Friday 1st April 2016

NNPC Targets 650,000bpd Refining Capacity, Opens Bids for Co-location of Plants 'Kachikwu did not say Fuel scarcity would end by April 7'

Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency report

In its bid to reduce fuel importation in the foreseeable future, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that nine companies have submitted bids for the co-location of new

refineries within the complexes of its three existing refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt.

This is just at the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has clarified that he never informed the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) last Tuesday that the fuel shortages will end between April 5 and

7, but assured THISDAY in a phone conversation that concrete measures had but put in place to end them soon.

NNPC said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr.

Garuba Deen Mohammed, that the open bid exercise was a demonstration of the determination of the federal government and NNPC to increase the nation’s refining

Electricity Restored After System Collapse... Page 12

capacity from 445,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 650,000bpd.

It quoted its chief operating officer (COO) of refineries, Mr. Anibo Kragha as making this disclosure when the technical bids of the companies were opened in Abuja.

Continued on page 6

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Buhari Confirms THISDAY Report, Says He’ll Review Budget Before Assent US authorities to meet with EFCC on return of stolen funds Plans $600m investment in Nigeria

Tobi Soniyi in Washington D.C.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Washington D.C. confirmed THISDAY’s exclusive report on Monday, when he said that he would critically review the 2016 Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly

before assenting to it.

Speaking at a meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, Buhari said that in view of the controversial alterations and padding of the budget proposal, he needed to review the Appropriation Bill to be Continued on page 6

World Bank to Spend $800m in Rebuilding N’East Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Bank is setting aside $800 million in support of the rebuilding of infrastructure devastated by years of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Fatma Samoura, who disclosed this yesterday, stated that the global body was increasing its presence in Borno and other Northeastern states

devastated by insurgency.

Samoura, who is also the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative in Nigeria, spoke in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima.

She, however, expressed regret that the UN was having challenges in mobilising resources for Nigeria in view of the humanitarian crises in Continued on page 8

OBASANJO AS STATESMAN

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prince Andrew of Britain, and Mr. Dayo Israel, who received the Outstanding Service to the Commonwealth Award, during the Commonwealth Day Service and Commonwealth Africa Summit, which held recently in London and had in attendance the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, former UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Anan and other members of the British royal family

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NBS: Fuel Scarcity, Low Investment Lead to Decline in Labour Productivity in Q4 Cautions high unemployment rate may thwart growth James Emejo in Abuja Reflecting the economic downturn, labour productivity in the country declined to N706.95 per hour/annum in the fourth quarter of last year from N768.42 in the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday.

Labour productivity was recorded at N730.83 in Q2 and N669.57 in Q1 2015.

The index rose from about N471.94 in 2011 to N718.14 in 2015, representing a 52.5 percent increase in the five-year period and a 12.2 percent increase

between 2014 and 2015, the statistical agency stated.

Labour productivity refers to the quantity of labour input required to produce a unit of output.

According to the labour productivity report for Q4 2015, which was posted on the NBS website, the decline in Q4, was attributed to several factors, including petrol shortages, low investment and government spending, and the decline in power generation during the quarter.

It said: “A combination of these factors contributed to the

lower utilisation of available labour capacity recorded during the quarter. The number of working hours increased over the quarter by 15.9% and 6.6% increase in nominal GDP, compared to a 1.2% increase in working hours between Q2 and Q3 2015 and a similar increase in nominal GDP of 6.4% between Q2 and Q3 2015.

“While there was a quarterly decline in labour productivity year-on-year, there was a 12.3% increase which is the second highest year-on-year increase in labour productivity over the last five years.”

High labour productivity represents an important signal of the improvement in the real income or wages of labour and has implications for the conduct of both monetary and fiscal policies, NBS noted.

“It is recognised that labour productivity is not necessarily an indicator of the effort of each worker, but it still provides a useful measure of the rewards to labour as a factor in the production process.

“In many developing economies with large endowments of labour, measuring the productivity

of labour is an important way to understand the dynamics occurring in the labour market, and useful in providing insights to policymakers regarding trends in unemployment, job creation and wages.

“Ultimately, these have implications for higher economic output and poverty reduction,” the NBS stated.

Nevertheless, it added that although economic growth has been high and stable in recent years, constraints on productivity of labour and other factor inputs continued to put a drag on overall economic

growth in the country.

It warned that coupled with the high unemployment rate, the Nigerian economy was confronted with considerable threats to realising its full growth potential due to productivity challenges.

The agency further stressed that the report aimed to review recent trends in the labour force and labour productivity in the country, as well as compare with other emerging economies, with a view to highlighting possible areas of interest in the analysis of labour productivity in Nigeria.

month that it would be the meeting venue for OPEC and non-OPEC producers on April 17 to discuss the production cap.

The talks are aimed at bolstering oil prices that have fallen from over $100 a barrel in 2014 to less than $40 a barrel at present.

According to Reuters, the Minister of Energy and Industry, Mohammed Bin Saleh al-Sada, said yesterday that Qatar was still expecting official confirmation from producers that had verbally expressed plans to attend the meeting.

Those confirmed so far are Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Ecuador, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.

Since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world’s two biggest oil producers, agreed to an output freeze at January levels, the price of oil recovered some of its losses from $30 a barrel to about $40 a barrel.

However, Iran has said it will not freeze oil output, as it is keen

on raising production following the lifting of international sanctions after it agreed to stop its nuclear programme.

But as OPEC and non-OPEC producers prepare to meet, the United States has fast become a big importer of oil again, Bloomberg has reported.

In the three months since the U.S. lifted its 40-year ban on crude oil exports, U.S. crude shipments to foreign buyers have stalled.

At the same time, imports into the U.S. jumped to a three-year high in what looks to be a reversal of a yearslong decline in the amount of foreign crude brought into the American market.

According to the report, refineries are choosing to buy imports instead of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), an oil variant produced in the US. One of the major beneficiaries is Nigeria, which is regaining lost market share. Imports from Nigeria surged to 559,000 barrels a day in mid-March, compared with an average of 52,000 in all of 2015.

must be met. They are: an enhanced business climate, policy predictability, and transparency.

The Bi-National Commission established a working group on security cooperation and directed that it meets within six months to review progress on joint goals.

It was also agreed that the next meeting of the Bi-National Commission be held in Nigeria within one year at a date to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.

A joint communique issued at the end of the meeting said that both the US and Nigeria agreed to establish working groups within one month on how to achieve joint goals for each three agreed areas of focus, namely, Security Cooperation, Economic Growth and Development and Governance and Democracy.

During Buhari’s visit to Washington last July, the president and Secretary Kerry underscored the need to strengthen and revitalise the Bi-National Commission to advance both countries’ overall relationship and spur joint action on the three areas of focus.

This was followed by a meeting on November 13, 2015, between an inter-ministerial group led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Ambassador to Nigeria. The

two sides underscored the need to reinvigorate the Bi-National Commission as a forum for focused, high-level discussions.

On Wednesday, the commission reviewed a paper setting out the proposed joint goals for each agreed area of focus.

On security cooperation, the commission’s discussion was co-chaired by the Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-

NNPC TARGETS 650,000BPD REFINING CAPACITY, OPENS BIDS FOR CO-LOCATION OF PLANTS According to the statement, a technical evaluation committee has been set up to study the bids and announce winners as soon as possible.

It said the exercise was witnessed by representatives of the Nigerian Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Kragha, according to the statement, said the corporation was committed to boosting the nation’s refining capacity which in turn would end the perennial fuel shortages in the country.

He said: “The aim is to leverage on the existing facilities to fast track the take off of the refineries as soon as possible.”

Also, Kachikwu has waded into the lingering crisis in the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) with the aim of ending the fuel shortages in the country.

According to NNPC, Kachikwu invited all stakeholders within the IPMAN hierarchy to his office where he raised a 14-man committee to resolve

the lingering leadership crisis in the association.

He told them that IPMAN was a critical stakeholder in the downstream petroleum sector and as such should be united.

Members of the 14-man reconciliation committee set up

by Kachikwu include Danladi Pasali, Dibu Aderigbe, Abubakar Maigandi, Hemmed Fashola, Leo Nkememe, Chukwudi Fred Ezinwa and Chief Ben Odjugo.

Others are Andrew Ashiga, Igwe Ezekwesili Maduaguna, Emma Ihedigbo, M. A. Shettima, Augustine Erhabor, Prince I. Dunuje and Lawson Ngoa.

They are expected to help the government monitor the distribution of petrol to their members as well as the protection of pipeline facilities in the country.

But as NNPC grapples with ending the perennial fuel shortages in the country, a report from the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), a UK-based natural resources accountability group, has shown that under President Muhammadu Buhari, the state-

run oil firm has continued to withhold billions of dollars in oil revenues from the treasury.

The report titled, “NNPC Still Holds the Blank Check”, is a follow up to a 2015 report on the activities of NNPC by the NGRI and was obtained by THISDAY yesterday in Abuja.

It said the corporation still holds on to oil revenues without effective rules or oversight, adding that despite Buhari’s personal resolve to curb graft in Nigeria’s oil industry, the corporation in the second half of 2015 made up to $6.3 billion from sales of export crude, domestic crude and oil from its subsidiary the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), out of which only $2.1 billion was entered into the Federation Account.

According to it, the NNPC retained 66 per cent of sales proceeds from these three types of transactions. This, it noted, was 12 per cent higher than what it retained between 2013 and 2014.

It said that while the NNPC’s withholding covers known costs, notably its share of the

joint venture expenditure, the corporation has however not fully explained others, especially revenues retained from NPDC and domestic crude sales.

NNPC’s spending on this scale, it said, raises questions about its adherence to fiscal responsibility, especially at a time when public finances are stretched and the government is looking for monies to fund its budget.

The report advised the government to establish a clear, legally enforceable rule governing what revenues NNPC could keep and how they can be spent now that it is undergoing some sorts of reforms.

Otherwise, it said oil sector corruption and waste could return to their prior devastating levels once Buhari leaves or crude oil prices rise again.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s oil minister has said 12 countries have agreed so far to participate in a meeting it will be hosting next month to discuss a freeze in oil output levels.

Qatar announced earlier this

BUHARI CONFIRMS THISDAY REPORT, SAYS HE'LL REVIEW BUDGET BEFORE ASSENT certain that its contents tallied with the authentic budget proposal presented to the National Assembly.

“Some bureaucrats removed what we put in the proposal and replaced it with what they wanted. I have to look at the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, ministry by ministry, to be sure that what has been brought back for me to sign is in line with our original submission," the president said.

Before sources in the presidency revealed that only the highlights of the budget had been submitted to Buhari by the National Assembly, THISDAY had exclusively reported that the president had ordered that the comprehensive budget must be sent to all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government to verify that what had been passed by the legislature was consistent with the spending plan of the executive this year.

Declaring that his administration would continue to vigorously prosecute its war against corruption, Buhari sought and received Kerry’s assurance that the United States government would facilitate the repatriation of all stolen Nigerian funds located within the American banking system.

“It will greatly help our country if you assist us to

recover all our stolen funds which we can establish within your financial system,” the president told Kerry.

Responding, the US Secretary of State said that he had been told that the stolen Nigerian funds were in “billions of dollars”.

“It’s not easy to hide that amount of money and we are pretty good in tracing them,” Kerry assured Buhari, adding that the relevant US government officials will meet with the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, to discuss further cooperation in that regard.

Kerry also applauded the Buhari administration’s success in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency, saying that the US would continue to give Nigeria all the possible support to ensure that the terror sect is finally eliminated as a threat to national and regional security.

The Secretary of State also praised Buhari’s clear order that the Nigerian Armed Forces must show greater regard for the human rights of persons in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram.

Acknowledging that the US had been of great help to his administration in the retraining and reequipping of the Nigerian Armed Forces that had resulted in the significant success already achieved against Boko Haram,

Buhari said that the federal government was working very hard to restore full normalcy in the North-eastern states.

“Boko Haram no longer holds any local government area. We are reconstructing damaged facilities and preparing the police to take over and reassert civilian control over areas affected by the insurgency,” the president told Kerry.

Buhari and Kerry met on the sidelines of the ongoing Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C..

Before the meeting between Buhari and Kerry, the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting opened in Washington DC on Wednesday, with a pledge of more than $600 million investments by the US in Nigeria this year. Kerry announced this during the opening session of the meeting.

The Nigerian delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyema, who was supported by other officials including the Nigerian Charge d’Affaires, Hakeem Balogun.

Those with Kerry included leaders from the State Department, USAID, the Defence Department, Commerce Department, and other key agencies. The U.S. Ambassador James Entwistle also attended.

Kerry, who hailed Buhari’s actions in office in the area of security and the attempt to diversify the economy, said:

“Our development assistance this year will top $600 million, and we are working closely with your leaders – the leaders of your health ministry – to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/ AIDS, by malaria, and by TB. “Our Power Africa Initiative is aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity has frustrated the population and impeded growth.

“And our long-term food security programme, Feed the Future, is helping to create more efficient agriculture and to raise rural incomes in doing that.

“Our Young African Leaders Programme, in which many Nigerians participate, is preparing the next generation to take the reins of responsibility… and in education, we are working together to try to fight illiteracy, especially in the country’s north, where the lack of opportunity has been holding people back, and where the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, has murdered thousands and disrupted the lives of millions.”

Onyema expressed optimism on a successful outcome as the meeting went into a closed session.

At the end of the meeting, the US also reaffirmed its commitment to help Nigeria neutralise Boko Haram and pledged to increase its investments in Nigeria, but gave certain conditions that

Continued on page 8

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After Ten Days in Captivity, Abducted Clergymen Freed in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna The president of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau and two other clergymen who were abducted along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway by armed gunmen have regained their freedom after 10 days in captivity.

Dziggau, Rev. Yakubu Dzarma and Rev. Iliya Anto were abducted on March 21 along the highway where they had gone to clear a piece of land for the foundation of the church seminary.

However, Anto was said to have died after he was left in the bush by the kidnappers because of his poor health.

A top official of the United Church of Christ who pleaded anonymity said Dziggau and Dzarma were freed on Wednesday night while the corpse of Anto was found, almost decomposing in the bush.

According to the official, the two clergymen were immediately taken to a private hospital in Kaduna after they were brought to the church along Katsina Road, Kaduna.

“They were not looking very good and as soon as they brought them, a decision was taken that they needed to see a doctor, so they were taken to a private hospital in Kaduna for medical checkups, but I will not tell you the hospital because they need some rest.

“We don’t want people to disturb them until they are psychologically and physically fit to see people,” the source explained.

According to him, “The person who went to collect them, rode them on a bike from where they dropped them

off for four hours before they could reach a motorable road.

This was very traumatic and they need some rest.”

The source explained that Anto’s corpse was found in the bush after he was abandoned by the kidnappers because of his ill health.

He said a day after their abduction, the kidnappers had called to say that Anto was not well and they had dropped him at a location in the bush.

“But when we dispatched people to the location to save him, we couldn't find him after combing the area. The

kidnappers who may have been watching us from their hideout said we sent too many people to pick him, so they refused to give further description of the location and we thought they must have gone with him,” he said.

The source however declined to state whether a ransom was paid for the release of the two clergymen who regained their freedom.

After their release, hundreds of church members and well wishers trooped to the church on Katsina road to see the clergymen.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai

Pilots Paralyse Bristow Operations Chinedu Eze The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) yesterday shut down the operations of Bristow Helicopters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The action of the pilots and engineers grounded Bristow from providing vital services to its clients in the oil and gas sector.

NAAPE said the grouse of its members stemmed from the pay disparity between the

expatriate personnel and their Nigerian counterparts, which the union insisted must be reviewed.

THISDAY visited the headquarters of the company near the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Lagos airport and observed that some of the union members were seen protesting at the gate of the company.

The strike was in realisation of the threat of the union on Wednesday warning that the pilots and engineers under NAAPE would go on strike from 2400hrs of Wednesday,

March 30 to 2400hrs on Friday April 1, resulting from the pay disparity through which Nigerian pilots and engineers are discriminated against in favour of foreign nationals, “as well as the highly inimical absence of valid conditions of service”.

The General Secretary of NAAPE, Mr. Ocheme Aba pointed out that all efforts of his union to get the management of Bristow to redress these acts of injustice and violation of the constitution of Nigeria, as well as contravention of Bristow Code

of Business Integrity (COBI) had failed to yield any positive results.

But the spokesman of Bristow, Mr. Cornelius Onuoha said the company has been in dialogue with NAAPE over the past few months regarding this matter and a proposal was recently sent to NAAPE for its consideration.

“The Federal Ministry of Labour has intervened in the matter and had advised the union to stop its action and maintain the status quo until a meeting scheduled for April.

“This action is coming at a

time when the global oil and gas industry is facing severe challenges and the Nigerian economy is undergoing serious disruptions with a number of clients reducing their activities.

Bristow continues to keep its obligations to clients and employees.

“Bristow is disappointed that despite our concerted efforts to keep our Nigeria operations running as smoothly and efficiently as possible, this action will temporarily impact flight schedules. We will continue

to encourage dialogue and partnership with all stakeholders during this period,” he said.

However, NAAPE in a statement later, said it had suspended the strike after the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige.

“I am to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Labour has intervened in the matter and has made a passionate appeal to the union to allow the ministry offer its mediation service,” the NAAPE general secretary said.

increasing access to electricity and improving efficiency to lower its cost.

The BNC also discussed ways to expand cooperation on renewable energy and integrated water resource management.

With respect to economic diversification, the BNC noted the potential for expanded agricultural investment and production, as well as the role played by extractive industries, including solid minerals, petroleum and natural gas.

The BNC established a Working Group on Economic Growth and Development and directed that it meets within six months to review progress on jointly set goals.

On governance and democracy, the BNC’s discussion on governance and democracy was co-chaired by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, and Antony Blinken.

The BNC noted the historical importance of Nigeria’s 2015 elections and the peaceful transition that ensued. The United States intends to support Nigerian efforts towards improving the quality of

elections, and said it will look to Nigeria to support elections and democracy throughout Africa.

The BNC decided to strengthen their joint efforts in support of good governance, anti-corruption, and enhanced delivery of public services, including national institutional frameworks for peace building and conflict management to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and promote inclusive prosperity.

The BNC recognised that the United States intends to continue its support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies, as appropriate.

The BNC discussed the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the Partnership on Illicit Finance (PIF). The United States noted the potential benefits to Nigeria of membership in these two initiatives.

The Nigerian side agreed to respond to the outstanding invitations to join these partnerships in due course.

The BNC noted the governments’ decision to intensify their work together to help Nigeria trace funds and assets stolen through corruption

and other illicit activities and seek to recover the assets.

The BNC decided to expand people-to-people contacts between the two countries, including efforts such as the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

The BNC established a working group on governance and democracy and directed that it meets within six months to review progress on jointly set goals.

At its working lunch, the BNC discussed issues including climate change, strengthening ECOWAS to promote regional economic integration, and the potential provision of UN financial support for conflict prevention, and the financing of UN Security Council-approved African Union peacekeeping operations.

Despite a statement two days before the meeting of the BNC by the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda ThomasGreenfield that the US would push Nigeria to adopt a more flexible exchange rate regime in order to encourage investment, both sides were silent on the issue at Wednesday’s meeting.

and commitment exhibited by the governor in exploring lasting solutions to safe and voluntary return of the IDPs to their original homes.

In his response, Shettima thanked the UN for identifying with the government and people of Borno in finding out the causes, as well as exploring lasting solutions to insurgency.

The governor stated that the $800 million financial commitment by the World Bank was grossly inadequate considering the enormous challenges wrought by insurgency.

According to Shettima, “It is in the interest of humanity

to rally round Nigeria against Boko Haram. The developed world gave Turkey $2 billion to resettle refugees from Syria.

There are about two million IDPs from Borno and 20 local government areas were overran

by Boko Haram and there is food crisis now in the state,” he said.

The federal government last July, obtained a commitment of $2.1 billion as credit from the World Bank to rebuild the Northeast zone when President Muhammadu Buhari visited the United States.

Speaking after the meeting with representatives of the World Bank and other donor

agencies, Buhari hailed the decision to invest $2.1 billion in rebuilding the troubled region.

“The World Bank will spend the $2.1 billion dollars through its (International Development Agency), which gives low interest rate loans to government.

“The first 10 years will be interest free, while an additional 30 years will be at lower than cammercial market rates. The World Bank is eager to move in quickly, give out the loan, and give succour to the people of the Northeast, long at the mercy of an insurgency that has claimed over 20,000 souls,” Buhari had said.

BUHARI CONFIRMS THISDAY REPORT, SAYS HE'LL REVIEW BUDGET BEFORE ASSENT Ali (rtd.) and Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The commission jointly determined to take further actions to advance US-Nigeria security cooperation to promote peace and security in Nigeria, especially in Northeastern Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad region.

Both sides recognised that this cooperation includes, but is not limited to, military cooperation.

The BNC noted the continued threat to peace and security posed by Boko Haram, which is now an affiliate of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The United States reaffirmed its support for Nigeria and its neighbours in countering this threat.

The BNC noted that the governments’ bilateral security cooperation focuses both on immediate threats and medium and long term security and stabilisation objectives.

The BNC discussed the situation of refugees and internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and the region, and the governments decided to work together to

create conditions for their safe and voluntary return.

The BNC also discussed measures to counter violent extremism and encourage defections from Boko Haram; the importance of protecting civilians and safeguarding human rights; the need for integrated planning for the restoration of full civilian authority, resettlement and reconstruction; the need to understand and eliminate sources of terrorist financing; and ways to expand intelligence sharing.

On economic growth and development, the BNC’s discussion on economic growth and development was co-chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah and Antony Blinken.

The Nigerian side expressed appreciation for the efforts of the US government and the contributions of key stakeholders such as the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the US Chamber of Commerce towards the successful hosting of the Nigerian-United States business forum and reception dinner.

Both sides acknowledged the

major outcomes of the business forum, which stressed the need for increased US investment in Nigeria through the provision of an enhanced business climate, policy predictability, and transparency.

The BNC noted the governments’ decision to take further actions to promote prosperity and growth, economic diversification, and job creation through policies that will improve the environment for doing business together.

In this respect, the BNC recognised that sound macroeconomic policies are important to managing the challenges of declining global oil prices.

The BNC noted the governments’ pledge to work together to ensure maximum utilisation of current programmes to promote trade and investment, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

The BNC recognised the importance of infrastructure development for Nigerian economic growth, noting particularly the importance of

WORLD BANK TO SPEND $800M IN REBUILDING N’EAST other parts of the world.

She said: “Yesterday (Wednesday), we had a long discussion with the World Bank team that came from Washington D.C. to attend the workshop.

“The workshop is for validating the year findings of the recovery and peacebuilding assessment. They have promised to leverage 800 million dollars for the Northeast in response to recovery, rehabilitation, demining, waste management and debris processing for the Northeast of Nigeria,” she said.

“As we all know, the Syrian crisis that is affecting Europe

is also taking a heavy toll, in terms of funding, from our traditional donors. We are trying our best to ensure that our advocacy and our communications strategy are up to the levels where we will be receiving more attention from the donor community.

“The humanitarian response plan, as we speak, is just 10 per cent funded, meaning we have only received $24 million. This is out of $248 million budgeted for the Northeast of Nigeria for 2016,” she explained.

Samoura, however, pledged that the UN would continue to complement the World Bank and the EU's support

to address the root causes of poverty and exclusion in the Northeast.

“The UN will be on your side in order to address the humanitarian situation. The UN will also support the Borno government in its work on recovery and rehabilitation for the safe return of the IDPs (internally displaced persons) back to their areas of origin,” Samoura assured her host.

Her visit to Maiduguri, she said, was a demonstration of the sympathy of the UN to the deplorable situation of the 1.8 million people displaced by insurgency, even as she applauded the strong leadership

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

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News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Electricity Restored after System Collapse Finally, Geometrics, Enugu Disco end feud over Aba

Chineme Okafor in Abuja

The power generation from the Jebba Hydro power station which collapsed completely yesterday at exactly 12.58p.m and lasted for up to about three hours has been restored back to normalcy The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, diclosed this yesterday in Abuja.

Fashola, who did not disclose the current generation level, however, stated in Abuja that the collapse was induced by a sudden shutdown of the three turbines at the Jebba Hydro power station.

He said the turbines were quickly restarted and power generation then began to rise.

Data from the country’s System Operator showed that around 12.58p.m. yesterday, there was absolutely no power available for distribution across the country.

The System Operator hourly records indicated that Nigeria produced no single megawatt of electricity and the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) got none.

The System Operator’s report indicated that the 11 Discos got zero electricity load allocation during the period of the collapse, meaning that that no part of Nigeria got power supply from the national grid.

Power supply, according to Disco sources, was however restored by 3p.m., and of the 450MW that was due to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, for instance, only about 50MW was given to it when the situation improved.

Abuja Disco before the collapse got an allocation of 257.97MW. At that time the national grid had about 2,243.2MW to distribute to the Discos.

Meanwhile, after years of prolonged controversies from its failure to respect and enforce the terms in the ‘ring-fencing’ agreement it reached in 2005 with Geometrics Aba Power Plant for distribution of electricity generated from the plant to Aba and Ariaria metropolis in Abia State, the federal government has finally retraced its steps.

Government is now negotiating a settlement between parties in the dispute, Geometrics Aba Power and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (Disco).

Fashola, said yesterday in Abuja

when both parties in the dispute put pen to papers to formalise the agreements they reached after their reported six months long out-of-court negotiation, that commonsense had finally prevailed against the long periods of contest for rights.

In 2005, the government reportedly concessioned Aba and Araiaria as the only security for Geometric to invest in the independent power project instead of the normal sovereign guarantee.

The same government however abandoned the concession agreement when in 2013 it unbundled from defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Enugu Disco and sold it including the concessioned units to Interstates Electrics, this subsequently sparked up the dispute.

Fashola explained at the meeting that the new development was momentous for Nigeria’s power sector. He described the decision of both parties to settle the dispute which was foisted on them by government’s decision as a win-win for the people of Aba and Nigeria.

According to him, the negotiation was first brokered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who then handed it over to the ministry of power to continue with.

He said apart from parties in the dispute, several individuals including former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Louis Edozien played key roles in the negotiation and final outcome.

Fashola stated that with the formalisation of the negotiated agreement, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) would now be asked to amend the licences of both Geometrics and Enugu Disco to reflect the agreements that were reached.

THISDAY however learnt that parts of what was reached by both parties included Geometrics getting back the ring-fenced units, as well as Enugu Disco buying the excess power that would be generated by the gas-fired plant.

Former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji and founder and former chairman of Diamond Bank, Mr. Pascal Dozie, led the team that signed the agreement on behalf of Geometrics, while former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, led

Nigeria Nominates Former NNPC Boss, Barkindo, as Next OPEC Secretary Nigeria has nominated Mohammed Barkindo, a former head of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as the next secretary general of producer group OPEC, a government official said yesterday.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), according to Bloomberg, has been looking for a replacement for Abdullah al-Badri, who was elected acting secretary general in December until the end of July after serving full terms.

“We are putting Barkindo forward for the job of OPEC secretary general because he has the required qualification and experience,” a government official said, asking not to be named.

He led the NNPC from 2009 to 2010. Barkindo had previously served in OPEC as assistant Secretary-General and cut a name as veteran climate negotiator.

He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. He is also the Wali of Adamawa.

that of Enugu Disco.

Fashola however said: “Commonsense will make more meaning to the people of Aba, it will make more meaning to the traders in Ariaria, it will make more meaning to our goal to produce more made in Nigeria goods because I know what is possible in that place. I used to shop there, I used to do business there and I know they make suites, they make good shoes and so they need power. That is commonsense and that is what you have achieved today.”

He further noted that: “Commonsense is also the realisation now that the electricity market is just beginning and many things will happen because there are many things that can happen that we have not even began.

What has happened today is to show that within one Disco, there can be two players and that is

a ground breaking event today.

There are many more blessing and more hopefully.”

According to him: “With this now, investments of over $500 million can come in there (Aba and Ariaria) and feel safe, they can expect to see power delivered within a few months down the line. More importantly, you will see peace more than victory and I think this is the way to go.”

“I think these are some of the silver linings that we can see from our energy crisis. The power coming from Aba is defining because we do not have enough now,” he added.

In his remarks, Kayode said: “We thank you for your personal and official interest in resolving this intractable dispute between Interstate Electrics, owners of the Enugu Disco and Geometrics over Aba and Ariaria.

“I want to make it very clear

that it has always been the intention on our side in EEDC to resolve this matter. It is just that we went to court but then we thought that it would make common sense to sit together with the support of government to resolve all issues between us.”

He further explained: “We have also laid the foundation for future partnerships because as soon as power begins to come out of the plant, we will take it for our own part of Enugu Disco and other parts of Nigeria.

“With the agreement we have signed, we are now positioned properly to deliver more power to the people of the east and the added advantage is that it has given the EEDC a charge to put on its thinking cap and expand its business opportunities in the east.”

Nnaji on his part noted that the parties eventually realised that it was better to sit and negotiate

a resolution to the controversy than continuing with the court sessions. He added that the vice president had in his first meeting with them stated that he wanted the parties to adopt a different approach to resolving the issue.

“Today to us is historic in the sense that a sector that is supposed to be largely private sector driven has seen its major crisis resolved and it is wonderful that it is being resolved by the effort of the minister and this administration, and we thank you very much for the effort you have put to see this happen,” he said.

According to him: “Everybody had recognised that it was a mistake. We all went fighting in the court but sometimes even when you win in courts, you still have to find peace and that is what we have done here, we have achieved peace and we have achieved progress.”

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, meeting on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit holding in Washington D.C...yesterday

ntel Unveils Rollout Plan, Begins Commercial Sales of 0804 Lines April 8 Emma Okonji ntel, the newest entrant into the telecommunications space, has unveiled plans for the first phase rollout of its commercial services to the public.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kamar Abass, while announcing the rollout plan in Lagos yesterday, said ntel would begin the first phase rollout with the commercial sales of its 0804 mobile line on April 8 in Lagos and Abuja.

He said although the company acquired some base transceiver stations (BTS) from the old NITEL, it also entered partnership agreement with IHS and Helios Towers, builders of BTS and other telecoms infrastructure, to roll out 600 base stations for the commercial rollout in Lagos and Abuja, with plans to extend the rollout plan to Port Harcourt with additional 200 BTS, also known as base stations.

According to Abass, the Nigerian Communications

Commission (NCC), the telecommunications industry regulator, has approved all licence authorisations necessary for ntel to launch its Voice over LTE (VoLTE) network using next generation telecommunications infrastructure for its first phase rollout in April.

He said ntel had deployed 200 kilometres of metro fibre optic transmission cables in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, for seamless network connectivity during the rollout.

The CEO of ntel also added that ntel had deployed LTE Advanced, the latest 4G technology with multi-antennae sites.

“We are rolling out physical sites in three cities on our 900MHz and 1800MHz bands to launch Voice over LTE come April 8, 2016. We have signed agreements with trade partners and fulfilled all licence authorisations and payments and we are up-to-date and there are no impediments to our launch,” he said.

Abass said Natcoms

Investments Limited, the parent company of ntel has projected over $1 billion investments over the next four years, for its rollout plan, which he said, would be in phases.

To ensure smooth take off of its mobile network rollout plan, ntel has completed the construction of Tier III Datacentre as well as reactivation of SAT-3 submarine international fibre optic cable.

Natcoms had last year paid $252.52 million to acquire the assets of the defunct first national operator (NITEL), to begin commercial operation on its mobile network. Noting that despite the growth of the telecoms sector in Nigeria which has seen voice subscriptions rise from less than 60,000 in 2001 to over 147 million as at 2015, he expressed fears that broadband usage has only grown by 20 per cent. He said NATCOM has come to fill the gap bringing Nigerians unfettered access to full mobile broadband both on voice and data services.

“Over the next four and half years, the total number of mobile broadband customers alone will be greater than all of the customers that have come into the market on mobile since its inception. In other words, we are at a point where a major transformation is in the making.

You will see 168 million mobile broadband customers coming into existence between now and the end of 2019, which is more than all the mobile customers in both narrow and broadband that we have seen in the last 15 years.”

“That sounds like an enormous transformation.

When it comes to the supply of broadband services, we are unique because we have more spectrum which can deliver more output than any network available today and potentially any network in the future. The spectrum we have has unique features which can not be compared with any other spectrum band,” Abass said.

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APC is Now a Divided House, Says Timi Frank No factions in APC, says NWC

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has said the party has developed serious cracks which if not properly managed can lead to crisis and subsequent loss of its hard-earned popularity.

On the worry expressed by the national leadership of the party over difficulties in getting a suitable individual for the spokesman position since the former National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, left to serve as minister, Frank said such fears were unfounded.

Speaking with journalists yesterday at his residence in Abuja on the brewing crisis in the party, especially with regard to the tussle for influence in his home state (Bayelsa) chapter of APC, Frank said there are lingering intra-party disagreements even though the leadership was pretending otherwise.

According to him, the national leadership appears not to be doing much to harmonise the aggrieved persons interests so that the party can move forward.

