forward to the National Assembly full details of funds released to the government agencies immediately such funds are released”. The Senate also observed that the budget was presented very late in violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and advised the executive arm to desist from late presentations of the budget in subsequent years. It also advised the executive arm to properly engage all its agencies during subsequent preparations of annual budgets to prevent a recurrence of the inconsistencies that characterised
the 2016 budget process. The Senate also advised the federal government to increase and diversify revenue generation streams in view of the noticeable gaps between collectible revenues and actual collections. It also approved the report of the Conference Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which recommended the approval of N150 billion as fuel subsidy for 2016. The parliament also approved the continuation of the federal government's policy on the treasury single account (TSA). Similarly, in the House, the lower chamber considered the report of the Committee on Appropriation on the 2016 budget and passed the N6.06 trillion Appropriation Bill into law. The report also directed all accounting officers of ministries, departments and agencies who control heads of expenditure, to furnish the National Assembly with details of all internally generated revenue, and detailed information on all foreign and domestic assistance received from any agency, person or organisation in any form whatsoever, on a quarterly basis. House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, however, during the consideration of the report said the total allocation of N188 billion
OSHIOMHOLE, CSOS CONDEMN CALLS FOR EMEFIELE’S SACK The governor argued that those angling for the sack of Emefiele were merely invisible hands who have continued to thwart the nation’s economic resources for their selfish interest. The governor made the statement yesterday in Abuja during his visit to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to present a letter of recognition of the Edo University in Iyamho. “If a governor is doing fine, his hiring and firing is not a matter that should be discussed by faceless Facebook manipulators, and by the time you unmask the people behind it, you will discover that they are palm wine drinkers,” he said. Oshiomhole said with the challenge of running the economy undergoing a recession where there is limited inflow of foreign exchange, the government does not want to trigger a process that will lead to endless devaluation that will ultimately reduce the Nigerian naira to Zimbabwean dollar. “President Buhari is not going to be fooled by people who want to have a regime where government is just an onlooker and allow the naira to become worthless and people are making money from speculation. So those guys are wasting their time,” he said. The Edo State governor noted that the CBN governor was right in insisting on the 41 items that had been denied access to forex from the interbank forex market, adding that “people who have been feeding fat on our common patrimony, manipulating the exchange rate and moving money across boundaries are the speculators
spreading the campaign for his sack”. He explained that the country has a new federal government which won an election on the basis of the mantra of change and there are all kinds of people who have made money in this economy without contributing anything. “We have a new federal government that has won election on the basis of change and there are all kinds of people who have made a lot of money from the economy without contributing anything by just playing on exchange rates and commercial papers. “It is these speculators, because the CBN governor has been saying we cannot open the doors to all kinds of imports such as toothpicks, tomato paste and all sorts of things who have been feeding fat on our common patrimony, manipulating the exchange rate, moving money across borders, and taking advantage of electronic money transfers, that are behind these campaigns,” he said. Oshiomhole added: “Of course there are some opportunistic elements, people who feel that if this man goes, I will get there and they are ready to go to any length to remove him. “I think this government is making a point that the hiring and firing of CBN governors need not be a political decision, because we should respect institutions; the hiring and firing is not a decision by Facebook manipulators, and by the time you unmask the people behind it, you will discover that they are palm wine drinkers. “I think the CBN governor is right, he is standing his grounds
and those who are opposed to him are free to speak, but I know that President Buhari is not going to be fooled by people who want to see a regime where government is just an onlooker and allows our naira to become worthless and for people to make money from speculation, so those guys are wasting their time.” Also, the executive committees of a coalition of civil society groups rose in defence of Emefiele and condemned the threat of a protest by “a shadowy, bogus and unscrupulous group parading itself as a civil society organisation”. The civil society groups stated that the central bank governor was being persecuted for the policies on the implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN), restriction on foreign exchange allocation, reform of the bureau de change sub-sector, and refusal by the central bank to devalue the naira. The groups also stated that the “phony” group threatening to hold a protest against Emefiele was not a civil society organisation and was therefore not recognised by the coalition of civil society groups in Nigeria. In a statement yesterday, the coalition insisted that regardless of how this phony group tries to mask itself as a civil society organisation, an independent investigation had revealed that it was in fact a political organisation of paid agents and sponsored groups representing the interest of a certain geopolitical zone in the country. The coalition revealed that the promoters of this group are persons
TOP GAINERS NGN NGN NAHCO 0.19 3.99 VITAFOAM 0.20 4.30 FIDELITYBANK 0.06 1.40 NIGBREW 4.41 113.61 LIVESTOCKFEED 0.04 1.12 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN CADBURY 1.67 15.53 INTERBREW 1.44 17.06 DIAMONDBANK 0.10 1.30 FBNHOLDINGS 0.19 3.51 FCMB GROUP 0.04 0.76 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ 680.00 Volume: 398.277 million shares Value: N2.646 billion Deals: 3,581 As at yesterday 23/03/16 See details on Page 48
% 5.0 4.8 4.4 4.0 3.7 % 9.7 7.7 7.1 5.1 5.0
7
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
STARTERS
Food Shortages Drive People in N’East to IDP Camps
Two-Minute Briefing NEWS No End in Sight to Fuel Queues, Kachikwu Finally Admits After weeks of promises by the NNPC and its subsidiary, PPMC, on their capacity to meet domestic demand for petrol and end the fuel shortages, Nigerians were finally told yesterday not… Page 8
EDITORIAL OchOli’s Death anD Matters
arising In the past few weeks, so many lives have been wasted across the nation in road ac- cidents.Two weeks ago, some 18 passengers died in a road crash along the Bauchi-Jos road. Page 15
POLITICS Bamidele:APCMustCommunica teTransparently With increasing apprehension in the country over the failing promises of change, former House of Representatives member and the Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2014 election… Page 16 Displaced persons at a camp in the Northeast Zacheaus Somorin with agency report People uprooted by Boko Haram violence in the northeast are leaving host families and moving to camps for the displaced as food becomes increasingly scarce, the European Commission’s humanitarian arm (ECHO) said yesterday. Seven million people do not have enough food to eat and almost one-third of them need urgent food aid, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Nine in 10 of Nigeria's 2.2 million internally displaced people are living with host families in the northeast rather than in camps, amid food shortages that are raising tension in many households, said Thomas Dehermann-Roy, head of ECHO's Central Africa office. “It is easier to host your neighbours, friends and family when everything is fine, but when food becomes scarce, tensions are raised,” he said. Around
two-thirds of people uprooted by conflict and four in five host families in northeast Nigeria said food was their most pressing and unfulfilled need, according to ECHO. “Some people are moving to camps as the living situation with host families becomes too harsh - it is a worrying trend and sign of a deteriorating situation,” Dehermann-Roy added. A regional offensive by Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroun last year drove Boko Haram from much of the territory it held in north eastern Nigeria, undermining its six-year campaign to carve out an Islamic caliphate. But the militants have since struck back with suicide bombings and hit and run attacks on civilians, threatening livelihoods and hindering aid agencies’ efforts to deliver food. The amount of land being used to grow food has dropped by almost 70 per cent over the past year as the violence has
disrupted farming and driven people off their land, OCHA said. Boko Haram militants have been restrained from raising funds by selling livestock, hence shutting down the cattle trade in Maiduguri, while the conflict has stifled cross-border trade with neighbouring Cameroun, Chad and Niger. The government is encouraging the displaced to return home, but the continuing arrival of newly uprooted people in Maiduguri - the capital of worst-hit Borno State - suggests that parts of the northeast are still unsafe, according to ECHO. “There is concern that aid agencies may not be able to reach or provide assistance to people who go back to insecure areas,” said Dehermann-Roy. A lack of food could drive people to desperate measures including selling their possessions and trading sex for food, he added.
House Breaks with Tradition, Admits 5.0 CGPA UNILAG Graduate into Chamber
Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
In a break with tradition, the House of Representatives yesterday suspended its rules by admitting Mr. Ayodele Dada, a graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who set a record of attaining a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), into its chamber in recognition of his achievement. The honour is usually reserved for visiting presidents, parliamentarians and rare guests. A perfect score of 5.0 as CGPA is rarely attained by students of universities in Nigeria or any part of the world that use the same grading system to determine the class of degrees to award undergraduates of universities. When it is attained, it implies that the student passed all of his or her course programmes with excellent grades from the first to the final year of a degree programme. Most brilliant students who graduate with a First Class degree often produce CGPAs of 4.50 to 4.90. The 29-year-old Dada, a graduate of Psychology, received a standing ovation
Dada from the lawmakers. Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who facilitated his visit to the House, noted that it was necessary for the parliament to celebrate achievers who do the nation proud. “Dada is from humble beginnings, he worked his way through school sometimes doing two or three jobs... A 5.0 CGPA
means from the time he got to school till the time he graduated, he did not make less than an A in any course. It is time for us to claim ownership of him,” Gbajabiamila said. He added that a 5.0 CGPA is a rare feat all over the world, and therefore worthy of a national honour. Hon. Nnnenna Elendu-Ukeje (Abia PDP) noted that despite the shortfalls in the nation’s tertiary education sector, Dada was able to excel. “The education sector has been the subject of debates and complaints about the infrastructure, demotivated teachers and unmotivated students, yet he was able to achieve this. He is homegrown and we must lay claim to his achievements,” she added. Dogara also lauded the young man and urged him to continue in the path of hard work that would see him celebrated. “You must realise that you are a role model now for many, and you must strive to remain that way. You have begun very well, and the end must be better than the beginning. Continue your hard work and make this country proud,” Dogara said.
FEATURES Gender Equality
As part of efforts geared towards gender balance in the society, the issue was discussed by experts on March 8 to mark the InternationalWomen's Day, write Ugo Aliogo and Jemima Bolokor Page 20
BUSINESS Telcos Flay FG over Spectrum
Allocation, Licensing Telcos under the aegis of the ATCON, have criticised the NFMB, a federal government agency for its inability to reverse the opaque saleof the 700 MHz frequency licence. Page 23
HEALTH Reducing Maternal, Child
Mortality in Nigeria With Nigeria losing an estimated 2,300 children under the age of five and 145 women of child bearing age every single day, and accounting for the second largest number of maternal and child deaths in Page 36
INTERNATIONAL Two Brothers behind Brussels Bombings Two of the suicide bombers who carried out attacks in Brussels onTuesday have been named as brothers - Khalid and Brahim elBakraoui - Belgian nationals. Page 40
SPORTS Mikel: Pharaohs Must Fall in
Kaduna For the fear of missing two editions of Africa’s continental football showpiece in a row, John Mikel Obi, has said that the Pharaohs of Egypt must be defeated tomorrow in Kaduna. Page 54
8
THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
NEWS
News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081
No End in Sight to Fuel Queues, Kachikwu Finally Admits NNPC to increase oil swaps, reduce import allocation
Tobi Soniyi in Abuja After weeks of promises by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), on their capacity to meet domestic demand for petrol and end the fuel shortages, Nigerians were finally told yesterday not to expect fuel queues at filling stations nationwide to disappear very soon. Finally admitting to the enormous challenges of importing petroleum products into the country against the backdrop of dollar shortages, moribund refineries, and the misallocation of fuel imports by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for the first quarter of 2016, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said there was no quick fix to the perennial problem. Since his appointment as the Group Managing Director of NNPC (he holds both portfolios) about eight months ago, Kachikwu has been gung ho about bringing back Nigeria’s three refineries, which have suffered years of underfunding, neglect and mismanagement, back on stream to meet up to 40 per cent of domestic demand of an estimated 40 million litres a day. But this has not happened. Seeing that this was going to be a pipe dream, more recently he promised to end fuel importation in 18 months. The ambitious target, he said, will be met through the co-location of greenfield refineries in the existing refinery complexes under joint venture arrangements with international oil companies
or commodity traders. But even this strategy has been questioned by industry analysts who have wondered if oil firms would be willing to invest in refineries in a low oil price environment and razor-thin margins without mouthwatering incentives that will be impossible to resist. Nigeria’s fuels shortages have also been compounded by PPPRA’s ill-advised first quarter allocation of petrol imports which saw NNPC getting a greater share of 72 per cent, relative to private oil marketers which were asked to import 28 per cent of the country’s fuel requirements between January and March 2016. PPPRA was believed to have altered the allocation, which for over a decade, stood at 60:40 for oil marketers and the NNPC, in a bid to please Kachikwu. But historically, NNPC and PPMC have never proved to be efficient in the importation, distribution and marketing of petroleum products, thus necessitating the liberalisation (deregulation) of the fuel importation regime by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar administration in 1998 after years of perennial fuel shortages during the General Sani Abacha administration. The bigger snag, however, is that even if PPPRA were to give private marketers higher import allocations, they would still be hamstrung by the scarcity of dollars in the foreign exchange market, except the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ensures that their dollar demand is met promptly. The minister, who spoke with
FG Owes States N580.5bn for Roads Rehabilitation Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The federal government owes 16 states the sum of N580.5billion as expenditure for rehabilitation works they executed on federal roads within their states. This was revealed at the public hearing by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Works and Finance yesterday The committee chaired by Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu PDP) and Hon. Babangida Ibrahim (Katsina APC) heard that Ogun State is leading the list with N222.9 billion. Akwa Ibom is being owed N75.9billion while Zamfara is being owed N57.9billion. Further breakdown of the debt showed that Anambra is being owed N43.427billion, Oyo, N32.93billion; Enugu, N25.930billion; Cross River, N25.701billion; Ebonyi, N21.85billion; Plateau, N19 billion ; Sokoto, N13.103billion and Kwara, N12.855billion. Others are Ekiti State with N11 billion; Abia, N5.2 billion; Adamawa N4 billion; Gombe, N3.851 billion and Bauchi, N1.9 billion. The Permanent Secretary of Ogun State’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. K. A Ademolake, disclosed that the state government awarded 38 contracts for the rehabilitation of
the federal roads in the state from 2007 till date. He added that the state government had already paid N123.7 billion to the contractors out of the N222.9 billion, even though no funds have been received from the federal government for the expenditure. Representatives of the states urged the committee to mount pressure on the federal government to reimburse them. House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, speaking when he declared the hearing open earlier, said the states must adhere to federal government standards in rehabilitating the roads if they wish to seek reimbursement. “It is very relevant therefore to find out if state governments complied with the basic tenets and principles of the Public Procurement Act in the award of federal road projects within their states for which they seek a refund. Is there value for money for those contracts? Are those contracts awarded whimsically to cronies and favoured companies without due process?” Dogara said. He said: “When these roads are in dilapidated state, it brings a lot of pressure on the state governments that are responsive to the yearnings of their people, to act. As a result, some state governments are content to re-construct the roads
State House correspondents after President Muhammadu Buhari met with him and the leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), said it was a sheer
magic to achieve the present level of supplies of fuel. Under the present circumstances, NNPC has been forced to resort to crude oil swaps, which the minister previously said the government would end, in the hope that at least 50 per cent of domestic demand is
met, but would not see the back of fuel queues. Asked when queues would disappear from filling stations, the minister replied: ”One of the trainings I did not receive is that of a magician but I am working very hard to ensure some of these
issues go away. “And let’s be honest, for the five or six months we have been here, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has moved from a 50 per cent importer of products to
Cont’d on page 49
AWAITING INTERIORS BY DESIGN
Standing L-R: CEO of Bestman Games,Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe; Medical Director of DermaCare Medical Limited,Dr. Vivian Oputa; Chairman of UBA Group Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu; former Miss World, Ms. Agbani Darego; Head of Marketing, Communication and Events, UBA Africa, Mrs. Mazzi Odu: Seated L-R: Executive Director, Globe Motors, Mrs. Nkiru Anumudu; Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, UBA Africa, Mrs. Bola Atta; Editor-in-Chief, Genevieve Magazine, Mrs. Betty Irabor, at the launch of the new TV Reality show, tagged: ‘Interiors By Design’ to be aired on RedTv, an online entertainment supported by UBA Group, in Lagos...yesterday
Lagos, Kebbi to Produce 70% of Nigeria’s Rice Requirements Pledge to step up production of wheat, maize, sorghum Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos and Kebbi State Governments yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which they said would culminate in the production of 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice requirements annually. The two states governments also explained the genesis of the agreement, ascribing it to the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to diversify the country’s economy and feed its citizens. The agreement was ratified at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, along with representatives of the two governments. The ratification of the MoU was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council from the two states, representatives of the two Houses of Assembly, leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers, community leaders among others The agreement, which principally centres on boosting the production of wheat, ground nut, maize, millet,
sorghum, sugar cane, cows among others, was the first state-to-state relations in the country. Before signing the agreement, Bagudu unequivocally disclosed that the goal of Lagos-Kebbi partnership on food production was “to produce 60 to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice needs, and replicate same in other food items.” He therefore explained that in the world of genetically modified food, the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States was an additional motivation to provide certainties for the people in terms of food production and sufficiency. Bagudu noted that both states “have had a long history of trade, and that the signing of the MoU was another way of cementing the relationship with the view to making the people get richer. Lagos is the most entrepreneurial part of Nigeria. “Lagos, if it were a country itself, is a country that other states will be going to establish a relationship with, and so why not state to state. So, what we are doing is to pioneer a collaboration that will bring other states on board later as we believe that our potentials are enormous, and we must have pacesetters to start that process of
joint collaboration for our collective good.” Giving an insight into the signing of the agreement, Ambode acknowledged that the ceremony was to formalise an agreement between Lagos and Kebbi States “to enter into a partnership for food processing, production and distribution.” He further explained that both states “are embarking on a joint venture to feed our people, establish commercial enterprises, create employment and wealth distribution for the benefit of both states and the country in general. “The future of Lagos State is partly tied to deliberate resolution on food security. Likewise, food production and self-sufficiency require our immediate attention at policy and strategic levels to sustain ourselves.” Also, Ambode pointed out that Lagos State “is the largest consumer of food commodities in the country by virtue of its large population. The state has the market, with the required purchasing power. The state has an estimated consumption of over 798,000 metric tons of milled rice per year which is equivalent to 15.96 million of 50 kilogramme bags with a value of N135 billion per annum. “We have the economic prowess
to produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone. The reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local food and commodities. In addition to rice, the state is presently consuming 6,000 herds of cattle daily which may increase to 8,000 in the next five years. “The bulk of vegetables produced in the country end up in the Lagos markets. The state is one of the largest producers of poultry and thus has a large demand for maize for livestock feed production. The state also houses most of the industrial users of wheat and sorghum-mostly flour mills, bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers.” For Kebbi State, Ambode said it “is blessed with a vast arable land suitable for the cultivation of rice, wheat, ground nut, maize, sorghum and sugar cane. It is an agrarian state with over 1.2 million hectares of arable land characterised by very large floodplains, lowland swamps and gentle slopes. “In the 2014 /2015 wet season, over 600,000 hectares of land was deployed for rice cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the state. The collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy direction given by President Buhari on the need to feed ourselves.”
THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
9
NEWS
Prosecutor, Defence Trade Blame over Absence of Dasuki in Court Finally army bows to court, releases ex-NSA’s aide
The refusal of the Department of the State Security Service (DSS) to produce former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), before an Abuja High Court yesterday, stalled his trial. At the resumed hearing, Rotimi Jacob, SAN, who is prosecuting for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf that the defendant refused to come to court on the ground that his lawyers, Joseph Daudu, SAN and Ahmed Raji would not be in court. The prosecutor told the court that he persuaded the defendant to come to court to see how the proceedings would be conducted but claimed that the defendant did not yield to his persuasion. He therefore asked the court to begin the trial in the absence of the defendant since the business of the court slated was the trial to commence. Jacob also told the court that an operative of DSS told him that the counsel to the defendant have never made any attempt to come into the DSS office to see their client who had been in their custody since December last year. Jacob alleged that the refusal of the defendant to come to court was a ploy to scuttle the trial. However, in a vehement opposition to the claim of the prosecution, Mr. Wale Balogun who stood for Dasuki, urged Justice Baba Yusuf to disregard the claim of the prosecution, adding that up
to this moment, the counsel to the defendant were not allowed to have access to their client in the custody of the DSS. Balogun said the claim of Jacob that an operative of DSS told him (Jacob) that Dasuki’s lawyers never made attempts to see him in the custody was baseless and unwarranted because he was quoting a third-party. Dasuki’s lawyer said on the contrary, it was the DSS and the prosecution that scuttled the trial by their deliberate refusal to produce the defendant who had been in their custody since last year in court. The counsel claimed that Jacob as the prosecutor could not give evidence from the bar on why the defendant was not brought to court. He said what he ought to have done was to have filed an affidavit evidence to explain to the court why the defendant was not in court. Balogun stood his ground that the accused could not be tried in his absence and without access to his lawyers to prepare effective defence adding that the prosecution would continue to bungle the trial until they resolved to obey the rule of law and take necessary steps required by law. The position of Dasuki’s lawyer was adopted by lawyers standing for other defendants in the criminal charges brought against Dasuki. Justice Yusuf, in his comment, agreed that the business of court was for trial to commence but said that that cannot be done in the absence of the defendant and
without the permission of the court. The judge said he would have agreed with the prosecution that lawyers to Dasuki have not made any effort to access their clients in the custody but because the claim was based on hearsay. The judge said it was clear that the information dished out to the court by Jacob was hearsay obtained from an unnamed DSS operatives. The judge, therefore agreed with the defence counsel on the need to adjourn the case. Consequently, he adjourned the matter till April 6, 2016 for the prosecution to produce the defendant in court. Meanwhile, Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, who has been in the EFCC and army’s custody since December
23, 2015, has finally regained his freedom from the Mogadishu Military Cantonment by the military authorities. His lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) who announced Ashinze’s release in a statement, said it was was sequel to an earlier order made by Justice Y. Halilu of an Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi, in a fundamental rights case. Justice Halilu had in his ruling while ordering the unconditional release of Ashinze with his confiscated properties, from the custody of the EFCC/military authorities for nearly three months, lambasted the EFCC and the army for failing to obey constitutional provisions dealing with the rights and liberties of a
serving colonel alleged to have committed an offence. The judge had stated the motto of the EFCC which states that “Nobody is above the law” which he held also applied to all investigating authorities, including EFCC, but which he said had been behaving as if it was above the law. He termed the action of EFCC and the Army as akin to what obtained in an uncivilized society, still living under military dictatorship. He also described the EFCC and Army as behaving like illiterate. Ozekhome said: “This judgment and the subsequent release from custody today of Colonel Ashinze, are no doubt a great triumph for
the rule of law, re-establishment of the sanctity and independence of the judiciary, and a clarion call on all investigating agencies to act within the confines of the rule of law and not to see themselves as maximum dictators and tyrants, who are above the law, in their perceived fight against corruption. “The unusual courage and daring bravado of Justice Halilu under the present clime of simulated fear and barefaced intimidation of the Judiciary by the Executive, are to be applauded as signposting a ray of hope in the wilderness of jungle justice and blatant violations of the cherished rights, freedoms and liberties of Nigerian citizens.”
Wike: Rivers to Immortalise Slain Corps Member Increases monthly allowance of members Ernest Chinwo inPortHarcourt The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the state government would immortalise Mr. Samuel Okonta, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who was killed during last weekend’s rerun legislative elections in the state. He also declared that the state government would provide all necessary assistance for the police to investigate the killing of the corps member, with a view to identifying those responsible and prosecuting them. Wike, who spoke at the NYSC Headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday, also announced an increment in the monthly allowance of corps members serving outside Port Harcourt from N10,000 to N15,000, while that of those serving in Port Harcourt was increased from N5,000 to N10,000. He expressed sadness that the corps member died serving the nation and announced that the Rivers State Government would take care of the family of the late corps member. Wike noted that the death was even more painful because the corps member was an orphan who suffered through schooling and was on the verge of being of help to his immediate family.
He said: “The death of this corps member is unfortunate and condemnable. I urge the police to thoroughly investigate the crime. The outcome of the investigation should be made public so that those involved are prosecuted. The killing of this corps member must not be swept under the carpet. “I call for post mortem on the corpse of the corps member so that we can ascertain the type of bullet and type of gun that killed him. The post mortem will also determine who bears that type of gun that killed the corps member.” The governor also said his administration would take measures to improve security in the state, adding that steps would be taken to ensure that the incident does not reoccur. He also commiserated with the Department of State Services (DSS) over the death of their member in last Saturday’s poll. The state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Ngozi Nwatarali, commended the governor for commiserating with the NYSC at its moment of grief but appealed for greater protection for corps members during elections. Responding on behalf of the family, Alex Edeabeatu, thanked the governor for his gesture. He said the late corps member was a shining light.
REPRIEVE AT LAST
Former Military Assistant to Ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, uniting with his family after being released from custody by the Nigerian Army in Abuja...yesterday
PDP Begins Reconciliatory Talks, Meets Former Governors Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday commenced the first leg of its planned dialogue and reconciliatory talks with a meeting with former governors and their deputies. The meeting, which was called at the instance of the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, provided an opportunity for former leaders of the party in the states to formally interface with the National Chairman, and other National Working Committee (NWC) members on some of the perceived ills in the party. Sheriff said the purpose for calling for the meeting was to involve all the elected leaders of the PDP since 1999 in the re-building of the party. Sheriff promised to carry both the serving and former governors along in running the affairs of the party, describing them as leaders in their own right. Former governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, who spoke
in an interview after the meeting, said the national chairman briefed them on the coming congresses and national convention. One former governor each was chosen to speak on behalf of the six geopolitical zones during the meeting which lasted till late evening yesterday. The former state chief executives and their deputies lamented their neglect by their successors and accused them of abandoning those who contributed to the successes of the party. However, the former National Chairman of the party and former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, as well as former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio were among the former governors absent at the meeting. Former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, who spoke on behalf of former governors and deputies from the South-east, said things had got to the extent
that their successors no longer invite them to party meetings. Egwu who recalled the role of the former governors in the formation of PDP, noted that Senator Sheriff was the first National Chairman to recognise former state chief executives under PDP. “It appears that PDP has woken up from their slumber. The meeting has shown that PDP has not forgotten those that formed party. We believe in the party; this is the only party that has the soul of Nigeria. We have learnt from our defeat, the space is wide enough for everybody. “We started with five governors in the South-east, now we have three. We have remained steadfast. In 2019 we will make sure that that the two states are won by PDP,” Egwu added. On his part, former Niger State governor, Abdulkadir Kure challenged the national chairman and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to work for the good of the party.
“G-34 would not have succeeded if the first set of governors did not support the party. Power belongs to Almighty God. We were arrogant; somebody said we were going to rule for 60 years, we stopped at 16 years. “I hope with the emergence of Sheriff, there will be change in the party.There is a group called G-84. You should be careful with this group because they always have a way of getting what they want in the party,” he told the chairman. Some of the former governors and deputies who attended the meeting include, Theodore Orji (Abia), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Iyola Omisore (Osun deputy) Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Ramlan Yaro (Kaduna), Ibrahim Shakaru (Kano), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Abdulkadir Kure (Niger), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Okechukwu Itanyi (Enugu deputy), Bala James Ngilari (Adamawa), Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Idris Wada (Kogi), etc.
10
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
11
12
THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
NEWS
House: Reducing MTN Fine Requires Amendment of NCC Act Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday frowned at what it said was the unconstitutional review of the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its failure to deregister 5.2 million unregistered SIM cards on its network. It noted that reducing the fine to N780 million would require an amendment of the NCC (Telephone Subscribers Registration) Regulation 2011 which stipulates a fine of N200,000 for each unregistered SIM card. The House directed its Committee on Telecommunications to investigate the extent to which MTN’s non-compliance with the law, allegedly led to the death of over 10,000 Nigerians killed by Boko Haram, and whether MTN can be liable for criminal proceedings under the law. The resolution of the House
followed a motion sponsored as a urgent matter of national importance by Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma(Edo PDP) who also noted that the N50 billion paid by MTN into the recovery account was in violation of extant laws. “MTN ought to have been fined under both Section 19 and Section 20 respectively with a cumulative penalty of N3.12 trillion, and not N1.04 trillion, which is a gross violation of the combined reading of the NCC Act,” he said. The Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the House must insist that the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr. Ferdinand Moolman, honours the summon of the telecommunications committee. He added that the letter written by Moolman referring the committee to other agencies mediating in the matter, was an affront to the parliament. Moolman, on March 15, 2016 had shunned the invitation of the committee, and sent a letter
referring the committee to “the appropriate government agencies, specifically the NCC, Offices of the Ministers of Communications and Justice as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which agencies are in a position to furnish your committee with relevant information on this issue.” Gbajabiamila added that MTN which is a South African firm, would not dare write such letter to the country’s parliament. The Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor noted that since the N200,000 fine per unregistered SIM card had been fixed, the only way to review it would be through the parliament. He urged the committee to investigate who authorised the negotiation and reduction. Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe (Imo PDP) queried the role of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, in taking over the negotiations and excluding the NCC.
Saraki Asks CJ to Prevail on Justice Kafarati to Deliver Judgment Tobi Soniyi inAbuja The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has rejected the decision of Justice Abdulkadir Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja refusing to deliver his judgment in the suit filed by him (Saraki) to enforce his fundamental rights. The judge had last Tuesday withheld his judgment in the case and announced his withdrawal on the grounds that reports by some online media had alleged that he had been bribed by the senate president. Saraki, in a protest letter dated March 22, 2016 by his lawyer, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, to the Chief Judge
of the Federal High Court, noted that although he sympathised with the judge, the interest of justice would only be served if the judgment was delivered. Oluyede, while speaking with journalists yesterday after the submission of the letter to the CJ, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being behind the publications, which he said, were intended to intimidate the judge. “It is our argument in the suit that the Code of Conduct Tribunal cannot act independently the way it is currently constituted because we believe Its Chairman, Danladi
Umar, who is currently under investigation by the EFCC, cannot be independent in deciding a case being prosecuted before him by the EFCC. “We have also contented that the EFCC, by admitting that the investigation of the case against our client was done by a special task force, as against the requirement by the provision in Schedule 3 of the Constitution, has usurped the exclusive duties of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). It is on that basis we argued that our client cannot get justice under the current arrangement and asked the court to quash the charge,” Oluyede said.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
A
B
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY Advertorial
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
C
D
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
13
14
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
COMMENT
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
NO SACRED GROUNDS FOR CORRUPTION?
