Friday 19th May 2016

NLC Insists Protest Continues As Strike Flops

FG replies labour, says all stakeholders were consulted Senate asks labour committee to mediate SSANU, ASUU join strike NMA supports deregulation with a caveat

From Paul Obi, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Chinedu Eze in Lagos

by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led

by Comrade Ayuba Wabba suffered poor compliance as

reports from majority of the states indicated that workers went about their normal duties and commercial activities in

major metropolis went on unhindered.

Following the development, the NLC insisted yesterday

that the strike and protests would continue despite reports that workers shunned its call to support the action.

NLC’s Road to Failure ... Page 6

The nationwide strike embarked upon yesterday

NLC Secretary General, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, in a statement commended unions and affiliates that responded positively to the strike, urging Continued on page 6

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FG: Nigeria is Broke, Looks to Taxes for Infrastructure Devt Ready to talk to all aggrieved groups

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Nigeria is in dire straits and lacks enough funds to meet its obligations, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday.

The minister stated this in Abuja while explaining the decision of the federal government to increase the pump price of fuel, adding that the policy was not Continued on page 6

Buhari Receives Rescued Missing Chibok Girl Today

Found with child and husband, says others alive and heavily guarded

by Boko Haram Meets Shettima Bolaji Adebiyi, Senator Iroegbu, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Micheal Olugbode in Maiduguri For Amina Ali, one of the 276 school girls abducted from Government Secondary

School, Chibok in Borno State in April 2014 by the terrorist Boko Haram sect, it was sweet freedom on Tuesday as she was rescued from the fringes of the terrorists’ den in the Continued on page 6

Niger Delta Crisis Worsens As New Group Gives FG 7-day Ultimatum … Page9

Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kassim Shettima (second right), receiving the rescued Chibok girl, Amina Ali, and her four-monthold baby, in his office at the Government House, Maiduguri...yesterday

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Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The failure of the current strike action declared yesterday by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has shown that the labour movement may be playing itself into a situation where it is no longer reckoned with in the polity.

The strike, which threatened to shut down the national economy, including the airspace, electricity, civil service and other critical sectors was barely noticeable in several parts of the country.

In Abuja, the nation’s capital, it did not seem like any strike was in force as residents went about their normal businesses.

The three arms zone was bustling with life like normal days and characterised by traffic jams experienced on normal working days.

The situation was completely different from that of January 2012 when the labour movement and civil society organisations completely shut down the country in protest against the removal of fuel subsidy and increase in the

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NLC’s Road to Failure NEWS REVIEW

pump price of petrol from N65 to N140 per litre by the Goodluck Jonathan's administration. The protests were so effective that the government was forced to restore partial subsidy and reduce the pump price to N97 per litre.

What was different in 2012?

For starters, the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other opposition figures like General Muhammadu Buhari helped to give the protest the much needed steam. In fact, some politicians who had lost out in the scheme of affairs in the Jonathan government took advantage of the mass outcry to relaunch themselves into public consciousness by participating in the protests. Jamborees were funded by these politicians who allegedly provided refreshments at protests venues, which lasted five days before the government was forced to rescind its decision.

This time, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is too busy trying to

save its house from collapse, to align itself with the labour movement. In any case, subsidy removal was first championed by the PDP, whose members had demanded an apology from APC for championing the protest against the same cause in 2012.

Secondly, the inability of the NLC to resolve its internal crises provided an opening for the government to infiltrate it and weaken the strike. The NLC was factionalised following its March 2015 11th delegates' conference where Comrade Ayuba Wabba emerged as the national president.

His opponent, Comrade Joe Ajaero, had rejected the results and declared himself president.

Admittedly, the congress through its veterans, including Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (a former NLC president), had been making efforts to reconcile the two factions. It had made some headway but a complete truce has been stalled by the inability to cede any position on the National Executive Committee of the NLC to the Ajaero's faction. In

fact, Ajaero had even stopped using the appendage ‘Factional President, NLC” since he was not so recognised by government and was on the verge of fading into irrelevance.

The desperation of the government, populated by people who had sent congratulatory messages to Wabba only after the NLC elections, gave Ajaero a chance to re-emerge and he has taken full advantage of it.

Ajaero’s union, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and some allies including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) seized the current moment by backing out of the strike with their large numbers and effectively crippling it.

Ajaero's faction has since reached an agreement with the government. It, however, remains unclear how the Buhariled government would proceed from this point considering that it would be impossible to negotiate the minimum wage or other labour issues with two factions.

Thirdly, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) pulling out of the strike at the last minute also weakened the industrial action.

By yesterday, it was clear that the strike was not going to be effective. Perhaps due to the need to save face, the NLC decided to go ahead even though it was participating in several mediatory meetings.

Again, the Wabba-led NLC failed to adequately assess the mood of Nigerians over the fuel hike. For over a year, Nigerians have had to experience extreme hardship to get petrol, long hours, sometimes days spent on queues to purchase at official price, resulting in many opting to buy from the parallel market.

Between April and May 2015, marketers held the country to ransom over subsidy payments, making the price to rise to as much as N300 per litre in several parts of the country.

As Nigerians became more enlightened on the subsidy regime, many began to call for its removal, preferring a situation

where the essential commodity would be available and accessible without hassles.

Several groups, eminent personalities and economic experts, therefore, called on labour not to go ahead with the strike.

It is clear Wabba’s first outing, spearheading a national strike was not well thought out and therefore lacks bite. Together with his team, he has to go back to the drawing board and put his house in order. A united labour movement is a stronger one.

The option available to the NLC right now is to push for the palliatives to be rolled out, and commence waging its war for the review of the minimum wage. A war because it would encounter stiff resistance from virtually all the state governors, several of whom have canvassed that the minimum wage be taken off the Exclusive List. Many governors, including Imo’s Rochas Okorocha have already said they could not afford the N56,000 being clamoured for.

policy and regulation. It seeks to take benefits of tax policies, tax laws for the purpose of using them to drive infrastructure development renewal.

"So we presented a proposal by one of the subsidiary of Dangote group, a construction company, for the construction of a section of Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba-Ilorin, specifically the section between Obajana-Kabba road using cement as demonstrative of how perhaps we should continue to build going forward in order to reduce maintenance on the road and the company proposing to fund the construction of that section of the road in exchange for some tax remissions."

Fashola pointed out that ordinarily, companies ought to pay income tax, adding that "there are existing policies in our laws, which enable government to consider and give tax incentives".

According to him, "Council considered and approved the proposal for Dangote Construction Company to build that section of the road

because the tonnage of cement being produced from the factory has increased, and the traffic in that area has increased, there has been unfortunate accidents also.

"It is a total economic policy, which council considered and approved because it gives support to industry, it enables us to take benefit of our tax law to renew infrastructure at a time where we are really challenged for resources to finance all our routes.

"It also enables us to save lives by quickly and urgently rebuilding that road so that other commuters who also depend on that road for their livelihood would also benefit from the road."

The minister said that the policy was not just about Dangote but "an existing tax policy that a corporate or individual that makes investment on the infrastructure of a public nature should be entitled to make claims for remission on its income tax obligation".

According to him, even as an individual, anyone is

entitled to make this claim if the infrastructure goes through this type of process and is approved by government.

Fashola said: "So the details are that about 30 per cent income tax obligation spread over time.

It doesn't mean they won't pay tax. They will continue to pay their tax obligation but they will get remission for making this investment because ultimately the road doesn't belong to them but to government and it is for the benefits of Nigerians. So it is like credit advance to government."

The Malami said FEC approved his memo on ensuring uniformity in payment and settlement processes in the financial system in order to block leakages in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

In this regard, he said his ministry would prepare a draft bill and forward it to the National Assembly to make it a law.

He also said he gave a report on the recent UN Habitat Conference in Abuja that was attended by ministers of environment from across Africa.

four-month old baby, named Safiyat, as well as a man, said to be her husband.

He explained how the girl was rescued, "In continuation of Operation Crackdown, troops of 25 Brigade, Damboa in conjunction with Civilian JTF deployed in one of the blocking positions at Baale, near Damboa rescued one Miss Amina Ali and a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mohammed Hayatu, who claimed to be her husband."

He said that both were brought to Headquarters 25 Task Force Brigade, Damboa about 2.30pm yesterday.

Shortly after the confirmation by the military, the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group also issued a statement in which it identified the rescued girl as Amina Darsha Nkeki, and confirmed that she was one of the missing 219 Chibok girls.

According to a statement

signed by one of the leaders of the group, Jeff Okoroafor, Amina’s name is the 127th on its list of the missing 219 girls.

He said, "One of our abducted Chibok girls, Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki, from Mbalala has been found in Kulakaisa area at the fringes of Sambisa Forest by vigilantes from Chibok on patrol yesterday (Tuesday) night. Her name is #127 on our list of 219 missing Chibok girls attached."

He quoted the Chairman of the Chibok Girls' Parents Association, Mr. Yakubu Nkeki, to have said that Amina was found alongside her child of about a year old, adding that she identified the Vice Principal of her school, Government Secondary School, Chibok, and also spoke with her mother.

Okoroafor added, "She provided useful information that her other classmates are still held under heavy terrorist

captivity in the Sambisa forest area."

He said the rescued girl had been handed over by the vigilantes to Nigerian troops at Damboa who help with facilitating the verification of her identity, stating, however, that the group would await official confirmations from the military and the Nigerian government.

comfort today or primordial sentiments should blind us to the cruel realities of the increase in the pump price of the petroleum products as what we are seeing is just the beginning".

In a swift reaction to labour’s claim that it did not consult

widely before promulgating the new price of petrol, the federal government yesterday insisted that it indeed consulted widely and carried all stakeholders along before arriving at the decision to increase the price of petrol.

FG: NIGERIA IS BROKE, LOOKS TO TAXES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVT aimed at removing subsidy but to free funds to help the government meet its other financial obligations.

"The current problem is not really about subsidy removal. It is about that Nigeria is broke. Pure and simple!” Mohammed said.

The minister, who briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, called on Nigerians to bear with the government.

With him at the briefing were the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN); and Labour and Productivity Minister, Dr Chris Ngige.

He said Nigeria was “like somebody who has been earning N100,000 a month and he is faced with a situation where his employer says henceforth you will be earning N10,000 a month”.

"He would need to make some

very painful decisions and some very painful adjustments. That is the situation with Nigeria today. A few months ago, we were earning as much as $100 for every barrel of crude. In the months of February and March, we were short, we no longer have the resources, the foreign exchange to bring in refined fuel products. And our economy is shrinking.

"We appreciate the fact that the decision is going to affect everybody. We appreciate what we are going through, but Nigerians should also know that the government has the responsibility at times to take very difficult decisions. So, it is not always about popularity," Mohammed said.

Also speaking, Ngige said government was ready to discuss with all groups aggrieved by the new fuel price regime.

When asked why government was selective in its talks with labour groups, he replied: "We are trying to bring them under one roof on an issue that concerns all Nigerians. We

wanted to speak to the sensitive sectors of the economy. That is why we brought them together."

Ngige said that government had agreed to meet some of the demands by labour, one of which was the re-constitution of the board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

He said that a 15-man committee had been set up by government to look into the demands of labour.

Ngige also said that the PPPRA board would be constituted in the next two weeks.

Fashola said government was encouraging industrialists to invest in infrastructure and would in return be considered for tax breaks.

In line with this policy, the minister said that a construction firm owned by Dangote Group had agreed to construct the Obajana-Kabba Road in Kogi State.

He said: "We presented a memo to council for consideration. The memo seeks to take benefits of the existing

BUHARI RECEIVES RESCUED MISSING CHIBOK GIRL TODAY Sambisa Forest.

And today, she will have the rare privilege of meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari who has been scheduled to receive her at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is set to receive her tomorrow (today). She will be brought by the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima,” the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Shehu Garba, told Thisday last night.

Although a web of controversy surrounded the circumstances of her rescue yesterday, the school girl, who was rescued along with her four-month old child and her husband, was briefly reunited with her parents before being handed over to the military who after debriefing her presented her to Governor Shettima.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, who took the girl to the governor, said the governor had promised to present her to President Muhammadu Buhari today.

"I want to further confirm to you that, we have found one of the Chibok girls but plead for your understanding on this issue, we need to give her time to rest as you can see she is traumatized and nursing a baby.

"The governor has told us that he does not want to take credit for this and will hand over the girl to Mr. President who will in turn unveil her to the nation," Ezugwu said.

Amina is the first and only girl to be rescued out of the missing 219 abducted school girls, 57 of them having escaped at various times in 2014. However, the military,

which entered a credit duel over Amina’s rescue yesterday now has 210 more girls to bring back from the terrorists’ gulag.

After the Cable Network News, CNN International, broke news of the Chibok girl’s rescue broke yesterday, attributing the rescue to the Civilian Joint Task Force, a vigilante group assisting the military to fight the Boko Haram, the military confirmed the story, saying its troops performed the fit.

"This is to confirm that one of the abducted Chibok school girls, Falmata Mbalala, was among the rescued persons by our troops at Baale, near Damboa, Borno State," Col. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), stated in a terse statement.

Usman in another statement, however, clarified that the girls name was Amina Ali, adding that she was found with a

NLC INSISTS PROTEST CONTINUES AS STRIKE FLOPS them to keep the tempo of the action.

He said: "We commend our members and civil society allies for turning out enmasse today (yesterday) to prosecute the strike action against the increase in pump price of petroleum product in spite

of teething challenges.

"We salute their courage, patriotism and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming acts of threats and treachery. We note that no reasonable struggle comes easy, and this cannot be different. Thus, in pursuance of the mandate given by the NEC

of the Congress in conjunction with our civil society allies, the protest continues tomorrow."

He added: "Accordingly, we urge you to mobilise your members, friends or colleagues for the continuation of the protest tomorrow,” maintaining that “no level of

Continued on page 8

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016

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NEWS

France Returns Stolen Artefact to Nigeria

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja

France has officially presented to Nigeria the Nok Terracotta artefact that was repatriated after it was intercepted in France while in transit from Togo to the United States in 2008.

French Ambassador to Nigeria Denys Gauer officially presented the artefact, a Terracotta figurative sculpture, to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at a ceremony to mark the 2016 International Museum Day

in Abuja yesterday.

In his address, the minister thanked the French government for demonstrating the will to fight illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts and urged other countries to emulate France.

“I will like to thank the French Ambassador especially for his country’s show of support in our fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods and their untiring efforts at restitution and return of such items. I wish to recommend this ‘French Model’ to other countries,”

he said.

Mohammed re-emphasised the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration to elevate culture and tourism to the mainstream of the economy in its quest to diversify the economy, create wealth and generate employment.

Speaking on the theme of the 2016 International Museum Day, which is ‘Museums And Cultural Landscapes’, he said the administration placed high premium on the development of the nation’s cultural sites

and their utilisation as veritable tourism products.

"We are positive that in our quest for the diversification of our economic base, this section will provide the needed instrument to actualise that goal,” the minister said.

In his remarks, the French ambassador said the presentation of the Nok Terracotta artefact was in line with the international law and within the framework of the 1970 UNESCO Convention aimed at preventing the illicit import and export of ownership of cultural

properties, which was ratified by both France and Nigeria.

He said the gesture was an illustration of the French policy to fight illegal trade in cultural goods.

Ambassador Gauer said the artefact was intercepted in France as it was being taken to the United States on October 22, 2008.

The Nok culture appeared in Nigeria around 1000 B.C. and later vanished under unknown circumstances around 500 AD. It is the earliest producer of life-sized Terracotta in subSaharan Africa.

The repatriated Nok objects from France to Nigeria in Abuja... yesterday enock reuben

Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) had peaceful solidarity rallies on their campuses.

SSANU explained that as an affiliate union that endorsed the Wabba leadership, it would comply with any directive from him (Wabba).

It said: "This house has unanimously taken the directive of NLC to proceed on indefinite strike. The strike has already commenced. We are against the increase of N145.”

day's plenary, Ekweremadu said the meeting was held to devise ways of resolving the crisis caused by the hike in fuel price with a view to averting untoward hardship that the trend would visit on hapless Nigerian citizens.

Ekweremadu further said the Senate had mandated the committee and its chairman, Mohammed Nazif, to sustain their intervention in the imbroglio until the crisis is eventually resolved.

At the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, members of the Wabba faction of the NLC and civil society organisations yesterday blocked the road leading to the local wing of the airport in Lagos at the Ikeja end resulting in traffic jam and leaving air travellers, commuters and motorists stranded.

The road, which was blocked for about six hours, affected the free flow of traffic while intending air passengers had to alight from their vehicles and trekked to the various terminals.

The NLC, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and other civil society groups gathered at the roundabout close to Forte Oil and Arik Air, where they sang solidarity songs and made antifederal government speeches as it concerned the hike in petrol pump price from N86 to N145 per litre.

At the scene of the protest, close to 10 police vehicles, which brought policemen from both the Airport Police Command and beyond were seen monitoring the protesting groups.

Some of the groups that were at the airport with the NLC were the Joint Action Front (JAF), Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) among others.

Speaking on the protest, the Secretary, JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, stated that the strike embarked upon by labour and other groups was to resist the wicked increases in fuel price and electricity tariff.

He added that there was no going back on the strike brought about by the increase in the price of fuel from N86 per litre to N145 per litre, an increase which he said had further made life more difficult for Nigerians.

The protesters vowed to continue to block and occupy the airport until the federal government reversed the pump price of fuel to the former price of N86 per litre.

Some of the protesters carried placards with the inscription, “Stop importation of petroleum product", "Fix existing local

refineries", "Stop dehumanising Nigerians with the increase of fuel from N86 to N145 per litre", and "Increasing the pump price of fuel from N86 to N145 is illegal and it cannot stand", among other inscriptions.

Also speaking, a member of the CDHR, Mr. Malachy Ugwumadu, stated that a people united could never be defeated.

Despite the action of the protesters, airlines yesterday operated domestic, regional and international flights without interference as all airports were open for service.

The only hiccups were the scaling down of operations due to the scarcity of aviation fuel.

THISDAY investigations revealed that all domestic airlines carried out their scheduled flight services and there was no indication they would stop providing services today.

Also all aviation agencies shunned the strike as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) sustained their services for full flight operations.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, spoke to newsman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos stating that everybody turned up for work and airlines were operating in full gear, except inadequacies caused by fuel scarcity.

He said: “As you can see, flights have commenced operation as early as scheduled and we have had flights early this morning from Lagos, Murtala Muhammed Airport, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja and other airports across the country. So we have been doing our scheduled operations across the country for all the airlines except, of course, where we have delays due to scarcity of aviation fuel, Jet A1. Workers are out ensuring that the activities go on as scheduled.”

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-south has expressed its support for the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, describing it as a timely measure that will free resources for infrastructure and human capital development.

The party urged organised labour to support government to ensure the success of the policy by suspending the strike.

In a statement yesterday by the National Vice-Chairman, Chief Hillard Ettah, and the party's state chairmen in the zone, the party urged wellmeaning Nigerians to rally in support of the deregulation.

NLC INSISTS PROTEST CONTINUES AS STRIKE FLOPS Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, in a statement in Abuja, said: "I wish to further state that series of meetings and consultations were held between the federal government through the Minister of State Petroleum, the Office of the Vice-President, the Minister of Labour and Employment and organised labour unions.

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

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

"It was therefore surprising that the NLC, at the maiden meeting, put forward the issue of non-consultation as a major non-compliance issue on the part of the government but was outrightly debunked by the NNPC and Ministry of Petroleum.

"Hence, I wish to use this forum as the major conciliator in this critical national issue to appeal to NLC to return to the negotiating table to conclude the negotiations that have been kick-started. Other brother federation unions, TUC, NUPENG, PENGASAN, NUEEE, NUBUIFE and other sensitive unions have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government negotiating team on the modalities for the implementation of the palliatives needed to cushion the adverse effects of the increase in the pump price of petrol.

"Finally, I wish to state unequivocally that strikes will neither increase government earnings nor repair our ailing refineries but will rather lower productivity and further damage our limping economy.

In this wise I have obtained the readiness of the federal government negotiating team to recommence negotiation with the NLC led by Comrade Ayuba Waba any time, in compliance with the directive of the National Industrial Court for both parties to further explore Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism (ADR)."

Ngige added: "It is instructive to note that most Nigerians have shown great understanding of the fact that the current problem

is not a subsidy removal issue, but how to deal with the nonavailability of foreign exchange, a situation that leaves the federal government with no other choice than to deregulate the downstream of the petroleum sector, which resulted in the rise in pump price of petrol."

He said the federal government was fully committed to the quick implementation of the palliatives in the 2016 budget even as it was developing other ways to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

According to him, "The federal government appreciates all the important issues raised by the labour unions and has taken them into consideration.

Government is resolute in making sure that the economy is not only strong but able to provide jobs and opportunities for all Nigerians.”

He explained that the federal government went to court to seek an injunction restraining labour from embarking on strike because the NLC had neglected to follow the process for declaring labour strike under the law.

Reports from the nation’s capital, Abuja, indicated that notwithstanding the strike declared by NLC, business activities were barely disrupted as civil servants, banks and private offices all went about their activities.

However, NLC led by its president, Wabba, held a peaceful rally in Abuja, calling on government to revert to the old pump price of N87 or face severe strike likely to disrupt the economy.

He explained that the congress would continue to fight against anti-people policies of the federal government in order to ensure that the interest of the masses comes first.

Wabba said labour, particularly the NLC, had said consistently that it would support all right policies of government but would resist any anti-people policy.

"That is why we are here today to resist this policy of the increase in fuel pump price; we must allow market forces to drive the pump price of this very essential product in our country,” he told the protesters, adding: "Continuous importation of fuel will be used to enslave Nigerians; the naira will be devalued and prices will keep going up and there will be no end to it.’’

According to him, the NLC supports the fight against corruption and the issue of good governance, and would continue to demonstrate its commitment in those directions.

Wabba noted that corruption was inherent in the system,

hence the reason why refineries were not functioning. He said the refineries could be turned around because Nigerian refineries were among the newest in the world, therefore, there was no need to sell them off.

He told the crowd: "We have refineries that have stayed up to 110 years and with regular maintenance, refineries can be fixed and production capacity can also be upgraded for local consumption.

"But because of corruption, we have refused to do so. So, instead of producing, we will be importing more than we should be producing.

"Therefore, if we do not address corruption, even the attempt by government to fix the refineries will be scuttled.’’

Wabba assured Nigerians that NLC would continue to stand by them and confront the issues that would create hardship for the masses.

The General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWU), Mr Isah Aremu, described the increase in the pump price of petrol by over 60 per cent as outrageous and accused the government of increasing electricity tariff by almost 50 per cent without improvement in supply.

“This is just too much for the common man; a lot of people are suffering,” he said, adding: "Government must understand the plight of the masses as all hands are not equal and this kind of suffering must not continue.’’

Aremu stated that the protest was aimed at urging President Muhammadu Buhari to have a rethink on issues that affect the people and do the needful by reversing the current petroleum pump price of N145 to N87.

Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LACSCO), Dr Dipo Fashina, on his part, described the hike as "arbitrary, unjust and against all rules of good governance".

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

SSANU Joins Strike The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) yesterday joined the strike. The National President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, who was represented by the Deputy President of SSANU, Comrade Moses Adeniyi-Aogo, stated that the strike was a necessity.

SSANU observed that other unions in the universities including the Academic Staff

NMA Supports Deregulation with Caveat The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on the other hand said it "supports the deregulation of the oil sector but with a caveat that part of the palliatives should include the immediate release of at least 5% of the consolidated revenue fund as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHPF), which the National Health Act has given to Nigerians and guarantees its availability".

NMA President, Prof. Mike Ozovehe Ogirima, explained that: "this would revamp Primary Health Care (PHC) and reinvigorate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover all Nigerians.

"We also press for the immediate rehabilitation and establishment of functional PHC in all the wards nationwide as a way of cushioning the harsh effects of out-of-pocket expenditure and various inequities in healthcare delivery."

Ogirima further stated that "NMA also urges the government to mobilise contractors to the various sites of road rehabilitations as this will reduce delays in reaching health care facilities and reduce road traffic accidents in the country.

"We call for the immediate establishment of national emergency ambulance service for quick rescue and resuscitation of emergencies from our roads, provision of low tariff buses and rehabilitation of our railway system."

Senate Intervenes But reacting to the development, the Senate yesterday directed its Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity to mediate in the ongoing face-off between the federal government and the NLC over the hike in the pump price of petrol.

This decision was taken at a 35-minute closed-door session presided over by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu before the take-off of yesterday's plenary.

Announcing the resolution at the commencement of the

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NEWS

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

Niger Delta Crisis Worsens as New Group Gives FG Seven-day Ultimatum Demands release of Kanu, Dasuki

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The restiveness in the Niger Delta worsened yesterday with the emergence of another militant group, Red Egbesu Water Lions, demanding the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the former National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki rtd.

The group in a statement by its Coordinator, General Torunanawei Latei, on Wednesday, threatened that if its demands were not met within seven days, it would team up with the Niger Delta Avengers to shut down oil and gas production in the Niger Delta.

It also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to defreeze the bank accounts of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and called for the unconditional and immediate payment to victims of the Bonga Oil Spill and Chevron gas explosion in Koluama, Bayelsa State.

While decrying the alleged lawlessness of the Buhari-led federal government, the Ijaw

group argued that the government was becoming notorious for deliberate disobedience to court orders.

It said, “It is extremely important to note that the engine room of the national interest is the executive obedience to court orders, protection and preservation of citizens’ constitutional liberties. ‘’Justification of executive disobedience to court orders as a protection of national interest is abominable.

“This is a deliberate ploy to bend the law and suspend the 1999 Constitution. We ask; does President Muhammadu Buhari have any legal capacity to declare anyone as a criminal? Disobedience to court orders is an act of executive rascality in the country,” the group contended.

The new group gave the ultimatum just as there were indications yesterday that the militants’ activities might spread to Bayelsa State, which shares boundary with Delta State, the hotbed of militancy since its resurgence.

Thisday learnt that the spread might not be unconnected with the invasion of the creeks of Delta State by the military which had been in search of the Niger Delta Avengers, where it had lost about

10 personnel within a month.

The development occurred a day after a fresh breach on the Sagbama-Tuomo gas line, belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, at Egbembiri, Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State happened.

The line which runs through the border town between Bayelsa and Delta States was again destroyed along the Ayama section of the Ogboinbiri-Tuomo gas pipeline with dynamites.

But as government’s suspicion of the connection between Tompolo, an ex-warlord, with the renewed militancy in the region continues, the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Council, Delta State, HRH OboroGbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, has insisted that members of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) were not from his kingdom.

Oboro-Gbaraun II, who spoke in his palace in coastal Oporoza, traditional headquarters of the

embattled Gbaramatu Kingdom, and Tompolo’s base, described reports, linking his kingdom with the activities of the militant group as malicious and unfounded.

He condemned those linking his people with the renewed violent agitations in the Niger Delta and expressed dismay over the continued military siege on his kingdom in the purported search for the Avengers.

He maintained that it was untrue that Ekpemupolo was behind the group’s recent attacks on oil facilities in the region.

The Ijaw royal father stressed that although the group’s activities took place in some creeks of Gbaramatu kingdom like other parts of the region, it was not enough to accuse his people of being behind the attacks.

While lamenting that the continued military invasion of Gbaramatu land was capable of further fuelling the tensed atmosphere in the area, he urged the federal government to take

a second look at the situation and ask the military to withdraw.

He said, “We as a people are peace loving. Upon hearing of recent activities of the so called Niger Delta Avengers, I immediately summoned a meeting of clan and community heads to intensify surveillance of our territory against the activities of the group to ensure that permanent peace reigns in my kingdom.

“But I was miffed when I started reading on the pages of newspapers that the militants are from my kingdom. This is not true. ‘’Let me stress here, we are not militants and nobody should give us a name that’s not ours.

We don’t know them and I can tell you they are not from our communities. My people won’t resort to pipeline bombing to express any form of grievances.”

He absolved Tompolo of allegedly masterminding the return of militancy in the region, noting that the ongoing trial of

Tompolo, a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has a political slant to it.

“It’s politically motivated because he is not in the same party with the current administration.

The right thing to do was to bring everybody together as one after the election and not pursuing your opponents.