“If anybody should tell you that there is no division even

at the national level, they’re telling lies, I can tell you there are issues, there are very critical issues. The issue of the senate president is still lingering, nobody is saying anything at the national level but I tell you, any Nigerian that knows will tell you very clearly that with the body language of our party as at today, if we are not careful, we are going to lose our popularity,” he said.

The deputy spokesman warned that the party and everyone who has sacrificed to lift it up will become the loser if nothing is done to arrest the widening division within the ranks of members.

“It will be a big disgrace that we have hands that are not competent at the centre to harmonise the aggrieved persons and make us move forward.

“So there is crisis in the party. If anybody says there is no crisis, it is a lie. We have many divisions right now within the party, so I won’t be scared to speak. That is my personal opinion and I have spoken again and I will continue to speak out.

“I have nothing to worry about, in a matter of short time, this will come to play out. I spoke of problem in my state, Bayelsa, but people ignored me.

I am speaking again, it would happen soon at the national level that these things we are sweeping or hiding have started already,” he said.

The embattled former Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisted that as far as he was concerned, he remains the acting spokesman for APC and would continue to function in that capacity pending when a convention is held to elect a substantive officer.

“Let me take you back to the issue of acting or not acting, I’m still insisting and making it clear that I’m the acting publicity secretary of APC. I’m saying it without fear or favour. I’m the acting spokesperson of the party.

“Those persons in the party who do not want me to speak, Nigerians will start asking them questions anytime soon, but I’m on top of my game and I can tell you its not something I have to beg or lobby anybody or beg any chairman who calls himself national chairman.

“I don’t have any national chairman to beg, I don’t have anybody to lobby to get this position, its automatic except the party wants to portray itself as undemocratic or a party does not follow due process. If this party is a party that follows

due process, I don’t need to beg, and that is why I continue to insist I will not beg or lobby anybody.

On the issued of alleged money-for appointment slots raised by the state Chairman of Bayesla State APC, Chief Timipa Orunimighe, the deputy spokesman urged the party to immediately institute a probe to find out the truth.

He said for the state executive of the party to raise such allegations against the former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Silva, it behooves on the national leadership of the APC to wade in and investigate the matter.

Frank also spoke on the need for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to tread with caution with regard to the issue of who gets appointments slots meant for Bayelsa State.

“I call on the state party executive to immediately suspend the former governor from the party, while we should go into investigation because if they don’t suspend him, he is going to stall the investigation.

“Again, l want to make it very clear and boldly that APC is a very credible. President Muhammadu Buhari is a very

credible president and we would not allow anybody to soil his image or our party. This party does not sell political office or exchange political office for money.

“I am making it very clear, the SGF should be very careful in doing his job so that nobody should rope him into trouble or run him into problem because today I expect the SGF to scrutinise any name that is coming from any state, to make his findings and consultations very clearly to know if Mr. A is coming from Bayelsa State or if it is the Bayelsa people want?

He should have been able to do his home work,” he said.

However, the leadership of the APC has disagreed with Frank that the party has divided interests afflicting it.

In a statement issued last night by the Secretary of the party, Mai Mala Buni, the party described Frank’s claims as “ bogus and misleading allegations.”

“The attention of the National Secretariat of APC has been drawn to a statement ascribed to the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Frank where he alleged that the “APC is now divided” among other bogus allegations.

“The bogus and misleading allegations are unnecessary distractions to the party’s resolve to fully support the President Buhari Administration deliver on the motley promises made by our great party to the electorate.

“The APC national leadership remains united and solidly committed to the task of bringing cohesion to the party at all levels.

“Recently, the APC held its National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings were positive and far-reaching decisions were collectively taken by the party’s leadership to drive the party forward.

“The party will not deny anybody or interest the right to seek justice where he feels this has been denied him.

However, we sincerely appeal that we all play by the rules in our engagements and be guarded in our utterances.

“The public is advised not to misinterpret or confuse Frank’s personal opinions to be the official position of the Party or the true reflectionof what is happening inside the Party. For the umpteenth time, only the APC National Chairman and the National Secretary are authorised to officially speak for the party.”

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COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

BRING BACK THE BRACED COMMISSION

The South-South states should harness their immense human and material resources for the benefit of all, writes MajiriOghene Etemiku

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lot of us know Professor Pat Utomi. Back in the day, he interrogated the inconsistencies in our socio-political milieu through a television programme known as Patito’s Gang. Therefore in 2009 when I was lucky to run into him in Benin, I took him to task on several issues bordering on the fortunes of the South-South. He had just been appointed Chairman of the South-South Economic Group, and part of what Utomi said that his group sought to do was revitalise agriculture, stimulate manufacturing clusters and take advantage of certain service sectors like tourism. Among other problems which Utomi cited as challenges to the development of the South-South were problems of the peculiar terrain and the upsurge of militancy then. He said then that the problem of militancy could be solved either politically or economically, that is, with the introduction of programmes and initiatives that create jobs, create a sense of belonging, and eventually stimulate an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence. When I asked him to be a little more specific on other areas that he as chairman of the South-South Economic group will likely focus on he said ‘peer review mechanism’ - governors of states that were seen to have less than average performance would be encouraged to emulate or copy those that were doing well so as to copy the template for success. A lot of the issues that we were discussing then were actually from a discussion he had broached at a certain edition of the Anyiam Osigwe lecture at the International Institute of Foreign Affairs in Lagos. Utomi made that famous statement, to wit, that Nigeria always made the greatest achievements at times of great adversity, great austerity and great misfortune.

Arising from the huge success of the South-South Conference in Tinapa in Cross Rivers State, and with the great expectations that it generated, certain key personalities – Chief Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi, former governor of Rivers State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo State, Senator Liyel Imoke as chairman and Dr. Eweta Uduaghan – got together on Monday June 13, 2011 at Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, seeking to forge closer economic cooperation and integration akin to the ECOWAS union of states and nations. In a communiqué that they released right after the meeting, the governors sought to deepen their collaboration in the areas of education, human capacity development, information & communication technology, infrastructural development, agriculture and investment.

The part of their resolution which tickled me no end was in the area of the plan to invest in regional oil and gas company and a regional electric company.

A REGIONAL OIL AND GAS COMPANY, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER REGIONAL POWER COMPANY WOULD HAVE DONE WONDERS TO THE ECONOMY OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT OIL PRICES ARE UNPREDICTABLE, ELECTRICITY TARIFFS ARE AT ALL-TIME HIGH AND THE WORD ON THE LIPS OF WORLD LEADERS TODAY IS CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS

A regional oil and gas company, together with another regional power company would have done wonders to the economy of the South-South, especially now that oil prices are unpredictable, electricity tariffs are at all-time high and the word on the lips of world leaders today is climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions.

But before the second South-South summit scheduled to have taken place in Asaba in Delta State in October 2011 governors from the region were already fighting one another. Instead of the peer review mechanism which Prof. Utomi suggested, some wanted to be chairmen of the group, while some became claustrophobic, insisting that the BRACED Commission had the trappings of a party affair, and therefore any successes ascribable to it was going to be used to fuel campaign rhetoric and propaganda. In no time, the idea of the BRACED Commission went kaput, sadly. I believe as well that issues of monthly allocation for derivation for oil producing states and the disparities thereof contributed to the collapse of the BRACED affair.

And today, if you would run into Prof Utomi, he wouldn’t exude the sort of enthusiasm you’d probably have expected. On Channels TV the other day, he heaved a great sigh before answering to the question related to the economy of the South-South and of Nigeria, as if he was mourning a beloved child. The reason cannot be far-fetched: the economy of the Niger Delta is still largely dependent on proceeds from oil, the education system has nearly collapsed, investors are running away, and agriculture has been abandoned. I visited an agricultural development programme, ADP, in one of the states in the South-South recently, and the carcass of what I saw there – dilapidated offices and worn-out infrastructure is a metaphor for the fortunes of our region.

But it must not be like this. Apart from Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, whose tenure as governor of Edo State would expire soonest, all the other governors whose egos were a clog in the wheel of the BRACED Commission have all had their times and tenures. They have gone and I believe, with their egos and mutual suspicions. From Bayelsa to Rivers, to Akwa-Ibom and Delta, we have a brand new set of governors who should put aside the differences they inherited from their predecessors and resurrect the idea of a South-South EU, whose economy should not be tied to the apron strings of Abuja, and whose agricultural policies tap their roots in Rev Father Nzamujo’s Songhai Farms in Benin Republic. The South-South can come together again and harness the immense human and material resources which abound in our homelands for the benefit of all.

majirioghene@yahoo.com

UNDERSTANDING OSHIOMHOLE’S INDUSTRIALISATION POLICY

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John Mayaki argues the Edo State governor has created an enabling environment for investors to thrive

t may not be possible for a government to build industries across the state and turn the economy around within a short time of eight years. There are however quick-wins that a serious government can undertake to achieve stunning results to the acclaim of a famished people.

In other words, there are opportunities that a government can exploit immediately they present themselves to boost the living standards of the people. These opportunities will always present themselves in the life of every administration and whatever an administration makes of such opportunities depends on that administration’s policy thrust as powered by its economic team, if any.

The bottom line is, even a bad situation can be quickly turned around by a government that thinks on its feet. That is what Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has succeeded in doing in Edo in his little more than seven years of being in charge. Today, the result is there for all to behold.

The governor has stated from the onset that governments have no business running industries but creating the enabling environment for investors. Indeed, he had stated that his primary focus was to ensure that businesses thrive through the creation of enabling climate. Today, the proof of that conventional wisdom is the avalanche of private sector industries dotting the entire length and breadth of Edo State – thanks to the vastly improved environment for doing business which his policies have brought about.

As they say – the proof of the pudding is in the

eating. That the industrialisation policies are impacting positively on the socio-economic landscape of the state is no longer in contention. The fact that multinationals like Dangote Group of Companies, Yong Xing, Wells Farms, Bua Group, Azura power, among others have registered their presence in the state goes beyond mere acknowledgement of the changing times but of the immense possibilities in the future. To be sure, some of these investments come under public-private-partnership initiative of the state government; others are wholly private sector driven. Together, the state is the richer for it.

Never mind that dearth of statistics has remained the bane of the nation, it is projected that no less than 100,000 job opportunities have been created over the course of the last seven years under the Oshiomhole administration. These jobs cut across the public and private sector just as they straddle information and communications technology, health and social welfare and other sectors of the state’s economy. Some of the jobs directly created are in the Information and Communication Technology Agency, the Board of Internal Revenue, Edo State University, Central Hospital. These agencies among others, have employed and continue to employ thousands of youths many of whom would have remained in the labour market were these opportunities not opened up to them. That is not all. The state government is retooling Central Hospital to a FiveStar Hospital; it is building a new university all of which would further boost economic activities of the state and its people.

Today, the state can count its chicks in the spin-

off from private investment promotion. Wells Farm alone for instance, promises to employ over 80,000.

Ditto Bua and Dangote both of which are also looking at employing thousands of youths just as Okpella Cement factory has employed several youths and still counting. Yong Xing and Azura power have also employed and will continue to employ youths in their thousands. Add to this the fact that workers in the public service are earning salaries as at when due; the pensioners are of course not left out. Taken together with the newly engaged workers in the various companies all of whom are now contributing actively to the economy, the state’s rising profile under its current helmsman is better appreciated.

This is where the multiplier effects come in. To bring the picture of the concept clearer home, it refers to the increase in final income arising from any new injection of spending. In simple terms, if the beneficiaries of the different opportunities being created in the state, for example, opt to complete the building of their new houses with their salaries, the project injects extra demand and output into the economy of the state. Imagine that not a few businesses including architects, suppliers of blocks, sand, water, iron rods, wood, etc., will benefit directly or indirectly from the beneficiaries’ expenditure. The building of a new house, in other words, generates a new flow of income which includes wages and profits. The workers in turn engage drycleaners or washer men, lesson teachers, mechanics, artisans, among others. They pay rents, if they are not building their homes.

As for companies that have opened up in the

state, their various host communities will benefit not just in terms of tremendous exposure but also in terms of increase housing needs and other infrastructure.

As would be expected, the net effects of the development will extend beyond the frontiers of the state to neighbouring states. After all, economists will argue that when income is spent, the spending becomes someone else’s income which in turn stimulates another wave of demand and supply spawning investment by individuals, construction firms and business entities, not least saving by households – and ultimately the national GDP. The resultant boost in the GDP is called the multiplier effect.

Truth is – it seems fairly easy to appreciate the direct impact of the physical engagement of the workers in terms of their salaries and wages. This is a far cry from the multiple impacts spawned by the hospitable environment deliberately promoted by the Oshiomhole administration. It is in the understanding of the linkages that justice is done to the Oshiomhole legacy.

Today, the economic potential of Edo State is humongous – thanks to the creative policies of the Oshiomhole administration. Aside attracting investors to the state, there is no doubt that the foundation for the future has been firmly laid. In years to come, citizens of Edo State will certainly remember the Oshiomhole years not just in glowing terms but specifically as the golden years of its industrial transformation.

Mayaki is executive director, Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office

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POLITICS

Group Politics Editor Olawale Olaleye Email wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com 08116759819 SMS ONLY

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Braithwaite: A Counter-statesman Bows Out

Till he breathed his last, the late lawyer and activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite didn’t turn away from his patriotic ideology, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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n searching for the most appropriate quote to open this piece, non was more succinct than that from Ross by British dramatist and one of England’s most popular mid-twentieth century dramatists, Terence Rattigan, which states: “I will not insult you by trying to tell you that one day you will forget. I know as well as you that you will not. But, at least, in time you will not remember as fiercely as you do now – and I pray that that time may be soon.”

Obviously, going by the expressions of grieve by everyone that loved the late prominent lawyer, politician and human rights activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, now that he is no more, his death came a bit too soon and he would no longer be able to remember all that he stood for, except the people choose to keep his fond memories alive in their minds.

If only the dead could hear, it would have been good enough that the late patriot would be evaluating the appreciation of his decision to be good while he was alive. But in any case, when someone dies and very many people come out to say good things about such person, it is always worthy of note because there are always revelations that very many might not have been privy to.

In his life time, Braithwaite took some hard choices that stood him out as a patriot that he was. Take for instance, when the private residence of the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-kuti was demolished by the military in 1977, Braithwaite took it upon himself, sued the federal military government and fought the case from the Lagos High Court through to the Supreme Court.

Though the Kuti family eventually lost the case, it however created a precedent because by his action, the apex court eventually pronounced the old-fashioned doctrine of ‘rex potest non peccare’ (the king can do no wrong), illegal and unconstitutional and since then, the courts have always condemned military invasion of communities and awarded monetary damages to victims thereof.

During his presidential campaigns, Braithwaite vowed to wipe out rats and cockroaches in what was a metaphor to fight corrupt politicians. He was one of the few courageous politicians, who challenged the dubious agenda of the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha to impose himself on the country as a civilian president.

Stylishly, he sustained his critical positions on issues that bordered on national development and the well-being of Nigerians, and when he eventually died in the early hours of Monday at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, after heart related illness and stroke at 82, everyone who had since reacted had one or two positive things to say about his person.

His second son, Olumide did not see how anyone would start contemplating to wear their father’s shoes, saying, “It’s a big shoe to wear.” His daughter, Omowunmi said how her late father inspired her was his cordial relationship with the media, “most of whom he usually referred to as my son/ daughter anytime he was with them. He was a very loving man, who hardly joked with his family despite his busy legal and political schedules.”

Since he died, there has been an almost endless list of commentators. Many have been to his sprawling resident located at Teslim Elias Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, said to have built in his late 20s. Those who are yet to come had sent in condolence messages and they all celebrated Braithwaite as a national icon at death.

Some of the notable Nigerians, who had shared their thoughts on his death included President Muhammadu Buhari; former vice

Braithwaite...a patriot goes home

president Atiku Abubakar; Nigerian Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former Chief of Army Staff and Minister for Agriculture, General Alani Akinriande (rtd), Chief Amos Akingba, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni.

Also, two Afenifere stalwarts, Chiefs Olaniwun Ajayi and Ayo Adebanjo; Executive Secretary, Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG), Mr. Tony Uranta, founder of CODER, Chief Ayo Opadokun; Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode and practically all state governments had sent in words of comfort to the family.

Others are Afenifere stalwarts, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo of Department of Sociology University of Lagos; President,

In his life time, Braithwaite took some hard choices that stood him out as a patriot that he was. Take for instance, when the private residence of the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-kuti was demolished by the military in 1977, Braithwaite took it upon himself, sued the federal military government and fought the case from the Lagos High Court through to the Supreme Court

Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin; representatives of the Anglican Communion, the Arch Bishop of Province 1, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Bayo Akinde, Rt. Reverends James Odedeji and Nwosu Nkechi; Group Managing Director, Japol PLC., Mr Jegede Paul, amongst several others.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said the passing away of the lawyer, author and politician came at a time that his wisdom, intellectual depth, vast knowledge and experience were sorely needed by the country.

He recalled the immeasurable contributions of the late politician to the development of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Nigeria.

Atiku, on his part referred to him as “a colossus.”

When he visited the family, Soyinka, who disagreed with those who called Braithwaite elder statesman, said rather, he considered him a counter-statesman.

“The word elder statesman meant he was retired but I will refer to him as a counterstatesman who always put government on its toes,” adding that “Dr. Braithwaite was always on the side of the people.” The revered African literary icon, who was Braithwaite’s political ally, worked with him during the days of the defunct National Advance Party, on which platform he contested the 1983 presidential election.

Chief Ajayi described him as someone with whom he shared the same political ideology, particularly as regards the issue of true federalism and the urgent need to restructure Nigeria, irrespective of the fact that he was never a member of Afenifere.

“If he contested election, I would support him. I believe he would have done same to me if I contested election,” he said.

Ajayi seized the occasion to harp on the urgent need for restructuring in the Nigerian body polity in line with the tenets of true federalism, which he said was basically what Braithwaite preached in his lifetime.

Adebanjo said: “Dr. Braithwaite was a consistent, principled and patriotic man. Every

Nigerian, especially the youths should follow those principles he had been preaching.”

The National Publicity Secretary of a Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin described Braithwaite as an iconoclastic political leader and social activist.

“Dr. Braithwaite, who died at the age of 82, was renowned as a forthright personality and an outspoken Nigerian, who persistently defended the less privileged Nigerians and contributed to national discourse.”

He recalled that at his last major outing as a member of the 2014 National Conference, “He stoutly canvassed a confederal arrangement as the best constitutional order for Nigeria,” bemoaning that “His death has brought a closure to a rich era of political sagacity and social crusading,” and that “He would always be remembered for his consistency, tenacity and intellectual fecundity.

Akinrinade, on his part, described him as a “mentor everyone will miss.” Opadokun said the death of Braithwaite was “the vanishing end of the true fighters of the liberty of the masses,” stressing that “Unlike many of his types, he was an intellectual. He was not one of those who will speak against government policy in the day and go back to prostrate in the night.

Prof. Oyebode said Braithwaite was an exemplary patriot, who jettisoned his noble birth and gave his life to the common people.

Also, sharing his perspective on Braithwaite, Ninalowo said not only his family will miss his departure but Nigeria at large and the whole world. To Okei-Odumakin, the late self-styled politician was “a great revolutionist and the life-wire of human rights activism in Nigeria.”

In the words of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Owoseni, who also represented the Inspector General of Police “Dr. Braithwaite actually lived his life for the people and for the development of the country.”

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, said Braithwaite’s death was a huge loss to the nation. He tagged the late legal luminary as a “patriot and die-in-the-wool believer of Nigeria, who did everything to make sure the political ship of the nation gets back on the right track.

READ FULL TEXT ONLINE

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

POLITICS

Boroffice

PERSPECTIVE

Abraham

Olabimtan

Issues in Ondo’s Governorship Poll

Certain fundamental issues cannot be wished away in this year’s governorship poll in Ondo State, reckons Rotimi James

T

he governorship election in Ondo State is coming up in October, 2016. The state, being one of the integrals of the volatile and sophisticated South-west Nigeria has started experiencing heat due to the activities of the aspirants. The contestants and the pretenders as well as the people are being regaled with the chess game and intrigues that are being displayed daily by politicians, whose ultimate goal is to outwit one another on the battle field.

The Justification for Zoning Ondo State was created in 1976, comprising the present one and Ekiti, which was carved out of it in 1996 by the military administration of the late Sanni Abacha.

Putting it succinctly, the first democratic dispensation in the state was in 1979, when the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin was elected governor. He was reelected in 1983 before the military usurpation of December 31, 1983 that abruptly terminated the Second Republic.

Ajasin, a Spartan politician and progressive of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo descent was from Owo, in the North senatorial district of the state. The state had the second dose of democratic experience in 1991, when Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua from Ikere Ekiti was elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the pseudo-democratic and diarchical government introduced into the country’s body polity by self-styled military dictator, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Another opportunity beckoned in 1999, when the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati from the North was elected governor and served for just a term of four years.

Chief Olusegun Agagu from the south took up the mantle of leadership after the PDP tsunami of 2003 in the Southwest and spent seven and a half years before he was removed through judicial pronouncement via a suit instituted by the incumbent, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who is from the Central.

By numerical interpretation, Mimiko will be rounding off his eight years in the saddle by February of 2017 as stipulated by the constitution. From the foregoing, therefore, the advocates of zoning of the Ondo governorship to the North, comprising Akoko and Owo have not erred in any form. It was only normal for people of divergent interests

to vie for political positions, but it is instructive for the party to do what is right, not minding whose ox is gored for equity, justice and fair play.

APC’s Stand in the Governorship Tussle As we speak today, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become a darling party in the state. The results of the last general election, where the party won two senatorial seats out of the three and six out of the nine House of Representatives seats, went a long way to accentuate the preference the people have for the party. President Muhammadu Buhari even won the presidential poll in the state, in spite of the incumbency powers, which were brought to bear at both the state and the national levels.

In terms of human materials, the party is well fortified. The likes of Mr. Segun Abraham, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Chief Sola Oke, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Hon. Victor Olabimtan and others are well positioned to wreak any havoc on the PDP in any election.

This they did in the past and could be repeated again and again.

Aside sovereign supports from the populace, the party is harvesting hordes of defectors from PDP and other parties on a daily basis. Not just mere defectors, but those that can make things happen.

The defection of Chief Oke and Senator Akinyelure go a long way to corroborate this assertion that APC is well rooted to dislodge Mimiko’s political machinery in terms of human and material resources.

Even if these are lacking, the power of the people are greater than those in government. Its acceptability among the people is another factor that would play a pivotal role in who becomes what in the election, because sovereignty belongs to the populace.

The Contestants and the Pretenders Nigeria’s political hemisphere is full of intrigues. This connotes that every dick and harry thinks he can become anything, even if the moral and intellectual capacities are lacking. This fondly comes to play under the guise of constitutional qualifications, in terms of age, origin and academic posting. The Ondo election won’t be an exemption.

It will automatically share a dose of the practice of those contesting and those pretending.

This has even started manifesting with the array of politicians that are eyeing the Alagbaka seat of power.

This manifested across party lines, but predominantly in APC and PDP. But those known to have their tentacles deeply connected across the state and with the people are limited. Those that readily come to mind and are being rated in the APC are Senator Boroffice, Mr. Segun Abraham, Victor Olabimtan and Sola Oke. Incidentally, some of these politicians are from the North extraction. And this further corroborated the fact that the party leaders won’t be making any blunder if the candidate is picked from that zone. This only naturally aligns with the people’s thinking that politicians from that axis are sine qua non to the party’s success in this election and the principle of natural justice.

A Guide for the Party Dissecting all the facts available to APC to guide it in making the right choice, the north is indisputably favoured to produce the candidate for the election.

One cannot shy away from the fact that what would make significant difference is the candidate’s sacrifices of now and that of the past for the party; people’s feelings, popularity and spread, as well as consistency.

If these are nothing to go by, Segun Abraham and Senator Boroffice towered above others in all respects.

Senator Boroffice started his political career as a PDP man, having a strong tie with the late governor Agagu. He was even appointed the Director-General of a federal agency during that time. He was one of the forces that defected with Mimiko to Labour Party in 2006, where he later contested for the senatorial seat and won in 2011.

He defected to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) due to irreconcilable differences with Mimiko, but was deprived of the governorship slot in 2013 on the ACN platform. The party preferred a lowly rated senior lawyer, Rotimi Akeredolu in lieu. Boroffice had won elections twice and it will be suicidal to treat him like an underdog.

But in terms of sacrifices and consistency, one can conclude that nothing has been offered. I could incontrovertibly inferred that he has made more relevance and profit in the party than he had sacrificed. One cannot even

sure of where he would go after the forthcoming battle, having traversed three parties in quick succession.

Conversely, Segun Abraham has not got the opportunity to contest for any political position in Ondo State. But he cut his teeth in politics in the state, under Adefarati’s government in 1999 and had got the requisite experiences to operate and navigate any political terrain. During that regime, he was appointed the Chairman, Owena Motels, one of the economic and money-spinning hubs of the state’s economy then in terms of revenue generation.

Available facts indicated that Abraham didn’t earn his legitimate salary just for the love of his state and the people.

Since, he has remained in the progressive fold.

Not even the tsunami of 2003 could make him waver. He remains consistent with the party and had made so many sacrifices, just for the party to stand united. In terms of spread, his generosity has made him enjoy popularity across the state. If given the mandate, he will serve well and well again, having coasted home success in this unpredictable private sector.

Aside the geographical spread which relatively favours Abraham, he hails from Ikare Akoko, the town perceived as the political and economic nerve centre of the Akoko zone. In terms of population, the town single-handedly accounted for about 25 per cent of the votes that would come from that zone. This is another advantage to this grassroots and master-strategist.

Conclusion Looking at the aggregate of the scenario painted above, it won’t be wrong or misdirected for me to infer that the APC is well-oiled and well-positioned to rout the PDP. But routing the incumbent would depend on the choice made by the opposition party. The party crashed out of the last governorship despite Mimiko’s vulnerability because of the wrong choice of that time. Akeredolu by any standard is qualified, but not for the type of Nigerian politics, where money and other primordial sentiments take the centre stage.

For this second chance, APC must be calculative, methodical and be meticulous for the same fate not to befall it again.

- James wrote from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

18

POLITICS

OFF-THE-TURF

Okei-Odumakin Loves Her History Channel President, Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin decompresses anytime by watching the History Channel, writes Shola Oyeyipo

L

ooking at Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, her gentle mien, frail body build and soft-speaking nature would almost combine to betray the rather huge name she has made for herself in the area of human rights activism in Nigeria and the world over.

Okei-Odumakin is by every measure, one of the most prominent and resilient Nigerian women rights activists. She is the president of the rights groups Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy (CD).

She has taken bold steps and spoken courageously where some men feared to speak and despite the danger to her personal safety, she is one of the few critical voices that have consistently held government accountable. She has been in and out of detention no fewer than 17 times and she eventually met her husband, Yinka Odumakin in prison. Indeed, a life of service to humanity!

She has contributed in no small ways to the survival of democracy in Nigeria and it was part of why the Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka once described her as “a tireless fighter, whose frail bearing bellies an inner strength and

resilience purpose, a veteran of affirmative marches, of crude arrests and detentions, baton charges and tear gas, who has lent luster to the struggle for justice and human

My relaxation is when I tune to History Channel and reflect and reconnect with past events. It helps me to relax because it refreshes my memory about things that have happened

dignity, who remains an inspiration of men and women, old and young.”

Speaking to THISDAY about her routine tight work schedule and what motivates her to press on regardless of the cost – human, financial and material, Okei-Odumakin said: “I’m motivated by my passion.

I really have the passion to see a country that works. That drives me in doing a lot of things.”

And really, she has done a lot of things.

Till date, she is one of the leading voices in the call for the search and rescue of the over 200 school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State almost two years now.

She has been involved in over 2,000 cases, where a woman’s rights had been disregarded. The cases included extra-judicial killings of women or their husbands’ by the police, where the rights of their children were ignored by the Nigerian school or even hospital authorities.

Considering her involvement in a lot of people-oriented activities and the fact that her husband too is a devoted activist, it would look more as if she would not be able to make out time for any other activity.

But that’s turned out a wrong assumption because according to her, she has perfected a way to divide her days and share her time

between activism, personal commitments and family.

Hear her: “My activism activities take about 45 per cent of my time, my other jobs like consultancy and teaching take 35 per cent and I dedicate 20 per cent to my personal life.”

Talking about how she relaxes, the woman activist said: “My relaxation is when I tune to History Channel and reflect and reconnect with past events. It helps me to relax because it refreshes my memory about things that have happened.”

Aside that, Okei-Odumakin also enjoys attending to her social media contacts personally, saying “I love to personally attend to my Facebook contacts and other social media contacts. I get more than 3000 emails every day and I want to personally attend to at least 800 of the mails.”

Her workaholic nature, however, paid off in 2013, when was presented an International Women of Courage Award by the United States Department of State. The award was personally presented to her by the United States First Lady, Michelle Obama and the Secretary of State, John Kerry at the US State Department’s Dean Acheson Auditorium in celebration of the International Women’s Day.

19

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

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Quick Takes FAAN to Partner Investors

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said it is willing to partner genuine private investors for mutually beneficial economic relationship.

The Managing Director of the Authority, Saleh Dunoma made the disclosure at recent Airport Business Summit in Abuja, where he made a presentation on the topic “Terminal Expansion: Key to Maintaining High Standards of Operational Efficiency and Improved Airport User Experience.”

Dunoma, who was represented by the Authority’s acting Director of Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Toyin Okpaise, said the sector is strategic in the federal government’s quest to diversify the economy and create wealth and prosperity for the teeming populace.

Speaking earlier, the organiser of the summit, Fortune Idu commended FAAN for expanding the business horizon, calling on participants to take advantage of the summit to network and share ideas.

The summit attracted key stakeholders from the aviation sector and the business community.

SAHCOL Promises Improved Services

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

L-R: Managing Director (MD) of Nestle Nigeria, Dharnesh Gordhon; MD of SPAR,Haresh Keswani and Deputy Managing Director of SPAR, Prakesh Keswani, during the official opening of SPAR’s Ultra-modern mall in Illupeju, Lagos... recently

Ex-FAAN MD: Why FG Should Privatise 22 Airports Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The former Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, has urged the federal government to privatise the 22 federal airports under the management of the agency (FAAN).

According to Aisuebeogun, aside that it is the trend globally, the privatisation of the airports will enhance their (airports’) income generation capacity and make their very efficient services.

He cited South African and Ghanaian airports that have been transformed from airport authorities to airport companies, with the private sector shareholders getting involved in their operations

AVIATION and business development.

This transformation, he said has made these airports to be efficiently managed for operational freedom.

The former FAAN boss spoke in Abuja at the 2nd Airport Business Summit and Expo, which ended on Thursday.

He said getting the private sector involvement will give the airports operational freedom and a greater measure of financial performance.

He stated the need to encourage private investors into the country’s airport operation, adding that the so called unviable airports will become Strategic Business Units (SBUs), once they are commercialised and the airports will now be

challenged to raise benchmarks and operational standard for efficiency.

Aisuegbedion said: “We need to now begin to make the rest of the nation’s airports viable by investing in non-aeronautical activities. Out of the over 1600 airports across the globe, 1000 handles less than one million passengers annually. The challenge is therefore obvious.

“The tendency is that if they are companies under privatised commercialised model, then they would have to depend largely on non-aeronautical revenues.

They will need to now depend on other activities within the airport to enhance their revenue platforms, therefore making them more business minded, rather just being operations as it is.

“This does not require ours

or your personal funds. We need to encourage private investments to cone into the airports and develop it in terms of non-aeronautical activities, so that the unviable airports will become Strategic Business Units (SBUs).”

According to him, it is not until Nigerians began to look at the airports as a business unit that is accountable financially, economically and commercially, including operations and safety activities that the country will now be able to develop an airport that will add to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), of the country.

Two per cent airports’ contribution to GDP comes mainly from the flagship airports, adding that the time Continued on page 20

Four Foreign Companies Scrambling for Bakassi Deep Seaport, Says Ayade Nosa Alekhuogie Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has said that four international companies with expertise in deep seaport have indicated their interest to invest in the Bakassi Deep Seaport being developed by the state government.

Briefing journalists in Calabar on his return from an extensive working trip to 11 countries in Europe, Asia and South America, the governor said it was imperative that he undertook the trip as he seeks to ramp up the economy of the state.

Ayade explained that “In

MARITIME recognising the challenges that we have as a country, and of course, with the meltdown in the global economy, it is evident that only states that globalise their economy can move forward.

So what I have done is to go round the world in order to source a team of investors and bring them to Cross River State.

What you are going to see in a couple of months is a team of investors arriving the state.”

Noting that Cross River offers special appeal as an investment destination, Ayade added that

as evidence of the uniqueness of the state as an investment hub, “some teams had arrived the state during my absence to do final detailed analysis and feasibility studies to be able to come back with vigor to invest in the state. You will soon be seeing investors pouring in to finalise the discussions we had overseas.”

The governor, who said he did a lot of presentations to several groups in Switzerland and China, disclosed that “When I finished the presentations of our potential in the deep seaport, they obviously knew that it was an opportunity for

them to invest.

“When I did another presentation to another team in Belgium, they were fighting among themselves as to who will take over the project. In fact, they were so excited to take over.” he said.