T
The judiciary, under its current leadership, deserves applause for supporting the expansion of good governance, argues Dele Olowu
he change mantra of the Buhari government is not likely to be an idle rallying cry. His reputation for austerity and honesty remains unchallenged. And most importantly, the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari, presents Nigeria, with the dynamic, to look again with a fresh pair of binoculars, at the corrupt underbelly of our political community. And perhaps not surprisingly, the revelations spewing out from the various investigations across the land have been simply dismaying. No tier of our national life, it seems, has been free from the acrid stranglehold of corruption. Critical incumbents of iconic national institutions, have one after the other, been found to have violated their mandates and engaged in self-help, often on scales, that are both shocking and primitive. The Defence institution, health insurance, the pension entity, Immigration Service, the oil industry, along with a wide range of other national platforms, appear to have been deranged by the practice of nepotism. It is as if the Nigerian nation has come face-to-face with a tempest of malfeasance. Corruption is an ancient evil in Nigeria, and most governments in our country, tend to come off the blocks, promising to castrate venality in public life. Almost always, their campaigns, loud and voluble in the beginning, end up in unimpressive whimpers. However because citizens feel cheated and denied, there has always been a growing clamour for the head of thieving incumbents. This passion to wreak vengeance on violators of the public trust, sometimes adopts dysfunctional turns. A natural resentment and jealousy of incumbents of public office has become an important feature of the Nigerian public space. This trend can perhaps be explained on at least two grounds. The alienation of the people from the state has a colonial ancestry. Citizens saw the state as an alien category, whose only interest was to collect taxes and cart away our resources. The post-colonial state was not much different- white faces; black masks. The black ruling elite have merely extended the colonial tradition of exploiting the people. Thus from independence till date, the ordinary folks feel no sense of union with either the Nigerian state or its ruling elite. Only very few of our leaders or incumbents have been truly loved by the citizens. This residual resentment of the Nigerian state, along with recurrent private jealousies has made public offices an extremely hazardous territory. Watching the mighty, fall from high office, has consequently become a popular spectator sport. Corruption is not a new transgression. It has merely grown in intensity. It existed in the First Republic, and caused various panels of enquiry to be set up to investigate public officials. One Oredein, a famous Ibadan politician was jailed for misdemeanors. In the 70s also, for example, Mr Njovens, a high- ranked police official was convicted for corruption. So was Mr Kila, a Director of the NYSC in its pioneering years. Corruption was also famously cited by the leaders of Nigeria’s first coup, and also by leaders of other subsequent coups or change of government ever since. We have never had a golden past, and no one should cultivate that illusion. However the incidence of corruption has increased, and so has the distrust of the people for an uncaring leadership. The Nigerian judiciary is an important institution of state. It has played a historic role in promotion of good governance in Nigeria. It has had its blemishes, and the National Judicial Commission has frequently had to wield the big stick to uphold integrity. The Nigerian judiciary is not a collection of angels, but it has had an astonishing capacity for renewal and regeneration. A few years ago, the National
THE NIGERIAN JUDICIARY IS NOT A COLLECTION OF ANGELS, BUT IT HAS HAD AN ASTONISHING CAPACITY FOR RENEWAL AND REGENERATION
Bureau of Statistics released its first ever crime and corruption survey. The report dealt with an impact assessment of corruption on businesses in Nigeria based on the experience of entrepreneurs. Institutions identified as corrupt were the Police, Power Holding Company of Nigeria and Customs, among others. The judiciary, not unreasonably, was listed in the report as the least corrupt. It is no doubt, adverse enough that any form of corruption attaches to the judiciary in Nigeria. But surely, it is also remarkable that the Nigerian Judiciary contains important elements of idealism, certainly dominant enough, to make our judiciary stand taller than many of our national institutions. And yet going by prevailing narratives, some want us to see our judiciary as belonging to the dark ages. The misdemeanor of one bad egg is employed to unjustly demonise a national institution In addition to enlarging upon the misdemeanor of a few, it seems that detractors feel no restraint in unleashing frivolous attacks on innocent incumbents in the judiciary. Once a hallowed entity, the judiciary has been turned by these miscreants into a target of unwholesome mudslinging. One simple incident will put this narrative in bold relief. In April 2015, a firm, with a history of publishing legal content, made a public presentation of a book called an “Encyclopedia of the Rules and Practices of the Supreme Court in Nigeria”. The book was dedicated to the Honorable Justice Ibrahim Auta, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. The book which was edited by a Mr Kola Martins Aduloja, is a tome of over 3000 pages; its presentation was widely publicised and was attended by legal, social and political elite. What has been seized upon by a certain section and particularly by a so-called Civil Network Against Corruption, is that it was unethical for Justice Auta to attend an event in which Chief Gabriel Igbinedion was not only present but also made a donation of N8 million. Heavy weather seems to have been made out of the fact that Michael Igbinedion, a son of the chief had a subsisting matter in one of our courts at the time. The matter was resolved rather controversially later, but this had nothing to do with Justice Auta or his court. The book was not written by Justice Auta, nor was Chief Igbinedion invited by the distinguished judge. A proper growth of Nigerian jurisprudence will be guaranteed, among other things, by a judiciary that is remote, impartial and dignified. Justice Auta participated in the presentation of the Encyclopedia only pursuant to the achievement of this goal and to the extent that the publication would have important consequences for the practice of law. But importantly, there was no guest of honor at the ceremony and those who gave money, including Chief Igbinedion, did so only as quid pro quo for specific copies of the publication. It is also curious that some anxiety has been raised by the fact that this legal publication was dedicated to Justice Auta, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. It was not a responsibility he solicited. In accepting to play that role, he may have indeed been guided by precedence. The owners of the Encyclopedia have had a history of legal publishing, and have in the past presented a number of books to the public. In 2011, it published a book called “The fundamentals of Electoral Reforms in Nigeria.” It was dedicated to Justice Lawal Uwais. Another book published in 2013 called “Impact of Judicial Activism on Electoral Law and Democracy in Nigeria” was dedicated to Justice Mudapher Dahiru CJN. So on grounds of precedence and good taste, it is evident that Justice Auta is in excellent company. Olowu wrote from Abuja
WHY BUHARI SHOULD EMBRACE ABARIBE’S WAND(1) Emma Agu argues the need for Nigerians to buy locally produced goods
“This Administration has decided to turn the economic disaster that we inherited to a blessing by diversifying our economy”…Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture
I
f the above statement credited to Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s information minister should be taken seriously, Nigerians could begin to heave a sigh of relief, that decades of criminal neglect of other sectors, on account of the oil boom, is about to be redressed. But Nigerians are likely to be sceptical, not because our own dear Lai is a liar but because they have long been accustomed to such dramatic statements oozing out of the mouths of politicians, only for their hopes to be dashed. The consolation, however, is that Lai Mohammed does not have a reputation for empty statements. Complementing this optimism is the breath of fresh air emanating from the legislative branch, an arm of government that has long earned the dubious distinction of according too much attention to matters of self-preservation. In spite of this distrust of the legislature, many still trust that our lawmakers can rise to the challenge of the moment through radical legislation and rigorous honest oversight that can enact fundamental changes in policy and political behaviour. It is against this background that we should consider and commend the recent motion by Senator Enyinnia Abaribe advocating mandatory patronage of made in Nigeria goods especially by
government. By the way, being an economist, Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the Senate, is intellectually and philosophically equipped, to understand the state of the national economy and situate it within the wider dynamics of the social exchanges that exist within and among nations. To him, therefore, a seat in the Senate is not simply a platform for filling a void in his life, nor is it an opportunity for self-validation. Perhaps, we should mention that at the start of the fourth republic, Abaribe was elected deputy governor Abia State on the same ticket as Orji Uzor Kalu as governor. Prior to that, he had had a distinguished career in the private sector where he manned managerial positions for SCOA and NICON Insurance before becoming CEO of Integrated Mortgage Finance in 1993. While that is now history, it is instructive to note that those assignments placed him in a vantage position to witness the apogee of Aba’s industrial greatness and the subsequent sad denudation that afflicted the city’s industrial capacity, an industrial hub that was once described as the “Japan of Africa”. That Abaribe had to preface his motion by first conducting the Made- in- Aba Trade Fair in Abuja underpins the conscious effort on his part to orchestrate an industrial renaissance in Nigeria by returning to the basics. Was it not nostalgic recalling the great days of agro-based industries when cocoa, oil palm, cotton, hides and skins fuelled an explosion of food processing, textile, pharmaceuticals and
furniture industries, employing hundreds of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers? Was it not nostalgic recalling the strategic insight that went into the farm settlements, marketing boards, regional economic and developmental agencies such as Western Nigeria Development Corporation (WNDC), Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC) and Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC): economic powerhouses that incubated viable industries, first class bureaucrats and industry hands? What is the relevance of these to Nigeria’s present economic situation? Let us face it: for far too long, this country has been shooting itself in the hip by avaricious consumption of goods that we cannot produce, indeed goods we cannot afford given that only a tiny percentage of the total population consumes these goods while the vast majority wallow in abject poverty, disease and other forms of disenfranchisement. With the oil burst, the chicken has come home to roost. And with Abaribe’s motion, President Muhammadu Buhari’s quest to diversify the economy, as unequivocally pledged by Lai Mohammed, has received the legislative boost it requires. Will the president rise to the occasion? Nigerians will expect him to embrace this patriotic proposition. Buhari is a tough man and has the political will to push any project he endorses. If anyone is in doubt about that, the person is free to check out the calibre of economic crime suspects that are routinely herded daily
into detention by the EFCC. But that in itself does not translate to an economic programme or action plan. On the contrary, to give executive backing to Abaribe’s motion, which he presented on the floor of the Senate with great brilliance, infectious patriotism and consummate skills, will amount to an action plan by the Buhari administration. What does this entail? Abaribe set the ball rolling through two significant prayers contained in his motion: First, the motion urges the federal government to initiate and implement the First Option Policy on the purchase of locally manufactured products for any government procurement in all arms of government and any public funded organisation. Second, it urges the Senate and the House of Representatives to amend the Public Procurement Act to ensure that as a matter of law, agencies of government and public funded institutions adopt the made in Nigeria goods First Option Policy and where consideration is given to the local industries before others. Nobody needs to be told that, if implemented, these resolutions will kick start a revolution that will cut across the broad gamut of national life and fast-track the nation’s economic recovery by creating jobs, reducing youth restiveness and juvenile crime, boosting the value of the naira through reduced imports and upscaling local industrial capacity as home-based manufacturers scramble to meet orders from clients. Agu is publisher of Zest Traveller magazine and CEO of Gavinta & Associates Ltd
15
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
EDITORIAL OCHOLI’S DEATH AND MATTERS ARISING Ocholi’s death exposes the dangers of plying Nigerian roads
I
n the past few weeks, so many lives have been wasted across the nation in road accidents. Two weeks ago, some 18 passengers died in a road crash along the Bauchi-Jos road. This happened shortly after the gory accident which claimed the lives of the Minister of State for Labour & Emplyment, Mr. James Ocholi, his wife and son on the Kaduna-Abuja road. A day later, the Nigerian Army lost its Chief of Training and Operations, Major General Yusha’u Abubakar, in a road accident in Borno State. On the same day, the Yobe State deputy governor was also involved in a road crash on the Kaduna-Kano road. Fortunately, he survived. In the wake of the auto crash that killed James Ocholi, his wife and son, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi released an interim report where he attributed the accident to a burst tyre which resulted in the loss of control of the minister’s official car. “Information gathered revealed that the driver of the crashed vehicle was actually moving at excess of the stipulated speed limit DRIVERS SHOULD BE when he had a burst CENTRALLY SCREENED, tyre. The crashed TESTED, SELECTED vehicle driver was AND TRAINED BY THE driving too fast and RELEVANT GOVERNMENT he slammed on his DEPARTMENT. EVEN brake so hard. These AFTER BEING DEPLOYED, two factors materially THEY SHOULD BE contributed to the SUBJECTED TO PERIODIC inability of the driver RE-TRAINING AND HEALTH to maintain control CHECKS when the left rear tyre burst”, said Oyeyemi who added that the driver of the vehicle would be prosecuted for over-speeding and for not being in possession of a driver’s licence. While we commiserate with the family of the Ocholis for this tragic accident, the FRSC report has raised certain posers: whose responsibility is it to ensure that someone who drives a senior government official has a valid driver’s licence? How was
Letters to the Editor
T
the driver engaged for the job if, as FRSC claimed, he has probably never been in possession of a driver’s licence? Why was the driver over-speeding without being reprimanded by his boss who was in the vehicle? These are valid questions that need to be interrogated, if only to avoid making a scapegoat of the driver and for proper lessons to be learned from the tragedy. Since Ocholi’s driver, who is fortunate to be alive will be tried in court, we hope he would be availed of all his rights so that he can tell his side of the story. It is also our hope that the driver would not now be abandoned at the hospital.
T T H I S DAY
EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOlAfE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OlUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOlA BEllO, KAYODE KOMOlAfE, ISRAEl IWEGBU, EMMANUEl EfENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OlUfEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, fIDElIS ElEMA, MBAYIlAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOlA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD fEMI TOlUfASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
housands of people die daily all over the world as a result of over-speeding, which accounts for at least a third of all road accidents. In the United States, it is estimated that it costs society more than $76,000 for every minute gained by a speeding driver. But what compounds the problem in Nigeria is that public officials and their convoys do not obey traffic rules. That perhaps explains why accidents involving them are almost always fatal. While road traffic accidents are bound to occur occasionally, there is increasing evidence that the relevant government departments and officials are not adhering to extant rules governing the employment and deployment of drivers especially those attached to superior public officials. Ordinarily, drivers for such assignments should be centrally screened, tested, selected and trained by the relevant government department. Even after being deployed, they should be subjected to periodic re-training, safety and security orientation and health checks to ensure that they are both physically and mentally fit for their assigned role. Correspondingly, all government vehicles or vehicles deployed for the official use of government officials ought to undergo periodic road worthiness inspection. The current situation where senior government officials employ and deploy drivers sometimes without drivers’ licences should to be discontinued.
TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.
AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS AND THE FISHERIES SECTOR
he population of the world is projected to be close to nine billion in the year 2050, while the continent from calculation of experts is expected to feed the world because of the vast expanse of arable land suitable for agricultural development. To enable the continent to achieve this, huge investments in sustainable agriculture would help Africa to meet its regional and global shortfalls in food production. It is in the light of this that over 100 African journalists, both print, broadcast and communication teams came together to raise awareness on the challenges and opportunities of the fisheries sector which contributes to economic growth and improved livelihoods in Africa. African journalists in Elmina, Ghana, on February 29- March 4, 2016, spoke with one voice, urging African governments to pay more attention towards a sustainable fisheries development in Africa. Their fear was hinged on the fact that if serious attention was not given to the sector before the year 2050, there may be more plastics than fish in the African waters and generation to come may not know what a fish looked like. The fisheries sector already plays a significant social and nutritional role in Africa. Currently, fisheries and aquaculture is said to be contributing about $24 billion to African economy. As African fisheries production continues to increase, attention is needed to avoid over-exploitation,
which would in turn decrease productivity and socioeconomic benefits as observed elsewhere in the world. Sustainable aquaculture and improved fisheries management and governance could make the sector become a highly profitable economic enterprise and support the economic and social development of Africa. It is a fact that over 200 million people in Africa eat fish and almost 12.3 million jobs created in Africa among the poor people in the continent. However, it is very important to state that there are so many challenges facing the fisheries sector in Africa. The major challenge is the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing across the African waters. Though it has been observed that the management of fisheries looks difficult due to inadequate enforcement of rules but it is expected that more efforts should be geared towards the effective monitoring and enforcement of total allowable catch both for artisanal and industrial fisheries. There is equally need for regional cooperation to combat the act of illegal and unregulated fishing along the waters of Africa. The illegal activities of some fishing vessels and boats on African waters is worrisome and should be checked, otherwise, the consequence would lead to biological degradation of fish resources and sustainable economic loss. Over-exploitation of natural resources has been identified as one of the causes of climate change in Africa.
The major concern is that with all the established initiatives to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Africa, it seems much progress has not been achieved. It is therefore very imperative for African governments, through her ministries and agencies to develop strategies and policies to move the sector forward, while a more cohesive action should be taken by African governments in creating a conducive and enabling environment for the fisheries sector, with a view to creating equitable, social and economic development in Africa. Africa is being looked upon as the continent to feed the world in the year 2050 and beyond, and the African Union policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture should be seen as a strong opportunity for Africa to play the crucial role. The media, apart from educating and informing the people on government programmes and activities, is equally saddled with the responsibility of setting agenda on matters of public interest. The need for African governments to work collaboratively has become a must to protect the future of the generation to come. Africa must unite to ensure a sustainable fisheries development in the continent. We have the solutions in our hands and a huge opportunity to build a stronger partnership in Africa. Samson Makanju, samsonmakanju@yahoo.com
16
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
POLITICS
Group Politics Editor Olawale Olaleye Email wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com 08116759819 SMS ONLY
THE PERSONALITY INTERVIEW
Bamidele:APCMustCommunicateTransparently With increasing apprehension in the country over the failing promises of change, former House of Representatives member and the Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2014 election in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, thinks the All Progressives Congress-led administration must constantly engage and communicate with the public to reduce tensions. He spoke to Victor Olakiitan. Excerpts: How do you read the state of the APC following the 2014 governorship poll in Ekiti? Well, the game was just about people working for their own interest – I mean what they believe in. My leaving for another progressive party after the death of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) should not be misinterpreted to mean enmity or personality clash between me and my friend, Dr Kayode Fayemi. My leaving the party gave a signal to the fact that the internal democracy must be improved upon. But all that is now history. I am happy about something now that is the fact that APC is not structured to serve the interest of any individual; it is now about our country. So, the best we political players within this fold can offer is to treat one another with mutual respect and adhere to democratic principles to be able to advance the course of our country. As we speak now, Ekiti is in economic distress and the best we can do to salvage it is to have a central government that will consist of individuals, corporate bodies, civil society organisations, political and academic leaders to be coordinated by a governor elected by the people. Not just a governor, but a visionary one and one with a mission to develop the system. We in the progressives fold have been consulting and striving hard on how to bring the glory of Ekiti from the sabbatical. That is why we leaders of APC are coming together as one in the overriding interest of Ekiti people. We had our differences in the past, but we decided to set them aside if not for other thing, but for Ekiti State. Do you foresee APC defeating the PDP in 2018 with all these internal crises and groupings? Before now, things were bad for Ekiti APC – really, really bad – because there were issues among the gladiators that needed to be resolved. APC lost elections in the last two years because there were factions, but we are happy that we now have a meeting point. It was like APC contested against itself in all these elections, because some members were not in consonance with the leadership. The national leadership knew that this was not what they could treat with levity. Series of meetings were held in Abuja, in Ibadan, Ekiti and Lagos State. The Deputy National Chairman of the party, Engr. Segun Oni, who incidentally is from Ekiti, took up the issue. It was purely Ekiti affairs – no external force was allowed to intervene and the results are manifesting now. Things are changing and APC is becoming a serious threat to the government of the day. As things stand today, APC is a party to beat. You can go to town yourself and interact with the people. But some have accused you of working against Fayemi in the 2014 polls. Is that true? This sounds laughable. I am too experienced in politics to play the role of a spoiler or sellout because of anybody. Whoever knows me will know that I am not a traitor. Governor Ayodele Fayose said it himself that he called me sixteen times to be able to work with him before that election, which I declined. I was called in Ekiti and even taken to presidency under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Pressure even came that I should step down for him, which I refused to do because of my ties with the progressives. Let me clarify
continue in office, would it have gone ahead to implement all its promises with the price of oil falling from 116 dollars to 38 dollars per barrel? To me, as a politician, I see PDP playing opposition role with this statement, though I concede that to it. The benchmark of the crude oil sales during former President Jonathan is different. It is not the large-heartedness of a leader that will determine what to do for the people but the economic dictates. Even as a member of APC, I will boldly come out and criticise the party for not coming out boldly to tell Nigerians that the N5,000 stipend for unemployed youths is not realisable than to go to the international capital market and borrow money. With this, Nigerians should not give the PDP the chance to claim it knows better. They spent sixteen years with all the money available to it, but they did nothing. What the APC needs is to communicate with the people about the reality of our situation. APC has been doing something they didn’t promise Nigerians and soon they will brief the nation about this. Bamidele...need for a better rapport between the led and their leaders
something here, I didn’t defect from APC to Labour Party. I left the then ACN after its certificate was returned to INEC and I moved to LP before the merger took place fully. What happened was that we had a disagreement and I formed a coalition called Ekiti Bibire Coalition, which was a pressure group with ACN. This is allowed in politics. Even in religious societies, there are groups within or caucuses. I endured all that happened till March 30, when a member of my group, Foluso Ogundare was killed in Emure Ekiti. I would not have defected but the terror against my people was much and I didn’t want a reprisal, so I had to leave for another platform, where I ran as the governorship candidate. It will be wrong for a leader of a group to watch his people retaliating attacks and killing people, what for? In spite of the pressure, I didn’t defect to PDP. I searched for another progressive platform to contest for governorship election. Even during the presidential poll, I addressed a press conference in Iyin Ekiti and made myself very clear with my group that we were supporting President Muhammadu Buhari. Looking at all these scenarios, where did I now look like a sell out or someone that had compromised? The pressure for me to come to PDP was much and tempting. A leader among them even promised that the party will give me ticket for House of Representatives, so I can become the speaker, but I had to protect the principles I believed in. I ought to reunite with the APC before the last general elections, but some of my followers had collected nomination for senatorial, Reps and House of Assembly elections. I was conscious of what would be their fates if I should leave at that time. That was why we quickly reunited with APC on May 19, 2015 and we started registration at our wards on May 21. How are your people being treated in APC now that you are back? The intervention of our leaders, Chief Segun Oni, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and State
chairman, Chief Jide Awe made things easier for our people to have a smooth transition and reintegration in all the 177 wards. We didn’t have illusion when we were coming. So, all we are guarding against has been that we don’t want any hostility. We want to be one united family and that we are today. With the outcome of the Ekiti governorship poll, how do you rate an average Ekiti voter? An average Ekiti voter is not different from average voter in any state in Nigeria and across the globe. Let us take America as a case study, Donald Trump, a Republican party presidential aspirant has been speaking against Muslims, immigrants, the blacks, the Mexicans despite he is getting votes in the primaries. His words makes him look as if another Adolf Hitler is about to be produced. What we would have applied then was diplomacy and not the pattern of voting. Every election and ethnic groups have their own peculiarities. Fayemi introduced the youth empowerment programme and the social security for the elderly, but Fayose said his own will be stomach infrastructure. But at the right time, I will espouse my own philosophy of governance. In actual fact, we have to really go back to the drawing board by examining what our leaders say and how realizable they were, because if I give you a bag of rice at Christmas, to what extent have I helped you? To what extent can stomach infrastructure be a reality? So, there is need for Ekiti voters to have a moment of sober reflection. I am not pretentious about my governorship ambition and at the right time, I will tell Ekiti what I have for them. But in conclusion, Ekiti voters are fantastic people and not different from their counterparts across the globe. What do you make of allegations that President Buhari is not prepared for governance? Well, this may be personal opinions of those saying this. I have read the manifestoes of both PDP and APC and what they promised were better welfare packages for Nigerians using different languages. If PDP was to
As a lawyer, how do you see the lacuna created by the death of the APC governorship candidate in Kogi State? Does James Faleke stand any chance at the Tribunal? The issue of the constitutional logjam in Kogi State is not about James Faleke, but about our constitution and the rule of law. Faleke going to court will settle the lacuna in our constitution. Our constitution only explains what happens if a candidate dies before election, but Audu died before results were announced and no provision for this by the makers of our constitution. It is because of this kind of situation that we have National Assembly and the judiciary. Though I won’t preempt what will be the outcome of the petition, I am optimistic that the court will come out with good things. I don’t see the two sides losing anything because head or tail, they will help to deepen our constitution and democracy, which are utmost than self-serving venture. Recently, a lawmaker and some government officials were arrested in Ekiti by the DSS. How does this portray the Buhari government? No one can specifically or authoritatively say why they were arrested. So, let’s wait for the time they will come back or the DSS will come out to address the public before passing judgment. It will be premature for me to start passing judgment when I have not listened to the other side. But whatever happens, public interest must be protected. Any public official can be called upon to answer to certain allegation. But in Nigeria, people can politicise anything, either normal or otherwise. With time, we will all know what actually happened and we can then begin to pass judgment from there. Let me say this, I don’t support executive recklessness. Even when people are arrested, I will advise the DSS to presume they are innocent until the court decides otherwise. They shouldn’t be treated like common criminals, but this should not form a basis for those with alleged criminal tendencies to be spared. They should be called to question in the overriding public interest and our security.
17
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
INTERVIEW
Manager: FG Should Not Seize Tompolo’s Assets The chairman, Niger Delta Nationalities Forum, an agglomeration of 25 Niger Delta tribes and sub-tribes, Mr. Seigha Manager, in this interview with reporters cautioned the federal government against seizing property belonging to Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, because it could be counter-productive. He also spoke about the amnesty programme and the state of the Nigerian economy. Zacheaus Somorin presents the excerpts:
T
here has been a renewed increase in the spate of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. What is your take on that? First, it is condemnable. It is not necessary. However, the new government should get the right advice and do the right things. The right thing does not necessarily mean pushing in military intervention but getting the right people to talk with. That will douse the tension. That, I think is the most important thing to do. Former Niger Delta militant leader, Tompolo seems to have refused to appear before the court to answer charges of corruption against him. Consequently, the EFCC has decided to seize all his assets. What is your thought on that? Should Tompolo come out to face the charges? Well, if Tompolo comes out to face the allegation, there is nothing wrong with that. If he thinks that he is not too comfortable with the approach to the matter and therefore decides to take to his heels, I also think there is wisdom in it too because it is clear that the manner and way the EFCC is going about the anti-corruption war has been criticised in the society. So, in his own wisdom, he might think that he will not be treated fairly considering the way Patrick Akpobolokemi, former Director-General, Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), was thrown into a moving vehicle while he had just been granted bail by the court. He could have his own fears. Having said that, I think the idea of freezing his accounts or seizing his property should be properly looked into, because I am aware that Tompolo never held any political office. He was not an appointee of government. As long as he was neither a government official nor an appointee of government and he is also enjoying amnesty granted him by the late President Yar’Adua, I think the federal government should take a second look at the issue and see how the matter can be handled out of court. I think the court is not the best place to handle his matter because he wasn’t a government official. As the leader of an umbrella organisation of the Niger Deltans, what is your assessment of the amnesty operations since the new government came on board in May last year? We now have an opportunity to make some comparisons between Honourable Kingsley Kuku and Brigadier Paul Boro (rtd). I am not an apologist of either of them because I never benefitted from either of them and I don’t have anything to do with either of them but I am a stakeholder. I have brothers and sisters from that region, who are part of the amnesty. From a very close observation, I will say that Boro is doing well, at least, in two areas. One, he has come to sanitise the system because at some points, Kuku, though not a bad person, was overwhelmed by some insider activities. Certain things were not properly done. Some people who had been captured were not benefitting. Few other people, who were not directly involved in the amnesty programme became the beneficiaries. At some points, it became a case of those whom he knew and those that he wanted to empower. The amnesty programme was losing focus at some point but the coming of Boro has streamlined the activities of the amnesty programme. He has gone back to the data and identified about 12000 of such people, who were initially captured but were not
I think the idea of freezing his accounts or seizing his property should be properly looked into, because I am aware that Tompolo never held any political office. He was not an appointee of government. As long as he was neither a government official nor an appointee of government and he is also enjoying amnesty granted to him by the late President Yar’Adua, I think the federal government should take a second look at the issue and see how the matter can be handled out of court
Manager…canvassing the Tompolo sentiment
taken along. With the pedigree of a former military officer, some of the ex-agitators have also taken caution in dealing with him unlike Kuku’s time, when some would even go to the office and threaten to fight. The other area where he has also done well is that unlike Kuku, who was directly in charge of everything and was reporting directly to the president as it were, Boro works directly under the National Security Adviser (NSA). The difference is that while Kuku could spend any amount of money to do whatever he wanted because he was directly in charge, the present coordinator cannot do so. Whatever he does in the amnesty office today must have recourse to the NSA. That, in itself, has opened up the system much more than before. The allegation that he came and spent N48 billion in less than five months is completely untrue. I do go there and I have brothers that are working there. I was one of the media aides to the Media Coordinator, Dr. Koripamo Agary, to the Presidential Amnesty Panel between 2009 and 2010. We were the pioneer members in that place, so, I am a stakeholder and I know what is going on there. Remember that when Kuku left, there was an interregnum of about five months before Boro came in, so, there was a pile-up of school fees as well as stipends that had not been paid. So, he had to clear the whole of those debts in those five months and it took a lot of money – about N17 billion in the first batch and then N10 billion in another batch. All those monies were paid to ex-agitators in South Africa, Britain, US and other countries and some of those who were feeding fat and enjoying themselves were also told to go. Such people are not very happy with the new coordinator having come to streamline activities
in the place. They could be instrumental to that publication that he has wasted N48 billion in five months. He reports directly to the NSA and gets approval before he spends any kobo, so, he could not have even mismanaged N10. There is no such room. So, the allegation was merely to smear his name. Another very important thing he has done is that right from 2009, when the programme took off up to the time that Kuku left is that there is no exit point for the beneficiaries of the programme. Out of about 30, 000 that were captured none had exited, but with Boro’s coming, he has adopted a strategy whereby 3,232 will be exiting sometime this year. And from my close facts in the office, government will get back over N2 billion from the 3,232 that will be exiting. I hear that he will do the same thing next year. So, that is a huge fund that he has been able to save back for the government. So, for being able to come up with an exit strategy, he has done objectively well and better and I encourage him to continue to do that. But, let me also advise that while he has that good programme, he must not fail to ensure that those that will be exiting the programme must be counselled on how they can integrate properly into the civil society because they are now going to be on their own. I recommend that they be given a two or three day counseling programme, so that they know what they will face when they go to civil society, where they will not be waking up to earn N65,000 monthly stipend, rather what they will be getting will depend on their own entrepreneurial skills. Therefore, I call on the NSA, Boro’s boss, to insist that the over 3000 that will be exiting must be given an extensive counseling programme on how to return to the civil society; relate with the community and use the entrepreneurial skills
they have acquired to help themselves. This exit counselling cannot be over emphasised; it is very important, so that they don’t turn around to go back to their old ways. If they don’t do that, they would have done the right thing in a wrong manner. Won’t the exit counselling cost extra money for the government? No, it will cost government almost nothing, considering the effect of what they will constitute in society. After all, government will be making over N2billion from their exit. Many Nigerians think the economy is in a mess as naira keeps plummeting against the dollar in the international market. What is your assessment of the situation? I don’t want to join the fray of those who are accusing the government of not doing the right thing. I think what is happening to the economy is just speculation. There are uncertain things surrounding the activities of government that are bringing about the dwindling of the naira. Economists will tell you that we are a monoeconomy relying only on oil and since oil is dwindling and we don’t have anything else in the international market, our currency is likely to be affected. Our craze for foreign made goods is largely responsible for what is happening. Rather than blaming the government for what is happening, we should resolve that 80 per cent of our demands should be gotten within Nigeria. Let all of us begin to buy Ankara materials; let us begin to buy only made in Nigeria goods. We still have a lot of things that are locally made. Let us struggle within the next six months to live with the Nigerianmade goods and I think it will stem the tide of the fall of naira.