While condemning the stoppage of work at the Maritime Academy in the area, the monarch added, ‘’I’m appealing to the Federal government because this will not bring peace to Niger Delta.

“The cancellation of the Maritime University was a political aggression against Gbaramatu kingdom.

President Buhari should know that the university is key to the peace in the region. ‘’ I urge him (Buhari) to allow academic activities to commence soon. He should see us as partners in progress and not foes”, the King argued.

Prosecutor Accuses Saraki’s Defence Team of Demoralising His Witness Witness admits he has no documents linking Saraki to London property Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) who is prosecuting the Senate President, Dr, Bukola Saraki, for alleged false assets declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has accused Saraki’s lawyers of trying to demoralise his witness.

At the resumed hearing of the trial yesterday, Jacobs lamented the pace at which the defence was handling the case.

Jacobs accused the defence of attempting to confuse and demoralise the witness.

The witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, has been subjected to rigorous cross-examination by the defence team.

Meanwhile, Wetkas has told the tribunal that he had no official documents linking the Senate President to the ownership of London property in which he (Saraki) is facing trial While answering questions during cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), Wetkas said prosecution only obtained unofficial information of the London property from its foreign partners in London.

He said the partners promised to oblige the investigators with the official documents of the property, but they were yet to do so.

“In our investigation, we

normally receive unofficial information from our foreign partners,” he said.

The EFCC witness also informed the tribunal that Saraki used the N375million obtained from GTBank to buy House No. 7 and 8, Whittaker Street, London in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

He gave the title number of the House No. 8, as NGL802235 and the second property as NGL802661.

The witness said he had requested from the GTBank to oblige him with the details of the property and the address.

He said the bank told them that the addresses of the properties were not disclosed to them.

Wetkas said from the loan documents attached, it showed that the N375miilion loan collected by Saraki from GTBank and that bank statements indicated that he used the said money to buy properties in London.

“When we see the statement on the mortgage redemption transfer telex, we are convinced that the defendant used the funds to acquire property in London,” he said.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, adjourned the case till May 25 for continuation of cross-examination.

SOLIDARITY FOR EVER

L-R: Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Isa Aremu; Deputy President NLC, Peters Adeyemi; NLC President, Ayuba Wabba and others addressingthepressduringtheprotestinAbuja...yesterday EnockReuben

Okupe Tells Court How Jonathan Paid Metuh N400m Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, yesterday appeared as the third defence witness (DW3) for the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, who is standing trial over his alleged role in the $2.1 billion arms deal involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Okupe informed the court how his former boss, Jonathan, directed that N400 million be paid to Metuh

Metuh is being prosecuted alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, on a sevencount charge before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is accused of allegedly receiving N400million from Dasuki.

At an earlier sitting on Tuesday, the defence had presented Mr. Colex Ifeanyi Odenigbo, a consultant with Q-time Nigeria Limited, who had told the court that, there was a remittance of N450million from the Office of the NSA to Destra Nigeria Limited; the

source of which he said was not made known to him.

Also at the resumed sitting yesterday, Okupe while being led in evidence by Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), narrated how he was part of the meeting in which Metuh made a presentation on what could be done to launder the image of the then president and that of the PDP. “After the meeting, the president said he will make a directive for Metuh to be mobilised with funds to carry out the project. The next day, Metuh called me to tell me that his account had been credited with N400milion,” Okupe said.

Under cross-examination by

the counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, Okupe, admitted that government institutions and agencies are not part of the organs of the party.

When shown one of the exhibits (e-payment mandate) from the Office of the NSA, detailing the transfer of the sum N400million to Destra Investment Limited, Okupe claimed he does not understand the document neither does he know what it is all about.

Thereafter, Ikpeazu sought for an adjournment on the grounds that Metuh has a health challenge.

Consequently, Justice Abang adjourned to today, May 19, 2016 for continuation of defence.

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NEWS

N36bn: EFCC Storms Saminu Turaki’s Abuja Home Re-arraigns Oronsaye, five others for N2bn fraud

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday evening stormed the Abuja home of a former Governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki, in connection with the alleged embezzlement of N36 billion while in office.

According to sources at the commission, the neighbours of the former senator claimed they spotted the operatives at the 16 Dennis Osadebe Street, Apo home of the former governor at about 7p.m. yesterday but it was not clear what their mission was or whether the former governor was arrested by the operatives.

However, another source at the EFCC confirmed the raid but said the team missed the former governor as only a few members of the family were found in the house.

The source explained that the operatives went to the house in a bid to execute a warrant for the arrest of the former governor who had refused to present himself for trial since 2011 when he was rearranged on a 36-count charge at the Federal High Court Dutse, Jigawa State.

The source maintained that the commission had long being on the

trail of the former senator and even had him watch-listed, but “he has continued to evade arrest.”

A Federal High Court in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, had issued a warrant directing the Inspector General of Police or his officers and the EFCC to arrest Turaki and bring him before the court.

The Justice S. Yahuza, it was reported, gave the order after Turaki failed to appear before the court, with the EFCC previously declaring him wanted.

The commission is prosecuting the former governor over a N36 billion theft and money laundering crime he allegedly committed when he was governor.

Some of the charges read to the accused person by the court under presiding Justice Shehu Yahaya, included the N12 billion withdrawn from the state government treasury for the financing of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term mission.

Turaki was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on a 32-count charge of misappropriating N36 billion while he was governor.

The case was later transferred to Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of

the FCT Court to hear the matter.

Meanwhile, the EFCC yesterday re-arraigned the former Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended 35-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretense.

The Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said in the amended charge dated November 2, 2015, Oronsaye is being charged along with Osarenkhoe Afe, Fedrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment and Construction Company Limited.

Uwujaren noted that while Oronsaye and Afe, who is the Managing Director of Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, were present in court, the other defendants were absent.

Meanwhile, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Leke Atolagbe, while citing Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal JusticeAct, 2015, said: “We urge your lordship to enter a plea of not guilty for the defendants who are not represented in court so that the trial can proceed.”

Counsel to Oronsaye, Joe Agbi

(SAN), raised no objections to the application of the prosecution, neither did Oluwole Aladedoye, counsel to Afe and Fedrick Hamilton Global Services Limited.

The trial judge, while acceding to the application of the prosecution, ruled that: “In the absence of the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants, Section 478 of the Administration of CriminalJusticeAct2015shallbeappliedto eachofthem,exceptifitislatershownthat theywerenotservedwiththeamended charges, in the interest of justice.”

Count one of the charges reads: “That you Stephen Oronsaye, AbdulrasheedAbdullahi Maina (now at large) OsarenkhoeAfe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited on or aboutJuly 2, 2010, inAbuja, collaborated in disguising genuine nature of the sum of N161,472,000 derived from an illegal acttowit;conductingprocurementfraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act on the contract extension of biometric enrolment purportedly awarded to Innovative Solutions Limited by the Office of the HOSF without following due process and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14 (1) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.”

Another count reads: “That you Stephen Oronsaye and Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina (now at large) between April and

May 2010 in Abuja, collaborated in disguising genuine nature an aggregate sum of N131,038,425 derived from an illegal act to wit; conducting procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act on the contract of biometric enrolment purportedly awarded to Moshfad Enterprises by the Office HOSF without following due process and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14 (1) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.” Afterwards, the accused pleaded “not guilty” to the charges as they were read to them.

Following their plea, Atolagbe asked the court for a date for commencement of trial, and also notified the court that the prosecution had 22 witnesses it intended to present in court.

But the defence counsel expressed readiness for the commencement of the trial, and further applied that Justice Kolawole should allow their clients to continue with the earlier bail granted them on July 21, 2015.

To this end, the prosecution did not raise any objections to the oral application.

In view of the fact that there was no objection to the application, the trial judge acceded to the request and further adjourned to June 9, 2016 for “commencement of judicial trial.”

Oronsaye had first appeared before Justice Kolawole on July 13, 2015, where he was confronted with a 25-count charge, to which along with his co-defendants, they pleaded not guilty. The trial judge had fixed February 16, 2016, for them to enter their plea for the amended charges.

The case file was however, later transferred to Justice J. T. Tsoho of a Federal High Court, Abuja. Presiding over the case for the first time on February 16, 2016, he adjourned to March 1, 2016 for them to take their plea on the amended charges.

On that day, however, rather than begin the proceedings, he simply said: “It has been realised that the case came to me in error, and I’ve been instructed that it should be returned to Justice Kolawole who started it. He should continue where he stopped. I wish you the best of luck.”

Making clarification on the return of the file to him, Justice Kolawole explained that: “The Chief Judge wanted to redistribute cases to new judges transferred to the Federal High Court in order to decongest the court, but this case file of Oronsaye was taken in error to Justice Tsoho. This explanation becomes necessary so that the public will not be wondering why such back and forth movement.”

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

COMMENT

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

BUHARI’S FIRST ROAD?

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Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, is a caring leader, writes C. Don Adinuba

et us start with a confession: I frankly do not know the first road contract which the Muhammadu Buhari administration, now about to mark its first anniversary, awarded. But it would not be surprising if it turns out to be the rehabilitation of the terribly failed Ihiala section of the federal road which connects Anambra, Imo and Rivers States and passes through the towns of Okija, Ihiala and Uli in Anambra State; Egbuoma and Oguta in Imo State; and Omoku in Rivers State. Contract for the road construction was awarded in 1982 by the federal government following a Federal executive Council (FEC) which Vice- President Alex Ekwueme chaired because President Shehu Shagari was out of the country.

Two ministers in the Shagari administration hailed from the towns where the road starts and where it ends. Victor Masi, the Minister of Works, was from Omoku while Paulinus Amadike, Minister of Youth, Sports and Social Development, was an indigene of Okija.

It is reasonable to speculate that both men played a critical role in the construction of the road, with Ekwueme facilitating it.

However, like many Nigerian projects, the history of the development of this road has been anything but wonderful. The road has yet to be completed a whole 34 years after work commenced on it, despite the fact that it leads to the country’s biggest oil and gas belt. In fact, the Ihiala section has over the years given the impression that this critical road is easily the worst road in the whole country. The good news is that work has started in earnest in the reconstruction of the failed section. The reconstruction of any part of this road is not included in this year’s budget, but the Buhari administration somewhat found money to fix it because it considers it an emergency. It is probably the first road contract it has awarded.

The awful condition of this road was brought to the attention of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, last December 29 when I returned his call the previous night after he sought to know my experience of travelling from Lagos to my hometown in Anambra State by road, with a view to knowing where and how the government could intervene in road development. Typical of him, he did not promise to fix the road immediately. In an article I wrote subsequently, I noted that Fashola not only likes to surprise his friends, but also loves to under promise but over-delivers in all assignments, recalling my encounters with him over certain development projects in Lagos State when he was the governor from 2007 to 2011. On no occasion did he state categorically that he was going to implement any of them. In all the instances, one woke up to see that work had begun.

This is the case with the reconstruction of the Ihiala section of the Okija-Ihiala-Uli-Egbuoma-Oguta-Omoku Road. The minister must have sent in the last three months over five teams of surveyors and engineers from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing as well as the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to this road. He is determined to break the jinx which has prevented this relatively short road by including its

BY GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO LOOK FOR FUNDS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD WHICH IS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE CURRENT BUDGET AND WHICH IS NOT FROM HIS CATCHMENT AREA IN A COUNTRY NOTORIOUS FOR PREBENDAL POLITICS , THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO USE THIS ROAD NEED NOT BE TOLD THAT FASHOLA IS A CARING MINISTER

completion and reconstruction in next year’s budget. But for the time being he knows that the failed section which cut off the Ihiala people from the rest of the country needs urgent rehabilitation. He consequently has directed FERMA to complete the failed portion before the rains set in this year. And the agency has been working frenetically so as not to disappoint the minister.

The minister has also directed FERMA to use stone as the base of the road, instead of laterite which was used in the construction in 1982. This is to make the road more durable. A major reason for the failure of the Ihiala section of the road which connects key petroleum producing communities is that a large number of heavy duty lorries ply it every minute of the day because most of the sand used in building and construction in towns in both Imo and Anambra States is dredged from the area.

Therefore, the ministerial order to use stone as the road platform is perfectly in order. The same thing can be said about the minister’s directive that asphalt be used on the road, rather than macadamising it, as was the case during the initial construction 34 years ago.

However, Fashola does not appear to be aware that the road has never had drainage facilities. The absence of drains contributed significantly to the collapse. In other words, it is important that FERMA be directed to provide for drainage facilities immediately, otherwise the road will fail no sooner than it is reconstructed. Knowing that responsive leadership is second nature to the minister, there is no doubt that Fashola will soon direct that drainage facilities be part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Ihiala portion of the federal road.

Perhaps, the most important takeaway from Fashola’s well known responsive leadership style is the validation of the theoretical framework that leadership, whether in the private or public sector, must be seen as caring in order to inspire the confidence of the followers. By going out of his way to look for funds for the reconstruction of a road which is not provided for in the current budget and which is not from his catchment area in a country notorious for Prebendal politics , the hundreds of thousands of people who use this road need not be told that Fashola is a caring minister. He has inspired their confidence in the Buhari administration. After all, like any other federal road in the Southeast, fixing the failed road was never on the radar screen of the Goodluck Jonathan presidency. As the age-old aphorism goes, one good precept is better than one million words.

Another key takeaway from the Ihiala road reconstruction is that leaders must display personal enthusiasm for their responsibilities. Leadership and management theorists postulate it is difficult for organisations or countries to compete effectively in today’s world if their leaders do not show passion for work.

With the likes of Fashola in leadership, there is still hope in the Nigerian possibility.

Adinuba is head of Discovery Public Affairs Consulting

THE EMERGING ECONOMIC POWER HOUSE

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Soyombo Opeyemi writes why Ogun State is increasingly becoming investors’ destination of choice

ou do not attract investments to your state by folding your arms and expecting investors to knock on your doors. You have to showcase what you have. It is equally not enough for you to advertise and ask investors to come when you have a bureaucratic system that makes it easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a prospective investor to establish business in your state. And you do not advertise for the sake of it. If a system does not work or yield returns, you reform or dump it outright.

Following the First Ogun State Investors’ Forum in 2012, over 40 major industries berthed in the state. After the 2014 edition, greater number of companies was established in Ogun. These are multi-billion naira investments that have created hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Ogun State. In 2014 alone, Ogun attracted investments worth N690 billion. As far as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is concerned, Ogun is now the industrial hub of Nigeria by virtue of the massive inflow of investments into the state in the last five years.

What are the conditions that make the state so attractive to business in the last five years? First and foremost is the vision of the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Without vision nothing can be achieved, even if you have all the resources in this world. The vision of the governor

to move the state from the backwoods of civilisation to the 21st century has resulted in doing things differently in the state. To cite one example in parenthesis, the introduction of e-payment or cashless system suddenly raised the internally generated revenue of the Ministry of Commerce from the average of N45 million per annum under the previous government to N550 million per annum (representing 1,122% increase) within a space of one year of the Amosun administration!

Of course, it is no longer news that the current government inherited a state defined by insecurity. So the first step taken by the Amosun administration was to contain the menace because no sensible investor will bring their investments to an insecure environment. The next was to create (further) an environment conducive to investments by removing all identified bottlenecks that drive away investors as well as build infrastructure that will foster business development. It is apt at this juncture to quote the assessment by a global institution – the World Bank.

In its biennial report, Doing Business in Nigeria 2014, the global financial institution reports that “Ogun, one of the lowest ranked overall performers in both 2008 and 2010, is one of the top reforming states in 2014”.

It rates Ogun, out of 35 states and FCT, as one of the five states “that made the biggest strides towards the national frontier of good practices.”

According to the 2014 Report, “Thanks to a concerted effort across federal and

state authorities, and in collaboration with the private sector, Ogun improved on three of the four Doing Business indicators benchmarked. The construction permitting system was radically overhauled, with the state government authorities decentralising the approval system and a new committee monitoring delays. Building permit applications and payments can now be made simultaneously in district offices. Private professionals issue environmental-impact assessments in accordance with the conditions and templates set out in a framework agreement. The certificate of completion is issued on the spot, immediately following the final inspection.”

To begin a business in Ogun State, according to World Bank, “entrepreneurs no longer need to travel to Ibadan or Lagos, thanks to the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s new stamp duty office in Abeokuta. In addition, the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry abolished the requirement for a physical inspection of the business premises - today, a proof of company address, such as a utility bill, is sufficient... Finally, Ogun’s Bureau of Lands digitalised property records with the aim of enabling electronic title searches and making property registration more efficient.”

In spite of the successes recorded so far, the Ogun State Government is not resting on its oars.

“Since that 2014 Report,” said Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the opening ceremony of the just-concluded Third Ogun State Investors’ Forum, “we have

expanded the Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning into a full-fledged Ministry and have adopted reforms that fast track the process for obtaining development permits from six weeks to two and land clearance permits to one week....”

The governor added that “To make it easier for investors to take full advantage of the vast opportunities in Ogun State, we are further expanding the services offered by the One-Stop-Shop that was launched in 2012.

The One -Stop-Shop will enable potential and existing investors to go to only one office in order to process Urban and Physical Planning permits; to access the Bureau of Lands to conduct transactions such as land title searches, to purchase land and obtain certificates of occupancy/governor’s consent; to access the internal revenue service; to acquire land for agriculture; and finally to access the legal advisory desk - all under one roof.”

There is no doubt that Ogun State, under the current government, is taking giant leaps economically into the 21st century. It is indeed the “Emerging Economic Power House” in the country. What is expected of us as citizens of the state is to continue to co-operate with the government in order to sustain the momentum of development for the benefit of the present and future generations.

Soyombo, a media practitioner, sent this piece from Abeokuta via densityshow@yahoo.com

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EDITORIAL NIGERIANS ON DEATH ROW IN ASIA

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency needs to work harder to curb trafficking in illicit drugs

he Senate was recently upset by the huge numbers of Nigerians on death row in Malaysia and China. This was sequel to a motion tabled by Senator Gbenga Ashafa entitled: “Nigerians involvement in illicit global drugs trade and increase in domestic drug abuse by Nigerian youth.” According to Ashafa, some 153 Nigerians would soon be executed in these Asian countries for trafficking in illicit drugs. Besides the image problem created for our country, the senator representing Lagos East rightly observed that “our nationals are viewed with suspicion and subjected to demeaning treatment at airports across the world as a result of this negative perception.”

However, the information from the upper chamber of parliament was a bit dated. Late last year, a human rights organisation by the name Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) said almost 300 Nigerians were currently on death row in prisons across Asian countries. According to Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, the data independently collected by LEPAD revealed that 120 BESIDES THE IMAGE Nigerians faced the PROBLEM CREATED prospects of death in FOR OUR COUNTRY, Chinese prisons, and OUR NATIONALS ARE over 170 in Indonesia, VIEWED WITH SUSPICION Thailand, Malaysia, AND SUBJECTED TO Vietnam, and five in DEMEANING TREATMENT Qatar, United Arab AT AIRPORTS ACROSS THE Emirate and Saudi WORLD Arabia. He estimated that about 16,500 Nigerians were being held abroad while most of those on death row were convicted of drug-related crimes.

Even so, the figures from the parliament once again highlight the increasing desperation of Nigerians in the narcotic trade. In spite of frequent arrests and stiff punishment, and the increasing sophistication in technology to combat the illegal business, many desperate Nigerians are still not willing to let go. Indeed, Ashafa noted that many of these Nigerians paraded themselves as university students to undermine the visa system and gained entrance into

Letters to the Editor

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Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other drug traffic routes. Over 30 out of 80 foreign students arrested in Malaysia in 2015 were reportedly Nigerians.

That perhaps explains why across the world today, several Nigerians are on death row or serving prison terms and creating enormous image problem for the country. Those in prison serving terms are even the lucky ones. In many countries, especially in Asia, it is public knowledge that trafficking in hard drug carries the ultimate sentence. In June 2008, two Nigerians were executed in Indonesia for trafficking in illegal drugs. The same fate befell one Chibuzor Vituz in China in 2009.

I T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOlAfE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OlUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE SOCIETY

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

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

As if that was not enough, barely three months ago, Nigerians were shocked with the news of a how a young man in Ibadan was killed by the wife when she slit his throat. It is distressing to discover that the home is no longer a safe and peaceful haven for children as fathers and mothers now engage in bitter and deadly squabbles.

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

n a well sensational outing in April 2015, four Nigerians convicted of drug trafficking were executed along with other nationals by Indonesian authorities via firing squad. The Public Communications Division of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the names of the executed Nigerians as Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe.

Pleas for leniency by Nigeria, the United Nations and Amnesty International were reportedly downplayed by the Indonesian government partly because “at that point, seven fresh cases of drug trafficking involving Nigerians had just emerged in Indonesia”.

Yet the huge numbers of drug mules still jetting out of the country means the enforcement agencies still have much work on their hands. This is in addition to the fact that Nigeria is increasingly becoming a destination for narcotics in its own right. In the past few years, the use of illicit drug use has been widespread and many of our young citizens are increasingly getting addicted.

The Senate specifically has called for the restructuring and repositioning of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the agency saddled with curbing the crime, to be more effective. Indeed, some of its staffers were reportedly compromised in the past while the agency has long argued that it is understaffed and ill-equipped. But the scale of the problem and the consequences for our image, national security and public health are so severe that something must be done urgently.

According to experts, domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence, is a pattern of abusive behaviours by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation. Domestic violence and abuse is not limited to obvious physical violence. It can also mean endangerment, criminal coercion, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, trespassing, harassment, and stalking to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Domestic violence is a global phenomenon. It occurs across the world, in various cultures, and affects people irrespective of their economic status. According to one study, the percentages of women who have reported being physically abused by an intimate partner vary from 69% to 10% depending on the country. In Nigeria, spousal abuse has become a scourge and there is a report that 50% of our women have been battered by their husbands at one time or the other and unbelievably, more educated women (65%) are in this terrible situation as compared with their low income counterparts (55%).

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

Temilade Aruya, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

BUHARI AND Fskyrocketed UEL SUBSIDY in the market and now the

“Nigerians are being deceived on the issue of fuel subsidy, I’m completely opposed to the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government” ---Buhari 2011 The above statement was made

by Muhammadu Buhari, as the then Presidential Candidate of the CPC. What made the sudden change of mind

by President Buhari, leading to the astronomical hike in the pump price of petrol by his administration? How could one comprehend this? Why did Buhari make a complete U-turn after he got the office courtesy of the goodwill of the people who thought that they made the right choice?

President Buhari, from all indication, was lured into agreeing with the removal of subsidy and hike in the price of fuel by those who do not mean well for the ordinary people of this great country. In fact, this is the greatest injustice ever done to the people, taking into consideration how the people are paying through their nose these days for almost everything.

The living condition of the people is horrible. Prices of commodities have

hike in the price of fuel would no doubt compound the living condition of the people especially the poor.

Even if the administration feels that there is need to increase the price of fuel due to the slump in oil price, it ought to have introduced some kind of palliative measures to cushion the effects.

The purchasing power of the people of this country is seriously down because of the high cost of living, especially those in public service. What the administration needs to do to ensure the supply of the product to the people is cogent measures in revamping the refineries that are in sorry state and taking stiff measure in curtailing smuggling of the product by some selfish marketers.

Outright hike in the price of fuel would not solve the problem of shortages of fuel and the unnecessary long queues in the filling stations.

It is doubtful if subsidy removal would end the fuel queues or tackle the age-long corruption in the oil sector.

Usman Santuraki, Jimeta -Yola

16

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Ojukwu: Solution to Biafra is Within Nigeria The first son of the late Biafra warlord, Dr. Dim Emeka Ojukwu, Dede Ojukwu, in a chat with journalists, spoke about the cordial relationship that existed between his late father and late lawyer, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite. He also spoke about the Biafra agitation and the activities of the herdsmen in the Southeast. Shola Oyeyipo brings the excerpts

Y

ou talked about a very robust relationship between the late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite and your late dad; how close really were they?

They were very close. As I mentioned, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, at a time was my father’s personal lawyer and for you to have a personal lawyer you know what it means. For every human being’s endeavour you have intimate relationships with your doctor, your accountant, your lawyer and your priest; they were very close.

If you look at it, my father had three very identifiable Yoruba friends, but if you looked at them you will see that they looked physically identical. He had Engineer Fashola, who was his closest Yoruba friend, an uncle to the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola. He had Prof. Wole Soyinka. Then he had Dr. Tunji Braithwaite.

That was why during the ceremonies marking my father’s transition, they were all well represented. Dr. Tunji Braithwaite at the Tafawa Balewa Square ceremony looked Nigeria in the face and told Nigeria that Dr. Dim Emeka Ojukwu did not fight Nigeria. He said rather, he defended the Igbo people. He didn’t fear of any recrimination – he didn’t fear anybody condemning him but he rose up to the occasion. He said that he was a very truthful person. Braithwaite kept my father’s secrets and you never heard of anything that transpired between them till he died.

Typical, he said he never fought Nigeria but people have been misled to believe that Dim Emeka Ojukwu fought Nigeria. He never fought Nigeria. He defended the Igbo people.

Then Prof. Wole Soyinka gave a memorable eulogy of his friend and that is what friendship is all about. That is why in Igbo word we cherish such things as ‘Azuka’ and ‘Azubaeze.’

That person who is your friend demonstrates that friendship contingent on what that person does when you are not there, not what he does when you are there.

So, your family must have lost a friend with the death of Dr. Braithwaite?

Oh yes we did, because a cord runs through Dr. Braithwaite, Kanmi Ishola Osobu and Gani Fawehimi. I grew up knowing them as lawyers who fought vigorously to defend the oppressed.

They don’t mind about money. There was a time there was riot at the University of Lagos, Segun Okeowo went there and was lying on the floor.

They got up and went to defend the students when they realised that those students could not have paid them anything. That is the type of people they are. They shunned their background in order to make Nigeria a better place.

But if you look back at the kind of relationship between your father and some of these people you are talking about had and looking at what Nigeria is today, where can you say is the missing link and what would you say is the future of this country based on that kind of relationship?

The future of this country is bright but then it could be more solidified if we eschew those things that divide us. We allowed a division, a kind of tribalism – trying to undercut one and other and that is the bane of the Nigerian society.

When they grew up there was no Yoruba boy, there was no Igbo boy and there was no Hausa boy. That was why when he sees Dr.

Ojukwu…foreseeing bright future for Nigeria

Tunji Braithwaite he says Tunji ‘ki lo n’shele?’

(What is happening?). When he sees Wole he

The solution to Biafra is within Nigeria; make the Igbo comfortable and make sure that everything is okay, because the easiest thing to do is leadership but some people misconstrue it.

Some people misuse it…it is because of the iniquities in the country that we have agitations; remove those iniquities and I bet you there will never be any agitation again

will never called him Prof because they all grew up together. He called him Wole. But now we have started knowing our differences.

The corruption came in when we started introducing this is my fellow Igbo, this is my fellow Yoruba. It was never like that.

What then is your take about those who are agitating for Biafra State now?

My take is that they should agitate for Biafra.

They should be supported to have Biafra.

The worst thing in a marriage is if you say a marriage is indissoluble.

No! A woman is like a bird, give her chance to fly she will fly away, after some time she will fly back into the cage and she becomes yours forever but if you cage her and tie her in, she might even destroy your roof in order to go out.

So, the solution to Biafra is within Nigeria; make the Igbo comfortable and make sure that everything is okay, because the easiest thing to do is leadership but some people misconstrue it. Some people misuse it.

For instance, if you come in a year and you are talking about budget and the Ministry of Works says we have 3600km of road to tar – that is what can be accommodated in the budget and we have 36 states. If you say okay, since we have 36 states every state should take 100km, nobody will be interested in that your post as the president of this country but when you move and say because I am from Nnewi I am going to take 300km,

there will be problem. So, it is because of the iniquities in the country that we have agitations; remove those iniquities and I bet you there will never be any agitation again.

Are you worried about the issue of herdsmen, especially their incursion into some parts of eastern states?

Yes, I am worried and it should be stopped. It should be stopped because we are talking about survival. We are talking about the means of livelihood of a people. The means of livelihood of the people in the east is farming. The means of livelihood of the people in the north is shepherding but you cannot sacrifice one for the other. You cannot say because you need pasture, you let them roam about, you feed your animals in somebody’s farm and they trample on the farm and destroy the whole crops. It is not done!