According to Ayade, “As I speak to you today, I have four major port companies that are dying to take the project even if Cross River State has no dime.”

Ayade noted that though Cross River receives very little from the federation account, Continued on page 20

The acting Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), Rizwan Kadri has promised to continue to improve on its services to customers.

Kadiri gave this assurance when he led a team of management staff on a courtesy call on the Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, in Ikeja, Lagos Kadri, going back memory lane, said Medview Airlines and SAHCOL have a long lasting relationship, hence he believed that SAHCOL is more of a business partner to Medview Airlines. He promised that SAHCOL would continue to give Medview Airlines the best of ground handling services to support the airline’s unique selling point of on-time departures.

While welcoming Kadri, Bankole said that the Medview Airlines’ unique selling point was on-time departures, saying SAHCOL was key in making possible.

The Medview boss recalled that the relationship between SAHCOL and the airline started in November, 2012. SAHCOL, according to him, has contributed to the success story of Medview, such that they no longer see SAHCOL as part of its service providers but as partners.

The visit ,which gave the acting MMD of SAHCOL an opportunity to meet with the MD of Medview Airlines for the first time in an official capacity, also brought management teams from both sides together where issues of mutual interest were discussed.

SHRM Hosts Capacity Devt Programme

The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) is set to host a special capability development programme for human resources ( HR) professionals tagged, ‘Future–Ready HR’ on April 7 in Ikoyi, Lagos.

SHRM’s executive in charge of Global Business Development, Mr. Howard Wallack will lead a distinguished panel of professionals to address the challenges of HR’s changing role within organisations in a dynamic business climate.

“This will be the richest and most rewarding HR event of the year,” said Mr. Oliver Nnona, who is the President of the SHRM Member Forum Nigeria.

Nnona is co-hosting the event with SHRM’s authorised learning partner for Nigeria, Skills-Farm Limited. Other high profile speakers expected at the event include: Mr. Michael Ikpoki of Proscen and the immediate past CEO at MTN Nigeria, and the Head of Human Resources, Stanbic-IBTC Group, Mrs. Funke Amobi.

The SHRM programme is part of the HR strategy roundtable offering by the SHRM Forum Nigeria. It is a highly sought-after programme designed to share best practices amongst senior and growing HR practitioners who are members of SHRM and resident or working in Nigeria. The programme takes the form of a detailed keynote/presentation session, a question and answer session, followed by networking and interactions between members.

“The scrapping of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture is unfortunate and it was such a huge blow that shocked all stakeholders Tourism expert and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market,

Ikechi Uko

20

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD EX-FAAN MD: WHY FG SHOULD PRIVATISE 22 AIRPORTS has come for stakeholders to start working on the viability of the other airports scattered across the country.

“That we always say that the entire airports contribute perhaps about two percent to the GDP. If you break that down, on a proportionate scale, how many airports added value to the entire GDP. Perhaps, it is just the flagships and we need to go beyond the flagships today.

“We have to start talking about Enugu, Calabar, Yola and Sokoto airports, these airports exist because there is a reason for their existence as there is so much potential in them.”

It is believed that potentially huge revenues that should be accruing from airport facilities are lost because the airport facilities are not well-developed and non-aeronautical sources that in other countries generate more revenues that the aeronautical revenue sources are not developed in Nigeria.

FOUR FOREIGN COMPANIES SCRAMBLING FOR BAKASSI DEEP SEAPORT, SAYS AYADE “yet we were one of the few state that paid salaries before Easter. This is an indication that we have the capacity and the vision to move the state beyond money by using our intellect and fear of God.” The proposed development of a deep sea port in Bakassi, has the potential to turn around the economic circumstances of the state and bring hope and prosperity to, the people of Bakassi.

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs for the citizens, generate revenue for the state and serve as a channel of international trade between Nigeria and the rest of the world.

The Bakassi Deep Sea Port is a huge project and is proposed as a public private partnership with the Private sector driving the project. Due to its capacity to improve the living condition of the people of Bakassi in particular and Cross River State in general, the state government attaches great significance to the Bakassi Deep Sea Port Project.

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 (AgriBusiness)

NEWS

Julius Berger Nigeria’s Profit Dips 70% on Lull in Construction Sector Goddy Egene The lull in the construction sector of the Nigerian economy has impacted negatively on the operations of Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc, leading to a dip of 70 per cent in profit after tax(PAT) for the year ended December 31, 2015. JBN is a leading construction company offering integrated construction solutions and related services. The company handles significant percentage of federal and state governments’ construction works.

However, given the fall in the revenue of government caused by the decline price of crude oil, most major construction works, including roads and houses, have been put on hold since the second half of last year.

And the audited results of JBN appear to be reflecting the negative impact of that as its revenue and profit declined. Revenue for 2015 stood at N133.807 billion, showing a decrease of 32 per cent from the N196.808 billion in 2014. A breakdown of the revenue showed that earnings from Civil works fell by 30 per cent from N1019.3 billion in 2014 to N75.8 billion, while revenue from Building works and Services declined by 33 per cent from N70.38 billion to N46.64 billion and from N17.088 billion to N11.32 billion respectively. Gross profit fell from N50.495 billion to N33.334 billion.

However, JBN strived to reduce cost of operations.

For instance, marketing expenses was reduced from N116.8 million to N75 million,

while administrative expenses declined from N31.497 billion to N21.445 billion. Financial cost rose from N5.9 billion to N6.148 billion.

Consequently, the company ended the year with a profit before tax of N6.499 billion, down by 50 per cent from N13.134 billion in 2014. PAT recorded a higher decline of 70 per cent to N2.440 billion, from N8.23 billion.

The immediate past President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Remi Bello has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the re-introduction of the ban on importation of rice through the land borders, describing it as a congenial progress.

According to him, the decision would encourage local production of rice thereby boosting the nation’s economy through farming.

While criticising NCS for reversing the earlier ban placed on the commodity last year, Bello said, “With the kind of investment our people have made to rice production, there should not be any need for us to relax it in the first place and allow imported rice to come in through the land borders.

In all ramifications, it is not the best thing to have

in Abuja during the 45th annual general meeting, the Chairman of JBN, Air Vice Marshall Nurudeen Imam (rtd) blamed the dip in revenue on several factors, including the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa and fall in price of crude oil.

“The economy was hit by various factors simultaneously, the unfortunate, but well managed influx of the

Ebola virus, the falling crude oil price on international markets and the adjustment of the naira are but a few.

Such serious adversely influenced the business climate, as well as financial budgets and subsequent funding nationwide, and result in an overall downward trend which picked up momentum by the third quarter of the year,” Imam said.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Executive Director, Marketing and Business Devt, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Ugochi Odemelam, Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Olaoran Soyinka, President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs. Isioma Chukwuma, outgoing Director General CIIN, Kola Ahmed and incoming Director General of the Institute Tayo Borokini, during the courtesy visit of the Institute to Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc … recently

Former LCCI President Hails NCS on Importation Policy Nosa Alekhuogie with Agency Report

Since its pioneer project in 1965, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria. The company specialises in executing complex works requiring the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow.

The construction giant had similarly witnessed a drop in revenue in 2014. Addressing shareholders of the company

happened then but if it is now happening, I believe it is going to help our farmers. It is a welcome development. So it should be encouraged.”

Ships and Ports quoted Bello as saying noting that while the country is not self -sufficient in rice production, with special focus on the agricultural sector, the country will be the better for it at the long run.

On whether the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy restricting foreign currency supply to importers of rice will not be a set back to the reintroduction of the ban, as importers will now be expected to import the commodity only through the seaport.

Bello said: “The objective of the CBN’s restriction is to encourage local production.

Even in LCCI we are not canvassing that rice should be included in the items that should have access to foreign exchange. “

Small-scale Farmers Face Difficulty in Accessing Agricultural Policies Small-scale farmers are said to be facing challenges in accessing and benefiting from government agricultural policies and practices despite that they account for over 80 per cent in the country.

The President, Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Bauchi state chapter, Alhaji Ahmed Jalam, who made the observation when he led members of the Association on a courtesy visit to Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture said that ‘’because our members are scattered and isolated, they have faced marginalisation, exclusion and disempowerment over time’’.

While appealing to the federal and state governments to place high premium on increasing their budgetary allocations to Agriculture, Jalam noted that ‘’in view of the continuous nose-diving nature of budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector, the 2003 AU Maputo Declaration of a minimum of 10 per cent of national budget for agriculture cannot be over emphasised.’’ ‘‘The same declaration is binding on states and local

government. After analysing the 2015 and 2016 Bauchi budgets for Agriculture, the finding is 5.8 for 2015 and 6.9 for 2016, ASSAPIN wish to commend the present government for the increase of 1.1 per cent, however more needs to be done in terms of budget implementation.’’

He also urged that at least 60 per cent of Agriculture funds/facilities be dedicated to Small-scale farmers, emphasising that ‘‘60 per cent of the agriculture investments in budgets as well as in any intervention facilities at federal and state levels to be earmarked for small scale farmers (SSFs) and small-scale agriculture, with the aim of making small scale agriculture commercially viable, and increasing household incomes of small scale farmers.’’

According to him,‘‘ The small-scale farmers should be involved in policy dialogues and actively participate in decision making and implementation processes that affect their livelihood. While a national agency for small scale agricultural development which should be set up by the

government to undertake a national survey of small scale agric, capacity assessment of small scale farmers and in turn design a national response strategy and development plan that would improve and sustain the growth of small scale farmers and agriculture as a whole.’’

In his remarks, the chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Hon Auwal Hassan said that with its status as the largest employer of labour in the country and with its huge potential to become an alternative foreign exchange earner, governments at all levels should now take a serious look at the agriculture sector.

The chairman, who commended the initiative of the association in their quest to empower small scale farmers through mobilisation, capacity building and support to improve agriculture for sustainable development of the nation expressed the support of BAHA for the actualisation of the 2003 AU Maputo Declaration of a minimum of 10 per cent of national and state budgets for agriculture.

21

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Brussels Airport Attacks as an Eye Opener With the current security challenges in Nigeria vis-a-vis the recent Brussels airport attacks, Chinedu Eze writes on the need for the federal government to take adequate measure to secure the nation’s airports Aviation security experts and other airport users have been calling on the federal government to take urgent steps to secure the nation’s 27 airports following the heightened insurgency in some parts of the country.

They had stated the need for the government to deploy modern security equipment at the airports as well as ensuring effective screening of travellers and baggage.

The incidents of stowaways from Nigeria dates back to 1980s, when people hide themselves in the aircraft wheels and were taken out of the country. Many of them lost their lives in the process. One remarkable incident involved a 13-year old boy Daniel Ricky Ohikhena, who hid himself in the aircraft wheel-well in Benin and was brought to Lagos in Arik Air flight.

Experts argue that if stowaways could access the airside areas easily because of security lapses, terrorists can also gain entry into the aircraft with ease.

Tightening of Security Aviation security expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) told THISDAY that the Brussels attack was beyond airport security alone.

He said it was more of a national aviation security noting that intelligence plays a critical role in any security system.

“Does government have people among the homegrown terrorists on the watch list or does it have any on no-fly-list? Does government security or intelligence agencies share any of these with the airports or airlines operators to enable them keep surveillance on them. Does the National Immigration Service (NIS) share passenger names records with other countries as it has been done in Europe the US?” How many airlines apply advanced passenger information services and share such with passengers’ destination, Ojikutu rhetorically asked.

Furthermore, the security expert queried how secured the airport access control is and how the government has taken care of insider’s threat. ‘’These are intelligence network, preemptive action and surveillance and not a job for snif.fer dogs.

“Remember, it took us over eight years before we could put faces on those within the Boko Haram cell that the military has now put on the watch-lists. The question now is, are these persons on the watchlists for aviation security? Have we shared their list with the responsible authorities at the airports that need to know?

He added: ‘’ln all these, all access/ entrances into all passengers terminal buildings must have baggage screening machines to detect explosive vapour. The same should apply to passengers.”

Insider Threat The level of safety breaches all over the world, indicate that more actions needed be taken to fortify the airports. On Tuesday, Egypt Air airliner carrying dozens of pas-

sengers and several crewmembers was hijacked by a passenger who threatened he had an explosive belt.

The plane was forced to land at Larcana airport in Cyprus.

When the pilot was told by the hijacker that he had explosive belt, the pilot did not express any doubt. Industry analysts said the action of the pilot showed that he didn’t have confidence in the security apparatus at the airport, possibly knowing that a person with explosive could sneak through the security screening process without being detected. Industry observers also argue that the hijacker could do this with insider cooperation, which was evident in the Sham el Sheik bombing of Russian airliner last year.

It has even become more frightening when security apparatus in an airport could be perforated by insider threat.

Nigerian airports passengers have often expressed shock over the security laxity at the screening points, where aviation security personnel solicit for money from passengers and where some passengers carrying prohibited objects were allegedly cleared to go with their luggage for a price.

About two weeks ago the management of FAAN redeployed some AVSEC personnel, who had turned the security screening section of one of the domestic terminals in Lagos to a beggars’ den. Industry observers said this was worrisome because if security officials could open their doors for a price, it then means that terrorists could access the airside and in the aircraft, which would be very dangerous. Former senior security official in FAAN said that when you collect money from a passenger, you have rendered yourself powerless over him; therefore, you cannot enforce the rules as far as that passenger was concerned.

“When you weaken the authority you have by collecting money from

a passenger, you cannot enforce the rules anymore. You have to compromise to the whims of the passenger. He will be reluctant to remove his belt, you tell him for screening without moving the belt; he will look into your eyes when you tell him to remove his shoes; then you tell him, ‘don’t worry, you can go’; you are now an insider threat,” the former AVSEC official said.

Airports as Soft Targets Former Managing Director of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun remarked that airports and aircraft continue to offer series of highly attractive targets to terrorists and insurgents for the following reasons: The high value of the aircraft themselves, the concentration of people (often representing different nationalities), the automatic media coverage (breaking news/headlines) generated by aviation related terrorism due to the drama, publicity and psychological effect associated with it and the uniqueness of airlines and airports as veritable instruments of national identity, which makes it targets for terrorist attacks.

“It is worthy to note that the protection of civil aviation against global terrorism (Aviation Security) is normally tackled by a two-prong approach: the regulatory framework and the technical/physical protection measures,” Aisuebeogun said.

Preventing Terror Attacks Aviation security expert and CEO of Scope Centre, a security outfit, Adebayo Babatunde said the passengers cannot be prevented from accessing the airport but there should be proper access control. According to him, the most potent instrument to check terror is intelligence, so all the security operatives must share intelligence across airports and across nations.

He said that if intelligence fails then technology should be deployed to screen all airport users and the

airside of the airport and the terminal must be rendered sterile.

“We must follow international security procedures; there should be no compromises. If a bag is unattended to remove it and destroy it and government should urgently acquire explosive detection system (EDS), which has been recommended for all international airports,” Babatunde said.

He said that the security apparatus of any airport should never underestimate the capacity of terror.

“To maintain tight security at the airports, there must be a review of the security of the airport and this must be professionally done. This will throw up all the gaps and solutions will be recommended that will form a template for the improvement of security at that airport,” he said.

Porous Airports Almost all the airports in Nigeria lack comprehensive perimeter fence, so they are all accessible to unauthorised people who could be hunters, terrorists, vandals or even armed robbers. There had been efforts to build such fences at some airports but none has been completed.

Besides the perimeter fence, the airside is further secured by another fence to ensure that the airside, which is a very sensitive area, is not accessed by unauthorised persons.

Last week, in an interview, the General Manager, Public Affairs, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati, said the federal government would require at least N25 billion to construct perimeter and operational fences across all the 22 airports owned by the agency.

Few years ago, World Bank assisted FAAN to build inner perimeter fencing to secure the airside of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. But not all the airports benefitted from this funding and as the years go it becomes more difficult to carry out this project. It is even more difficult

now with the downward trend of the economy, it will be very difficult for government to deploy such fund for airport perimeter fencing and it is because of the paucity of funds from government that there is continuous agitation for airport privatisation.

According to Dati, each of the 22 airports is about 50 kilometres long and would require serious investments for all of them to be properly fenced according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended practices.

Apart from the four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt that are partially fenced, other 18 airports owned by the federal government are not fenced, a situation, which has led to encroachments on the lands by some indigenes.

Investigations indicated that the 22 airports across the country occupy over 500 kilometers of landmass.

ICAO security guidelines prescribe that all airports must be secured with double perimeter fences.

Dati however explained that there are other safety measures FAAN has taken in line with international best practice to boost security and safety within the nation’s airports.

He pointed out that the agency had introduced the perimeter patrol, built perimeter towers, which enables the Aviation Security personnel and other security agencies to have a full overview of the airport environment and installed latest technologies in strategic locations to increase surveillance.

Dati also said most of the leakages observed in the past by analysts and other aviation stakeholders had been closed by the authority, stressing that this had made it possible for FAAN to scale the American Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security audit carried out earlier in the month at the Lagos Airport.

“It would be recalled that about two months ago, we invited a team from Airport Council International (ACI) to carry out security audit of our airports and they identified some gaps, which needed to be closed and we were able to close those gaps.

That is why when TSA came calling about two weeks ago, we were given clean bill of health because all the loopholes have been closed.

“Insider’s threat is another area that we are looking at. We profile anybody that works within the terminal or in the terminal in line with global standards. It is after passing that we issue them On-Duty-Card (ODC).

Even at that, the ODC also has some levels of restrictions such that it is not every holder that has access to every part of the terminal. We have different levels and colours based on the level of clearance you have received,” Dati added.

Despite the above efforts, any security apparatus at the airports where authorised personnel who are supposed to implement and enforce regulations compromise by soliciting for money, such security system is in constant breach; that is a major challenge facing FAAN, which it must stamp out.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Industry Stakeholders Commend FAAN for Successful ICAO Audit Stories by Chinedu Eze Industry stakeholders have commended the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma for making it possible for the agency to pull through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

They said as a seasoned aviator, Dunoma took the challenge of closing the gaps earlier identified

by ICAO with a deadline very close to the audit date.

The stakeholders noted that before the audit team arrived, FAAN was already prepared to meet the expectation of the world aviation body.

Reacting to the pass mark given to FAAN and the industry, the President of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), Benjamin Okewu said the agency merited the approval given it by ICAO. Okewu noted that initially there were open items but a lot of work was done by FAAN and all those problems were addressed and remarked that the agency has embarked on training of personnel, which is not conclusive but open-ended.

“I feel we merited the high score. During the last time there

were open items but a lot of those issues were addressed.

The issue of training is gradual so ICAO understands that this would happen over time and that it is ongoing.

“Fencing the airports both the airport fencing and perimeter fencing will take sometime but even now the airports are not porous as people claim because the runways are well protected and the security personnel are well trained.

I think we merited the pass mark,” Okewu said.

Also speaking in the same vein, the industry consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said although the infrastructural status of the airports in the country may not attract a high rating but that so much work has gone into safety and security.

He said that Aviation Security personnel has been properly trained and they know their job and attributed this to Dunoma’s immense experience in the area of safety and security.

“Even when ICAO was coming I wasn’t thinking that anything would go wrong. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has done a lot to enforce compliance in the airlines and in the agencies. I think the Aviation Security is doing so well

because Dunoma was in charge of Security before he became the Director of Operations. He made sure that what was done, was done well.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Yakubu Dati said that before the ICAO audit, FAAN focused on providing critical infrastructure on the airside of all its airports in order to enhance landing and take off of flights.

The Authority, he said, continued to work on the rehabilitation and expansion of airport terminal facilities, providing landing aids and provision of runway lighting.

It kicked off the installation of airfield lighting at 13 airports and many of them have been completed.

Dati said there has been significant infrastructural improvement at the airports, adding that recent figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics attested to the fact that passenger movement has grown appreciably in recent years; from 13,891,677 passengers in 2010 to 14,899,958 passengers lifted in 2013.

“Surely this growth is outcome of deliberate strategic transformation by the government in the sector and indeed, a key performance indicator that the reforms are yielding positive outcomes.

Union Writes Minister over Multiple Taxation The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has written the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika over alleged exorbitant and multiple taxation/fees arbitrarily imposed on handling company by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The letter, which was signed by the acting General Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Abioye called the attention of the minister to the “seeming industrial crisis looming within our airports between the management of the FAAN and the two handling companies comprising of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) over the latter’s arbitrary, irregular, exorbitant and multiple fees imposed on these companies and its workers without recourse to established rules.”

The union claimed that it had intervened in order to avert imminent crisis between FAAN and these companies because of the attendant consequences if the disagreement was allowed to fester.

“It may interest the minister

to note that as partners with all these organisations, it is our duty to intervene in this manner by drawing your attention to this grievous matter, disagreement was allowed to fester, more so with its attendant consequences.

“Whereas we affirm and have severally advised the management of the Federal Airports Authority to engage in, and embark on increased internally generated revenue from non-aeronautical and ancillary sources, and whereas the management of FAAN has deployed its attention in this direction, in conformity with its objectives, and whereas these handling companies, being operators of passengers and cargo handling services require conducive and environmentally friendly airports to fulfill their obligations to its numerous customers, which has continued to add value to FAAN as an airport operator,” the union said.

NUATE said in ensuring that industrial harmony reigns within the system, and bearing in mind that FAAN ought to respect the rights of its “ business partners” to a round table discussions on

its incessant “hike in tariff “ in consonance with international best practices, more so as provided for in Section ii of ICAO’s policies on airport charges.

It said the purpose of consultation was to ensure that the provider gives adequate information to users relating to proposed changes and gives proper consideration to their views and the effect the charges would have on them.

“For FAAN therefore to be seen and appreciated by its business partners such as NAHCO and SAHCOL, it must ensure that consultations takes place before any change in tariffs are imposed and should not be an annual event, done in the most shady manner, lacking in transparency, bearing in mind the consequences of the impact on the users.

May we kindly use this medium to highlight the current and various fees, tariffs and levies imposed on the management of the two companies while painfully, their workers were not left out, as these innocent workers had to pay saverally for accessing their respective offices, from their meager salaries.

Boeing to Cut About 4,500 Jobs Boeing will cut about 4,000 jobs in its commercial aircraft division by the middle of this year and another 550 in a division that conducts flight and lab tests, Reuters has reported.

The plane maker will reduce 1,600 positions in the commercial planes division through voluntary layoffs, while the rest of the cuts are expected to be completed by leaving open positions unfilled, spokesman

Doug Alder said.

“While there is no employment reduction target, the more we can control costs as a whole the less impact there will be to employment,” Alder said.

The job cuts, which will include hundreds at executive and managerial positions, will not be done through involuntary layoffs, Alder said.

Boeing will also cut about 10 percent of the approximately 5,700 jobs in its test and evalu-

ation division, which conducts flight and lab tests, spokeswoman Sandra Angers said.

The company had a total of 161,400 employees as of December 31.

In February, Ray Conner, chief executive of Boeing’s commercial aircraft business, warned employees that job cuts were necessary to “win in the market, fund our growth and operate as a healthy business.”

AIR WATCH The Fate of Egypt Air and Tourism

W

hen the revolution started in Egypt to oust the then President Hosni Mubarak, the Western world was jubilant; it was seen as a new go at democracy in a country that has been under a seemingly benevolent dictator.

The people revolted; the youths took over the freedom square located few meters to the national museum in Cairo, a huge revenue earner to Egypt, which generated about 95 per cent of its revenues from tourism.

When this writer visited Egypt a year after the revolution, the stigma of destruction by young protesters was still apparent. The highly priced Cairo museum was pillaged and invaluable artifacts carted away. There were efforts by the concerned agencies to get back the missing priced artifacts.

The protests, which started in 2011 lasted till 2013 killing tourism in the North African country, known as the cradle of civilisation.

THISDAY learnt that during the revolution in 2011, the number of visitors to that country plummeted by over 37 per cent that year, falling from 14 million in 2010 to just nine million by end of 2011. This also affected businesses that directly and indirectly were dependent on tourism, from hotel accommodation to car rentals and other sundry services that attended to the needs of foreigners who travel to Egypt to see the Pyramids and the tombs of the Pharaohs.

Reports said that in 2013, Egypt ranked 85th as the world’s best country in terms of tourism and travelling, falling 10 places from its ranking of 75 in 2011.

But the tragedy that drove the nail to the coffin on tourism in Egypt was the explosion of Russian airliner after it took off from the Sharm al-Sheik airport. Egypt, especially Sharm al-Sheik had become idyllic tourist haven for Russians before that tragedy, which killed 224 souls on board.

It became very painful, when it was revealed that it was an insider job that facilitated the movement of the bomb that pulverised the aircraft into its hall and seconds into flight disintegrated it into smithereens.

A similar but not very tragic incident happened on Tuesday when a university professor hijacked Egypt Air airline that was flying from Alexandria to Cairo and diverted it to Cyprus.

Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement that 81 people, including 21 foreigners and 15 crew, had been onboard the flight when it took off.

Conflicting theories emerged about the hijacker’s motives, with Cypriot officials saying early the incident did not appear related to terrorism but the Cypriot state broadcaster saying he had demanded the release of women prisoners in Egypt.

After the aircraft landed at Larnaca airport, negotiations began and everyone onboard was freed except three passengers and four crew, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fethy said.

Soon after his comments, Cypriot television footage showed several people leaving the plane via the stairs and another man climbing out of the cockpit window and running off.

This incident has further depleted the goodwill of Egypt as a tourist destination.

According to Reuters, tourism in Sharm al-Sheikh was picking up again after years of political turmoil, with so many Russians enjoying the sun and fun that local beach aerobics instructors used the visitors’ own language rather than Arabic or English.

“Life was at last starting to look good for residents of the Red Sea resort, but that was before an airliner taking Russian tourists home broke up over the Sinai Peninsula, where Islamic State militants suspected of planting a bomb on the plane are waging an insurgency.

Now the future looks grim for thousands of Egyptians, from taxi drivers to diving instructors, who flocked to Sharm al-Sheikh and other cities in Egypt to find jobs.

“I have been working in Sharm for three years but this is the first time I have ever seen it so empty,” said Ahmed Rabie. He spoke outside the cafe he runs in Naama Bay, at the resort’s heart. Chairs were stacked on tables and not a single person was sitting inside.

Normally, “all these cafes and restaurants would be full.”

Rabie pays EGP30,000 Egyptian pounds $3,700) a month to rent the space, in addition to operational costs,” Reuters quoted an Egyptian resident of Sharm al-Sheik.

According to Egypt Daily News, the hijack on Tuesday is a blow to tourism, which was trying to resurrect after the Sharm al-Sheik tragedy.

“The hijacked EgyptAir flight on Tuesday comes shortly after a series of security attacks that have substantially affected the tourism industry in Egypt, causing tourism revenues to sharply decline to $6bn in 2015.

This compares to the $12.5bn in revenues in 2010, prior to the 25 January Revolution.

An EgyptAir flight that departed from Borg El-Arab airport near Alexandria was hijacked Tuesday morning and forced to land in Larnaca airport in Cyprus,” Daily News reported.

The lesson for Nigeria is that while Nigeria hardly records foreign visitors for sightseeing and the unveiling of history, it enjoys business tourism. But since the gloomy economy and the devastating effects of the activities of the local terror organisation, Boko Haram, the not-so much cheering figures of foreign visitors are also depleting. So the key words are peace, safety and security, the essential ingredients for the influx of foreigners. These are what Egypt has lost.

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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Acting Features Editor: Charles Ajunwa Email: charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

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THISLIFE | P33

FILE

THE JOURNEY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

24/COVER

01.04.2016

The Journey that Changed My Life Three years ago, Remi Owadokun weighed 110kg. But through dieting and a disciplined fitness regime, she lost 40kg and went on to become a certified health coach. She however is making headlines not for her weight loss, but as an author. Her book, 'How I lost 40kg: The journey that changed My Life', has just been named the number one bestseller on Amazon.

The book is the only Nigerian book to attain the record on Amazon. In this interview with Mary Ekah, she talks about her book, her experience as a fat girl, and offers advise on how others can overcome their weight problems quality of life. I did not enjoy not finding clothes of my size, I did not enjoy finding clothes of my size that were so ugly, I did not like being the biggest person in the group, I did not like being called Madam.

I did not like being asked if I was pregnant.

I did not like when people asked for my children even when I don’t have any yet. I did not like when the tailor asked for extra material or when he said the style wouldn’t fit someone of my stature. I did not like that I was not full of energy or full of life. I did not like that I was constantly suffering from one ailment or the other and I did not like how it affected myself esteem. So if you are overweight and you can honestly tell yourself that you enjoy your figure and the baggage it brings, then good for you. What I try to address is not just the physical appearance but what it may do to your state of mind and how it affects those around you.

How do you feel about your book hitting the number one best seller on Amazon?

It is indeed an amazing privilege, considering it was barely available to the Nigerian audience due to Amazon’s Country restriction. Becoming an Amazon bestselling Author to a mostly international audience is very encouraging.

So yes, I am an Amazon International Bestselling Author, I’m not a local champion. It’s a good feeling.

How did you get to know that your book was number one?

Well, once you create an account on Kindle Direct, you get statistics and you watch your book grow up the ranks or fall depending on its relevance. But that is for me as an admin on the back end. Anyone who searches for my name in the Kindle App will find the book and it’s details, the details will show where it is ranked on the best sellers list, that list is open to the general public. You can monitor how any book is doing on the ranks or if it made the list at all. The ranks are updated hourly. I made it to number five within the first hour and by the time it got to the eight hour, I was holding it strong at number two. Today, I am number one.

Did it come as a surprise or was it something you expected?

When I put my book on Kindle, I wanted to be a best seller; I went in with that goal in mind. I am a goal getter so I will not say it was a surprise, I expected to be number one. When I got to number two, I kept my fingers crossed. I have to point out that just three weeks before I made my book available on Kindle, I met an amazing woman called Naomi Osemedua. She is popularly known as the Periscope Rockstar, she released a book called “Socially Speaking”. In the book she talked about her journey on periscope and it made it to number four on the Amazon Best Sellers list. I got in touch with her and she gave me some amazing pointers. That also played a major role in my hitting the best sellers mark, she made me believe that I could do it and that gave me psychological permission.

What was the motivation for writing the book?

I knew that I could not go to all the places I hope to go with my message in this lifetime with the time I have available and being one person. So I put myself on the internet, which is the closest thing to being omnipresent. I printed my book so that it could go anywhere in the world without me being physically present. I am a Certified Health Coach and as a coach there is a limit to the number of people I can work with, but with my book, I can coach millions of people whom I may never meet.

Can you tell us more about the book?

You’ll have to buy it.

Now, tell us about your incredible journey to weight loss?

In 2013, I weighed 110kg, I was grossly overweight, suffered from low self-esteem, suffered from fat related diseases to the other (Migraines, pre-diabetes, hormonal imbalance) and one day I was sick and tired of living such a low quality lifestyle and decided it was time for permanent change. It took me 10 months to lose 40kg, I did not have a personal

Have there been side effects to the weight loss?

I have had people who say they prefer me when I was overweight. Some asked if I am ill and some make some nasty comments.

My clients also face similar challenges. I encourage them and myself in the process to focus on the many positives.

Still on the book, being number one means a lot of sales, you must be very rich now?

I cannot tell you that. Do you want me to be robbed? Yes the money is rolling in, but I did not write the book just because I wanted to make money. The idea is to help people find good health that they seek. If I make money on the side, it only means that I have reached a lot of people.

Owadokun

Is this your first book?

This is my first book as the only contributing author, yes. In 2003, I co-authored a book on youth and community development with 11 others in the United States.

Is there a sequel in the making?

Yes, I am presently writing another book and have two other drafts in the pipeline.

I should have my next book by the end of the year.

Owadokun's book

trainer, was not enrolled to the gym so I spent so much time doing trial and error. I did not know what to eat, what not to eat, how to exercise and what was best to do. I spent a lot of time and money experimenting on all the safe and natural methods. Like everyone who has ever wanted to lose weight, you have tried and failed many times. So have I. I had tried several times and failed but this time I started, hit a number of bumps on the way but kept going.

Did you undergo any surgery to achieve that?

No. I never had to go through any medical procedure and I personally don’t encourage that and here is my reason: When you do a surgery, you fix the symptom, which is fat, you have not dealt with what made you fat,

you have not dealt with the root. When you do this, you are still leaving room for it to grow. What will happen when the things that caused you to add weight return? You do another surgery? So, I usually do not encourage quick fixes and trust me there are so many quick fixes available. It takes a lot of self-discipline, consistency and mental toughness to keep it together and because we have all struggled with discipline and consistency in at least one area of our lives, we know that this is a very difficult thing to accomplish.

Some women just enjoy their full figure, so what was the motivation for slimming down?

Like I mentioned before, I wanted a better

Who is Remi Owadokun?

I am a dreamer, go-getter, risk taker, adventurer, traveler and writer. I am also a Certified Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the biggest Nutrition School in the world. I consider myself a suitcase entrepreneur. As long as I have my suitcase with my laptop and internet, I can set up anywhere in the world. I have worked with over 800 people in seven countries, across four continents. I am the founder of the Total Makeover Programme Academy and the Creative Director of the “Phat Gal Series”. Phat Gal series is an online-based animation that is aimed at spreading health consciousness by exposing the truth about Phat Gals and the lies they believe. The stories are based on true life but expressed as a comedy to make it fun.