18
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
INTERVIEW
‘It’s an Aberration for Legislators to Execute Contracts’ Hon. Tunde Braimoh, the lawmaker representing Kosofe II constituency in the Lagos State assembly, in this interview with Femi Ogbonnikan, bares his mind on efforts by the Akinwunmi Ambode administration to tackle development in the state
D
uring the electioneering campaign you promised your constituents to improve their lots through your programmes. How many projects have you embarked upon? Let me say this, there is nothing like embarking upon constituency projects. I am not an executive person. We don’t have constituency projects like that. We don’t have constituency projects in Lagos State. There is nothing like that, even before. Seeing me embarking on constituency projects is wrong. You see, there is nothing like that. The constitution is very clear. We have the executive, we have the legislature and we have the judiciary. Any legislator that is going to execute contracts or projects is an aberration. It is illegal. A legislator does not do roads, does not do boreholes or that. It is wrong. It is not done. What is constituency project? Any legislator that does that will be probed now or later. You should do your own work and allow the executives to do theirs. There is no need to overlap. Why do we have local government chairmen? And why do we have commissioners? Do you expect a High Court judge to be tarring roads? There is law and the executive is to implement the laws and legislators are to make the laws. We appropriate money for projects. We give money to the executives. We give approvals to the executives to spend money. And that is what we do. Having said that, what we do is that the legislators represent and legislators scrutinise what the executive does, like appointments of commissioners and everything. A legislator legislates. Lawmakers appropriate funds, they represent their people and legislators carry our oversight functions on what the executives have done. If you are a public-spirited person and you have money, because government alone cannot do everything, and you can assist people in your own personal capacity, no problem. At times, you intervene in the provision of infrastructural amenities. If any legislator is saying, I am going to tar roads and I am going to do this, he doesn’t know what he is saying. He does not know what he is doing. That is not his work. I am doing my work here to the extent that, I can represent my people very well and I can project the needs of my people to the front burner. When we saw that the Mile 12 area has been a lot of problems - that everywhere is disorderly and vehicles will crisscross the roads and Danfo drivers took laws into their hands, we told the governor that we are raising the median now from Mile 12 to Ketu, such that the place will be organised for motorists totally. We have started the project now. We are appealing to the people to please; bear with us now so that the traffic jam will be a thing of the past. So, this is one of the things I have done. And there are so many other things we have done. So many roads - internal roads are being repaired and upgraded and we are still waiting for new constructions, especially bridges in some areas to come up. We are also trying to link up some communities to other communities. And these are the work of the governor and we have made appropriations in the budget and we expect that some of these things will be done.
Like you have said in your “own capacity”, what other ways have you assisted your people from your own personal income? That one too is not a good question. A legislator is a salary earner. It is not necessary. Do you know how many people besiege my house every day? Do you know how many people besiege my office on a daily basis? They don’t just come and say how are you? But I must part with something. It is a normal thing, but we should not be basing our lifestyle on that. It is retrogressive. We do it because we are Africans but really that does mean it is normal. How can somebody come here and say, he wants to marry wives or to build houses or to have children? But I will not be telling you what I have done in that regard because that is personal between me and the Allah that I am serving. I don’t even have their names. If I have their names and I can’t ask them to sign before collecting money, unlike other politicians
The constitution is very clear. We have the executive, we have the legislature and we have the judiciary. Any legislator that is going to execute contracts or projects is an aberration. It is illegal. A legislator does not do roads, does not do boreholes or that. It is wrong. It is not done. What is constituency project? Any legislator that does that will be probed now or later. You should do your own work and allow the executives to do theirs. There is no need to overlap
Braimoh…not an advocate of legislators’ constituency project
who will ask them to sign. I don’t ask them to sign and I know those who have benefitted and those that benefitted know me. Yours is to legislate and you are also saddled with oversight functions. Why haven’t we heard the legislators sanctioning any member of the executives abusing his office, but they only compromise? Because the government is new and besides people have learnt lessons; you can see what is happening to people who have diverted funds of the government like Dasuki and others. We have seen what has happened to people, who wasted or diverted public funds into personal accounts. People are now careful and nobody wants to get into trouble. Besides, the government is still young and this is the first budget of this new government. Our party has carefully brought up good people and we screened them thoroughly. So, I want you to know that those of our guys in government are good guys, not that I am speaking for them, but their actions will speak for them. So far, so good, we have no reasons to believe that anyone of them can be found wanting. In fact, we haven’t done the first quarter assessment yet because we do assessment quarterly. What we are doing now as regards oversight functions is to look at what has happened last year because last year’s budget has not been accounted for. Even the last quarter budget of last year, we are yet to scrutinise how it was expended. The things we are doing now are normal laws. By and large, that doesn’t concern the people that are on saddle now, it concern people that left. Even though those ones too; most of them were above boards in most of their dealings, except minor ones that were not remarkable. Two laws which regulate traffic jams and street trading culminating in the setting up of mobile courts have come under scathing criticisms, as being too harsh. Did they really pass through the House of Assembly? They are not new laws and mobile court has been in existence before - nearly suspended, because we felt in democracy, there is the need for a more tolerant system of administration. It is not new. The situations in Lagos State today need the government to take drastic action. Drastic situation demands drastic response. Let me be honest with you, when the governor came in; Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, he is very humane person, very civilised, widely travelled, well brought up, very decorous, very scrupulous and a scrutiny man. As a man that knows what is best for the society, he said LASTMA should not arrest anybody on the road anymore. And if you apprehend an offender, just give him a ticket and go and automate it so that it would reflect in the back offices of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agencies and you don’t have anything to do with anybody again, but people
started jubilating that, what a fool! Look at the roads in Ibadan, if you go to Ogun State, can they do that in these places? They started saying all sorts of things. He (Ambode) is initiating, he is interpreting and he is applying the good intentions of the masses. Immediately the man saw that the people had been abusing the process, he reversed that action and asked LASTMA officials to go after offenders the way they used to do before. It is unfortunate, because that is the language our people understand. We have to speak in this language the more. If the society is bad, you are bad and if the society is good, you are good. So, if your society has to be good you will have to be good and if your society has to be bad you will have to be bad. You were an elected representative in-charge of Kosofe II constituency, traffic jam is a headache for commuters and motorists plying between Ajegunle/Thomas and Ojota roads, what steps have you taken as a lawmaker representing this constituency to improve the gridlock along this route? What steps can I take when you people who are supposed to be fourth members of estate realm to be helping government to propagate and to orientate people are having this type of attitude? When NTA people came here yesterday, asking me to react to why there is traffic jam in that place and why Okada motorcycles are being seized, I said number one, there is a law that allows Okada to be impounded. Number two, I asked them if they have asked the Okada riders why they are doing what they have been asked not to be doing. When you see the newly constructed road to Ikorodu - billions were spent on that road but these people disregard plying the road, rather they are plying the outlays of the road where they should not stop, where they are not to park. If someone is crossing the highway and he is apprehended and tried by a mobile court and we start shouting; if Okada goes to cause anything and he is apprehended and his Okada is impounded and the man who apprehended him - if we refuse to cooperate with the laws of the land, it will cause multiplying and relative effects. Until we realise all those things, we will continue to ruin Nigeria, and it is unfortunate everybody will be suffering for the malfeasance and misdemeanor of a few recalcitrant and obdurate elements. Since you assumed officers legislator, how many bills have sponsored or co-sponsored? I have moved motions, especially contributing on the floor of the House. I have contributed a lot and I have moved motions. I don’t have a bill yet, but I am working on it. I have moved motions on matter of public importance that talked about security and traffic. Laws have to be made for the people to follow and it is not just to make laws for making sake. The law has to be relevant. The law has to be made, that are relevant to the people.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
19
20
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
FEATURES
Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
Gender Equality As part of efforts geared towards gender balance in the society, the issue was discussed by experts on March 8 to mark the International Women's Day, write Ugo Aliogo and Jemima Bolokor
Kayanja...making case for gender equality
T
he United Nations celebrates the International Women Day on March 8 every year. It is an occasion set aside to mark the economic and social achievement of women globally. This year’s celebration theme: ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender Equality’ aimed at propelling men and women to take action in order to escape poverty and discrimination by the year 2030. It was also aimed at achieving effect advocacy for the empowerment of the female gender. According to United Nations statistics, nearly 14 million children are forced into marriage yearly (that is 37,000 girls are being denied of their fundamental human rights). The statistics also explained that 7.3 million babies in developing countries are born to mothers who are 17 or younger. One in three women are subject to gender-based violence, and 200 million women and girls today have undergone female genital mutilation. In his opening remarks, the Director United Nation Information Centre, Ronald Kayanja, said many women and girls have limited autonomy and low status, which expose them to increased risk of hunger, gender-based violence and other human rights violations. He explained that improving access to quality education, sexual and reproductive health services is essential for women’s empowerment “ability to earn money, create and sustain livelihood.” Kayanja, added that women can contribute positively to the economy if given the
opportunity to make free and informed choices in marriage and all spheres of life. The UN chief explained that the 2016 International Women’s Day theme presents opportunity and challenges for Nigeria and its partners including the UN. Kayanja, also stressed that Nigeria needs to reassess the level and effectiveness of her gender equality commitments in its entirety (education, health, governance and
Ronald Kayanja added that women can contribute positively to the economy if given the opportunity to make free and informed choices in marriage and all spheres of life
employment) in order to improve the lives of women and girls. He further stated that women represent 58 per cent of all people living with HIV, noting that women are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, “more men than women die of AIDS yearly in Nigeria.” According to him, “The UN is greatly concerned about the country’s political will to implement the Nigeria National Gender Policy, which commits to affirmative actions and requires that women fill 35 per cent of appointed positions. “Regrettably, we are far from the target presently. For instance, in the current National Assembly, women representation is at its lowest with only 5.6 per cent of members of the House Representatives and 6.5 per cent of Senators are women. “This is below the nine percent representation in 2007, and the seven percent in 2011. It is also far below the global average of 22.5 per cent and the average for sub-Sahara African countries of 23.4 per cent. this is why there has never been a woman governor of any of the 36 states of the federation. “As of 2012, only four percent of councillors at the local government level were women. Some of the reasons for these situations include huge campaigns financing, and the way women in politics are perceived and treated. We need to collectively take urgent action on this in Nigeria. “Over the years, the UN in Nigeria has supported the government of Nigeria to move the gender agenda forward as a key policy consideration for the country.
Working with like-minded partners we have integrated gender in health programmes for states managers in over 15 states.” Continuing he said, “We have provided technical support for National Guidelines for the management of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices. We have also repositioned family advocacy toolkit and trained programme managers across the federation. We supported the national policy and plan of action for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria. We recently supported the passing of the Violence Against Persons Act (VAPAct) 2015, scaling up the elimination of motherto-child transmission of HIV and working to end the HIV epidemic in Nigeria. “On humanitarian situation in the Northeast Nigeria, the UN system is one of the lead actors partnering with government for durable solution. In 2015, we initiated a protection monitoring exercise with state actors in North-east states which has contributed to filling information gaps on protection risks and needs of the most vulnerable Internally Displaced People (IDPs) at the local government areas levels.” In her address, the National President of Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Barr. Chikue Ochiagha, said the world economic forum predicted in 2014 that it would take 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Ochiagha, explained that for the society to witness gender parity, concrete steps need to be taken to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, while calling for gender balanced-leadership and an end to
21
• T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
FEATURES
Kayanja (middle) flanked by other participants
Saraki...asks Nigerian women to reintroduce the bill
workplace bias. She added that: “Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. Globally, individuals are pledging to move from talk to purposeful action and with men and women joining forces, we can collectively help women advance equality to their numbers and realise the limitless potential they offer
Senators who opposed the Equality Bill said it was not compatible with the Nigerian culture and religious beliefs, while other senators argued that the constitution already recognises the rights of everyone
Olujimi...sponsor of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill rejected by the Senate
economies the world over.” In an effort to ensure that women get fair hearing as they seek for justice, the Director, Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC), Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said citizens’ mediation is a comprehensive process of resolving differences, and disputes between parties, individuals, governmental agencies, using alternative mechanisms outside the formal court system, while calling on women to visit the CMC and lodge their complains. Odusanya explained that the centre which was established in 1999 under mediation law 2007 renders free services for indigent residents of Lagos. She noted that the centre provides alternative dispute resolution scheme that ensures speedy dispensation of justice, “without recourse to the existing cumbersomeness of the court system of justice in Lagos State. Mediation services are free.” According to her, “The CMC is in partnership with the UNIC, Lagos. The centre organised a walk for peace last year to commemorate the International Day of Peace. The centre also participated in the International Day of Tolerance. The centre intends to make this an annual event. “The centre is also into partnership with Justice for All (J4A), Mirable Centre (for cases relating to rape), Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) Office of the Public Defender (OPD) for criminal cases, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Youth and Social Development (matters relating to women and children). “The Lagos State government is committed
to ensuring access to justice by all and sundry without fear or favour, therefore the state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has instructed that CMC and OPD must be present in all Local Government Areas and LCDA. “In 2015, a total of 37,274 complaints were received while 22,952 were mediated upon, out of which 21,534 matters were resolved and monetary settlement was upto the tune of N812,401,964. The current year 2016, 7,511 cases were received, while 4,088, were handled by the centre, out of which 4,069 were resolved with value of settlement being N84,934,349.” In an effort to frustrate the gender equality bill, the National Assembly, rejected a proposed bill aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women. The Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill was rejected last week after some lawmakers voiced their opposition purely for religious reasons. The bill according to right activists would promote women’s equality in marriage, inheritance and education. Senators who opposed the Equality Bill said it was not compatible with the Nigerian culture and religious beliefs, while other senators argued that the constitution already recognises the rights of everyone. The bill which was sponsored by the deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Biodun Olujimi, was rejected by the Senate over alleged constitutional violations. A human rights activist, Bukky Shonibare, said it was a sad day for Nigeria women, stressing that: “It shows how backward
we are and how much we want to hold our lopsided religious and cultural beliefs. It is unfortunate that some men who see the emancipation of women as a threat, are the ones being entrusted with making laws and order.” Reacting to the issue, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, advised Nigerian women to reintroduce the bill, stating that although the bill had suffered setbacks, it could still be amended and reintroduced. “Unfortunately, the bill suffered a slight setback because there was some parts of the bill that some senators disagreed with along the lines of religion and tradition. “The beauty of democracy is that it gives us the opportunity to consider different opinions and this bill can still be represented and reconsidered on the floor of the Senate. I have it on good authority that Senator Biodun Olujimi, who introduced this bill, will reintroduce it after redrafting it to address some of the reservations that were expressed on the floor of the Senate. “As I said during the International Women Day last week, I am of the opinion that there are substantial parts of the bill that are crucial to the development of our nation. Such bills like the Equal Access to Education, Strengthening of the Laws on Violence against Women, Ending Abduction of Girls, Sustenance and Promotion of Entrepreneurship Opportunities, Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Equality are equally important.” It would be recalled that this is the third time the gender Equality bill was rejected by the Senate.
22
IMAGES
L-R: Ag Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, during the launch of youths entrepreneurship programme, in Abuja...recently
L-R: Brand Manager Oral B, Aliza Leferink; Representative of the Minister of Health, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi and Consultant Orthodentist Abuja Teaching Hospital, Dr Abdulhakim Olatunji, during the Oral B World Oral Health Day celebration in Abuja....recently
L-R; Managing Director, CAP Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide; Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architect (NIA) Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Ladipo Lewis; President, Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), Ms. Titi Ogufere and Marketing Manager, CAP Plc., Mr. Dominic Oladeji during the Special Briefing of Professional Bodies on the 2016 Dulux Colour of the Year (Monarch Gold) held at the CAP Plc. office in Ikeja, Lagos recently. …. SUNDAY ADIGUN
-R..Executive Director, Micro Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Mrs Toyin Adeniji,; Acting Managing Director\ CEO, Mr Waheed Olagunju; Chairman, First Bank plc Chief Mrs Ibukun Awosika and Executive Director, Corporate Services, Bank of Industry, Mr Jonathan Tobin during a courtesy visit by Mrs Awosika to BOI in Lagos ...recently
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com
L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Babatunde Macaulay; Managing Director, U-Connect, Mrs Omomene Odike; Managing Director, Customer Contact Solutions, Mr Ikenna Odike; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Yinka Sanni, at the inauguration of a branch of Stanbic IBTC Bank on Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos...recently
L-R; Area Business Manager, Retail, Airtel, Grace Henshaw; Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region, Airtel, Oladokun Oye; General Manager, Retail Shop & Franchise, Airtel, Tolulope Tope-Awofeko; Airtel’s Brand Ambassador, Tuface Idibia and Head, Public Relations, Airtel, Adefemi Adeniran during the inauguration of Airtel Service Centre at Circle Mall, Jakande Round-about, Lekki Expressway, Lagos... recently
L-R: Acting Director- General, NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni; EU/Dutch Team Leader, Dr Gijs Kleter; and Deputy Director, Laboratory Services, NAFDAC, Dr Abimbola Adegboyega, during the visit the EU/Dutch Mission to NAFDAC laboratory in Lagos... recently
R-L: Managing Director, Media Stamp, Feyisola Olukoya; Pastor in Charge of RCCG Trinity Chapel, Segun Oluyinka; Managing Director, Adgenda Media Limited, Ladi Arowa; and his wife wife, Eyitayo Ladi-Arowa, at the Launch of Taynet Aces Events in Lagos...recently.
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
23
BUSINESSWORLD OVERDRAFT PRIME NORMAL LENDING
R A T E S 17.9773% 20.3040%
LOAN PRIME LOAN
A S 18.0478% 20.7143%
A T
GroupBusinessEditorChikaAmanze-Nwachuku Emailchika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157
M A R C H
DEPOSIT/LENDING SAVINGS ACCOUNT STRICT CALL 7 DAYS
2.3119% 2.8642% 3.2102%
1 8 ,
60 DAYS 90 DAYS 180 DAYS
6.4400% 7.2438% 7.2417%
2 0 1 6
EXCHANGE RATE N155.70 US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY
Quick Takes Ovia to Chair DA Conference
Renowned banker and entrepreneur, Mr. Jim Ovia, has been named as the chairman of the 2016 edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition holding in Abuja in June this year. In a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of Digital Africa Global Consult, the organisers of the annual technology gathering, Dr. Evans Woherem, he expressed delight that Ovia accepted the invitation to chair this year’s event and described the development as a big plus for an event that has become Africa’s version of CES. “As an advocate for digital technology, and with the aim of promoting the adoption, diffusion, and active development of digital technology in Africa, Digital Africa Global Consult, organisers of the annual Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition is delighted that Ovia, one of the biggest promoters of a technology-driven African continent has accepted to chair this year’s event,” Woherem said. Themed: “Accelerated Development for Africa with Internet of Everything (IoE),” the 2016 edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition, which is the fourth in the series, holds at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Danbatta to Address NIPSS March 31
EXPLORING NEW MARKET
L-R: Head, Operations and Technology, Union Bank, Mr. Lucky Jayaratne; Group Head, Ikeja III Retail Cluster, Mr. Olusegun Onagoruwa; A customer and head of Lawanson’s family, Sir, Akin Lawanson; and his wife, Mrs. Oyetowun; and Transformation Director, Mr. Joe Mbulu; at the unveiling of the bank’s branch in Lawanson-Surulere, Lagos...recently
Telcos Flay FG over Spectrum Allocation, Licensing Stories by Emma Okonji Telecommunication companies (Telcos), under the aegis of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have criticised the National Frequency Management Board (NFMB), a federal government agency for its inability to reverse the opaque saleof the 700 MHz frequency licence. The spectrum licence was sold to MTN by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) last year. President of ATCON, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of the association, alleged that the NBC did not
TELECOMS follow due process in the sale of the 700 MHz spectrum to the telecoms company. Ajayi, who condemned in strong terms, the manner in which the spectrum licence was sold, said it should have been auctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which is the telecoms industry regulator. Ajayi said: “We would like to express a deep concern about how the frequency spectrum is being managed in Nigeria, not only by the NCC but by other entities concerned with frequency management, including the NFMB. We expected the
NFMB to proactively discharge its responsibility, but that seems not to be the case in its handling of the issues that emanated from the sales of the 700 MHz spectrum recently sold by NBC to MTN.” He said it was expected that when frequencies that were previously allocated to an agency of government are no longer of relevance to that agency and such frequency has been freed, government should immediately re-allocate such frequencies to other appropriate government agencies for assigning to deserving operators. He said if proper measure had been taken, “the mess that is being reported in the sale of
the spectrum would have been avoided.” Ajayi who also indicted the NCC for its delay in assigning spectrum to operators, advised the regulatory agency to put its house in order in the planned auction of the 2.6GHz spectrum, having failed twice to auction the spectrum. Although NBC had explained reasons why it sold the spectrum to MTN, Ajayi said the NBC was not legally empowered to sell such spectrum, and blamed the NFMB for its inability to handle the issue in the best interest of the telecoms industry. Continued on page 24
Concerns over Proposed Cancellation of Computerbased Test The recent call by the House of Representatives committee on Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for suspension of the computer-based Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), has elicited reactions from various stakeholders. Information Security expert, Mr. Rogba Adeoye, who was among those that spoke on the issue said the call was unnecessary, and warned it could plunge the country into digital backwardness. According to Adeoye, technology advancement has spread far and wide and any attempt by the lawmakers to call for the cancellation of computer-
ICT based test, spells doom for the country that is just trying to play a catchup role in global technology development. Adeoye argued that the reason put forward by Reps for the cancellation was not sufficient to suspend a technology developing programme that will benefit Nigeria as a nation. He therefore advised the Reps to organise stakeholders’ consultative forum, where the issue would be addressed. “It is better to address the issues and improve on it, rather than destroying it completely,” Adeoye told THISDAY. Following irregularities and
hitches experienced in some centres by JAMB candidates in the last UTME exams nationwide, the House of Representatives had ordered JAMB to suspend its computer-based UTME. Specifically, the lawmakers had asked the examination body to return to the old pen and paper method, and suggested that JAMB should give students the option of sitting for the computer based, or the pen and paper exam. A lawmaker, Mr. Oghene Emma-Egoh who raised the motion, cited technical issues experienced during the computer based tests (CBT), for the action of the lawmakers. Emma-Egoh said: “The House is worried that already,
serious admission problem is rocking the nation because JAMB receives huge allocation from the federal government, they charge candidates all manner of fees and majority of the candidates do not gain admission because of the technical hitches of the CBT.” Reacting to the call for suspension of CBT, the Public Relations Officer of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that the technical hitches cited by the lawmakers, were insignificant to warrant a call for the outright suspension of a system that has helped Nigeria in the world Continued on page 24
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, will address participants of 38th Senior Executive Course (SEC) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), on Thursday, March 31. Danbatta,aprofessoroftelecommunicationsengineering,willmake a presentation on “Mainstreaming Information Communications Technology (ICT) for Poverty Reduction in Nigeria” in an interactive session with participants of the course. The NCC boss, who has been globally acclaimed for asserting the regulatory function of the commission, is expected to share his wealthof experience and tremendous intellect with the participants. Participants of the course are top officials drawn from both the private and public sector, including military, para-military and civilian personnel.
S&T Media Secures Funding Partner
S&T Media, a Lagos based digital advertising company, has raised a six figure seed round from EchoVC Partners, an early stage technology venture capital firm. Prior to the recent achievement, the firm had made a mark in the industry by pioneering several innovative digital advertising platforms including AdPump – a digital advertising network targeting consumers at petrol pumps. It also pioneers AdEdge – an in-store digital advertising screen – which secured its first retail deal with retail giant, Spar recently. According to an inside source, the seed round which could go up to $1, 000, 000 is said to have been dedicated to growing the agency activities, including increased investments in AdPump’s expansion, product development, and further hardware and staff acquisition.
2016 Edition of TechPlus Underway
Riding on the success of its maiden edition, Connect Marketing Services has unveiled plans for the 2016 edition of TechPlus. According to the organisers, this year’s edition is billed to hold in July Lagos, with the theme; ‘A Connected World’. A statement published on the event website indicated that the event, which is in its second year, will a gathering of everything technology, providing a robust tripartite tech experience through its conference, exhibition and gaming structures. It will also serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and marketplace for consumers and businesses. Convening over 6,000 techy and non-techy participants with 30 other speakers and panelists at its 2015 edition, Techplus has positioned itself as the premier and most authoritative tech gathering in Nigeria. The maiden edition of the event also saw the display of hi-tech innovations and gaming solutions, recording over 1,096 gamers. It was also stated that the edition will provide an avenue to advance technological discourse, ideas, displays and networks in and around Nigeria.
Agencies should grow based on the opportunities in the market and a need to provide tailor- made services to a variety of clients, Chairman, Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo
24
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD TELCOS FLAY FG OVER SPECTRUM ALLOCATION, LICENSING The ATCON president, who noted that the Nigerian market is matured enough to have a secondary spectrum market, called on the Commission to immediately reallocate spectrum licences that have not been put into use by firms that obtained licences to do so. “Presently, there is large number of idle spectrums in custody of some operators while numerous investors are yearning for spectrum to roll out services. Since it takes a lot of hurdles to retrieve such spectrum from the owners, it makes sense to allow such owners sell to new buyers who may have a need for the spectrum,” Ajayi revealed. He insisted that it would benefit everyone concerned, including the seller, who may have challenges in rolling out after the acquisition of the spectrum; the buyer, who now have spectrum to roll out services, and also the consumer, who are now able to obtain services, as well as the government, who can take in more taxes. CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED CANCELLATION OF COMPUTER-BASED TEST of technology. According to him, JAMB conducted the UTME exams for 1.6 million candidates in 520 centres nationwide, but experienced the technical hitches, which created some difficulties for some candidates, in only one centre. He explained that the number of candidates affected, is too infinitesimal to suspend the system across the entire country. Adeoye who did not exonerate JAMB completely from the challenge faced by some of the candidates, called on the exam body to involve the services of computer professionals and experts from recognised bodies like the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). He said such experts would help JAMB certify all its exam centres before exams are conducted.
Group Business Editor
Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Maritime Editor
John Iwori
AgriBusiness/Industry Editor
Crusoe Osagie
Comms/e-Business Editor
Emma Okonji
Capital Market Editor
Goddy Egene
Senior Correspondent
Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents
Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Linda Eroke (Labour) Eromosele Abiodun (Cap Mkt) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) Reporters
Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (AgricBusiness)
NEWS
Oando Restates Commitment to High Quality Lubricants Ejiofor Alike Oando Marketing Plc has restated its commitment to high quality lubricants as it expands its range of lubricant products with the recent introduction of its synthetic lubricant, known as Oleum SYN, for use with petrol-based based engines. Oleum SYN is an Ultra High Performance passenger-car fully Synthetic Engine Oil scientifically formulated with ultimate cleansing technology and designed for the most advanced modern petrol engines, including Turbo charged ones. Speaking on Tuesday when he led some officials of the company to the Corporate Head Office of THISDAY in Lagos, the company’s Head of Marketing Communications, Mr. Seun Adeosun stated that as a renowned brand, sourcing and utilising top quality raw materials for the formulation of lubricant production process is key to the company. Adeosun, who displayed the products, added that Oleum SYN was formulated to meet the highest specifications. According to him, every litre of Oleum SYN is made of top quality base oils and additives and the output certified by a highly equipped laboratory. “What this means is that each time you purchase a bottle of Oando Oleum SYN, you are buying top quality grade in line with international and industry standards,” he said. Adeosun, who spoke on the company’s success in the cooking gas market, said Oando
Marketing had initiated a new social benefit scheme aimed at alleviating the sufferings of Nigerian women entrepreneur in the food business by making available, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to them at affordable prices. “One of the things we have been working on over a couple of years is to try to get Nigerians, particularly people in the lower socio-economic cadre from using dirty fuels. So, we
have cooking stove initiative that we have started to deploy across the country. Recently, we went to Lagos-Ife Expressway, where some women fry beans cake,” he said. According to him, the number one oil marketing company distributed LPG Cooking Gas Stoves to the women entrepreneurs in Osun State recently. “The women who are in the famous business of
frying beans cake (Akara Osu) along Ibadan-Ife Expressway turned out in their thousands to receive the gesture,” he said. He said the company embarked on this initiative first to alleviate the sufferings of the women who are exposed to health problems arising from the use of firewood in frying their “akara” as well as ensuring a switch from the use of firewood to a cleaner and
safer fuel, which is LPG He also said that the company controls 15 – 20 per cent of the petrol market in Nigeria. “As you know, we belong to the Major Oil marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and that constitutes a significant supplier in the distribution channel of petrol. As one of the top five, we control 15-20 per cent of the petrol market,” he added.
HONOUR WELL-DESERVED
L-R: Chief Technology Officer, Signal Alliance, Yinka Ntia; Chief Executive Officer, Signal Alliance, Adanma Onuegbu and Olugbenga Babatunde of Union Bank at the presentation of award to the bank during the Customer Week organised by Signal Alliance in Lagos... recently
Leverage Technology for Growth, Experts Task FG on Water Sector Development Expert Tells Insurance Industry Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Emma Okonji The Managing Director of Rack Centre, Nigeria’s first Tier lll design certified data centre, Mr. Ayotunde Coker, has advised insurance executives on the need to leverage on technology to be able to meet the rising expectations of their clients for the anticipated growth in the Insurance Industry. Coker, who spoke at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) for Insurance Industry Chief Information Officers (CIOs), said if the banking industry had not been embracing new technology, they would not have been able to meet the expectations of their customers, in particular, with the introduction of the cashless policy. In some instances, the industry has leap frogged banks in other international markets. The Insurance industry currently has much opportunity for growth and data explosion, but Coker, who was a former CIO of a leading Nigerian bank and who had worked with the UK Government, said the situation may change so soon and drastically, especially if there is a policy directive by the regulatory authorities that enhances high customer drive. “When that demand comes as am sure it will come, it will be better not only to anticipate it but to be well
prepared for the scale, level of reliability and customer experience if companies are to avoid customer movement.” The Executive Director, Sales and Distribution of Wapic Insurance Plc, Mr. Bode Ojeniyi, said the Nigerian Insurance Industry was still characterised by paper work and needs to move to an era where more could be done with the aid of technology from the comfort of the customers’ homes. He emphasised that effective delivery of customer value, satisfaction and efficiency, can only be achieved by the use of technology. Ojeniyi said technology should help in transforming the Nigerian Insurance market in so many ways by helping the industry know the needs of clients, analysing the marketing trends as well as in developing and getting appropriate products to the client faster. “I need technology to help in serving the clients better, to drive revenue, to be able to deliver value to the customers to give solutions, a technology leadership that sees itself as a business partner,” Ojeniyi said. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Guinea Insurance, Mr. Audu Oladokun, said in with the application of technology, his company was able to raise its customer base by 3, 500 within a space of few months.