Actually, the problem is because we overconcentrate our energy in one place. In London and all those places, the agricultural population is usually about one or two per cent of the population and they are the richest.

Somebody has a grazing field, he has a farm and he has about 300 herds of cattle then he buys fodder to feed his cattle there.

He doesn’t start parading the streets of London because you want your cattle to move about. So, the rights of the people in the east should be respected and the violence that is attendance is something that should be discouraged earliest

17

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

INTERVIEW

‘Devaluation Will Not End Our Economic Woes’ The National Secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Tijani Tumsah, in an interview with Onyebuchi Ezigbo, argues that devaluation is not the best option for Nigeria party for the lapses instead of grappling with the issue of governance. What do you think about that?

I think we all agree that there was substantial debasement of the economy and total abuse of structures by the previous government. Now, APC must have an efficient communication strategy that will carry everybody along to make them understand what we are all about.

Soon you will see a shift in the communication processes and in the programmes of the APC that are ongoing. Now that we all know the weight of what transpired before, it will now be the APC’s responsibility to bring everybody on board and on the way forward; the way the change is going to unfold and to carry people along.

In the next few days the APC will be one year as a ruling party. How would you assess the performance of the party in the last one year?

Normally, when you are trying to transform a system that has been there for a while, you find challenges. There is usually resistance to change and transformational things. This is not uncommon in politics and so, I believe that by the time we cross the proverbial one year bridge, the transformational programmes of the government would have started to manifest and Nigerians will start to understand what the party is trying to put in place.

Right now, it is still a situation whereby an opposition party is transiting to governance.

When that happens, there are some teething problems that normally occur and this is what we are seeing unfolding right now. However, I have every confidence that as the period extends, the opinion polls will begin to shift and they will rise in trajectory with the party and its programmes

One of the cardinal principles of the Buhari government is the fight against corruption and we can attest to the fact that this is ongoing.

But there are those who believe that the fight is only targeted at members of the PDP. What is your take on this?

I think it is over bloated because what you have is a previous government structure that involved a lot of people in corruption. If we go forward and there is substantial period of time spent by the APC in governance and there are people who are corrupt, that will also be looked into. But as it is now, my understanding is that if you are in government in the previous years and you are involved in transactional misrepresentation or corruption, it is only fair that you get questioned for those things.

What would you say has been the economic direction of the APC in the last one year?

You can see that the leakages in the economy and the monetary system of the country are being blocked and with that the economic balance has begun to hit base for a substantial progression, particularly on the issue of devaluation which has been burning. I think that the government is on the right track by trying to maintain our currency the way it is so that it can grow in converse with how really the true picture of our economy is.

Debasing our currency does not translate to economic growth. The singular product that

The singular product that we have for sale which is oil is not sufficient, a reason to have our currency devalued given the fact that a lot of people do not really depend on the nation’s foreign exchange and access to foreign currency.

If you take the example of Argentina, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, if debasing the currency were to be the solution, these countries would have progressed tremendously. But the reality is different. I believe most certainly that devaluing the currency is not a solution

Tumsah…not an advocate of naira devaluation

we have for sale which is oil is not sufficient, a reason to have our currency devalued given the fact that a lot of people do not really depend on the nation’s foreign exchange and access to foreign currency. If you take the example of Argentina, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, if debasing the currency were to be the solution, these countries would have progressed tremendously. But the reality is different. I believe most certainly that devaluing the currency is not a solution.

There is a lot of concern right now about unity in the party. The situation is seriously affecting the system. Right now, some national officers are not allowed to perform their functions.

What do you think is responsible for this?

I have not been able to get a picture of what you just described. I do understand that there are party dynamics that happened whenever a coalition comes into being. As they say, there is a thesis, an antithesis and there is a synthesis. We are now getting into a synthesis where everybody will now be woven into one. Whatever comes out of this synthesis is the new APC. If you recall, the APC was a product of merger of different parties and if we were able to come together to win an election, of course, in terms of governance and political ideas, there may be some ideological or philosophical concern that has to be ironed out. This is also traditional in all political history and don’t forget that the merger in Nigeria to form the APC was the first of its kind in Africa. It will come with its African challenges as well as its individual issues that have to be seen through.

I think the best thing we could do is to wait and see what happen at the next convention.

One issue that people felt was not well handled by the party after its inauguration last year is the emergence of leaders for the National Assembly. As a former Secretary of the party, what would you have done differently if you were in charge of the affairs of the party?

I will not say that anything would have been particularly handled differently. I agree with you that the issue of the National Assembly was probably not well handled; it was not handled with the same thought process like it should have so that we avoid the crisis

in the first place. I will decline to tell you if I would have handled it differently or not, given the fact that I don’t know what the particular situation was at that time. But it was obvious to everybody that it was not handled appropriately.

You talked about certain dynamics that should come into play within the party. Would you say these dynamics have come into play in the APC? From the beginning, there was this arrangement as to how we would sit down as politicians and determine how to accommodate various degrees of opinion. APC essentially came from the ACN, CPC, and ANPP and later, the new PDP. They all came with different cultures.

Every party had a culture having existed for quite some time.

Every one of them has its own culture, statutes and leadership style. For instance, in some of the parties, the constitution was not particularly similar and powers resided in different organs of the constitution. So, all these cultures has to be brought together to be able to win an election. After the election, that synthesis I mentioned earlier has to happen as some cultures have to give way, some improvements have to be made and a new APC has to be brought forward with different sets of culture, different dynamics going forward and different political perspective.

What does the party intend to achieve by reducing the number of its Board of Trustees (BoT) members?

Again, like I said, the culture has to change in terms of running the party. If you look at the volume of people in the scheduled BoT before the change, it is upwards of about 160 people. It is easier to make a decision with a smaller group of people than a larger group of people. So, if the BOT is not nimble enough to make quick decisions, then there are issues that would be hard to resolve, and on time.

So, I believe that a smaller group will be able to perform those functions better and that will be reflected in the constitution.

Many people still see APC as behaving as if they are still in the opposition, still trying to woo the people and blaming the other

You were the pioneer National Secretary of the APC. You are a member of the federal government committee on the North-east. What are the issues and the challenges and how far has the committee gone on its assignment?

Actually the committee I am a member of is the Victim Support Fund committee and the federal government is trying to create another body which is the Presidential Committee on North-east. Currently, what is happening now is that there are a lot of bodies trying to make intervention to assist in addressing the problems in the North-east. But there is no coordination and synchronisation and in the process, a lot of duplications occur. Under this committee, all the interventions and initiatives going to the North-east will be monitored and directed by the Presidential Committee which will encompass all other committees. So, when we now ask for what other people are doing, we can then channel our thoughts towards other things so that we have synergy in trying to operate the process.

INEC was praised for a job well done after the 2015 general elections. After that, people have had course to complain about the performance of the electoral body with several elections declared inconclusive and this is giving people cause for concern. What is your take?

I am also concern because we have a new lexicon in Nigeria election now which is inconclusive and that is going to be a foundation for an electoral circle as we go along. I sincerely hope that INEC will be able to correct these anomalies and make sure that elections going forward are conclusive.

Are you not worried about events leading to 2019 considering the fact that the current National Chairman of the PDP was a founding member of the APC and the kind of restructuring going on in PDP? I have no fear at all because I know the capacity of the man they have chosen to be their national chairman and I understand his pedigree and his background. I think the APC should be more worried about how the programme of the party will run better. For the PDP, I do not think they have a chance to make any impact because Nigerians understand what the PDP is all about. APC know who Ali Modu Sherrif is.

18

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

INTERVIEW

Boroffice: Why I want to Govern Ondo A governorship aspirant in the coming election in Ondo State and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, in this interview highlights the motivating factors for his decision to join the race, his preparation for the primary and possibility of coming out victorious. Jameelah Sanda brings the excerpt

S

ome people are of the opinion that the large number of aspirants on the APC platform may not be good for the party. How do you react to that?

I don’t think the large number of governorship aspirants for the coming election in Ondo State will have any negative effect on the party. The problem we had in 2012 was that the candidate chosen for us was not popular. He was not the choice of the party in the state. He emerged in a way that upset so many people and many people felt that he didn’t have the temperament of a governor and left the party.

But then, we pulled ourselves together to work for the party along the line of his aspiration. We formed various committees to handle various aspects of the campaigns and the election. This time around, I don’t think we are too much. I told my friend, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, another aspirant that he should not worry about the situation. I called it a phase in our democracy, because many of the aspirants, especially those from other parties and even those from the Diaspora, are not really targeting the governorship seat. They are only announcing their arrival on the scene.

For those of us who are very serious, I want to congratulate us because when you know the task ahead, you will salute the courage of these serious aspirants. This is a state where the process of governance has almost grounded.

Workers are being owed five month salary and there is disenchantment among the people. You will want to ask yourself, why am I going into this? It is a daunting task, but one that must be done.

During the Third Republic politics was not monetised and professionalised but now, it is unfortunate that the highest bidder takes the prize. That time, there were ideological differences; the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a little bit to the left and the National Republican Convention (NRC), a little to the right.

We knew that the SDP was a concentration of progressive politicians and the NRC was more of conservative elements. The problem of money politics was not as pronounced as it is now and also the issue of thuggery and violence was not as pronounced as we have it today.

Going for campaigns at that period, we could travel by night to any part of the state without the fear of being attacked by political hoodlums. Primaries were conducted without the fear of disruptions. But, today, whenever politicians gather, thugs from the opposite party would come and cause confusion; even rivals within the same party attack each other. It is very unfortunate.

So you think thuggery and money politics have adverse effect on the quality of leadership and governance?

The first casualties are those who genuinely want to serve, but have no money. The field is full of those who have the financial muscle to bulldoze their way. Before, we have a list of highly cerebral individuals that were committed to serving the state and the country selflessly.

But now, no matter how brilliant you are, how cerebral or how politically sagacious you are, if you don’t possess these two elements of violence and money, the road may be rough.

You must have the money and the capacity to mobilise thugs. When we talk of security now, we refer to formal security and informal security. The informal security is the retinue of thugs, but I don’t believe in it. I don’t have any thugs following me around and I don’t intend to have them. My security comprise of four policemen from the VIP Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police.

So how has politics being?

Well, when you are in politics, you cannot decide to be alone. You belong to a group and there

in the newspapers, about the conduct of past elections, a lot of underhand dealings were done. Those who have money are more likely to win elections. We are hearing how people distributed large sums of money, running into billions of naira, to influence officials. Those who don’t have money cannot do this. When I contested election in 2011, I was just coming from public service. I was close to my people because our interactions with each other have reached a certain level. I had no money and I contested against a sitting senator who is a man of means by any standard. But, I relied on my relationship with my people and I won.

This second one, I actually contested against the governor of the state who was the power behind the candidate with a lot of money and influence to throw around. But the simple message that I passed across to the people was that a senator could deliver as they witnessed in my first term in the Senate. In fact, I was the first senator in the district to return to the Senate because people wanted a repeat of what they had witnessed in our first outing.

Boroffice…willing to serve

are certain things that you may not believe in personally, but could be engaged in by your group since there are things that you have to leave for others to handle. I won’t be surprised if on a campaign outing, I see some of these things like informal security in our train. But, then, I can only insist that the informal security has to be protective only. These are some of the circumstances we find ourselves in the politics of Nigeria today.

But, we cannot because of that, leave the field, if the situation must be changed for the better. We just have to be in it and see how we can make the necessary changes. What drives my campaigns is getting the confidence of the

The idea is to put myself for assessment by the people. Let them assess me and my motives and then judge. When I contested as a senator in 2011, I had no thugs and I prayed that God should protect us from security issues that could destroy our campaigns and God answered our prayers.

And I want to pledge that if I were elected to carry the flag of my party in the election, there would be no thuggery

electorate; talk to them, get their endorsement and assurances of support.

The idea is to put myself for assessment by the people. Let them assess me and my motives and then judge. When I contested as a senator in 2011, I had no thugs and I prayed that God should protect us from security issues that could destroy our campaigns and God answered our prayers. And I want to pledge that if I were elected to carry the flag of my party in the election, there would be no thuggery.

Of course, we will appeal to the security agencies to make sure that there is peace, especially in the light of the allegation that the other side is preparing for violence. We will not join them to do that. We will rely on security agencies to create a peaceful environment for the people of this state to cast their votes.

What is the difference between a professional politician and a professional in politics?

There are some professional politicians that are very good and honest. The only thing that I noticed is that a professional in politics is likely to be more decent and disciplined than a professional politician. The professional politician is ready to say or do anything that will make him win an election. The professional in politics is more interested in the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people and leaving a legacy behind. Most professionals in politics don’t view politics as a means of livelihood. They are people that have attained a certain level of fulfillment in their chosen career and politics become a passion only because his community has pressurised him to come and serve or he is convinced that he can do things to move his people forward.

So, because of his antecedents, he would not want his integrity to be tarnished in any way. They are certainly better politicians than professional politicians who are very ambitious because they see politics as their means of livelihood. Of course, professional politicians are far more in number nowadays than professionals in politics because they have the money and the capacity to have their ways. We will be deceiving ourselves if we say our elections have been free and fair. From what we are reading

Besides these, do you have other reasons for joining the race?

My journey into politics started from the university, where I played vital roles in the selection of vice-chancellors. I was also a representative of the congregation at the University of Ibadan (UI), where I even won several elections. I held several appointive and elective positions at the university, though these were periods that I was a member of the school administration. I did not play politics as a student, but my relationship with a lot of people in politics in later years started when I was a student.

It was in the university that I met former Ondo State governor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, and another frontline politician, Dr. Olu Agunloye. Agagu and I were classmates at UI. We got admission the same year and finished the same year. While I stayed back at the university to do my PhD, Segun went abroad. When he came back, we worked together before he went into business. Olu Agunloye was a year our senior. We worked together as lecturers in the same faculty. He was in the Department of Physics, while I was in Zoology.

Later, he went to join Agagu in business with one fellow from Bayelsa. But, I remained in the university.

However, we didn’t join the wider terrain of politics at the same time. I think there are different motives and circumstances that brought us into politics. They were in it before me, but I too was playing some roles in the political field of that period. I participated in the process that produced Agagu as the deputy governor of old Ondo State in the aborted third republic.

Agunloye joined politics later when he became Special Assistant to the late Chief Bola Ige. When Ige died, he became a minister and that facilitated his going fully into politics, but I didn’t go into it until later.

I had the opportunities to enter into it fully during the Babangida era. In Ondo State, what metamorphosed into the SDP was called the New Era and I was really involved in it. That was the platform that produced Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua as the governor of old Ondo and Agagu as his deputy. At that time I was the chairman, Governing Council of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti and I was making college facilities available for our meetings.

As chairman of the Governing Council, we floated a company to generate funds for the college and we brought in some entrepreneurs to fertilise our ideas since we were academics and not grounded in business. We brought in Olumilua and Johnson Fagboyegun, the industrialist from Owo, to be members of the company and provide us with the business know-how. That was how I got involved with Olumilua.

19

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

INTERVIEW

Sidi: For Peace in Bayelsa APC, The Chairman Must Go As the crisis in the Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress lingers, a chieftain of the party in the state, Chief Godwin Sidi bares his mind to Segun James on the solution and sundry issues

T

he Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been engulfed in crisis for some time now leading to suspensions and counter suspensions, what is the situation right now?

You are right, but the problems are being looked into by the national leadership of the party. But pending the outcome of their decision, the chairman who was suspended by the state working committee of the party remains suspended, along with his deputy and the state secretary of the party. They were suspended for anti-party activities that were inimical to the growth of the party.

The chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe was a founding member of the party like you, what really led to the crisis?

The crisis began following the unbridled ambition of the state chairman to be the deputy governorship candidate of the party and was denied. Following this, he brought in thugs to attack and destroy the party secretariat. We were all shocked by the action of the chairman.

Can you imagine a situation whereby the chairman brought in thugs to destroy his own office? Yet it happened. But because of the election which was at hand, he was forgiven in order for the party to have a united and cohesive election process. But unfortunately, we never knew that from that moment, he had become a mole within the system working against the interest of the party. However, people like me and some few others knew his antecedent. He petitioned the national leadership of the party who down played our grievance and asked us to work together

Sidi…Orunimighe must go

There are reports that he was going to have meetings with Dickson at the Government House.

You know that place is a public place and when people see you they will talk. What is the chairman of APC doing in Government House at night? Think of it yourself. All these are the things levied against him.

These anti-party activities including highhandedness, abuse of office and ineptitude are what have counted against him

in the interest of the party.

Within this these problem, we forged on.

We did the election, and from indication we were sabotaged along the line as the PDP were always in the know of all our strategies and plans, yet we know not who was responsible for the leakages. But the situation became clear when he started crying again when he was refused nomination as the chief executive officer of the Millennium Development Goal programme of the federal government.

He was told that position is meant for intellectuals not just anybody. He cried that he is entitled to the position, and before long and as usual with him, he engineered another crisis. It was at this point that the state working committee of the party got to know that he had submitted the names of 50 people to the party at the national for appointment without their knowledge. The names were those of people who were never members of the party and relation.

It was this that led the working committee to suspend him along with his deputy and the state secretary. He believed that the state party leader was the one who instigated his suspension, so in a counter move, he said he has suspended the party leader, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) indefinitely.

When he found out that his action was illegal and the suspension placed on him stands, he ran to a Sagbama High Court to contest his suspension, an action which is against the party’s constitution which stipulates that all means to settle any problem within the party must be exhausted before heading for the courts. He never exhausted this means before instituting a case against the party.

What has being the reaction of the state leader, Chief Timipre Sylva in all these

since the crisis started?

He has been cool and calm but disappointed at the action of the chairman. You will recall that Sylva made Tiwei what he is today. It was him who brought him out of the creeks and made him the chairman of Southern Ijaw local government area even though he had no antecedent. After he was forced to run out Bayelsa by Governor Seriake Dickson after the removal of Sylva, it was Sylva that ensured he had a roof over his head in Abuja. Even when myself and Chief Richard Kpodo who were the leaders of the new PDP following the crisis that led five governors out of the PDP, it was Sylva that made him the chairman of the APC at the formation of the party even though most of us knew he has no capacity to lead. He is a most ungrateful person. Sylva made him, yet today, he is biting that finger that fed him.

When Sylva was called by the national leadership of the party, he debunked all allegations made against him by Tiwei. It was at that point that Sylva asked Tiwei who compiled the 50 man list from the state and if he participated in the selection process.

This was when the treasury of Tiwei became known to all.

Now that this crisis is still lingering, what is the situation in the party right now?

We are waiting for the national leadership to make their findings now. But in the meantime, the chairman remains suspended as the case is in court. At the party secretariat level, the place has been overgrown with weed since the chairman sent thugs to vandalise it. He destroyed the roof over his own head. After vandalising the place and he was retained as chairman, he couldn’t go back there as the premise was destroyed. In fact, he had

been operating from his own house after destroying the secretariat.

But you alleged that the chairman was working for the PDP and Governor Dickson; do you have proof to this?

Well, what do you think of a situation in which the chairman’s brother won a case against the PDP candidate who happens to be the Speaker of the state House of Assembly and a rerun was called only for the party chairman to work against is own brother? What do you make of that? It is very clear that he worked for the PDP against the APC after he was not made the governorship running mate

by Sylva. After all, there are reports that he was going to have meetings with Dickson at the Government House. You know that place is a public place and when people see you they will talk. What is the chairman of APC doing in Government House at night?

Think of it yourself. All these are the things levied against him. These anti-party activities including highhandedness, abuse of office and ineptitude are what have counted against him.

What is the way forward for the party?

The way forward is for the national leadership to uphold the suspension of Tiwei. His activities have polarised the party and ay attempt to bring him back will lead to fractionalisation of the party. Nobody is ready to work with him again. He is unduly arrogant and proud. He treats members without respect. On several occasions, he had singlehandedly remove party leaders at ward level and replace them without due process. He cannot come back as party chairman. My stand on this case is that he bitten the bullet when he said he suspended the party leader. Based on that, Tiwei will never come back as chairman.

20

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

The Man Who Altered Destiny Kasie Abone reports that Dr. Poly Emenike’s life is a study in doggedness, determination and a shining example of the triumph of the human spirit

L

ooking at the lineup of stellar men and women of power, affluence and influence who graced his 60th birthday anniversary, his first ever, one would assume albeit wrongly that his path to greatness and success was paved in gold.

Leading the endless list of men of timber and influence at that august occasion were former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Anambra State governor, Chief Peter Obi, Prof. Pat Utomi of Pan Atlantic University, Coscharis Group Chairman, Dr. Cosmos Maduka, Senator Andy Uba, former Diamond Bank Group Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, former NAFDAC DG, Dr. Paul Orhii, Catholic Bishop of Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Executive Chairman of Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Obiorah Chukwuma, traditional ruler of Umiaghwa Abraka Kingdom, His Royal Majesty AVM Lucky Ochuko Ararile (rtd), former Union Bank General Manager, Sir GRE Ozulumba and countless others.

The presence of these men belied his real life trajectory which was littered with legion of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to a bright and fulfilling future. With very poor parents and an able but unwilling uncle to cater for his education the young Emenike stubbornly refused to be dogged by his immediate environment and circumstances in his sleepy village of Nanka, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He travelled through the value of shadows of difficulties breaking barriers of education, lack and want and shot himself into a life of immense wealth and comfort, a life of power and affluence, a life worthy of celebration.

And the accolades came in torrents. In his birthday wish to the celebrant, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, quoting from Genesis 6:3 said Emenike should not be in a hurry to leave this planet having worked so hard to become a shining example to humanity but should hang on for another 60 years to claim God’s promise that man should live for 120 years.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, described him as “a very extra ordinary person who at 60 years is packed full of successes, challenges and a rich life of what God has done.” He went on to say that he was successful because he lived his business life according to the principles espoused by Napoleon Hills in his books. “He grew his business from a meager N300 (three hundred Naira) to a multi-billion conglomerate with a world class Ota (Ogun State) factory. With only Standard Six certificate he progressed even after getting married and having children to first degree, Masters and now PHD.” For Prof. Pat Utomi, said Poly is a living proof that “the beauty of a man is not only in his pocket but in the brain too.

“His life is a book to many young people, that you can overcome challenges. We celebrate today the triumph of human spirit in the life that Poly has lived. Luck only smiles on the prepared; the human spirit triumphed because Poly had a plan. He had vision, and he began with the end in mind. He gave the world an example of the triumph of human spirit.”

Senator Andy Uba said Emenike stood out as a beacon of hope, a reward for selfrealisation and actualisation and a testament to the glory of God Almighty. “As we launch another of your books to commemorate your 60th birthday I wish that you never have writers block, that you increase from strength to strength, that the fire that burns within your guts to achieve what you have achieved never dims, that you find a willing hand to receive the baton of succession when you are ready to pass it on, that the joy and laughter spread by your philanthropy come back to you many fold and that you live many more years in good health and happiness

Emenike (middle) cutting his 60th birthday cake with his children

“Wouldn’t have had a chance at success but has risen to become not only a PHD scholar, a renowned pharmacist, a successful businessman, a well-read author and a philanthropist, for me that is the greatest of all. In a country where people constantly say that children are looking for role models and reward for hard work has become a thing of the past, that striving for excellence through commitment and hard work is no longer an ambition for many, he stands out as a resurrection of the age long values which made us a strong people.”

These outpouring of testimonies were clear indications that Emenike saw beyond these seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He didn't just visualise them, he took positive steps to achieve his heart desires. This obsessed madness took his adorable wife to find spiritual solution to her husband's incurable madness, a step that was later to take her life in tragic but unresolved circumstances in the same church in the hands of supposed men of God. Undaunted Emenike pursued his dream. And today, the unassuming, hugely kind-hearted and peace loving Emenike has indeed separated himself from the dregs of society where he came from to a life of power affluence and comfort.

Who is Dr. Poly Emenike?

Born at the rural sleepy town of Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Poly as he is fondly called grew up looking beyond his immediate environment to the other side of the track of life what with poverty stirring him daily on his face. He realised early on that life on the other side held better and richer promises with people there having more resources and living a happier healthier life, if only he could acquire the key to such life, education, having come face to face with opulence at his village as a child. He recalled this encounter in his first book, ‘The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Through the Seventeen Principles of Napoleon Hills’. Though he desired to acquire education, the sure route out of poverty, he couldn’t join his mates to proceed to secondary school even after passing his common entrance examination.

With very poor parents who could ill afford his education and a lawyer uncle who though able but unwilling to foot his bills, young Emenike was to depart with this uncle to Onitsha in 1972 where he served as domestic hand and an office boy in his uncle’s, Barr. Humphrey Ezeoka’s, law firm

where he was paid stipend which his uncle undertook to save for him. With the return of his wife and daughter from UK, he was relieved of cooking but a new assignment of sales boy for his uncle’s wife. He worked at his uncle’s law firm in the morning and sold wares for his wife at Recreation Club Onitsha in the evenings.

Not happy with his new roles, Emenike confronted his uncle about his continued stay without going to school. Seeing his friends in school uniform was a constant reminder of that missing link in his life.

Restless and uncomfortable, his elder brother was to find him a new role in 1973 as an apprentice in a woolen shop in Benin City, an arrangement that was short-lived. He however returned to his uncle’s house in Onitsha. In June of 1974 he resettled for another apprenticeship in shoe business.

A year after with N300 being his earnings while working in his uncles firm, he started his own business dealing on foot wears. An entrepreneur was born.

Emenike was soon to realise that this new entrepreneurship would not earn him the desired life of comfort and affluence, the type he experienced with his suppliers in Lagos.

And through providence, he encountered the book ‘Success Through Mental Attitude’

by Napoleon Hill and W. Clemens Stone in 1978 and in 1980 he bought and read another book ‘Think And Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. The two books reinforced his resolve to quit shoe business and go into international business (importation).

By age 23, Emenike pioneered import business in his Nanka community, a feat that earned him huge respect and admiration not only from youths who looked up to him as a shining example but also his entire community. Traversing countries like Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, India, Basil, Thailand, Angola, Ghana, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Indonesia among many other countries dealing on pharmaceuticals, fast moving consumer goods, tyres among others.

With these international network of businesses came tremendous successes and huge challenges. But determined to make a difference and impact his generation positively, Emenike through rugged determination, hard work and can do spirit and a strong fate in God trudged on undeterred by any setback, and they were legion. Each of these failures or setbacks were lessons that spur him on to higher heights.

Today, Emenike has grown the N300 (three

hundred Naira) business into a multi-billion Naira venture with a world class ultra-modern pharmaceutical factory at Ota, Ogun State to manufacture some of these international brands locally. His company, Neros Pharma, markets over 150 NAFDAC approved high quality pharmaceutical brands. In addition, Poly has also set up other businesses including Poly Humpson West Africa Ltd (FMCGs), PHIC Ltd (Real Estate), Entrepreneurial Spirits Publishing Ltd (Publishing), Poly Emenike Foundation (Philanthropy).

Eminent Scholar One of the lessons Emenike took away from his encounter with Napoleon Hill’s book was “What the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.” With this lesson Emenike dusted up his books and went back to school with his mindset on obtaining a Ph.D. He confessed this much in his first publication ‘Entrepreneurial Spirits: Through the Seventeen Success Principles of Napoleon Hill’. He wrote in part “at the time it looked I would end up with only primary school educational qualification I was inspired to further my educational pursuit owing to the enormous inspirations I drew from reading Dr. Hills writings.” In 1987, at age 32, married with two children and a growing business, Emenike whose unquenchable desire to acquire education to enhance his business pursuit enrolled at Ansaar-Ur-Deen Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos. With a success in WAEC, Emenike went ahead to gain an admission into University of Lagos where he studied Business Administration graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1999, Emenike went on to obtain a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing in the same university. In 2009, he began his final journey to achieve his ultimate academic goal. He gained admission into International School of Management (ISM), Paris, France, where he studied International Business Management. The programme course work took him through many campuses of the school in New York, USA and Tokyo, Japan. And so in 2014 after his thesis was approved Emenike’s dream of becoming a Ph.D became a reality.