What is your advice to people with similar story as yours?

You can achieve anything you set your mind to do. Like my friend Steve Harris says, “It is not what you don’t have that limits you, it is what you have but don’t know how to use”

25/XTRA

01.04.2016

Sanofi: Making Affordable Healthcare a Mandate The launch of Zentiva in Nigeria, the third largest and fastest growing generics company in Europe, by Sanofi, is seen as a move to ameliorate the plight of many, for whom affordable healthcare was out of reach. Writes Mary Ekah Records abound of unavoidable and untimely deaths traced to a number of factors including counterfeit or adulterated drugs and lack of access to qualitative medicines because they are either out of reach of the patient in terms of availability and affordability. The wide availability and affordability of drugs have been highly linked to achieving not only the sustainable development goals of health, but also sustainable development goals in general.

Access to affordable and qualitative drugs remains a challenge, especially in developing and underdeveloped nations. A paper on the United Nation’s Secretary-General’s high level panel on access to medicines states that lack of political will and poor regulation makes Nigeria a market for substandard and counterfeit drugs. The panel further described access to drugs as one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.

A report by the Department for International Development (DFID) revealed that people lack access to medicines where they cannot obtain the products they need to prevent or treat a medical condition. According to the report, this scenario might be because a product is unavailable or is not offered, or because it is unaffordable. Many medicines needed to treat ailments remain largely unavailable or inaccessible for many.

These and many other factors contribute to the high level of access to healthcare, thus ensuring that majority of the populace cannot either take preventive measures, to make themselves immune against certain diseases; or afford treatment, in the event that they fall ill and require treatment. In some extreme instances, affordable healthcare is seen as a mirage.

To this end, Zentiva, recently launched by Sanofi, is seen as a move to ameliorate the plight of many, for whom affordable healthcare was out of reach. The introduction of Zentiva in Nigeria has been described as a move towards alleviating the challenges of accessibility and affordability of quality drugs, which a lot of Nigerians are confronted with. Zentiva, which is the third largest and fastest, growing Generics Company in Europe, is at the forefront of developing modern and affordable medicines.

The Managing Director of Sanofi NigeriaGhana, Mr. Abderrahmane Chikabi, was unequivocal when he stated that the subject of health economics remains a topical issue among stakeholders. Indeed, the issue of how to provide sustainable universal health coverage to patients remains a course of concern for stakeholders in the health industry; amongst whom are government officials, public decision makers, researchers, drug manufacturers, healthcare managers and the like.

At the official launch of Zentiva, he made reference to earlier reports, which indicated that a significant portion of the population in sub – Sahara Africa cannot afford basic healthcare and also have limited access to efficacious medicines; just as the burdens of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV AIDS and tuberculosis persist. He further alerted on the dangers of counterfeit and adulterated drugs not only to the patients and individuals but also quantified it in terms of economic loss to the nation.

“Counterfeit and adulterated medicines are part of the health and challenges. It has been estimated that not less than 30 per cent of medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa are counterfeit, adulterated, substandard, illegally imported or mislabeled. The use of these medicines may lead to therapeutic failures, prolonged hospitalisation, development of complications or adverse events and may ultimately give rise to increased healthcare costs to the patients”, Chikabi noted.

He reasoned that these negative factors put significant social and economic pressures

L-R: Chairman, Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria, Dr. Kolawole Owoka, Director, Drug Evaluation and Research, NAFDAC, Mrs. Titilope Owolabi, Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, and Managing Director of Sanofi Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Abderrahmane Chakibi, at the launch of Zentiva in Nigeria

on governments, donor agencies, healthcare providers, patients and their families, adding that the resultant effect is that governments will have to grapple with the challenges of rising healthcare costs in the face of an everincreasing population.

Speaking on the role of Sanofi, he said that the company continually responds to the challenge protecting the health of the populace. “Our ambition is to increase access to healthcare through the provision of innovative medicines and disease management expertise.”

He further said that the company partners stakeholders such as health authorities, healthcare practitioners, public and private health institutions, non-governmental organisations and patients. He further stated that the company continues to invest in research and development in order to discover and develop new therapeutic solutions to tackle emerging health challenges.

Speaking on the rationale behind the launch of Zentiva, the Sanofi MD stated that it was in line with the company’s strategy to continually provide safe, effective and cost-effective drugs to support in driving down overall healthcare costs. He declared that the ‘unveil’ of the company’s rich portfolio of quality and costeffective generic medicines under the Zentiva identity was a direct reinforcement of Sanofi’s access to healthcare ambitions.

“Zentiva is a Sanofi company. Zentiva is an international leader that develops, produces and distributes cost-effective generic medicines that improve and prolong the lives of more patients in more countries. It is a brand of proven efficacy, manufactured to the highest international quality standards and are duly registered with NAFDAC in Nigeria”, he said, adding, that Zentiva offers one of the broadest generic product portfolios for major therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, endocrine, female health, respiratory, anti-infectives and anti-fungals, urology, central nervous system, pain and gastrointestinal.

Chakibi advocated that quality healthcare should not be out of reach of the populace.

“Quality healthcare does not necessarily need to be expensive. Our people deserve to have access to the best quality but yet most costeffective medicines possible. With our extensive and secure distribution network, and unique expertise of our workforce and trade partners, Sanofi is strategically positioned to make the

Zentiva brands available to all who need it in Nigeria” he said.

In a paper titled: “It does matter what’s inside”, Director, Drug Evaluation and Research of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Titilope Owolabi, described accessibility to essential medicines of assured quality as a key indicator of equity and social justice. According to her, the goal of pharmaceutical development is to design a quality product and to ensure that its manufacturing processes and controls consistently deliver the intended performance of the product that meets consumer expectations.

Owolabi further outlined the phases involved in the product life cycle of a pharmaceutical drug viz: pharmaceutical development, technology transfer, manufacturing and then the discontinuation stage. She further explained that NAFDAC’s expectations as captured in extant regulations are that manufacturers of pharmaceuticals will adhere to good manufacturing practice requirements and ensure the quality of pharmaceutical products that are fit for intended use, comply with marketing authorisation requirements and do not place the consumers at risk.

She added that the overall essence of NAFDAC’s stringent oversight supervision was to ensure that pharmaceutical products meet the requirements of safety, quality and efficacy they purport or are presented to possess.

According to her, the innovative or branded drugs have undergone the process of research and development and have been patented; while generic drugs are the copies of original marketed products on which the patents have expired and therefore can be marketed as equivalent to and therefore can be used in place of the original. She further stated that generic drugs are subjected to the same level of scrutiny as the branded drugs and therefore must undergo the same quality assurance process tests.

Owolabi said, “Despite the cost of the generic drugs, the quality, safety and efficacy are never compromised. There is no evidence that branded (innovative) drugs are superior to generic drugs.

Many generic drugs are manufactured in the same production facilities as the brand name drugs.”

Owolabi said the generic drugs should be bioequivalent to the innovator in dosage form, safety, strength, quality, performance characteristics, route of administration and

intended use.In an attempt to correct the notion in some quarters that generic drugs are inferior, Owolabi stated generic drugs are subjected to stringent manufacturing and packaging tests just like branded drugs. She stated that while generics drugs are cheaper than branded drugs, this does not mean they are of lower quality.

“Despite the low cost of the generic drugs, the quality, safety and efficacy are never compromised. This is ensured by the conduct of bioavailability/bioequivalence study on the generics as well as ensuring that the manufacture conforms to good manufacturing practice”, she said.

For a generic drug to be granted marketing authorisation is must be quantitatively and qualitatively similar to the comparator or branded medicine. While affirming that several studies have found no evidence that brand-name drugs are superior to generic drugs with respect to clinical outcomes, she however cautioned that there have been cases of failures with respect to both branded and generic drugs. She pointed out that many generic drugs are manufactured in the same facilities as branded drug products.

Speaking on the further benefits of generic drugs she said they allow patients to access safe, effective and high quality medicines at an affordable cost.

She said generic drug are affordable because their manufacturing companies incur lower sales and marketing expenses while they also benefit from a market already established by the branded drug manufacturing company.

Owolabi reiterated that promoting generics can help meet the objectives of health sector reforms by improving affordability, reducing cost, increasing choice and helping to rationalise both the selection and use of medicines, she affirmed that: “NAFDAC is well-positioned to ascertain the safety, quality, efficacy, purity and potency of any medicine in order to safeguard the health of the nation.”

Mr. Gabriel Ogunyemi, the Head of the Primary Care Business Unit of Sanofi NigeriaGhana, said Zentiva’s strategy is hinged on quality, affordability and efficacy, guaranteed

by Sanofi. He assured that Zentiva’s portfolio of generic drugs are effective and have the same potency as branded innovative drugs.

He however added that Sanofi Nigeria would remain as the legal entity.

26/ NEWS

01.04.2016

‘Inspire Mother Language amongst Our Children’ Mary Ekah The President of Working Moms Africa, Mrs. Mary Ikoku, has called on parents to endeavor to teach their children their native language no matter what it takes.

She explained that as Africans, we all need to be integrated in our culture by improving on our ability to speak our own native dialect.

Ikoku said this during a one-day international seminar held in Lagos to promote Nigeria’s cultural diversity. Orgniased by Moms Africa Magazine, a publication of Access Media Limited in line with the globally recognised International Mother Language Day which comes up every February 21, the event held in conjunction with Imperial Gate School, featured several speeches on the importance of the mother tongue, a health talk, as well as drama and cultural displays.

“Language gives us worth. Is it not funny that the International Mother Language Day has always been marked all over the world except in Nigeria?

Nigeria is a highly diversified country.

From childhood, we have always been told about unity in diversity and just now we are in a global kitchen where globalisation has brought everyone to that common place but globalisation doesn’t say we should do away with what makes us unique. It’s all about keeping it real with who we are, believing in ourselves, and keeping your language so that at

L-R: Trade Advisor, Mrs. Chindinma Udeze, Founder Working Moms Africa, Mrs. Mary Ikoku, Assistant Head Girl, Imperial Gate School Lagos, Miss Feyikemi Mutiu and Mrs. Victoria Duru at the event

the end of the day, when we meet in that tower, we will be able to identify”, Ikoku said, Speaking further she said, “The uniqueness is enormous so how we are able to jettison this very part of our lives is something that we are all trying to deal with. There's something spiritual about our mother tongue and what we are doing here today is actually to reinforce that in all of us. It is actually to retrieve our values, retrieve our culture, and retrieve the language of our mother tongue to be able to speak it when the need arises.

What stands you out is the language you have that no one else can interpret when you are in danger.”

Also present at the occasion was OAP and founder of Bethel Foundation, Dr. Yolanda George-David known as Aunt Landa on Inspiration FM. According to her, the seminar is a good opportunity to promote the mother language as well as to reinforce in the minds of people that there is something going wrong here.“Our languages are going out of tune and we need to retrieve the values that make us unique as a people. It is also to say, if government is not doing it, somebody has to do it. We are alive to this thing as mothers so that Nigeria will begin to play a role when the entire world is having this conversation on indigenous language.”

Star Winner Emerges in Astymin Get Alert Promo Mr. Irabor Michael from Bariga, Lagos State has emerged the first Star-Prize winner in the Astymin Get Alert Promo for the month of February 2016.

Irabor’s number was electronically selected amongst all the entries received from 1st to 29th of February in the ongoing promo and is being rewarded with the monthly Star-Prize of N100, 000. Irabor, a Microfinance banker led a list of 290 daily winners who had won N10, 000 each within the month of February, by carting away the monthly Grand Prize for February.

Irabor was obviously excited at the news of his emergence as a winner and expressed gratitude to Astymin for the prize, which he described as a timely relief.

“I am very excited about this prize and I want to thank Astymin for this reward. It will go a long way in providing financial relief for me and my family at this critical period,” he said.

The Astymin Get Alert Promo has been doling out N100, 000 to lucky winners

Astymin February star winner, Irabor Michael

every day since its commencement in February. This is the brand’s way of rewarding consumers with total well being for their bodies, money in their pockets and smiles on their faces. General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, said the brand is delivering on its promise of rewarding Nigerians for their loyalty and support in the last 15 years of its

existence in Nigeria.

“Part of our promises is to touch the lives of Nigerians and put smiles on their faces, through the delivery of quality product for good health. This time, beyond the health benefits, Astymin is also delivering financial values to Nigerians through the on-going promo. This is just the beginning, as more star-winners will emerge subsequently”, he said.

Ijimakin further encouraged Nigerians to prioritise their health and ensure they lead a healthy life-style every day. He said Astymin is committed to supporting healthy living amongst Nigerians, as the health of the people is the health of the nation.

Interested participants can join the list of lucky winners of Instant prizes by simply buying Astymin from any nearby pharmacy and checking the body of the bottle pack for the Astymin Get Alert seal with a scratch box. The box is scratched to reveal an entry number, which will be sent to the short code, 1393 for confirmation.

Winners Emerge at Tee and Tife Football Competition Golden Reaping College and First Apex School have won the maiden edition of the Alimosho Inter Schools cup final, sponsored by Tee and Tife Ventures.

Golden Reaping overcame Cedar College Baruwa 4-2 after extra time in a trilling final to capture the college category.

Cedar College came from a two goal down to force the game to extra time, to the delight of the thousands of fans and guests of Keda Field, Abesan Estate, Ipaja.

The primary school category was won by First Apex School, Alagbado who triumphed 4–3 through penalty shot out over Shalom Schools Baruwa, Ipaja. The win ensures a sweet revenge for First Apex who had earlier lost 2–1 to Shalom in the group stage.

Wasiu Sadu of First Apex was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in the primary school category, while Michael Adetoran emerged MVP in the college category.

Sponsor of the competition, Toyin Sodipo assured schools in Alimosho that it will be an annual event with the next edition billed to commence in

Facilitators and students at the Tee & Tife sports competition

October 2016.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju who was the guest icon said, “The competition will help select the next under 17 national team”. He commended the gallant performance exhibited by all the finalists.

Chief Executive Officer of Wonderland Entertainment, Tayo Adeyemo, revealed

that a total of 25 schools took part while 76 goals were scored. Nine players were banned for cheating while the affected schools were disqualified. The entire finalists received set of jerseys, medals and prize money courtesy of Tee and Tife. CWAY Milk, Nestle Milo, Nutri C, Tasty Time and Viju waters supported the event.

Phyno on the #HeiinekenGidiFest stage

A-list Artists, celebrities Grace #HeinekenGidiFest The highly anticipated 3rd edition of the #HeinekenGidiFest went down on last Saturday with performances by several A-list artists and the first ever Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ – The Takeover session in West Africa.

The event which held at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, had performances from D'banj, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Phyno, Timaya, Adekunle Gold and others.

Fans were treated to THE TAKEOVER, a unique music experience, which allows them to ‘takeover’ from the music DJ using customized wristbands provided

by Heineken Nigeria.

“Heineken is as into live music experiences as their fans are. That’s why it celebrates, encourages, and enables music fans to be more active music live-rs,” said Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken Nigeria. “Because to fully experience music, it's not enough to just listen to it, you have to live it.”

The event was hosted by Nigeria’s Sensei Uche and South Africa’s Nomuzi, while Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ – The Takeover session was hosted by David Jones David. Heineken also provided free transportation for music ‘live-rs’ as part of its commitment to the 'Don’t Drink & Drive – Enjoy Heineken Responsibly’ message.

Fountain Heights Alumni Gives Back Rebecca Ejifoma A large number of alumni of Fountain Heights Secondary School, Aguda Surulere came together recently with the intention to build skills and etiquette to nurture present students of their alma mater as their corporate social responsibility.

It was one week intense training for students in basic computer graphics, societal and daily etiquette, empowerment tools and talk from professionals, spelling bee, scrabbles and chest, tying of head gear, professional football with students and teachers and several others cemented with a dinner on Saturday February 13.

At a press conference held in the school, the alumni noted that they wanted to give back to the school for the years it imparted on them.

According to the Head of Alumni Danso Junaida, “We want the students to be vast in career and make cash after secondary school.”

Junaidia, assured that this will also help them to connect with others whom they have lost contact with over the years, adding, “I’ve come to realise that every stage of your life is formative. It is great to appreciate where you are coming from; not only to impart the students but also having that nostalgia when you see your teachers again after so many years.”

Meanwhile, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Adebimpe Delano, expressed joy over the alumni’s choice to give back to the school. “I am really excited that they are coming back to do this.”

Members of the Parents, Teachers alongside students were present at the dinner. It was a moment of reminiscence. They relished every moment of togetherness.

Many had become graduates of notable professions from various varsities in Nigeria.

27/LIVING

01.04.2016

Aisha Buhari Unveils New Nigeria in Rebirth Art Project Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has finally unveiled the much talked about new Nigeria in a gigantic art project tagged ‘Nigeria Rebirth.'

The event which held recently was attended by prominent Nigerians including Ambassadors of many countries as well as captains of industry, aimed to transform Nigeria through a rebirth which was symbolically represented in a masterpiece; a concept initiated by Comrade Isaac Balami's Cabinet-X Africa and supported by the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture.

36 artistes from all states of the federation participated in the art project and were recognised at the event.

The wife of the President who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, assured the organisers of her commitment to a new Nigeria.

She also thanked the group for making her the Grand Patron of the rebirth; saying the need for the National Rebirth had become necessary as the country was being faced with some challenges bequeathed it. According to Buhari, the project would bring about society free of corruption, nepotism and greed among other vices.

The project, she said, “will remind us that there is a drop and depth of greatness in every Nigerian. We are not yet there until all hands are on deck. We will achieve the desired change we all desire.

“She stated that African countries were looking up to Nigeria for positive change, affirming that once Nigeria attains a transformation, the entire continent would equally see a change. The president’s wife said the present administration would continue to fight vices that hinder the development of the country, emphasising that youths were the agents of change in every nation, as they constitute the largest part of population of the country.

She thanked the project team led by Cabinet X Africa Initiative, 37 artistes from each state and other stakeholders for their contribution to actualising the rebirth project.

New Nigeria in Rebirth Art Project

In what many have termed speech of the 21st century, the President and CEO of Cabinet-X Africa who is also the President, National Association of Aircraft and Pilot Engineers, Comrade Isaac Balami propelled Nigerian youths into action, saying the future of the country lies in the hands of exceptional and dogged Nigerian youths.

Balami who stressed on the importance of the rebirth asserted that, ‘’the past and present challenges of our nation need to be confronted by the rebirthing of a new Nigeria so that our future can be reshaped.

He said that on the 22nd of June 2015, ‘’the idea of a more united and prosperous new Nigeria was initiated, leading to a conceptual depiction of a New Nigeria which is being expressed by the Nigeria Rebirth Art Piece, which is the biggest Unity Art Work in Africa.

He said the artwork lasted for 100 days, and was painted by 37 artistes representing the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT. He said, ‘’The Art Piece was initiated by the Cabinet X Africa Initiative

and creatively drawn with the collaboration of Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Gallery of Art. He, however said that President Muhammadu Buhari would be the 38th artiste to work on the gigantic masterpiece, stating that the effort is “a new ideological framework that will transform and strengthen our homes, offices, schools, institutions and the nation as a whole and thereby enhancing our economic, socio-political, security and international outlook.

According to him, the project team will showcase the new Nigerian concept in 20 countries globally as well as going around the 36 states of the federation. The coordinator said the tour would build unity among Nigerians and as well create positive impressions about Nigeria globally.

Balami said that the touring of 36 states was to support the state governments to harmonise their areas of economic advantages and to raise awareness among Nigerians. He said after showcasing the new Nigeria to the world, the project would be handed over to President Buhari on October 1.

Meadow Hall Students Thrill

CIPM’s Career, Entrepreneurship Fair for April 7 Perturbed by the worsening unemployment situation in the country, particularly with the challenge most employers face in recruiting the right talents and the huge skills gap that make Nigerian graduates unattractive and uncompetitive in the labour market, the Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria (CIPM Nigeria), the leading human resource regulatory body in Nigeria with the vision of becoming the foremost people management Institute in Africa and respected across the world, is hosting the CIPM 2016 Career and Entrepreneurship Fair.

This year’s fair, with the theme ‘Owning Your Future’ is geared towards equipping participants with the skills and tools for youth employment and empowerment required to serve as change agents. Participation is free and would take place on Thursday, April 7 at NECA House Multipurpose Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, to commence at 9am.

To participate at the fair, participants are to register online. Registration is also open at the venue. The fair is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship by providing a platform for potential entrepreneurs and job seekers to access information, opportunities and resources to start small businesses, become self-employed and create jobs.

The CIPM Career and Entrepreneurship Fair is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) of CIPM Nigeria towards “contributing to sustainable national development”. It is intended to fill the gap and provide a platform to brush up the skills of the unemployed and budding entrepreneurs through experience sharing from successful business people in self and paid employment.

According to the institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Mr. Anthony Arabome, this year’s fair would provide a veritable platform to assist the government and stakeholders in addressing this unending menace by making available a rare and rich opportunity for undergraduates, fresh graduates, corps members, the unemployed and potential entrepreneurs to access first hand information on job creation strategies, becoming more employable.

AFRIFF Trainee Wins 48-Hour Film Challenge

Xavier at The AFRIFF 2015 Scriptwriting Class

Meadow Hall Students in one of the scenes

The electrifying atmosphere at the venue, the huge multi-dimensional sets, the colourful, expressive costumes, the elaborate light and sound effects plus the cast, who were all students of Meadow Hall School, showed the quality of vision of the producers of the show, which held at Muson Centre, Onikan on Sunday, March 13. On that day, the cast from Meadow Hall thrilled the audience with three playlets from the repertoire of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

The first play titled "A Play of Giants”, which featured over 50 cast members, centred on Africa in the post-colonial era, which has been inundated with leaders who seek to make their leadership positions a family birthright and do everything from corruption to genocide to ensure their perpetual stay in power. A Play of Giants is a satire about the 'meeting' of four African dictators, discussing how they

have been able to silence opposition (foreign and local) and how citizens of the different countries have responded to such brutality and corruption.

‘Child Internationale’, the second play, which featured about 20 cast members, is an intriguing play that sheds light on the different views adults have as regards parenting. Bidemi Oyedepo, the producer of "Child Internationale" had this to say: “Stage plays go a long way in making students more intelligent, as well as boosting their confidence.’’ The third show titled ‘Alapata Apata’ is a musical comedy centred on the eponymous 'Alapata Apata’.

It featured over 100 cast members, singing and dancing around the rocky residence of a retired butcher who simply sought to enjoy his retirement in solitude. Alaba, the retired butcher, is a comic character whose idleness is disturbed by various groups who read different

meanings into why he has retired to live on a rock close to his house.

Speaking on the production, the producer of 'Alapata Apata' Ola Opesan said, “the idea of having to make a short dance drama out of a rather full piece - Alapata Apata, as well as make it simple enough for children, without compromising the message of our Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, seemed very challenging at first.’’

In his words, he said ‘‘a vital lesson in the course of this production is not to underestimate the power and potential of students to deliver beyond what you expect.’’

One of the students, Ashepe, who played the role of Alaba in the play said: “I am very happy for the opportunity given to me by the school to bring out the talent in me. Although the role was very challenging, I thank my mother for her assistance.”

While the much-talked-about Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has become a reference point as a far reaching African film festival and the best to ever come out of Africa, an alumnus of the just concluded AFRIFF Scriptwriting Class 2015, Xavier Ogheneovo Ighorodje, wins the 48-hour Film Challenge in Nigeria. Ighorodje, a Chemical Engineer turned writer, directed and wrote the winning movie titled, 'The truth about B.A.E', a psychological drama about a girl who had a unique way of projecting her grief on her closest companions in order to deal with them, becomes key to understanding her condition.

"I had heard about the 48-hour Film Challenge in Lagos but I didn't think it was authentic until I got into the AFRIFF trainee programme (Screenwriting). During one of their sessions on documentary, the conveyor of the project, Mr. Ike Nnaebue came to talk to us. Asides the fact that this validated the authenticity of the competition, a huge chunk of the talents featured on the project were AFRIFF 2015 trainee actresses I had met one way or the other during the duration of the just concluded festival. Needless to say, without the safe haven created by AFRIFF for upcoming community of creatives to meet and interact and consequently collaborate, this project wouldn't have been possible”, Ighorodje said.

01.04.2016

28/ENTERTAINMENTRAVE

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@eraveng

www.eraveng.com

‘Why It Took Two Years to Release My Sophomore Album’ – Yemi Alade Multiple award winning songstress, Yemi Alade, has released the much anticipated sophomore album christened ‘Mama Africa’.

In a chat with ERAVE, the talented singer who shot into prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009 opened up on why she took time to release her much awaited second album.

“I was bothered about the number of years between my first and second album.

There are different artistes who decide to drop albums when they feel it’s due.

There are some others who drop two albums at a time while there are others who are yet to even drop a mixtape.

“I decided I wouldn’t rush into dropping an album my fans wouldn’t love to listen to. That was why I took my

time to record songs that sound more African,” Yemi squealed.

On whether she is under pressure to conquer Africa after becoming a household name in Nigeria, she disclosed that she is not under any form of pressure whatsoever. “The most important thing is to make good music and deliver what every African would be proud to associate with. I love challenges and I try to push myself beyond my comfort zones. Doing that consistently has made music a lot more fun for me and I take things a step after another.”

You would recall that Yemi Alade recently released the visuals for the remix of her single ‘Kissing’ featuring Project Fame’s Jeff. Her debut album, 'King of Queens' was released in 2014.

AFRIMA 3.0

Yemi-Alade

Thrills and Frills at Gidi Fest 2016

The organisers of the annual All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, have announced plans for the official unveiling of this year’s edition of the pan-African music event.

Tagged AFRIMA 3.0, the AFRIMA 2016 calendar will be formally unveiled in May 2016 by the African Union Commission (AUC) and International Committee of The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the African Union Youth Charter.

In its third edition, the organisers of the event recently paid a courtesy visit to the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria where he declared his support for the event.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is a music property developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical culture of Africa. It is aimed at stimulating conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African culture and artistic heritage for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world.

D’Good, D’Bash , D’Funny Concert

Gidi Fest D'banj

It was amidst loud ovations that the much awaited 2016 edition of the annual Gidi Fest held at the Eko Atlantic Beach, Lagos, on Saturday, March 26, 2016.

Hosted by popular OAP, Sensei Uche and South African media personality, Nomuzi, the event witnessed performances from popular Nigerian music stars, international artistes, and a host of other fast rising talents.

The night was opened with a superlative performance by burgeoning talent, David Grey who delivered his lines in

breezy style.

Popular disc jockeys, DJ Obi and DJ Java took turns to show their turn table prowess to the delight of attendees and other invited guests.

Sonorous singer, Tiwa Savage delivered another top notch performance while music acts such as Yemi Alade, Ms Jaie, Adekunle Gold, Viktoh, Small Doctor, Ricky Rick, Saeon, Poe, Kach, Mr. 2Kay, and more took turns to thrill the audience.

Popular indigenous rapper, Phyno was the cynosure of all eyes after he delivered

a perfect rendition of his monstrous single, ‘Connect’. His performance was followed by South African singer, K.O who performed different materials from his repertoire of songs.

The highlight of the night was when multiple award winning entertainer, D’banj mounted the stage to perform.

The iconic pop star rapped things up in confident style as he flirted with his fans on stage while performing his classics such as ‘Olorun Maje’, ‘Suddenly’, ‘Oliver Twist’ among others.

Music Act, Viktoh Opens Up on His Greatest Inspiration Singer cum rap act, Viktoh who is signed under rave of the moment, Olamide’s record label, YBNL, is fast becoming a household name in the highly dominated Nigerian Music scene. Viktoh who topped different music charts following the release of his monstrous single, ‘Skibi Dat’ in 2015 recently released a new single entitled ‘Me And My Guys’.

In a chat with ERAVE, Viktoh opened up on his relationship with Lil Kesh saying he is his greatest inspiration since he ventured into doing music. “I have a very good relationship with Lil Kesh and we have grown to become brothers since we met several years ago. I really don’t like to dwell on the fact that I introduced him to Olamide before we got signed to YBNL”.

“Lil Kesh remains my greatest inspira-

Airtel TRACE

Viktoh

tion while doing music and I can boldly say he has imparted on my career in the best of ways. Before he released his

album (YAGI), I took time to listen to all the sounds and I added my suggestions where necessary,” Viktoh added.

On the pressure to succeed considering Lil Kesh’s success story, Viktoh disclosed that he is not under any form of pressure.

“I am with the best music family and I feel less pressured. We are all doing our thing the proper way and we have got each others’ back. There is no form of pressure from any corner whatsoever. I just have to enjoy doing my music and continue to release good songs for my followers.”

Speaking further, Viktoh stated he is working on his much awaited debut album which is due for release later in the year. “I am currently working on my album. The project is scheduled to drop in the third or last quarter of 2016 and I am just taking my time to ensure I give my best on it.”

Prolific indigenous rapper, Remilekun Shafaru better known as Reminisce and pop star, vector has been announced as the headline acts for the forthcoming ‘D’Good, D’Bash and D’Funny’ concert scheduled to hold on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

In its inaugural edition, the comedy cum music event put together by comic act, Hammed Basheer popularly known as Bash is produced by Bunmi Davies.

Scheduled to perform alongside the lead acts are talented stars such as 9ice, Adekunle Gold, Olamide, GT Guitarman, Terry-G, Falz, Raw. Guests and other attendees will be treated to rib cracking jokes by popular comedians such as Bovi, Ali Baba, Klint D Drunk, Okey Bakassi, Seyi Law, Gordon, Koffi, Lolo, Julius Agwu, Akpororo, Yaw, Koffi, Jedi and a host of others.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, Bash disclosed that the concert will showcase different talents that abound in different parts of the country. “I am bringing a lot to that event, raw talent will be showcased and there is also a surprise design for the show. I am putting my all in this and I am very sure, it will come out well”.

The event is expected to witness special appearances by top Nollywood faces such as Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Odunlade Adekola and Funke Akindele.

Seyi Law Penultimate weekend, comic act, Seyi Law and his wife of many years, Stacy, celebrated the fifth anniversary of their union.

The lovebirds renewed their wedding vows during a church service in the presence of friends and other close relatives.

Seyi Law also took to his official Instagram page to dedicate a special post to his wife on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. “I looked into your eyes several times, but the burning desire never ends. Your beauty is not of the outward, but within,” the post read in part.

“Your strength is in accommodating without complaints.

Our love is renewed and anointing refreshed. The ring has no end. So shall our joy and love be,” he added.

29/ TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

01.04.2016

Akinkuotu, Ogeah, Teferra to Attend Second Accra Weizo The Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors Limited, Captain Fola Akinkuotu and the Vice Chairman of SAHCOL Mr. Chike Ogeah have both confirmed their attendance as speakers at the second Accra Weizo.

Akinkuotu who was the former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), is also a pilot, as well as flight and aircraft engineer, and has vast experience in the aviation industry will be heading the team of panelists which include several top aviation experts and government functionaries as they discuss and deal with issues that relate to the theme of this year’s event: “Seamless Travel in WestAfrica” during the second Accra Weizo.

Mr. Chike Ogeah served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd. Mr. Ogeah is currently the Vice Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd. Mr. He will be speaking on ‘Integrating Airport Operations in West Africa.’

Both men will join the Managing Director of ASKY Airlines, Mr. Henock Teferra, who is the key note speaker to the second Accra Weizo 2016.

The second Accra Weizo which is themed ‘Seamless Travel in West-Africa’ will take in-depth look at ways to improve Travel and Tourism growth in West Africa through easy access to towns and cities in West Africa. Improving and simplifying Airport and Border processes; standardising hotel and facilities for tourism through shared vision. The Guest Speaker, Mr. Henock Teferra, a Master’s Degree holder in International Law from Universite de Nice, is the Managing Director of ASKY Airlines, ASKY Airlines is a pan Africa airline, based in Lome, Togo. Teferra was Vice President in charge of strategy, communication, and Alliances at Ethiopian Airlines, where he demonstrated a huge Leadership Ability.

Teferra is a top Airline executive with solid experience and diplomatic skills. He will be speaking on the topic “The Challenges of Running a Successful Regional Airline in West Africa, at the Event.

Mr. Ikechi Uko, the Organiser, said Accra Weizo is a one-day travel seminar, awards, exhibition and the objective is to improve travel and tourism growth in West Africa through easy

CEO Aero Contractors, Captain Fola Akinkuotu

Vice Chairman SAHCOL, Mr. Chike Ogeah

access to towns and cities in West Africa. The event will be taking place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana on the 15th of July, 2016 from 10am-4pm.The West Africa Award (Balafon) will hold at 5pm, with award categories to include: West Africa Tourism Man of the Year, West Africa Aviation Man of the Year, West African Personality of the Year, and Top 50 Hotels in West Africa.

La Palm Royal Beach will host the Carnivore night by 7pm, Eat all you can, meat from all nations, dance and party till dawn affair.

The Target audience is travel professionals in West Africa.