Experts in the water sector have called on government at all levels to put proper policies in place to drive investment in the water sector and to create equitable access to water for everyone. The experts stated this in Abuja at an interactive session on water, organised by Pinnacle Water Expo, as part of activities marking this year World Water day. Speaking at the event, Institutional Development Consultant, Hassan Dajan said aside the policy makers putting right policies in place, they should also put strong institution in place to drive and enforce the polices. According to him, “Water is for common good and water is a natural resource, so, if
you don’t have a common policy that allows people to have equitable access to water and you don’t have policies for people to have clean water, you will be having a nation that is bedevilled with a lot of sickness that are water related.” He added: “The only way you can ensure equitability is to have policies that will enable everybody to have access to water. If you want to use it for industrial supply you should have it; if you want to have it for drinking you should have it, but the policy now specifies how those who want to use it for commercial purposes should have it...all these should be encapsulated in policies so that it will create equity.” Furthermore, he said: “No investor will come to your country without a solid
policy, understanding how they can come in. So, we are encouraging government now at all levels to come out with policies.” He stressed that though implementation might be a challenge, but if the policy is not in place, implementing it would be impossible. The consultant pointed out that implementing those policies would also mean coming out with laws that would ensure strict enforcement if the policies. On his part, a visiting Professor at the Africa University of Science and Technology, Prof. Peter Onwualu said in order to have a viable and healthy workforce, there is the need to have water available and at affordable cost to the citizenry, whether in the rural area or in the urban centre.
We Need to Take Full Advantage of Insurance Sector, Says Amosun As far as Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is concerned, the Nigerian state has not taken full advantage of the insurance sector. “We need to beef up the contribution of the insurance sector to the nation’s economy. We have not taken full advantage of the insurance sector in Nigeria,” the Governor said, when the top management of the National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM) paid him a courtesy visit at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office.
He added that “Nigeria is not bereft of ideas. The problem is that of implementation. For instance, we need to stop fake insurance policies in circulation. It will be in the best interest of the nation. NAICOM needs to enforce the laws appropriately.” Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, pleaded for support and collaboration from state governments across the federation in ensuring compliance and enforcement of the provisions of compulsory
insurance policies. “State governments can collaborate with NAICOM to enforce compliance with at least the compulsory insurance policies and also make some income in the process,” Kari said. He added that “this will go a long way in helping to bring back the insurance culture and also protect members of the public from damages and losses arising from the activities of, for instance, some reckless landlords, property developers or motorists.”
25
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
E-BUSINESS
Discordant Tunes over New Technology Services Emma Okonji writes that arguments for the regulation of Over the Top technology services are growing among telecoms operators, even as the regulator insists that it has no plans to control their spread As the advancement in technology continues globally, newer technologies are beginning to emerge, thereby creating regulatory challenges in the telecoms sector. Traditional telecoms operators are now afraid that their revenue generation is under serious threat from the new Over The Top (OTT) services that completely bypass the facilities of traditional telecoms operators, to offer the same services free of charge to the same customers. The traditional telecoms operators like GSM operating companies and internet service providers (ISPs) are offering voice and data services at fixed charges, since the voice and data services are transmitted through their networks and infrastructure, which they had spent huge sum of money and time to build. However, the OTT services providers like Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, among others, ride on the internet to provide Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) services that are offered free of charge to customers. Worried about the development, the traditional telecoms operators are calling on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, to begin to regulate the OTT service offerings and save them of further revenue loss. The NCC is, however, not willing to regulate the new technology for fear of stifling technology growth in Nigeria. The NCC sees the development from the perspective of technology evolution and is insisting that it has no plans to regulate OTT services in Nigeria. Technology evolution Telecommunications and indeed communication services in general, have transited from first generation cellular networks to second, third and more recently fourth generation networks (2G, 3G, and 4G), which largely ride on Internet Protocol (IP) in various parts of the world. The transition from 2G to 3G and to 4G, is characterised by speed of connectivity as each newer technology has faster connectivity speed that the previous. Owing to its speed of connectivity and its multi-tasking features, coupled with the free cost of services, subscribers are beginning to appreciate the OTT services. These services enable people to connect to the internet, download apps and do several types of business transactions at high speed, even when on the go. Apart from business transaction, the OTT services enable big time entertainment like video streaming, thus making life a lot easier for people as they could watch movies via You Tube and other social media from their smartphones and other smart mobile devices. The technology evolution has led to a shift from the use of visual signals such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded drumbeats, lung-blown horns, to telegraphs, telephones as well as the use of the orbiting satellites and the Internet. The access to 3G and 4G networks, which offer mobile broadband and high speed internet protocol (IP) data networks has further encouraged the uptake and growth of OTT services, which in turn enables the provision of services such as live streaming and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). About OTT services The OTT services are provided through the IP telephony, which is a general term for the technologies that use IP packet-switched connections to exchange voice, fax and other forms of information that have traditionally been carried over the dedicated circuit-switched connections of the public switched telephone network (PSIN). An OTT application is any app or service that provides a product over the internet and
bypasses traditional distribution. Services that are offered from ‘over-the-top’ technology are most typically related to media and communication and are generally, if not always, lower in cost than the traditional method of delivery. OTT application can be seen as services that disrupts traditional billing models - from telecommunications or cable/satellite companies. The creation of OTT applications, which include Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, Wechat, among others, has led to a wide-ranging conflict between companies that offer similar or overlapping services. The traditional Internet Service Providers and telecommunications service providers are beginning to have some forms of challenges related to third-party firms that offer OTT technology applications. Call for Regulation of OTT Services Consequently, there have been several calls on telecoms regulatory bodies for the regulation of OTT services, especially among the traditional telecommunications operators globally. For instance, the Chairman and Founder Bharti Airtel, Sunnil Bharti-Mittal, has joined others to call for checks on the operations of OTT players. Speaking recently to ETTelecoms.com, BhartiMittal said OTT companies must be subjected to the same rules governing telecommunications operators. According to him, “If you are subjecting telecoms operators to the policy of ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) and licence fees, it should be uniform. Regulators should allow the best technology to compete, instead of allowing the OTT service operators to operate at the expense of traditional telecommunications operators.” “The telecoms industry in Nigeria for instance, is over 14 years and the OTT is seriously encroaching on our long years of service offerings. This must be stopped,” Bharti-Mittal stressed. OTT Regulations in other climes Different countries and regions have at some points or the other, attempted to or developed
a framework to regulate the provision of VoIP services as OTT service. Some of these countries include: India, United States of America, European Union, among others. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 2015, produced a consultative paper on regulatory framework of OTT services. This followed a consultative forum conducted in 2014, where representatives of Telecommunications Service Providers (TSPs), OTT providers and legal experts, were invited to present their views. However, TRAI is yet to take a final position on the matter and they are soliciting for further comments from stakeholders. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America, publicly worked to bring specific VoIP services, applications, and capabilities under its control. The FCC regulates VoIP in five categories namely: 911 Services; Portability; Call Records; Universal Service and Accessibility. The European Union (EU) Commission had initially declared that VoIP was not ‘voice telephony’ and after extensive stakeholder consultations, no immediate regulation was provided. NCC’s Position on OTT While the NCC noted that an efficient social media platform is critical to functional information and communications technology (ICT) ecosystem in Nigeria, the commission allayed fears being expressed that it will regulate OTT services in the country. The commission said there are no plans now or in the immediate future to regulate the OTT technology services. Speaking at the recently held Social Media Week (SME) in Lagos, where certain documents on OTT services were released, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, represented by the Director of Public Affairs at the commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, reiterated that OTT services are carried over the networks, deliver value to customers, but without any carrier service provider being involved in planning, selling, provisioning, or servicing them, thereby implying that traditional telecoms operators cannot directly earn revenue from such services.
Danbatta said these OTT services include Internet Protocol (IP) telephony, live streaming and other social media applications. According to him, as a responsible regulator, what the commission wanted to achieve with the OTT document, was to elevate the level and quality of discourse about the service. Danbatta expressed satisfaction with the reactions of stakeholders to the document, but advised that more attention should be paid to reading of the complete document in order to come to full understanding of the commission’s position on OTT services. Danbatta, while acknowledging the fears of traditional telecoms service providers that traditional telephony and Short Message Service (SMS) revenues are under threat from newer and IP based alternatives, like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, among others, also noted that the commission would encourage network providers in Nigeria to innovate and explore more efficient business models that would enable them compete favourably with OTT service providers. Cybercrime prevention To make the ICT ecosystem impactful, Danbatta wants Nigerians, especially the youths, including bloggers, to acquaint themselves with the contents of the Cybercrime Act in order to be properly guided in their cyber operations, and especially in the use of OTT platforms. He observed that the Cybercrime Act has become law since May 2015, and that it was therefore imperative for new media practitioners to familiarise themselves with the contents of the law as it affects their practice. Pointing to various sections of the Act, he explained that the Act does not restrict freedom of expression as erroneously believed in some quarters, but instead, seeks to protect those whose freedom may be threatened by the freedom freely expressed by others. Now that the position of NCC is clear concerning the arguments on OTT service regulation, it is in the interest of telecoms operating companies and ISPs to develop models that will help them compete favourably with OTT service providers and remain in business.
26
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
E-BUSINESS
Driving Diversification through SMEs, ICT The economic downturn has made it imperative for government and the private sector to breathe more life into the ICT and SME sectors for economic growth and sustainability, writes Emma Okonji Oil has been the mainstay the Nigerian economy leading to the neglect of other vital sectors of the economy. Agriculture, manufacturing as well as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) among other sectors get little attention from the government because of the oil boom. However, the global economic situation changed and the price of oil has crashed below $50 per barrel currently. There are fears that the price of oil may not get to the level it used to be in the near future. These fears have necessitated the thinking for a diversified economy for Nigeria, where some sectors of the economy like the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and the ICT could be empowered to begin to generate money and grow Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based on their huge potentials. PriceWaterhouseCoopers, in its report, projected that Nigeria’s GDP would rise to $6.4 trillion by 2050, if Nigeria diversifies and look beyond oil. The projection, no doubt, is based on the potential of several sectors outside oil, such as the SMEs and the ICT, among others. Need for SME growth Speaking recently on the need to grow SMEs in a diversified economy, the Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan, said the business about SMEs comes in a small and sizable level, but that they form a significant part of economic growth because majority of businesses fall within the SME group. According to her, if SMEs are empowered, they could create more opportunities for jobs and GDP growth. “SMEs are engine room of growth for any economy and their presence must not be neglected. For example, over 90 per cent of surviving businesses in Nigeria are SME businesses. So if empowered, they can do more exploits to boost GDP growth of Nigeria in sustaining our status as the biggest economy in Africa,” she said. She, however, explained that one in every five SME business owners regularly rely on personal funding for their businesses, while quoting a recent survey report, insisting that SMEs need adequate funding, aside training and other forms of support. The Scottish Pacific’s latest SME Growth Index also found that almost half of all SME owners have used their personal finances to fund their businesses on an occasional basis. Only 10 per cent of SME owners have never settled business expenses using non-business sources of finance, according to Scottish Pacific’s latest report on SMEs. The Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Pacific, Peter Langham, therefore called on various governments and the private sectors to consider the support for SMEs, while planning for the diversification of their economies. In line with economic diversification, MTN Nigeria, in 2013, launched a cloud service for SMEs in Nigeria. According to the company officials, MTN is the first telecoms operator to offer cloud services to small businesses in the West African nation. Speaking at the launch in Lagos, MTN Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, Babatunde Osho, said SMEs in Nigeria could now use enterprise solutions without the usual attendant costs. The services, he said, could help small businesses boost their productivity and profitability, thereby boosting Nigeria’s GDP. “No matter what the entrepreneurs need, MTN cloud services can help take their business to new heights,” he said. MTN’s cloud service includes a range of prepaid cloud-based services designed to offer human resource management, customer relationship management and other enterprise software over a secure internet connection, without any of the associated information technology infrastructure costs. In 2015, MTN Nigeria offered most SMEs with access to its over $15 billion Nigerian investments through a joint partnership with the Cable News Network (CNN) International
Source: venturesafrica.com
that would help boost smaller businesses and electronic commerce platforms that are vital for economic growth and development. The Group Chief Enterprise Officer, MTN Group, Mr. Mteto Nyati, said MTN Nigeria has made huge investments in the biggest data centre and microwave backbone in West Africa, built sub-Saharan Africa’s largest terrestrial fibre optic backbone as well as connected the country to the undersea West Africa Cable System (WACS). Nyati, who disclosed this in Lagos during the launch of an MTN-sponsored programme on CNN aimed at promoting small African businesses, said the next phase is investing in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that will help Nigerian and African companies understand customer needs and benefit from the dynamic internet industry. On the advantage of the MTN enterprise initiative as reflected in the partnership with the CNN, Nyati said: “MTN is passionate about developing SMEs and providing digital solutions to businesses around the continent. We feel privileged to partner the CNN to tell stories about how the African continent is taking part in the data revolution.” Aside these, the MTN Business, which is the ‘Business-to-Business arm of MTN Nigeria, has introduced various business solutions, products and services, designed to help individuals, SMEs and large organisations achieve their objectives. Some of the solutions include: MTN My Office, which is a bundled package of ICT solution services for SMEs; Fixed Broadband Internet; Closed User Group Voice Solutions, among others. Analysts believe that Nigeria needs more of these developments for it attain a paradigm shift from oil to non-oil sectors of the Nigerian economy. It has often been said that government has no business in business, and this is true to some extent. All that governments across board need do is to create the enabling platform for business to grow, especially for the upcoming SME business that are struggling to survive in a harsh competitive business environments. Government could do this by formulating the right policies that will encourage SME business, reduce unnecessary levies that impede business growth, introduce tax rebates, provide necessary infrastructure like electricity, good roads among others and also intervene in some business issues that will bring relief to business owners. For instance, the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2015, in releasing new
guidelines for its intervention funds, reducing its intervention rates to banks from three per cent to one per cent, is highly commendable, because such move did not only bring financial relief to business owners, but it also helped them to grow their businesses and increase the country’s GDP, thereby reducing the country’s over dependence on oil, which is gradually failing most mono-centric economy countries. The intervention rates, it was gathered, were part of the Real Sector Support Fund (RSSF), a programme set up to lend money to small and medium sized enterprises, and also help expand existing ones. Many banks shunned the fund from the CBN at the original rate of three per cent because it did not favour them. Banks usually lend money to businesses at the rate of nine per cent. Banks complained that that the six per cent difference in the rates was not enough to cover the risks of lending money to the targeted businesses and many banks, thereafter, became reluctant to lend from the CBN. That decision is already affected small and medium sized businesses in the country. But, according to CBN, the special intervention policy is set to encourage more small businesses, especially now that the Nigerian economy is set to be diversified. The RSSF would provide funds for businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. It is therefore important that government begin to think of other ways to encourage SME business in Nigeria, to enable them contribute their significant quota to Nigeria’s GDP. Developing ICT One other sure way to diversify the Nigerian economy and increase the contribution of SMEs to GDP growth, is to develop the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Telecommunication growth, which forms the bedrock of ICT, must be encouraged. The GSM operators like Globacom, Airtel, MTN, Etisalat and even ntel that is planning a rollout soon, should be encouraged. The regulatory environment should not be unfriendly to business growth and the issue of fine as a means of punishing erring telecoms operators, should be reduced. Other measures like compensation for the best telecoms network in terms of service delivery should be encouraged. Modern and latest technologies should be encouraged and not allowed to stifle the economy with unnecessary regulation. Telecoms levies from government agencies should be reduced and even expunged to enable operators raise enough money for
reinvestment in telecoms infrastructure. Approvals for Right of Ways (RoW) for telecoms operators, who are eager to expand their networks, should be given speedily without delay and above all, telecoms infrastructure must be protected from vandalism by government. Only recently, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), had a roadshow in Lagos and other parts of the country, to sensitise the public on the need to protect telecoms infrastructure in their vicinity. If all these are well taken care of, telecommunications will witness tremendous growth that will replicate in job creation and SME growth in the country. For instance, the ICT sector, especially telecommunications, has had a significant impact on the other sectors of the economy perhaps most significantly, the financial sector. In commercial banking services, the level of transactions supported by telecommunications services is huge and several banks in Nigeria have benefitted from it. In financing telecommunication projects, the financial sector has done tremendously well as most banks are involved in one loan syndication or another. In the area of job creation, it is estimated that the sector currently employs over 10 million Nigerians directly and indirectly, and these are enough reasons why government must support the development of the ICT sector in a planned diversified economy. Private sector involvement In order to truly diversify the Nigerian economy, government must involve the private sector in Telecommunications, Banking, Insurance, Real Estate, Agriculture, among others. Their contributions, no doubt will help Nigeria depend less on oil, while focusing on other areas that will rapidly grow the economy. The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Dangatta has advocated the use of ICT to drive the Nigerian economy. He said the current global oil prices are not favourable to the Nigerian economy and that the kind of money Nigeria is currently making from oil, cannot fund projects that are targeted at alleviating poverty. He therefore called for development of the telecoms industry, which he said, was the next thing that would drive the Nigerian economy. Telecoms operators like Globacom, Airtel, MTN and Etisalat, have developed several apps that would support SME growth in the country and they should be encouraged to do more in diversifying the Nigerian economy.
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
27
BUSINESSWORLD
E-BUSINESS
Spectranet Introduces Unified NCS Backs Buhari’s ‘Change Agenda’, Appeals for Tariff Plan Patience Spectranet 4G LTE has introduced a unified tariff plan, designed to enable its customers have access to affordable and faster internet. The new offering comes with an additional10 Gigabyte bonus for renewals before 30th of June and unlimited free night browsing from 1.00am to 7.00am for Spectranet subscribers across the country. Speaking on the new offering, the Head of Marketing at Spectranet, Mr. Mike Ogor, said: “The unified and revised plans simply means all Spectranet subscribers across the country can now enjoy the same data plan as against the previous tariff where what went for Lagos was not applicable to PortHarcourt and other cities.” According to him, “Spectranet is a customer oriented brand and that is why they connect customers to what matters to them. For us, the decision to have a unified tariff is expedient. The unified tariff is another way of telling our subscribers that they matter to us. With Spectranet’s unified
tariff the same data plan you buy in Lagos is what you will get across all the states of the country where we have Spectranet services.” “We understand the needs of our customers and subscribers and have kept improving our services to offer the best internet solutions in the country. The new tariff plan has been designed in such a way that suits individual pockets irrespective of their income and status-whether they are students, professionals, family, or business enterprise owners,” Ogor said. He added that when a customer buys data ranging from 20 Gigabyte to 200 Gigabyte, such a customer is automatically entitled to an extra10 Gigabyte monthly and unlimited free night browsing and this will go a long way in helping customer connects to what matters to them. Ogor stated that Spectranet has improved its service to enhance seamless video streaming as streaming videos online require a fast internet connection.
Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigeria Information Technology Professionals in Civil and Public Service (NITPCS), an action group under the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has commended the ‘Change Agenda’ of President Muhammadu Buhari and solicited the support of Nigerians to make it a reality. Rising from a meeting in Lagos recently, the group said although the change agenda would take some time before Nigerians will begin to benefit from it, they expressed optimism that the agenda would bring positive development for the country in the near future. The National President of NITPCS, Mr. Raphael Omosola,
said: “As interest professional group of NCS, we are proud to be counted as the critical technology enabler to the current change direction of President Buhari - led government, and we want Nigerians to be patient with the government as it uses technology to fight corruption that will bring about the much needed change.” According to him, the need to support the change mantra of the present government is predicated on the fact that as civil and public servants and more importantly as Information Technology (IT) professionals, “we are the fulcrum in which the successful implementation of policies and programmes of government rest upon, be it within govern-
ment, government to business or otherwise.” “NITPCS is therefore, fully prepared to support government at all levels to achieve its mandate to Nigerian citizens by ensuring that through the adoption of appropriate technologies, governments will begin to realise enhanced efficiency and timeliness in governance; cost reduction and transparency in governance; citizen focused service delivery and government to business efficiency,” Omosola said. NITPCS vision, according to him, is to promote professionalism, provide conducive environment for continuous career development and progression, protect members’ interest and condition of their IT practice, with a mission
to enable the government to drive the technology component of IT polices and to professionalise IT practice in Nigerian Civil/Public services. As part of its efforts to support the change, Omosola said the NITPCS would be hosting Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious public sector ICT Summit/Expo in Abuja from April 13th - 15th, 2016. “The summit/expo delegates will come primarily from Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), at the federal state and local governments, as well as the legislature and judiciary, where the level of technology development introduced by the present administration, would be discussed,”Omosola said.
istore Unveils Ipad Pro Device for Customers As part of continued efforts to make the latest Apple products available to customers, iStore recently unveiled a new version of Apple iPad device, the iPad Pro. While presenting the features of the device in Lagos recently, iStore Manager, Kolapo Ogunloye, said: “Before iStore introduced the new iPad Pro, people just sold similar devices without any after-sale services that measures up to the standard of the iPad Pro, but with this new device, there are new development that will benefit the customer.” Ogunloye explained that the device was introduced to add more value to the services formerly rendered to consumers. “The reason why we introduced the iPad Pro is because we intend to make users of such device to enjoy contents of other former ipads all in one device and with a bigger screen. As the home of everything, Apple iStore is proud to continue its efforts in making the latest Apple products available to customers. iPad Pro, Apple’s most expansive and productive tablet, is now available at iStore,” he said. While explaining the features of the new device, the iStore manager said: “The iPad Pro device has a large 12.9-inch Retina display, nearly double the CPU performance of iPad Air 2 and refined MultiTouch technology. With 5.6 million pixels, iPad Pro features the highest-resolution Retina display of any iOS device. The unique features of the 12.9-inch screen of the device makes editing of 4K video, designing, presentations, running a business, among others easier, faster and more engaging. “iPad Pro has a slim and light design, it’s just 6.9 mm thin and weighs just over 700g.
It’s available in silver, gold and space grey.” The manager said iStore would also offer the new range of iPad Pro Apple accessories namely the revolutionary Apple Pencil, Apple Smart Keyboard and Smart Covers. The Apple Pencil uses incredibly sensitive pressure and tilt sensors to instantly recognise when you are pressing harder or shifting its angle. Apple’s iPad Pro Smart Keyboard combines an array of new technologies and materials to create a keyboard like no other. It’s a full-size keyboard that’s fully portable, and connects to iPad Pro with the Smart Connector, an innovative new interface that allows for a two-way exchange of power and data. Finally the Smart Cover, which folds into different positions, creates a versatile stand for reading, typing, or watching videos. All accessories are sold separately. “Additionally, when you buy from iStore, you get access to exclusive benefits like free training, free setup, and free technical support as well as have access to the trade-in offer that will allow you to make the most out of your previously loved iPad. Trade in your iPad and use the redeemable value toward a new Apple product. You can trade in up to two devices for even greater savings. To secure your trade-in voucher visit http:// myistore.com.ng/ iphone-trade-in/ or visit iStore today for an onsite evaluation. You can get up to 40 000 when trading on an iPad Air 2. Now for a limited time only, iStore is offering 25 Orr cent off any Apple Smart Cover or Apple Smart Case,” Ogunloye said. iStore is an Apple Authorised Reseller, which is a dedicated hub for Apple products and accessories.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
L-R: iStore Country Manager, Sachin Verma; iStore customer, Adebisi Ade-Onojobi and iStore Manager, Kolapo Agunloye, during the presentation of the new iPad Pro in Lagos...recently
NCC, MTN Partner Firm to Boost GEMS Unveils First Web-based Outdoor Billboard Female Participation in ICT Key industry stakeholders are partnering eBusiness Life Communication Limited in its bid to create awareness among young girls on the need to embrace careers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The Nigerian Telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and dominant telecom operator, MTN have indicated their interests in this year’s campaign. This year’s event, scheduled to hold in Lagos in April, the fifth since eBusiness Life joined the annual campaign in 2012, is an initiative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) geared at sensitising young girls and encouraging them to take up Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a career. The NCC has consistently partnership eBusiness Life in driving this campaign since it began in 2012 because of the regulator’s readiness to enter into strategic alliances with the private sector as well as international organisations for the actualisation of the ICT
vision and also the development of human capital in the country with emphasis on creating and supporting a knowledge-based economy. MTN’s support is borne out of the quest to ensure that the Nigerian girl child is presented with all options available in shaping her career and ensuring that the profession of ICT is demystified among females. The company has consistently been engaged in development of human capital through various initiatives. The partnership with eBusinesslife is one of such vehicles that will help the operator achieve its goals. According to the Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the need to sensitise young girls is premised on the fact that the society has unconsciously relegated the female gender and delegated careers in technical fields, especially in ICT, to their male counterparts. She said her effort should be made to introduce young girls to career opportunities in technical fields.
Adedayo Akinwale and Nosa Enobhayisobo One of Nigeria’s outdoor advertising giant, Gems Communications Ltd has unveiled the first web based billboard in the country as part of its effort to redefine outdoor advertising through the blending of emerging technology with art and environment friendliness. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Atilola Odudare said that the web-based billboard, named GemsRock was set in a rock and executed with the LED technology from a leading manufacturer. According to him, the bill board was proposed to be the first user friendly billboard in Nigeria and will be interactive with the immediate environment. “It is the first of its kind in out-of-the-box outdoor advertising”, he said. Odudare added: “The product gives users of outdoor exposure to ‘budget as it is programmed’ to deliver time sharing with all accompanying flexibility. It is also web-based product and eliminates the
rigours of physical visit to the site by the client; they can view the exposure delivery of the products on their palms.” The managing director stressed that the company is also moving outdoor advertising from the reactive mode to proactive mode, stressing; “that it is why we give clients the right and freedom to check in on their exposure delivery anytime, anywhere around the globe. Odudare said that the vision of the company to be the best display company in and out of home using the latest tools and technology prompted the innovation of a device that counts traffic volume and speed which could determine the peak periods of traffic. This he noted, could also be used as data by clients to monitor the effectiveness of their return on investments on billboards, which could also be accessed anytime around the globe. He however revealed that the company has upcoming innovations in the offing that would redefine outdoor practice in the coming generation.
28
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
CONSUMER
SustainingBrandConsistencyandConsumerLoyalty Raheem Akingbolu writes on how sustainability of basic marketing strategies can help companies maintain relationships with their patrons
Cummins new showroom
Running a business goes beyond the provision of goods and services to consumers, organisations and stakeholder groups, rather, it involves insights, sales, marketing, financial management skills and an impeccable product offering. Consumers want to buy from brands they are familiar with, brands that resonate with their aspirations, brands that inspire quality. Therefore, it is imperative to tactically develop brand strategies that help to create a recognisable representation of the brand. Consumer interactions using a consistent and appealing brand voice is a major key in letting consumers have a feel of an organisation. It enables consumers to know and identify with the company’s purpose in a bid to propel attitudes that influence their spending decisions. Branding sets businesses apart from the competition and gives them an edge. It attaches a personality and attitude to a product and the company that produces it. This personality is what people relate to, establishing relationships with consumers. Furthermore, the establishment of brand consistency creates a platform for companies to stand on in order to get messages out to its audience. It is not enough to have a known brand, it is important for brand communication to be consistent. It is only then that the brand can truly be seen to have an identity. The more consistent the brand is across all customer touch points, the more the brand would make a firm impression on people and will be easily recognised
by people. Power sector In the Nigerian power sector, many companies are trying to maintain their brand consistency and only few are achieving it. But with the recent development, it appears Cummins West Africa, a customer focused power solutions firm, is getting it right. The company, which specialises in manufacturing, design, sales and services of diesel engines and related technology around the world, has over the years become a reliable provider of power generation systems, components and services in standby power in the country. Over the last decade, Cummins West Africa has become a name to reckon with in the power sector. It has been able to stay one step ahead by imbibing key brand consistency trends such as staying true to core business values, unique selling points amplification, excellent customer relations and its commitment to corporate social responsibility. It has also established itself as one of the leading brands in the energy sector through its products and services which provides alternative power solutions that has the customer at heart. Attributing the brand’s success to its adherence to core values and customer first strategy, Managing Director Cummins West Africa Limited, Kwame Gyan-Tawiah said: “We are committed to the total wellbeing of customers and the Nation at large, as we strive to manufacture and provide quality products and better service delivery while
meeting them (customers) at their desired point.’’ “For over nine years, Cummins West Africa has been able to stand tall above other power generating brands and competitors in the country. This is because; we have consistently built our brand through our core values. These values are integrity, innovation, service delivery, corporate responsibility, diversity and global involvement. We have always strived to do what is right by sticking to our words. We don’t say what we can’t do.’’ Innovation According to him, innovation being the main stay of the company has played important role in its stability. “For innovation, we have always gone the extra mile in using our creative ingenuity in manufacturing
alternative power generation, component and engine products to suit our customers’ desire, thus, making them better and we leader. With our innovative prowess, we have through the years kept our customers ahead. ‘’Delivering superior results have always been our watchword. We always go beyond borders exceeding customers’ expectation through our integrity, innovation and consistency. In line with our deep commitment to customer satisfaction, we invest extensively in all aspects of product support as part of our conformity to professional excellence and international standards. This includes a 24/7(round-the-clock) service support, manned by highly trained field service engineers, who are always mobile and ready to respond to emergency calls,’’ he added.
Cummins West Africa also has a repertoire of activities it engages in to make the society a better place. Speaking on the Company’s Corporate Responsibility, Kwame stated that the company’s employees have invested talent, passion and resources solving problems in their communities and society. To him, Corporate Social Responsibility is one of the company’s core values and this has kept it in business and helped the management to enjoy loyalty. ‘’Corporate Responsibility is not only about making responsible business decisions, but affirmatively reaching out to help our communities and engaging our workforce to address community needs. This implies a broader level of involvement: engaging in dialogue that proffers peace; building coalitions around
solutions; and finding resources and skills to build the capability of our communities’’. On elements that make a brand consistent, Kwame opined that “Brand consistency starts at a high level with your brand strategy. If your brand strategy is weak, inconsistent, or even non-existent, the rest of your branding will follow suit. This is why Cummins West Africa has continuously ensured that we are consistent. This consistency is not just tied to logo, type size, font type or designs, but also on core values and service delivery. It’s what helps differentiate our company from competitors. For us, this creates a connection and loyalty with customers, builds a sense of community. Without us being a strong, consistent, relevant brand, we wouldn’t have stood tall in this saturated sector for almost a decade.’’