Besides these degrees, Emenike has also acquired professional certificates in the course of time at Pan African University (Lagos Business School) and Harvard University, USA. Continued on next page

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• T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Nigerian Vandals and an American Example Ikeogu Oke

W

ho does not know Theodore Kaczynski, that mix of genius, anarchist and sociopath who once terrorised America? A mathematical prodigy and Harvard graduate who earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Michigan and became an Assistant Professor at the University of Berkeley in 1967, at age 25, he later became disaffected with America, his country, and with modern technology.

Suffice it to summarise his subsequent activities with these quotes from Wikipedia: “In 1971, he moved to a remote cabin without electricity or running water, in Lincoln, Montana, where he lived as a recluse while learning survival skills in an attempt to become self-sufficient.” And: “Between 1978 and 1995, Kaczynski engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign against people involved with modern technology, planting or mailing numerous homemade bombs, ultimately killing a total of three people and injuring 23 others. He is also known for his wide-ranging social critiques, which opposed industrialisation and modern technology while advancing a nature-cantered form of anarchism.”

His bombs were dispatched specifically to universities and airports across the United States, prompting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to use the coinage “UNABOM” (which stands for University and Airline Bomber) to identify his case before his identity was known. The press later modified the coinage to Unabomber.

However, what makes Kaczynski’s case most relevant to what I refer to as an American example in the title of this piece is how he was eventually identified before his trial and imprisonment for life, which saved his country from the threat he posed as a domestic terrorist. It was his brother, David Kaczynski, who revealed his identity to the FBI with his wife’s encouragement, having identified his writing style in a 35,000-word essay entitled “Industrial Society and Its Future,” which the FBI abbreviated to "Unabomber Manifesto,” whose publication in a major newspaper of journal, preferably the New York Times, he gave as a condition for him to “desist from terrorism.”

By that extraordinary gesture, the brother placed the love of country and the safety of other human beings above the bond of blood, and saved America from a terrorist threat to its security, economy and educational system, and to its values as a country that believes in modern technology, whose embrace and cultivation partly accounts for its greatness as a nation.

Now, there is a parallel – which I note here in passing – between the motivation of Kaczynski’s terrorist acts and that of Nigeria’s Boko Haram. For Kaczynski it is hatred for modern technology while it is hatred for

Niger Delta militants

western education for Boko Haram, which makes both anti-knowledge and explains why their terrorist acts partly targeted educational institutions like schools and universities.

Also – and more relevant to this piece – there is a parallel between the impact of Kaczynski’s terrorist attacks and the type of attacks being executed by vandals who bomb gas and oil pipelines in Nigeria.

For while Kaczynski’s attacks on airports undermined America's aviation business and by implication its economy, those by the Nigerian vandals achieve the same purpose in Nigeria by undermining power generation and the production of oil which are critical to the economy.

However, there is a notable difference in the attitude of the average American and his Nigerian counterpart to fighting terror as reflected in the gesture by Kaczynski’s brother and his wife and the response of some Nigerians to the recent remark by Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Muhammadu Buhari, that Nigerians complaining about poor electricity should hold the vandals responsible. Some Nigerians criticised him for the remark, insisting that it is government’s responsibility to fish out and deal with the vandals and not the citizens’. Indeed, the Unabomber might have remained elusive like the Nigerian vandals if some American patriots did not choose to fulfil their moral obligation to protect their country and his potential victims by revealing his identity to the authorities.

Mr. Adesina’s remark may have been tactless, the result of his frustration with

the citizens’ apathy in what should be a joint effort with the government in tackling the vandals whose activities threaten the entire nation. But it made sense as a disguised clarion call – which I consider it to be – to Nigerians to assist the government by revealing the identity of the vandals who apparently are not unknown to them.

Incidentally, what we have witnessed in Nigeria in the last decade or so is the unwitting implementation of a self-destructive credo: “If there is no crisis, create one.” And so the citizens of the country have during that period created – and generated crisis through – the O’odua People Congress (OPC), the Arewa Congress, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND); and through their other creations like the Niger Delta Militants, Boko Haram, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Shiite Muslims, Fulani Herdsmen, and the Niger Delta Avengers. And due to the activities of these groups, it has failed to lift the boulder of stagnation off its shoulders, like a country doomed to engage in Sisyphean toil.

In the said period, for instance, the violent activities of the Niger Delta Militants, especially kidnappings of expatriates for ransom and vandalisation of oil installations, so severely threatened the country’s oil-dependent economy that the then President Umaru Yar’Adua established the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with an amnesty programme to pacify and rehabilitate the militants.

Later, Boko Haram destroyed large swathes

of the country’s north-eastern states, killing thousands and precipitating a huge humanitarian crisis in the form of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Subsequently, a bill for the establishment of a Northeast Development Commission is being debated at the National Assembly, as the Buhari government is said to be considering granting amnesty to the repentant culprits, together with a rehabilitation programme as in the case of the Niger Delta Militants.

From the south-east, IPOB is threatening secession, raising tension through encounters with security forces that have reportedly left scores of their members dead, with President Buhari vowing in the face of such threat to do “everything possible” to keep Nigeria united.

And as the country battles this crisis, people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen – who the government has described as foreigners, even without making an arrest – launched attacks in Benue and Enugu states, killing hundreds and instigating ethnic tension.

This crisis-generating process seems to have turned full cycle with the recent bombing of gas pipelines by the Niger Delta Avengers, threatening the country’s economy and power supply. And Nigerians should realise from the example of Kaczynski’s brother – and need I mention the courier who revealed Osama bin Laden’s hideout to the American authorities? – that governments usually combat such threats posed by the vandals most effectively with the help of citizens willing to volunteer information regarding the culprits.

Oke, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja Email: ikeogu.oke@gmail.com

THE MAN WHO ALTERED DESTINY International Author Soon after completion of his Ph.D, Emenike plunged himself into documenting his life’s experiences especially his practical experiences with Napoleon Hill’s writings into books to educate others on practical steps to achieve success. His first effort ‘Entrepreneurial Spirits: Through the Seventeen Success Principles of Napoleon Hill’ was launched to a stellar audience in Lagos in 2014. The book, published by Napoleon Hill Foundation is now on sale to international audience and has become a handbook to success across the world in a record time. He went ahead to publish two other books; ‘The Benefits of Adventure’ and ‘How To Alter Your Destiny to The Direction You Want’ which were launched on his birthday. Emenike’s books which have gained international acclaim, is being read in over 50 countries currently with the first two already translated into Spanish, French and Portuguese. It is also worthy of

note that an international Coffee marketing company, Organo Gold use his books as part of studying material for their members.

Philanthropist Par Excellence As an ardent follower of Napoleon Hill’s principles, Emenike’s act of charity is unprecedented. “The core objectives of his charitable works are to build capacities, empower people, alleviate poverty, strengthen institutions and generally to improve quality of life.” Several institutions, communities, organisations and individuals who have benefitted from his humanitarian gesture include University Of Lagos, where he instituted endowment to reward academic excellence in 10 professional disciplines; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, where he also instituted endowment to reward academic excellence in four departments under Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty as well as provided internet services to its Agulu campus; financially supported the establishment of Wellspring

University, Benin City; sponsors football championship in Anambra State and his home town, Nanka where he built 10, 000 capacity stadium for youths development; offering of scholarships to indigent students, empowerment and mentorship programmes for Nanka, distribution of over 50, 000 free copies of his books to schools, donated plots of land in Lagos to Nanka community for civic development among many other good works.

In recognition of these outstanding acts of charity, Dr. Poly Emenike was decorated with Napoleon Hill Foundation Humanitarian Gold Medal and Plaque in Wise, USA in 2012 making history as the first person outside USA and the fourth person to be so honoured.

He is also an honorary member of Board of Trustees of Napoleon Hill Foundation, representative of the foundation in the whole of Africa, sole licensee for publication, marketing and distribution of Napoleon Hill Foundation books in African certified

instructor of Napoleon Hill Success Principles all over the world as well as collaborates with international authors affiliated with Napoleon Hill.

A Prophet Honoured At Home Back home, Emenike has also received a lot of accolades as a distinguished citizen of Nigeria and illustrious son of Nanka. In 2011, Emenike was honoured by former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan with a national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Back home at Nanka, Emenike holds the distinguished title of Odenigbo Nanka in recognition of his efforts untiring efforts at development of his community. Emenike did not just succeed in business, as a family man he was a huge success. After the loss of his wife, Emenike single handedly raised his five children to become very responsible and successful in their own rights. As a lover man that he was, he has remained single but not searching long after the death of his loving wife.

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IMAGES

L-R; President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun; Second Vice President of the Institute, Dr. Uche Olowu; the Registrar, Mr. Seye Awojobi; Divisional Head, Human Resources and Strategy of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ltd, Mrs. Felicia Obozuwa and Head, Training Academy of FCMB, Mrs. Nana Odejayi, during the CIBNís presentation of accreditation certificate to FCMBís Training Academy in Lagos recently

L-R: Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, Charles Robertson; His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and Chief Executive Officer (Nigeria), Renaissance Capital, Temitope Popoola, at the Renaissance Capitalís 7th annual Pan-Africa investors forum in Lagos recently

L- R: Head, Corporate Services Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Bola Adeeko;Musician, Seyi Shay and Burna Boy and Head, Corporate Communications, NSE, Olumide Orojimi, at the 2016 NSE Corporate Challenge Closing Gong Ceremony in Lagos recently

L-R: Newly elected Public relations Officer, Lagos PDP, Mr. Taofeek Gani; former National Secretary, Dr. Remi Akintoye; former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; New Chairman, Hon Moshood Adegoke Salvador, and the former Chairman, Navy Capt Olatunji Shelle, during the Lagos PDP Congress, at the party state secretariat, Ikeja Lagos recently

T H I S D AY • THUSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R; Executive Secretary, Ilupeju- Odiolowo LCDA, Hon. Olushola Rasaq Ajala; Managing Director/CEO, Custodian and Allied Plc. Mr. Wole Oshin; and Special adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, at the Re-opening of the refurbished Ilupeju public Library by Lagos State Library Board in partnership with Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, in Lagos recently. SUNDAY

L-R: Operations Manager, Forex Rally, Nigeria, Kolawole Okeowo; Head of Education and Research, Forex Rally, Razman Mihai; winner of the Toyota vehicle, Henry Williams; CEO,Headquarters, Artem Trofymenko; and General Manager, Nigeria, Michael Akinwale,at the Forex Rally, an online forex brokerís presentation of a Toyota Hilux vehicle to the winner of its trading competitions which was launched in

L-R: Deputy President, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi; Founder, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Faseun; and Lagos State Chairman, Unity Party of Nigeria, (UPN), Alhaji Koleosho Taofeek, during the press briefing on the prevailing economic hardship in the country... recently Yomi Akinyele

L-R: Federal Mines Officer, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mines Inspectorate Department, Lagos Office, Akanji Nathaniel; President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief (Dr.) Nike Akande; Chairman, Mining and Solid Minerals and Allied Services Group, LCCI, Babatunde Bamidele; and Director-General, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, during the Inaugural meeting of members of Mining, Solid Minerals and Allied Service sub Group of LCCI in Lagos

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

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COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Agrobusiness, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Nigeria Limited, Mr. Sumit Jain; Executive Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Kola Ayeye; Group Managing Director, TGI Group, Mr. Rahul Savara; Executive Farming and Agrobusiness, TGI Group, Mr. Raheev Singh and Head, Manufacturing and Agric Department, AMCON, Mr. Najib Suleman when the management of TGI Group paid a business visit of AMCON in Lagos…recently

Global Software Piracy Rate Still High, Says Microsoft Boss Stories by Emma Okonji Microsoft International President, Jean-Phillipe Courtois, has said that the global piracy rate on software, including Microsoft products, has remained high, even though most software companies have successfully devised new means by shifting to Cloud-as-a-Service.

Courtois made the disclosure in Lagos during his recent visit to Nigeria. He said: “There is a big paradigm shift to cloud-as-a-service, and Microsoft had since moved its applications to the cloud, which has made it a more difficult task for anyone to pirate Microsoft apps and other software products.

We have grown a lot of our customers in the cloud and we have developed anti-piracy

ICT measures to protect them while in the cloud.”

According to Business Software Alliance (BSA), the global software piracy is on the increase. It rose to 42 per cent in 2011, with a commercial value of $63.4, up from $58.8 billion in 2010.

Another study carried out

by BSA in 2014, showed an increase in global software piracy to 43 per cent, which valued at $66.7 billion.

Findings from the study showed that software installed on personal computers around the world in 2013 and 2014, was not properly licensed.

The global rate at which PC software was installed without proper licensing rose from 42 per cent in 2011 to 43 per cent in 2013 and 2014.

Surveys of Information Technology (IT) managers indicate that only 35 per cent of companies have written policies requiring them to use properly licensed software.

There is a significant awareness gap between workers and IT managers when it comes to software policies in enterprises, as workers are less likely than IT managers to say there is a formal policy in place, the BSA report said.

The report however blamed increasing piracy rate on poverty and inequality across Africa.

Addressing the issue of security in business transactions, Courtois said Microsoft takes security very seriously and has developed extensive set of solutions that enable customers using Microsoft apps on mobile devices, as well as the

Microsoft enterprise mobility service for banking services, to proactively monitor and detect malware threats while carrying out any online banking services.

According to him, the solutions detect malicious attacks before they occur and send signals to the chief security officer of the bank.

So we are keen at developing infrastructure that will protect any form of online transaction, Courtois said.

Giving future insight into Microsoft’s strategy for Africa, Courtois said the three key priorities, which Microsoft held for Africa in the last few years, remain the same, which is about Skills, Access and Innovations. Skills, he said, is about training more Continued on page 24

FG Moves to Deepen ICT Skills for Economic Growth The Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to develop local competences, capacities and skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), necessary to support economic growth and businesses through creative innovations for better service delivery.

The move, according to the government, would help reduce the dearth of skilled ICT personnel in the country, with a view to developing a pool of experienced ICT persons that would be capable of developing technology solutions that would address the challenges of the country.

ECONOMY Determined to achieve the goal, NITDA has commenced the training of 100 university graduates from various disciplines in ICT skills, through its Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) for the South-west geopolitical zone, with plans to expand the scheme to the other five geopolitical zones of the country.

The plan was to train 600 graduates in core ICT areas like Software Programming, Web Design, Hardware Trouble-shooting, among others, in the pilot phase of the scheme, before extending it into a yearly training programme.

Pleased with the initiative, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who was a special guest of honour at the official launch of the NITDA-GIS empowerment programme, urged the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the unique opportunities that the platform presents, to demonstrate their ability to challenge conventional wisdom through ICT applications According to him, “ICT capacity building is one of the strategic pillars of the ICT roadmap,,which the ministry with her parastatals, is currently developing. He said the programme would empower Nigerian youths to become self sufficient and at the same time, have the prerequisite job

experience as may be required by employers of labour.

“The strategic pillar of the ICT roadmap is aimed at developing a smart globally competitive workforce that will eventually become major players in the smart digital Nigeria project,” Shittu said.

The acting Director General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji said the present challenge in the country, emanating from the over-dependency on oil produce by past governments, compelled NITDA to come up with the initiative of GIS, in order to diversify the Nigerian economy. He said out of the population of 160 Nigerians, 70 per cent are youths and Continued on page 24

Airtel Nigeria has announced a review of its data tariff plans in a strategic move to offer more value to customers. Under the new data plans, customers can now enjoy up to 30MB with just N100, and 7GB at just N3,500 for a 30 day period. According to the company, customers can activate the new tariff plan by dialling *141# With the review, telecoms consumers will be further empowered to connect to their dreams as well as fulfil their professional and personal endeavours at an amazingly discounted rate.

Speaking on the revised data plans, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmed Mokhles, said the data offering was designed specifically to cater to the needs as well as empower the different segments of mobile Internet consumers.

He said Airtel Nigeria has a key objective of delivering innovative, bespoke and quality data offerings to telecoms consumers in line with its commitment to empowering more Nigerians to succeed professionally and personally.

The new data plans come in six variants. Customers who subscribe to the N100 Daily Plan will now get 30MB instantly, unlike the previous plan, which offers of 20MB, while those on the Easy Plan of N500 will now enjoy 750MB valid for 14 days rather than the previous data value of 250MB. Also, the megabyte offer on other bundle plans such as the Android bundle plans have also been increased accordingly as customers will now get 7GB of data bundle for N3,500; 1.5GB for N1,000; 3GB for N2,000 and N2,500 for 5GB, respectively.

ITU to Empower People with Disabilities The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Belarus will be implementing a project to improve the internet literacy of people with disabilities.

Belarusian Communications and InformationTechnology Minister, Sergei Popkov said during a press conference hosted by the BelTA website recently that “Belarus will actively cooperate with ITU to implement the project.

One of our agreements is to implement a project to ensure equal access to the internet for people with disabilities and improve their digital literacy. “The project will be carried out by Belarusian State Academy of Telecommunications,” Popkov s said.

Besides, Belarus has plans to take part in a number of international events organised by ITU this year. For instance, the country will participate in an international expo on broadband internet access to be held in Thailand.

African Brand Congress Holds

The Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria (IBMN) has announced plan to hold this year’s edition of African Brand Congress (ABC) and African Brand Leadership (ABL) merit award tomorrow.

According to a statement signed by a fellow of the institute, Mr. Desmond Esorougwe, the event which will hold at Sheraton Hotel and Suits, Lagos, is aimed at celebrating leadership, Innovations and creatively in Africa. It will also showcase the brilliant minds and institute that are delivering positive change and shaping Africa’s future.

He said the event will honor CEO, brands, product and service as well as public officer that have excelled and demonstrated uncommon initiative in the African economy.

The African Brand Congress, which is an annual fiesta is being organised in collaboration with the African Institute for Brand Management (AFRIBM). “It is meant to stimulate, motivate and excite the creative lobe of your brain using the same kind of thinking and exercise that we use in our workshop. The Congress is designed to educate, engaged and inspire brand building and value creation. It is an appropriate platform for all brand owner and industry player to discuss how brand in Africa can increase their Global competitiveness,” he said.

In Nigeria, we have a lot of tech wizards who are startups and are eager to hit the ground running” Managing Director, Hewlett Packard (HP) Nigeria, Ify Afe

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BUSINESSWORLD GLOBAL SOFTWARE PIRACY RATE STILL HIGH, SAYS MICROSOFT BOSS youths in Africa to enable them become innovative.

Microsoft has trained over 1.6 million people in technology skills and we know we can still train more to get more youths to understand technology and use it as enabler for job creation, he said.

Innovation, he explained, is the key to Africa, where the challenges are high.

He said there was need for African entrepreneurs to become innovative, so as to come up with creative solutions in eCommerce models for financial services and other business services that could address the challenges of the general masses, even in remote areas.

Furthermore, he said that access is also key because connectivity is still an issue for many people in Africa.

“We need to get them connected to the rest of the world and those that are connected also need connectivity to get connected to others,” Courtois said.

He added that Microsoft has reached $10 billion investment and that it plans doubling it to $20 billion in the next two years.

FG MOVES TO DEEPEN ICT SKILLS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH 60 per cent of the youths are unemployed, a situation, he said, posses serious danger for the Nigerian economy.

Olatunji explained that should Nigerian youths acquire the requisite ICT training, it would not only reduce unemployment rate, but would also enable the youths to become self-reliant and employers of labour.

The former President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. Chris Uwaje, said software remained the key to unlock future potentials. He therefore called on Nigerian technology startups to form coalition that would make them stronger and big in the software industry.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Maritime Editor

John Iwori

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Linda Eroke (Labour) Eromosele Abiodun (Cap Mkt) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (AgricBusiness)

NEWS

Economic Volatility Doesn’t Connote Negativity, Says AigImoukhuede Raheem Akingbolu President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, has called on the business community in Nigeria to look at the brighter side of the current economic realities in Nigeria, arguing that volatility does not connote negativity in the strictest sense and that it holds out as the best time for bold, discerning leaders to identify potential opportunities and key into it.

Speaking as the Keynote speaker at the 2016 edition of Brandzone’s Brand Innovation summit, held recently in Lagos, Aig- Imoukhuede provided key elements imperative for growth in a receding economy.

According to him, “to do the right thing, demands vision as well as the ability to leverage your resources. It means identifying the growth priorities and focusing on those that most crucial is part of the answer.”

The summit was attended by chief executive officers, directors and brand managers from diverse professional backgrounds, who gathered as participants to brainstorm on this year’s theme; Branding In A Volatile Economy. With provision of the needed nuggets for business owners to creatively keep their businesses growing even in periods of uncertainty, the event drawn participants from broad based industries, which includes; fast moving consumer goods, banking, manufacturing and service industry.

He also identified technological innovation as a key ingredient to surviving under a volatile economy and that one good side of volatility is that it portends a moment for reflection

and deep thinking on where and how things went wrong vis-à-vis fashioning a new course of action for business owners and brand managers.

Speaking further, the NSE boss identified human capital as another critical success factor in a difficult economic time, urging business owners to take human resource capital as a strategic tool needed to win the war during the period of economic slump.

He also spoke about the need for brand owners and managers to be disciplined in their finances and coherent in their finances.

“They must show consistency and purposefulness. Discerning

corporations, business owners and brand manager must see volatile times as time to explore new frontiers in business, aspire to do new things and consolidate on the existing ones.

The resultant effect of this is that it would always keep brand managers and corporations ahead of competition and give them a large share of the marketplace thereby putting them at leadership positions.”, he said.

The convener of the summit and the Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting LLC, Chizor Malize, said to succeed and sustain brand equity during this volatile economic period, business owners should be more

creative in their branding approach to enhance competitive advantage. She said in her opening remark that since the marginal propensity to consume and the disposable income of consumer is shrinking due to the prevalent uncertainties, consumer have become more discerning and selective in their consumption habits owing to the lull in the economy.

She said the development will affect sales and further weaken corporations overall performance.

According to Malize, it now behoves the practitioners and brand owners to innovatively and strategically connect their brands with the consumer

minds to remain relevant and ensure continuity in patronage, growth and profitability.

“As the nation grapples with the impact of dwindling oil fortunes, devalued currency and weakened economy, there is no better time to become more creative with brands and branding for quality, competitiveness and growth,” Malize said.

Welcoming participants at the summit, she said the summit was borne out of the need to provide insight and solutions for brand managers as well as equipping them to keep their businesses and brands at leadership position even in a stifling economy as is currently faced.

PRESENTING FACTS AND FIGURES

L-R: Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company, Akeem Ogunniran; Group Managing Director, Larry Ettah and Company Secretary, Abimbola Samuel, at the Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos...recently YOMI AKINYELE

NAFDAC Breaks Fake Alcoholic Beverages ITF to Commence 5th Phase of Industrial Skills Devt Production Syndicate Begins mobile workshop for IDPs Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The National agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it has smashed a criminal ring inside Mile 3 Ultra-Modern Market, Port Harcourt who specialised in illicit production of different brands of fake alcoholic beverages.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Public Relations Officer, NAFDAC, South-South Zone, Cyril Monye, said the drinks, which were being produced in five lock-up shops on the first floor of the market were done in crude and very unhygienic manner.

Gallons of liquid substances suspected to be ethanol and colourants were found all over the stores, he said.

According to him, “The ethanol were being mixed with colourants and used to fill used bottles of different brands of fast-selling foreign and locally made alcoholic beverages such as Chelsea dry gin, Lords dry gin, Seaman’s aromatic

schnapps, Gordon’s dry gin, Elliot, Royal Challenge, Royal Circle, McDowell’s, Squadron dark rum, 501, Jonnie Walker, Grand Master’s, Three Barrels, Red Label, Black Label, Hennessy etc and sold to unsuspecting members of the public.”

He said the five stores were evacuated and hundreds of empty bottles of alcoholic drinks, labels, cocks, packaging materials/cartons, more than fifty bottles of finished Chelsea dry gin and few other finished products were taken to NAFDAC office at Federal Secretariat, Port Harcourt.

Other items evacuated to NAFDAC office, according to him, include: 15 gallons; with some containing liquid substances suspected to be ethanol, 10 empty drums, plastic basins, pallets, colourants, glues, a set generator etc.

NAFDAC coordinator in Rivers state, Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe, according to the statement, said “The clandestine activities of the counterfeiters were discovered after a tip-off from a good Nigerian and when NAFDAC got to the

market the stores were under lock and keys but were later forced open.

“The stores where these illicit alcoholic drinks were being produced are located in a very filthy and unhygienic environment in an isolated end of the market.”

She however, said that NAFDAC could not apprehend the syndicate behind the criminal act as they failed to show up while the leadership of the market claimed to be unaware of their activities adding that investigations were still on-going with the leadership of the market to track down the fakers.

The chairman of Mile 3 Market Association, Elder Nwachukwu Okanu, condemned “the surreptitious manner the counterfeiters invaded the market with their criminal activities and pledged their corporation with NAFDAC in weeding out bad eggs in their midst”, calling on would-be counterfeiters to embrace lawful means of livelihood as the market authority would not protect any person involved in illegality.

James Emejo in Abuja The acting Director General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr. Dickson Chinedum has said arrangements had reached advanced stages for the roll out of the fifth phase of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) in 13 states of the federation.

The NISDP is the hard skills component of the NIGERIA Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprises Development Programme (NEDEP)-and was intended to bridge the huge industrial skills gaps in the country.

He said the programme, which commenced three years ago had trained over 74,000 youths in all the states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking in Abuja during an interactive session with members of the commerce and industry correspondents (CICAN) to give update on the agency’s interventions, he also said plans were being concluded to commence the

mobile training workshop for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country.

According to Chinedum, the fifth phase of the NISDP, which is the first of the three phases to be implemented in 2016, will provide training to youths in Abia, Anambra, Adamawa, Borno, Plateau, Delta, Sokoto, Kwara, Ogun, Katsina, Cross River, Lagos, and Kaduna.

He said the youths would be equipped with skills in 38 trade and craft areas including welding and fabrication, domestic electrical wiring, autotronics, ICT, tiling, garment making, fish farming, plaster of paris(POP) production and confectionery production among others.

He also disclosed that in line the federal government’s initiative on the local manufacturing of auto parts in the country, the ITF has commenced discussions with the National Automative Council to establish the National Automative Parts Manufacturing and Training Centers in Badagry, Aba and Kano states.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

As Telecos Risk More Sanctions over Unsolicited Texts The Nigerian Communications Commission has again threatened to fine telecoms operators over the incessant broadcast of unsolicited text messages. Emma Okonji writes that it is in the best interest of the operators to stop them, given their unpleasant experience from previous fines The imposition of fines on telecoms operators by the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has not been palatable to the operators since the history of telecommunications in Nigeria.

Although the regulator sees it as a good measure to correct the excesses of operators, especially when directives are given, but the operators see it as punitive measure that is unnecessary and capable of generating friction between the regulator and the operators.

Penultimate week, NCC wrote 13 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), over abuse of the use of unsolicited text messages that they broadcast to virtually every telecoms subscriber, and warned that it would penalise them if they do no put an end to it.

In the letter, NCC frowned on the situation where operators continuously broadcast unsolicited text messages to subscribers and still charge them for every text message delivered on their mobile phones and other devices, even when the subscribers do not need such messages.

Based on the incessant broadcast of unsolicited SMS, the NCC therefore threatened to fine the MNOs N5 million each and a further fine of N500,000.00 per day for as long as the contravention persists.

Going down the memory lane in the history of telecoms operations in Nigeria, fines have not meaningfully addressed the challenges in the telecoms sector, yet the NCC considers this measure as the last resort to checkmate the wrong doings of operators.

In October 2015, the NCC slammed a whopping N1.04 trillion fine on MTN Nigeria for its failure to disconnect 5.2 million improperly registered lines within the prescribed deadline.

Seven months after the fine was imposed, MTN continues to maintain that it will go out of business, should NCC compels it to pay the fine, insisting that it does not have the financial capabilities to comply.

The situation compelled MTN to challenge the powers of NCC at a law court, but later withdrew the case to enable it continue negotiations with the regulator and the federal government over the fine. Although MTN paid N50 billion as part payment, shortly after withdrawing the case from court in February this year, following the reduction of the fine by 25 per cent, from N1.04 trillion to N780 billion, the NCC and the federal government are still insisting that MTN pays the reduced fine of N780 billion.