Over 150 Travel Professionals are expected from all over West-Africa. According to Mr. Uko, other discussants will include, MD Arik Air, MD AWA, and MD Air Cote d’lvoire who are also expected to speak at the event. Also invited is the DG, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority as the Chairman of the event, while the Special Guest of Honour will be the DG, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. The second session of the event will commence by 1:30pm with the Topic “West

Africa As A Destination”. The first paper will be ‘Challenges of West Africa as a Destination’. There will be case studies from the East Africa example, and The SADC example.

The maiden edition of Accra Weizo in 2015, attracted some global rated experts like Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional-Head, IATA for Africa and the Middle East. She spoke on Intra Africa Air Connectivity, the facts, Challenges and Benefits.

Mr. Frank Nneji, Managing Director, ABC Transport Limited, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Founder Kasapreko Company Limited, Femi Adefope-Head HRG and GSA Delta Airlines in Nigeria were all Speakers at Accra Weizo 2015.

The event is in partnership with Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) and the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP). The event would feature private tours, Ghana. Weizo is an event from the organisers of African Travel Market, Lagos - the only International Travel Fair in West Africa recognised by UNWTO and Abuja Bantaba, Abuja-Nigeria.

When Novotel Accra Became Accra City Centre Hotel A visit to Accra nowadays will confuse you if you are used to the hotels in Accra. The African Sun Amber has changed name to become Ibis Styles and the flagship for the Accor group who are the owners of the Novotel Brand.

While African Sun pulls out and Novotel moves in.

The former Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel which was the oldest branded hotel in Accra has just rebranded to become Accra City Centre Hotel. As if this is not confusing enough La Plam Royal Beach once the flagship of hotels in Ghana has been handed over to Legacy Hotel group of South Africa to Manage. Legacy Hotel incidentally is the manager of the neighboring Labadi Beach Hotel.

It was recently published in Ghana Media that Movenpick Hotel is up for sales. Stories are rife in Accra about the immediate takeover of Golden Tulips Hotel by another management group. The revolving door management changes in Accra is a sign of growth as new hotels open including the first modern Apartment Hotel in Accra, Fiesta Residences Recently, Ghana’s leading newspaper the Graphic had this to say about the unveiling of the re-branded Accra City Hotel. One of Ghana’s leading outfits in the hospitality industry, Novotel Hotel, is now known as Accra City Hotel.

The name change, is meant to reflect the change of management from French into largely Ghanaian hands.

At a cocktail event to officially outdoor the new name, General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Roman Krabel, noted that there was no change in the company ownership and that all other details and structures remained unchanged.

He said the switch from Novotel Hotel to Accra City Hotel took effect from January 1, 2016.“Branding as Accra City Hotel allows us to maintain our leadership position in the market, while attracting more business travel guests from around the world,” Mr. Krabel said.

He stated that Accra City Hotel intends to refurbish its guest rooms, lobby, restaurant, swimming pool and other public areas this year to increase guests comfort and choices.

The hotel was incorporated in 1986 as part of the Novotel chain which has close to 400 hotels and resorts worldwide.

The hotel has, over the last few years, seen some fierce competition from Movenpick and the newly-opened Kempinski.

On recent attacks in Burkina Faso and Mali, Mr. Krabel noted that security had been tightened through CCTV surveillance and strict security protocol to ensure the total security of its clients and at the same maintaining its relaxed atmosphere.

Novotel Accra City Hotel

Fiesta Residence

30/ETIQUETTE

01.04.2016

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OTEDOLA-OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

How Not to Talk like Donald Trump (2) Time magazine put the ebullient Donald Trump on their cover a few weeks ago in an article titled, ‘DESTINATION UNKNOWN’.

A German reader reacting to the article had this to say concerning Donald Trump. “As a German, I find it quite interesting and frightening to see how a large part of the American population is following a hollow demagogue named Donald Trump. He reminds me of how in our dark past, Adolf Hitler came into power by convincing the people demagogically that he was the only one capable of giving the Germans what they deserve. We all know the dreadful end of it. The Americans deserve a better solution and a better President.” The lesson here is that your character and words create an impression of who you may be or who you really are and if it turns out to be a bad or false impression then you would have shot yourself in the foot. This reader comment is clearly based on her assessment of Donald Trump.

I have found out that the most effective and successful communicators are people who follow the tenets of communication etiquette that I am about to highlight.

One of such people who has mastered the

art of communication is Joel Osteen. He pastors the largest church in the United States – Lakewood Church. As a matter of policy Joel Osteen never criticises or speaks against those who speak against him. Rather, he chooses to keep an open disposition of equanimity to their statements as he even puts on a smile when reacting to their criticisms. He seldom or never mentions the words sin, devil and death choosing rather to focus on more positive themes.

These are the following tenets.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHOICE OF WORDS. Take this quote from Donald Trump for example “Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people.

But we have stupid people [in office].”

Using the word ‘stupid’ for people in public office is far from graceful. A better way to pass the message across would have been to say “We have people in office who leave much to be desired.”

For example, I can decide to say “What ignoramus told you that you can get rich by thinking big alone. You have to study

big also.” While that is a good quote that makes a whole lot of sense, the use of the word ‘ignoramus’ whittles down on the power of such a quote.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DIRECTION OF YOUR COMMUNICATION. Whenever you are making an allusion to a negative trait, try as much as possible to make the statement more open than direct.

Take this statement for example, “You must be a complete idiot to think you can keep on doing the same thing and getting a different result.” The use of the word ‘You’ makes it direct. Also since it borders on stupidity since the word idiot is used, it is a negative statement and as such should be made open rather than direct. A better way to say this would be, “A person who keeps on doing the same thing and expects a different result would end up failing repeatedly.”

REFRAIN FROM DIRECT NEGATIVE STATEMENTS When reprimanding somebody at your place of work, instead of saying for instance, “You are not researching properly, your tenses are very bad and you are doing so much

damage to the image of this organisation.”

You could say “Insufficient research and use of bad tenses will do damage to any organisation” by not using the word ‘You’ and using the word ‘any organisation’ rather than this organisation, you have removed all forms of direct allusion which is frictional and scathing.

On the other hand when praising a person, the reverse works. Rather than generalise your statements by saying something along the lines of “Fantastic research and skillful use of tenses make presentations more impactful and is hugely beneficial to any organisation.” Be more direct in your compliments and say something like “You have done a fantastic research and your skillful use of tenses during your presentation made it more impactful and is hugely beneficial to this organisation.”

You could purchase a copy of my book on etiquette titled PROPER MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE IN ANYTHING AT ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE at the price of N3,500 at our corporate head office at 340 - 344 Ikorodu Road, by Idi-Iroko Bus Stop, Maryland, Lagos.

Or call 0802 312 6010 or 0811 266 1635 to have a copy sent to you.

One person who has mastered the art of communication is Joel Osteen – Pastor of the largest church in the US - Lakewood Church. As a matter of policy he never criticises or speaks against those who speak against him. He seldom or never mentions the words sin, devil and death choosing rather to focus on more positive themes

Take this quote from Donald Trump for example “Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people [in office].” Using the word ‘stupid’ for people in public office is far from graceful. A better way to pass the message across would have been to say “We have people in office who leave much to be desired”

Whenever you are making an allusion to a negative trait, try as much as possible to make the statement more open than direct. Take this statement for example, “You must be a complete idiot to think you can keep on doing the same thing and getting a different result.” A better way to say this would be, “A person who keeps on doing the same thing and expects a different result would end up failing repeatedly”

For example I can decide to say “What ignoramus told you that you can get rich by thinking big alone. You have to study big also.” While that is a good quote that makes a whole lot of sense, the use of the word ‘ignoramus’ whittles down on the power of such a quote

31/ENTREPRENEUR

01.04.2016

We Help Creative People Turn their Passion to Profession

Victoria Nkong, Chief Executive Officer of Qtaby Events, an international events production and entertainment company, is a young woman in business who is creating waves and building a brand for herself. The entertainment consultant and producer, has been involved in events planning and implementation for over nine years. In this interview with Mary Ekah, she revealed how it all started, the challenges of being a female entrepreneur, the progress she has made so far and her future plans What basically are you into?

I run a company called Qtaby Events and Concept. We do talent management of media personalities and artistes. We actually help creative people turn their passion into profession and earn a living from it. As a performing artiste, you could be making a lot of buzz on social media without really making money. So we help you package that into a career. So it is not only about artistes, it is more about creative people generally and managing a brand. That is the end point - to turn you into a brand.

We have managed a number of artistes both Nigerians and non-Nigerians. We also do events productions like concert, seminars, and other things.

We have worked on quite a number of them both in Nigeria an outside Nigeria. Qtaby has handled events like International African Athletics Competition 2012, The 50th anniversary of African Music with Akon, Vlisco Annual fashion show for three years, MTN Yellow Summer in Benin Republic 2011, 2012 and 2014, AVS dinner on Italian Navy Aircraft Carrier ship (Cavour), Tensile inspection for LSG, Headies 2015 and more. And on the other hand we run a foundation and an orphanage home. I am also on the board of trustee of the Jegede Paul Foundation and Life Fountain Orphanage Home, and correspondent for Radio Legend in Nigeria (the biggest radio station is Burkina Faso). There are various projects under the foundation that has grown over the years.

How long have you been doing this?

This is my 11th year of the doing this. Qtaby is just seven years old. I started out with the first Tinapa International Trade Expo and with focus on events management and production; artiste booking and management, video production, media consulting, human resources consultation, and logistic planning and management. I am also an entertainment consultant and producer, and I have been involved in events planning and implementation for over nine years. My initial involvement in the prestigious KORA All Africa Music Awards as a bilingual presenter gave me a lot of exposure in entertainment before I became the Personal Assistant to the KORA President and then Line Producer for KORA Awards.

What has been the most remarkable experience in course of handling artistes?

Despite the oil meltdown, Nigeria would have been great if we had put the then surplus resource in developing the entertainment industry.

The entertainment industry is a big income spinner but it’s a pity it has been relegated to the background. And what I have learned so far is that the artistes themselves need professionals to properly manage their careers. You see an artiste who was bubbling seriously five years ago and then five years down the line, he is merely a fallen hero and people can only remember memories of him. This is usually as a result of wrong management. Those guys are like babies and need professional managers to teach them etiquette and how to behave well and be professionals. Being a performing artiste is a serious career just like being a banker or lawyer. So, I am so passionate that artistes have very good professional managers to help them push their career to the level they should be and the sustain it.

Can you name few individuals you have helped grown their career?

My first remarkable experience was with P Square. Then they were just beginning and

Nkong

then Jude had a relationship with us long before they won the KORA Award. He met with the KORA president and I and then, I could see the determination to be successful in them. You could also see that they were equally talented. We championed their whole Africa take over at that time. I was very involved and it was not a surprise they became quite big outside the country even before they even got such recognition in Nigeria. If you watch the trends, you will find out that P Square did a lot outside the country than within the country before their fallout. And then we have worked with number of other artists who have become very popular today like Toosan, who are outside Nigeria.

management team around them, they would not go down the way they are today. Managing artistes involves a lot. You need to see them like children, you really need to sit them down and explain to them, like you would be explaining to a two-year old, the importance of being properly managed before they could even see reasons with you and know what to do. You need to deal with their egos seriously as a professional.

You need to know when to be firm, you need to know when to disengage yourself from the ‘arranged girlfriend’ set up to be respected by these artistes. So a lot of the problems they have is that a lot of the guys who end up with them as managers, are friends that could not have a hold on them.

A lot of popular artistes are fading away right now. What would you say is responsible for this?

I am very sure that if they had the right

Take us back a bit to when you started. How did it all begin?

I was privileged to be around a lot of influential people at an early age through my involvement with KORA. I started working with KORA before I was 19 years old. I finished from the university quite early. I was already a graduate at 18 years of age and KORA came at about that time. I was fresh from the university and I started work with them immediately. And then I came to notice I was able to buy their confidence a lot more because I worked with commissioners, ministers and presidency a lot outside Nigeria and with the burning desire to also reach out to young people who are hard working and talented but probably were not able to get the right contact they needed at that time, I decided to start something so that I can give opportunity to such people. It wasn’t rosy because I had to start from my little savings then but I went on to start a company and it was looking all good but I had to break out at some point when I lost my elder sister. Now making a come back was even more difficult than the beginning. There were a lot of hurdles, gender discrimination, financial challenge and all that but then the passion, determination and the need to keep the integrity kept me going and today we can say that God has been faithful.

I also keep saying that being a female entrepreneur in Nigeria is not easy.You need to be focused and determined because there are a lot of people out there who want to put you down simply because you are female and young. But I have been able to overcome such challenges because I know my worth and I also go extra mile to prove my worth and stand my ground while adding value to all that I do

You started out so young, so what was the

driving force for you to start a company at about 20 years of age?

It was the decision to make a difference in an industry where I was operating, and which I had come to understand and know so much about. I must tell you that I never dreamed of being an entertainer or working in the entertainment industry. I had always wanted to be a lawyer and my entire family thought I was going to be a lawyer but something went wrong some where along the line. And I think God orchestrated it and then I had this burning desire to make a difference in this sector. So when I was registering my company, it was actually for a reality show that we were putting together. It was actually my first idea, to put together a reality show tagged, ‘Aid Model Reality’. We went ahead to do a pilot in Accra, we partnered some TV stations and the financial requirements were huge. It was more like as the day went by you got to understand what you were in for. At some point I had to take the decision to go back and re-strategise and that was exactly what I did. At that point we just finished KORA 2010 and I had a lot of artistes contacting me home and abroad asking for one favour of the other. And at that point, I realised that I was doing this favour helping these guys to make a lot of money while I was making nothing out of it. And there were a lot of them then. Then I said to myself, why not make this thing professional so that I could make some money from these guys while doing them the favour. So I had to sign a contract with the next artistes that came to us.

Are you happy you took that decision?

Absolutely. Though it has not been all rosy but it is beginning to take shape and we are also trying to study to keep ourselves approved and to be ahead of the games. And it is taking shape gradually, even entertainment itself in general is being given more consideration in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. So yes, I am very happy I took that direction. I also keep saying that being a female entrepreneur in Nigeria is not easy. You need to be focused and determined because there are a lot of people out there who want to put you down simply because you are female and young. But I have been able to overcome such challenges because I know my worth and I also go extra mile to prove my worth and stand my ground while adding value to all that I do.

What did you study at school?

I studied Foreign Languages (Fresh and Spanish) for my first degree at the University of Calabar, after which I went further to study Business Communications at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and then an online-based MBA with St. John Business School in the UK. Now, what are your future plans to take Qtaby to the next level-?

We are seriously rebranding at the moment, we are re-strategising, signing up new talents and all that. In fact, we have a lot going on under our sleeves, putting guidelines for where the business is supposed to be headed and all that. I have also just concluded a course at the Lagos Business School. It was so refreshing and has helped me put on my business cap. So a lot is going to be happening this year that will bring us closer to our vision, which is to make a difference in the entertainment industry, helping a lot more talents out there to turn their passion into profession; not just becoming known artistes but being professional artistes.

32/COLLAGE

01.04.2016

L-: Chief Idika Idika Mba; Mrs. Ifeoma Ezeobi; the couple, Miss Uzoma Mba and her husband, the CEO Metal Point Label (MPL), Mr. Chineme Ezeobi, Mrs. Erinma Mba and Pastor Ikechukwu Ezeobi, at the traditional wedding ceremony of the couple at Ohafia, Abia State, recently.

CHIEMELIE EZEOBI

Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, representing Abia Central at the National Assembly, his wife, Mercy after he was honoured with the title 'Opuruiche One of Igboland' (Unique One of Igboland), by Umunneato of Isiala North, Isiala South and Osisioma, held at Ugba Primary School, Bende Road, Umuahia‌recently

L-R:The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji; Head of Marketing Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Mobolaji Alalade; Assistant Brand Manager Eagle Schnapps, Gbemileke Lawal; and Sales Operations Manager, IDL West Two, Kunle Seriki, receiving royal blessings during a courtesy visit to the royal palace in Ibadan...recently

Reverend Sister Stella Maris Idibe delivering her speech during the career day ceremony of St. Martin's Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos...recently

L-R Pastor Tobi Adeniji, Teens/Youth Pastor, First Baptist Church FESTAC; Dr. Emmanuel Awotunde, Conference President, Lagos East Baptist Conference; Dr. Julius Adeniji, President, Lagos West Baptist Conference and Dr. Sunday Oladejo, Pastor Triumphant Baptist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos, at the 20TH anniversary celebration of the church...recently

Bro. Paul Azodo and his wife Sister Blessing Azodo (middle) with the brethen, during the thanksgiving/ dedication of their baby, Somotochukwu Azodo at the Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries in Lagos

ETOP UKUTT

33/THISLIFE

01.04.2016

Utomi...a scholar par excellence

Utomi: Raised by Books From becoming one of Nigeria’s top managers in manufacturing before his 33rd birthday, reaching a Presidential Advisory position at 27, earning two Master Degrees and a PhD at 26, plus a professorship and global acknowledgement as a leading scholar in business, political economy and media studies in his 40s, Professor Pat Utomi, at 60, has risen to become, perhaps, Nigeria’s grandest intellectual cum statesman through the help of books, writes Solomon Elusoji One fateful morning in 1979, 19-year-old Utomi, a Mass Communication student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), walked into the office of Nigeria’s Foreign Minister in Lagos. He had come to look for the minister, Colonel Joe Garba, after forwarding a letter that never got replied. Although he had no prior appointment, he was confident and determined to achieve his goal. “ I met his secretary, but she looked at me from head to toe and told me to go back to my school and direct my letter to the Dean of Student Affairs who will direct it to the Vice-Chancellor who will then, and I mischievously quipped, ‘who will then send it to God?’” Utomi recalls.

He then went outside, with the intention of waiting for the minister to resume work.

Fortunately, the minister’s vehicle drove in presently, and, as he stepped out, the young Utomi dived towards his direction, shouting, ‘Colonel Garba, I disagree with your position on Angola!’

The minister was perplexed. ‘Who said that?’, he enquired. The young Utomi stepped up, and they started discussing as the minister led him into his office, past the secretary who had earlier barred him with bureaucratic jargon.

Utomi would later convince the minister to come to Nsukka to debate the Angola issue.

Although everyone, including UNN’s ViceChancellor, doubted it, the minister did come.

“The point is: young people are too willing to accept just anything; everything is taken,” Utomi says. “Had I listened to the secretary who said I should go back and write through this and that, that event might never have happened.

You don’t have to be rude about it. Like it is said, if you wash your hands well, you will eat with old men.”

Pat Utomi comes from Nigeria’s golden generation, but his story is more peculiar, due to his precocity. His original ambition was to become a pilot, but because he had finished secondary school three years earlier than the stipulated age of 18, his father advised him to study at the University, to buy some time. Still, he wasn’t eligible for university education, which was open to only students who were 17 years or above. So, he enrolled at the Federal School of Arts and Science, before

finally gaining admission in 1973, to study Mass Communication at UNN. “My going to the University of Nsukka, to me, was simply to have one year of partying, making friends and then go off to aviation school,” Utomi recalls.

But a sequence of events would occur, which would shape Utomi’s path in a radically different way from what he had imagined.

His entry into Nsukka coincided with the end of the civil war, and a lot of books were being donated to the university from around the world. Utomi’s department was given the responsibility of creating a management team for the school library, but no student was willing to work voluntarily, leading to the library’s close.

His entry into Nsukka coincided with the end of the civil war, and a lot of books were being donated to the university from around the world. Utomi’s department was given the responsibility of creating a management team for the school library, but no student was willing to work voluntarily, leading to the library’s close. However, Utomi decided to volunteer, and in the course of his duty, he would indulge in reading, eventually going through every single book on the shelves. That changed his life

However, Utomi decided to volunteer, and in the course of his duty, he would indulge in reading, eventually going through every single book on the shelves. That changed his life.

“As a result of that, at age 26, I had two master’s degrees and a Ph.D,” Utomi says. “As a veritable witness that once upon a time in Nigeria knowledge mattered, at age 27, I held a presidential advisory position in the country.”

After graduating from Nsukka in 1977, he attended Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, where he acquired his post-undergraduate degrees. Within a few months of his return into the country, he got enlisted by the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, to provide consultancy on some public policy papers, before being appointed as Special Assistant by the Shehu Shagari Presidency.

Following the demise of the Second Republic, he became Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Utomapp Holdings Limited, and then Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Volkswagen Nigeria Limited, before opting to delve into the academia. He has since become a Director at the Centre for Applied Economics at the Lagos Business School, a scholar-in-residence at the American University, Washington DC, and a Research Associate at the Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Utomi, who ran a failed attempt for presidency of Nigeria in 2011, has gone on to become a colossus of corporate management and leadership in Nigeria. He is active on the boards of several firms involved in diverse sectors, including financial services, information technology, food technology, marketing communications, media groups and telecommunications. This includes being the Chairman, Platinum Bank, Chairman, Corporate Finance Group (CFG), Chairman, Finacorp Building Society, Chairman, Business Day Media Limited, Chairman, Vivante Media Enterprises, Chairman, Graceland Chocolate Manufacturing Company, Englewood, New Jersey, USA. (1998 – 2005), Chairman, Patike Communications Ltd, Chairman, UEG (The Enterprise Group), Chairman, Trend Corps Africa – The CTL and Trend TV Group, Executive Chairman, UTRM, Chairman/ General Partner, Leapfrog Venture Partners, Director and Co-founder, Linkserve (Nigeria’s first

Internet Service Provider), Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Chairman, Utomi Technologies, Chairman, Interactive Data Systems Ltd, Chairman, Wordsmiths (Printing and Packaging Company), Director, Contact Marketing Services Ltd, Chairman, Utomapp Limited, Chairman, OK Computers Limited, Chairman, Bompac Limited, Chairman, Baywood Continental Limited, the Oil Servicing Company, Director, Computerage Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria Master Franchise Holder), Chairman, Avenues to Wealth – Network Marketing Venture, Chairman, Nagode Industries Limited He has also undertaken several key policy assignments, including being Chairman, Presidential Panel for developing a National Integrity System (1999-2000), Chairman, Presidential Panel for Restructuring Agencies of Integrity and Transparency for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Secretary and later as Acting Chairman, Economic Advisory Team for candidate Olusegun Obasanjo in the run-up to the 1999 Presidential election, Governance Committee of the transition council of President-elect Olusegun Obasanjo, PPRAC, Chairman, Privatisation Committee Governor-Elect of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu’s transition working group. (1999) Led quarterly retreats of Lagos State Cabinet (1999-2005), Privatisation Consultative Council for Lagos State, served in USAID team designing and implementing training intervention for elected officials in Nigeria in 1999, Advisory Committee to Review JAMB (1999), Member, Delta State Think Tank on Development, the Steering Committee of the National Council on Privatization for Competition and antitrust, National Council on Privatisation Steering Committee for Pensions Reform, the Ministerial Advisory Committee on WTO and Trade Policy, Chairman Committee of the FCT Minister for the City University of Abuja, Consultant to World Bank Group Private Sector Assessment (PSA) for Nigeria.

Today, at the golden age of 60, Utomi continues to be one of Nigeria’s most accomplished intellectuals. And he is always quick to point out that his encounter with the library at Nsukka, shaped him for good. “Till date, when you enter my car, it’s impossible not to find a book,” he says.

34/OPINION

01.04.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

NIMASA’s Silver Lining is Peterside’s Golden Opportunity

A

few years back, giant billboards dotted some strategic areas of Lagos. The ad was a parody of the statement of Apostle Paul to the Philippians, but a captivating good copy from an ad agency to market Tasty Fried Chicken (TFC) in its early days.

The ad catchphrase says: "For us to live is pain and to die is gain".

Nice three chunky chickens were used to illustrate the message with the logo of TFC by the side.

The message was simple: Anyone who buys Tastee Fried Chicken will be making gains, because the chickens will lay down their lives for the person’s growth.

This ad came back to me as I think of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), its new order and the new Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

The list of what’s needed to be done at NIMASA is long and well known, including closing the loophole that allows the leadership of the agency to run it like a private estate.

This is where Dr. Peterside will need to make his own parody of Apostle Paul’s message to Nigerians.

I’m not certain what exactly Peterside’s copy will look like but I can attempt a parody for him to be something like this: ‘for me to live is service and to die is gain.’

Corruption remains the great, crippling defect of NIMASA, tainting all that it does and fails to do over the years from one regime to another.

And that Peterside is arriving NIMASA at a time, when his predecessors have had to

Peterside

be questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for corrupt practices makes it a golden opportunity for him to clean the temple and take out those who have turned it into a den of thieves.

Really, the battle will not need kids’ glove treatment, but a whip of cords.

For insight, those abetting crimes are often found among the civil servants who create the documents and the drainpipe for the executives in most offices. When the game is up, they are usually the star witnesses in court as we have seen in recent past.

Comprehensive ethics reform should be part of the current discussions at NIMASA as Peterside takes his seat and he should be prepared to face the principalities and powers in the system headlong.

Some of them are already masquerading as maritime experts in the newspapers, question-

ing the capacity and capability of a man with knowledge of business management and public administration to run NIMASA. Helpfully, Peterside’s credential is strong enough to withstand the storm. With an MBA and a PhD in Management Science, such tale has become that of a winebibber.

Indeed, those who want more of his records should equally check at the National Assembly, where he served in different committees, including serving as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream as a representative with progressive leaning and as a reformer.

But this discourse boils than to this: this Buhari’s administration needs stars that can help build the tumbling confidence of Nigerians in the government and Peterside is now strategically positioned to be one of those stars.

The late Dora Akunyili, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nuhu Ribadu, Oby Ezekwezili, Charles Soludo, Akinwunmi Adesina to mention a few, are some of the star players paraded by the previous governments, who are now hard to forget for their outstanding performances.

So Peterside can take advantage of his work at NIMASA—where his appointment provides a silver lining for the troubled agency—to join the rank of these unforgettable skilled reformers.

Crucially, the job at NIMASA needs someone so level-headed without political arrogance to move the agency forward.

It requires someone with the gravitas to represent new paradigm shift in leadership rather than repeating the old leadership's cliché and catchphrases.

And it needs someone who won't be gaffe-prone, because policy statements from

the leadership would be important to how foreigners and local business owners perceive and relate with the agency and Nigeria. For sure, Peterside has got all that with him.

“My mind is focused on leaving a lasting legacy at NIMASA. I am convinced on achieving the goals I have already set aside for myself based on my interaction with the workforce.

“To be honest, I must say that I am impressed with the staff. I found people who are knowledgeable, dedicated and willing to work. I just feel that there was a leadership gap at some point,” he said during a recent TV interview.

But Peterside needs to learn a few things from the United States Federal Maritime Commission to enhance public’s confidence in NIMASA and that is transparency.

Transparency will be important to the progress Peterside will make and for a man who has shown integrity, I’m convinced that the deals inside NIMASA will provide an example for open government in Nigeria.

The technology is at his fingertip to do it; he needs not ponder for too long on how to make this happen.

And this, he must be careful in following the rhetoric common with government departments—the roadmap.

When he said: “Our plan is to make Nigeria, the hub of shipping in Africa,” he needs to speak with convincing statistics.

On the balance, I believe Dr. Peterside will do what he says he will do at NIMASA; I have spent quality private time with him to understand his dreams and aspirations for the good of Nigeria.

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

Email lekantodun@yahoo.com

Tel 07058069255 (sms only)

SDGs as Game Changer

M

any Nigerians, both home and abroad, especially the development advocates, have waited anxiously to understand the direction of their country on the United Nation’s newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In September 2015, the world’s reputable intergovernmental body rose from its 70th general assembly to announce the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and also popularly referred to as the Global Goals.

The SDGs, which have been largely described as ambitious, contain 17 goals and 179 targets for global development and have long been worked on to effectively replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which had eight (8) goals and reached its end in 2015.

After the open declaration, the 193 UN member-states, including Nigeria, that agreed on the plan are expected to commence action in their respective countries and continents in order to make the goals more popular globally and accelerate its actualisation by 2030.

Expectedly, there are greater expectations on the side of Nigeria considering her recognisable position on the continent of Africa. As such it is believed that Nigeria would equally lead efforts that would stimulate stronger commitment and enthusiasm in other parts of Africa towards the attainment of the critical development action.

There are obvious reasons why Nigeria is looked upon to take leadership in this noble endeavour. These include the recent ranking of Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa;

Orelope-Adefulire

the narrative that the country has the highest number of the ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) in Africa, which was corroborated by the latest Forbes magazine’s global ranking of the world’s rich; the long existing reality about Nigeria being Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil and our sheer population size, which admittedly can potentially stimulate thriving commerce and trade.

But all of the foregoing have also been reported to be meaningless in the face of the gripping poverty that pervades the land. This appalling situation is validated by the World Bank Statistics that revealed that 62 per cent of Nigerians live in extreme poverty, meaning these citizens are surviving on less than $1.25 per day!

So the argument out there is that any economic growth that has insignificant or no bearing on

the lives of people is not classifiable as a model for development, not alone the sustainable form.

Hence, Nigeria appears to have only been in motion without any significant forward movement in her bid to confront her socio-economic challenges. Indeed, the unfortunate reality should prompt the government to organise itself properly, highlight its development priorities and renew its commitment on strategies and frameworks that will foster sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the appointment of the former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on SDGs may indicate the preparedness of Buhari’s presidency to explore the contents of the goals and deliver good governance to Nigerians through the valuable instructions and aspirations of the SDGs. The engagement of a woman who has championed so vigorously and excellently the issue of poverty, health, and inequality amongst other social concerns during her term as the deputy governor of Nigeria’s economic hub, Lagos State, to advise and lead Nigeria’s efforts towards the attainment of the SDGs is a notable statement of intent.

Obviously, delivering the lofty agenda will pose a new challenge for Orelope-Adefulire and the Buhari government, but I am sure it will not be anything too difficult to conquer if thoughts and processes are well laid for action. Actually Orelope-Adefulire’s ability and determination to identify the goals according to their relevance to Nigeria’s situation and mobilise all stakeholders to join hands in achieving it will make a massive and positive impact on the government’s efforts and this could be a game changer for the government whose economic policy is yet to take shape and be fully understood by all.

That said, considering the situation of Nigeria, not a few citizens have underlined poverty eradication as significant to Nigeria’s journey to greatness, while others have suggested that education, health, infrastructure and climate change should be our priorities for sustainable development.

And talking about shareholders collaboration, as the UN itself has passionately appealed to the global private sector to activate engagement in driving and achieving the development goals, it will enhance the work of Orelope-Adefulireto know that a large section of Nigeria’s private sector is not only willing and ready now to support the realisation of sustainable development for the country, but also for Africa. Marine Platforms, headed by Mr. Taofik Adegbite and Sahara Group led by Mr. Tonye Cole are amongst the corporate champions who have keyed the agenda of the SDGs into their organisations’ corporate social responsibility (CRS).

Similarly, notable political economists like Prof.

Pat Utomi, have also spoken copiously on the role of the private sector in economic advancement and particularly on UN’s sustainable development aspirations. These, I am convinced, are positive reactions and valuable inputs and contributions that are not only favourable to Nigeria but also Africa. And I believe the SSA to the President on SDGs will not only make important notes but also move to effectively take advantage of the voluntarily inspiring commitments from the private sector to deepen the government’s efforts in providing practicable answers to our difficult socio-economic questions.

With this, Nigeria, and the world at large, would see the seriousness and resolution of the new government in delivering on its change agenda.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Truck Owners Fault ANLCA’s Bean Growers, Stakeholders Position on NPA’s Policy Want Ban Lifted Sandra Ukele The Coalition of Ports Dry Cargo Transport Operators (CPDCTO) has decried the inability of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to mount pressure on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to fix the deplorable ports access roads for cargoes’ safety.

In a letter obtained by THISDAY, Secretary of CPDCTO, Comrade Ifeanyi Ekwunife berated the National Publicity Secretary of the ANCLA Mr. Kayode Farinto for role on the issue involving NPA and its policy on the truckers.

Ekwunife, who was responding to ANLCA’s position on the face-off between NPA and trucker owners, said that it is rather unfortunate that ANLCA backs NPA against the truck owners in a battle the former can never win.

According to him, there have been cases where agents had asked drivers to aid them in diverting clients’ (importers) cargoes.

He alleged that truck owners have always supported ANLCA in all their struggles to remain relevant in the maritime industry, pointing

out that it is disheartening for ANLCA to direct its members to patronise only trucks with NPA stickers.

Ekwunife opined that in the best interest of the maritime business, ANLCA should strive to partner the truck owners to promote a responsive and viable maritime industry, rather than ‘’cast aspersions, denigrate or throw mud at fellow stakeholders.’’

He said: “It is rather unfortunate that ANLCA, through its P.R.O., Mr. Kayode Farinto, could go to the press to vilify truck owners, who have always supported them (ANLCA) in all their struggles to remain relevant in the maritime industry. It is even more disheartening to know that ANLCA had decided to back NPA against the truck owners in a battle the former can never win. But be that as it may, the truck owners under the aegis of CPDCTO would tackle the issues as raised by Farinto.”

“It is obvious that Farinto is oblivious of the politics behind the certification and registration of trucks. It is even curious that ANLCA decided to go to the press based on information at its disposal from NPA on the cur-

rent impasse. One wonders why the law of natural justice was jettisoned by ANLCA by not hearing from the other side of the divide. Surely, to ANLCA, there are no two sides to a coin.”