Youths Tasked on Entrepreneur, Innovation, to Revamp Economy Raheem Akingbolu The Director of the Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, Professor Pius Adesanmi, has urged Nigeria youths to be innovative as they promote entrepreneurial growth in the country. The University lecturer, who was a guest lecturer at the 2016 edition ofInnovention Series of Verdant Zeal in Lagos, also observed that one way in which Nigerian youth can overcome impediments to mobilities is by constantly striving to become
full and active citizens of global economies of knowledge. The conference is organised by Verdant Zeal an advertising agency. While calling on players in every sector to be innovative, he pointed out that innovation has no home but reside in whoever that can think out of the box. “Cutting edge knowledge and invention are no respecters of boundaries and borders. It is in response to the fluidity of innovation and invention that economies are globalising and interconnecting in a frenetic pace. People will and must
move and with them ideas. The next innovation or invention that will change the face of medicine, construction, or architecture forever may be crossing the Sahara Desert right now as we speak, on its way to Europe via the perilous boats of the Mediterranean Sea,” he stated. Speaking on how Nigerian, nay African youth can become citizens of the global knowledge economy and how they can become fully functional in global economies of knowledge, he said it can be achieved by identifying that the era of innovation, invention,
and entrepreneurship is also an era that has ushered in a global democracy of knowledge. “Cutting-edge knowledge in the STEMS is available everywhere. Knowledge communities and circuitries are ubiquitous and transnational. The successes recorded by Africa’s youth in innovation, especially in IT-tech, the emergence and expansion of tech hubs all over the continent, the creativity of our youth, has created a new continental vibrancy and dynamism that is visible in Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Accra,”
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
29
BUSINESSWORLD
CONSUMER
Anoyika: The Nigerian Market Offers Huge Opportunities for Global Brands The Director General of the Nigerian-German Business Association, Ms. Jennifer Anoyika, spoke to Raheem Akingbolu on Nigerian-German relations, the Nigerian economy and prospects in the manufacturing sector. Excerpts: Nigeria, and a strong presence of German companies and technology supporting manufacturing in Nigeria. In all, I can confidently and convincingly say that the business ties between both countries are booming and blossoming.
Can you give some background about Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA)? The Nigerian-German Business Association formerly known as the Nigerian-German Business Council was established on the 15th of October 1986. The association was founded by the following interest groups: representatives of the German business community in Nigeria, the Nigerian business community, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (DGIC/ AHK Nigeria), and the German Embassy. We organise exclusive sector-related business networking events, including large forums coordinated by us with other partner organisations. We also offer a variety of general and tailor-made services and benefits to our members and visitors in Nigeria. The NGBA will be 30 years in Nigeria this year, and I will say it has been three decades of improving Nigeria’s business climate, strengthening of Nigerian-German business relations by providing members (Nigerian and German businesses) with opportunities to network and access vital trade/business information and resources. What services offered by NGBA are you most excited about at the moment? We are very excited about several of our services, which are boosting trade relations between Nigeria and Germany. For instance, through our trade mission programmes, we have consistently shared information and resources which enables German corporations to see and understand the importance of investing in Africa’s biggest economy. A testament to this is the inflow of the much needed foreign direct investment into Nigeria through the entry of German blue chip corporations that include BASF, Bosch, Bayer, MAN Diesel and Knauf into the Nigerian market. Also, we continue to strengthen the robust business ties of Nigerian businesses with the German business community via businessrelated exchange programme and visits. We recently embarked on a trade mission visit to the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce in Germany with about 100 German business leaders attending and indicating interest in the Nigerian market. One other thing we are also excited about is the German Dual Vocational Training (DVT) programme. It is a special way of learning trade in Germany, and this is one of the key pillars of Germany economy. This programme is being implemented in Nigeria to strengthen the country’s industrial base through investments in training programmes that produces skilled manpower. Through the DVT, young Nigerians are being trained. They attend classes at a vocational training school and receive on-the-job training with blue chip multinational corporations in the country. We are very enthusiastic about the training programme because it is strengthening the industrial capacity of Nigeria. The NGBA also provides business intelligence for its members. With members, especially non-Nigerians always asking questions about the business climate of the country, we provide them information on the political, economic, and social landscape, even up to travel advisory. Due to the quality of information we provide, they continue to see Nigeria as the preferred investment destination in Africa. How strong are the business ties between Nigeria and Germany? What interests do Germans have in Nigeria? The business ties between Nigeria and Germany are very strong. German-Nigerian business
What particular interests does NGBA have in the Nigerian manufacturing sector? Are you involved in particular manufacturing projects? Well, the NGBA has been an enabler of investments by German corporations in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, and the heritage of new German corporations coming into the manufacturing sector to invest and/or provide support service portends good for the economy at large because of the well-known efficiency of German technology. Our overarching interest in the manufacturing sector is the going-concern status of our member corporations and the growth of the sector which will move Nigeria from consumerism to production thereby diversifying and strengthening the economy.
Anoyika
relations date back decades. However, all forms of international relations, including trade relations, between both countries were strengthened with the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. The bilateral relations economically and politically came about a series of high-level visits between Germany
The NGBA has been an enabler of investments by German corporations in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, and the heritage of new German corporations coming into the manufacturing sector to invest and/or provide support service portends good for the economy at large because of the wellknown efficiency of German technology
and Nigeria, which began with President Olusegun Obasanjo’s official visit to Germany in December 1999. The relations gained momentum under the government of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua when in June 2007, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Angela Merkel, invited President Yar’Adua, shortly after he had assumed office, to attend the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm. Also, in November 2008, Mr. Horst Köhler, the former President of the Federal Republic of Germany led a business delegation to Nigeria where we held the 2008 session of his Africa forum in Abuja. And more recently, we have witnessed the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, visit Germany during the G7 summit and also the visit of the German President, Mr. Joachim Gauck, who came in the company of a business delegation to discuss economic development and relations between both countries. Don’t also forget that Chancellor Merkel also visited Nigeria in 2011 during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure. So, such high-level visits have really helped in strengthening business relations between both countries. Also, in terms of business relations, we have seen both countries signing treaties to enhance trade relations between them both. For instance, in 2007 the Investment Promotion and Protection treaty was signed by both nations. Again, in August 2008, an MOU was signed between Nigeria and Germany in respect of the Nigerian-German Energy Partnership. More recently, we have seen private institutions such as the Dangote Group sign a MoU with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Germany expressing interest in our liquefied gas, and German-Africa Consortium ready to establish a Mining factory here in
How excited are you about Nigeria as a future manufacturing hub? The potential of Nigeria as future manufacturing hub is enormous because it will make Nigeria’s huge and youthful population an asset not a liability. It will be one of the most exceptional and exciting consumer environment which represents a huge opportunity for the world’s leading corporations and consumer goods companies seeking exponential growth. I am extremely confident in the opportunity in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. It is a market global manufacturers cannot ignore. There are a few challenges in the market right now but I am optimistic about the opportunity and the future that investors in the manufacturing sector will create here. What in your view are the challenges hampering the development of Nigeria as a manufacturing centre of excellence? In the recent, especially with dwindling oil revenue, depleting foreign reserves has led to foreign exchange volatility which is impacting local manufacturers negatively making it nearly impossible to source raw materials and machinery. More importantly, adequate infrastructure has been of one Nigeria’s greatest development challenge. We are however assured by the efforts of past and present government to address the infrastructure challenge. If the infrastructure challenge is resolved, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector will experience rapid growth, possibly surpassing the overall growth forecast for the economy because of its enormous and untapped potential. What is your vision for the manufacturing industry? My vision for the manufacturing sector of the economy is improved efficiencies which compares with that of China and other countries in the first instance. I will also add ability to do business the right way and becoming a mass employer of skilled labour adding value to the economy. What are you looking forward to at the MAN Expo this year? We are looking forward to partnerships that will benefit our broad membership base as well as the opportunity to keep members who are unable to attend abreast of new technologies, important ever-changing issues and trends within sector which we be showcased during the expo.
30
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY,
BUSINESSWORLD
MARCH 24, 2016
NEWS
Forum Lists Pros, Cons of Sunmonu Emerges Chairman Julius Berger’s Board of Identity Management Directors Emma Okonji The Technology forum on cashless economy, on Tuesday listed the benefits of identity management in a cashless economy, just as it also enumerated the dangers inherent in freely releasing personal information for the purpose of identity management. The innovators breakfast forum organised by eMaginations in Lagos, examined the benefits and dangers of identity management in a cashless economy, and concluded that in as much as it is ideal to release personal information to some authorities on request, such as Banks, for Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), for national identity card registration, and Telecoms operators, for SIM card registration, the forum however suggested strict regulation and legislation on the activities of the authorities concerned, to ensure that such released data are used strictly for the purpose they were meant for. The forum was of the view that many organisations that were involved in identity management, stylishly divert personal information given to them on trust and use them for personal business that could fetch them huge sums of money, just the way it is currently being done in some parts of Europe. Listing the benefits of identity management in a cashless
society, Director at Chams Plc, Mr. Femi Williams who presented a paper on the ‘Roles of Identity Brokers in National Identity Management,’ said bodies like Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), NIMC, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Banks and Telecoms Operators that are involved in personal data collection for different registration purposes, have done the country well by creating pockets of databases for the country to have access to, when necessary. He said personal data collection and registration is vital in a cashless economy, but warned that such data should be strictly used for the purpose it was collected. To ensure strict compliance, the forum suggested government regulation and legislation to monitor those involved in the registration exercise, even though some of the forum participants were skeptical that strict regulation may stifle the technology growth associated with such development. The Group Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Mr. James Agada, while delivering a paper on the ‘Changing Nature of Identity,’ explained that over the years, people’s identity do not change, but that the capabilities of verifying credentials of the digital footprint that was left behind, is what has actually changed.
Intel, Banks, Others Move to Boost Computer Accessibility Emma Okonji Intel, in collaboration with Banks and Computer Companies, has introduced an initiative to educate and increase accessibility and affordability of some ICT solutions to Nigerians as part of their continued commitment to the economic growth of Nigeria. The initiative will also help to improve Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in youth and entrepreneurs in Nigerians, while working closely with, Airtel, Diamond Bank, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Tecno, RLG and Zinox. The objective is to help Nigerians better understand how an affordable Personal Computers (PC), that has more functionality and features, can improve their lives. According to a new study from Capital One Financial Corp and Burning Glass Technologies, “Digital and computer skills have become essential for nearly 80 percent of middle-skill jobs, The study found that middle-skill jobs that require digital expertise have been growing at a faster rate than those that do not.They also, on average, offer wages that are 18 percent higher.” This is why Intel is leading the Nigerian computer industry and ecosystem to drive this computer adoption programme, Intel said. This will be a multiyear
programme that leverages partnerships from both private organisations and the government to ensure that a laptops and the internet are affordable and accessible to Nigerians from all walks of life. The goal is to expand the laptop and broadband market reach to other states, partnering with Diamond Bank and Airtel to achieve a truly smart and connected Nigeria. In 2016 Intel is committed to increasing investments to achieve the goals of this program, such as; educate and inform Nigerians on the benefits of a computer, expand and create more opportunities where consumers can experience first-hand the products and leverage programmes that will offer consumers a flexible option of payment. We are working closely with the Nigerian ICT ecosystem and government to achieve this, Intel said.. According to Intel’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META), Cigdem Ertem, “The combination of Intel’s best processors ever – 6th Generation Intel Core processors – the latest Microsoft Windows operating system – Windows 10 – and some of the most innovative yet affordable designs ever from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Tecno, RLG and Zinox, were the driving force for these companies to align around an aspirational and educational message for the PC category.”
Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja Following a board room change of guard, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has appointed the immediate past Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu as its new chairman of Board of Directors. The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Head, Media Relations Office, Mr. Moses Duku. According to the statement,
Sunmonu’s appointment takes effect from April 1, 2016. The statement added that Sunmonu’s appointment followed the resignation of the former AVM Nurudeen Imam, who served in various service and senior government positions including member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council and Minister of Mines, Power and Steel. Sunmonu graduated from the University of Lagos in 1977 with a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and
Computer Sciences, and joined Royal Dutch Shell Plc in 1978. In 1990, the new board chairman proceeded to Shell UK Expro Aberdeen, when he was later appointed manager of Southern Swamp Area. In 2001, Sunmonu proceeded as Regional Business Adviser at the Shell headquarters at the Hague, before he was appointed as General Manager Production for SPDC in 2003 Sunmonu became a Director of SPDC since 2005 and SPDC’s Executive Director of Corporate
Affairs, even as he served as SPDC Executive Director of Production in 2006. After his retirement from Shell, Sunmonu joined the board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc as a Director from January 1, 2015. Sunmonu pledged to deploy his wealth of experience to work and build upon the worthy foundations and entrepreneurial legacy of his predecessors and take the company in the right direction during his tenure in office.
OF TECHNOLOGY AND INSURANCE
L-R: Marketing Manager, Rack Centre, Ayotunde Coker; Chief Information Officer, Guinea Insurance, Audu Dunni Oladokun; Programme Manager, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Jonathan Monye; ICT Lead, International Energy Insurance, Chuma Onyeaka; Director of Operations, Rack Centre, Ezekiel Egboye and Finance Director, Rack Centre, Azfar Hussain, during the Nigerian Insurers Association CIO Committee meeting in Lagos…recently
Guinness Enters Market with Soft Drink Variant
Lafarge Africa Rewards Customers in ‘Buy & Win’ Promo
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Lafarge Africa Plc. has rewarded its customers with various prizes, with Mrs. YesideOduyebo clinching the star prize of 50 bags of cement at the final raffle draw of its Buy & Win’ promo in Lagos. The Marketing Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Bruno Hounkpati described the promo as part of an overall strategy to win with the customers and create value for them. “What we want to achieve is to increase our customers’ loyalty. A repeat business or behaviour can be bribed, but customer loyalty has to be earned. We believe our customers have been good to us considering the competitive environment that we are in and this is the only way we could have said thank you to them for their patronage over the years,” Hounkpati noted. He said the promo, which started in December 2015 and ended in March 2016 was targeted at retailers and block-moulders with a view to stimulating end user demand and enhancing sales from key distributors, while also rewarding patronage and loyalty, as well as engendering user recommendations and empowering the retailers and artisans.
Guinness Nigeria, a subsidiary of Diageo PLC of the United Kingdom, has announced as part of its strategic drive to innovate new products that meet the dynamic needs of the Nigerian consumers, Guinness Nigeria Plc has launched a variant of its much loved brand Orijin, a new non-alcoholic soft drink, Orijin Zero. The new product with the tagline “Rethink your soft drink”, is a distinctive non-alcoholic refreshing drink made from 100 per cent natural herb and fruit extracts, with a satisfying bittersweet natural taste. The Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc Mr. Peter Ndegwa said: “At Guinness Nigeria, we are known for our consistency in delivering great brands with groundbreaking innovations that gives our consumers unique experiences. Our new offering is a brand that is positioned to redefine the experience in the carbonated beverage market as it is masterfully crafted with 100% natural herb and fruit extracts, lightly carbonated with the unmistakable bittersweet taste of Orijin – to re-awaken consumers to “rethink their soft drink”.
At the media launch to announce the new inclusion of the Orijin line, the Marketing & Innovation Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc., Mr. Gavin Pike, said the product was developed as a result of extensive consumer research. “Launched in 2013, the Orijin brand made an unprecedented impact on the Nigerian beverage industry: defining a category and reconnecting consumers with their age-long tradition of herbal drinks. The commercial success of the product was coupled with several awards, including ADVAN Brand of the year and Marketing World Award for Marketing Excellence in the Innovation Category. With the introduction of the new entrant to the Orijin family, we want to continue to champion the reinvention as a way of celebration of modern African life. Orijin Zero embodies all that is alive and exciting in today’s Africa” Pike expressed. The new product was said to have inherited the unique quality of the Orijin Trademark with natural African extracts for a unique vibrant and refreshing taste and comes in two formats to accommodate various shopper needs – recommended retail price of only N90/bottle and N100/can.
Explaining the mechanics of the promo, Hounkpati said: “For the first phase, consumers, who purchase 100 bags of cement received an instant umbrella gift while in the second phase for every purchase of twenty bags the retailer gets a coupon, which qualifies him to participate in a raffle draw with the chance of winning several gift items.” The promo, which had its focus on the key regions of Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, West and South West, he added, had witnessed nine different raffle draws with 60 winners emerging from each location. For the raffle prize, customers were rewarded with cement ranging from five bags to a star prize of 50 bags and other point of sales materials like Shovels, Head-pans, Pouches, Jackets, Almanacs, and T-shirts. According to Hounkpati over twelve trucks, each containing 600bags of cement, have been given out since the commencement of the promo. Reiterating the company’s commitment to reward its consumers, Managing Director, Ebony De Great Nigeria Ltd, one of the key distributors of Lafarge in Ikorodu, Mrs. Modupe Oshibowale commended the company for honouring its promise to reward its customers.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
31
32
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT
WWD: Time to Take Action on Water As the World Water Day was marked around the world recently with the theme ‘Water and Jobs’, Abimbola Akosile looks at the Nigerian scenario and the increased demand for access to clean water, which formed part of a global report released by WaterAid Nigeria Water for All Water is the elixir of life; that is no longer news. But the irony is that even this precious liquid is still not available to all, with an estimated 57 million Nigerians yet to have access to clean water. Also, according to the latest global report by WaterAid, some 650 million people in the world still do not have access to clean water and more than 2.3 billion do not have access to basic sanitation. The consequence of this is better imagined. Thankfully, adequate water provision is one of the new goals among the new 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in Nigeria and all over the world, easy access to it cannot be over-emphasised. As the world marked the World Water Day (WWD) on March 22, governments at all levels in the country are being urged to take action to ensure provision of water, which no human being can do without over an extended period. Contrasting Access A new WaterAid briefing, ‘Water: At What Cost? The State of the World’s Water’, released on this year’s World Water Day, examines the most difficult places in the world for people to get clean water and reveals how the world’s poorest often pay far more of their income for water than those in the developed world. WaterAid’s analysis shows that in the developed world, a standard water bill is as little as 0.1 per cent of the income of someone earning the minimum wage. However in many developing countries, people reliant on a tanker truck for their water supply could spend as much as 45 per cent of their daily income on water to get just the recommended daily minimum supply. In some of the world’s poorest countries, families relying on black-market vendors could spend up to 100 times as much on water as those reached by government-subsidised tap stands. Worldwide, some 650 million people in the world still do not have access to clean water and more than 2.3 billion do not have access to basic sanitation, with devastating results. Some 315,000 children under five die each year of diarrhoeal diseases related to the lack of these basic rights. And 50 per cent of malnutrition cases are linked to chronic diarrhoea caused by lack of clean water, good sanitation and good hygiene including handwashing with soap. Latest Ranking The briefing, which is WaterAid’s first ever ‘State of the World’s Water’ report offers a snapshot of access to water around the world in 2016. It also ranks nations based on rates of household access to water and on highest populations without access to water, and includes a list of the countries which have improved most in the last 15 years. While Nigeria features 17 in the list of the top 20 most improved countries for water access over the past 15 years, the African giant is also one of the worst in the world for household water access and features third in the world on a list of the top ten countries with the greatest numbers of people living without access to safe water. This highlights just how much overall progress can mask the stark inequality that still exists in much of the developing world because even though much progress has been made in reaching a huge population of the world with improved sources of drinking water, tens of millions of people are still unserved with their basic human right to safe water, even in countries that have made the most impressive progress. Nigerian Scenario Speaking on the water issue, WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Michael Ojo said: “On this World Water Day, it is shocking to realise that a life essential such as water can cost a poor person in the developing world as
Water for all, still a pipe dream much as half of their income, for an amount that is about one-third of average daily use in the developed world. “Clean drinking water is a right yet an estimated 31 per cent of people in Nigeria are still living without access to clean water. Increased competition for water resources and climate change are only exacerbating the crisis, which along with lack of sanitation is responsible for the deaths of more than 68,000 children under five each year in the country. “On World Water Day, we call upon our government and leaders around the world to take urgent action towards keeping the promises made in the UN Global Goals on Sustainable Development, and ensure everyone
While Nigeria features 17 in the list of the top 20 most improved countries for water access over the past 15 years, the African giant is also one of the worst in the world for household water access and features third in the world on a list of the top ten countries with the greatest numbers of people living without access to safe water
is able to realise their right to access to clean water by 2030.” Major Findings India, China and Nigeria have the highest numbers of people waiting for access to clean water Papua New Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Angola are the nations in the world with the lowest percentage of households with access to clean water. Cambodia, Mali, Laos and Ethiopia have made more progress than any other nations on improving access to water for their populations. Despite much progress, the report finds that inequalities persist even in nations that have made great strides, with the poorest often paying the highest percentages of their income on water. There remain 16 countries in the world where 40 per cent or more of their population do not have access to clean water – due to low government prioritisation and dedicated funding, shortages in human resources, competition for water resources and the exacerbating effects of climate change.
Other Highlights This year’s global theme for World Water Day ‘Water and Jobs’ highlights how enough quantity and quality of water can change lives and livelihoods - and even transform societies and economies. A lack of access to safe water has numerous impacts on work and productivity in many ways. Almost half of the world’s workers - 1.5 billion people - work in water-related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery. Yet financing and managing key jobs in the sector is a real struggle that makes it hard for countries to maintain water and sanitation systems, and secure the urgent progress required on Goal 6: universal access to clean and safe water and sanitation by 2030. The report revealed that walking, queuing,
and carrying jerry cans wastes time, and hinder productivity for many girls and women. In subSaharan Africa, women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water. Businesses’ productivity is hit hard by staff absenteeism, turnover and low morale related to lack of access to clean, safe water in workplaces. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are usually considered beyond the remit of a lot of other sectors – a costly perception which hinders progress in achieving overall developmental goals. The positive impact of interventions in many areas is often undermined by lack of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. WASH is an essential component of an integrated approach to tackling poverty, hunger, health and inequality and it is essential that WASH is prioritised. Improved water, sanitation and hygiene for all will make sustainable progress across many of the Global Goals. Clarion Call On the World Water Day, WaterAid reminded governments that the promises of the UN Global Goals on Sustainable Development, to eradicate extreme poverty and create a fairer, more sustainable world, includes Goal 6 to reach everyone, everywhere with clean water and access to safe, private toilets by 2030. WaterAid is an international organisation with a vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. It works in 37 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific Region to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world’s poorest communities. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 23 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 21 million people with sanitation. To the organisation and other concerned stakeholders, this promise is achievable but it will take a serious political shift and financing to get there. Nigeria must not be found wanting in this matter of life and death.
33
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
DEvELOpMENT/ISSUESINBOx
The orgy of looting must stop!
Can Jailing an Ex-Gov Help Curb Corruption in Nigeria? The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has for years been prosecuting some former governors who no longer enjoy immunity under the Constitution. However, not one conviction and sentencing has been secured till date. Some people believe that if just one of these ex-governors is successfully prosecuted and jailed, then it would serve as a huge deterrent to looters and potential corrupt public officials. Do you agree with this assertion or corruption can never end in Nigeria? Abimbola Akosile * How can corruption ever end when perpetrators are walking free and still throwing about their stupendous wealth which they have stashed away at our faces? The assertion is right - corruption will continue in Nigeria unless at least one person goes to jail and the family, the children and all connected to them put their head down in shame forever. Until this is done we are wasting our time and energy over the corruption issue. - Prof. Kate Nwufo, mni, Abuja * Anybody who served the nation in any capacity and we discover that they enriched themselves with tax-payers money should face prosecution. - Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * Conviction and sentencing can never serve as deterrent. Corruption has eaten deep into this country. I believe the present move is better: arrest them, conduct serious investigation on their asset and collect everything including those assets traceable to their allies and families. - Mr. Tokunbo Fatai, Lagos State * Yes, I believe that arrest, prosecution and jailing of corrupt ex-governor (even one or two) will go a long way in curbing corruption among the elected political leaders and Nigerians in general. - Mr. Ojogbede Kriskenny, Abuja * Yes, it very much can and will. Culprits or corrupt looters are toying with such crimes because there are no grave consequences. Jailing an ex-governor or such highly-placed corrupt public servants or leader as such will deter intending looters. Jail them to rescue the hapless masses. After all, the law naturally calls a spade a spade when a poor man errs, sometimes very harshly. We must all be equal before the law ab initio in Nigeria. - Ms. Saiki Ometere Tina, Gboko, Benue State * Nigerians are die-hards and have a way with the system. Just investigate, arrest and recover every ‘secret and open’ loot, no matter how long it takes. That way, all will know a good name is better than stolen wealth. - Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos * Jailing an ex-governor would surely help curb corruption in Nigeria but that should be after the looted money has been
THE FEEDBACK Yes, it can:
9
No, it cannot:
4
Others:
6
Radical tip:
Get the loot first!
Total no of respondents: 19 Male:
14
Female:
5
Highest location:
Lagos (9)
recovered. Indeed Nigerians fear what would tarnish their image but our law and the implementers are weak and that is why everyone does what he or she wants. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * Any delay in corruption trials is simply artificial. Convictions have been secured before under the last administration with the Pension thieves. Trials and convictions were secured quickly and small fines paid. It is a pipe dream for us to think our criminal justice system and our judiciary can recover the loot, ensure speedy trials and the jail terms that we all desire to see. For those of us who don’t want plea bargain deals, we have the pension thieves’ conviction as an alternative model. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Prosecuting and jailing corrupt exgovernors will not have a sufficient deterrent effect in the fight against corruption in the country. Nigerians like taking risks, by devising ingenious means of beating the law. The best approach to reducing corruption in the country to the barest minimum, is to make corruption unattractive to the populace right from the childhood or teenage level. - Mr. Neville Kikpoye-Jonathan, President, Abua National Associates, Amalem-Abua, Rivers State * Exactly, there is no doubt about it. No wonder Obasanjo said the EFCC is a toothless dog that barks but cannot bite. - Mr. Odun Ayo, Lagos * Because of the immunity clause and the knowledge that they can’t be tried while in office, corrupt Governors want to cover their tracks while serving. The point is if EFCC have the guts to try corrupt ex-Governors not to talk of jailing them. If it is true that 10 per cent of all contracts awarded by
Governors while in office go back to them then you wonder why a Governor needs to be corrupt. As for corruption ending in Nigeria, I think it is a pipe dream. Because of greed and poverty in the country the best we can achieve is to reduce the rate, but to end it, no way. - Mr. Ologun Freeman, Fed. Ministry of Environment, Mabushi, Abuja
all those who served in the three tiers of government, agencies and parastatals and looted the treasury. Nigerians should support President Muhammadu Buhari over our commonwealth recovery from never-dowell leaders for infrastructural development and sundry options. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* Jailing an ex-governor for contravening the law is plausible to deter others. Allowing for sacred public office holders will lead to overwhelming lawlessness and a failed state. We must start to right all our wrongs now without fear or favour. Apply justice. God bless Nigeria. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos
* No, jailing has never curbed corruption anywhere on earth not even capital punishment or wars. Like robbery, as more are being killed, many more notorious ones are being born. We must not ridicule our nascent democracy by allowing deadly vengeance from rebels, their relatives and accomplices e.t.c. Ban them from future elections. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State
* The Nigerian leadership problem started with moral behaviour in which God is the only cure, not bias and prejudiced judgment of jailing. - Mr. Sunday Elijah, Erijiyan Ekiti, Ekiti State * Certainly, jailing a corrupt individual (vis a vis an ex Governor) serves to deprive him of his freedom to freely interact in society by withdrawing his presence. This will further serve to disrupt his corrupt activity. However, the most important action should be blocking all avenues/systems that allow or fuel corruption rather than filling our jails with the corrupt. It is because corruption is still prevalent that not one conviction and sentencing of an ex governor has been secured till date. Jailing will curb corruption but it is hardly enough. - Mr. Dandy Ama, Christ the Redeemer Secondary School, Gbagada, Lagos State * In my humble submission, I believe that sending an Ex-Governor or any other corrupt official will reduce the level of corruption in the country. - Mr. Ayodeji Akinnikawe, Eti-osa LGA, Lagos State * Precisely because of the impression that sacred cows abound in the anti-corruption struggle, convicting and jailing ex-governors should give ‘oomph’ to the fight! However, let us see truly guilty governors go to jail, not victimised politicians. Justice should be fair please. - Mr. Ekwenjo Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Trademore Estate, Apo, Abuja * The truth of the matter is that not only ex-governors should go to jail for stealing the commonwealth of the people, but
* Jailing an ex-governor would be a nice way to establish the impact of the corruption war spear-headed by the Buhari administration in Nigeria. The same dragnet should be extended to ex-generals, ex-senators, and the biggest sacred cows, ex-presidents. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos
Next Week: Is Oil Price Crash a Blessing or Curse for Nigeria?
There is divided opinion on the impact of the crash in the international prices of crude oil. While some analysts believe Nigeria is paying the price for sole dependence on a mono product and corrupt profligacy in utilising the proceeds of good years, others believe the slump will force Nigeria to diversify and expand her economic base and thus improve her revenue with greater empowerment of citizens. To you, is the crash in oil prices a blessing in disguise or curse for Nigeria? please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (March 24 & Monday (March 28) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/ or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, March 31
34
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT
Clearing the Apapa coastline of flotsam
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
Leaders Launch New Partnership to Respond to Forced Displacement, Global Crises Abimbola Akosile Leaders of multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies and major NGOs have agreed to strengthen collective action and to work together more effectively. The move, according to a World Bank release, signals a great urgency to address the crisis of millions of people forcibly displaced from their homes. The decision was taken at an unprecedented meeting on humanitarian-development collaboration -- co-chaired by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, held recently at the World Bank group headquarters in Washington, USA. At the high-level meeting, about 30 leaders of the international organisations called for a new action-oriented humanitarian-development partnership. The meeting focused on forced displacement as an example of a humanitarian emergency that also presents a significant development challenge, emphasising the need for more work to address the drivers of fragility and prevention. The leaders expressed their commitment to build on comparative advantages in three key areas for joint action: Data and evidence: Work together to launch initiatives such as joint risk assessments, to strengthen and harmonise the data and
evidence base to inform policies and programmes, and to develop a clear action plan with specific deliverables and milestones. In the area of joint engagements, the meeting stressed the need for stakeholders to work together and with national counterparts to develop a set of multi-year joint initiatives in select groups of countries facing protracted and recurring crises. This could include the development of joint assessments and planning based on synergies and complementarities that reflect respective comparative advantages. In the area of financing instruments, the forum urged partners to commit to developing innovative financing instruments that “follow the need,” including concessional financing, and in particular leverage private sector resources. Partners agreed to further develop this agenda and to establish a set of concrete proposals by the time of the World Humanitarian Summit in May 2016. The meeting came in response to the Secretary General’s call for action in the report ‘One Humanity: Shared Responsibility’, and the Agenda for Humanity. It launched an agenda for collective action leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit and the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants, to be held by the UN General
Assembly on September 19, 2016. “We need to shift from a disproportionate focus on crisis management to investing in crisis prevention and building up community resilience. Our planning and financing tools need to identify how to strengthen local capacity and resilience, including through increased cash-based programming. We should set ambitious targets and use the Summit and its follow-up process to monitor and measure achievement,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “These humanitarian crises are among the biggest challenges of our time – we must safeguard the lives and livelihoods of millions of people who are driven from their homes because of conflict or natural disasters,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “In this meeting, we identified steps for urgent action, which we will set in motion immediately. We have a collective responsibility to work together to build a secure and stable foundation for sustainable development,” Kim added. Humanitarian development action is already under way: one example is the World Bank Group and UNHCR are rapidly expanding collaboration, deepened through joint analytics and operations in several regions in Africa and in the response to the Syrian crisis.