The current situation is such that the NCC, the federal government and MTN are all still looking for the best way to resolve the matter.

The situation, no doubt, has become a big test to the powers of NCC in regulating the telecoms industry.

Now that another fine looms, NCC must be careful in making another pronouncement relating to fine. Also, the operators on the other hand, must do everything possible to meet up with their obligations in order to avert another fine.

The fresh fine Inundated with complaints from telecoms subscribers over the rising trend of unsolicited Short Message Service (SMS), otherwise known as text messages that are transmitted to them by telecoms operators and Value Added Service (VAS) providers, the NCC commenced moves to address the ugly situation through imposition of fine.

On April 19, 2016, NCC wrote 13 MNOs, informing them to stop broadcasting unsolicited text messages to subscribers henceforth, or risk sanction of fine.

Before now, NCC had only called the operators to several meetings to discuss ways on how best to reduce the messages, which subscribers complained about. Subscribers had said that

Symbol of authorty

such unsolicited text messages were becoming embarrassing to them.

But at forums held in Abuja and Lagos, the telecoms operators exonerated themselves and shift the blame on VAS operators. The situation continued unabated, while subscribers continued to suffer the brunt.

In the letter sent to MNOs, NCC said it there have been complaints from subscribers about the menace of unsolicited text messages as well as calls from MNOs, which have impacted negatively on consumer quality experience in the telecoms sector.

NCC said through its monitoring activities, it confirmed that though some MNOs have set up the ‘Do Not Disturb’ (DND) facility on their networks, which is a system that prevents the subscribers from receiving unsolicited text messages when subscribed to the code, the awareness by subscribers of the availability of the ‘Do Not Disturb’ facility on the MNOs networks and how to opt out of the facility is very minimal and unsatisfactory.

Citing section 53 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the Nigerian Communications enforcement process regulations 2005, NCC issued a directive to the 13 MNOs, explaining that it shall on or before June 30, 2016, dedicate the short code 2442, for use by subscribers to opt-in to the ‘‘Do Not Disturb” database restricting unsolicited marketing messages for voice and SMS, and that it shall be mandatory on the operator to create sufficient awareness for its subscribers of the existence of the DND service on their networks.

The operators, according to the new directive, shall comply with the quarterly and reporting template prescribed by the commission to ensure feedback and compliance.

The directive, however, specified that operatorgenerated SMS is excluded from the DND list in as much as such messages are in conformity with the commission’s directive on timing and regularity and do not constitute a nuisance to subscribers and the subscribers shall have the right of a partial or full DND implementation.

It added that the operator-generated SMS shall comply with 8.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m stipulation of 12 hour period for sending SMS to subscribers.

The directive also clarified that the opt-in process shall be free of charge.

NCC therefore, warned that failure to comply with the new directive would result in the imposition of sanction in the amount of N5 million and a further sum of N500,000.00 per

day for as long as the contravention persists.

The 13 MNOs that were issued with the directive, included Starcomms, Megatech Engineering Limited, Gicell Wireless Limited, Globacom, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel, Multilinks, MTN, Airtel, Smile, Etisalat, Visafone and Natcom.

Previous fines In the past, NCC had fined telecoms operators for various offences ranging from poor quality of service, inability to meet up with the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set aside as regulatory standard, and failure to adhere to the commission’s directives on certain regulatory standards.

Worried by the persistent poor service quality, the NCC, on May 11, 2012, sanctioned MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat, a cumulative fine of N1.17 billion, for poor service quality on their networks for the months of March and April 2012.

In April 2014, NCC, again sanctioned three out of four major network operators-MTN Nigeria, Globacom and Airtel, the sum of N647.5 million for breach of KPIs and poor service quality for the month of January 2014.

In August 2015, NCC also sanctioned four GSM operators, namely MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat, a combined fine of N120.4 million, following their contravention of NCC’s directives on SIM card deactivation.

Still in 2015, NCC fined MTN Nigeria and Globacom a total sum of N34 million for breach of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) business rules and regulations.

NCC made the disclosure in its 2015 Q4 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report.

In the report, NCC noted that of the N34 million sanction for number porting breach, Globacom was fined N22 million, while MTN was fined N12 million.

In October 2015, NCC fined MTN the sum of N1.04 trillion for refusal to comply with the NCC directives on SIM card deactivation.

According to NCC, MTN failed to comply with the directive to deactivate 5.2 million unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards on its network, despite repeated warning from NCC since September 2014.

Blaming MTN for the fine, NCC said it carried out independent investigation across networks and discovered that MTN only made a partial attempt to bar unregistered subscribers in selected areas over a few days in September 2015, when other operators had fully complied

and reconciled their deactivations with the invalid registrations shared by the NCC up to four weeks earlier.

NCC’s choice of fine NCC had repeatedly said that it does not take pleasure in fines, but that it applies fine as the last resort. Speaking on the fine of N1.04 trillion imposed on MTN, the Director, Public Affairs of NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, told THISDAY that the commission acted according to law, based on the number of unregistered SIM cards found on the MTN’s network, amounting to 5.2 million, despite repeated warnings from NCC, which MTN did not heed to.

“It was a difficult decision to take, but we had to act the way we acted because we are regulator that is setting the pace of telecoms regulation for other regions and we must be seen as upright in our dealings always. We have followed the law, and any regulator that follows the law, can never go wrong,” Ojobo said.

According to him, the Commission has acted in the best possible way it could as a regulator by coming out with the guidelines on SIM card deactivation in 2011, with a very stiff penalty, which they did not expect that any operator will breach because of the huge consequences.

“We made the penalty huge to discourage any motivation that would want to tempt any operator to go against it, but it was a shock to us that even at that, we could find as much as 5.2 million unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards on the MTN network, even after repeated warnings to deactivate them,” Ojobo added.

Operators’ position on fine In all of these, telecoms operators still find it difficult to believe that fine is the best option to regulate a vibrant industry like the telecoms industry. The operators have always been reluctant to pay fines of any magnitude imposed on them. Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo told THISDAY that the idea of fine was not in the best interest of the Nigerian fast growing telecoms industry.

According to him, fines would stifle telecoms operations and divert focus. He therefore called on NCC to first look at the root causes why directives were flouted in the first instance and to also take a step further to look at the challenges of the operators and address them before ever thinking of imposing fine.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Karpe: Nigerians Need Quality IT Education for Self-reliance

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aptech Training Institute, Ninad Karpe, spoke with Emma Okonji on why Nigerians need to acquire qualitative information technology education. Excerpts: Aptech, last week in Lagos, organised its yearly seminar for students, called Career Quest. What is it all about?

This is the eighth time Aptech has organised seminar and training session for students, called Career Quest, where we expose students to opportunities in obtaining international degrees in IT. Aptech has been in Nigeria for the past 16 years, offering IT education to students from our various centres in Nigeria, and Career Quest was later introduced to offer students the opportunity to further their studies in any university of choice in countries where Aptech is affiliated to. For example we are affiliated to Middlesex University in London, with branch campuses in Dubai, Mauritius, and Malta and our students can obtain degree in any of the branch campuses or from the main campus of the university, after passing through Aptech.

What we do is to admit students with basic Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result, into any of our training centres in Nigeria for a degree programme in any area of IT and the programme runs for two years in Nigeria, while the remaining one year programme is held in any of the campuses of Middlesex University and in three years, the students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree certificate, fully equipped for the labour market or for self employment. So Career Quest is a one day training programme that we organise every year, to help our students and intended students to see the opportunities of acquiring a university degree in IT education.

What are the available IT courses that students study at Aptech in Nigeria and at Middlesex University?

So what we have done in Aptech is to partner Middlesex University in London to train students in IT courses. The course studied by a particular student in our Nigeria learning centre is the same IT course that the student will graduate from in Middlesex University, and this makes the programme a continuous one until the students graduate from Middlesex University. The courses available in our learning centres in Nigeria and at Middlesex University include various courses in software, hardware, computer engineering, among others and the students are at liberty to study any of the available courses.

How globally acceptable are the certificates offered at the end of the three years programme?

Our certificates are globally acceptable both for further studies and for job placement. We have training centres in 42 countries outside India and we have trained over six million students in the past 30 years of the inception of our IT training programme. Aptech is 30 years old in the business of IT education training programme and it is listed on the Indian Stock Exchange.

We offer the same standard of IT education training in all our training centres spread across the globe. The certificates are issued from India and they are globally acceptable certificates.

Which of the global educational bodies accredit the IT courses offered by Aptech across the world?

Aptech is an independent body, offering standardised IT courses to students. So the certificate we offer is an independent certificate and our courses are approved and certified within Aptech.

What are the prospects of Aptech students in terms of job placement after graduation?

The job prospects are high because of the quality IT skills that we impact in them during the period of study. They can choose to work after the first two years of training in Nigeria and they can choose to work after they must completed the additional one year programme for the B.Sc degree in IT. They have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world because our

Karpe

products are most sought after by employers of labour as a result of the kind of skills we offer them. Again, our curriculum for the IT education empowers our students to be self employable.

They can choose to start up their own company and business, based on the skills they acquired after graduation.

There are lots of job openings in the courses we run at Aptech, which gives our students comparative advantage over other students in terms of employment. The courses we run are job oriented courses that prepare students and make them employable.

You award degree certificates after three years training. Do you think three years training is sufficient for a student to acquire the relevant IT skills?

It is not just three years, but three years of intensive training on practicals and theories.

Any student that passes through us in three years, is sure of acquiring the relevant IT skills for the future. In fact three years is more than sufficient.

So what are the entry qualifications for a student to begin Aptech programmes?

The basic entry qualification for students is Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) with a minimum of five credits, which must include English Language and Mathematics.

Does Aptech provide any incentives for IT education in terms of scholarship?

Yes, there are opportunities for scholarships, and during our Quest Career session, which holds every year, we normally give opportunity to few select students, where we offer them voucher that reduces their school fees as much as 50 per cent of the total cost of the training programme.

How much does a student pay as the total package for school fees?

School fees varies from one programme to another, but fees ranges from N1.2 million to N2 million for the two years programme, which comes with six areas of specialisation and the students have the option to choose their area of specialisation. So the fees vary from specialisation to specialisation, which ranges from Microsoft .Net, Oracle Java, Networking, to combinations of specialities.

Do you have programme for physically challenged students?

Yes we do, but in collaboration with a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) that does the selection of candidates that are physically challenged. They select such candidates from across the country and one of the criteria for the selection process is that the candidate must be mentally sound to cope with the kind of training we offer them. The NGO takes care of the cost of the selection process, including the cost of transporting them to the Aptech learning centres and we take responsibility of the cost of training them, which comes in the form of scholarships.

How will you describe IT education in Nigeria compared to other countries where Aptech operates?

I am very impressed with Nigerian students studying at the various Aptech centres in Nigeria, because they are willing to learn IT and assimilate everything about IT. They have the zeal to study and to have better quality of life. Comparing Nigerian students with students in other countries where Aptech operates, gives a clear distinction that the Nigerian students are resilient even to the rigorous training exercise that we offer them at Aptech. Their zeal has always made them succeed in life and I salute their courage any day, anytime.

Aptech has been in Nigeria in the past 16 years, pioneering IT education. What is the priority of Aptech in driving IT education?

Yes we have been in Nigeria for up to 16 years, pioneering IT education in the country and we are committed in doing just that. Our priority is to provide the best quality of IT education to Nigerian students. We have online varsity and online portal, where students can also get themselves educated in IT. All these are to ensure quality IT education for Nigerians.

What value is Aptech bringing to IT education in Nigeria and what stands out Aptech from other IT training institutes operating in Nigeria?

We bring a lot of value to the Nigerian IT education, which in turn, helps to develop the Nigerian economy. We are developing a lot of IT professionals in Nigeria through our learning programmes that offer opportunities for better job placements. We are unique in three ways, which stands us out from every other

IT training institutes in the country. We have 30 years experience in the global IT training business, with over 16 operations in Nigeria, and that long years of experience cannot be compared with other training institutes that are relatively new in the business. Again, we are global company with global standards and not a local company. Another area of our uniqueness is that at Aptech, we try to give the global best quality in IT education in terms of curriculum that is tailored towards labour market demands. So because we are a global company, we collaborate with global university like Middlesex of London, where we also train our students, and a small local IT training institute will not have that advantage that we have as a global IT training institute.

How will you compare online IT training programmes that are being organised by most training institutes with the offline training that is being practiced by Aptech?

At Aptech, we have a training module that allows for physical classrooms and physical laboratories, where students are taught physically and they have access to their lecturers. Campus experience is required for IT education because the students learn faster and better. We also have our online version training, but we make it more practical in such a way that students have the combination of theory and practical experiences.

So it is not possible for a student to become a good software programmer, for instance, without the campus experience and it is for this reason that we offer campus learning in all our learning centres.

What is the prospect of IT education in the current global dispensation, and what is your advice for Nigerian youths?

IT education holds a lot of bright future for individuals and economies who embrace it.

IT education brings out the talent of creativity in any human. It creates opportunities for self reliance in terms of job, just as it also creates opportunities for jobs. My advice for Nigerian youths is that they should passionately pursue IT education, irrespective of the course they may have studied in school during their undergraduate studies. Those seeking higher education after secondary school education, should also embrace IT and ensure that they specialise in core IT disciplines.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

‘Proposed ICT Tax Will Price Millions Out of Internet Access’ Stories by Emma Okonji The plan by the National Assembly to hike communications services tax also known as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tax, will prevent over 50 million Nigerians from being able to afford a basic broadband connection, a situation that will also deny them internet access, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)-Nigeria Coalition, has said.

Analysing the proposed nine per cent tax to be levied on consumers of communications services, A4AI-Nigeria coalition, said it would cause nearly 50 million Nigerians great challenge to afford a basic broadband plan. The analysis suggests that the passage of such a tax is likely to threaten Nigeria’s ability to achieve its goal of 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018 and will undermine the socio-economic progress spurred by increased connectivity. The Communication Service Tax (CST) Bill 2015, currently before the National Assembly, will require consumers of voice, data, short message service (SMS), multimedia message services (MMS) and pay TV services, to pay nine per cent tax on the fees paid for the use of these services.

The tax will be collected in addition to the five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) that consumers already pay when they purchase devices and communication services, as well as the 12 per cent custom import duties paid on ICT devices, and the 20 per cent tax levied on SIM cards. Mobile operators and service providers will be responsible for collecting consumer payments and must fulfill additional reporting obligations that are likely to increase operational costs and service fees for consumers.

Increasing access to and use of the Internet and communication technologies is central to Nigeria’s development agenda.

“Though Nigeria can currently claim to have some of Africa’s most affordable internet prices such as 500MB priced at 5.4 per cent of average income in 2014, broadband penetration still stands at just 12 per cent. The reality is that 40 per cent of Nigerians earn less than half of the average income; this means that a basic mobile broadband plan actually costs the majority of Nigerians anywhere between 7-18 per cent of their monthly income.

The addition of this tax would increase the cost to connect across board, with women and low-income populations

Software Development Competition Holds in Jos nHub Nigeria, in collaboration with Qitech Technologies and Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.

Com, will in November this year, organise the second software and apps competition also known as hackathon event.

This year’s competition is designed to foster interest among young people in software development and the entire spectrum of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

The event, which is scheduled to hold in Jos, Plateau State, is expected to attract international stakeholders and the local ICT community.

Tagged Hackjos, the four day software development marathon will also feature a one day conference with the theme: “How ready is Nigeria for the internet of things (IOT)”.

The event is conceived to be a meeting point for budding entrepreneurs and already established tech-companies as well as for policy makers and investors angling to bet on technology innovation.

About 30 teams consisting of a minimum of three developers/‘hackathoners’, 10 judges, 10 tech support team and over 300 live audience and spectators, will be housed for four days in a marathon of wit, entrepreneurship and mental fitness to develop appssolutions under the framework of Nigeria’s readiness for IOT and sector-by-sector challenges in Nigeria’s economic space.

The Hackjos competition is bringing together tech-savvy citizens, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, students,

programmers and developers across Nigeria under one roof for 48 hours to get involved and showcase their ingenuity and talents in the pursuit of creating compelling solutions that cut across mobile, desktop, web and hardware that will help solve problems relevant to the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of nHub Nigeria, organiser of Hackjos, Daser David, said: “People may wonder why Jos. We are bringing people to experience the changing dynamics in Jos. We want them to come see the quiet transition as Jos acquires a new reputation as the go-to-place for innovation to harness the ability of young people for innovation in ICT.” The Head, Plateau State ICT Agency, Mrs. Rahab Shik, on behalf of the state government, said: “We welcome participants and international delegates to Hackjos 2016 into Jos, a home of peace and tourism.

Despite recent sad challenges, Jos beckons with opportunities for various economic activities.

We are glad to share with the world our improving statistics on conflict management and restoring of order for business.”

Chairman, Qitech Technology Limited, Dr. Sola Afolabi, said: “Dwindling oil revenue and a large population of young people would only mean that Africa’s largest economy will have to rework its fate on its youth and the expansive ICT sector. We are happy to collaborate on an event themed on innovation, youth and the future of Nigeria.”

likely to be the hardest hit,” the A4AI-Nigerian Coalition said in a statement.

Commenting on the proposed law, National Coordinator for A4AI-Nigeria Coalition, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said: “Balanced fiscal policy must consider affordability of broadband and ICT, and should not put into place additional barriers that will make internet access unaffordable to hundreds of millions of Nigerians. Nigeria is far

behind the more developed countries of the world when it comes to broadband use, and the introduction of the CST will only widen this gap.”

Ndukwe called on the National Assembly members to reconsider the passage of the CST and its impact on the development of broadband in Nigeria. According to him, “after such review, if the introduction of a CST is deemed an absolute necessity, it must consider a lower tax

rate than 9 per cent, one that would enable it to achieve fiscal revenue targets without undermining broadband affordability and access.”

A4AI, Nigeria brings together prominent players from private and public sectors and civil society to provide a unified approach and coordinated focus in addressing the shared goal of open, affordable access to the Internet in the developing world.

A4AI ranks as the world’s broadest technology sector coalition with the desire for everyone, everywhere, to be able to access the life-changing power of the Internet affordably.

Its goal is to achieve the United Nation Broadband Commission target of entrylevel broadband priced at less than five per cent of monthly income, thereby enabling billions more people to come online.

ALL FOR E-CURRICULUM

L-R: Executive Director, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Olajide; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Ismail Junaidu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan; Senior Special Adviser, Minster of State for Education, Prof. Godswill Obioma, and Executive Director, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, Mr. Hassan Alao, during the stakeholders’ forum on e-Curriculum in abuja...recently

MTN Launches Livestock Tracking Solution, Mobile Electricity MTN Nigeria has launched the MTN Livestock Tracking Solutions (LTS) to assist herdsmen in monitoring and tracking their livestock, while the MTN Mobile Electricity will provide affordable electricity to rural community dwellers.

These solutions will help reduce the incidence of wandering cattle and provide electricity to entrepreneurs and rural dwellers. The mobile electricity solution, in partnership with Nova-Lumos, will bring clean, modern and affordable electricity to MTN customers in the rural areas.

MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola, announced the launch of these solutions in her goodwill message at the first Katsina State Economic and Investment Summit 2016.

According to her, “This ICT solution can track the location of cattle, send panic or emergency alerts to the authorities in times of trouble and help with creating grazing areas separate from farmlands.

It can perform location tracking for cattle and geo-fencing for grazing areas. It makes use of GPS technology and is solar-powered to ensure that you can always stay in touch with your cattle, everywhere they go.” On the mobile electricity solution, she said: “Our customers in rural areas

can therefore replace kerosene lanterns, candles and flashlights with electricity that can power phones, fans, radios, TVs all at once and this service is already running in Katsina State. We are truly excited about these products and their implications for accelerated socio-economic development across the country.

His Excellency, Governor Masari had expressed his belief in our ability to devise a solution and we are pleased to say that we have done just that.” Oyagbola also expressed MTN’s preparedness to support e-government objectives at all levels.

“We believe ICT is the future and MTN is committed to supporting Katsina and indeed Nigeria to ensure preparedness and empowerment towards this future.” she said.

The summit was declared opened by President Muhammadu Buhari during which he called for cooperation and partnerships between the states and the investors in view of the government’s drive to grow local contents and increase export.

“The world is now a global village. This summit is therefore a great opportunity to link up with others for the benefit of both parties. Our natural partners are those with requisite skills and financial capabilities to invest.

e.Stream Assures Customers of Improved Service Nigeria’s Internet Service Provider (ISP), e.Stream Networks has partnered wholesale wireless access broadband service provider, Bitflux Communications, to boost customers’ experience in broadband service delivery.

Through the partnership, e.Stream will become the Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE ) technology carrier for Bitflux across Nigeria, designed to provide high speed Internet service to the vast Nigerian data subscribers.

The 4G LTE technologies are designed to provide IP-based voice, data and multimedia streaming at speeds of at least 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) and up to as fast as 1Gigabyte per second (Gbps).

Announcing the partnership deal in Lagos recently, the Managing Director of e.Stream Networks, Mr. Muyiwa Ogungboye, also unveiled the company’s five year expansion plan, aimed at providing better quality services to its existing and prospective clients, as well as boosting the sector’s productivity.

He said e.Stream, would this week, mark its 10th anniversary with memorable activities such as assisting government owned secondary schools with learning facilities like classroom chairs, tables, among others.

Ogunboye said the partner-

ship would enable it provide the right broadband service and deploy the right technology that would speedily expand broadband penetration in the country.

“As an ISO9001 Quality Certified company, e.Stream is a licensed wireless Internet provider dedicated to providing high speed internet services for businesses using a variety of up-to-date technologies. We ensure that our customers’ business communication needs are achieved from a broad range of end-to-end efficient and reliable IP based services.

With 10 years experience in the ICT sector and with presence all over Nigeria, we take pride in being recognised as a leading high speed internet provider,” Ogungboye said.

Bitflux Communications Limited is a licensed Wholesale Wireless Access Broadband Service Provider offering innovative 4G Broadband Services on a state-of-the-art world class LTE network, and is focused on helping telecommunications service providers grow nationwide.

According to Ogungboye, “Our vision is to be the best internet provider of choice and that is why we have partnered Bitflux to ensure the actualisation of this objective and vision in the retail arm of our business especially as we have been in the corporate market for 10years now.

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD New York Mobile Satellite to Unveil Devices in Nigeria New York Mobile Satellite with its, headquarters in New York, United States (US)has announced its intention to introduce into Nigeria market, its state-of-the-art mobile and security products.

The latest products which are in different shapes and sizes include the SeSty Torch Camera, the GSatMicro Iridium tracker and the Iridium Extreme satellite phone. With the introduction of these products, New York Mobile satellite, which presently has millions of users globally will further extend its reach in emerging markets like Nigeria.

The Chief Financial Officer of New York Mobile Satellite, Mr. Leonard Sloane, expressed his excitement at offering their services in Africa and Nigeria in particular.

According to him, the products could help in public safety, disaster recover and also in tacking security challenges in virtually every sector of the eceonmy, which includes the media, mining, oil & gas, maritime, utilities, transportation, among others.

Speaking with journalists on the products, the Executive Director, TSE the company representing New York Mobile Satellite in West Africa subregion, Adetoro Badejo, said: “New York Mobile Satellite offers a wide range of information communication Technology products and services We are acknowledging the potential of Africa especially Nigeria which is unarguably the largest mobile markets in Africa by bringing in these devices and products to satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians.”

According to her, “The SeSty

Torch Camera is a self-contained rapid deployment camera that can be hand carried or pole mounted within minutes. With its 6MP high resolution image capabilities (30 times more than traditional analogue systems), ability to send video data over encrypted mobile networks and integrated secure Wi-Fi, the torch camera is ideally suited to incident management . The camera has features like , self-contained wireless digital IP camera in durable stainless steel housing with integral SD Card storage, router and battery,4G,3G, GPRS/WiFi data communications, 6 Megapixel CMOS image sensors, High Resolution (up to 6144 x 2048, 12.5 megapixel) and Robust, lightweight and portable.”

“For the GSatMicro, it is a powerful, small, customisable, self-contained Iridium tracker.

The GSatMicro is not much larger than a golf ball! Yet, state-of-the-art technology is combined with indigenous hardware development to create one of the world’s most powerful satellite trackers. It has features like, 32 bit ARM processor with a user customisable scripting language, Internal dimensions of 1.77 X 1.77 X 1.34 inches, SiRFstarIV GPS with an amazing 163dBm sensitivity, AES 256-bit encryption, Bluetooth 4.0, among others,” Badejo said She explained that the Iridium Extreme is a satellite mobile phone that is built with the same reliable voice and data capability that users have come to trust from the only real mobile, real global satellite communications company in the world.

Online Platform to Ease IntraAfrica Trade Launched Footprints Africa has launched two online platforms that will help to further facilitate ease of intra-Africa trade by bridging the information gap between the vast investment opportunities available on the continent even as stakeholders lament the low level of intra-Africa trade.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Footprint to Africa, Osita Oparaugo, said Footprint Africa would bridge the information gap on the many business opportunities in Africa adding that “Marketsquare Africa” is open to partnership. He added that joint venture businesses have far more tendency to grow and be profitable compared to sole ownership businesses.

He also stated that the platforms would boost intra-Africa trade adding that it was open to various sizes of businesses including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which is described as the lowest intracontinent trade.

“The Marketsquare Africa is a platform where businesses connect. As access to finance continues to be a growth-constraint for SMEs in Africa, The Marketsquare Africa is designed to help these SMEs reduce dependency on loans by forming joint venture,

partnerships, creating synergies and increasing sales. ‘It is a great tool for local and international entrepreneurs and business managers to find agents, customers, investors and foster relationships that would develop their individual businesses,” he stated.

Speaking further, he stressed that “Africa in 10 minutes is an online television station that showcases major business across Africa as well as provides an in-depth look into Africa’s growing economies; spotlighting several nations rich profile of investment opportunities.”

Also speaking at the event, a former Member, House of Representatives, Honourable Bethel Amadi, blamed the low level of intra-Africa trade on infrastructure deficit adding that visa restriction among African countries also constitute a huge challenge to seamless intra Africa trade.

Amadi, who is a former President, Pan African Parliament, urged African countries to come up with policies that will ease intra-African trade noting that Africa Development Bank (AfDB) records show that Africa has the lowest intraContinent trade among the continents of the world.

E-BUSINESS

Troyka, HotSauce to Sponsor Startups to Software Competition Stories by Emma Okonji Troyka Group, a marketing communications group, and HotSauce are offering technology startups in Nigeria, and other West African countries, the opportunity to participate in the Viva Technology Startup Connect Paris 2016, which is a global software competition.

Viva Technology Paris is an initiative from the Publicis Groupe, a global leader in marketing communication, and business transformation.

The event will host the world’s biggest players in the digital, tech and innovation ecosystem, providing a golden opportunity for networking and collaboration with globally

renowned corporations. It is the dream event for tech startups all over the world.

In a bid to ensure that Nigerian tech startups also get a chance to participate in this grand opportunity, Troyka Holdings, Nigeria’s foremost marketing communications company, and HotSauce, its digital innovation company, will be sponsoring select Nigerian startups that qualify to pitch at Viva Technology Startup Connect event.

Commenting on the initiative, at a press conference in Lagos recently, Vice Chairman, Troyka Holdings, Jimi Awosika said Troyka Group is investing in the technology industry in Nigeria, as it foresees technology as the

pilot that will take the economy into a newer platform.

“Technology is the backbone of the future economy.

The rate of change and the level of disruption driven by modern technology are exponential, hence the reason we cannot afford to shy away from technology.”

He added, “As a business, supporting and creating opportunities is very vital to us. By offering our Nigerian Startups a chance to showcase their amazing talents and connect with investors from around the world, the Nigerian digital and technology industry will gain global recognition and relevance.” Also commenting on the initiative, CEO and

Co-Founder, HotSauce, Dayo Adefila said the Viva Technology StartUp Connect Paris can be likened to the Olympics for Startups where only the most forward thinking companies participate and showcase the amazing talents Nigeria has to offer the world.