The secretary said CPDCTO also wants Farinto to know that it is ready to ask its members to submit their trucks for the registration exercise if NPA cancels the monetary attachment.

He explained that NPA can only levy fleet owners who are NPA contractors that have service to render at the ports.

“In accusing the truck owners of delay in returning empty containers, Farinto should realise that it is the fault of the truck owners who do not have the space, the technological capacity, or adequate logistics to receive the empties. This is responsible for the long and unending queues which contribute 50 per cent of the traffic gridlock along the Oshodi- Apapa expressway.

Or is Farinto not aware that there has been a subsisting NPA directive (since 2012) to shipping companies to provide holding bays outside of the ports for their empty containers for ease of port operations. “

Stakeholders and beans growers have condemned the ban of beans by Nigeria to European Union (EU) countries, saying the ban should be lifted. The EU had in June 2015 expressed concern over the high pesticides used in processing the beans before export, which it said was harmful to consumers, who are mainly Nigerians in the Diaspora, hence the ban for one year in the first instance.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja organised by the EU mission to Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), NAFDAC and all other relevant ministries, agencies and departments in Nigeria, stakeholders protested the ban, saying it was politically motivated.

Paper presentations on integrated pest management, storage, awareness and quality assurance elicited reactions and interventions by many participants, who disagreed with the position of the EU. The workshop coordinated

by Dr. Vincent Isegbe, of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), threw up some issues regarding enlightening Nigerian farmers and people to international best practices,

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh

and the need to educate large illiterate practitioners in local languages, by ensuring that inputs into agricultural and extension services really gets to those who matter and not the “Abuja farmers”.

While the EU suggested building capacity training for bean growers and their workers so as to provide sustainable benefits along the value chain, Nigerians participants, on the other hand, said they appreciated the training proposal but faulted the ban as hasty and ill conceived.

Ironically, participants noted that most of the pesticides blamed for the degrading of the beans are imported from

the EU countries. They argued that since the majority of beans growers and processors adopt international best practices, the proper and genuine step to solving the impasse is for the EU to lift the ban, while concerted efforts are intensified to improve on the application of pesticides and other chemicals to ensure that International best practices are sustained.

Nigerian operators noted that since there have not been any reported cases of consumers dying from the consumption of Nigerian grown beans locally or abroad, the way to go was interactive engagement mutually beneficial in correcting any perceived process flaw.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANAYSIS

BDCs as Agents of Economic Growth All over the world, bureau de change operators remain critical stakeholders in economic development and wealth creation for the citizenry, writes Nume Ekeghe Globally, bureaux de change (BDC) operators are critical agent of economic growth for countries.

With over N250 billion worth of investments in the economy, the BDCs have not only enhanced employment generation but remained one of the major employers of labour and have contributed to the CBN’s revenues streams through one per cent commission charged on dollar sale to operators.

The over 3,000 BDC operators in the country have especially since the CBN started direct sale of dollars to the industry in 2006 have helped in the implementation of the historic convergence of exchange rates for the first time on July 6th 2006, which have so far led to increased investment spending in the economy.

That explains stakeholders’ worries when regulatory and government policies in recent months did not favour the continued operation and sustainability of BDCs’ businesses in the country.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele had last January announced a new foreign exchange (forex) policy that includes the stoppage of weekly dollar sales to BDCs. “The bank (CBN) would henceforth discontinue its sales of foreign exchange to BDCs. Operators in this segment of the market would now need to source their foreign exchange from autonomous source.

They must however note that the CBN would deploy more resources to monitoring these sources to ensure that no operator is in violation of our anti-money laundering laws,” Emefiele had said.

But the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe explained that as law abiding citizens and partner in progress with the CBN, the BDC operators respect the decision of the central bank as the regulator of the banking industry and foreign exchange market where they operate.

“While we are not totally surprised by the decision, we however believe there are better ways of addressing the challenges in the foreign exchange market,” he said.

He expressed the regret that the BDCs are always blamed whenever there is naira volatility.

According to him, the BDC industry was created by the CBN to fill a critical gap in the retail segment of the foreign exchange market even as the decision to sell dollars to them was because they have the capacity to counter the effect of the illegal currency traffickers and the continued depreciation of the naira in the parallel market.

While the BDCs, which remain a globally acknowledged and reputable businesses have put the sudden stoppage of dollar sales to them by the CBN behind them, ABCON and its leadership has continued to seek plausible avenues to deepen dollar liquidity in the market, sustain their members businesses and make their contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

For Gwadabe, Nigeria BDCs can be strengthened to operate across the value chain of the retail foreign exchange sector; remittances and payments space as well as local and international travel insurance brokerage deals. This, he said, can help turn them into a booming

Emefiele

industry that can employ more millions of Nigerians. Both the CBN and BDCs, he said, can work also together and find sustainable solutions that can help the country wriggle out of the ongoing forex crisis confronting the economy.

“The BDCs do not depend on exchange rate to make profit and therefore will benefit nothing from a depreciated naira. Depreciation affects operators’ working capital as they are more interested in turnover than the exchange rate.

The BDCs do not also determine exchange rate and the ABCON has continually worked closely with the CBN to ensure that dollar supply increases so as to restore calm in the currency market,” he assured.

Diaspora Remittances The BDCs can also explore opportunities in Diaspora remit-

tances. For instance, the World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016 showed that Nigerians living abroad sent home $20.8 billion in 2015. The figure, it said, is by far the largest volume of remittances to any country in Africa and the sixth largest in the world.

“The United States is the biggest remittance sending country to Nigeria, followed by the United Kingdom. Nigerians will receive $5.7 billion in remittances sent from friends and family members in the US and $3.7 billion from the UK in 2015. Nigeria is also the third largest destination country for migrants from other African nations,” it said.

It says a quarter of a billion people around the world are migrants, and over $600 billion in remittances are sent annually.

The global lender says international remittances to developing

countries reached over $441 billion in 2015, more than foreign direct investment and trice more than official aid flows. It says 34 per cent of all international remittances are sent between developing countries.

It disclosed that remittances constitute more than 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product for 25 countries. It insists that international remittances have been growing steadily and remain stable even during episodes of financial volatility.

“In 2015, the number of international migrants surpassed 250 million, a quarter of a billion people, globally. International migrants now represent more than 3.4 per cent of the world’s population. SouthSouth migration is now larger than South-North migration. Over 38 per cent of international migrants have migrated from developing countries to other developing countries. 14.4 per cent of international migrants are refugees,” it said.

Speaking on the development, Senior Mobile Analyst at WorldRemit, Alix Murphy, says the World Bank’s latest report shows that countries have now hit two significant milestones - quarter of a billion migrants globally and $600 billion of remittances sent annually.

“More than ever, we live in world of mobile and connected people whose financial ties extend across the planet. At WorldRemit we see the technological infrastructure evolving to meet these changing demands - in particular the convergence of mobile connectivity, instant messaging and international money transfers,” she said.

She believes that despite being the biggest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria’s financial system is still deeply fragmented, making sending and receiving money very challenging for ordinary Nigerians.

Gwadabe believes a proposal from ABCON to the CBN, asking the regulator to allow BDC operators operate correspondent bank accounts that would allow currency auctioners receive the average $20.8 billion annual Diaspora remittances. Making BDCs major agents money transfer agents like the Western Union, MoneyGram, among others will enable them achieve the objective.

The proposal, which Gwadabe

says is still being assessed by the CBN, will enable operators open forex account with Bank Of America or Barclays Bank or any other international bank, through which Nigerians living abroad can send funds home through the foreign bank accounts run by BDCs while the recipients claim their money at home. This practice, when approved, Gwadabe said, would not only boost dollar liquidity in the market, but help the country navigate through raging currency risks.

He believes that integrating BDCs into the money transfer business will ease the challenges faced in the industry and deepen Nigeria payment system.

Gwadabe said: “The CBN agreed to be sourcing for dollar from IOCs and selling to the BDCs between 198 and 201 to a dollar. We have also accepted to ensure that our members follow the regulatory guidelines and not sell dollars obtained through the autonomous sources over the required margin”.

He explained that the BDCs do not have the capacity to deal directly with the IOCs because of the intricate nature of the transactions, but will rely on the CBN’s expertise and experience to handle the transactions.

Brighter Future awaits BDCs But for the BDCs to play these roles in the economy, Gwadabe said the CBN must tackle the increasing challenges arising from over regulation and complex documentation requirements that licensed BDC operators are facing in carrying out their daily legitimate operation.

These, he said, have had negative impact on their efforts toward compliance to statutory and regulatory requirements. The ABCON chief said that six units within the CBN are involved with BDC regulations, supervision, licensing, monitoring, saying this constitutes multiple regulation of a unit of the financial sub-sector that is only involved as a small market player.

“A BDC operator is expected to render daily, monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual returns to these various departments of the same corporate body, which could be very cumbersome, repetitive and time consuming for both the operator and the regulator,” he said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

Kenya Scraps Plans for New Nairobi Terminal Kenya has scrapped plans for a new terminal building at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta airport due to financial pressures and excess capacity caused by recent upgrades to existing facilities.

Reuters reported that President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the $650 million terminal project for the airport in December 2013.

China’s Anhui Construction and China National AeroTechnology had been selected to build the terminal, which was expected to handle 20 million passengers a year.

“The decision to terminate the project by the Authority has been occasioned by the prevailing operational, economic and financial dynamics which have been on a downward trend over the last three years,” the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said.

The first phase of the new terminal had originally been due to be completed this year, although construction has not yet started.

New terminal facilities at JKIA over the past three years have increased its handling capacity to 7.5 million passengers a year, against demand of 6.5 million last year, KAA said.

JKIA, which serves as an aviation hub in the region, opened in 1978 with an annual

passenger capacity of 2.5 million.

“Further upgrading of the existing passenger and cargo handling facilities will continue and eventually increase capacity to 10.5 million passengers,” KAA said.

The Authority said it was confident the updating and expansion of JKIA was adequate to position the airport as the aviation gateway for the region.

“The country is on course to achieving category one status by May 2016 as the target date for commencement of direct flights to the USA,” the authority said.

Category one is a security and safety certificate, required by airports that handle direct flights to the United States.

KAA did not comment on plans to build a second runway at the airport which were also announced in 2013.

Officials in the East African nation have been forced to take another look at their ambitious infrastructure plans after the government’s fiscal deficit grew in recent years, unnerving investors.

The budget deficit for the year to next June was set at 8.7 percent of GDP, but the Treasury last month pledged to cut it to 8.1 percent in a supplementary budget.

NEWS

Court Dismisses Bid to Strike Out MH370 Suit A Malaysian court has dismissed a bid by Malaysia Airlines to throw out a suit filed by relatives of three passengers who went missing on flight MH370, opening the way for other relatives to sue the airline, according to Reuters.

MH370 disappeared on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, with 239 passengers and crew on board.

More than 50 suits have been filed in the Malaysian courts over the plane’s disappearance,

while others have been filed in the United States, Australia, and China.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling is likely to come as a relief for relatives, many of whom had feared they would not be able to get compensation from Malaysian Airline System (MAS) after it transferred all its assets and operations to MAB in a restructuring exercise last year.

MAB had argued that it had no liability as it was set up eight months after the aircraft

disappeared.

But the court did not accept that, instead ruling that MAB’s liability would be determined in a trial, government lawyer Alice Loke Yee Ching told reporters.

“It was not plain and obvious that MAB is not a proper party (to the suit). That should only be determined by the full trial,” she said.

The suit was filed by two teenagers whose parents and older brother were on the ill-fated flight.

It will be the first case against

the airline to be heard in Malaysia, more than two years after the plane went missing.

The court, however, dismissed the teenagers’ bid to also hold the Malaysian government and two of its entities liable for the plane’s disappearance.

The family’s lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, told reporters the court had ruled that while the government had a duty of care to the plaintiffs, “there was no breach of that duty”.

She said the family would appeal the court’s decision.

GM Sees Stability in U.S. Market Share Despite Cut in Fleet General Motors Co plans to cut sales to United States (US), rental car fleets by 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles this year without surrendering significant market share, the head of the automaker’s North American operations told Reuters on Tuesday.

GM sold about 449,000 vehicles to US rental car companies in 2014. It cut rental fleet sales to about 400,000 vehicles in 2015 and this year expects to sell about 310,000 to 320,000 vehicles to the daily rental market, GM North America President Alan Batey said in an interview.

Fleet sales have low profit margins and can depress new car

values. GM had not previously discussed in detail the scope of its cutback on sales to rental companies.

GM’s US market share through the end of February slipped to 17.3 percent from 18 percent for the same period a year ago. Batey said that share, still the largest of any automaker, should stabilize above 17 per cent, reflecting strong demand from individual, retail buyers.

“There’s nothing that would lead me to believe we’d be south of 17” for the year, Batey said.

The scale and speed of GM’s cuts in sales to rental fleets have caught investors and analysts by surprise. Earlier this month, GM reported US sales fell 1.5

percent in February, even as the U.S. market rose overall, mainly because rental fleet sales dropped.

Despite strong profits, GM’s share price is down eight per cent for the year, and closed Tuesday at $31.19. That is below the $33 a share price of the company’s post-bankruptcy initial public offering. The poor stock performance reflects investor concerns that the U.S. automotive sales cycle is near its peak.

In the past, GM, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles , as well as some foreign rivals, tried to offset retail sales slumps by slashing prices and dumping vehicles

into rental car fleets at little or no profit.

Batey said GM intends to buck that trend and reduce rental fleet sales to between 9 percent and 12 percent of total US sales from more than 20 percent in the past.

GM also plans to keep inventories more in line than it has in the past, he said. GM had 67 days’ worth of unsold U.S. vehicles on hand as of March 1, according to data compiled by Automotive News, lower than Ford or Fiat Chrysler.

Batey said GM has cut production of certain cars but is building other models, such as midsize pickup trucks, on overtime.

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INTERNATIONAL WORLD OF ISLAM Court Orders Zuma to Reimburse State

Zacheaus Somorin with agency reports South Africa’s constitutional court has ordered President Jacob Zuma to pay back some of the $16 million of state money spent upgrading his private home, a stinging rebuke that hits the scandal-plagued leader financially and politically.

The unanimous ruling by the 11-judge court, a central pillar of the democracy established at the end of apartheid, said Zuma had failed to“uphold, defend and respect” the constitution by ignoring the Public Protector’s findings on his sprawling rural residence at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal.

In 2014, the constitutionally mandated anti-corruption watchdog identified a swimming pool, cattle enclosure, chicken run, amphitheatre and visitor centre as non-security items that Zuma must pay for.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng gave the Treasury 60 days in which to determine their“reasonable cost”, after which Zuma would have a further 45 days to pay. Besides hurting Zuma, the ruling was a vindication for Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, a quietly spoken but steely lawyer described by Mogoeng as“the embodiment of the Biblical David”fighting against the Goliath of state corruption.

“The office of the Public Protector is one of the true crusaders and champions of anti-corruption and clean governance,”Mogoeng said.

“Hers are indeed very wide powers

that leave no lever of government power above scrutiny.”

In a short statement, Zuma’s office said it respected the ruling and would determine the appropriate action in due course. The uncompromising nature of his verdict - Mogoeng said it carried a “profound lesson” for South Africa’s young democracy - piles more pressure on Zuma, whose second term in office is due to end in 2019.

In a final, departing insult, he was ordered to pay costs. Standing outside the court in downtown Johannesburg, opposition leader Mmusi Maimane told reporters Zuma should be removed from office and said he would table a parliamentary motion to have him impeached.

Zuma, a 73-year-old polygamous Zulu traditionalist, has been under intense fire since December when his abrupt sacking of finance minister Nhlanhla Nene sent the rand into a tail-spin. The rand firmed to a near-four month high against the dollar as Mogoeng delivered his ruling. The African National Congress (ANC) said it was studying the decision in detail given the “serious nature” of its findings.

Its majority in parliament will almost certainly give Zuma political cover against any attempt to impeach him, but the judicial rebuke may embolden anti-Zuma factions within the ruling party to mount a challenge.

“It’s a major decision that is going to have a significant impact on our political environment,” said Gary van Staden, political analyst at NKC African Economics.“In most other places in the world it would be terminal for President Zuma but we will have to wait and see to how the balance of forces are playing out in the ANC.” Much of the court’s ruling focused on whether the findings and recommendations of a 2014 report by Madonsela into security upgrades at Nkandla were legally binding. Mogoeng made it very clear they were, saying the office would be a pointless institution if its findings could be ignored “willy nilly”.

Over the last two years, Zuma has refused to comply, instead ordering parallel investigations by the public works and police ministries that exonerated him, based on declarations that included calling the swimming pool a fire-fighting reservoir.

Madonsela did not put a price tag on the five non-security features she identified. However, her report cited Public Works Department document that outlined estimated costs of 2.8 million rand ($187,000) for a swimming pool and parking garage forVIP guests, and 1.2 million rand for a ‘cattle culvert’.

As president, Zuma’s annual salary is 2.7 million rand. If any payments are made on his behalf, they would be liable for income tax at 41 percent.

Lebanese Military Gets US, British Aid for Defending Border with Syria Lebanon’s armed forces acquired three U.S. helicopters worth $26 million yesterday to help in efforts to stop Syria’s civil war spilling over its border, along with almost $29 million of British aid as EU countries also step up their support.

The Lebanese armed forces have now received a total of nine Huey II multi-mission helicopters from the United States as part of $1.3 billion in security assistance given since 2004, U.S. interim Ambassador Richard H. Jones said. “We have no plans to slow down or alter that level of support,” Jones said at Beirut’s military air base.

Fighting between Islamic State

and al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front militants often overlaps Lebanon’s mountainous northern border with Syria, where a civil war is now in its fifth year.

Fighters briefly overran the northern Lebanese town of Arsal in 2014 before withdrawing to the hills after clashes with the army. Fighting in the border area killed at least 32 Nusra and Islamic State fighters this week.

The helicopters will improve the army’s ability to quickly reinforce “remote areas of tension along the border in support of the army’s fight against terrorists”, Jones said.

Lebanon has a weak government and a number of nations support its armed forces, concerned that regional conflict and a power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia could again destabilise a country which emerged from its own civil war 26 years ago.

On a visit to Lebanon yesterday, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announced a further $22 million for border guard training through to 2019 and $6.5 million for general training of 5,000 Lebanese troops. “Lebanon is an important part of the front line against terrorism,” Hammond said.

14 Killed in Indian Flyover Collapse A flyover under construction in the bustling Indian city of Kolkata collapsed yesterday on vehicles and street vendors below, killing at least 14 people with more than 100 people feared trapped.

Residents used their bare hands to try to rescue people pinned under a 100-metre (110-yard) length of metal and cement that snapped off at one end and came crashing down in a teeming commercial district near Girish Park.

“The concrete had been laid last night at this part of the bridge,” resident Ramesh Kejriwal told Reuters. “I am lucky as I was planning to go downstairs to have juice. When I was thinking about it, I saw that the bridge had collapsed.”

Video footage aired on TV channels showed a street scene with two auto rickshaws and a crowd of people suddenly obliterated by a mass of falling concrete that narrowly missed cars crawling in a traffic jam. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose centre-left party is seeking re-election in the state of West Bengal next month, rushed to the scene.

“We will take every action to save lives of those trapped beneath the collapsed flyover. Rescue is our top priority,” she said. Banerjee, 61, said those responsible for the disaster would not be spared. Yet she herself faces questions about a construction project that has been plagued by delays and safety fears.

A newspaper reported last

November that Banerjee wanted the flyover - already five years overdue - to be completed by February. Project engineers expressed concerns over whether this would be possible, The Telegraph said at the time.

The disaster could play a role in the West Bengal election, one of five being held next month that will give an interim verdict on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nearly two years in power.

Indian company IVRCL was building the 2-km (1.2-mile) Vivekananda Road flyover, according to its web site.

Its shares closed down 5 percent after falling by up to 11.8 percent on news of the disaster.

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

The Humanity of The Being - 1 TariqRamadan/IslamiCity

T

he notion of tawhid, the oneness of God (tawhid al-rububiyya), of His names and His attributes (tawhid al-asma wa-al-sifat), determines that the conception of human nature will be “a mirror image” and “a contrario,” one may say. If God is one, everything in creation is in pairs, double, seeking union. Oneness, for the Transcendent, is an expression of the essence of being; union, for created beings, is achieved through marriage, fusion, movement. Created by the One, humans must go in search of the unity of their own being—their heart, their soul, their mind, and their body.

Put thus, it may give the impression that there is nothing to differentiate this from the Greek, Jewish, or Christian traditions.

We well know the approach whose most familiar expression is the opposition between the soul and the body. But a careful reading of the scriptural sources reveals that there is nothing in the Islamic tradition that can serve as a basis for the dualistic approach that opposes two constituent elements of humankind, each characterized by a positive or negative ethical quality: the soul would be the expression (explicitly or implicitly) of good, the body the expression (explicitly or implicitly) of evil. Never does the Qur’anic Revelation or the Prophetic tradition suggest anything of the sort. The ethical crux is not in the opposition of two elements that are separate and ethically fixed (which would represent the two poles of morality) but rather in controlling and guiding them toward their necessary merger, their inevitable union.

From the beginning, the Islamic tradition rejects this kind of antithetical dualism and bases the measurement of moral categories on the ability of human consciousness to take responsibility for finding balance, establishing harmony, making peace. The human being is, essentially, responsible; awareness of tawhid invites humanity to set out on the quest, along the divine path (sabil Allah), to control, in the midst of the fluctuations of life, the contradictions within its being, its weaknesses, and its deficiencies. This exercise of responsible control is an education that makes the human being truly human at the heart of a search which is like a virtuous and ascending circle; union, which is at the center of being, brings us toward the oneness of the Being. The opposite here would be an absence of boundaries and morality, a lack of constraint, that would drag the conscience into sleep, into the vicious circle of excess, which may even extend to bestiality.

Thus, there is no moral quality good “in itself” attached to “the soul in the body” (al-nafs), the heart, or the spirit, and there is no moral quality bad “in itself” attached to the body, the senses, or the emotions. It is the human ability to control, to combine, and to guide that determines the ethical quality of individuals, their nafs, their hearts, their bodies, feelings, each of their emotions, as well as each of their actions. This perception is the basis of the relationship that Muslims are invited to have with the world, which is not evil in itself (as opposed to the next world, which is absolute good). Conversely, motherhood and fatherhood are not good in themselves (as opposed to the solitary life, which is evil). Knowledge is not always positive in itself (in contrast to ignorance, which is by nature negative). Nothing like this is to be found in the Islamic universe of reference. Sexuality may be a prayer and motherhood may be hell, depending on the moral intention that motivates the person.

In other words, the ethical quality of the elements of which we are constituted (nafs, heart, body, and so on), the faculties by which we are characterized (such as perception, intelligence, and imagination) and, of course, the actions we produce are determined only by the guidance our conscience gives them.

This teaching reveals a perception of the human that is at once very demanding and very optimistic — demanding because the human conscience must acquire alone (“No one can bear another’s burden”) responsible control in a world where evil is neither an indelible mark on the being-in-the-world

(like original sin) nor in itself a constituent part of the being (like the body or the imagination). It is above all optimistic, for it requires us not to reject any part of our being, encouraging in us the confidence that the Only One will give us in every situation the means to meet this ethical challenge. “God only imposes on each soul [human being] what it is able to bear,” and along the way He provides numerous signs, invitations, and supports. Thus a relationship of obligation and trust is established with the divine that is fully achieved only when we cross the threshold of the realm of inner peace.

It remains to discover how to discern the guidance we have spoken of. The Islamic tradition also offers an original conception of humankind that the Sufis (Muslim mystics) have very much emphasized. It contains the idea of movement and dynamism that, as we have seen, characterizes Islamic thought.

Awareness of the divine, far from the dualist thinking which opposes “faith” to “reason,” sets in motion, as we shall see, a quest for the original breath that cannot dispense with reason in order successfully to bring to birth a faith that is both confirmation and reconciliation.

The story of creation, as it is told in the Qur’an, is remarkable. It all began, one may say, with a testimony and a covenant. Indeed, Revelation tells us that in the first age of creation the Only One brought together the whole of mankind and made them bear witness: “And when your Sustainer took the offspring of Adam from his loins to bear witness about themselves: ‘Am I not your Lord?,’ they replied, ‘Assuredly, yes.

We bear witness to it.’ This is a reminder lest on the day of judgment you say: ‘We did not know!’ ” This original testimony is of fundamental importance for the formation of the Islamic conception of humanity. It teaches us that in the heart and consciousness of each individual there exists an essential and profound intuitive awareness and recognition of the presence of the Transcendent. Just as the sun, the clouds, the winds, the birds, and all the animals express their natural submission, as we have seen, the human being has within it an almost instinctive longing for a dimension that is “beyond.” This is the idea of the fitra, which has given rise to numerous exegetical, mystical, and philosophical commentaries, so central is it to the Islamic conception of the human being, faith, and the sacred. We find it mentioned in the following verse: “Surrender your whole being as a true believer and in accordance with the nature [natural desire] which God gave to human beings when He created them. There is no change in God’s creation. This is the unchangeable religion, but most people do not know,” and confirmed by a Prophetic tradition: “Every newborn child is born in fitra: it is his parents who make of him a Jew, a Christian, or a Zoroastrian.”

So this “original testimony” has impressed each person’s heart with a mark, which is a memory, a spark, a quest for transcendence in a sense very close to Mircea Eliade’s insight when he affirms that religions “play a part in the structure of human consciousness.” This statement from the first age, in which human beings declared their recognition of the Creator, fashions their relationship with God: they are bound by a sort of original covenant to which their consciousness presses them to stay faithful.

There is no original sin in Islam: every being is born innocent and then becomes responsible for his or her faithfulness to the covenant. Those who do not believe, the un-faithful (kafir), are those who are not faithful to the original covenant, whose memory is faint and whose sight is veiled. In the notion of kufr in Arabic there is the idea of a veiling that leads to the denial of the Truth. Only God decides whether human beings will be enlightened or veiled. Their responsibility consists in their constant action and personal effort to keep the memory alive.

To Be Continued

46

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Tougher Times Await Nigerian Banks, Agbaje Predicts Chika Amanze-Nwachuku The Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje has predicted that Nigerian banks will face tougher times in 2016 as a result of the harsh economic situation.

Briefing journalist yesterday on the bank’s financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2015, Agbaje said 2015 was an extremely difficult year for the banking industry, adding “2016 will be even more difficult.”

The worsening macroeconomic environment has adversely affected commercial banks in the country, as a result, some of them had issued low profit warning to their respective shareholders and other stakeholders in view of the anticipated poor 2015 results.

Some of the banks are Skye Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) and Diamond Bank Plc. First City Monument Bank and FBN Holdings, which was among banks that issued low profit alerts, released its audited

results on Wednesday, showing a dip of 78 per cent in profit after tax (PAT) for the year ended December 31, 2015.

However, Agbaje expressed optimism that GTBank Plc and other banks that are strong will weather the tough economic times.

In its financial performance for the year 2015, GTB group’s profit before tax rose by 3.7 per cent to N120.7 billion from N116.4 billion, while profit after tax grew by 5.3 per cent to N99.4 billion, up from N91.4 billion in in 2014.

Agbaje anticipates that the Group’s profit before tax will rise to N125 billion in the 2016 financial year, despite the headwinds in the financial sector.

Specifically, he said the bank would sustain profitability and returns on equity at above 25 per cent.

The Group’s 2016 guidance and plans, according to him would include growing risk assets of the its institutional banking business, cost-to-income ratio (CIR) below 45%; leveraging

technological advancement as much as possible to keep cost low and increasing subsidiaries’ contribution to the its profit before tax.

Agbaje also said the Group will focus on optimising revenue and minimising cost of all subsidiaries.

Also, he said, in line with its 2016 guidance and plan, the Group will put more energy in its retail and SME business.

GTBank Plc posted gross earnings of N298.8 billion in the 2015 financial year, showing an increase of 8.1 per cent compared with N276.4 billion in 2014. Net interest income grew by 12.3 per cent from N142.4 billion to N159.9 billion. However, impairment charges grew by 74.8 per cent from N7.1 billion to N12.4 billion. Operation expenses were flat at N96.4 billion, compared with N94.7 billion in 2014.

Profit before tax rose marginally by 3.7 per cent to N120.7 billion from N116.4 billion, while profit after tax grew by 5.3 per cent to N99.4 billion, up from N91.4 billion.

Don’t Patronise ‘Wonder Banks,’ NDIC Warns Depositors Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) yesterday asked depositors of liquidated banks across the country to file their claims for payment, insisting that the corporation remained committed to ensuring that no depositor loses any money as a result of liquidation of any bank.

The agency specifically asked depositors of four banks whose licences were recently revoked to as a matter of urgency, come forward and file their claims for payment.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim made the call yesterday on the occasion of the NDIC Special Day at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The NDIC boss was represented by the South-east zonal

coordinator of the corporation, Nicholas Ayuba Ibrahim.

Ibrahim also reminded members of the public of the activities of illegal funds managers otherwise known as ‘Wonder Banks’, appealing to people to stop patronising such fake banks.

According to him, the Wonder Banks offer ‘mouth watering’ interest rates to dupe unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned incomes in the name of investments.

The NDIC boss further stated that for the avoidance of doubt, the Wonder Banks or illegal funds managers were neither licenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nor securities and Exchange Commission(SEC ) and are not under the NDIC deposit insurance scheme.

He also assured the depositors of the closed banks that they would be paid after they had filled their claims.

According to him, the three microfinance banks (MFBs) whose licences had been revoked were Crown, First Omasi, and Tri-Star respectively, stating that Harvard Trust Savings and Loans had also been closed down.

He disclosed that of total insured deposit of N75.49 million for the three MFBs (N8.35, N24.02 and 43.12 for Crown, First Omasi and Tri-Star respectively), the sum of N58.47 million(N4.26, N16.32 and N37.89 for Crown, First Omasi and Tri-Star Respectively) had een paid leaving a balance of N17.02 million (4.08, N7.71 and N5.23 Million for Crown, First Omasi, and Tri-Star respectively) outstanding.

He noted that banks operate within some rules, adding that relevant authorities would not hesitate to withdraw the licences of banks that fail to meet the obligations of depositors.

Agbaje

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS 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)

Peter Uzoho

KPMG Nigeria Professional Services has identified the top 10 business risks likely to affect organisations in the manufacturing, energy and telecommunications sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2016.

The risks include macroeconomic risk, crude oil price risk, political risk, energy risk and security.

Others are capital availability risk, regulatory risk, competition risk, supply and business continuity and disaster recovery.

Presenting the maiden report of a survey conducted by the Risk Consulting Practice of KPMG Nigeria on the “Top 10 Business Risks for 2016,” in Lagos yesterday, the Partner, Risk Consulting Services, KPMG, Lagos, Tomi Adepoju said the report identified key risks likely to affect businesses in the manufacturing, energy and telecommunications in

2016, including notable differences in viewpoints and key next steps for businesses in the Nigerian economy.

“The report is based on aggregated perspectives of over seventy executive directors and senior management staff, including chief risk officers and chief audit executives, in a survey conducted by the Risk Consulting Practice of KPMG Nigeria, between December 2015 and February 2016, including notable differences in viewpoints and key next steps for businesses in the Nigerian economy.

“As businesses contend with increasing risk exposure, this report will enable companies compare their own risks with those of their peers. The report also provides an empirical foundation against which result s of subsequent risk surveys can be compared, monitor trends and key changes in risks over

time,” she added.

Furthermore, Adepoju said the need for organisations to strengthen their risk management practices cannot be overemphasised, saying that the management survey showed that the business environment in 2016 would be quite challenging for all sectors of the economy.

However, she noted that with the right risk management strategies, organisations stand a chance of transforming potentially crippling risks into a competitive advantage and sustaining their performance in spite of the prevailing changes in the operating environment”.

Adepoju said: “Based on the survey results, it is clear that executive management today face an unprecedented number of new and emerging risks that can threaten corporate strategy if they are not proactively identified and properly managed.”

-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

KPMG Nigeria Identifies Top 10 Business Risks in 2016

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2014

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 30 MARCH 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $34.91 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $34.50 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 • FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

30-Mar-16 29-Mar-16

01 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc.