Organisations represented at this high-level meeting include: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, International Monetary Fund, World Food Programme, International Finance Corporation, International Organisation for Migration, European Investment
Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Others are World Health Organisation, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, Results, European Bank for Reconstruction and Develop-
ment, Inter-American Development Bank, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief Worldwide, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of the Red Cross, International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Save the Children, OXFAM America, InterAction, and Catholic Relief Services.
Majekodunmi Foundation Restates Passion for Devt Clement Danhutor The late Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi Foundation (MA Majekodunmi Foundation) has reiterated its commitment to the founder’s passion for growth and development in the field of healthcare and education. This was made known recently by the chairman of the foundation, Chief Olufemi Majekodunmi, during a medical outreach organised by M A Majekodunmi foundation at the Ake’s palace, Abeokuta, Ogun state. Majekodunmi noted that the foundation aims to deliver sustainable interventions in the areas of education and healthcare across Nigeria. “Our mission is to promote the ideals of Christianity for the advancement of humanity through ethical and moral interventions, with core values entrenched in integrity, transparency, love,
commitment and efficiency.” The latest Ake’s palace medical mission provided out-patient services for over 700 beneficiaries including men, women and children. The beneficiaries were examined by medical personnel from St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos and were given drugs free of charge. Majekodunmi said the foundation has organised three missions in Abeokuta and two in Lagos. “We intend to take the missions beyond those two states and work in conjunction with the federal, states and local governments across the country. “We have donated medical equipments to hospitals and we have organised training workshops for teachers. We also impart skills in out-of school girls, empowering them with snacks making skills, zobo drink making, kerosene stove thread making.” He said “the foundation also
adopted schools, and donated classrooms and hospitals at Onikolobo, here in Abeokuta. We have initiated interventions in healthcare through medical outreaches in selected communities in Lagos and Ogun states. The late Chief Majekodunmi founded the St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos in 1968 with an initial emphasis on mother and child. Over the years, the hospital has grown to become one of Nigeria’s leading hospitals providing reliable, effective and high quality healthcare for all patients. M.A. Majekodunmi foundation was established in the year 2000 but commenced operations in 2012. It has played an important role in creating and promoting education and healthcare for all through programmes, workshops, medical seminars, medical outreaches and partnership between the public and private sectors.
35
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“In the three years left for this administration, we have given ourselves the target of 10,000MW distributable power. In 2016 alone, we intend to add 2,000MW to the national grid. This sector has been privatised but has yet to show any improvement in the quality of service” - PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI SPEAKING IN ABUJA Ashaka Cem Plc Constructs N700m Community Road Project Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
UN Calls for ‘Better Water and Better Jobs’ Abimbola Akosile With nearly half of the world’s workers employed in water-related sectors, sustainable access to safe water can change lives and livelihoods, the United Nations has said, underscoring the link between water and jobs, this year’s theme for World Water Day. The UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, noted that despite its paramount importance, water as a sector does not generally receive the attention it deserves. “Water is central to human survival, the environment and the economy,” the Secretary-General said on the Day (March 22), an opportunity for everyone to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. Ban pointed out in his message that people with the least access to water and sanitation often also lack access to health care and stable jobs, perpetuating the cycle of poverty, according to a UN release. “The basic provision of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services at home, at school and in the workplace enables a robust economy by contributing to a healthy and productive population and workforce,” he said, expressing concern in gaps in accessing water and sanitation between men and women, cities and countryside, and the rich and the poor. He called for bold action to address water inequality, as parts of effort to realise the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development whose Goal 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The importance of water in the job sector is marked with an official World Water Day event at the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, convened on behalf of the UN inter-agency mechanism on all freshwater-related issues, UN-Water. In his video message, ILO Director-General and Chair of UN-Water, Guy Ryder, called for “better water and better jobs.” He highlighted
Ki-moon
the situation of some 1.5 billion people who work in water-related sectors, many of whom are not recognised for the work they do, nor protected by basic labour rights. As an example, he spoke about a woman from The Gambia who would spend much of her day fetching water, when she could have been working in the formal sector, had that water delivery been provided. “Water is work,” Ryder said. “It requires workers for its safe and clean delivery, and at the same time, it can create and improve conditions of work.” As part of the celebration, the UN Tuesday launched the UN World Water Development Report, focused on the advancement of the prospect of decent work for all. Among its findings, the report estimated that some two billion people require access to improved sanitation, particularly women and girls.
Meeting the challenge of creating and preserving decent jobs in the face of climate change and water scarcity will require far greater investments in science, technology and innovation, said Irina Bokova, the head of the UN agency that leads water sciences and education - the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). In her message for the Day, Ms. Bokova called for Governments, civil society and the private sector to work together to promote “high-quality jobs, while preserving the environment and ensuring sustainable water management will help to eradicate poverty, promote growth and craft a future of decent work for all.” To mark the Day, UNICEF kicked off its #ClimateChain Instagram campaign, highlighting the link between water, climate change and the environment. The campaign will run until 22 April, when the Paris Agreement will open for signature.
As part of its commitment towards boosting the socio-economic development of Gombe State in the area of infrastructure, Ashaka Cem Plc has commenced the construction of an eightkilometre road project to its coal mine site in Maiganga community, Akko Local Government Area (LGA) of the State. The cost of the project, which has been awarded to a local contractor known as UniContinental Limited, is put at N700 million, and the contractor has concluded all preliminary work and is ready to commence construction immediately, with estimated completion period of 12 months. Flagging-off the road construction at a recent ground-breaking ceremony at Maiganga junction in Kumo, Akko LGA, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo assured Ashaka Cem Plc of his government’s support in executing all its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in all parts of the state. He commended the cement manufacturer for its foresight which he said was aimed at helping and developing the people of Gombe State. The Governor who called on the neighbouring communities to cooperate with the company also appealed to Ashaka Cem to always ensure that it carries its host communities along in the execution of programmes and projects in the benefiting communities. Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Board of Directors of Ashaka Cem Plc, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah said the project was an initiative of the company that was aimed at contributing towards the socio-economic development of Gombe State in the area of infrastructure. He said the project was the first of its kind by any corporate firm in Northern Nigeria as it was initiated based on the recognition of the impact of touching the lives of the people, adding that “the anticipated benefits of this road are quite enormous, with huge potential to boost economic, agricultural and social activities in this area”. According to him, “The choice of concrete in the construction of this road is deliberate, to showcase the innovative capability of LafargeHolcim as being experienced in other parts of the world. The Maiganga road is capable of boosting economic, agricultural and social activities in the area.” He said the company, which has remained undeterred in efforts aimed at improving the livelihood of its host communities through provision of basic amenities and infrastructure despite the challenges posed by terrorist activities in the region, was able to expend the sum of N156 million on projects in its host communities in Ashaka and Maiganga; in the areas of education, healthcare and economic empowerment. The chairman explained that “AshakaCem’s involvement in this novel project would not come as a surprise to any keen follower of our corporate evolution in recent time. One of the core values of LafargeHolcim, the world’s leader in cement manufacturing, is sustainable development. “AshakaCem Plc, being a subsidiary of Lafarge Africa Plc and member of LafargeHolcim, upholds this great value and therefore gives great attention and high commitment to care for its local communities”, he added.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN / UN SDG ACTION CAMPAIGN
36
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
Reducing Maternal, Child Mortality in Nigeria With Nigeria losing an estimated 2,300 children under the age of five and 145 women of child bearing age every single day, and accounting for the second largest number of maternal and child deaths in the world, Martins Ifijeh writes on the recent efforts by stakeholders to reduce the deaths
O
ne of the most overwhelming misfortunes that have endured throughout history is the death of a woman during pregnancy and labour. This adversity is one that comes with so much disappointment and carries a huge burden of grief, pain and heartbreak. The menace of maternal deaths is one that is aggressively damaging to numerous households, terminating innocent lives and resulting in alarming unwarranted and preventable deaths. Experiences have shown that the birth process is perhaps one of the most dangerous journeys that majority of women are likely to make. This is especially troubling as statistics revealed that the extent of loss of lives across low and middle income countries occasioned by the issue is increasingly becoming high. According to a 2015 report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day and a high percentage of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, including Nigeria. And even more specific representation is provided by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, which reports that “Every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 children under five and 145 women of childbearing age. This makes the country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world.” However, due to the fundamental role a mother plays in the life of a child, Nigeria’s current statistics of very high deaths per year during childbirth is indicative of inherent lapses in the critical aspects of the healthcare delivery system of the country. A recent UNICEF report states that for every 10 minutes, one woman dies on account of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria. These worrying statistics reveal the extent of damage that is being done and dims any hope of a possible solution if urgent steps are not taken, it also shows that financial and geographical access to care and good quality healthcare delivery service is becoming scarcer by the day. No wonder a representative of the United Nations Population Trust Fund (UNFPA), Ms Rati Ndhlovu, once likened the deaths experienced daily from pregnancy related complications to Boeing 747 plane crash everyday, adding that because the women were poor and disadvantaged, their deaths were often ignored. “Yet, these numbers of deaths don’t just happen once in a while like plane crashes. They happen every blessed day, which ordinarily should make the country scale up interventions to achieving the targets of reducing maternal and child mortality rates,” she explained. Although, the huge burden of deaths among Nigerian women caused by lack of access to proper healthcare or ignorance among most Nigerian families, due to religious or cultural beliefs, experts still believed if the country’s primary healthcare system is made more robust, effective and functional with properly trained birth attendants, increased health financing, adequate health facilities and scaled up awareness programmes among every Nigerian woman of reproductive age, then maternal mortality will reduce drastically in the country. Meanwhile Nigerian Government, like other affected countries, recognise that the three major challenges to surmount are availability of quality service, accessibility to that service and affordability of the service. This knowledge is responsible for the increased efforts to combat the menace of child mortality by successive administrations. Yet, even though a considerable amount of efforts have been expended by the government in a move to save the country from this atrocious killer, by all indications, the
Cross section of mothers and their babies
progress made, was insufficient enough to meet the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG) – to reduce child mortality by twothird by 2015 - which has since elapsed; a development that made Nigeria unable to meet the goal. While acknowledging government’s action at doubling efforts to bring the problem under control, many experts have blamed the high mortality rate in the country to poor access to health facilities, poverty, illiteracy and unwillingness of pregnant women to access healthcare services and then urged the government and stakeholders to provide greater access to healthcare, build the capacity of health workers to stem the tide, as well as put other measures in place to educate families on what best to do during pregnancy,
A recent UNICEF report shows that for every 10 minutes, one woman dies on account of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria. This worrying statistics reveal the extent of damage that is being done and dims any hope of a possible solution if urgent steps are not taken to address it
childbirth and caring for infants and children under age five. This year, inspired by the joy that accompanies the Mother’s Day celebration, and in a bid to tackle the high indices occasioned by pregnancy and childbirths, MTN Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of telecoms company, MTN Nigeria, joined forces with JNC International to unveil the MTNF Maternal Support Project to enhance the efforts of government in reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria. The partnership was driven by an objective of creating unhindered access to affordable healthcare facilities and services provided by skilled healthcare professionals, particularly for the safety of pregnant women and their children. Explaining the rationale behind the beneficial partnership, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation said “We are concerned about how maternal health can be improved. We also believe that the private sector must work with government and the public sector to help reduce maternal mortality and ensure that our mothers and children lead healthy lives”. Ugboma who noted that a sizeable number of these deaths were from preventable causes while others occur due to lack of access to pre-natal care, further explained the huge benefit that the initiative brings. “This is why we started the MTNF Maternal Ward Support Project. Through this initiative, we seek to contribute to creating unhindered access to health care systems and skilled health professionals for pregnant women in Nigeria.” Present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding were Commissioners of Health from the six beneficiary states; Abia, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Oyo and Sokoto. The six states were selected for the first phase of the MTNF Maternal Ward Support Project, following a thorough and rigorous selection process, to become beneficiaries under the first phase. The goal, under the first phase, is to
renovate and equip maternal wards in at least 24 hospitals across the six states. Each maternal ward would be equipped with 20 hospital beds with cardiac rest, 20 standard hospital mattresses, 20 standard hospital bed pillows, 10 four-way foldable ward screens, 20 metal bedside cupboards, 20 visitors’ chairs, 10 drip stands, 20 hydraulic over-bed tables, 10 height adjustable baby cots, and two Carl Novel baby incubators. Following the launch, the foundation hopes to sensitise women in these states to visit the maternal wards, so they can get easy access to the right care in a conducive environment. Assuring of the foundation’s continuous support Ugboma said, “guided by our discussions with our stakeholders in the private and public sectors, we will continue to invest in improving the quality of life of Nigerians in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment. We are also grateful to millions of Nigerians who continue to support our parent company – MTN Nigeria through easy or tough times”. Expressing appreciation for the initiative, Hon. Abass Tajudeen, a member of the House of Representative thanked the MTN Foundation for taking a bold step in supporting the efforts of the Federal government in addressing issues of primary healthcare delivery in Nigeria. With the launch of the initiative the MTNF and JNC hope to continue complimenting government efforts to reduce child mortality with areas relating to focus on Primary Healthcare, retraining and re-orientation for birth attendants especially in the rural areas and equitable distribution of healthcare facilities around the country MTN Foundation has so far invested over N18 billion into key projects spread across health, education and economic empowerment. The Foundation, recently commenced the implementation of another 200 new projects under the ‘MTNF What Can We Do Together’ initiative. These projects are being executed based on nominations by members of the public last year and have been making tremendous impacts in communities around Nigeria.
37
T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
HEALTH
NEWS
Borno with Highest Cases of Syphilis, Says Expert Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Head of Prevention, Department of Public Health and HIV/AIDS Division, Ministry of Health, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, has disclosed that recent findings from a national survey on serial prevalence of Syphilis in the country indicates that Borno State remains the state with highest cases of Syphilis. The findings, according to him, revealed that the rate of syphilis nationwide as at 2005 was 1.5 per cent and dropped to 0.7 per cent in 2014. Syphilis is a sexually trans-
mitted infection (STI) caused by the Treponema Pallidum spirochete. The route of transmission is almost always by sexual contact, although there maybe congenital syphilis via transmission from mother to child in-utero. Anyaike, who disclosed this at the launch of HIV/ Syphilis Duo Rapid Test by Alere Healthcare Services in Abuja, maintained that similar survey was last carried out in 2005 and the success recorded in terms of prevention interventions in HIV response maybe responsible for the reduction in the prevalence of Syphilis,
because, “HIV and syphilis almost run hand in hand in terms of mode of transmission.” According to him, “we had a national survey on serial prevalence of Syphilis in the country and in 2005, it was 1.5 per cent until 2014, the prevalence rate dropped to 0.7 per cent nationally, nine years after. But, when you try to look at it in states level, you will see that it could be higher than 0.7 per cent prevalence. “The 0.7 per cent syphilis prevalence nationally doesn’t mean that is the prevalence rate everywhere in the country. We have regional and state varia-
tions. In fact, we have some states that their prevalence is zero per cent findings. Borno seems to have the highest in terms of prevalence according to states.” He further explained that, though, there were some states with low prevalence rate, it was important for programmers to have a target prevention strategies to help reduce the level or prevalence of syphilis in those areas. “The findings also revealed that the trend could be higher than 0.7 per cent because, HIV/ Syphilis has a lot of drivers. If you have an unprotected sex, it’s possible that it could lead
to HIV/Syphilis infections.” Dr. Anyaike, when asked if the security challenges in those areas could be the major factor that led to the increase of syphilis in Borno State, he said that may not have caused it. “We need to be scientific in our judgement or conclusions. We can’t link that with the security situations. However, one could allude that. But, scientifically, we have to prove that it could be possible that the security challenges in that region prevented the people from having access to medical treatment. He stressed that government’s
efforts alone cannot solve every problem, adding that, government at various levels were doing their best in terms of medical health interventions in the country. STI has a lot to do with attitudinal linkages. Government could give you prevention or barrier materials to use and you may refuse to use it. You won’t say it is government that got you exposed to Syphilis. It is an individual something. You could be in a state where there are no security challenges and you keep risky behaviours, as this would exposed you to being infected.
Marie Stopes Rolls out Mobile Technologies in Nigeria Martins Ifijeh Marie Stopes has announced that it was introducing new digital capabilities into its customer and beneficiaries’ interactions in Nigeria. A number of critical Marie Stopes’ contraceptives and other family planning supplies shall be individually marked with tracking and traceability technology to enable customers and beneficiaries electronically log in and register them after receipt or purchase, using text messaging or smartphone apps. By logging and registering these reproductive health products and supplies, millions of customers and beneficiaries will be able to instantly confirm the authenticity, originality, and other critical information about these vital items, reducing many risks such as counterfeiting, package tampering, illegal repacking, and mislabeling. Through the log in and registration process, Marie Stopes aims to harness multiple communications and educational channels for improving user knowledge, compliance, reporting, and access to dynamic and, where appropriate, personalised information. Its digital platform incorporates the mPedigree Goldkeys
serialisation engine and EarlySensor technologies. Country Director of Marie Stopes, Effiom Effiom, said “Since our pledge at the 2012 London Summit on Family Planning to considerably boost the number of beneficiaries of our services and supplies, we have sought to embrace innovations that enhance operational efficiencies, bolster the quality of our interventions, and greatly enrich the experience of our products and services for customers and clients. This push into digital, and mobile especially, marks yet another milestone for Marie Stopes’ exceptionally successful focus on our customers’ evolving needs in Nigeria.” Key Marie Stopes products and supplies available in Nigeria include: condoms, oral contraceptive pills, injectables, emergency contraceptives, implant insertion devices, and implant removal devices. Marie Stopes Nigeria (MSN) is a results-orientated nongovernmental organisation, which uses modern management and marketing techniques to provide family planning and other reproductive healthcare clinical services in underserved communities.
2000 Pharmacies Shut in Nigeria Yearly, Says Jimi Agbaje Martins Ifijeh A renowned pharmacist and former Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has stated that, according to records available to him, about 2000 pharmacies were been shot in the country yearly due to unprofessional conducts. He said this was the more reason young pharmacies must be trained, so they can be able to operate the trade at an acceptable and international standard. Agbaje, who stated this at the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy Mentoring Scheme for young pharmacists, noted that the mentoring scheme was timely, as it would provide the young pharmacists information on how best to maintain best practices.The mentoring scheme, tagged: ‘The next generation pharmacists; poise, pizzazz and panache’ which was designed to
motivate, encourage and train young pharmacists, who will build the next generation of pharmacists in the country. Speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi,said the academy would continue to show concern and commitment to young pharmacists, adding that the new education curriculum will be implemented and new books will be developed to improve the training of the young pharmacists. He charged pharmacists to understand the basis and foundation of Pharmacy in order to command respect professionally within the society. “We are also motivating young pharmacists to ask questions, in other to update their knowledge. This will make them strike a balance in their profession, the environment and the society at large,” he added.
L-R: Member, Board of Children’s Developmental Centre (CDC), Mrs. Remi Soyanwo; Founder/Director, CDC, Dr Yinka A kindayomi; Chairman, CDC Board, Mrs. Joke Chukwumah; Member, CDC Board, Mrs. Fola Wiltshire; and Member, CDC Board, Mrs. Taiwo Osibodu, at a press briefing to mark the 20th anniversary of CDC in Lagos ...recently
CDC Wants Nigerians to Show Compassion to People with Disabilities
‘Nigerian Healthcare Facilities Should be Utilised for Cancer Prevention’
Martins Ifijeh
Funmi Ogundare
The Children’s Developmental Centre (CDC), a non governmental organisation, has called on Nigerians to share love and compassion with children and young adults with special needs, as this will boost their abilities to achieve their full potential in life. The Founder and Director of the Centre, Dr. Yinka Akindayomi, who stated this during activities to commemorate the organisation’s 20th anniversary in Lagos, said the anniversary celebration, tagged: ‘compassion, connection: why our communities should care,’ was due to the realisation that the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into the mainstream can only come through the compassion of the people and communities. “Without compassion there is no connection, without connection there is no You and I. In order for a community to grow, it must include everyone’s needs. This is why the value of compassion is even more relevant concerning issues of today,” adding that, “the sense of disconnection is so pervasive that unkindness, indifference, and selfishness appear as the norm, while compassion, kindness and caring are the
outliers,” she added. She said CDC was set up with a vision to support children and young adults with developmental disabilities and their families, and in doing so, help them to build their self-esteem, social skills and achievement, and most importantly for creating an environment that is accepting of differences. “Over the course of two decades, CDC has pursued its mandate with single-minded determination, evolving into a major humanitarian leader for children’s wellbeing in Nigeria. During this period, the organisation has impacted on the lives of over 2000 children and young adults with development disabilities and their families in Nigeria. “Slowly, our impact is being felt through various projects dotted throughout Nigeria. Who would have thought we would be here today providing comprehensive services and programmes to a wide range of families,” she stressed. Akindayomi, added that for societies to ensure the desired transformational impact on the lives of the people, stakeholders must collaborate and move beyond rhetoric to match lofty words and plans with action.
The Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Chris Bode, has called on Nigerians and women in particular, to patronise the country’s healthcare facilities for the prevention of cancer, saying that it was more convenient and cheaper since the manpower and wherewithal were available. Bode who made this known recently, during the commissioning and handover of one stop breast cancer clinic, an initiative of Run for Cure Africa, in Lagos, argued that travelling abroad was not the best and that it was affordable to be treated in any pubic hospital where government has already subsidised treatment. According to him, “It is still cheaper to get treated in your own country by your people when you have any ailment. Now that we have the facilities here, travelling abroad is not the best, you already have what you are looking for. We have the manpower and the wherewithal. What we expect is that we have what it takes to treat most conditions in Nigeria. Lets us rebuild the confidence in what we have. We are not perfect yet but we are working towards it.
“When you get treated for a condition like cancer abroad, no matter what, they will still tell you to go home to continue the treatment. The cost of treatment and staying abroad is more expensive. When you are in Nigeria, your relations will be there in the hospital to visit you. We should hope for the best in Nigeria that many good things are happening,” he said. For women who are battling with breast cancer and depends on traditional medicine, he advised them to go for yearly breast cancer screening, saying, “it’s simple. They should start from personal examination daily or weekly. If you notice a lump in your breast or discharge, you have to come to the centre to be examined. Get examined yearly too by a doctor so that if there is any lump, they will test it. If it cancerous, they will treat it. Breast cancer when noticed very early has very good outcome. It is when you leave it and when it gets too late it becomes incurable.” The Executive Director of Run for Cure Africa Breast Cancer Foundation, Mrs Ebele Mbanugo, said the programme was designed to commemorate the International Women’s Day and that it was a clinic where women can come for breast cancer treatment and any issue related to the breast.
38
T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
NEWS
HEALTH
Tackling Malaria Paul Obi writes on efforts by stakeholders in tackling malaria scourge in the country For decades, malaria scourge has remained one of the greatest challenges confronting health experts in the country. Substantially, solutions ranging from long lasting insecticide treated nets, clean environment, to other scientific measures, appear to be at the forefront in mitigating the disease. The malaria disease is more spread around rural communities where the level of hygiene and public awareness on the preventive measures are low. The Support to National Malaria Programme (SUNMAP), an initiative with the aim of expanding the scope of malaria intervention programmes, seems to be strategic in addressing the existing gaps particularly across rural areas. SUNMAP in conjunction with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), are involved in various community projects targeted at arresting the ugly incidents of the disease. Recently, a symposium was organised in Abuja to appraise the challenges so far, as well as create a new road map that will rigorously checkmate the spread of the disease. According to officials, though there are concrete steps that are already yielding positive outcomes, the need to stay focus and be accountable remain crucial. Understanding the current gaps in the fight against malaria is also critical in eliminating the pandemic. According to SUNMAP, these gaps are legions and have some chilling impacts on how malaria scourge could be tackled. Executive Director, Malaria Consortium, Charles Nelson, stated that SUNMAP, was to strategically align with the overall national performance. “In the past eight years (2008-2016), UK DFID has invested over 89 million pounds to support the malaria programme,” he said. According to him, SUNMAP is being supported by the UK government under DFID, and has projects across 10 states of the federation as focal points to effectively combat malaria. In appraising its performance, SUNMAP explained that about “7.4 million long lasting insecticidal nets were distributed simultaneously. By 2013, the net campaign had successfully increased ownership from seven per cent to 49 per cent. At a grassroots level, over 23,000 local health workers received training that was tailored to the needs of each region.” The programme has also initiated, “a solid malaria control infrastructure, a viable business model for the commercial sector and has successfully brought all partners together, moving towards one powerful vision for optimum performance. There is also the resolve by the programme to build synergy across rural communities in tracking the various malaria
projects around the country.” Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, applauded the efforts of SUNMAP and its contribution to the fight against malaria in the country. National Coordinator, NMEP, Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, speaking on the challenges facing the fight against malaria, said low intake of scientific proven interventions by most Nigerians remain the major factor militating against the progress in the control of malaria in Nigeria. Ezeigwe noted that the purpose of the programme was to reach the general population, specifically, the poorest and most vulnerable with evidence-based interventions that would help reduce mosquito related diseases and the malaria burden. She decried the manner with which Nigerians were reluctant in adopting the strategies and intervention, which according to her, had greatly downplayed the progress in malaria control. She further called on Nigerians to always make sure they sleep on treated insecticidal nets every night to avoid mosquito bite. “Low uptake of interventions is one of our problems that are militating fast progress in the fight against malaria. “Currently, in some states, we have embarked on interpersonal communication strategies in the grassroots where we get communication experts to interact with people within the communities to let them understand the need to take the interventions that have been proven to be working. Individuals should embark on environmental management. Individuals should keep their environment clean, and clear all bodies of water in the general environment. They should observe general hygiene and always sleep under the net every night,” Ezeigwe stressed. Country Director of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Kolawole Maxwell, disclosed that by the end of the project, through SUNMAP alone, over four million insecticidal nets were procured and distributed in public facilities and an estimated 2.2 million nets were sold through the commercial sector. “In terms of anti malaria drugs, 5.6 million doses of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for prevention of malaria in pregnancy and 1.46 sp/ amodiaquine distributed for seasonal malaria chemoprevention were distributed by project end. “An estimated 2.7 million doses of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) and 2.7 million malaria rapid diagnostic tests were procured and distributed and SunMap supported the sales of over five million ACTs through the commercial sector,” Maxwell said. Also, Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, highlighted the importance of deploying other
strategies to curtail malaria scourge in the country. Ipaye harped on the involvement of rural communities in the implementation of the national strategy to eliminate the disease through effective
monitoring. According to him, the programme was currently being implemented in Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Niger, Jigawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Anambra states. The
performance within the 10 states will also facilitate the extension of the programme to all states of the federation. Beyond this intervention, stakeholders believe that government need to be to
proactive in its resolve to eliminate malaria. They maintained that the best way to go about this is to adhere strictly to funding commitment, policy implementation, tracking and monitoring.
FOR ORAL HYGIENE
L-R; Oral Care Consultant, Colgate, Dr. Ogechukwu MacJohnson; Registrar, Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria, Mrs Omowunmi Ojo; and Former Chairman, Advisory Board Lt Col Margaret-Mary Obigho (rtd), during the oral care public enlightenment and free dental screening in partnership with Colgate to mark the World Oral Health Day in Lagos ...recently
APHPN: SDGs Will Not be Achieved without Universal Health Coverage Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has said that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would not be achieved without a universal health coverage. It said the whole concept of universal health coverage was to providing health services to people where they work and live, without discrimination. APHPN Chairman, Abuja Chapter, Dr. Terfa Kene, disclosed this at the 32nd annual general meeting of the association. According to him, “we had a lot of improvement in Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), even though we didn’t achieve our targets, there were significant improvement; now it is based on that that we have identified areas that we need to expand upon, so that we can have sustainable development.” He added that, “we cannot achieve any of these goals if we don’t have a health system that provides health for people where they work and live. For us to do this, we need to put up a health system that is able to do this without any issues of catastrophe from financing health care.” Kene, noted that the associa-
tion was looking at universal health coverage as a key to SDG. Baring his mind on the Lassa fever epidemic, he blamed the inability of the country to tackle the disease like it did against Ebola , on misdiagnosis at the hospital system. He explained: “We must have a robust surveillance system that identify and predict disease occurrence and prevent them when they happen. Nigeria did that with Ebola virus and it was a wonderful response, with what we have seen, improvements from that experience will put us in a very good chance to prevent diseases occurring in this country. “With what happened recently (Lassa outbreak), a lot of people died, we have not seen this type of condition in the last few years, usually we have one or two cases and intervention is done. “In terms of response, the problem is that there is always misdiagnosis at the hospital system,” the chairman noted. While rating the health system in Nigeria, Kene stressed that it could be classified as poor because we were yet to get it right. “We have a primary healthcare system and it is not functioning. Primary healthcare
has to be functional for us to talk about a strong healthcare system. As we have it now, the health system is poor, all indicators in that direction are poor, and if you compare us to other countries of the world, we easily come down as the worst country with the indices.” On his part, a professor of public health from Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria , Prof. Muhammed Sambo, said when an outbreak has become a recurring decimal, it becomes a grave source of concern. He noted that, “issue like epidemics of Lassa fever shouldn’t have happened,
because this is an epidemic that has been occurring in this country, the first case of Lassa fever was in Nigeria, but, it is not surprising when we look at the functionality of our health system. Our health system has been adjudged to be one of the worst in the world going by the ranking of the performance of the healthcare system.” Sambo opined that without an effective primary healthcare system, there won’t be a good health system, but stressed that if the Health Act can be operationalised, there would be an improved health system in the country.
Help Save Rosemary Koko After being sick for a long time, Rosemary Kuku, a mother of three and a Delta State indigene, was diagnosed with kidney failure in November 2015 at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). She is currently undergoing dialysis every 10 days at a specialist hospital in Lagos, but needs seven million naira to undergo a kidney transplant process at LASUTH. “We have not been able to raise anything,” her brother,
Nigel Ezimano, told THISDAY. “All the money we have is being spent on the dialysis, which we cannot stop, because her body will just start swelling. We need Nigerians to come to our aid, so we can do the kidney transplant, which can be done in Nigeria at LASUTH.” Account Name: Koko Tuowel Patrick.Account Number:0022060944 (Diamond Bank)
39
T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
NEWS
HEALTH
FG Cautions against Incessant Strike in the Health Sector Vows to adopt no-work no-pay policy Stories by Martins Ifijeh Federal Government has called on health professionals to desist from incessant industrial strike action which has now become a usual occurrence in the health sector, adding that labour dispute are better resolved through dialogue rather than strike and violence.