“Businesses today are facing the dual threat and opportunity that widespread use of technology is creating and for us at HotSauce we are keen to help brands understand how best to utilise the transformative power of human insights and technology, how best to create eco-systems that release new possibilities and make their businesses more future proof,” Adefila said.

UNVEILING MICROSOFT STRATEGIES

L-R: Chief of Staff, Microsoft International, Casey McGee; President, Microsoft International, Jean-Philippe Courtois and Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane, at a press meeting with President, Microsoft International in Lagos...recently

Layer3 Partners Global Security ‘Oracle’s Modern Finance is Firm to Curb Cyber Threats Driving Transformation’ Layer3 network, a security solutions provider, will be working with Arbor Networks, a global security firm, as its channel partner to secure the most demanding and complex networks in West Africa from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and advanced threats.

The development becomes important for the Information Technology (IT) industry and businesses in Nigeria, considering the significant growth in the amount of DDoS attacks and cyber security breaches that occur on a daily basis.

Last year, 20 per cent of organisations globally reported attacks of various magnitudes.

The Akamai State of Security report states that there has been a 148.55 per cent increase in total DDoS attacks between the last quarter in 2015 and 2014.

Additionally, in the last quarter of 2014 there was a 90 per cent increase in total DDoS attacks compared to

the last quarter of 2013.

The trend shows a rapid increase in attacks due to the increase in complexity of the attacks.

The case is not any different in Nigeria especially with large organisations, service providers and data centers hosting web servers and other critical assets.

Recent reports of some local banks being hit by DDoS attacks further reinforces the need for more pro-active solutions that would help address this problem and protect customer’s assets.

Commenting on the partnership, Oyaje Idoko, Chief Executive Officer of Layer3 said: “As a specialist integrator of next-generation network and security solutions, we are always looking for ways to keep our customers out of the security breach headlines by providing them with the threat prevention solution, visibility and reporting they need to achieve faster resolutions across their nation and even global networks.”

A study on Oracle’ Modern Finance has revealed that closer alignment between chief financial officer (CFO) and chief information officer (CIO) of organisations, is crucial to successful finance transformation According to the study, 73 per cent of finance leaders agree that closer CIO/ CFO alignment has become more important to achieving their finance transformation Most are more concerned about the impact of change from outside their organisation than from within The report said over half said their existing finance system is unlikely to cope effectively with near future demands The CFO has never been held more accountable for the company’s success, and the ability of finance teams to extract value from company data is the key to delivering on the chief executive’s expectations. Oracle’s study, Modern Finance: Driving Transformation from Within, found that closer alignment between the CFO and CIO is

crucial if finance leaders are to effectively help the business achieve its transformation goals. The study, for which 1,905 finance decision makers across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were surveyed, set out to explore the risks and challenges faced by modern finance leaders and to gain more insight on what businesses are doing to address these changes.

The report findings reveals that nearly 40 per cent of finance leaders admit the finance department is becoming more accountable for the business’ success, and 45 per cent admit they are under increased pressure to raise productivity, while 44 per cent say the company is placing more emphasis on driving business growth, but 41 per cent say they are being asked to reduce operational costs Nearly three-quarters, which is about 73 per cent of finance leaders agree closer CIO/CFO alignment has become critical to achieving the business’ finance transformation.

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Driving Brand Loyalty through Innovation Raheem Akingbolu writes on recent activities embarked upon by telecommunications companies to deepen market penetration Top operators in the telecoms market are at the peak of competition for consumers’ loyalty, with each coming out with innovative ideas to win the biggest chunk of the market. As a major player, Airtel is using innovation and sponsorship to make a statement.

From MTN to Glo, Airtel to Etisalat, it has been a fierce ‘war’ in the last few years. At the beginning, the subtle brand war was between MTN and the then Econet. Of course, MTN carried the day because of instability at the board level of the then Econet. Then Glo came on board and changed the game with the introduction of per second billing. The new phase of the struggle came with the launch of Etisalat and the rebranding of Zain to Airtel, which seemed to end many years of trouble for the then ‘Zain’ brand. Today, the trend has changed as both Airtel and Etisalat are giving MTN a run for its money. For Airtel, innovation, sponsorship and partnership have become major tools for positioning. The latest is the business collaboration between the telco company and facebook, which will enable its subscribers have access to basic and free internet services on their mobile devices, while using a connected Airtel SIM card. This was preceded by the launch of SmartSpeedoo, a revolutionary service that allows customers experience real data while browsing at affordable tariff and enjoying free megabytes For instance, its Airtel Rising Stars, which is now in its fourth season, is a unique football initiative that seeks to provide support for the development of football talents by discovering youngsters with football talents and providing them the opportunity to gain football skills and develop into renowned stars. With a panAfrican appeal, ARS has become an annual feature in the sports calendar of Nigeria and 16 other African countries where tournament sponsor and organiser, Bharti Airtel Networks, presently has operations.

Since making a sensational debut in 2011, Airtel Rising Stars has grown in awareness, followership and participation, attracting within the first three seasons approximately 18,000 youth teams and 324,000 youngsters pan-Africa.

Smart Speedoo Airtel Smart Speedoo, which can be activated using *141#, was unveiled at a press briefing held recently in Lagos.

Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel, Ahmad Mokhles, said the company is passionate about creating innovative mobile Internet platforms, value offerings and opportunities that will help telecoms consumers in Nigeria stay connected and be fully empowered to fulfill their dreams.

L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Global Director Product Partnerships, Ime Archibong with Global Director Operator Partnerships, Markku Makelainen, both of Facebook, during the launch of Free Basic Services by Airtel in partnership with Facebook held in Lagos... recently.

“Airtel Nigeria is intensely interested in democratizing data tariff and we have taken a huge step forward in this journey in line with our major objective of becoming the provider of first choice for mobile Internet services,” Mokhles added.

Speaking on how Airtel Speedo works, Vice President, Data & Digital Services, Airtel, Nitin Anand, said customers using Smart Speedoo enjoy low rate in addition to free data the more they browse.

“When a customer uses up to 10mb at 1kobo/kb, Airtel gives him 10mb free. And when his usage gets to 50mb, the browsing rate drops to 0.5kobo/kb, then he gets 50mb free.

When the customer’s usage reaches 100mb, the rate drops further to 0.2kobo/kb and he is given 100mb free,” Anand explained.

Free facebook access In what looks like a way to get more Nigerians connected to internet, the network provider recently struck a deal with facebook to help Airtel subscribers access all the services that are available on the combined platform, through ‘Free Basics’ without paying extra for data charges or rental.

The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria,

Mr. SegunOgunsanya, said with the free internet access, Airtel subscribers could dial *141# to start using the free and basic services.

According to him, “The collaboration marks a significant milestone in our nation’s drive towards deepening digital connectivity and enhancing mobile broadband access for millions of Nigerians in line with the key objective of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan. It is our belief that this partnership, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will create a plethora of opportunities for millions of Nigerians, empowering them to connect to their dreams, realise their full potentials, and succeed in their professional and personal endeavours.”

Free Basics platform provides basic mobile websites and services for free to people around the world and demonstrating the value the internet can provide.

According to him, the free basics will launch in Nigeria with more than 85 free services dedicated to health, education, jobs, and finance. To date, Facebook estimates that its connectivity efforts, which include Free Basics, have brought more than 25 million people online who would not be otherwise.

He also pointed out that Airtel Africa will also be offering Facebook Flex in Nigeria,

which allows people to access a version of Facebook without data charges. This initiative, according to Ogunsanya, is part of Facebook’s commitment to bringing people online and reducing affordability barriers.

Airtel Africa was said to have worked with Facebook since 2014 in enhancing accessibility to the internet in an affordable manner through the launch of Free Basics in Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Seychelles and Rwanda. With the launch of offering in Nigeria, millions more people will have the ability to access basic services, Airtel and Facebook said in a joint statement.

The Vice President of Internet.org at Facebook, Chris Daniels, said: “Bharti Airtel Africa has been an important partner in bringing connectivity and access to people across Africa.

Our partnership has played a key role in helping bring digital content and services to people and communities in growing countries.”

The Director of Global Product Partnerships at Facebook, ImeArchibong, added that the global company has spent time with the developer community in Nigeria to understand how it can help people in the country build and create for their communities, and by bringing Free Basics to the country.

Okhma Global Retains Marketing Right to 19 Nigerian Businesses Join SUNN to Fight Calabar Festival Malnutrition As a result of the stellar performance in marketing the 2015 carnival by Okhma, the event and destination marketing agency which won the marketing right to the Carnival Calabar and Festivals, the company has been signed on again to market the festival for the 2016 edition.

The agency is managed by Mary Ephraim.

The chairman of the Cross River state Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah and Special Adviser to the governor on Festival and Events, Mr. Ken Anklah, acting on behalf of the governor of the state, Ben Ayade, recently announced a retainership agreement with the agency. Okhma was said to have introduced some interesting activities towards the funds drive for the carnival, one of

which was the CEO breakfast meeting with the governor which featured top CEO’s and business leaders from eightyfour organisations in Nigeria who were not only interested in investing the carnival but also in the economy of Cross River state as espoused by the vision of the new governor aimed at recreating and repositioning the economy of the state. Some of this organizations included, Airtel, MTN, Lafarge, Nigerian Breweries, UBA, Zenith Bank, Heritage Bank, 7-UP Bottling company, CocaCola, Coscharis, Dana Motors, Flour mills and a host of others. “We are very excited to be retained on this beat. Last year, we had challenges of having little time to work with. I recall we put together the CEO’s meeting with

the governor barely fourteen days to the commencement of the carnival. Even though the turnout was impressive, few of them did mention the short time left to D-day. Many got involved, but promised bigger volumes this year. We are happy His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade expressed satisfaction with our efforts. However, we promise all stakeholders that we would deliver even bigger this year. Also having worked closely with the sponsors and based on feedbacks, we have made suggestions to the carnival commissions about new tweaks and angles to existing events and new events that we believe would improve and ease revenue generation”, said the marketing expert, Mary Ephraim.

Malnutrition not only contributes to close to 50% of deaths in children under five, but also results in a massive cost for the nation: according to the World Bank, Nigeria loses over US$1.5 billion in GDP annually to vitamin and mineral deficiencies alone.

In the light of the magnitude of malnutrition, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network recently hosted a oneday workshop in Lagos which launched the nutrition-focused business membership platform initiated by the Network.

Gathered to witness the event were stakeholders in nutrition from government, civil society, donor organisations, and the private sector.

In his opening remarks, Alhaji Sani Dangote, chairman

Dansa Foods, who is also the chairman of Nigeria AgriBusiness Group, encouraged other stakeholders to see the business case for investment and view improving nutrition as a great business opportunity.

Key actors that have joined the coalition include Dansa Foods, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nutricima, BASF and several other organisations, all of which formed the ‘early risers’ committed to investing more resources towards improving nutrition Participants at the workshop had an opportunity to share the latest results in consumer research from a presentation facilitated by IPSOS Healthcare, and the need for such research in new product formulation and marketing.

The representative of the

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. G.O. Opara, President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and chairman CS-SUNN Prof Ngozi Nnam; SUN Focal point and Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu and MD/CEO Dangote Foundation, Ms. Zouera Youssoufou were some of the panellists and contributors at the event.

The SUN Business Network Coordinator, Dr Angela Attah stressed the need for collaboration, commitment and action in the actualisation of improved nutrition in Nigeria and globally, through business investment in order to build a virile workforce for the economy and a strong consumer base for the future.

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Akinwumi: APCON Could Add Value to This Govt A former chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi spoke to Raheem Akingbolu on the need for the current administration to design a policy to boost its communications strategy. He also spoke on the challenges facing advertising in Nigeria. Excerpts: There are beliefs in certain quarters that the quality of creativity in the advertising industry has nosedived compared with what we have several years ago. Do you agree with that position?

It is a contentious issue. This is because, measuring and giving an opinion on creativity is biased. How do you define creativity? What is creative to you may not be creative to me. A creative material that is expressing the things that I believed in may not make any impact on someone else. The creativity industry cannot produce or should not produce materials that are higher than the understanding of the society.

The creativity that we do must reflect the culture, the values about the society. The fact that you bring a material from Europe that is beautiful does not mean it would resonate with our people. I think that is where the issue is. In the last 10 years, there has been an importation of a lot of creative material. Visually, they look beautiful with smarts slogan and all but if you pretext them, the majority of the people you are talking to, do they understand them?

Are you communicating with them or you are talking to them? Take for instance India; it is probably one of the countries in the world that has tried to retain its cultural value and nuances within its creativity. If you look at Indian ads, it is talking to Indians in the way that Indians can understand. No Indian ad is trying to communicate or copy an American or European ad. I see a lot of things that banks do here, the expression they use, I find them foreign. The ads are not resonating and not carrying people along. In my opinion, many owners of brands are writing campaigns for themselves. It is not supposed to be that way.

In this industry, we no longer pretext material anymore. In the past, when I entered the industry, we used to do pretext for communication or understanding or effectiveness. As long as the marketing manager is happy with it, we just go ahead. When you see some of the ads, it looks good in terms of aesthetics but is it communicating. And if it is not communicating, it is not effective.

Considering the current global economic situation, which one will you recommend for practitioners today among mergers, acquisition and affiliation?

It is neither here or there. This is because you must have a reason for everything you want to do. If you are talking about merger, what is the compelling reason for merger? Ditto acquisition. Let me say this, there is no country where merger or acquisition don’t take place.

The biggest agency in the world, the Japanese agency, Dentsu in Japan has over 6,000 staff and a number of clients. It is a monolithic agency that has not merged with anybody.

In some markets, they have gone through some acquisition. But if you look at their strategic plan, they don’t need mergers and acquisition or affiliation. Why do you need mergers? You need it because when two people come together, they produce a bigger, stronger agency. Why do you need acquisition? A bigger agency is an opportunity to broaden the reach and effectiveness of another agency. If there is no reason for merger or acquisition, then you don’t need to do it. Affiliation has both advantages and disadvantages. There are agencies in Nigeria that are doing well that are not affiliated with anybody and there are agencies in Nigeria that are affiliated and not doing well. So, everything must be from a strategic view point. We need to ask ourselves what we are trying to achieve. Once you can agree to what you are trying to achieve, if you go into merger or acquisition, it would help the business, then you can go ahead. Just like I said about the information minister, there has to be a strategy. If there is no need for it, there is no need to lose sleep over it. This is because none of it is a magical cure for any problem.

Each one comes with its own agency. Look at

Akinwumi

what would have produce d the biggest agency in the world, but they could not agree. Both of them tried to work for it for a month but it didn’t work. At a point, they had to make public pronouncement that it didn’t work. It could have been bigger than WPP. They could not agree on financial reporting.

In recent times, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Muhammed has visited different stakeholders to discuss issues relating to reorientation campaigns and other activities.

Having been part of the system before, what is your take?

To be fair to the minister, we have not spoken or discussed. I still have friends in the ministry, I was part of the Ministry of Information for 7 years and I have a fair idea of what goes on there. I was part of the rebranding and also chairman of APCON for 3 and half years. I was an integral part of the ministry. If I were in his position, what I would do is to review the federal communication policy. In doing this, it does not need to be over a long period. If you want that assignment in two weeks, it can be done. If you want it done in one week, it can be done. I am aware that whatever policy we have now, is not current and cannot drive what we want.

So, we need to sit down, bring in experienced people, bring people from academia, people from communication practitioners under the umbrella of APCON, and debrief them. Let them realise that it should not be about project.

One of the problems we have is that when a new minister comes in, all he or she thinks is to embark on one project or the other. But first of all, review the communication policy. When you review it, draw a communication strategy from it. Once that is done, you can begin to talk about project. That way, it means everything you are doing is from a single strategy. It does not matter whether it is from the presidency or

the Ministry of Finance. All you need do is to ensure a single communication strategy that the communication minister will communicate to his colleague by saying whatever we are doing is to be directed by this. Then, you can do your project whether you want to call it rebranding or social mobilisation, civic responsibilities, you can do that” As someone who has been part and parcel of a rebranding project during the period of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili as minister, what parallel can you draw between the project and the heart of Africa Project embarked upon by a former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke?

They were different. In actual fact, what we did was called rebranding before I got involved. I did try to persuade the then Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili that we should not call it rebranding but she said that expression had been used already and that it would be difficult to change. The heart of Africa Project was a straight forward one, the same thing with what Emeka Chikelu did. What we were doing had rebranding component but we were primarily interested in a social mobilisation campaign for Nigeria. Essentially, what we were trying to do was to look at the challenges, attitude. After careful evaluation, we concluded that if you say you want to rebrand a nation that has many negatives, it would amount to waste of time.

So, we thought if you are going to have any successful campaign, like you have in corporate Nigeria, if you say you wanted to rebrand, you must first of all consider Nigerians not Americans. We look at Nigerians, and realised that we have got to look at our attitude and values. So, the first thing the government did was to set up a 26-man committee, which was still referred to as rebranding, I was the pioneer secretary, which put together the strategy. It was very painful that it didn’t take off. Some

of the finest minds came up with a document.

The document would have helped inculcate civic responsibilities and also introduced civic as a compulsory subject at all level of our educations, you can imagine what that could have done. Most of corruption cases we have heard stem from a misunderstanding of the civic responsibilities of the people towards the state .What we intended doing would have helped correct all of these. It could have talked about morality.

APCON does not appear to be enjoying its purpose of establishment under this administration, where do you think things went wrong?

You have got to take it back from my tenure as APCON chairman. I was sworn in 2010, which means I should have left in 2013 but unfortunately there was a cook up in the appointment of my successor. There was a certain Ngozi Enioma, that was trying to use party platform to take the position. Unfortunately, the then SGF, Senator Pius Anyim, did a lot to support an illegality even when there was a law which was specific about who was qualified to become the chairman of the APCON board. He insisted on having Enioma and practitioners also insisted on abiding by the rule. .But thankfully, common sense prevail, my good friend, Udeme Ufot was appointed. I was supposed to have spent 3 years but I stayed another one year.

During that one year, I could not exercise any powers and responsibilities because technically under the law, I was supposed to have left.

That alone, introduced some quietness to the industry. Udeme came in April, an election was conducted and a new administration came in. Few months after they were sworn in, the board was dissolved. I think now that there are moves to have the APCON Council restored, Continued on page 31

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Deploying ICT for Transparency in Revenue Generation While Nigeria may not yet be on the cuttingedge of the global ICT map, it has without doubt made huge progress in the effort to join the emerging information and Technology society.

Thanks to massive investment and genuine patriotism by indigenous Software companies and service providers, there has been significant advancement in business activities. It is agreed that the wide-spread deployment of technology is rapidly changing the way Nigerians work, live and play. Despite this progress, observers believe that it can do much more, especially as a platform for a new social order. It is also believed that it can be a key ingredient to foster financial inclusion.

Treasury Single Account (TSA) started very quietly and crept into national consciousness.

By the time people woke up to realise the impact, they were shocked at the extent the process had gone and were surprised that such a thing could happen.

Today, even though Nigerians are fully aware of the impact of the system, government is in a better position to know the total cash position at any point in time. Compared to now when government operate through one account, there was a time there were over 17,000 accounts in different banks for government agencies and ministries that nobody even knew.

This is made possible because of the platform that can bring all of them together for government to know exactly the cash position via Remita, a platform developed

by SystemSpecs.

Commenting on the viability of the platform recently at the ICAN UK International Conference, the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, FNCA, recently stated that ‘’the economy of scale due to use of the adopted systems by MDA’s instead of investing resources in several ICT platforms also, cash planning is now the basis for issuance of Warrant and Authority to incur Expenditure (AIE) by the Budget Office of the Federation.’’

While the nation’s currency is struggling and Naira’s exchange rates against major currencies have almost doubled in less

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

than a year, the country still have to source enormous foreign exchange to service the huge foreign-owned software assets in use by government at all levels and across the private sector. The beneficiaries are those countries that have nurtured their software industry

and caused us to be dependent on them even in critical areas of our national life. Many stakeholders often imagine what would have happened if GIFMIS and IPPIS at OAGF are powered by indigenous software and not one from Estonia and USA respectively. If ITAS at

FIRS is an indigenous software and not from Canada; if Bank Verification Number (BVN) platform deployed by NIBSS is powered by an indigenous software and not from Germany; if Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) platform at CBN is powered by indigenous software, and not one from Sweden.

Furthermore, patronising indigenous software companies by the government will assist the federal government’s objective of providing employment to teeming talented Nigerian youths.

Others are the conservation of the huge foreign exchange currently lost when paid as annual software maintenance fee to foreign software providers and the retention of 100per cent annual maintenance fees within the Nigerian economy.

Also in addition to that, there is a situation in the past when people will pretend to have made payment to government, and probably forged some receipts and made away with it, now it is no longer possible as every payment is verified online before service is provided.

In terms of impact, this is a system that has really fundamentally changed many things.

When the TSA project was to start, nobody even understood the scope and nobody could give any form of statistics on the data that would come, saying how many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), this was a contentious issue that was debated severally but with TSA now there is a lot of data flowing into government which now move to the next face; economic planning. Nigeria would have benefitted if the software installed at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), NIBSS and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the banks are powered by indigenous software companies.

To this end, pundits believe that if any of Nigerian banks follow the example set by Remita, and uses indigenous software rather than the prevailing situation where they all use foreign software from India, Jordan, Switzerland, the development would have helped the country to preserve its foreign reserves and thereby become a net exporter of software and an earner of huge foreign exchange.

AKINWUMI: APCON COULD ADD VALUE TO THIS GOVT we would have activities. Don’t forget that under my tenure, we amended the advertising code. There is a whole lot of work to be done under that amended code. So, the earlier the government actually inaugurates the Council, the better for the whole nation.

Some practitioners believe the council should be treated as a regulatory body and not seen to be part of government where it can be toyed with. What is your position?

There are arguments back and forth about the council. Primarily, nobody can change some fundamental things about APCON. It was introduced by decree 55 of 1983 under General Babangida as a regulatory body under the federal Ministry of Information. I think that was one of the first errors that were made.

I think APCON should not have been under the Federal Ministry of Information. APCON should have been in the Presidency. Even though it functions and responsibilities are aligned to what happens in the Information ministry, I think because of the critical nature of its role, it should have been under the presidency. Because what APCON does is very critical. What is communicated to the public on drugs, and medicine and so many things come from APCON. Remember that it is the responsibility of APCON to set the syllabus.

The role of APCON is very critical. Sometimes, I am surprised that government does not understand the role of APCON as a critical tool of communication which is quite unfortunate. In the last few years and the last three ministers, things have gotten better. I think now they know the critical role APCON plays. Every

time they proscribe the board of parastatal, they should not touch APCON. APCON is not where you put political appointees. By law, composition of the council is very clear.

It is a regulatory body. You don’t need to tamper with it .It is more, like the Nigeria Medical Council, Nigeria Legal; Council.

Why do some cabals in government want to put their people in a place that is purely professional? I am hoping that as times goes on or as more information or education goes

You have got to take it back from my tenure as APCON chairman.

I was sworn in 2010, which means I should have left in 2013 but unfortunately there was a cook up in the appointment of my successor

on, it would not happen again.

Coming back to the other issue, the only thing it does which makes it government reliable is that it takes subvention from them.

The question then is; can APCON operate without subvention? Of course, it can. It is important to state that what government gives APCON is very small. I think in one year, it was less than a N100 million. I think that is a council that is supposed to have offices in all the states including g Abuja.

But APCON generates its income through vetting and other things that it does. It can operate as a regulatory body without any tampering as long as the laws are firm.

APCON can operate without being under government. Nigeria Medical Association and Nigeria Legal Council are not under any government and they are functioning.

As long as the law setting it up is firm, it does not have to be under the presidency or any ministry.

The council is blamed for the unethical adverts ran in various media during the 2015 elections; do you think there is a process through which such ad could be control?

APCON is severely limited. It is a federal regulator that is supposed to have offices in all the states including Abuja. But on account of the budget that it is given due to financial inadequacies, APCON, at best, is operation in 13 states. For me, that is obvious limitation.

APCON cannot hire enough people because the budget to take such decision is not there.

That is also another limitation. The work of regulator involves investing in people to manage the process and the technology. I

know that during my time, we invested in technology that can track but this is growing.

The second issue is political. APCON reports to the Federal Ministry of Information and the Minister reports to the Presidency.

If the president’s party decides to ignore APCON and run an ad, what can APCON do? It is a big shame for the presidency for doing that. It is taken advantage and weakening one of its own institutions. In fairness, because I was still partly involved in APCON, the compliance level was high. Ads came in from all the parties to the agency where they were vetted even though not all of them passed through the agency. I understand that they were still leakages especially outside of Lagos. But I think we must have achieved 70% compliance level.

Given all of the limitations of APCON, which then underscores the question raised on protracted delay in reconstitution of APCON board, the council must be put in place on time so that the council can put in place something that would make operate more effectively. The longer it takes to put the council in place, the more you find out that all kinds of ads being thrown at our faces. If it continues, all of these things that can affect lives, morality and attitude would be what we get as ads on daily basis. Media houses take all kinds of ads for commercial purposes since there is no APCON council to regulate them. So, that is why the longer it takes to return the council, the more danger that the entire nation is exposed to.

The Electronic Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) has announced a partnership deal with the N

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CSR: Meadow Hall Lifts Experts Recommend More Consumer Engagement Public School During Recession Meadow Hall Foundation (MHF), a subsidiary of Meadow Hall Group, is raising N1.8 million to build a modern library for her adopted public school, Ilasan Primary School, Jakande.

Founder’s day is an annual program organised by MHF in honor of Mrs. Kehinde Nwani, who contributes positively to the lives of the needy, orphaned and vulnerable children in the society.

The focus of the event this year was to raise funds for Ilasan Primary School Library project. Highlights of the events included a novelty match between children from elevation Church and Ilasan Primary School.

According to the Head of Meadow Hall Foundation, Mrs. Oluwakemi Adewoye, besides raising the N1.8 million for the Library project, Meadow Hall Foundation is committed to improving the all round standard of education at Ilasan Primary School.

MHF, the non-profit arm of Meadow Hall Group also seeks to offer national development, youth empowerment and nation building, by providing for underprivileged children and giving them better access to educational opportunities, supporting communities, public schools pupils and teachers through various community service, charitable initiatives and programmes.

According to Mrs. Adewoye, “various developmental activities have been done at Ilasan Primary School, including the building of a school fence and gate, donations of educational resources amongst others all aimed at boosting the morale of the students and increasing attendance and academic performance.

To bolster this private-public partnership, we try to replicate

some of the activities held at our school in order to create a similar environment or experience for Ilasan Primary School Children.

We also engage the students in educational games and extra-curricular activities to inspire creativity in the children”.

Founder of Meadow Hall Group, Nwani, said her love for education led to the birth of Meadow Hall in 2002 driven by a deep desire to impact the educational outcomes of the Nigerian child, while continuously developing teachers.

Meadow Hall has since inception successfully evolved to an education group with a mission to revolutionise the educational sector through 5 subsidiaries: Meadow Hall Education which offers an integrated scheme based on a delicate blend of the British and Nigerian curricula.

It comprises of an Infant / Junior School (in Lekki and Ikoyi) and a College (in Lekki) Meadow Hall Consult, training and consulting firm focused on raising the standards and quality of education service providers and spreading best practices.

Spring Meadow Edutainment, a non core education company, which promotes talents in children in areas such as sports, music and skill acquisition. It also organises excursions, fairs and camps for students.

Meadow Hall Branchise, aimed at spreading best practices is a franchising company that engages in the selling of the Meadow Hall Franchise.

Each of the subsidiaries were created to meet specific needs in the education sector and to be used as a platform for public service.

Stories by Raheem Akingbolu Rather than cutting marketing budget as a palliative for the current economic recession, business owners have been advised to innovatively expand their platforms and roll out more consumer engagement communication materials.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Marketers’ Conference organised by the Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) in Lagos, recently, the Managing Director of the Nielsen West Africa, a brand and marketing research company, Mr. Lampe Omoyele, urged brands not to succumb to the temptation of cutting down on their marketing budgets despite internal and external pressures. According to him, engaging consumers at a time like this will ultimately help brand owners to make more gain.