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

153.00

151.59

0.93%

98,010,325,539.00

11.12

13.75

1.26

1.44%

4.09

02 Access Bank Plc.

3.79

3.83

-1.04%

109,637,012,481.49

2.28

1.66

0.53

14.51%

0.30

03 AIICO Insurance Plc.

0.79

0.80

-1.25%

5,474,861,539.20

0.18

4.50

0.21

0.00%

0.42

04 Cadbury Nigeria Plc.

14.77

14.77

0.00%

27,741,044,130.80

3.21

4.61

0.82

8.80%

2.68

05 Cap Plc

38.50

38.50

0.00%

26,950,000,000.00

1.66

23.16

4.05

2.60%

15.33

06 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

8.17

8.17

0.00%

10,267,057,348.22

0.96

8.55

0.79

1.22%

1.01

07 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.87

0.91

-4.40%

9,024,287,551.44

0.16

5.46

0.57

11.49%

0.60

08 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.82

3.82

0.00%

22,468,721,224.90

0.80

4.78

0.89

2.88%

0.87

164.05

162.05

1.23%

2,795,495,239,790.25

10.64

15.42

5.69

4.88%

4.34

10 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

5.98

5.98

0.00%

71,760,000,000.00

0.96

6.22

0.71

8.36%

1.23

11 Diamond Bank Plc

1.18

1.18

0.00%

27,329,258,982.24

0.92

1.28

0.14

25.42%

0.12

14.51

14.51

0.00%

266,251,988,129.65

1.39

10.42

0.52

4.27%

0.71

13 FBN Holdings Plc

3.00

3.17

-5.36%

107,685,878,376.00

2.16

1.39

0.27

33.33%

0.19

14 FCMB Group Plc.

0.83

0.80

3.75%

16,436,249,925.82

0.24

3.45

0.11

12.05%

0.10

15 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.38

1.38

0.00%

39,985,219,891.74

0.48

2.86

0.32

10.14%

0.22

16 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.53

2.53

0.00%

3,795,000,000.00

0.63

3.99

0.17

16.60%

0.59

19.40

18.54

4.64%

50,910,201,427.80

1.84

10.54

0.15

10.31%

0.50

293.23

293.23

0.00%

381,926,533,832.69

4.45

65.92

3.06

1.18%

8.25

19 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

20 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

14.48

14.44

0.28%

426,163,475,163.52

3.38

4.29

1.86

12.22%

1.03

105.75

108.93

-2.92%

159,247,675,881.00

0.78

135.88

3.20

0.00%

3.56

1.44

1.44

0.00%

11,419,484,627.52

0.14

10.19

0.23

11.11%

0.53

23 International Breweries Plc.

19.00

19.00

0.00%

62,590,736,320.00

0.64

29.73

3.38

1.32%

5.19

24 Julius Berger Nig. Plc.

41.50

41.50

0.00%

54,780,000,000.00

1.33

31.12

0.41

3.61%

2.26

25 Lafarge Africa Plc.

79.00

77.00

2.60%

359,837,242,990.00

5.93

13.33

1.35

3.80%

2.04

1.87

1.87

0.00%

19,635,000,000.00

0.16

11.81

1.18

2.67%

1.00

156.00

156.00

0.00%

56,252,860,872.00

13.51

11.54

0.88

3.85%

3.66

7.08

6.60

7.27%

18,758,023,716.24

0.79

8.91

1.16

7.77%

2.65

700.00

700.00

0.00%

554,859,376,400.00

29.95

23.38

3.67

4.14%

14.60

4.00

4.00

0.00%

6,496,875,000.00

0.34

11.79

0.76

5.00%

1.07

107.00

111.83

-4.32%

848,413,795,016.00

5.37

19.93

3.07

3.36%

4.98

3.99

3.98

0.25%

48,018,129,387.06

0.50

7.98

0.08

18.80%

0.30

33 Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

31.42

31.42

0.00%

29,971,852,200.00

2.25

13.99

3.38

3.18%

1.22

34 P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc.

22.71

23.90

-4.98%

90,169,533,691.95

1.10

20.70

1.25

5.72%

2.14

35 Presco Plc

34.60

34.60

0.00%

34,600,000,000.00

3.28

10.55

3.05

0.29%

1.54

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

310.00

300.00

3.33%

171,526,197,030.00

23.48

13.20

1.52

2.57%

0.61

0.92

0.92

0.00%

12,769,877,297.20

0.85

1.08

0.09

32.61%

0.09

15.00

15.00

0.00%

150,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.37

1.27

0.67%

1.34

1.55

1.63

-4.91%

44,625,148,095.30

0.36

4.34

0.40

5.81%

0.47

146.50

146.50

0.00%

49,739,949,120.50

12.41

11.80

0.21

6.14%

4.03

1.11

1.16

-4.31%

42,980,307,141.75

0.04

29.76

1.05

4.50%

0.49

20.00

20.48

-2.34%

38,417,287,740.00

3.62

5.52

0.48

8.75%

0.55

4.61

4.61

0.00%

7,923,437,476.95

1.81

2.55

0.71

15.18%

0.24

29.25

29.50

-0.85%

110,661,415,312.50

0.32

92.81

1.87

4.27%

13.83

46 United Bank for Africa Plc

3.23

3.96

-18.43%

117,182,870,020.06

1.64

1.96

0.37

18.58%

0.35

47 Unity Bank Plc

0.67

0.70

-4.29%

7,831,856,421.14

0.54

1.23

0.12

0.00%

0.09

48 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,124.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

49 Wema Bank Plc.

0.79

0.76

3.95%

31,195,814,838.27

0.06

13.40

0.68

0.00%

0.69

50 Zenith Bank Plc

10.96

11.31

-3.09%

344,105,571,894.56

3.37

3.26

0.80

16.42%

0.58

09 Dangote Cement Plc

12 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

17 Flour Mills Nig. Plc. 18 Forte Oil Plc.

21 Guinness Nig Plc 22 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

26 Mansard Insurance Plc 27 Mobil Oil Nig Plc. 28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc 29 Nestle Nigeria Plc. 30 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc 31 Nigerian Brew. Plc. 32 Oando Plc

36 Resort Savings & Loans Plc 37 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd. 38 Skye Bank Plc 39 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc 40 Sterling Bank Plc. 41 Total Nigeria Plc. 42 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 43 U A C N Plc. 44 UACN Property Development Co. Limited 45 Unilever Nigeria Plc.

TOTAL

8,023,551,903,821.00

TOTAL MARKET CAP

8,649,508,663,299.79

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

92.76%

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)

Open 29-Mar-16

Close Change % 30-Mar-16

25,277.29 8.69

25,145.28 8.65

-0.52 -0.52

103.60 8.07

103.05 8.02

-0.54 -0.54

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 29-Mar-16 30-Mar-16 %

National Salt Co. Nig. Plc Flour Mills Nig. Plc. Wema Bank Plc. FCMB Group Plc. Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd.

6.60 18.54 0.76 0.80 300.00

7.08 19.40 0.79 0.83 310.00

7.27 4.64 3.95 3.75 3.33

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 29-Mar-16 30-Mar-16 %

United Bank for Africa Plc FBN Holdings Plc P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc. Sterling Bank Plc. Continental Reinsurance Plc

3.96 3.17 23.90 1.63 0.91

3.23 3.00 22.71 1.55 0.87

-18.43 -5.36 -4.98 -4.91 -4.40

Market Index sheds 0.52% due to high sell pressure Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Wednesday, March 30th, 2016, was negative as the market closed red due to profit taking opportunity provided by the 2015 full year earnings announcement by company’s coupled with dividend declaration to the delight of some investors. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Sub sectors; Banking, Insurance, and Consumer Goods (Save Oil & Gas). Trading activities increased in volume as 504.21 million shares worth N2.139 billion in 3,374 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 282.7 million shares worth N2.647 billion in 3,225 deals carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms was Livestock Feeds Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and United Capital Plc, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with a 0.52% (-132.01) decrease to 25,145.28 from 25,277.29 the previous trading day.

Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N8.65 trillion from N8.69 trillion of prior trading day. The Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with 0.54% decrease to close at 103.05 from 103.60 the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at 8.02 trillion from N8.07 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 15 stocks gained on the bourse today while 23 stocks declined, leaving 139 stocks unchanged. National Salt Co. Nig. Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 7.27% to close at N7.08 per share. It was followed Flour Mills Nig. Plc with a gain of 4.64% to close at N19.40 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Wema Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd, while on the decliners’ list; United Bank for Africa Plc led with a loss of 18.43% to close at N3.23 per share. It was followed by FBN Holdings Plc with a loss of 5.36% to close at N3.00 per share. Others on the losers list include; P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Continental Reinsurance 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 • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Transcorp Posts N2bn Profit After Tax, Issues Bonus to Shareholders Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, a leading investment conglomerate is to reward shareholders with a bonus of one new share for every 20 shares already held for the year ended December 31, 2015. The company ended with a profit after tax of N2.031

billion, showing a decline of 38 per cent from N3.304 billion recorded in 2014.

Transcorp recorded a revenue of N40.7 billion as against N41.3 billion in 2014 and posted operating profit of N15 billion, up from N13.623 billion the previous year.

However, spike in net cost of finance by 98 per cent from N5.9 billion to N11.7 billion,

T H E

foreign exchange loss, which affected the net results of the power business and impairment of investments in the stock market, combined to reduce the bottom-line.

But the company grew its balance sheet during the year as total asset increased by N32 billion to N202.9 billion, compared to N170.8 billion in 2014.

N I G E R I A N

According to the company, increase in plant property and equipment reflects the impact of expansion projects undertaken

by Transcorp Hotels Plc. The company explained that group revenue was affected by the non-implementation of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2015 in the power sector and impacts of forex devaluation on the cost of gas and debt

STO C K

service.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, Emmanuel Nnorom, said: “We displayed relative resilience in 2015 despite various macroeconomic and industry challenges. We continued to maintain top line in 2015 and adapted cost-management measures to keep our administrative expenses within line.

E XC H A N G E

Our current expansion agenda within the hospitality, oil, gas and power sectors will provide the platform for sustainable growth within the medium term. Following recent government intervention in the power sector, particularly with tariff increase, we expect that a strong growth in our power business in 2016. The gas shortages still remain a challenge.”

49

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

New Lead to Possible Killers of Colonel Inusa Emerges Senator Iroegbu in Abuja A new lead has emerged over the possible abductors and killers of late Colonel Smaila Inusa, whose lifeless body was discovered Tuesday, three days after he was kidnapped by unknown assailants.

THISDAY was informed by a military intelligence source that the authorities are exploring a new possible lead to the death of Inusa, who was earlier thought to have been kidnapped for ransom.

The source noted that the shocking discovery that the senior officer was killed by his abductors has created suspicion that it might have been an insider job.

According to the military insiders, the abduction and murder of an army officer would have been too risky a mission without an insider collaboration.

Also, the fact that the killers did not ask for ransom has rankled the authorities, compelling them to start expanding their scope and consider a possible inside connection.

“The colonel was finally confirmed murdered on the day he was abducted. Apparently, the killers are not after ransom, the murderers must have other reasons for their action. The public are kindly requested on this unfortunate incidence with any information that can assist in tracking them,” a message noted.

The Nigerian army had announced that late Colonel Inusa who was kidnapped on March 26, 2016, was found dead last Tuesday.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman who confirmed the development said preliminary investigation revealed that most likely the late senior officer was killed same day he was kidnapped.

“This is because the body was found already decomposing around Ajyaita village off Eastern Bypass Kaduna, Kaduna State.

“We wish to state in unmistakeable terms that whoever is behind his abduction

and murder would be fished out to face the full wrath of the law,” Usman assured the public.

The army authorities have not offered any explanation to the possible killers apart from the earlier lead of military intelligence quoting that the presidency had expressed concern that the kidnap might be a revenge mission by the Shiites Islamic sect against the army over the clash in Zaria last year.

The source had said: “The situation is getting complicated.

A very reliable source from the presidency just confirmed that there was an ‘Interim Report’ since last week that the ElZakzaky group vowed to kidnap military officers to negotiate as ransom for the release of their leader purported to be in military custody. The source further confirmed that the military is aware of the report since last week. Everyone needs to be extra careful especially those in Kaduna and Abuja metropolis.”

However, further investigation since the officer was confirmed dead revealed that he was recently redeployed from Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-east where he allegedly had monetary issues with soldiers.

According to the source, Inusa who was Commanding Officer of a battalion, had issues with some of his troops who felt aggrieved that their entitlements were compromised by him.

“As soon as he came back, he bought a car and the least of it cost N9million. You know he just returned from the Operation Lafiya Dole where he commanded a battalion and possibly there are allegations that he might have tampered with the boys’ money. This was known because some of the boys have been threatening him to give them their money and he refused claiming that he has handed over and no longer in charge.

“So the suspicion is that either they did it directly or they contacted somebody because if you look at it, the car

Shiite Stages Peaceful Protest in Kaduna The Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiite yesterday organised a peaceful rally in Kaduna, demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since December 2015.

Thousands of members of the movement converged on the Leventis Roundabout at the city centre by 11a.m, calling on the army authorities and the federal government to release their leader, his wife and other members of the sect being detained since clash between the group and the army in Zaria on December 12, 2015 .

However, as soon as the police got the information about the peaceful protest, members of the movement quickly dispersed.

Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Abubakar Zubairu,

said the Shiites dispersed on their own before the arrival of the police at the Leventis Roundabout.

“But our men have taken over the place to stop further use of the place by the Shiites, if our men had arrived in there early enough, we would have stopped the rally, the Shiites left the roundabout before the police arrived,” he said.

However, in a statement issued after the rally, President of the Academic Forum of the movement, Abudllahi Ibrahim, reiterated that Shiites will not rest on their oars until their leader and others are freed.

“We are echoing our demand that our leader Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife Zeenatu and all other members of the movement who are now languishing in different prisons and army barracks nation wide be released,” he said.

is equally missing. They might likely have trailed him and put surveillance on him and while he was enjoying in the vehicle that was when they went after him. You know how some of those boys could be aggrieved if they were given N500 and you now gave them N100,” the source noted.

Meanwhile, some officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have expressed concern over the safety of their lives and those of their family members.

The concerned officers noted that the military are unconsciously making enemies with their increasing involvement with the asymmetric conflicts across the country.

They noted that despite the fact that they were trained for battle and pay the ultimate supreme sacrifice, they are vulnerable against isolated attacks, adding that their lives must not be cheapened.

The officers also asked that more measures be put in place to

ensure that they are adequately protected against repeat of recent scenario that took the life of late Col Inusa.

“The death of Col. Samaila Inusa has troubled me so much because the military has been boxed to a corner in our time.

“I have had threat sms and calls that I would be killed. Even though I hav put my faith in God, I have reported it to the authorities but so far nothing has been achieved.

We must all be vigilant at this time as the military has made more

enemies than friends in the current dispensation.

“Even though we are trained to pay the supreme price we should not be prized cheap. Let us all start sentising our leaders on the need for officers to get protection because every officer is actually on his own even in the face of terrorism,” the concerned source noted.

Late Colonel Inusa was until his death a serving with Nigeria Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State.

FEUD SETTLED

L-R: Investor, Geometric Power Limited, Mr. Pascal Dozie; Director, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN); Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Director; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Mr.Kester Enwereonu; CEO, Geometric Power Limited, Prof. Barth Nnaji; and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Louis Edozien (left), shortly after the signing of an agreement between Aba Power Limited, Geometric Power Limited, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Interstate Electrics Limited at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja... yesterday

Anti-corruption War Can’t Succeed Without Special Courts, Says Falana SheriffBalogun inAbeokutaand PeaceObi inLagos

The Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has said the anti-corruption war by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration cannot be won through regular courts.

He therefore called for the establishment of special courts to handle anti-corruption cases.

Falana noted that apart from the class solidarity usually extended to politically-exposed persons by judges, the issue if further compounded by the judicial corruption and professional misconduct on the part of senior lawyers involved in the defence of corruption cases, it would be unfortunate.

Delivering a keynote address at the countable convened by the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos said in spite of the overwhelming evidence of large scale looting being uncovered by the anti-graft agencies, the federal government was losing control of the war against corruption.

The keynote speaker who was represented by Wahab Shittu, noted that government had failed to counter the deliberate manipulation of the nation’s criminal justice system.

“Owing to lack of coordination in the

trial of politically-exposed persons, corruption is fighting back. Painfully, the FG is on the defensive as it has failed to counter the deliberate manipulation of the criminal justice system by the indicted looters of the public treasury.

Reaffirming Nigerians support to the renewed fight against corruption and impunity in the country, Falana said it was regrettable that the federal government was yet to appreciate the fact that anti-corruption battle cannot be won through the regular courts.”

According to the Lagos lawyer, despite the mind boggling revelation of criminal diversion of public funds, not a single case has been concluded by any of the courts.

According to him, given the usual manipulation of the criminal judicial system, “there is no indication that a substantial number of the cases will be concluded before 2019.”

Calling for a review of the criminal justice system, Falana said: “To avoid a situation whereby the trial of the looters is suspended indefinitely, the criminal justice system has to be reviewed as a matter of urgency.”

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello, in his welcome address noted that corruption had become a topical issue in Nigeria especially in light of President Buhari’s change agenda,

noting that the roundtable was aimed at benefiting the teeming number of Nigerians the suffer from the effects of corruption and corrupt practices.

According to Bello, it is hoped that “the roundtable will arouse the interest of Nigerians and our international partners on how to curb and limit this cankerworm which is capable of derailing the Nigerian project.”

The vice-chancellor who saluted the ingenuity and effort of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law in organising the roundtable, said he was optimistic that the gathering would be able to proffer solutions to corruption and corrupt practices in Nigeria.

Challenging Nigerians to rise to the challenge of fighting corruption, the chairman of the event, Professor Itse Sagay, said whoever had fallen victim of the looters of the nation’s common heritage must be part of the consensus that corruption must be stamped out “for the rest of us to enjoy a modicum of social welfare, a minimum standard of living and the capacity to achieve our potentials as human beings in Nigeria.”

Charting the way out in the fight against corruption, Prof. Ayo Obe, who canvassed for structural change, also urged the government to make corruption less lucrative by

consciously adopting transparency in all its system and making maximum use of technology in all its transactional dealings with its ministries, departments and agencies, among others.

According to Obe, “Helping one investor over another is not going to help the economy. Let us not open new doors and avenues for corruption. Wage the war against corruption as you started. “ At a different forum, Falana lamented that the value system of the country was corrupted, appealing to Nigerians to support the government in fighting the menace of corruption in the country.

Falana who spoke on ‘The Limits of Anti-corruption War’ at the special congress and public lecture of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) chapter in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, noted that the current anti-corruption war

by President Buhari might not be successful if the president failed to address the root cause.

Falana, therefore, insisted that with the neo- colonial capitalist system of government, the country practice would negate the anti-corruption crusade, stressing “Nigeria practice a rickety capitalism.”

50

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Kwara APC Challenges Oyegun to Speak out on Saraki’s Trial PDP leader explains support for senate president Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kwara Central senatorial zone which produced the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have challenged the National Chairman of party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to state his position on the ongoing Saraki’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

They made the call in Ilorin, the state capital, yesterday during a peaceful protest to the state secretariat of the party.

The party stalwarts were led on the visit by the APC Kwara Central Chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, who was flanked by the state women leader, Hajia Sarah Adebayo, and the youth leader in the zone, Hon. Tunde Aalagbo.

Speaking with journalists during the protest, Adesina, said Oyegun should protect one of his members who is being “victimised,” being the national chairman of the APC. Adesina, who said the people were displeased with the ongoing trial of Saraki at the CCT, described the trial “as nothing but persecution of our leader.

“Though as people, we believe in the supremacy of our constitution and the rule of law, but the recent scenario at the CCT leaves much to desire and has equally painted our judicial system black.”

The APC leader, who called on all party stakeholders to come together and speak with one voice, said: “The situation was not like this before the election. If the stakeholders refused to

Osinbajo Asks Nigerians to Trust Buhari Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said the only agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is to make Nigeria a great nation.

He therefore called on Nigerians to support him.

Osinbajo made the disclosure at the presidential villa, Abuja while receiving a delegation of his University of Lagos classmates.

He said the president was an honest man and should be supported.

“He is a man who is honest and whose only desire is to make Nigeria go forward and become a great nation. We should support such a leader,” he said.

Osinbajo added that despite the present economic challenges Nigeria, the country had a unique opportunity to make good progress adding that the president and him were determined to pursue the course.

“The president and I are

determined to give a good account of ourselves and more importantly ensure that the country makes a good progress”, he said.

Expressing a deep-felt appreciation for the visit by his classmates, Osinbajo told them “it is very rare that after so many years, we can still reunite. I am really honored and humbled.”

Earlier, retired Justice Chinyelu Emeka K. Anigbodu, who spoke on behalf of the delegation that included former federal minister, Odein Ajumogobia, congratulated the vice-president, noting that his election “is a precious gift to us.”

A statement by the media aide to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, added that the members of the vice-president’s class at the meeting included legal practitioners from across the country and beyond, including Cameroun.

They are made up of justices serving and retired, notable law teachers and lawyers.

bury their differences, the party may collapse and this is what we are guiding against.”

He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigeria Judicial Commission (NJC) to stop the current alleged persecution of the senate president, saying there should be equal rights in the dispensation of justice in the country.

“A party that won a national election through the might of God and efforts of people like Saraki within 18 months of its formation needs to watch its steps. It should learn a lesson from the downfall of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“However, the expectations of the people who voted ‘change’ are improved welfare packages, stable water supply, uninterrupted electricity, good roads and security of lives and property, but not persecution of APC members.

“The concern of our president should be the

unpaid salary, fix the economy and bail out 27 states which are unable to pay workers’ salaries,” he said.

Also speaking, the state APC chairman, Alhaji Isola Balogun-Fulani, who with other members of the state executive received the protesters, declared that the party had lost confidence in the CCT. He added: “What’s going on at the tribunal is nothing but persecution of our leader.”

Balogun-Fulani, who said the country had never had it so good in respect of achievements recorded so far by the senate president, called on Nigerians to rise up against perceived injustice.

Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the PDP, Chief Rex Olawoye, disclosed that his support for Saraki against his ongoing trial at the CCT should be viewed as a political gain for the people of the state

rather than being tagged “a political statement.”

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin yesterday, Olawoye, who said he remains an active member of the PDP, noted that politics should be seen as a beneficial game “when the benefits are overtly seen” and an ideology when there is a need “to be rigid.”

The PDP spokesman had in Ilorin on Wednesday declared his support for Saraki against his trial by the CCT citing the alleged stance of the PDP on the issue at the national level.

According to him, “at the beginning of this episode on Saraki, he got the full supports of all the PDP senators at the Red Chambers and by an extension the supports of the party at the national level. That was what produced for us the post of the Deputy President of the Senate.”

He said: “Besides, whatever anyone would say, the state is at the driving seat today at

the National Assembly and I see all these as derivable benefits from the occupation of the post of the Office of the Senate President.”

Olawoye reminisced on how he had worked with Saraki’s father (late Olusola Saraki) and how he was allegedly influential to the emergence of Saraki as the Governor of Kwara some 13 years ago.

He added: “Even though our political views no longer tally today, I remember on how i risked my life for him when the going was rough against the then incumbent Governor (late Mohammed Lawal). I will therefore not want the house we jointly build to collapse.”

Olawoye therefore advised all Kwarans to rally support for Senator Saraki so as to assist him out of its present situation.

This, he said would go a long way of moving the state forward.

HELPING THE NEEDY

A corps member serving in the National Assembly, Miss Chioma Augusta Ugwu (centre), with 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), during the Easter celebration when the Augusta Chioma Foundation fed IDPs at the New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Abuja...recently

Lai Mohammed: No Rift Between Executive and Legislature Lagos Clarifies Position on over 2016 Budget that the president refused the social intervention targeted that the federal government Environmental Sanitation Adebiyi Adedapo in Abuja true to sign the Appropriation at 1 million people made up would also commence the Says policy on sanitation stands

The Lagos State Government has clarified reports making rounds on social media that the monthly environmental sanitation in the state has been outlawed, saying the policy on the monthly exercise has not been reviewed for now.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the government said the erroneous story which was attributed to the state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, was inaccurate.

Ayorinde said Adejare was misquoted when he indicated that the restriction of movement might be dispensed with, adding that he did not in any way suggest that the monthly sanitation had

been outlawed.

Ayorinde said:, “While Adejare did meet with journalists yesterday and indicated that the restriction of movement every last Saturday of the month would ultimately be dispensed with, he did not say the monthly sanitation exercise would no longer hold in Lagos.

“The last two sanitation exercises could not hold due to the JAMB examination in February and the Easter celebration in March. Nevertheless, the Lagos state government had always encouraged residents to clean their environment and observe hygienic behaviors, without necessarily having to shut the state down.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said there is no disagreement whatsoever between the executive and the legislature over the 2016 Budget, which has been passed by the National Assembly.

Mohammad said the delay in the transmission of the budget from the National Assembly to the president for ascent was a normal process of scrutiny.

The minister stated this during his visit to the management of Leadership Newspaper Group yesterday in Abuja. ‘’There is absolutely no rift, no issue of budget being sent back. Things are just taking their due course,’’ he said.

He noted that it was not and

Bill passed by the National Assembly, adding that: ‘’It takes a few days after the passage for the National Assembly to clean up the document in readiness for the president’s assent.’’

Mohammed stated further that when it is eventually signed into law, it would lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, thanks to the six focal areas of social intervention contained therein.

“The first is the employment of 500,000 unemployed university graduates who we are going to train as teachers. Secondly we are also employing 370,000 unemployed non-graduates, people with National Diploma and Technical Certificate. The third tranche is

of market women, traders and artisans to be trained and given loans through their cooperatives.

“The fourth one is the home-grown One-Meal-ADay Programme. Here we are targeting several millions of pupils in primary schools all over Nigeria. The exponential effect of this one meal a day is huge. Even if we are targeting five million pupils and we are giving each of them one egg a day, you are talking about five million eggs that will be provided by our poultry farmers. This will also help to increase the demand for maize and then you are going to employ people all around,” he said.

The minister further revealed

Conditional Cash Transfer to the most vulnerable Nigerians, in collaboration with some development partners, to bring succour to such people.

He said a special bursary scheme would also come on stream to grant scholarships to students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a deliberate effort to support the students financially while also bolstering the nation’s drive for industrialisation.

Mohammed also disclosed that the sum of N350 billion would soon be injected into the economy to enable contractors to resume work on abandoned infrastructural projects, with time line and target on project delivery and job creation.

51

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

$1.65bn Lekki Seaport for Completion in 2019, Says Ambode Lagos offers hope for Nigeria, Utomi The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday reeled out the numerous investment opportunities that abound in the state to would-be investors in critical sectors such as power, agriculture, transportation, health, tourism, housing, information and communication technology and manufacturing, just as he assured that the state is open more than ever before for greater business.

Ambode, who spoke in Lagos at the formal unveiling of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global, said in anticipation of the increased socio-economic activities, his administration has resolved to prioritise the achievement of the four pillars of the Lagos State Development Plan (2012-2015) which included economic development, infrastructural development, social development, security, and sustainable environment.

The Lagos Global, which is an initiative of the Ambode administration, is a one-stop shop designed to encourage ease of doing business and help to turn Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive.

Ambode, who was represented at the unveiling by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the efforts put in place so far ensured that the state remained the desired business destination having attracted massive Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), such as the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport.

He assured that the seaport would be completed in 2019 and upon completion will be the deepest seaport in subSaharan Africa, adding that the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3billion investment meant for completion in 2018 and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical

Park were among other investments coming to the State.

The governor recalled his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015, where he stated the commitment of his administration to make Lagos an investment destination of choice by creating a favourable environment for local and Foreign Direct Investment.

He said: “As the world continues to acknowledge Lagos as a regional financial hub, we as government have demonstrated the commitment to strengthen this position through deliberate policies aimed at improving the business climate in our state.

“In this regard, we have successfully placed Lagos on investors’ radar by putting in place effective legal and regulatory frameworks such as the Land Reform Act, Double

Taxation treaties, Limited Liability Reviews and the development of Free Trade Zones. Likewise, the on-going judicial reform is aimed at strengthening our laws for the protection of enterprise.

“Similarly, the conscious efforts of our administration at public infrastructure development and maintenance as indicated by an efficient Bus Rapid Transit(BRT), transporting over 200,000 passengers daily, functional Integrated Power Projects, enhanced security and access roads to sea and airports among others, have underscored our determination to make Lagos a functional megacity,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment,

Professor Ademola Abass said the office was created by the current administration to act as one-stop shop with the mandate of promoting foreign investment into the state and managing export our of the state.

He said the office also has the mandate to manage foreign investment transaction and ensure that would-be investors enjoy seamless and hurdlefree experience by providing first class service delivery to them right from the point of initial enquiry down to the setting up and running of businesses in the state thus eliminating difficulties and bureaucracies often associated with multi-agencies handling of investments.

In his keynote address, renowned economist and social crusader, Professor Pat Utomi said the creation

of Lagos Global is a major step towards transforming the state to modern city-state just like the advanced ones in the world.

He said Lagos economy must therefore be a 24/7 economy, and that the growth of the state requires significant cooperation from neighbouring states.

Utomi said Lagos offers hope for rapid growth of the country in the sense that it has the capacity to serve as the yard-stick to measure and encourage development, but that there has to be a concerted effort to make the state a more attractive idea of a developmental state, and that there must be a well done plan to round up everything that Lagos represents in terms of possibilities through a branding process.

Introduction of New Electricity Tariff Now is Wrong, Says Niger Gov Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, yesterday rose in defence of Nigerians as he declared that the recent introduction of new electricity tariff by the regulatory agencies was wrong.

Bello, who made the declaration in Minna when he received the management and staff of the Abuja Electricity Development Company (AEDC) led by its Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Malami, at Government House, explained that the timing of the increase in tariff was wrong because most Nigerians were grappling with serious economic predicament.

He said aside from this, the electricity distribution agencies across the country have not been able to serve the people to their satisfaction that would entice them to pay the new tariff.

“The issue of tariff is a national issue. It is not peculiar to Niger State alone, and I think it came at the wrong time because the state is a place where people depend on the government, unfortunately, that government has no money which now has a negative impact on everyone.

So payment of the new tariff made it worse because people cannot pay for what they didn’t consume,” he stated.

The governor therefore expressed the hope that the concerned agencies would take a second look at the policy in the interest of the ordinary Nigerians.

Recently, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) unveiled a 45 per cent hike in an average of N9 jerk up electricity tariff for all classes

of electricity consumers even as the commission abolished the continuous fixed charges for all electricity consumers in the country.

The new policy which took effect from February 1 this year had already attracted wide condemnation from major stakeholders across the country.

Commenting on the demand by the AEDC for the state to settle a backlog of debt put at N1.4 billion, Bello said the figure was still in dispute which had forced the administration to set up a committee to dialogue with a body from the electricity agency on the actual debt owed by the state.

However, the governor said once verification was completed, government was prepared to settle its bills as long as AEDC would improve on its power supply to the state.

“If you give us more megawatts of electricity today, I will pay your bills immediately, and my commissioner for finance is here he should take this an approval,.

Earlier, the Chairman of the AEDC, Malami, said over N3billion had been injected into the network with almost equal amount currently being spent on the improvement of infrastructure inherited from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which had resulted in the provision of modern business systems and acquisition and distribution of over 700 electricity transformers.

Malami said arrangements had commenced for the enumeration of all the company’s customers with the sole aim of installing more than 5,000 meters.

WE ARE GOOD TO GO

L-R: Director of External Affairs, NTEL, Osondu C. Nwokoro; President, Association of Licence Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo; CEO, NTEL Kamar Abass; and Director, Information, NTEL, Basit Arogundade, during a courtesy visit by ALTON to NTEL’s project office in Lagos....yesterday

Recruitment of 10,000 Policemen Begins Today Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja The recruitment of 10,000 policemen by the Police Service Commission (PSC) begins nationwide on today.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last year at the National Security Summit in Abuja directed the recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians into the Force to address the obvious shortfall in the manpower needs of the police.

Speaking on the recruitment exercise yesterday in Abuja, the PSC Chairman, Mike Okiro warned the commission workers who would be involved in the screening of candidates to avoid any act that may compromise the integrity of the exercise.

Okiro said any worker involved in any misconduct during the exercise will be sanctioned in line with the Public Service Rules and may be prosecuted for sabotage.

He admonished the workers to live above board “as the commission is ready to make a huge success of this presidential assignment in line with its resolution to discharge its duties within the ambit of the law, transparently, and according to laid down rules.”

Okiro also warned the candidates to desist from indulging or inducing the workers of the commission, stressing that anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted.

He explained that the Nigeria Police Force deserved the best

brains in the Nigerian society, stressing that the PSC would ensure that only the best would be engaged as policemen.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has acquired 4,388 housing units in 22 housing estates across the country for purchase by its personnel.

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, stated that 700 housing units were acquired under his administration, while 2,291 were under various stages of construction.

Speaking during the inauguration of the NPF Brick City Housing Estate, Kubwa, Abuja, the IG said the Estates were acquired by the

Nigeria Police Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited, which was established in 1977 to develop and improve the welfare of police officers.

He said the houses were allocated to policemen through a reasonable mortgage arrangement, noting that police officers across various cadres had benefitted from the housing scheme.

Arase said the Brick City Estate consists of 96 units of one bedroom flat, 40 units of two-bedroom, 44 units of two-bedroom semi-detached , 56 units of two-bedroom semi-detached, and 24 three bedroom bungalows.

He stated that the estate was

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Expose Nigerian Looters: Kalu Tells UK, US Govts Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Usor Kalu, has challenged the governments of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany and other developed nations to support the anti-corruption war of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration by exposing Nigerians who have looted the nation’s resources, adding that previous administrations paid lipservice to the war against corruption.