In a circular dated 15th March, 2016 with reference number MH/HRM/138/1/58, and addressed to the Chief Executives Officers of University Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and other Tertiary Health Institutions under the Federal Ministry of Health, signed by the Director, Human Resources, Mr Danjuma
Kurau, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said that incessant labour disputes have been ravaging the health sector, despite efforts made by the present administration to revive the healthcare system. Adewole said that “health sector is one of the essential services that are prohibited by law from embarking on strike
action. However the Federal Ministry of Health has been subjected to so much ridicule and embarrassment as a result of frequent strikes by the different professionals that make up its work-force” However, the Hon Minister assured all health workers and other related services that their welfare will be adequately and
responsibly catered for by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Minister therefore warned that henceforth any staff who chooses the path of strike in enforcing his/her demand should not be paid salaries and allowances within the period of strike “In order to revert to path
of decency and discourage impunity, all Chief Executive Officers of agencies and hospitals under the supervision of the Ministry are to strictly, enforce the No Work No Pay Policy as contained in section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act, CAP T8, law of the Federation of Nigeria”. Prof. Adewole, added.
Guinness Nigeria Warns against Indecent Alcohol Use One of Nigeria’s brewing giant, Guinness Nigeria Plc, has warned that indecent and excessive drinking of alcohol can damage the liver and cause general harm to the body system. This is as its benefits are enormous, including being used as a stimulant, but its excessive usage could cause the liver to over work itself, thereby causing serious health implications, including weakening the muscles of the liver. Stating this at the DRINKiQ training programme for the media, the Corporate Relations Director, Mr. sesan Sobowale, explained that despite the liver being a very strong organ of the body, it has a limit to which it can accommodate the processing of alcohol consumed, adding that, it may become prone to different diseases, due to it being overworked. Adding, he said women should be wary of how they drink as they were more vulnerable due to less natural body water than men, higher concentration of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and a small body size when compared to men. According to him, people should also desist from drink-
ing on empty stomach. “Those who drink and discover they have hangover the next morning, may have done that on an empty stomach. This could also be a result of not taking enough water before drinking. Nigerian Guinness Brewery disclosed that the main idea of the ‘Drink IQ’ was to educate and inform the public on how Guinness products can be properly used. As part of efforts to fight against irresponsible drinking, Sobowale noted that the company was partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to educate motorists on the dangers of drinking and driving. “We have also rolled out a programme on radio called “drink riaries’ on Lagos Traffic radio 96.1 fm for our teeming consumers and general public. The programme is a unique evening time show, running for six weeks during the festive period. It is part of the company’s drive to address the issue of drunk driving and raise awareness about responsible drinking amongst Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole. The show runs at peak periods, 6pm – 7pm every day, Monday to Friday,” he said.
NHF to Hold National Summit on Lipids and Cardiovascular Health he Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), a non profit making organisation targeting wellness of Nigeria, will on April 21st hold a national summit in Lagos, tagged: Lipids and Cardiovascular Health in the Nigerian Population’ in recognition of the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the country. Speaking during a press briefing, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye said, the summit will be in furtherance to the 2013 world health assembly which endorsed the non communicable disease action plan 2013 to 2020 and recommended promotion of healthy diets. According to him, with non communicable diseases included in the Sustainable Development Goal, the summit will contribute towards the country’s significant achievement of the SDG by 2030. “Apart from bridging the gap in knowledge between lipids and cardiovascular health in African population, the summit
will aim to define NHF’s position on cardiovascular health, palm oil and its derivative effect on the population, level of lipid profile in vegetable oil, and what zero cholesterol in vegetable oil means to the health of the people. He said participants will include the researchers from universities, research institutions, civil society organisations in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, nutrition, non governmental organisations, policy makers from the Federal Government, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, International organisations, agencies, consumers and manufacturers of vegetable oil. Akinroye noted that the summit, which is scheduled to hold at the National Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, from 9am to 2:30pm, will among other things, stair up discussions on best ways to manage the heart, as well as stair up the country’s research drive.
L-R: President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Bode Ijarogbe; Vice President Marketing, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Robbert-de Vreede; Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr Jide Idris, and State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Dr Sunday Abidoye, during this year’s World Oral Health Day Celebration at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos ...recently
Dettol Champions Campaign against Germs Rebecca Ejiforma Reckitt Benckiser, RB,makers of Nigeria’s popular antiseptic product, Dettol, has called on Nigerians to take cleanliness seriously, as this will go a long way in preventing germs, which causes illnesses. Speaking at the unveiling of its new product, Dettol Multi Surface Cleaner, in Lagos recently, the Marketing Director of RB West Africa, Oguzhan Silivrili, stated that, “about 80 per cent of hygiene related illness causing germs are acquired at home from different surfaces like floors, kitchen tops and washbasins, hence the organisation’s resolve to campaign against through its new anti septic product. According to him, the ‘clean naija campaign’ will project Nigeria towards a germ-free nation. “One of the ways we can make a difference is to introduce a product for surface cleaning. It is affordable and conducive to use for families, companies and other public institution,” he said. The #DettolCleanNaija team,
fully kited with mops and buckets, stormed the Accident and Emergency ward of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, to rid it of germs using the new Dettol Multi Surface Cleaner. “The new Dettol Multi Surface Cleaner is the first of its kind in the surfacecleaning category, providing 10 times better cleaning, while also killing germs. Along with this, the Dettol Multi Surface Cleaner is also more affordable and cheap compared to buying all of the other cleaning agents separately,” he said. He added that the product can be used on all hard surfaces, including tiles, marbles, granites, wood or cement floors to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment within the home. The RB team also commissioned a hand wash basin donated to the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital to promote the culture of hygiene. Silivrili also called on the Federal Ministry of Health, organisations and public spirited individuals to join the campaign against germs in the country.
NAFDAC Wants EU Ban on Nigerian Beans Reversed Several months after the European Union banned Nigeria’s dry beans from entering its territory, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has urged the body to lift the sanction. Speaking during the visit of the EU/Dutch Mission to the Agency over the weekend, the Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, said Nigerian products, through NAFDAC was contributing to the establishment of best practices for the prevention of contaminants in primary and processed food production and in the establishment of methods of analysis for contaminants food, hence there was no need to ban such products, which has been scrutinised by the Agency to meet international standard. The NAFDAC boss stated that she was optimistic that the EU would be magnanimous enough to lift the ban in a few weeks. Adding that, the active interest taken by the Netherlands on behalf of the EU on this restriction is not in any way surprising, because the Netherlands is not only a huge importer of fresh produce from Africa, it is equally the host country
of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods. Mrs. Oni, also made emphasis on NAFDAC’s effort at ensuring its food laboratories were up to the expected standard, while also ensuring trained and qualified staffs were deployed to carry out excellent jobs to ensure that food consumption in Nigeria was on the safer side. The head of the EU/Dutch Mission team to the Agency, Dr. Giji Kleter, a senior researcher at Wageningen University and various research institutes, noted that ban on food products usually lasts 12 months. According to him, “We can’t speculate on the outcome of the discussion the EU will be having next month, whether or not to prolong the ban or suspend it. “We are here to look into the factors contributing to the problems, whether what is being exported to Europe can live up to the climate, safety and quality standards and the willingness of the Nigerian government to address the issue,” he added. Recall that last June, the EU placed a year ban on Nigerian beans, claiming it discovered a high level of pesticide on dry beans coming from the country.
40
THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
INTERNATIONAL
email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com
Two Brothers behind Brussels Bombings
Two of the suicide bombers who carried out attacks in Brussels on Tuesday have been named as brothers - Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui - Belgian nationals. The federal prosecutor said Brahim was part of the attack at Zaventem airport that killed 11 people. Khalid struck at Maelbeek metro, where 20 people died. Two other attackers at the airport have not yet been identified. One of them died, another is on the run. So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind the attacks. Belgium is observing three days of national mourning. The nation held a minute’s silence at midday (11:00 GMT) yesterday. Belgium’s king and queen visited the airport and met some of the 260 injured in hospital. Federal Prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said Brahim el-Bakraoui had been identified as the middle of three men in a CCTV image of the suspects of the airport attack. The man on the left is believed to have died at the airport. The man on the right, wearing the hat, is thought to have fled the scene. Mr Van Leeuw told reporters that a taxi driver said he had picked up the three men from an address in Brussels, which police later raided and found bomb-making materials including 15 kilos (33 pounds) of high explosive. Brahim el-Bakraoui also left a note saying that people were looking for him everywhere and that if he gave himself up he would end up in a cell, the prosecutor said. Mr van Leeuw said the two brothers were known to police and had criminal records. They were identified by DNA records. The RBTF broadcaster, quoting
a police source, said that Khalid el-Bakraoui, 27, had used a false name to rent the flat in the Forest area of the Belgian capital where police killed a gunman in a shootout last week. It was during that raid that police found a fingerprint of Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the Paris terror attacks of 13 November. He was arrested in a raid in Brussels last Friday and is due to appear before a pre-trial court . Khalid el-Bakraoui appears on the Interpol website. It says that he is being sought for terrorist activities. RTBF said Khalid was jailed in 2011 for carjacking while Brahim, 30, was jailed in October 2010 for firing at police. The man on the right in the CCTV picture, who is being hunted, had a bag of detonators that were left behind and which were later exploded without harming anyone, Mr Van Leeuw said. No other weapons were found at the airport. Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure had earlier identified this man as wanted jihadist Najim Laachraoui. He was named earlier in the week by police as a wanted accomplice of Abdeslam. Analysts say Laachraoui is believed to be a key bomb maker, and French media say he also played a major role in the terror attacks in Paris. Some Belgian media reported on Wednesday that he was the man arrested in Anderlecht area of the city, but Mr Van Leeuw denied the reports. The first of the victims to be named is Peruvian Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 37. She had been at Zaventem airport with her Belgian
P U B L I C N OT I C E
MISS CHIBUOGWU VIVAN CHIMBO This is to inform the general public that the person whose photograph appears above is under investigation The general public especially customers, suppliers and associates should be accordingly advised about the risk of any business with her as the company will not be responsible for any conduct or misdemeanor committed by her Thank you
ZONAD ENTERPRISES
husband and twin fouryear-old daughters, who were unharmed, her brother told Peruvian radio. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel,
welcoming French counterpart Manuel Valls to Brussels on Wednesday, insisted that “Europe’s destiny is peace and security”.
He said: “We are more determined than ever to act in the face of enemies of democracy.” The country has raised
its terrorism alert to the highest level. It has also been announced that the international airport will remain closed today.
Trump, Clinton Win Big in Arizona The Republican front-runner, Donald Trump, swept to victory in Arizona on Tuesday but rival Ted Cruz showed some fight with a win in Utah that gave hope to establishment Republicans who fear Trump would lead the party to ruin in the presidential election. On the Democratic side, favorite Hillary Clinton routed challenger Bernie Sanders in Arizona to stretch her advantage in the race for her party’s presidential nomination. Sanders, however, won contests
in Utah and Idaho to bolster his case that he still has a chance despite Clinton’s big lead. The nominating battles in Arizona and Utah, plus the Democratic contest in Idaho, were overshadowed by attacks in Brussels in which at least 30 people were killed and raised security concerns among U.S. voters. Trump helped himself in Arizona with a hardline anti-immigration message and tough talk on Islamic militants to easily defeat Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, and Ohio
Governor John Kasich. Trump had the backing in Arizona of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, one of the most prominent supporters of a crackdown on illegal immigrants. The win furthered Trump’s argument that he will eventually win the Republican presidential nomination and that the party should rally around him. He won all of Arizona’s 58 delegates. “Much bigger win than anticipated in Arizona. Thank you, I will never
forget!”Trump said on Twitter. “Hopefully the Republican Party can come together and have a big WIN in November, paving the way for many great Supreme Court Justices!” Cruz, though, won big in Utah’s caucuses, giving hope to those Republicans who fear Trump’s proposal to deport 11 million illegal immigrants and build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico would guarantee a Democratic victory in the Nov. 8 election.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
41
42
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
43
44
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
E
F
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
5
15
2011-20
G
H
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
45
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS PURCHASED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA IRO ESTABLISHED LETTERS OF CREDIT
CORONATION MERCHANT BANK
BANK :
22-‐Mar-‐16
DATE OF RETURNS
RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS PURCHASED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA IRO NEWLY ESTABLISHED LETTERS OF CREDIT DATE OF RETURNS 22/03/2016
S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
CUSTOMER WEMPCO STEEL MILLS LIMTED BRIGHT PRODUCTS LIMITED MDV INDUSTRIES LIMITED BUILDGEN NIGERIA LIMITED BHOJSONS PLC RELIANCE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS LIMITED TELECOM POWER SOLUTIONS LIMITED WACOT LIMITED VIK INDUSTRIES LIMITED KGM INDUSTRIES LIMITED GMT NIGERIA PLC(FIRST ALUMINIUM NIG PLC) CROWN FLOUR MILL LTD (OLAM) CHELLARAMS PLC BUILDGEN NIGERIA LIMITED VIK INDUSTRIES LIMITED VIK INDUSTRIES LIMITED BSV INDUSTRIES LIMITED VIRAMSUN NIGERIA LIMITED WACOT LIMITED TELECOM POWER SOLUTIONS LIMITED KGM INDUSTRIES LIMITED VIRAMSUN NIGERIA LIMITED SUNPLAST INDUSTRIES LIMITED VIRAMSUN NIGERIA LIMITED VIRAMSUN NIGERIA LIMITED BUILDGEN NIGERIA LIMITED SACVIN NIGERIA LIMITED BUILDGEN NIGERIA LIMITED VIRAMSUN NIGERIA LIMITED OPTIMA NIG LTD (BOND GLOBAL ENERGY PROJECTS LTD ONWARD STATIONARY STORES LTD
FORM M/A LC, BC NUMBER or INV MF20160014849 MF20160011962 MF20160012377 MF20160019931 MF20160012230 MF20160023518 MF20160026968 MF20160022552 MF20160030245 MF20160026182 MF20160021935 MF20160019388 MF20160025099 MF20160020160 MF20160031019 MF20160030953 MF20160028440 MF20160029193 MF20160022556 MF20160023029 MF20160023325 MF20160028427 MF20160019041 MF20160007742 MF20160007651 MF20160017397 MF20160029499 MF20160017393 MF20160017971 MF20160024492 MF20160029491
LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC
ITEM OF IMPORT INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY PROPYLENE COPOLYMER LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (GRADE HP4024W) RAW MATERIAL FOR BOOK PRODUCTION, WOODFREE PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS(UNCOATED) ATUL GEMINI (1+3) PASSENGER THREE WHEELER PETROL VEHICLES IN CKD CONDITION -‐ SPARE PARTS OF AUTO RICKSHAW ( AS PER ANNEXURE-‐A) PETRELAB 550 LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES HULLED SESAME CLEANING PLANT/XRAY MACHINE LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER HNR100 UNWROUGHT ALUMINIUM REMELT PELLETS-‐99.7% PURITY MANUFACTURED TO MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION( RAW MATERIAL FOR INDUSTRIAL USE) CANADIAN WESTERN RED SPRING -‐N0 2 13% PROTEIN WHEAT 100 MT OF WHOLE MILK POWDER 28% FAT( RAW MATERIAL FOR INDUSTRIAL USE) RAW MATERIAL FOR BOOK PRODUCTION,WOODFREE PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS(UNCOATED) RAW MATERIAL -‐ HDPE BLOW RAW MATERIAL -‐ POLYPROPYLENE GRADE HNR 100 POLYVINYL CHLORIDE RAW MATERIAL FOR BOOK PRODUCTION, PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS(UNCOATED) AGROCHEMICAL HERBICIDES INDUSTRIAL VALVE REGULATED RECHARGEABLE BATTERY HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE LOTRENE RAW MATERIAL FOR BOOK PRODUCTION,WOODFREE PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS(UNCOATED) PROPYLENE COPOLYMER COMMERCIAL TRUCK TYRES COMMERCIAL TRUCK TYRES COMMERCIAL TRUCK TYRES HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE BLOW COMMERCIAL TRUCK TYRES PASSENGERS CAR TYRES AND LIGHT TRUCK TYRES JET A1 FUEL RAW MATERIAL: UNCOATED PAPER FOR EXERCISE
DATE OF FUND EXCHANGE USD PURCHASE RATE AMOUNT 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16 22-‐Mar-‐16
197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50
100,000.00 81,892.97 139,375.00 141,307.93 112,747.00 206,685.00 111,664.00 200,000.00 25,220.14 16,515.00 29,620.00 250,000.00 95,000.00 19,176.38 44,200.00 59,400.00 50,000.00 83,946.91 125,000.00 38,336.00 76,800.00 140,066.45 229,673.40 122,519.84 152,862.16 152,862.16 200,000.00 152,862.16 122,829.64 657,423.97 200,000.00
46
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE
Bond Yields Rise after Rate Hike Aimed at Luring Investors Nume Ekeghe with agency report Nigerian bond yields spiked across the curve on Wednesday after the central bank unexpectedly tightened monetary policy in an about-turn to curb inflation and attract foreign investors. The central bank on Tuesday raised its benchmark rate to 12 per cent from 11 percent, having cut rates only four months ago by two percentage points, and lifted the cash reserve ratio for commercial banks to 22.5 per cent from 20 per cent. Yields on the benchmark 20-year bond rose 55 basis points (bps) to 12.7 per cent while the 10-year yield climbed 45 bps to 12.65 per cent. The yield on five-year paper, the most liquid maturity, gained 41 bps to 11.7 percent.
“The MPC has signalled a tightening and rates have gone up. Lenders can place their funds with the central bank at seven per cent so why buy treasury bills at lower yields?” Reuters quoted one trader to have said. On Tuesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said extra liquidity had not translated into more lending and cited inflation, at a 3-1/2-year high of 11.4 percent last month, and well above the central bank target of six per cent to nine per cent. Nigeria is going through its worst economic crisis for years due to a slump in crude prices which has weakened its naira currency and slashed government revenue. Oil exports account for about 70 percent of national income. Banks were quoting 10 percent
on the interbank overnight lending market, a jump from Tuesday’s 4.8 percent before the central bank rate decision. There were no deals on Wednesday. The stock market, which has the second-biggest weighting after Kuwait on the MSCI frontier market index, bucked two day of gains to shed 1.19 percent, as domestic funds switch to bonds, traders said. Traders estimated the new cash reserve requirement will soak up between 350 billion and 400 billion naira. The central bank is also selling 114.97 billion naira in treasury bills to further drain liquidity. The central bank vowed to keep the exchange rate stable despite sharp falls on the black market - some 40 percent below the official rate - due to a shortage of dollars.
Access Bank Partners Uber to Launch Service in Abuja James Emejo in Abuja American multinational online transportation network company, Uber Technologies Incorporated yesterday unveiled its service in Abuja, making the capital city the 400th location to join Uber’s growing global network. The service was launched in partnership with Access Bank Plc. Uber develops, markets and operates the Uber mobile app, which allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars. The service is particularly famous for its innovative transport system as well as opportunity for job creation. Access Bank is to provide the payment optimisation finances to small businesses who would
want to join the Uber enabled transport firms. Speaking at the launch, Executive Director, Personal Banking Davison, Access Bank, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, said the partnership between Uber and the bank was premised on the capability of the former to create thousands of jobs and star-ups businesses. He said: “The opportunity is that everyone who wants to be an entrepreneur in transportation will leverage on Uber’s platform. With this app, you can offer a transport service that is trustworthy and profitable” he said adding that Access Bank is willing to finance start-ups in this regards.” He said: “We also provide opportunities to those who belong to the Uber platform to acquire new vehicles for their transport company under favourable terms. We’ve got partnerships with Ford,
KIA, Kyandai, Peugeot and Nissan and the interest rates are competitive that they can leverage on.” He also said the bank was willing to finance women who are willing to venture into small transport businesses. Etuokwu said:”We need to build the small businesses in Nigeria hence our partnerships with Uber. Access Bank is proud to be associated with Uber. Uber is providing better ways of commuting. The service is offering value and its scaling put.” Also, General Manager for Uber Lagos, Ebi Atawodi, said Uber’s innovative platform connects drivers with riders in real time, at the touch of a button. “Whether you’re going to work or going out with friends, Uber provides an affordable, safe and reliable way to get across the city,” he noted.
Zenith Takes Financial Literacy Campaign to Ibadan About 100 students of the Ibadan Grammar School recently took part in the 2016 Financial Literacy Day, organised by the Zenith Bank Plc. Financial Literacy Day is a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) project, in conjunction with the Junior Achievement Nigeria (a non-governmental organisation), to impart the knowledge of financial literacy and entrepreneurship to students. According to Ayo Bello of the Junior Achievement Nigeria, the project is meant to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. “The CBN, as an initiator
of this particular project, and Junior Achievement are the brains behind this project. The CBN adopted it and made it a responsibility for all banks annually, mid-March, to go into all the states of the federation to impart this knowledge (of financial literacy) to children,” he explained. The forum also provided an opportunity to introduce children who participated in the programme to one of the education products of Zenith Bank, called the ZECA Account. ZECA (Zenith Children’s Account) is meant to encourage children to develop the culture of
saving a little at a time towards their future education career. According to the bank, with a minimum of N1000, the ZECA Account can be opened, and little amounts can be saved in it, which will progressively build up an amount that will someday in the future serve as a form of ‘collateral’ for obtaining loans from the bank to support the child’s further education. However, the account can only opened with the consent of the parents/guardians, as certain documents required for opening the account will necessarily necessitate the knowledge (and consent) of such adults (parents/guardians).
Dealdey Nigeria Acquired by Ringier and Silvertree Nigerian online marketplace, Dealdey, has been acquired by Ringier Africa, a subsidiary of Swiss media conglomerate, in partnership with Silvertree Internet Holdings. There had been reports earlier that Dealdey was struggling and it was only a matter of time before it gets acquired. The value of the deal is yet to
be disclosed. It’s believed that Ringier Africa aims to expand beyond the publishing/digital marketing niche by delving into the e-commerce niche. Speaking about the acquisition, the General Manager for Ringier Africa, Leonard Stiegeler was quoted by Reuters to have said: “Ringier Africa has identified e-commerce as a key area
for growth and we are excited by the inclusion of DealDey in the Ringier Africa Deals Group. With the addition of e-commerceexperienced Silvertree as a partner and investor, we are on track to significantly increase out interest in the space, with particular focus on service the most important markets of Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.”
MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS
(MILLION NAIRA)
NOVEMBER 2014 Broad Money (M2)
16,696,663.77
-- Narrow Money (M1)
6,678,249.30
---- Currency Outside Banks
1,231,005.96
---- Demand Deposits
5,447,243.34
-- Quasi Money
10,018,414.47
Net Foreign Assets (NFA)
7,183,427.14
Net Domestic Assets(NDA)
9,513,236.63
-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)
16,353,454.75
---- Credit to Government (Net)
-1,755,121.92
---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA
419,550.98
---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)
-2,174,672.91
---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)
18,108,576.68
--Other Assets Net
-6,840,218.12
Reserve Money (Base Money)
5,068,556.90
--Currency in Circulation
1,577,889.36
--Banks Reserves
3,490,667.54 • Source - CBN
MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund
Buying Price(N)
Selling Price
1,660.29
1,685.29
Stanbic IBTC NEF
1,000.00
11,002.32
11,326.67.11
Stanbic SIBond
20
120.47
120.47
Stanbic IBTC Ethical
1
1.10
1.13
Stanbic IBTC GIF
142.90
143.38
UBA Balanced Fund
1.2563
1.2493
UBA Bond Fund
1.3443
1.3443
UBA Equity Fund
0.8205
0.8074
UBA Money Market Fund
1.1510
1.1510
ARM Aggressive Growth Fund
N13.1141
N13.5095
ARM Discovery Fund
N288.9978
N297.7112
ARM Ethical Fund
N22.6462
N23.3290
ARM Money Market Fund
13.1161 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 22 MARCH 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $36.68 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $36.27 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Murban (UAE), Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna
47
T H I S D AY • thurSDAY, mArch 24, 2016
Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals
23-Mar-16 22-Mar-16
% Change
Capitalisation
EPS
P/E
P/S
Div. Yld
Price/ Book Value
01 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
16.00
16.30
-1.84%
470,898,867,584.00
3.38
4.74
2.05
11.06%
1.14
02 Zenith Bank Plc
12.54
12.90
-2.79%
393,712,032,076.44
3.37
3.73
0.91
14.35%
0.66
293.23
293.23
0.00%
381,926,533,832.69
4.45
65.92
3.06
1.18%
8.25
04 Lafarge Africa Plc.
81.19
82.61
-1.72%
369,812,477,953.90
5.93
13.70
1.38
3.70%
2.10
05 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
14.25
14.25
0.00%
261,481,104,813.75
1.39
10.23
0.51
4.35%
0.70
06 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd.
308.00
310.00
-0.65%
170,419,576,404.00
94.70
3.25
1.25
5.19%
0.82
07 Guinness Nig Plc
108.93
112.00
-2.74%
164,036,400,318.84
0.78
139.96
3.29
0.00%
3.67
08 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc
15.05
15.05
0.00%
150,500,000,000.00
2.04
7.39
1.27
0.66%
1.34
09 United Bank for Africa Plc
3.60
3.70
-2.70%
130,606,294,759.20
1.64
2.19
0.41
16.67%
0.39
10 FBN Holdings Plc
3.51
3.70
-5.14%
125,992,477,699.92
2.16
1.63
0.31
28.49%
0.22
30.92
30.92
0.00%
116,979,520,050.00
0.93
33.13
1.96
4.04%
16.15
3.95
3.90
1.28%
114,265,487,942.45
2.28
1.73
0.55
13.92%
0.31
13 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc.
151.59
151.59
0.00%
97,107,093,127.17
11.12
13.63
1.25
1.45%
4.05
14 P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc.
21.71
21.71
0.00%
86,199,056,646.95
1.10
19.78
1.19
5.99%
2.05
15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc
5.95
5.90
0.85%
71,400,000,000.00
0.96
6.19
0.71
8.40%
1.23
16 International Breweries Plc.
17.06
18.50
-7.78%
56,199,892,716.80
0.64
26.69
3.04
1.47%
4.66
154.91
162.45
-4.64%
55,859,812,036.42
11.22
13.80
0.68
3.87%
3.77
18 Julius Berger Nig. Plc.
41.50
41.50
0.00%
54,780,000,000.00
6.00
6.92
0.25
6.51%
2.15
19 Flour Mills Nig. Plc.
19.00
19.00
0.00%
49,860,506,553.00
1.84
10.32
0.15
10.53%
0.49
142.46
149.95
-4.99%
48,368,280,899.02
12.41
11.48
0.21
6.32%
3.92
21 Oando Plc
4.00
3.91
2.30%
48,138,475,576.00
0.50
8.00
0.08
18.75%
0.31
22 Sterling Bank Plc.
1.66
1.73
-4.05%
47,792,094,089.16
0.36
4.64
0.43
5.42%
0.50
23 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc
1.15
1.15
0.00%
44,529,147,038.75
0.02
48.09
1.10
4.35%
0.48
24 Fidelity Bank Plc
1.40
1.34
4.48%
40,564,715,832.20
0.48
2.90
0.32
10.00%
0.22
25 U A C N Plc.
20.48
20.95
-2.24%
39,339,302,645.76
3.62
5.66
0.49
8.54%
0.56
26 Presco Plc
34.25
34.25
0.00%
34,250,000,000.00
3.28
10.45
3.02
0.29%
1.53
27 Diamond Bank Plc
1.30
1.40
-7.14%
30,108,505,658.40
0.92
1.42
0.16
23.08%
0.13
28 Wema Bank Plc.
0.76
0.76
0.00%
30,011,163,641.88
0.06
12.90
0.65
0.00%
0.67
29 Okomu Oil Palm Plc.
31.42
33.07
-4.99%
29,971,852,200.00
2.25
13.99
3.38
3.18%
1.22
30 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc.
24.98
24.98
0.00%
29,872,994,670.24
0.81
30.95
0.98
1.20%
2.27
31 Cadbury Nigeria Plc.
15.53
17.20
-9.71%
29,168,477,681.20
3.21
4.84
0.87
8.37%
2.82
32 Cap Plc
38.50
38.50
0.00%
26,950,000,000.00
1.66
23.16
4.05
2.60%
15.33
33 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc
3.81
3.81
0.00%
22,409,902,582.95
0.80
4.76
0.89
2.89%
0.86
34 Mansard Insurance Plc
1.95
2.04
-4.41%
20,475,000,000.00
0.16
12.32
1.24
2.56%
1.04
35 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc
6.86
6.86
0.00%
18,175,147,273.08
0.97
7.08
1.69
13.12%
3.24
36 FCMB Group Plc.
0.76
0.80
-5.00%
15,050,060,173.04
0.49
1.54
0.11
39.47%
0.10
37 Skye Bank Plc
0.96
0.99
-3.03%
13,325,089,353.60
0.85
1.12
0.10
31.25%
0.09
38 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc
1.44
1.51
-4.64%
11,419,484,627.52
0.14
10.19
0.23
11.11%
0.53
39 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc
8.60
8.60
0.00%
10,807,428,787.60
1.13
7.63
0.66
8.14%
1.01
40 Continental Reinsurance Plc
0.89
0.89
0.00%
9,231,742,437.68
0.16
5.59
0.58
11.24%
0.61
41 UACN Property Development Co. Limited
4.61
4.85
-4.95%
7,923,437,476.95
1.81
2.55
0.71
15.18%
0.24
42 Unity Bank Plc
0.67
0.70
-4.29%
7,831,856,421.14
0.54
1.23
0.12
0.00%
0.09
43 Wapic Insurance Plc
0.50
0.50
0.00%
6,691,369,124.00
0.10
5.16
0.94
6.00%
0.45
44 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc
3.99
3.80
5.00%
6,480,632,812.50
0.45
8.87
0.79
7.52%
1.07
45 AIICO Insurance Plc.
0.83
0.85
-2.35%
5,752,069,718.40
0.18
4.73
0.22
0.00%
0.44
46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc
0.50
0.50
0.00%
5,664,866,202.00
4.68
0.11
0.02
0.00%
1.89
47 Fidson Healthcare Plc
2.53
2.53
0.00%
3,795,000,000.00
0.63
3.99
0.17
16.60%
0.59
48 Resort Savings & Loans Plc
0.50
0.50
0.00%
5,664,866,202.00
4.68
0.11
0.02
0.00%
1.89
49 AIICO Insurance Plc.
0.81
0.81
0.00%
5,613,465,628.80
0.18
5.08
0.23
0.00%
0.47
50 Fidson Healthcare Plc
2.70
2.75
-1.82%
4,050,000,000.00
0.63
4.26
0.18
15.56%
0.63
03 Forte Oil Plc.
11 Unilever Nigeria Plc. 12 Access Bank Plc.
17 Mobil Oil Nig Plc.
20 Total Nigeria Plc.
TOTAL
8,216,898,935,082.88
TOTAL MARKET CAP
8,853,022,855,897.27
% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average
92.81%
Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)
O5pen 22-Mar-16
Close 23-Mar-16
Change %
26,020.32 8.95
25,736.92 8.85
-1.09% -1.09%
106.76 8.31
105.53 8.22
-1.15% -1.15%
Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock
O5pen Close Change % 22-Mar-16 23-Mar-16
Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc Fidelity Bank Plc Nigerian Brew. Plc. Oando Plc Access Bank Plc.