Presenting a paper on ‘Consumer Confidence Trends and Engagement’, Lampe noted that since the third quarter of 2015, consumer confidence in the economy has dropped significantly, and it has dropped even further in

the first quarter of 2016 due to nagging issues like devaluation, foreign exchange crisis, high inflation, budget delay and many others. He also noted that his company’s research revealed that there was a general decline in job prospects and a reduced willingness to spend by most consumers.

Because of these challenges, he explained further that most business owners now prioritise their expenditures and are consistently cutting down on what they spend on.

Omoyele also noted that, as expected, the sector that has had the worst hit is the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), which is usually a major indicator for consumer confidence in any country. Most of the companies in the FMCG, he stressed, have reported losses. On the other hand, Alcoholic beverage brands, Telco brands and non-alcoholic beverage brands have all recorded some growth despite the drop in consumer confidence.

According to the expert, the growth in the alcoholic sector resulted from the natural tendency for alcoholic consumption during “down or low moments”. Telco companies, from

his research, recorded growth because of the general attitude of Nigerian to talk and connect with family and friends regardless of the economic situation.

However, from his study, the growth in the soft drink segment was primarily driven

by Coca-Cola’s share a Coke campaign which was a highly successful and inspiring marketing drive. Likewise, growth in the alcoholic segment has been largely driven by Nigerian Breweries. Diageo Nigeria was in a form of decline despite the acclaimed success of Orijin, the rave of the moment alcoholic brand. Lampe explained further that the key factor responsible for the growth of NB Plc was their acquisition of Consolidated Breweries which had a host of value brands. “So the growth was driven by the value brands,” he said.

This study’s INDEX- an acronym for Information through Disguised Experimentation- was gathered each quarter via survey of households and consumers opinion on current conditions and future expectations of the economy. And the current reverses in the economy according to the research and marketing expert have been

triggered by inflation and other macro-economic issues like fall in oil prices, delay in the passage of budget, static wages and loss of jobs.

Ultimately, Omoyele warned that the FMCGs must begin to engage consumers in a positive way if they want to retain or even expand market share.

“They must ensure they remain in touch with people consuming their brands, and they should do so through quality engagement” he admonished.

Also presenting a second lead paper on ‘key digital trends and opportunities for Advertisers’, Juliet Chiazor, Country Manager of Google Nigeria stressed that It is time Brands start considering using digital platforms and tools for marketing if they don’t want to go into extinction. Reinforcing this belief, she stated that whether brand owners like it or not, digital communication has come to stay so brands must learn how to utilise it properly.

As part of her organisation’s contribution to this vital need for awareness, she announced that Google would be offering free digital training to five people from each member organisation of ADVAN.

Chi Showcases Health Benefits of Hollandia Soya Milk In a bid to win consumers appeal, the management of Chi Limited has repackaged its Hollandia Soya Milk to resonate freshness and innovation.

The brand now appears in a trendy size and design for consumers nationwide. At the unveiling of the new identity in Lagos, the company also used the occasion to point out the health benefit of the drink as well as its taste and smooth texture.

Commenting on the new launch, Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. ‘Deepanjan Roy said “We know that health is one of the biggest motivating factors in consumers’ decision making process, so we decided to give them a healthy soya drink that has absolutely no cholesterol leading to a healthy heart and active life”.

The milk which has received endorsement from different quarters including the Nutrition Society of Nigeria is lacking in cholerosterol, a statement by the management is said to confirmed the claim It states“ Hollandia soya

milk is a rich source of Calcium and Vitamin A”, and comes with ‘No Cholesterol’.

Naturally, soy based foods or drinks help lower cholesterol levels in the body.

With ‘No Cholesterol’ in Hollandia Soya milk, it helps avoid further cholesterol buildup and keeps heart healthy.

This is great news for teeming health conscious Nigerians.” “ It appeals to every Nigerian who is health conscious and desires active lifestyle and a healthy heart.

“This is clearly amplified on the pack, which features a strong blue colour combination and an assortment of small icons that typify various sporting activities that connect with the health conscious consumers.

The pack is really unique because it comes in 2 fantastic sizes; the 1 litre pack and the smaller 315ml pack which has prismatic shape making it great for carrying about just the right amount of Hollandia Soya Milk to stay active after some strenuous activity,” he stated.

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L-R: Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission, Lagos office, Aninweke Okechukwu; Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Globacom, Folu Aderibigbe and Head, Back Office Sales, Globacom, Niyi Olukoya, during the launch of Glo Hamma Millions promo in Lagos...recently

Peak’s World Milk Day Initiative to Celebrate Consumers As part of efforts to celebrate World Milk Day and increase awareness on the imperatives of milk consumptions in Nigeria, Peak Milk a brand under the stable of Friesland Wampco has perfected plan to make it an unforgettable experience as pupils from selected schools in both primary and secondary schools in Lagos will be treated to a meal with Milk.

The day which is celebrated by the people all across the world on annual basis on 1st of June has been chosen to increase public awareness about all aspects of the natural milk such as its natural origin, milk nutritional value and

various milk products including its economic importance throughout the globe.

The celebration which started in several countries (Malaysia, Colombia, Romania, Germany, United Arab Emirates, USA and etc) through the participation of various consumers and employees of milk industries will be given much spice in Nigeria as the company, Friesland Campina has announced an initiative tagged ‘Plan A Day’s Meal With Milk’ for the celebration While describing the relevance and contribution of milk to healthy living, a statement from the manage-

ment of the company was quoted as saying that “Milk is focused as the global food throughout the celebration of world milk day. Varieties of promotional activities are conceived to celebrate and work together in order to distribute the message of milk importance to the common public through series of promotional activities all through the day”.

“In Nigeria, World Milk Day celebration has impacted large population to understand the reality of milk. Milk is great source of all the healthy nutrients required by the body. It is very energetic diet provides instant energy to the body as it

contains high quality proteins including both essential and non-essential amino acids and fatty acids”.

The management of the company further noted that the idea behind using children in encouraging milk consumption was to help curb malnutrition which seem to be prevalent in the society.

It states” It is an initiative being packaged through driving versatility and imaginative use of milk tagged ‘Art of milk’.

The idea‘Plan A Day’s Meal With Milk (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)’ will entail schools and pupils planning three square meals for a day using milk.

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This is the Real Reason Why Nigerians Are Paying More for Tomatoes

Tomatoes in baskets

Tomatoe attacked by Tuta

The Dangote Farms Tomato Processing Factory announced that it has halted operations in its $20 million tomato paste facility due to a scarcity of tomatoes, barely two months after beginning operations, according to Ventures Africa.

This announcement comes as a surprise to many that believed Dangote was the reason for the tomatoes shortage plaguing Nigeria.

The tomato plant was anticipated to help reduce wastage of the fruit in the country and to also minimise the amount of imported tomato pastes in the Nigerian market.

According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria produces about 1.5 million tons of tomatoes a year, but over 900,000 tons is lost to rot.

Nigerians have been severely affected

by the scarcity of tomatoes, which is a key ingredient in most of the delicacies prepared in this part of the continent.

The price of the fruit has increased by 400 percent; Nigerians now pay around 200 Naira for the same quantity of tomatoes which was sold at 50 Naira few months ago. But while there have been different rumours concerning the tomato scarcity, the real reason for the scarcity is a devastating pest attack which has affected this year’s harvest. A pest known as Tuta absoluta has reportedly affected tomato farms in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Plateau states.

Tuta absoluta attack Tuta absoluta is also known by the common name tomato leafminer or the South American tomato moth and has been spreading rapidly

across the world from South America, where it was first discovered.

It has the ability to destroy a whole tomato farm within 48 hours and is also very difficult to control as it has a high mutation capacity with the ability to develop a resistance to insecticides. Around this time last year, farmers in some parts of Nigeria recorded losses as a result of this same pest attack but the consequences of this attack weren’t reflected in the price of the commodity because the demand for the crop wasn’t as high as it is now.

If the Nigerian government does not treat this as a matter of urgency it can take years to recover from the attack. It took Sudan about three years to recover from a similar attack in 2010. This plague could also dampen the export of fruits and vegetables.

Quick facts about the tomatoes industry in Nigeria Nigeria is the 14th largest producer of tomatoes in the world. It is also the largest producer of tomatoes in sub-Saharan Africa and the eighth largest importer of tomato paste in the world after Iraq and Japan.

The country has a significant demand for processed tomatoes but almost half of the tomato pastes found in its markets have been imported from China and Italy.

Last year, the Director General and CEO of the Raw Material and Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, revealed that Nigeria spends about $1.5 billion annually on tomato product-importation from China and other parts of the world. Erisco tomato paste known as Nagiko is the first tomato paste to be made in Nigeria.

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ATCON Assures Nigerians of Safe Telecoms Investments Emma Okonji The newly elected executives of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have promised Nigerians that the association would do everything possible as an advocacy group, to protect telecoms investment in the country.

Its newly elected President, Mr. Olusola Teniola, gave the assurance in Lagos recently, when giving his acceptance speech, shortly after his election.

According to him, “ATCON will continue to protect the existing investment in the Nigerian telecoms sector through advocacy for an enabling environment in Nigeria. ATCON will also encourage further investment in the sector through trade mission to other countries of the world.”

Teniola promised he would work tirelessly to take ATCON as an institution to an enviable position through execution of programmes that would aid telecoms industry growth. “For me, the association has once again proved to the whole industry that it believes in corporate governance. The current executives will be more proactive in that a form will be sent on monthly basis to

all telecom companies that are not registered with ATCON to find out some of the areas that the association needs to intervene.”

He promised to resolve all pending issues in the industry so that more investors can invest freely in the sector.

Teniola, who also promised strategic and purposeful engagements with all tiers of government, said the concept of the association was to support and give direction to the policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria. “This executive shall concern itself with the federal, state and local government in respect of developing the telecommunication sector in a manner that everyone wins.

The telecommunications business is on the exclusive list of federal government, but what is playing out or obtainable in our country right now is that all tiers of government impose taxes on members of the association in a way that is affecting the growth of the telecommunication sector in Nigeria,” he said, adding that ATCON as an institution will work closely with all agencies setup by various tiers of government to develop a model that would be mutually beneficial to everyone in the value chain.

Teniola also promised to expand the scope of Commu-

nication Business Information Technology Exhibition and Conference (ComBIT Expo), which is a popular conference and exhibition organised by ATCON in the past, by reactivating the organisation.

In order to strengthen ATCON Secretariat through

partnership, the newly elected President said ATCON would be open for strategic partnership from its members and international communities, and shall continue with existing programmes that the Association has developed in the past.

Other members elected into

ATCON executive position, include Tony Nwosu as the 1st Vice President; David Roberts as the 2nd Vice President; Myke Ofili as the National Secretary; Adeyegbe Aderonke as Treasurer; Ikechukwu Nnamani as Coordinator, Telephone Operators; and

FACILITATING STARTUPS COMPETITION IN PARIS

L-R: Chief Future Officer (CFO), Troyka Holdings, Mr. Solomon Ikhioda; CEO/Co-founder, HotSauce, Mr. Dayo Adefila and Managing Director, The Quadrant Company, Mr. Bolaji Okusaga, at the Viva Technology Startup Connect Paris 2016 press conference in Lagos... recently

Globacom to Reward ILAN Holds Investiture for its 10th President Customers with N125m in Ebere Nwoji Ralph has been a member and (MIIMS) as well as Member of ILAN since 1991 and was of Society of Marine Engineers Promo Institute of Loss Adjusters appointed the Honorary As- & Ship Surveyors.

Emma Okonji Globacom has announced fresh plans to give out a total of N125 million in cash prizes to its subscribers in a new promotion called Glo Hamma Millions.

The consumer reward scheme, which will run for the next 100 days, was launched in Lagos this week.

Giving details of the promo at the event, Globacom’s Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe said five subscribers would win N5 million each, making a total of N25 million. The N5 million winners will emerge every 20 days.

In addition to the N5 million jackpot prize, there is also N100,000 cash to be won by 1,000 other lucky subscribers. He disclosed that 10 subscribers will each win N100,000 cash every day for 100 days, making a total of 1,000 winners and a total of N100 million.

Aderibigbe said the reward scheme was developed because Globacom appreciated the customers as the focal point of its operations and that a total of 1005 winners will emerge in the promo.

“We are aware of the economic challenges faced by many now, and we are constantly looking for ways to positively impact the lives of our subscribers and help ease the difficult times,” he explained.

“We are committed to changing the lives of our people for good and to re-

warding our loyal subscribers across the country. Glo Hamma Millions Promo is therefore designed to achieve this purpose,” he said.

“To win in Glo Hamma Millions Promo, customers are required to text ‘GLO’ to 555 and answer a football trivia question. Within minutes of texting, subscribers will receive a particular question. A fresh question shows up each time the code is sent. After each text, N100 will be deducted from the subscribers’ account,” Aderibigbe explained, adding that draws will be done daily to determine the winners.

He called on prepaid subscribers on the Glo network to seize the opportunity to text as many times as possible to increase their chances of winning the fantastic prizes being offered by Globacom in the promo.

“Globacom has distinguished itself as an operator that spares no resources in appreciating its customers. The company has since inception organized several customerappreciation schemes with different category of winners emerging from all nooks and crannies of the country,” he added. The Hamma Millions promotion is in line with Globacom’s tradition of always rewarding its subscribers with mouth-watering prizes in customer appreciation schemes.

Representatives of telecoms regulatory authorities at the event also hailed the promo and described it as a competitive way to empower subscribers.

Jude Egokwu as Coordinator, Infrastructure Providers.

Others are Gbeyega Ojuri as Coordinator, Internet Services Providers; Adebusuyi Adetunji as Coordinator, Manufacturer’s Representative; and Hyacinth Anucha as Coordinator, Value Added Services.

of Nigeria (ILAN),will today (Wednesday, May 18th) formally hand over the baton of its leadership to its 10th president Mr. Ralph Opara in an investiture ceremony scheduled to take place at the Lagos Country Club, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

According to the Chairman, Organising Committee of the Vestiture, and Vice President of the Institute, Mr. Femi Hassan, Mr. Oparah will be formally decorated with insignia of office at the ceremony.

Oparah, who took over office since September 2015, from his predecessor Lebi Omoboyowa, as the new President of the 34 years Institute, is expected to serve for one term of two years.

He started his insurance career whilst in his early twenties in 1973 straight from secondary school. All his working life has been in the insurance industry especially in the technical support subsector where he transversed all areas: broking, pensions consultancy, risk surveying, marine surveying and loss adjusting. He has got all the relevant qualification in each of the areas and did so while on the job thus marching academics with practice.

Ralph was the founding CEO of Technique Loss Adjusters Ltd which later transformed to an insurance technical support group with the incorporation of Techno Hazard Appraisal & Control Services Ltd (for risk surveying) and Veritas Marine Services Ltd (for hull and cargo surveying).

sistant Registrar in 1998 and the Honorary Registrar from 2000 until he was elected Vice President in 2011 and then President in 2015.

He therefore understands the Institute inside out.

Opara, in 2000 stepped out to work for Alpha Group which cutting edge is essentially engineering approach to claims and surveys? By the time he returned to his group four years later, he had become a reference point for engineering related claims, risk surveying and marine hull surveying.

He is currently midwifing the establishment of an international oil, gas and energy loss adjusting outfit which would be comparable to Nigeria’s foreign counterparts..

Along with four other loss adjusters who are pioneering this project, Nigeria will soon boast of a specialist surveying and adjusting outfit that will bring home the much needed expertise in oil, gas and energy claims surveys.

According to Hassan, Opara,is a member of many professional associations both nationally and internationally, such as Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute, UK/ Nigeria; (ACII),Fellow of Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria; (FILA), Fellow of International Federation of Adjusting Associations; (FIFAA),Associate of Risk Surveyors Association of Nigeria(ARSAN), member of CMarTech Chartered Marine Technologist(CMarTech), Member of International Institute of Marine Surveying

The Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria is a Corporate Professional body and one of the major arms of the insurance

industry in Nigeria. Its members provide the necessary technical support services to the insurance market in the insurance market in the areas of Claim investigation, verification, and settlement.

Japan Oil Firms Eye Smaller Investments Amid Low Oil Price Japanese oil companies are planning to cut spending on exploration and refining over the next few years as the plunge in crude prices since 2014 hammers their balance sheets and refining margins.

While small compared to the international oil majors, the curbs on new investments planned by Japanese refiners and explorers show that even with signs the market has bottomed companies are hesitant to increase spending.

“In response to the severe business environment, we have been trying hard to cut investments,” Toshiaki Sagishima, the general treasury manager at Idemitsu Kosan told reporters during a briefing on earnings this week, when Japan’s refiners reported their annual or quarterly results.

“We have posted two straight years of speculative investment losses ... damaging our finances.

So our basic stance is to curb investments as much as possible and we have been screening possible outlays carefully,” he said.

Idemitsu is Japan’s secondbiggest refiner by sales, which slumped by nearly a quarter in the year through March. It will cut investments by 13 percent to 104 billion yen ($956 million) in the year that started in April.

Globally, top oil companies have struggled to cope with a roughly 70 percent decline in oil prices since their 2014 peak, triggering a wave of spending cuts on new wells and projects to conserve cash.

JX Holdings, Japan’s biggest refiner, also plans to drastically cut investment in the next couple of years.

The company on Wednesday reported a record annual loss of 279 billion yen, while sales slumped 20 percent.

JX plans to spend 440 billion yen in investments in the business year that started in April, up 38 pct from a year earlier, but spending will be cut to 500 billion yen over the next two years starting from April 2017.

“We will slim down investments in the upstream business and boost spending on the mid and downstream areas,” said JX Holdings President Yukio Uchida.

Japan’s biggest oil and gas explorer Inpex Corp also said on Thursday it would reduce development expenditure by 24 percent to 667 billion yen in the year that started in April, due to lower energy prices.

Following describes Japanese oil companies’ investment plans for this business year that started in April compared with a year earlier.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

UPMFB Empowers 796 Ericsson, Smart Africa Alliance Partner to Drive Digital Persons with N247.72m Africa Micro Credit and usage of Information and Our experience working on transform African nations into Emma Okonji In furtherance of its avowed objective to alleviate poverty in the society, the Enugu based Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank (UPMFB) has disbursed a total of N247, 719, 959 micro credit fund to a total of 796 active poor people in Enugu State in the first quarter of 2016.

The funds were to help the beneficiaries meet their financial needs, improve their quality of living and lift them out of poverty.

Details of the micro credit funds’ disbursements provided by the bank’s Head of Credit/ Business Development, Mr. Ikechukwu Ngene, according to a statement, indicated that out of the N247, 719, 959 disbursement, a total of 306 females received a total amount of N169, 039, 459, while the balance of N78,680, 500 went to a total of 490 male beneficiaries.

Ngene regretted that the amount of funds disbursed by the bank in the first quarter of the year was below the bank’s budgeted figure for disbursement.

He attributed the cause of not meeting the bank’s target for disbursement in the first quarter of the year to “the current high cost of living that affected virtually all business activities in the country”, hoping however that the situation would improve in the second quarter of the year, “when the national budget would have gone into implementation and economic activities revived.”

Expressing optimism that there would be economic improvement in the country by the end of the year, the Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank’s Credit/ Business Development manager assured that the bank was focused and determined to achieve its projected target of fund disbursement to create jobs and empower many more people out of poverty by the end of 2016, expecting that the bank’s fortunes would also rise further this year.

Advising the micro credit facilities beneficiaries “to use the facilities well and to repay promptly, so as to continue to receive more from the bank”, Ngene said the facilities were aimed at creating maximum wealth for the beneficiaries, hence he advised them to manage it with prudence and honesty.

He reiterated an earlier charge to the bank’s loans officers to always lend money to people of good character and conscience. Meanwhile, the Enugu State government has rated Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank as the best among other microfinance banks in the State. The rating came from the governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented by his Special Adviser on Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Mr. Anayo Agu, on an occasion organized by the bank.

Venture Capital Summit Holds in June

The Venture Capital Advocacy Summit that is expected to facilitate the entrenchment of Venture Capital Culture in the country will hold between 28th and 30th June, 2016 in Lagos.

The Summit being organised by Alfe City Company Limited with the support of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment and the House Committee on Commerce will feature the maiden introduction of the concept of venture capital and provide an opportunity for interaction with international experts and seasoned investors.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Alfe City Company Limited, the organisers, Mr Soji Adeleye, to say that Nigeria needs a thorough re-engineering at the moment would be an understatement.

He added: “Venture Capitalism offers Nigeria and its universally acclaimed entrepreneurial people a new vehicle that could turn that creativity into economic power.”

He said the endorsement of the summit by the National Assembly was crucial as the entrenchment of the Venture Capital culture in Nigeria would require legislative underpinning to guarantee the safety of investment of investors.

Also, the Chairman Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki said: “We share the principle and objectives behind this very laudable program and commend it to all stakeholders across the country.

“We hereby convey our commitment to work with you and other stakeholders for the success of the summit and subsequently perform our legislative responsibility to ensure a successful entrenchment of venture capitalism culture in Nigeria.”

Similarly, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Rt Hon Sylvester Ogbaga said the committee considered the summit’s objectives as very laudable. “I wish to therefore convey the decision of the committee to collaborate with Alfe City Company Limited in that regard,” he said.

On the participation of the state governments, the Alfe City boss said for the economic growth of a federation like Nigeria to be successful and sustainable, federating unit’s governments must be seen as caterers for the Oasis that must converge for the national economy to prosper.

“State governments must necessarily pursue economic policies that are conducive for private sector investment.

Universities and Colleges of Technology environments must essentially be supported to breed entrepreneurs that could rely on venture capital to translate their inventions and creativity into economic power.”

The Smart Africa Secretariat and Ericsson have signed partnership deal to meet the goal of developing a more connected and fully functioning knowledge-based society in Africa.

As a result of the partnership, Ericsson joins the Smart Africa Alliance as technical advisor and platinum private sector member, collaborating with the Alliance to craft blue prints supporting the implementation of the Smart Africa vision and plan.

Established in 2013, Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband

Communications Technology (ICT).

This announcement follows the collaboration with the government of Rwanda on key projects in the financial, transport, utilities and public safety and security sectors, founded on the Smart Rwanda Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2014.

The development of a smart city in Kigali, part of the Smart Rwanda initiative, aims to become a world-class reference model project for the Smart Africa Alliance.

Speaking about the partnership, the Head of Region, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, Fredrik Jejdling, said: “We are honoured and excited about working with various African countries to enable an information-rich and knowledge-based society.

Smart Rwanda has provided an excellent platform to replicate and tailor similar solutions for other Member States and Governments. ICT will change cities, countries and industries and ultimately lead to a truly Networked Society in Africa.”

The Smart Africa Initiative is geared towards connecting, innovating and transforming the continent into a knowledge economy thereby driving global competitiveness and job creation.

The initiative also aims at enabling member states to become more competitive, agile, open and innovative smart economies with the most favorable business climates that attracts large-scale investments, rewards entrepreneurship and enables fast growth and exports, leveraging ICT innovations to

smart societies.

The Executive Director of Smart Africa Secretariat, Dr. Hamadoun Touré, said: “Since inception of the Smart Africa Alliance, one of our main principles has centred on the critical need to create an enabling environment for private sector involvement. We realise that economic transformation must be driven by private companies focused on the use of ICT to increase access to markets and information for business.”

“Ericsson has proved to be an outstanding partner to help us drive these goals forward through increasing job creation, productivity and competitiveness supported by their world class technology and unique ability to adapt these solutions for the African continent,” Toure said.

FACTS AND FIGURES

L-R: Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Victor Famuyibo; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde and Finance Director, Mr. Mark Rutten at the Nigerian Breweries Pre-AGM Press Conference, held in Lagos...recently

Custodian Records N5.7bn Profit, Declares 20k Dividend Ebere Nwoji Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc in its business outing for the year ended December 31, 2015, raised its profit before tax (PBT) by 11.8 per cent, having grown its profit from N5.1 billion in 2014 to N5.7 in the 2015 financial year.

The company, in line with the above performance, announced a dividend of 20 kobo per share for shareholders. Its assets stood at N57 billion with cash, its cash equivalents and financial assets component makes up more than N38 billion, or approximately 66 per cent of the total assets.

The underwriting firm’s gross revenue also increased by 19

per cent to N29.8 billion.

Announcing the result at the 21st annual general meeting of the company held in Lagos recently, the company’s chairman, Chief Michael Ade Oio said despite the tumultuous business environment in which the company operated in 2015, it did not only survive but thrived respectably. According to him, the level of liquidity of Custodian and Allied Insurance, assures its customers of the company’s readiness to take advantage of whatever opportunities that may arise while at the same time, providing the safety that the clients and shareholders require in the highly volatile

environment. He said although there was a sudden drop in interest rates at the end of last year which negatively affected the present value of the company’s life insurance and future obligations in respect of its annuity portfolio, it is hoped that recovery will ensue when interest rates rebound and the need for the provision reverses. “The revaluation of the portfolio required further financial provision which otherwise would have boosted our results for the year”.

Speaking on dividend, Oio, said following the commendable performance of the company and in line with its practice to regularly pay dividend to

shareholders, it has declared a total dividend of 20 kobo per share for the financial year under review. He noted that the national economic outlook for 2016 is challenging, considering the low crude oil price, dwindling external reserve and apathy of foreign direct and portfolio investors to Nigeria.

He urged the company’s management to continue to exhibit professionalism and ability to wax stronger in the face of adversity. Also, he urge shareholders to encourage and support the company by patronising the its services and recommending them to their associates.

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DEVELOPMENT

Pate: Nigeria’s Most Important Assets Are its People Former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate, a public policy expert and a strategic member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) agenda committee, has a passion about improving lives and Nigeria’s public health system. He spoke with Paul Obi about his vision for a better Nigeria, education and how government intervention can be effective. Excerpts: Since you left office a couple of years ago, there is a foundation which has been linked to you…can you take us through it and your other engagements so far?

The organisation is called Chigari Foundation, its aspiration is to provide world class leadership in supporting communities to implement actions that will positively transform lives and society starting with education, health and bridging the school to work transition for young people in order to ensure that they are actually getting the skills to be employable but also having the opportunity to be employed and contribute to society meaningfully.

It is an indigenous NGO that we formed in 2014 based initially in the North-east part of this country. It is also an effort for us to harness our own resources and the resources of other partners that we can bring together to contribute positively and complement what various governments are doing particularly in the North-east and in Nigeria as a whole. The NGO is currently operating in Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe Bauchi States and the FCT. We are committed as an NGO that connects the local to national as well as global efforts to develop humanity.

What is the philosophy behind this foundation and your projections?

We believe that Nigeria’s most important assets are its people and that in the years to come, it’s not oil that will be the most important resource of this country; rather it is our human capital.

All of our people especially our young people in particular but young people have to go through different transitions in order to contribute in the efforts of national development. First they have to survive birth, childhood, vaccine preventable disease, malnutrition, adolescence, and reproductive health to make the right choices so that they don’t get infections like HIV and to avoid things like smoking and ultimately to live healthy lives and good mental health up to adulthood before they can contribute; otherwise at any point in the health transition they could be truncated in terms of their ability to contribute.

The second transition is the learning transition which is starting from reading, writing and counting, illiteracy and literacy and through primary school from one class to the other to primary school to higher tertiary education and ultimately to learn life longer because the day you stop learning even as an adult then you are not making progress anymore.

The third transition is called civic transition, helping young people to be responsible sons and daughters, responsible friends in their classes, responsible citizens in their school, responsible team players within the society where they live and ultimately to grow to be responsible leaders and adults. That is a very important transition that helps to build character but also contributes positively to societal development.

For us as a non-governmental organisation, we have a very modest objective. If we can get even 200,000 lives within the next three four years that we have touched positively to put them into the education system to create a path for them, that will be fine.

Global figures like Gordon Brown have projected that there are chances of young people being lifted out of ignorance and poverty through education, and that the gap between the rich and the poor would be breached, so how do you find the synergy to achieve that target?

Education is a great equalizer for everyone no matter your background; if you have access to education you can aspire to higher levels. It is

Pate

unfair for us to deprive those that are being born today the opportunity to get education by virtue of where they are originating from in terms of social status.

There are local governments, state governments and the federal government that they are trying to improve the situation even though in some places it is not enough. Our aim is to advocate but also to find willing partners to catalyse innovative ways that might pull some of those kids that are out of school or that have dropped off from school to bring them back into the education system by providing accelerated learning opportunities.