According to the former governor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was established

by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 to prevent, investigate, prosecute and penalise economic and financial crimes, became an instrument of political witch-hunt and victimization, noting that the pioneer chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, allowed himself to be used by former President Obasanjo for unpatriotic motives.

Kalu made these remarks on Tuesday while hosting a group of graduate African students of the National War College at Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. The businessman-cum-politician, who has a pending case with the EFCC said: “Before venturing into politics I was an accomplished businessman beyond the shores of Nigeria having built a conglomerate

with vast business interests in trading, aviation, publishing and oil and gas.

“During my stint as Governor of Abia State, despite the slim resources then, I improved the lives of the people through the execution of a wide range of projects including free medical and educational schemes across the 17 local government areas in the state.

“In less than six months into my first tenure of office, the then President Obasanjo, who was on a working visit to the state named me “Action Governor” based on the massive rehabilitation and construction of roads embarked upon by my administration.

“It is unfortunate that due to my campaign against the 3rd term bid of former President Obasanjo, he used the federal might against me. He directed Mr. Ribadu, former EFCC boss to clamp down on my businesses (including SLOK Airline, SLOK oil, Southgate and Hallmark banks).

“It is saddening to note that Obasanjo who was using the EFCC to crush his enemies spent $16 billion on power without any significant improvement in electricity supply in Nigeria. What about the $74 million Halliburton bribe to Obasanjo and his cohorts. It is only in Nigeria that a corrupt person can label another

person corrupt.

“In 2005, President Obasanjo wrote to the UK and US authorities to indict me of financial crime but I was declared innocent by former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and former US President George Bush.

“I am a victim of political blackmail as I ruled Abia State with my conscience and the fear of God. “However, I am happy that the current leadership of the anti-graft agency under the new Nigerian government has been focused on delivering on its mandate without fear or favour.

“I wish to appeal to the western world to help Nigeria by exposing those Nigerians who have looted the country’s resources to invest and buy choice properties in Europe, USA, UAE, Asia and Middle East.

“The international intelligence agencies have a critical role to play in fishing out those that have stolen the common wealth of Nigerians” On the issue of Boko- Haram insurgency, Kalu applauded President Buhari for keeping to his promise of restoring peace in the North East of Nigeria. The President used his experience as retired General to devise combatant means to crush the

terrorists. The Nigerian military deserves commendation for their gallant strides in the devoted fight against terrorism.

“I salute the courage, boldness and patriotism of the military personnel who have contributed to the success of the anti-terrorism war.

“I want to admonish the federal government to reconstruct the villages that were wiped out by the deadly boko haram insurgents through the provision of special intervention fund for the Northeast and Plateau State.

Speaking on the pro-Biafra agitators, Kalu lamented the marginalization of the South East in all ramifications noting that 46 years after the civil war, the region has not been fully integrated into the Nigerian nation, adding that the poor state of federal roads and other social amenities in the south east is alarming and disturbing.

He said: “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) are borne out of the grievances of Ndigbo.

Even though there is a law in the United Nations that recognises the right to self- determination, as I have mentioned in the past, the approach of the IPOB and MASSOB are faulty as dialogue is a better medium for the people

to express their concerns to appropriate authorities.

On President Buhari’s incessant visits abroad, the former governor said, “No country can exist without the support of others.

Mr. President’s visits to different parts of the world are in best the interest of Nigeria.

The former governor poured encomiums on the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle and the former and incumbent British High Commissioners to Nigeria, Sir Andrew Pocock and Mr. Paul Arkwright respectively for promoting diplomatic ties between Nigerian and their home countries for the sake of social, economic and political development of Nigeria.

Kalu who is a big player in the upstream sector of the Nigeria oil and gas industry said: “In view of the drastic fall in the price of crude oil globally, the time is now for the Nigerian government to roll out entrepreneurship programmes in the agricultural industry in order to diversify the economy.

‘The era of white collar jobs is over, everyone has to go into farming for the sake of Nigeria’s ailing economy.

“I personally have diversified into commercial agriculture with the establishment of a large farm

covering over 10,000 hectares of land in Ugwueke in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.”

Kalu while decrying the state of the Nigerian economy, called on the federal government to set up an independent economic management team in the face of the global economic challenges to advise government on a road map to reposition the local economy, adding that government must provide the enabling business environment for local and foreign investors to invest.

On the Abia North senatorial rerun poll, Kalu said: “The rerun election was marred by widespread irregularities perpetrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it agents.

“The same atrocities that were committed at the March 28, 2015 election were again repeated at the March 5, 2016 rerun poll.

“However, I wouldn’t want to go into further details as I have protested the controversial result at the tribunal through my legal team.”

Nigerian-born Habib Kamil of the prestigious institution who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, expressed appreciation to Kalu for giving them an insight into the state of affairs in Nigeria with particular reference to politics and economy.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Briefing Victims of Drunk Driver in Critical Condition

Chiledren appreciating the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Maiduguri, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, when the GOC visited Rann, Headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area Borno State...yesterday

Victim of Niger Biscuit Explosion Dies in Hospital

Chiemelie Ezeobi and Rebecca Ejifoma Following the explosion at Niger Biscuit factory located along Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos, one of the victims has reportedly died in the hospital.

The deceased, who was identified as Godwin Tonte, died from the severe burns he sustained after the explosion that occurred on Sunday, March 20.

Godwin, who was the only child of his parents, was said to have resumed work that morning as a security guard, when one of the gas tanks in the factory exploded.

Although he, alongside two other fire fighters were

rushed to the Tincan Island Hospital in Apapa, he later died from complications.

According to one of his colleagues, the severity of his burns was so much so that his skin kept peeling off even before they rushed him to the hospital.

A colleague of the deceased who asked not to be named said, "He kept screaming and screaming that he was in pains. When we got to the bridge at Liverpool, he jumped into the canal.

"When I tried to hold his hand in order to drag him out, his skin pulled off. We all declared it a miracle when he was finally stabilised at the hospital because the burns

on him were quite severe.

I blame the fire fighters for responding late.”

Popular comedian, Aletile Oluwaseyitan, popularly known as Seyi Law, took to his Instagram page to mourn the deceased.

Underneath the picture of the deceased on his hospital bed he wrote, "I lost Goddy. I miss your smiles and love. I love you so much. Oh Goddy, Adieu. You exhibited so much courage. Stay well in a better place. RIP my brother, Godwin Tonte."

"Where do I start from?

How do I explain it? You were an only child. You were more than a brother.

You respected me so much no one would have ever

i

known you were just a year younger.

"You left my heart heavy.

Tears are dropping not because you are gone but for how much you encouraged us you will be better.

"You showed strength and love beyond words. Oh Goddy why you? Godwin Tonte, my brother, my reliable eyes.

"Words fail me. Rest on. With the pains of the gas explosion wounds, you urged me to go and perform and kill them with laughter at AY live show.

"I did it, Goddy, but I can tell you the story now. I climbed the stage with your pains in my heart making others laugh while I shed tears."

Court Jails Two Ekiti Varsity Students for Cultism Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti Following their involvement in cultism, an Ado Ekiti High Court yesterday sentenced two students of Ekiti State University, Akintunde Olumide and Oladapo Olaoluwa, to three years imprisonment .

In her ruling, Justice Toyin Abodunde said the prosecution counsel had been able to establish a case of secret cultism against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.

She said she relies heavily on the confessional statement made by the accused persons lending credence to the fact that they were members of black axe at the criminal

investigation department during interrogation.

The Judge added that the fact that the police found in their custody, small cutlass, black head Warmer, black T.shirt, black trousers during investigation, further confirmed their complicity.

The judge held that the short cutlass cannot be measurable with the one used for agriculture or weeding grass.

“It is not a tool for education, it is a weapon of danger and incrimination, which should not be seen within the school premises,” she added.

She described secret cult according to Ekiti State laws as a group whose membership are

kept in secret, committing or inciting violence, encouraging the disturbance of the state.

Justice Abodunde said the exhibit recovered from the accused made the case weighty and voluminous.

She therefore found the accused guilty as charge and convict them accordingly.

The judge resolved two of the issue in favour of the accused and used the last count to sentence them to three years imprisonment without any option of fine.

She added that this would serve as deterrent to other students in higher institutions, to always face their studies and shun secret cult activities.

During trial, the police

prosecution, Mr. Femi Falade told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 13, 2013 at an hotel in Iworoko-Ekiti.

He said that the accused were brought on a three -count-charge of stealing, assault and secret cult.

According to him, the offence was punishable under Section 355,4(1) of criminal code Laws of Ekiti State 2012 and secret cults (Abolition and Prohibition).

The prosecution counsel called four witnesses to prove his case, while the defendant counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Oluwole also called three witnesses to prove his case.

Two victims of last Sunday's accident caused by a drunk driver at the Amukoko area of Lagos are currently in critical condition in the hospital, even as another victim, a pregnant woman, had to undergo amputation to save her life. The Mercedes Benz involved in the incident was driven by one Eugene Nweke, who was driving under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle had rammed into five persons, killing one, leaving two of the victims in critical condition with a pregnant woman’s legs amputated. On a visit to the Amukoko Police Station, a senior police officer told THISDAY, that the fate of the two other victims hung in the balance as they were in a very critical condition. He said the pregnant victim among them was almost dying but was stabilised after her legs were cut off. In an interview with Nweke, who told THISDAY he is 36, said the car he drove was his in-law’s, adding that he didn't set out to kill or injure anyone. The police said they when they arrested the suspect, they found several consumed and unconsumed bottles of intoxicating substance known as Action Bitters.

Thus, after his car hit the victims, an angry mob descended on him and would have lynched him to death but for the intervention of the police. The police source said, “If not that the police got a call on time, the people would have burnt him. The suspect only realised what he had done after he was detained.

Police Arraign Fake Customs Officer for Theft

The Nigeria Police yesterday, arraigned a 52-year-old man, Echebiri Ikechukwu, before an Igbosere Magistrate's Court in Lagos for alleged impersonation and stealing of vehicles worth N7.8million. Ikechukwu was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, impersonation and threat to life.

The defendant, whose address was not given, was alleged to have stolen three Toyota cars worth N5.3 million, while pretending to be a Custom Officer. According to the police, the stolen cars are a Toyota Corolla 2009 model, a Toyota Camry 2004 model and another Toyota Corolla 2001 model, properties belonging to one Osagiede Christian.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the defendant and others who are still at large committed the alleged offences sometime in January 2014, at Apapa area of Lagos State. Ikechukwu was also accused of obtaining the sum of N2.5million from the complainant under the pretence of helping him to clear the three cars as a Custom clearing agent. The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant at the same place between January 2014 and July 2015, threatened to kill the complainant. The offences committed by Ikechukwu, according to the police, are punishable under Sections 410, 348, 312 and 56 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Businessman in Court for N5.2m Fraud

A Lagos-based businessman, Adebayo John Olusola has been arraigned in Lagos over a N5.2 million fraud.

Olusola, aged 32, who claimed to be a transporter was arraigned on a four-count charge of fraud and stealing by the Nigeria Police before a Yaba Magistrate Court 1.

The prosecutor, Agbati Florence, told the court that the accused and others at large committed the offences on September 10, 2012, at No 23, Lanre Egbegbuna Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos. He said the accused collected two trucks with Reg No: XX 722 AGL and XU 944 JJJ valued at N5.2 million from the complainant, Mr. C. Mgbakor, on the pretext of paying for them later. “The accused and others at large did conspire amongst themselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining under false pretence, stealing.

“The accused, knowingly issued a Diamond Bank cheque dated September 10, 2013 for the sum of N2.2 million and another Diamond Bank cheque dated December 1, 2012 for the sum of N3 million to the complainant; the cheques were however dishonoured due to insufficient fund in the account. The offences contravene Sections 409, 321, 285 and 319 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011,” Agbati said. Olusola however pleaded not guilty to the offences and was immediately granted bail.

The matter was adjourned till April 6, 2016 for further hearing.

54

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

NPFL… NPFL… NPFL… NPFL…

Ifeanyi Ubah Slammed with 10-match Ban, Fined N2.5m Heartland’s Ebele Obi gets six-match ban for assaulting referee

Duro Ikhazuagbe The League Management Company (LMC) yesterday banned owner of FC Ifeanyiubah, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, from 10 matches of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Yesterday’s decision to suspend the oil magnate from venues of the Premier League was arrived at after reviewing an independent video on a micro-blogging social media, Twitter, showing Ubah and his security personnel assaulting Heartland FC goalkeeper, Ebele Obi. LMC, which oversees Nigeria’s top-flight, found Ubah guilty of encroaching on the field of play during his club’s match against Heartland on March 23.

The league body, also announced that four of the 10-match suspension to Ubah are “suspended for a probationary period till the end of the season.”

Ubah was also fined N2.5 million to serve as a deterrent, and is also expected to write “a letter of apology and an undertaking to be a good ambassador of the Nigerian league.”

However, Ubah has been given until 5pm on Saturday to appeal LMC’s ruling.

Also, the league company has banned “self-procured security services” from match venues except those sanctioned by it.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, the LMC had descended heavily on Ebele Obi, handing out a six-match

ban to him for assaulting the referee in the clash with FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

Ebele, the brother of Super Eagles captain pushed the referee after he was issued a red card after the game for dissent as he milled around the assaulted official.

“Goalkeeper Obi of Heartland was separately charged for breach of Rule C11 in that he assaulted the referee by pushing him down and was banned from all NPFL activities and matches for six matches,” part of LMC’s statement revealed on Wednesday.

With this, Obi will miss his side’s matches against Nasarawa United, Rivers United, 3SC, Sunshine Stars, Ikorodu United and El-Kanemi Warriors.

Meanwhile, Heartland FC officials have accepted the sanction to pay N750, 000 for their failure to control their players who harassed the match referee and pushed him down. They apologised for the lapse and appealed for leniency citing the fact that their goalkeeper was a first offender.

In the letter signed by the General Manager, Oscar Keke, addressed to the LMC yesterday, the Owerri club pleaded for a reduction of the fine adding that “Heartland is not known for crowd trouble even in the face of negative results. The incident under reference must be viewed as an aberration in the light of which we are appealing for a substantial reduction in the fine”.

League Clubs Get 14day Ultimatum to Pay Players, Coaches Nigeria players’union, the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to clubs in the country’s top divisions to pay up their players and coaches.

“As a result of the failure of the affected clubs to comply with the arbitration decisions as communicated to them by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC), the Nigeria players’ union has issued the indebted clubs 14 days within which to pay the affected players and coaches or be ready to face the consequences of their noncompliance,”warned a statement by the NANPF. Having failed to secure the necessary statutory sanctions of the clubs for non-compliance by both the Nigeria Football Federation and the league bodies, the NANPF has commenced discussions with the leadership

of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria to carry out strategic plans in ensuring full compliance by the affected clubs after the expiration of the 14 days deadline.

Furthermore, the union is also aware of the clandestine moves of some indebted clubs in the Nigeria National League, to register for the 2016 league season, without complying with the decisions of the NFF Arbitration Committee to pay the affected players and coaches as communicated to the NNL by the NFF, the union have urged such clubs to do the right thing by paying the affected players and coaches or be ready to face the consequences of such unholy moves.

In the meantime, the union has commended the government of Kwara State and management of Kwara United FC for paying their debts to the players and coaches in compliance with the arbitration decision.

Keke also noted that, “Ebele Obi’s conduct is certainly not reflective of his usual behaviour. We are appealing for clemency on his behalf.

Moreover, the gravity and level of punishment coming on the heels of the brutality he suffered in the hands of the proprietor of FC IfeanyiUbah

and his security aides will amount to double jeopardy for the young man.”

Also arising from the FC IfeanyiUbah versus Heartland match, the LMC has also written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recommending that the Match Commissioner, Sunday Jibrin Audu from

Federal Capital Territory and the Centre Referee, Ibrahim Ajao, be withdrawn from further officiating in NPFL matches.

Ajao was cited for failure to report the multiple assault incidences recorded during and after the match. He also was cited for failure to submit his match report within the

statutory 24 hours as the said report was only submitted on March 31st, while the match held on March 23.

Similarly, the Match Commissioner, Audu was also charged for failure to adequately reflect in his report the cases of multiple assaults on Heartland goalkeeper and his team mates.

Ifeanyi Ubah (left)...suspended from 10 NPFL matches

Pamodzi, Abmayr Seal Agreement on Okpekpe 10km Road Race Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited, organisers of the annual IAAF Okpekpe 10km Road Race has formalised the appointment of world renowned international road race organiser, Walter Abmayr, as the technical organiser and elite athlete manager for the fourth edition of the race which holds on Saturday May 7,2016 in Okpekpe in Edo State.

This followed the signing of the contractual agreement last weekend in Cardiff at the oneday IAAF Seminar organised for labeled road races on the sidelines of the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.

Spokesman for the race, Dare Esan, reveals that Abmayr has been mandated to ensure not only

a perfect, flawless organisation of this year’s race, he will also ensure the race gets the desired silver-label status for next year.

“Pamodzi and Mr Abmayr have formalised an agreement that will see Mr Abmayr assume the technical organisation of the race as well as being in-charge of the elite athletes management which includes elite athletes recruitment, their travel and accommodation in Nigeria,” said Esan.

“The contract was signed in Cardiff during the IAAF road race seminar for all IAAF labeled road races with Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Solomon Ogba, signing as a witness,”said Esan who further revealed that Abmayr whose record in terms

of organisation of international road races is unrivalled is delighted to be back in Nigeria over three decades after his first stint as Nigeria’s national track and field team coach.

“He was in-charge of the technical organisation of the International University 10km Road Race in Heidelberg, Germany from 1987 to 2000, the gold-labeled Singapore International Marathon (20082010) and the Lattelecom Riga Marathon which he has been in charge of its technical organisation since 2013 till date.

He is also a consultant to Athletic Association of Thailand,” said Esan who further revealed that this year’s race will be used

to promote cancer awareness among the rural women in the Okpekpe and its environs.

The bronze-labeled Okpekpe International 10km Road Race is the only IAAF labeled road race in West Africa and one of only two in Africa in 2016.

This year’s edition will hold on Saturday May 7, 2016 in Okpekpe near Auchi and organisers of the race have promised it will serve as a benchmark edition for future races.

The event will be organised in accordance with the IAAF Competition Rules and those of the AFN, particularly with regard to the health and safety of participants and officials.

NTF Pays Tribute to Late Board Member, Prof. Ikulayo The Nigeria Tennis Federation has expressed deep regret following the death of its board member, Professor Philomena Ikulayo who passed on March 24, 2016 after a brief illness in Lagos.

NTF President, Sani Ndanusa, described the deceased as a great lover of tennis whose contribution to the game in Nigeria cannot be overlooked.

“She is a great woman who is

revered in the academic field and her contribution to tennis in Nigeria is quite significant. She brought lots of ideas to the board of the NTF which helped in the uplifting of tennis in Nigeria.

“I have known and familiarised with her for more than a decade and I can say she is a great woman.

I pray that her soul rest in peace,” Ndanusa said.

In his own tribute,1stVice President

of the NTF,Yemi Owoseni, lamented the exit of Prof. Ikulayo while extolling her virtues. “She was a very pleasant woman; a sports woman, very amiable. She was a lover of children, she loved sports and she equally loved Nigeria. May her soul rest in peace.”

Owoseni added that part of the deceased legacy in the academic and sporting field culminated in her getting a merit award from the Ekiti State government in October 2014.

The late Ikulayo was born on June 2nd 1948 in Ikoro-Ekiti.

She is a professor in Education/ Human Kinetic & Health Education in the University of Lagos.

A barrister at Law, she is credited to have co-authored 173 publications and she had at several times deliver papers at events organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports.

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T H I S D AY •friDAY APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS

Five Top US Women Footballers Sue for Better Pay Five senior members of the World Cup-winning US football team have filed a lawsuit against the national federation for wage discrimination.

Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo insist they are paid less than half of what the male USA players receive.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said goalkeeper

Solo in a statement.

The US Soccer Federation said it was disappointed, given the work it had done in building the women’s game.

American women’s football has dominated the international game in recent decades, with a string of titles.

“We are the best in the world, have three World

Cup Championships, four Olympic Championships, and the USMNT (men’s team) get paid more just to show up than we get paid to win major championships,” said Solo.

Her team-mate Lloyd, who was named the best player at last year’s World Cup, said they had been patient over the years in waiting for action to deliver fair pay.

Taye Taiwo Angry with Marseille’s Poor State Former Nigeria international and Olympique Marseille left-back, Taye Taiwo, has slammed the Ligue 1 club’s President, Vincent Labrune, for his poor management of the club.

“I am struggling to understand how he makes a call when he signs a player. After two good games, he brings them to Marseille for €17 million. It is not possible,” he told So Foot.

“You simply cannot let Dimitri Payet go. The same applies to André Ayew, Mathieu Valbuena or André-Pierre Gignac. It doesn’t make any sense,” added Taiwo, who won the French Ligue 1 during his six-year spell at Marseille.

“There are too many youngsters in this team. There is no safety at the back. Against Rennes, it is unbelievable. They conceded three

goals in five minutes. Marseille need leaders at the back. Steve Mandanda cannot do everything.

“OM don’t play as a team. They all move upfront. On the left they move upfront, on the right they move upfront, it doesn’t work like that.”

Olympique Marseille are lying 12th in the Ligue 1 table, only six points above the danger zone.

Former Everton and LA Galaxy winger Landon Donovan - who won 157 caps for the US men’s team - tweeted his support for the women’s team’s cause. “#USWNT absolutely deserve to be treated fairly in all ways,” he said.

“Important to remember that these issues are/can be collectively bargained.”

The lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission yesterday morning.

One of the lawyers representing the players, Jeffrey

Lagos FA, Others Support Greensprings/ Kanu Football Lagos State Football Association chiefs have by lending their support to this year’s Greensprings/ Kanu Football Camp, which kicks off on Monday April 4.

The one-week clinic will be handled by Dutch and British coaches with their Nigerian counterparts will be attended by students between ages five to 17 years across the country.

Lagos FA through its Chairman, Seyi Akinwunmi who is also the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has agreed to sponsor 12 students to the camp as well as give technical support to the exercise.

Lagos FA has been a stronger supporter of the camp since its inception and with this gesture; the FA has re-affirmed its support for grassroots sports development.

Like Lagos FA, Emzor Pharmaceuticals have thrown their weights behind the clinic by also sponsoring 12 students to the camp.

According to According to the consultant on sports to Greensprings School, Oluseyi Oyebode, 12 less privileged students would make it to the camp through the gesture by Emzor.

“We are overwhelmed by the support we have been

getting and particularly coming from the NFF Vice President and Lagos FA boss, Seyi Akinwunmi as well as Emzor has also come on board to show their unflinching support to sports development through the gesture.

“However female footballers will be giving more prominence this year due to the presence of the West Bromwich female coach.

We are still hoping that more corporate bodies will identify with the camp,” he said.

In line with its usual gesture, the management of Greensprings will sponsor 10 students to the camp being part of their social responsibility.

ITTF Nigerian Open Qualifiers Hold Saturday Hundreds of players in the country have arrived Lagos for the 2016 ITTF World Tour tagged Nigerian Open which serves off tomorrow, Saturday April at the National Training Centre of National Stadium, Lagos.

Some of the players are in Lagos to support their counterparts participating in the ongoing Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) U-16 national league.

The two-day tournament expected to end on Sunday will produce eight players made up of four men and four women that will join others in the main ITTF World Tour which holds on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The Secretary General of NTTF, Chinedu EzealaOgundare said they have been overwhelmed with the number of players registering for the tournament, adding that it promises to be exciting considering the presence of some foreign-based players who are willing to be part

of the tournament.

According to the prospectus of the qualifiers, “the tournament shall be used to select players to represent Nigeria in the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles at the World Tour Nigeria Open scheduled for May 18-22, 2016. Only the four highest ITTF ranked Nigerian players in the April 2016 world ranking in both events shall qualify automatically to represent Nigeria. All players not qualifying automatically but who wish to represent Nigeria are therefore advised to play in the qualifying tournament.”

To be eligible for the qualifiers, only players registered by states which are affiliated to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) or foreign based Nigerian players are eligible to participate. All players shall hold the current NTTF Player’s License, which must be produced on demand.

It stated further, “All intending players shall

signify their intention to play by registering with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation with a copy to the Referee. The Organisers may disqualify a player if information supplied is found to be false.

“All players shall abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and the International Table Tennis Federation, particularly as regards fair play. All players shall not, by their action or inaction, bring the sport into disrepute. All players shall strive to win all matches, no matter who their opponent is.”

For the qualifiers format, the registered players shall be drawn into pools and matches will be played in a groups Round Robin, with qualifiers from each group advancing into second round in both events, while matches in round one round robin shall be best of five games, while matches in round two shall be best of seven games and shall be played on knock-out basis.

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Kessler, said the women’s game generated more income for US Soccer than the men’s and it was time to address the “discriminatory and unfair treatment’’ they have endured for years.

The five players were acting on behalf of all the players, he said.

There has been an ongoing legal battle between the federation and the players’

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union over collective bargaining.

A statement from US Soccer said it had not yet seen the complaint.

But it added: “We have been a world leader in women’s soccer and are proud of the commitment we have made to building the women’s game in the United States over the past 30 years.”

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Friday, April 1, 2016

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Price: N150

MISSILE Pinnick to Critics “I am not going to resign. I don’t think we have done very badly. When you are in a battlefield you don’t retreat...”

– Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick vowing to carry on regardless of the Super Eagles losing by 2 -1 goals aggregate to Egypt and crashing out of the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the second time under his watch.

OKEYIKECHUKWU GUEST COLUMNIST

El-Rufai’s ‘New’ Law

G

overnor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa`I, was recently tagged `Anti-Christ` by a Christian group, because of a Bill he presented before the state House of Assembly. The title won`t stick however because the same Bill is received with equal hostility by Muslims. The governor`s genuine concern for sustainable public peace made him overlook some of the steps he should have taken in order to secure stakeholder buy-in and Third Party endorsement in dealing with a sensitive matter. Rather than manage the communication in the public domain, he allowed those who did not like his Bill to explain its import to the rest of the world. This same challenge of looking at his destination, without paying sufficient attention to the `terrain`, among others, earned him more flak than he deserved when he was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Bill in question seeks to `regulate` religious preaching in Kaduna State, in order to minimize the radicalization of the vulnerable civilian population and, most probably, pre-empt the sort of indoctrination that eventually overran Borno State as Boko Haram did. Even outside our shores, France’s leading Muslim body, the French Council for the Muslim Religion (CFCM), announced that Imams would need licenses. This was on November 24, 2015, when its president, Anouar Kbibech, alongside French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, declared that the measure would help “monitor and root out extremism”.

French Imams will thus apply for a preaching permit, “like a driver’s license”. They will get this after their theological knowledge is tested, especially for their “tolerance” and “openness”.

El-Rufa`i`s Bill is actually not enacting a new law.

It is to replace the Religious Regulation Edict of 1984, as amended in 1987 and 1996, respectively.

The state government says that the law will not affect people’s right to religious freedom and that the Bill is consistent with Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution and “… merely seeks to ensure that religious preachings and activities in the state are conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons.” But who is listening? Everyone is up in arms. The question, therefore, is why?

Some Christian critics preface their narrative by depicting the governor as a mortal enemy of the Christian faith. Beginning with his alleged insult to Christians via a tweet in January 2013, they proceed, as if on cue, to point out that, last year, he shut down the Assemblies of God Church (Jerusalem), Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria, (TSNN), Shalom Comprehensive College, AGC, Nbare and AGC Evangelist Hospital, all in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. While the state government was said to have intervened to secure public peace, because the contending religious leaders fought “principally to preserve their personal interests with little concern for the common good, and the peace and security of Kaduna State;” the critics can only see the closure of two churches, a seminary, a school and a hospital belonging to Christian religious organisations.

There is also no solace in the fact that the major umbrella organisations of the Muslim and Christian faiths are roundly opposed to the proposed Bill. Some of them have argued, with

some traction, that the intents of the Bill are at variance with Sections 38 of and 39 the 1999 Constitution, which protect the rights of citizens to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The suggestion here is that the provisions of the Bill will restrict preaching, reduce the opportunity for spiritual deepening and religious conversion.

Therefore, the dominant view today is that the governor`s Bill, and the new body it aims to create to regulate religious affairs, would effectively take over religious leadership of all the popular religions.

Going by the provisions of this Bill, every preacher must obtain one-year license, renewable every year, or risk two years imprisonment. Whoever invites a preacher from outside Kaduna State must ensure that the invitee is licensed for the duration of his/her stay. The government body issuing the license has the right to reject the external preacher if it believes that he is not qualified to preach in the state. It is also criminal to use religious CDs, flash drives and other communication gadgets except in churches, mosques or other places of worship or personal houses. The JNI and CAN are to keep the records of churches and mosques, including data of preachers, apparently as guide for determining eligibility. Meanwhile, nothing has been said about what ‘data’ is required to qualify anyone for a preaching license. Further still, The question that arises here is whether the Muezzin`s call to prayers from Mosques, or the use of public address systems that may project beyond the interiors of places of worship, are allowed? Can you listen to religious recordings in your car, or at any place except your house and in a place of worship, without going against this contemplated law? The bill criminalizes the abuse of religious books and makes it punishable by two years imprisonment, but fails to say what it means by the ‘abuse of religious books’. It criminalizes the use of derogatory terms in describing any religion and makes it punishable by two years imprisonment, but it does not tell us what the ‘use of derogatory terms in describing any religion’ means and who determines that.

If you preach without a license, you are guilty of an offence punishable by two years imprisonment.

If you hold any Christian gathering even in a church and use a public address system after 8.00 p.m, you are guilty of an offence punishable by two years imprisonment. If you listen to a message in your car, you are guilty of an offence punishable by two years imprisonment. If you hold a crusade, or any programme, and use a loudspeaker at the said programme, as long as it is not a church, you are guilty of an offence punishable by two years imprisonment. Really?

The Bill, from its title, seeks to replace the Religious Regulation Edict of 1984 signed by a military government, but the law existed only in name. Not even during the religious crises of the 80s to 2000 was it mentioned, or anyone prosecuted under it. It was a purely `law and order` enactment of the military, without such processes as public hearings or wide stakeholder consultations. The current Bill will not have such an easy ride, because the power of the CAN and JNI Committees to issue license to preachers, is subject to another body, the Inter-faith Ministerial Committee, consisting of nine persons appointed by the governor. The chairman of that committee will be appointed by the governor

upon the recommendations of the secretary to the government of the state, while the other members will come from security agencies, with CAN, JNI and `traditional` religion represented by a nominee each.

This is a brilliant ouster Committee that supervises and controls the JNI and CAN Committee. Then there is also the Local Government Screening Committee, consisting of about six to seven persons. The traditional institution, CAN and JNI will each nominate one member. Anybody wishing to be licensed has to apply to the local government where he wants to be a preacher. The screening committee would then either consider the application, reject or recommend it to the Inter-faith Ministerial Committee for approval.

Further still, the law does not stipulate what the Local Government Screening Committee must take into account in considering an application.

It also does not provide a remedy for anyone who wishes to seek redress.

This shows that the power of regulation rests with the Inter-faith Ministerial Committee, or, to be quite exact, the governor. The name ‘Inter-faith Ministerial Committee’ does not refer to a body constituted from the various denominational faiths, as the members are appointed essentially from government and security departments. The JNI and CAN Committee cannot issue a license to any preacher unless this government body gives

prior approval. The bill stipulates that offenders will be tried by customary and Sha’ria courts.

Meanwhile there is nothing in the proposed law that says a Christian must be tried by a customary court. There is, of course, the matter of religious discrimination, since Section 4(1) of the proposed bill does not recognize other religious groups outside members of CAN and JNI. We can argue that France now wants its Imams to sign an “imams’ charter”, to show their commitment to French values and to “respect the laws of the Republic.” We can further observe that preachers of various religions, including Christianity, are licensed to preach in some countries. But the verdict here is that the governor shot down his own Bill by his approach. Nations are made of people and, in the instant case, with elected representatives. They must be heard and taken into consideration in all things. By the way, is it `Ifa`, `Amadioha` or any of the numerous `traditional` religious practices that would be represented?

Finally, and this is actually more important than all the foregoing: would Christ have been able to preach in Israel, or the Prophet in Mecca, if they had to get licenses from the religious authorities, who were agents of the darkness at the time?

Where are Buddhists, Jainists, Judaists and many others in all of this? El-Rufa`i`s Bill may have lost its whimper of a fighting chance because of his approach, rather than because of his intentions.

POLITICIANS WHO CAN’T DO, TALK!....02 THE PRESIDENCY IS PLANNING TO BRING US SOME FREE GOODIES! BUT WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO TELL THEM NOT TO BOTHER!

BECAUSE, FRANKLY, WE’RE STILL CHEWING ON WHAT THEY BROUGHT US THE LAST TIME!

TALK! ...IT IS VERY CHEAP AND WE CAN GET IT LOCALLY!

I’D SAY, BRING IT ON! OR WHY DO YOU WANT TO REFUSE SOMETHING GOOD?

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM IF IT’S COSTING YOU NOTHING?

BY THE WAY, WHAT KIND OF GOODIES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

CHEEKY DEVIL!

01-04-16

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