3.80
3.99
5.00%
1.34 109.20 3.91 3.90
1.40 113.61 4.00 3.95
4.48% 4.04% 2.30% 1.28%
Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock
O5pen Close Change % 22-Mar-16 23-Mar-16
Cadbury Nigeria Plc. International Breweries Plc. Diamond Bank Plc FBN Holdings Plc FCMB Group Plc.
17.20 18.50 1.40 3.70 0.80
15.53 17.06 1.30 3.51 0.76
-9.71% -7.78% -7.14% -5.14% -5.00%
Market ASI sheds 1.09% after a 4-day gaining streak Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today- Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016, was negative as the market closed red due to profit taking. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Sub sectors; Banking, Insurance and Oil & Gas (Save Consumer Goods). Trading activities increased in volume as 398.28 million shares worth N2.647 billion in 3,581 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 344.12 million shares worth N2.460 billion in 4,386 deals carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms was Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Capital Plc, while Dangote Cement Plc and Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with a 1.09% (-283.40) decrease to 25,736.92 from 26,020.32 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N8.85 trillion from N8.95 trillion of prior trading day. The Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with 1.15% decrease to close at 105.53 from 106.76 the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at 8.22 trillion from N8.31 trillion of the previous trading day. A total number of 9 stocks gained on the bourse today while 32 stocks declined, leaving 141 stocks unchanged. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 5.00% to close at N3.99 per share. It was followed Fidelity Bank Plc with a gain of 4.48% to close at N1.40 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Nigerian Brew. Plc, Oando Plc and Access Bank Plc while on the decliners’ list; Cadbury Nigeria Plc led with a loss of 9.71% to close at N15.53 per share. It was followed by International Breweries Plc with a loss of 7.78% to close at N17.06 per share. Others on the losers list include; Diamond Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and FCMB Group Plc.
REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.
For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com
48
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
MARKET NEWS
Learn Africa Sends Profit Warning, Anticipates a Loss for 2015 Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun Learn Africa Plc yesterday said it would record a loss for the 2015 financial year. In a profit warning sent to the stock market community, the company, which publishes books, said a preliminary review of its management accounts showed that earnings would materially be lower
compared to the prior year. The company explained that the reduction in earnings is predominantly as a result of the reassessment of the provision for the impairment of debts reflecting in the books prior to the company’s divestment exercise from Pearson Education. “This reassessment has become necessary due to the challenging business environment. As a result
of this, the financials of the company are indicative of a loss and a reduction in the performance of the company for the year 2015. The board has in earnest, put in place strategies and measures towards enhancing revenue generation, improving operating cost efficiency, rationalisation of our product lines and focusing on profitable opportunities,” the company said.
Learn Africa Plc has thus joined other companies that had earlier sent profit warning to the market. They include: FBH Holdings Plc; FCMB Group Plc; Diamond Bank Plc, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Computer Warehouse Group and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated(ETI). ETI, which is the parent company of the Ecobank Group
had said the macroeconomic challenges faced by most African economies, lower crude oil prices, depreciating currencies, monetary and fiscal bottlenecks, due to global developments, negatively impacted expected revenue growth. It had, however, added that “Key actions have been implemented to strengthen our credit risk management processes. As a result, our revised growth
targets communicated during our third quarter 2015 analysts and investor conference call for deposits and loans will not be achieved. We also expect our efficiency and asset quality metrics to be worse than targets. Based on the aforementioned, we expect our full year 2015 profit in US dollar terms to be lower than the nine-months to 2015 reported profit.”
STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E
N I G E R I A N
STO C K
E XC H A N G E
THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY
49
NEWSEXTRA
Judge Berates EFCC for Intimidating Court An Abuja High Court judge, Justice Peter Affen, has berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly intimidating his court and for
attempting to stall a case involving it and an Austrian Security contractor, Mr. Wolfgang Wolfgang Reinl, who sued the anti-graft agency for N2billion for allegedly detaining
him since last year without trial. Reinl was detained since December last year by the commission in connection with the ongoing trial of the former
Leadership Change Not on APC NEC’s Agenda Tobi Soniyi iand Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to set aside its differences and allow peace to reign in order not to open its flanks for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to relaunch its come-back bid. Contrary to the uncertainties over the fate of APC’s National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, THISDAY gathered that the issue of leadership change is not going to be on the agenda of the today’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The NEC meeting will be attended by high profile members of the APC, including President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Lagos State Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu. A reliable party source said some of the key issues listed on the agenda of the meeting are formal adoption/launching of party constitution, appointment of a new party spokesman who is to operate in acting capacity pending the ratification at the next convention. The NEC meeting is expected to approve modalities and timetable for congresses to fill other vacant
seats in the National Working Committee (NWC). The party leadership had before now tried to hold a special event to formally launch its constitution which was last amended in 2015 but had to reschedule it to allow the NEC to adopt it. At the meeting of the national caucus, the leaders agreed to replace Board of Trustees (BoT) with Council of Elders which would be reflected in the constitution. “So, there won’t be anything like BoT again. There won’t also be anything like BoT chairman, secretary and the rest. Though there is plan to change the constitution, it will be adopted at the NEC meeting today which will be passed later at the party’s convention,” APC said. Other issues discussed at the all-important meeting with President Buhari, according to the source was the issue of political appointment which many party leaders complained of but was able to get the assurance of President Buhari before they left Aso Rock “The president also promised that very soon, in a matter of weeks, there will be many appointments for the party faithful, because he said he is aware that many people are crying, and he is also aware that many PDP members are still holding on to offices,” it said.
It was learnt that following the charge by President Buhari to the party leadership to look inwards on how to raise funds for the sustenance of its operations, the NEC meeting may be presented with a motion to allow the leadership impose levies on elected officials in government. Amid other unsettled issues, the national leadership caucus of the ruling party ended its meeting last Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa with a pledge to rally support for President Buhari-led administration. A top leader of APC who was privy to discussions during the meeting in the Villa said Buhari used the opportunity to request his fellow party men to avoid unnecessary in-fighting so as not to play into the hands of the opposition. “We brainstormed on issues that will strengthen the unity of the party as President Buhari harped on the need for APC leaders to come together irrespective of their personal differences to support the policies of his government, “ he said. Oyegun, said all the party’s policies and programmes would be implemented by the administration of President Buhari after the passage of the 2016 budget.
No End in Sight to Fuel Queues, Kachikwu Finally Admits basically a 100 per cent importer. “And the 445,000 barrels that is allocated to it covers between 50 and 55 per cent importation. So it’s quite frankly sheer magic that we even have the amount of products at the stations. “We are looking to see how to get foreign exchange, so the president and I discussed extensively on how to get more crude directed at importation (presumably oil swaps). His Excellency would rather have less crude and have individuals in the society suffer less of the inconveniences, than have more crude and have them continue to suffer. “So we are going to put a new model to enable us increase the pace and actually get the major (marketers) as part of those to bring in more products so that the NNPC will sort of go back on the capacity of what it used to import and the majors will take over the balance of importation. “I think if we do that, although I don’t want to put a time frame, but I will expect that over the next two months or so we should see some improvements. Of course, you are aware that the DSAP programme begins in April, so over the next two months we should see, quite frankly, the complete elimination of this. “Our strategy is that whatever is produced in the refineries will not go for sale, we are going to keep them in strategic reserves, because the key problem here is that there are no reserves anytime there is gap in supply. “So we are going to dedicate the
next couple of months to moving all the products that we produce to strategic reserves so that we can pile up reserves in the nation and that will push up the reserves in the nation. “Believe me this is giving me and my team sleepless nights and we are working on it and we are committed to making this go away, Nigerians should please bear with us.” He said the meeting with the president was basically to review some of the concerns in the oil industry which the president himself is trying to find joint solutions and share thoughts on. Asked what the demands of the unions were, the minister said they raised concerns over the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), fuel scarcity, the refineries, utilisation of depots, logistics issues, and loss of jobs in the petroleum sector. He however stated that government was working with the oil majors to ensure that the anticipated job loss in the sector never happens. Kachikwu also pointed out that lots of the challenges facing the oil sector were inherited by the Buhari administration. He said: “Like you know, His Excellency has too many constituencies; first, will be politics, second, army and the third, will be the oil industry, so a matter of this nature touches his heart very much. “And this is the first opportunity that the unions have had to spend a bit of time with
him. So we shared thoughts, areas of concerns and some solutions and agreed to collaborate and work together.” Also speaking, the National President of NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese said they had a successful meeting with the president. He said: “Quite interesting in terms of the emotional attachment of Mr. President on the issue of the oil and gas sector and the challenges we are facing as a nation. “We tabled the issue of fuel scarcity, the quick passage of the PIB and to see how the sector can bounce back economically and to make Nigerians smile again. “Clearly we talked more on the corruption in the oil and gas sector and products allocations. Also, Mr. President has assured that both NUPENG and PENGASSAN would continue to be part of the restructuring and that he is going to look into these issues and to make sure that scarcity is reversed at our filling stations.” The President of PENGASSAN, Mr. Olabode Francis Johnson also said: “We had a very successful meeting with the C-in-C and one of thehighlightsofthemeeting was when he spoke on how he created the NNPC. He is emotionally attached to it and that everything that is going to happen in NNPC must follow due process. “He said he was concerned about what Nigerians are going through and he bears their pain and whatever it takes to end the misery, he will adopt.”
National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). Wolfgang, a security consultant, was picked up by the EFCC on December 28, 2015 and his travel documents, phones and other materials confiscated without an order of court. The plaintiff’s lawyer Mr. Afam Osigwe had approached the court for the enforcement of his client’s fundamental human right. But the EFCC through its counsel, Mr. Ibrahim Audu, told the court that the EFCC never detained Wolfgang let alone seizing his belongings. However, rather than allow the plaintiff to prove his case, the EFCC urged the court to dismiss the case for gross incompetence and for the court’s lack of jurisdiction. The commission said having cross-checked its register, there was no evidence showing that it ever
arrested the applicant. The proceedings however took a twist when the EFCC lawyer filed a preliminary objection to Wolfgang’s application. Justice Affen who reserved ruling on the preliminary objection to a later date yet to be decided, said the plaintiff had a right to sue but EFCC, insisting that the plaintiff has no right or any fundamental right to claim before the court. Apparently uncomfortable with the use of words by the EFCC lawyer, the judge became enraged and told the EFCC not to wear the court out by dwelling on inanities. Justice Affen lambasted the EFCC for attempting to intimidate the court, warning the commission to drop its toga of arrogance before approaching his court. “You are in court and I am the Dominis Litis here. This is not EFCC office. You must comport
yourself. The problem is that you people (EFCC) have too much physical power and you carry it to everywhere you go. “This is not a motor park and you must not be throwing your hands anyhow and be shouting. When you come before me, you will never remain the same. You owe the court a duty of deference. Leave your policeman or EFCC powers at the door. Didn’t they teach you that in Law school?”, the judge queried, He said it was wrong for people to raise all manners of objections to scuttle cases. “Justice Affen averred that rather than relying on the affidavit deposed to by the Litigation Secretary, the two arresting officers should be the ones trying to convince the court as to whether they picked and detained Wolfgang or otherwise.”
FG Convenes Town Hall Dialogue on Herders-farmers’ Conflict Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja Following the disturbing trends of avoidable clashes between herdsmen and farmers in some parts of the country, the federal government is finalising plans to call for a town hall meeting involving critical stakeholders at a date to be announced. The Interior Minister, Lt-General Abdurahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), who gave this indication yesterday,
said it has become imperative to examine factors that gave rise to such conflicts as well as discussing ways to finding lasting solutions to these crises. Dambazau, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, noted that the realisation of immense contributions of herdsmen and farmers to the nation’s economy has made it more expedient to have an all inclusive dialogue. The minister maintained
that the town hall dialogue will involve stakeholders from various umbrella associations of herders and farmers, state governments, non-governmental organizations, civil societies, the media, MDAs, professional bodies, humanitarian institutions, among others. The proposed dialogue, according to him, would provide opportunities for various stakeholders to share views and provide honest answers to the various questions which may arise.
50
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
Happy Birthday
O
n behalf of myself and all members of the House of Representatives, I join other friends, associates and well-wishers in felicitating with His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, former D e p u t y S p e a k e r, H o u s e o f Representatives as you celebrate your 51st birthday today. We rejoice with you and your family on this special day and wish you abundant blessings, peace and an enduring happiness in years to come. Congratulations
Signed
Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara Speaker, House of Representatives
His Excellency
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
51
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
Very hearty cheers to
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON,
at 51
His Excellency
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON,
Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
We celebrate you today , a true and worthy friend, a dependable brother and ally, a highly gifted politician of his generation as you mark another year. We pray that God will continue to prosper you, bless you, guide you, guard you and strengthen you as you serve God and humanity. Congratulations as you turn 51. Signed: Hon C.I.D. Maduabum, LL.M
52
THURSDAY MARCH 24 2016 T H I S D AY
RC 103022
53
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
RC 103022
54
T H I S D AY •THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
THURSDAYSPORTS
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com
AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER
Mikel: Pharaohs Must Fall in Kaduna
Duro Ikhazuagbe
For the fear of missing two editions of Africa’s continental football showpiece in a row, Nigeria and Chelsea stalwart, John Mikel Obi, has said that the Pharaohs of Egypt must be defeated tomorrow in Kaduna. Mikel who is likely going to
captain Nigeria against Egypt tomorrow along with his colleagues were absent at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as defending champions, a development that cost Stephen Keshi his job. But with Egypt leading the Group G of the 2017 AFCON on six points, two points advantage over Nigeria, Mikel insisted
One Footballer Dies, Nine Others Injured in Auto-crash
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
A footballer, Abdulrahman Ahmed, has died while nine others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a ghastly motor accident on Monday night at the Four Square Church Junction, Rafin Zurfi, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis. Ahmed who sustained a deep cut on his head was confirmed dead at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi. The footballers were said to have been returning from a football match at Bayara village when the unfortunate incident
happened. The Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Abdulrahman, who confirmed the accident to newsmen in a statement in Bauchi yesterday said a 19-year-old died in the incident. Abdulrahman, an assistant superintendent of police, said that the accident, which involved two vehicles, was caused by the driver of one of the vehicles, a Toyota Hilux van, who drove from the junction to the highway without due consideration for other road users.
yesterday that Super Eagles battle cry against the visitors from Cairo should be no mercy. “Egypt is ahead of us in the qualifiers, we therefore have to win on Friday so as to go above them on the table,” said Mikel, who was mobbed by eager fans at the team’s trainings in Abuja and Kaduna on Tuesday “So, Friday’s match is really the big one and we are playing at home. We are ready,”stressed a very determined Mikel on whose shoulders lie the play-making role of the team. The news of Tanzania grabbing three points against Chad in Ndjamena last night to level on four points with Nigeria is likely going to fire Eagles in the make or mar clash with Egypt.
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash in Kaduna, Nigeria remains second based on a +2 goals difference as against Tanzania’s -2. Another Eagles defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo shares Mikel’s sentiments on the defeat of the Egyptians in order to make way for Nigeria’s temporary leadership of the group till Tuesday for the reverse fixture in Alexandria. “We must beat Egypt and go on to qualify for the Nations Cup,”added defender Chibuzor Okonkwo, who has staged a comeback to the team on the return of Coach Samson Siasia at the helm. Chad lost 1-0 at home to Tanzania in the group’s other match in Ndjamena yesterday
evening. Chad have lost their first two matches, while Tanzania now have four points from the victory and the draw with Nigeria in Dar es Salam in September. Meanwhile, the match has been moved forward by one hour to 5pm as Kaduna is currently experiencing hot and humid conditions. The weather forecast for the match suggests temperatures will soar around 34-38 degrees Celsius, which was a major factor in the change of time. It is anticipated that the weather will be milder towards kick-off and during the game which will suit most of the players who are used to colder temperature in Europe.
TODAY Ghana v Mozambique Madagascar v C’Afr. Rep. Comoros v Botswana Djibouti v Liberia
FRIDAY Swaziland v Zimbabwe Gabon vS’ Leone Nigeria v Egypt Cote d’ Ivoire v Sudan Mauritania v Gambia Tunisia v Togo Guinea v Malawi Mali v E’ Guinea Algeria v Ethiopia
NPFL: Rangers Crash, IfeanyiUbah, Tornadoes Win Enugu Rangers fell 3-1 at Lobi Stars yesterday as FC IfeanyiUbah moved up on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table after a 1-0 home win over Heartland. Niger Tornadoes also made the most of home advantage to beat Shooting Stars 2-1 in Lokoja. A Kingsley Eduwo hat-trick sunk Rangers in Makurdi with Chisom Egbuchulam pulling a goal back for visiting Rangers. IfeanyiUbah’s home win has catapulted them to second place on the table with 13 points and a better goals difference than MFM playing 1-1 against Kano Pillars at Agege Stadium last night. At Nnewi, William Da Silva’s strike on the 7th minute, was all Ifeanyi Uba FC needed to ease past Oriental neighbours Heartland FC, in a tightly contested match. In what was termed a fierce derby, hugely characterised by intense rivalry on and off the pitch, the home side fielded Brazillians, Williams and Alberico Barbosad in the starting line-up, against Alphonsus Dike’s men. Ifeanyi Uba got the game to a flying start, when acute exchange of passes led to Bright Onyedikachi being hacked down inside the area on the 6th minute. William stepped in to send Ebele Obi the wrong way from the spot, to give his side the advantage. Excellent run of play by the visitors within the half hour mark, almost produced some lifeline. Rolland Koffi, the most amazing beneficiary, blasted a perfectly carved sitter, inches off target, from edge of the area. Minutes to wrap the first half,
Dobrev withdrew Williams for Tamen Medrano, in a bid to match a physically dominant Heartland side, in the middle of the park. The gamble paid off, as the visitor’s excesses were effectively checked, allowing the home side stay in front at the break. Alberico came close to doubling his side’s advantage three minutes after the break, but his rampaging strike, 25 yards out, got past Obi, but not the woodwork. There were three goalless draws on the day – Wikki Tourists held Abia Warriors to a scoreless draw in Umuahia, Rivers United were held by Sunshine Stars in Port Harcourt and Akwa United were pegged back by Warri Wolves. Giwa United were also held to a 1-1 draw by El Kanemi in Jos. There will be two matches today as Enyimba at home against Plateau United and Nasarawa up against Ikorodu United
MATCH DAY 8 Lobi 3-1 Rangers Tornadoes 2-1 3SC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 Heartland Giwa 1-1 El-Kanemi Abia Warriors 0-0 Wikki Rivers Utd 0-0 Sunshine Akwa Utd 0-0 Warri Wolves MFM 1-1 Pillars TODAY Enyimba vs Plateau United Nasarawa United vs Ikorodu United
Super Eagles’ Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, Godfrey Oboabona, Mikel Obi and Goalkeeper Trainer, Alloy Agu, leading the team’s warm up at ABS in Kaduna...yesterday COURTESY: GOAL.COM
ZENITH BANK WOMEN’S B’BALL LEAGUE
Delta Maintains Unbeaten Record against Immigration Delta Force forced its way past the Nigeria Immigration team 62-37 yesterday morning to continue its unbeaten start to the 2016 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League. Powered by forward Uju Agbotan’s 23 points and 4 rebounds and 10 points apiece from Esther Igben and Ogoh Bolum, the South-South Queens pulled an unassailable lead against their opponents from the blast of the whistle. Delta ended the first
quarter 26-8. Immigration put up a fight in the second quarter limiting Delta Force to just 12 points but poor execution on offence meant they themselves put up just six points in the quarter. The third and fourth quarters maintained status quo with the scores at 13-6,11-7 respectively to complete a Delta Force dominance. They maintain second place in Group A behind champions Dolphins.
In other results of the day, Nasarawa Amazons defeated Taraba Hurricanes 43-32, while Oluyole Babes continue their search for their first win of the campaign fell to AHIP Queens of Kano 37-46. FCT Angels came from behind to defeat Sunshine Angels 32-30 in the clash of angels while GT2000 overcame Zamfara Babes 84-64.
TODAY’S FIXTURES
GT2000 v Oluyole Babes Plateau Rocks v Nasarawa Amazons Delta Force v Zamfara Babes Sunshine Angels v Coal City Queens Customs v immigration Benue Princess v FCT Angels First bank v IGP Queens Dolphins v First Deepwater
Kanu Seven-a-Side Tourney in Owerri Football Bonanza on SuperSport The Nwankwo Kanu Sport Centre in Owerri will on Easter Sunday be a beehive of activities with the kick off of a seven-a-side Soccer Tournament for players within the ages of 40 and above. Kanu, two-time African Footballer of the Year, hinted that arrangement has been finalised for the event that would be held through the Easter festive holidays. “As I speak with you, everything for the seven-a-side Tournament is already in place and we are looking forward to having a lot of people at the event,” said the Arsenal legend.”The tournament was put together as part of our health and wellness campaign for soccer aficionados in Owerri and
beyond.” Meanwhile, organisers of the tournament revealed that Club Nippon FC captained by Quincy Okoukoni and Ugochukwu Ucheled D CASA FC will kick off the tournament. Okoukoni said he was impressed with what is being put together by Kanu, adding his team would be going for the gold:” We support what Kanu is doing and that is why I registered my team from Abuja and we shall dp our best to win the tournament.” Kanu reiterated further that the event would create a platform for bonding and educate the older ones about health issues and need for continuous exercises,” he noted.
With league action taking a hiatus for the internationals break, football continues on the World of Champions on SuperSport with over 30 key fixtures which include AFCON 2017 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers and other high profile friendlies. Over the next seven days, the AFCON qualification campaigns are taking shape with a host of nations in prime position to secure their spots at the Gabon showpiece next year. SuperSport’s pick of match day three and four action includes the titanic battle between Nigeria and Egypt; South Africa’s do-or-die
encounter with Cameroun; Swaziland’s wrestle with Zimbabwe to lead Group L and Ghana’s quest for early finals qualification at Mozambique’s expense. In South America, the road to Russia 2018 is surprisingly being led by unfancied Ecuador with the number one ranked team on the continent, Argentina, languishing in sixth, a position which has them missing out on qualification. Five-time world champions Brazil have also had an indifferent start to the qualification campaign and lie in third spot, two points off sixth, a spot which would also see them missing out on the finals.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2016
55
TR
Thursday, March 24, 2016
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Price: N150
MISSILE Justice Karafati to Nigerians “As it stands, I am caught between two devils. If the judgment goes in favour of Saraki now, they will say that I have been compromised; on the other hand, if it goes against him, they will say I have been intimidated” Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, disqualifying himself from a suit seeking to stop the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal
OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT
olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
A Cruise Holiday and the Shocking Drama
F
or me, the idea of being practically marooned at sea, enjoying sunshine and luxuriating in some beautiful beaches is nothing more than bourgeois indulgence. That then explains why, when some ladies kept calling me about an event in Abuja to which I was invited, I always shortened the conversation by asking them to resend the mail they kept saying they had already sent several times. To be honest, the only reason I even listened to them was because they prefaced each conversation with the fact that I was recommended to them by my pastor’s wife, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Azodoh, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health. Having resolved that the idea of cruise holiday is for the idle rich, I had no plan to attend the “Exclusive Invitation to the Royal Caribbean International’s Cruise Night” slated for Sheraton Hotel in Abuja last Friday evening. But late on Thursday night, I got a text message from Dr Azodoh, personalizing the invitation: “Please honour me with your presence as my guest at the TBI Cruise dinner event…” At that point, I knew the equation had changed. I was later to learn that the promoter, Mrs Uloma Egbuna, is actually Dr Azodoh’s sister-in-law hence the interest. So I replied her SMS: “In this case, I no longer have a choice! I didn’t plan to attend, don’t know what it means (as I never had the patience to hear out the ladies that have been calling) but now, it is a command! What are we wearing? Babariga?” Dr Azodoh replied, thanking me for finally accepting the invitation and saying I could wear whatever I liked. That was how I ended up at Sheraton Hotel last Friday night with my wife. Seated on a table that had some of my church members, it was actually an enjoyable evening and the food was not bad. After the dinner came a raffle draw to pick some winners. The first was for a seven-day cruise at the expense of Royal Caribbean International for a couple plus a return ticket to the United States from where the cruise would take off and return, courtesy of Delta Airlines. We had been given raffle tickets before the programme started and they were collected back before the lots were drawn. In all the times I had participated in such draws before, even among people whose number was fewer than ten, I had never won anything so I was certain the story was not going to be different but I enjoyed the fun nonetheless. It was also in that spirit that I jokingly told the people on my table that I was going to win a cruise holiday. I added, for my wife, that I would use the “cruise holiday” to write a book. She reminded me of one character in a Nollywood movie she said she once watched titled “30 days in Atlanta” or something like that, as she poked fun at me. Meanwhile, the MC, IK Osakioduwa, invited Mrs Virgy Anohu (mother of PenCom Director
TBI Managing Director, Mrs Egbuna General, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu), to the podium to pick the first winner. At that point, I stood up, raised my two hands up to the sky dramatically in supplication and shouted: “The Lord is my shepherd...” The whole hall erupted in laughter. Then Anohu added more drama. Rather than just pick a ticket, she asked the MC: “Can I shake the pot?” The MC replied that she could and after doing so, she said: “May the best soul win”. The hall responded with an Amen and another round of laughter. Then, she picked the ticket and called out the number: 018! I nearly froze where I was sitting as I whispered to my wife: “That’s Olusegun Adeniyi”. She just laughed at me, not understanding what I meant until the MC read out the name at the back of the ticket. A few people who knew me in the hall exclaimed in surprise. But when the winner was asked to stand up and it dawned on the audience that it was the same person who had earlier chanted “The Lord is my shepherd” that won, I instantly became another Olajumoke! Given what some people were saying as they congratulated me after the event, I can easily make money by patenting the first five words in Psalm 23 and turning it into a formula for winning lotteries! However, while I look forward to the cruise holiday whenever I can create the time for it, the story of the night was that of Egbuna, the Managing Director of Tour Brokers International Nigeria (TBI), whose pioneering efforts in leisure travels have been rewarded with the recent partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line that makes the company the first and only one to be so branded on the continent. The story of TBI is an interesting one that says so much about our country and the strength of its diversity. Registered in 2002 by Mr. Femi Adefope, a past President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents and a highly respected doyen in the industry, the company remained essentially a dream until 2005 when he (Adefope) met and partnered with Egbuna who immediately begun to run with the vision. A decade after, TBI, which started with three staff a
decade ago, now boasts of a staff strength of about 50. A former Vice President (West) of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Egbuna had her first experience in packaged tours in 1991 when she organized and took a school group to Brazil. That marked the beginning of a remarkable career that has earned her several local and international awards. “TBI is blessed with a robust pedigree in customer management and satisfaction”, said Egbuna who is leading a company that has been in the forefront of championing cruises as a holiday platform for Nigerians. Interestingly, cruise holiday, as the MC said last Friday, is more fitting for Nigerians “who usually come back from holiday needing a holiday.” But a major highlight of the new deal is that Nigerians and expatriates, as well as other intending travelers within the West African sub-region, can now discuss their cruise requirements from TBI’s offices in Lagos, Abuja and within the next couple of weeks, Port Harcourt as against when all such arrangements could only be made in Europe and America. Aside showing us a documentary where people shared their varied experiences of cruise holiday (including a young man who used the period so productively that there was evidence in his wife’s protruding stomach a few weeks after), we had smooth-talkers like the TBI Manager, Mrs Funmi Olusola-Sanni, who would want us to believe that such adventures are also good for our pockets! A cruise holiday, she rhapsodized, allows people to explore regions of the world in comfort and luxury at affordable prices with something for everyone. With a first degree and Masters in Linguistics with specialisation in French language, Egbuna, who remains the driving force behind the success of TBI, spoke along the same line: From family-based vacations to wedding anniversaries to birthday ceremonies to business conferences and honeymoon for new couples, going on cruises offer exciting experiences and the best in luxury. “You can actually have a wedding onboard a cruise ship as many couples have had. You can
also hold conferences and business meetings onboard a cruise ship. And for single people, a cruise ship offers a good opportunity of meeting new people. That is why we decided we should also bring this new adventure to the market for the benefit of our Nigerian travellers”, said Egbuna. From representing GTA (Gulliver’s Travel Associates), an on-line hotel consolidator in Nigeria, to managing Emirates Holidays in the country as Emirates Preferred Selling Agent (PSA) and now to being the face of Royal Caribbean Cruises as their sole agent in the country, Egbuna has taken TBI beyond the expectations of the board chairman just a decade ago. And by her account, it took two years to get the “Ijebu man” in Adefope to subscribe to the idea. But now Egbuna envisions an African Cruise, with Nigeria as a key port of call just like other Cruises-Caribbean, Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf etc. Although Mr. George Argyropoulos, the CEO of Cruises International, the largest marketing and sales representatives of nine luxury brands in Southern Africa, who fired Egbuna’s imagination more than a decade ago (and was at the dinner last Friday in Abuja) made no commitment to the suggestion of a Nigerian Cruise, it was also evident he would not bet against a woman like Mrs Uloma Egbuna who takes delight in defying the odds and coming out on top.
My Personal Web Portal Come April 7, I will be launching my personal web portal (website). However, it will not be to report news. Rather, it will be an online archive for all my past articles as well as the books I have written. The idea is to make the portal an online repository of my writings, public lectures and book reviews for easy access to interested readers and researchers alike. The web address and other details will be provided on this page on that day. In addition, I will give a progress report on my coming book, “Against The Run of Play: How an Incumbent President Was Defeated in Nigeria”. Please watch out!
Fayose, Buhari and Echoes of 1984 “…I always told my boys in their younger days, ‘if you keep running a red light because you can, or no one is watching, or there are no cars in sight, after a while you will stop looking out, and one day there will be a car that you will not see coming’”. There can be no better way to describe the current ordeal of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State in the hands of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) than those memorable words that I lifted (with her kind permission of course) from the contribution recently made by Mrs Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman on a listserv--even though she was writing about another public official. Having gotten away with too many
things, Governor Fayose apparently believes he is so invincible that he can afford to run the red light at any time without consequences. Well, he must know by now that there are sometimes consequences for bad behaviour. In the weeks preceding the presidential election last year, Fayose threw caution to the wind. Not only did he assail, almost on a daily basis, the character of the then opposition presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, Fayose also played all manner of divisive cards, including religion and ethnicity… NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on ww.thisdaylive.com
Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com