Deregulated Nigeria

If we can contribute to roughly 1,000, 2,000, 50,000 or 100,000 children in the North-east for instance to get back into the education system, we will be satisfied that we have made a meaningful contribution to society and we will continue to do that. But we can also provide technical assistance to the states and other agencies that actually need that or we can convene partnership from the global to the regional and local to make sure that efforts of government or development partners actually succeed. So in essence, we are advocates.

You are from the North-east zone where there

are a lot of challenges in terms of security and one critical challenge in this crisis is the number of children out of school…do you have a special intervention in that regard?

Yes, I was in several places including Borno, Maiduguri and Damaturu and also some other parts of the country. If you look at the issue of education in the north east, it’s been an issue even before Boko Haram. The environment within which Boko Haram emerged was one that education system was not functioning; it was collapsing in terms of public education.

Most people send their kids to private schools even in those states, so statistics from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF shows that there are millions of children that are out of school in Nigeria, and if you look at them by geo-political zone, North-east has the highest proportion of children out of school. More than 50 per cent of children in the North-east were out of school by 2010 even before escalation of the conflict. Also roughly only about 20 per cent have basic literacy between the age of five and 16 and only about 30 per cent has basic numeracy between the age of five and 16. That means that almost 80 per cent don’t have basic literacy and almost 70 per cent don’t have basic numeracy between five and 16.

If you add the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency with the misplacement of populations, you will realise that there is a huge issue. So in the next couple of months we are going to intervene in at least the three topmost states Borno, Yobe and Bauchi which have the highest proportion of out of school children in the northeast compared to Gombe, Taraba and Adawama. To really ride on the back of the public education system we have identified children that can be exposed to an accelerated curriculum to catch up.

So in the North-east in particular, without dealing with health, education and youth employment issue, the security issue will not just be temporary, it will be there for a long time because the restiveness is likely to continue. But when people are educated, they are empowered, they have skills and they are able to find jobs not necessarily government jobs. They create jobs, they can get employed by the private sector, and then you are preparing the ground for sustainable peace.

RANDOM THOTS

When the Federal Government decided to de-regulate the importation and supply of the premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol last week, little did the concerned officials imagine the ripple effect this announcement would have on the wider economy; aside the millions of naira in profit made by those marketers who already had the product in stock and only simply adjusted their pump meters to N145 and continued selling to flabbergasted consumers.

The ripple and whiplash effects have spread to such an extent that even mango and carrot sellers instantly jacked up the prices of their products and blamed the hike on the increase in pump price of petrol. A basket of tomatoes, which a few weeks ago sold for less than ten thousand naira in major markets is now said to be going for as much as N50,000 for the same quantity, with no added value.

No wonder inflation has climbed to a depressing 13.7 per cent, despite government efforts to manage a sudden but seemingly overdue move. Although everyone agrees that change for a positive outcome is welcome, at the same time the benefits of that change should be visibly felt to calm the frayed nerves of the citizenry. With the ever-spreading de-regulation of the economy, the survival of the average citizen like this reporter is becoming harder by the day and the anger level is rising by the hour. The hope is that the planned social safety nets would be implemented quickly enough to ameliorate the pain in the land. Pray, where are the safety nets?

Abimbola Akosile

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEvELOpMENT/ISSUESINBOx

President Buhari at work for Nigeria’s progress

Can the 2016 Budget Transform Nigeria?

After arguments and amendments between the Executive and the Legislature, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the 2016 budget into law. The N6.08 trillion budget has been described by the ruling administration as people-friendly which will bring about real change to the long-suffering citizens. In your opinion, can this delayed budget actually transform Nigeria and ginger the desired development?

Abimbola Akosile

THE FEEDBACK

* Yes, since PMB has ensured the budget contains the genuine components, there should be no cause for alarm. We must put all the irons on the fire and hit the ground running now. Nigerians are itching to see action of implementation.

Citizens must be carried along too.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State

Yes, it can transform Nigeria:

7

No, it cannot transform Nigeria:

2

Others:

4

Radical tip:

Potential looters, beware!

* The passage of the 2016 national budget was so much delayed at the National Assembly, thus giving its implementation a period far less than 12 months. There is therefore the likelihood that a full implementation of the budget is not feasible. Hence, it could be concluded that the budget will hardly make the desired impact on Nigeria; neither will it ginger the expected development. Future budgets should be passed early enough as to have enough time for its execution.

- Mr. Neville Kikpoye-Jonathan, President, Abua National Associates, Amalem-Abua, Rivers State

Total no of respondents:

13

Male:

10

Female:

3

Highest location:

Lagos (4)

* N6.8 trillion is not small money and I know development of any economy does not happen in one fell swoop. If half of that N6.08 trillion does not go into private pockets, it will go a long way in salvaging the economy, in bringing change and not transformation.

- Mr. Okechukwu Ikonne, Ogbor, Oke-Ovoro, Mbaise, Imo State * If the budget is strictly followed to the letter in terms of implementation, especially in the execution of capital projects, then it has the capacity to transform Nigeria and the livelihoods of Nigerians.

The injection of the N350 billion stimulus into the economy to cushion the effects of fuel deregulation is very important because of the expected rise in inflation and costs of goods and services as a result of the increase in fuel prices. And given President Buhari’s displayed aversion to corruption, any potential looter of the N6.08 trillion budget funds will spend a long time in jail if caught. This budget is a major attempt to correct past wrongs and pacify angry Nigerians; we must make sure it works through citizens’ feedback, projects

monitoring and whistle-blowing.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * Yes, of course it can, if implementation is transparently executed. PMB insisted on the true contents and thereafter endorsed it. Nigerians are genuinely and faithfully hopeful of citizens’ fate. God bless one Nigeria.

- Miss Saiki Ometere Tina, Gboko, Benue State * Certainly no! No certainty of security, threat

by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, Niger Delta youths destroying fuel pipelines, kidnappers e.t.c. Increase on petrol price, no employment or the promised N5,000. I do not foresee how government will tackle agriculture, when farmers cannot go to their farms to till the land and rainy season has set in. Is the scenario a miracle or still compounding problems with no means to alleviate the suffering of the electorate? We pray to God to salvage us from the menace of corruption.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * If fully implemented, it (the 2016 budget) will transform the economy.

- Mr. Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, Leader, Change Makers Forum, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State * N6.08 trillion is a great sum of money. I see that this can transform Nigeria into making all things workable e.g. electricity, roads, water,

food sufficiency e.t.c. but that can be managed by only those who have the country at heart, not those who see government property as their personal belongings. As long as we have such people in the leadership, let it be even triple of this amount, the reverse will be the answer.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * How is a deficit budget expected to ginger the economy? The 2016 budget isn’t exactly fantastic except for maybe relative increase in capital vote. However, considering this government has to start somewhere, I advocate ‘religious’ adherence to and implementation of the 2016 budget.

- Mr. Ekwenjo Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja * The question every Nigerian ought to be asking now is how the budget is going to be funded because corruption is going to intensify its own fight-back. Revenue from oil may not be generated due to a new and easy strategy by militants, that is aimed at stopping oil production in the Niger Delta. General Buhari must stop fresh trials against corrupt persons for now.

Focus on good governance that will get the masses behind you now, while you reform the judiciary.

The timing of this subsidy removal is wrong, because of the level of poverty and lack of money in the economy. Before any palliatives can be implemented, the damage would have already been done. Let the impact of the budget begin to be felt first before the removal. Government must be quick to resolve their issues with Labour because corrupt persons fighting back and disillusioned masses such as those in Kano could hijack the protests.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Yes of course it can. Big congratulations to Nigeria for signing this budget at last. We must avoid undue external interference in our economy. Eventual removal of oil subsidy is also a giant leap. Implementing the budget must commence earnestly. Avoid detractors like David and remain focused at time is our foe now. God bless PMB and Nigeria.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Let us believe the assented budget will put

smiles on our faces, when implemented by ministries and agencies concerned. Despite the challenges in budget passage and the delay, Nigerians will have cause to smile because it is a budget of change. Nigerians have commended the budget as the best one ever; let implementation start in earnest to cushion the sufferings of Nigerians. The delay that happened in the assent of the 2016 budget should not repeat itself in the future. Nigerians should keep hope alive for the budget because PMB means well for Nigeria; it is time.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Transformation is an essential purpose of a national budget, if well implemented and Nigeria is long overdue for this.

- Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State

Next Week: Is Fuel Deregulation Positive or Negative for Nigeria?

The Federal Government recently made petroleum (pMS) importation and supply process open to all comers, in a bid to curb corruption in the sector, remove supply bottlenecks and stabilise the price of the vital product. Although most fuel queues vanished instantly after the announcement and supply improved, but the cost implication for the average citizen is huge and there was resultant inflation in the prices of goods of services. To you, is fuel deregulation positive or negative for Nigeria’s development process? please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (May 19 & Monday, May 23) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@ gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@ thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/ or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306.

Collated responses will be published on Thursday, May 26

38

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Gateway to Apapa, Nigeria’s maritime capital, begging for attention

AKINWUNMI IBRAHIM

LEAD, Stakeholders Brainstorm on Strategic Health Development Plan Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Leadership Empowerment Advocacy and Development (LEAD), a local governance project recently organised a two-day ‘Consensus Workshop’ to empower Bauchi State government health officials on the development of the 2016-2020 State Strategic Health Development Plan (BSSHDP) towards promoting the health status of the people of the state.

The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented

by RTI International.

At the opening ceremony held in Kaduna, the Chief of Party, LEAD/RTI, Tijani Muhammed, in his welcome remarks, said the LEAD project is collaborating with the government to support the development of the new 2016-2020 strategic health plan towards ensuring quality health service delivery across the state.

He explained that the “consensus workshop will provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to further deliberate and build consensus on the health sector strategic vision, mission, priorities and activities that will facilitate the medium term development of the health sector.

“As partners in progress, our effort is to complement and further enhance what you are already doing in the State and local governments, building upon the good work you have already started especially

with the launching of the state government’s five-point health agenda tagged ‘Lafiya Garkuwa’ aimed at enhancing the health status of the people of the state.

“It is our belief that with the current partnership and collaboration, all our good efforts and initiatives as development partners to the State and Local Governments would be sustained even after the end of the project”, he added.

Muhammed said as part of its capacity building efforts, the project has implemented two capacity building activities for government officials in health governance and financing, equipping officials on developing and monitoring their state and local health sector budgets.

He noted that the state was blessed with focused and purposeful leadership as shown by the strides taken towards creating a rallying vision and strategic priorities that will guide the development of the health sector in the medium and long terms. He expressed happiness that the state governor had few months after his election rolled out a 5-point agenda for the health sector towards reversing the trend of some of the health and development indices of the state.

Declaring the workshop open, the state commissioner of Health, Dr. Halima Musa Mukkadas said the BSSHDP is a roadmap towards actualising the aspirations of reforming the health sector by the current

administration of Governor Mohammed Abubakar.

The commissioner, who was visibly elated by the progress so far made by the LEAD/ Bauchi government partnership towards achieving quality, efficient and effective health services to the people of the state, pointed out that “we are on the path of making another giant stride towards the attainment of health for all.”

While commending the LEAD/RTI and other development partners in the state for their support and interventions in different areas towards the improvement of healthcare delivery services across the state, she challenged the participants to “pay full attention and concentrate so that at the end, we will produce implementable plans that can lead to the attainment of our goal of the best healthcare services providers among states in the country.”

According to her, towards achieving the goals of BASSHDP (2016-2020), a number of strategic interventions and activities have been laid out in the implementation framework, reminding the participants to contribute positively because “five years ago, this same process was undertaken, which resulted in the existing SSHDP that now needs a roll-over”.

Speaking on the objectives and expectations of the workshop, the LEAD Health Governance Specialist, Dr. Ibrahim Bichi explained that the consensus workshop was

expected bring out a logical result framework to be designed ‘‘to guide our activities so that the development within the state health sector can further be accelerated.”

Bichi, who was the coordinator of the workshop, also noted that the LEAD project was collaborating with Bauchi state Government to support the development of the new (2016-2020) Strategic Health Action Plan for the betterment

of health system and services of the state.

“And you may recall that LEAD project supported the ‘GAP and Situational Analysis’ workshop conducted on the 2010-2015 State Strategic Development Plan in October 2015.

This was aimed at empowering government officials in Bauchi state to conduct the Action Plan workshop as a second phase in developing

the 2016-2020 State Strategic Health Development Plan.”

The workshop, which was attended by about 100 participants including senior government health officials from the state Ministry of Health, local government councils, development partners, CSOs and the media, among others, deliberated on strategies, interventions, indicators and baselines by thematic groups.

‘Motherless, Abandoned Babies’ Homes Help Reduce Domestic Violence’ Clement Danhutor Motherless and abandoned babies Homes were built by the government in Lagos and other states in Nigeria to help reduce the predicament of domestic violence and also save the lives of the orphaned children, catering for and protecting them against exploitation and inhuman treatment.

This explanation was made by the acting Matron of the Motherless and Abandoned Babies Home, of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Ms Taiwo Idowu, while speaking with THISDAY during a recent visit to the Home, which is located at Makoko Yaba, Lagos State.

According to Idowu, “As an orphan child in this life, it’s difficult to live and excel, when living with guardian without facing domestic

violence, because no one can be like biological parent to these children.

“This children are brought here (MABH) by social workers of Lagos state, It’s not the responsibility of we workers here to adopt the children to anyone, but to take proper care of them.

“It’s our role to take proper care of the children as our own biological children, not discriminating against them, because they are not our own biological children. Likewise, the way we treat our children is the same way we treat them, we know the right time to feed the children, taking them to hospital when they are sick, bathing them, washing their clothes and also we have creche, Nursery and Primary schools here in the compound built by Coca-Cola company for the children last year”, she added.

According to her, individuals, churches, NGOs, and some companies and associations like MTN, Airtel, First Bank, and Fidelity Bank are donating items and cash for the children at the Home.

“There are some donors also who do not want their names to be mentioned, but we thank them also, not to forget that there are some internship students from University of Lagos (Unilag), that made donations for the children also”, Idowu added.

Meanwhile, the branch secretary of the Motherless and Abandoned Babies Home of Nigeria Red Cross Society, Lagos, Mr. Olakunle Lasisi, also expressed his gratitude to all the donors for their financial and emotional support for the children, who looked well-catered for during the visit by THISDAY.

39

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“A lot of people just have an impression of Nigeria based on what they have heard from the media. This is very wrong. Nigeria might be ‘fantastically corrupt’ but that was in the past, not now. There is a difference between was and is. President Buhari is doing his very best to rid Nigeria of corruption” - PRESIDENT OF DANGOTE GROUP, ALHAJI ALIKO DANGOTE, SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW ON THISDAY’S SISTER CABLE NEWS NETWORK, ARISE NEWS, IN LONDON, UK

‘Nigeria, Others to Suffer Most from Climate Change’ Crusoe Osagie

National HDR 2016 Highlights Insecurity Threats to Human Devt in Nigeria Abimbola Akosile The National Human Development Report 2016 has revealed that unchecked human security parameters pose serious threats to human development in Nigeria.

This disclosure was buttressed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria Resident Representative, Ms. Fatma Samoura, at the launch of the Report in Abuja recently. According to Samoura, “Insecurity remains an ever-present threat to peace and development of the country, and, without a doubt, poses great danger and exacerbates an already fragile economic development landscape as the country grapples with the reality of shifting from over-reliance on oil and gas sector to other sectors.”

During the launch ceremony officiated by Minister, Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, and attended

by Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Nigeria, Samoura stated that the report highlights the link between human security and human development with a proposition that there can be no human development without human security and that, perhaps, insecurity in the country, as in many parts of the region, is a mirror image of the persistent development deficit.

The report under the theme ‘Human Security and Human Development’ makes a compelling case that unchecked poverty; persistent hunger; uncontrolled diseases; lack of access to basic services; disregard for human rights; sub-optimal response to natural and man-made disasters; unregulated natural resources exploitation and use – among others, pose serious threats to human development today.

The report further highlighted the existing gap in human security across the geo-political zones of the country; - the most human security

Samoura at the HDR 2016 Report launch in Abuja recently

secure geo-political zone is the South-east while the North-west and the North-east geopolitical zones are the least human security secured, with residents of the Federal Capital Territory being the worst in most realms of the Human Security Index. The North-east region of the country has been the most affected by the more than 5-years-long military insurgency. It also remains among the least developed parts of the country, the report added.

Speaking during the launch, Udoma commended UNDP for the effort in putting together detailed findings of the human development indices for Nigeria. He noted that the report adopted a broader and more holistic view of the issue of human security and its linkage to human development.

He further announced that as part of the measures government is taking to improve the quality of life of Nigerians, N500 billion

has been allocated as Victims Support Fund and Special Intervention Fund.

Despite a robust economic growth of about seven per cent between 2010 and 2014, a large proportion of Nigerians still live in poverty and are exposed to various vulnerabilities.

An estimated 61.3 per cent of Nigerians are classified as poor with 48.8 per cent of them classified as multi-dimensionally poor.

“Our 2016 Federal Government Budget of Changes aims principally at reflating and repositioning the Nigerian economy and addressing the challenges that have placed millions of Nigerians in positions of lack, deprivation and low human security levels.”

Udoma stated, adding that the government was very optimistic that the budget would be effectively implemented to address areas that would improve human security and human development indicators in the country.

Nigeria, alongside most of the world’s poorest countries, are expected to experience daily heat extremes due to climate change sooner than wealthier nations, according to research from an international team including the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.

New findings published Tuesday in the institution’s Environmental Research Letters show that the poorest fifth of the global population will be the first to experience more frequent heat extremes - despite cumulatively emitting the least amounts of CO2. Countries including those in the Horn of Africa and West Africa are likely to be worst affected, according to the study, which is the first to examine the link between cumulative CO2 emissions and more frequent hot days. Dr. Manoj Joshi from UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences said: “Many of the poorest people in the world live in tropical latitudes, while many of the world’s wealthiest people live in mid-latitude climates.

“We know that low latitude regions have much less variability in day-to-day temperatures when compared with the mid-latitudes, which means the ‘signal’ of climate change emerges quite quickly, and because of this, the frequency of extreme hot days increases rapidly too.”

Lead author Luke Harrington, a PhD student at the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute (NZCCRI), said: “Previous studies have shown a link between rising global temperatures and increases in the frequency of local heat extremes, while others have shown a clear relationship between the total amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere and rising temperatures. “This study is the first to use climate models to simulate the end-to-end link between cumulative CO2 emissions and people experiencing more frequent hot days.” The team used state-of-the-art climate models to estimate cumulative CO2 emissions and subsequent changes to extreme local daily temperatures over the 20th and 21st century. An extreme hot day was defined as occurring 0.1 per cent of the time in model simulations of the pre-industrial climate. Dr. Chris Jones from the Met Office Hadley Centre said: “Our results show much fewer cumulative emissions are required for the poorest fifth of the global population to experience a robust increase in the number of extreme hot days, when compared with the wealthiest population quintile.” These results help to clarify how the wealthiest and poorest fractions of the global population will experience different emergent increases in extreme heat with continued climate change.

“We also know the wealthiest countries will be able to cope with the impacts more easily than poorer nations,” said Dr. Erich Fischer of ETH Zurich. “What our research shows is that heat extremes do not increase evenly everywhere, but are becoming much more frequent more quickly for countries nearer the equator – these happen to be disproportionately poorer nations, including those in the Horn of Africa and West Africa. In fact, this pattern was robust even when we considered future projections of population and income.”

Dr. Ed Hawkins from the University of Reading said: “Most importantly, this disparity in exposure to more frequent temperature extremes between the global rich and poor only becomes more pronounced as cumulative CO2 emissions continue to rise.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN / UN SDG ACTION CAMPAIGN

40

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Email: charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

40% of Nigerian Youths Engage in Substance Abuse The consequences of uncontrolled use of alcohol and drug abuse have significantly placed a burden on Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The former Director General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Otunba Ipinmisho, in this interview with Kasim Sumaina, spoke on the implications of substance abuse to the society and its cost to health facilities in the country

W

hat is your take on the series of recent reports on drug abuse in Nigeria?

I sometimes ask myself what the future of this country will be when almost half of its youths are on substance abuse.

It is very important to note that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, because it is a common belief that only the healthy can tend to the needs of others. But, a nation where about 40 per cent of its youths are on drug abuse can be very disturbing. The implications of this cannot be overemphasised. How do you expect economic growth in a sick nation?

Let me inform you that a recent research findings by the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 2009; revealed that 58 per cent of all alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuse-related costs paid by the federal and state government in United State were attributed to healthcare spending, amounting to more than $216 billion in 2005.

Can we say same of our country, Nigeria, no!

To start with, do we really keep enough data to know what we are battling with? Do we have the needed infrastructural facilities to handle cases of drug abuse? Health implications of substance abuse is enormous. Check out the budgetary allocation to the health sector in this year’s budget and see how dismal it is.

I got up usually to address cases of drugs in mosques and people will come and say, if you were in my house you would have known what I have been going through. It is very important to note that due to medical consequences of substance abuse, there is now increased disease prevalence that is made more difficult to treat by ongoing abuse of substances, and the lifestyle associated with addiction, contributes to a heavy cost on healthcare facilities in the country.

More illnesses lead to more cost. Individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol, use expensive forms of acute care more often than others. A growing number of studies show that individuals with addiction and chronic illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular disease or diabetes, are likely to follow good self-care practices and, overall, receive lower quality of care than others with the same illness but no addiction. Nigeria loses $2 billions monthly to India for medical tourism. We don’t like long term project and these are the things that drive development.

Infrastructure is absolutely vital to a nation’s development and growth. The implications of drugs and alcohol abuse lead to high care cost and without adequate health facilities here in Nigeria, we will continue to lose resources to other countries.

Are there ways substance abuse contributes to the spread of HIV /AIDS? Yes of course. Drugs and substance abuse compounds cases of HIV spread in the country.

Because the young boys and girls who abuse drugs don’t care where the syringe they use in injecting the substance is coming from, they just inject it and in a couple of minutes pass it around themselves. It is the fastest way to spread the diseases not just AIDS even the STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). And somebody who is high will sleep with anything at that moment without any precautions. All this will fall back to the society and many of them may not keep one partner. The moment that young boy or girl have sexual intercourse with their partner and that partner in turn sleep with another partner, the spread of disease continue unabated. All these fall back to the already overstretched health sector, including wastage of manpower and the pressure of the virus pile up on the family. Though, successful treatment

want to be fat, who want to be slim now take drugs in place of food. I don’t know how we get into all these. Women should champion a cause against this. The First Lady should please take the lead on this.

Ipinmisho

of substance abuse can lower healthcare costs, but treatment may not completely eliminate cost differences between individuals with and without substance use disorders.

That is why we can not move forward in this country because, the President may rule for four years and achieve nothing because he is pouring water in a basket and this predicaments is the drainage through which efforts are being wasted. For instance, there is no school you enter presently that you won’t find cases of drug abuse, and often times, the school authorities cover them up in order to protect their name.

But at home who will cover it up? The boy taking drug at home is as dangerous as the arm robber in the night. That is a murder in waiting. Because any one who attempts to stop him might end up loosing his or her life.

What is your assessment of the level of drug abuse today in the country?

In Nigeria, it is very frightening, go to political rallies and see what drugs are doing to the youths in the country. Particularly in the North, they have a lot to worry about when it comes to drug abuse as individuals and as an entity.

Most parents think they are sponsoring children abroad and never care about drugs in their life.

There is this apple flavour they call shisha. If they are that concerned for flavour why not go to the market and get one. These are the ways of taking drugs. If you take an estimate of 10 boys particularly in Kano, seven will be on drugs. How then do we ascertain peace in such a place. That is why the governor will labour and see no result because the average teenager there is on drug.

Actually they see developing the roads and bridges but for who? My concern is that the governors of these places do not seem to understand the ravaging issues on ground.

Their concerns, is that when election comes they use these guys and of course, you can’t use normal human beings to do the kind of job they want but never remember that they won’t be in government forever. Their children will go to mosque, church and markets and meet those boys on drugs. I think the modern leaders in the North should gather under one roof and trash out these issues, they should put human development in high priority, otherwise, I cannot rest, because I am not going to settle anywhere else except in this country.

Are there ways we can prevent new drug entrants into Nigeria?

Government can stop the cultivation of these substances, but the problem is NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) has not been equipped. Government is always willing to use the agency it didn’t equip. NDLEA knows how to do all these. They know how to go into the air and spray the farms in a couple of minutes, and the whole farm will die off. Government should empower the agencies saddled with the responsibilities of tackling illicit drug trafficking. Series of findings resulting from the awareness campaign by NDLEA shows that drug issues in Nigeria are of serious concern.

This could be attested to by the huge drug seizures and arrests made by NDLEA across the country in recent times. That there is thriving Indian hemp cultivation in the South-west and South-south geo-political zones of Nigeria. That the North-west, North-east and North-central zones of the country have been bedeviled by the same malaise and the wanton abuse of drugs, including Indian hemp, psychotropic substances and solvents, with the South-east and some parts of South-west having significant prevalence of trafficking; That drug problem is identified as prevalent, owing to lack of awareness of the general population, especially on the inherent dangers of drug abuse and alternatives to illicit drug trade; and that the opportunities available in the mass media should be harnessed to bring the anti-drug message to the door steps of all and sundry. Federal Government should provide considerable budgetary allocation for the effective anti-drug awareness campaign across the country.

Specifically places like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno and presently, Niger States should put priority on this if possible, include health agency to ensure all access to drugs are blocked. Now, the spate of unemployment which is the major agenda of the present government will help because most abusers, during interviews confess to idleness and peer pressure. Parents should educate their children on self-esteem. They don’t need drugs to do anything or to belong. Because it’s sometimes feeling of inadequate and self low esteem that causes it often times. If they are already aware of who they are at home, they won’t need it, just like I do to my children.

Almost every party you go to now, they serve cocaine. I learnt recently that women who don’t

Do you think the agency saddled with the responsibilities of tackling illicit drug trafficking are doing well?

If I send you to Lagos to get me something worth N300,000 and I give you N70,000, would you be able to deliver? No. The problem then is that we have well trained agencies but no resources enough to function.Because they want to hold on to positions as far as salaries keep coming they keep quiet and manage through.

Except for someone like me, who cares not for the money but the future of his children and the country as a whole. Lagos has not up to two functional vehicles likewise Abuja too. When they have to go on operation they will have to borrow official car and believe me not all directors have cars anyway. You see only one Hilux van and probably a private car.

They buy handcuffs, belt and the likes with their money, where then are we going to get the commitments from? The government has actually spent over five billion naira to train these agents with no resources to function.

With these frightening pictures you have painted, what do you think is the way forward?

For our country, the parents have to take up the lead and the government follows too as a matter of priority. Not minding getting finance from power, road etc. By the time the road and power are fixed, there may be no peace to enjoy it and without peace development will stop and may affect everywhere in the country.

Having interviewed some of these abusers, I got to know that some of them don’t feel like human beings after taking this substances, now imagine having so many of them in the country. Go to Wuse ll in Abujaand so many sport centres today, you will see what drugs and alcohol are doing to the youths of this nation.

NDLEA is very much aware of these, but can’t do anything, find out when was the last time the minister collected money or they should even ask where they are getting the seizures from? It does mean we are back to the old story where you catch six, collect money from four and and deliver two at the station, because you need their money to carryout the operations. When I asked what the meaning of that was, they said their former chairman usually said “when you go out for operations use your sense” for how long are we going to be deceiving this country? These agencies are just window dressing, so why do you spend so much money to train personnel of these agencies without resources? And can’t deliver their objectives. I am so bittered about what is happening in Nigeria.

I want to draw your attention to the local areas where they are cultivating these substances, what is the government doing about them?

You want to know what the Government is doing? Should the government fight with the farmers and producers? No! Government can stop the cultivations if actually it meant it. But, did they equipp NDLEA? No. Government is always willing to use the agency it didn’t equip.

NDLEA knows how to do all these. They know how to go into the air and spray the farms in a couple of minutes the whole farm die off.

But, many are happy to work with NDLEA because they share money from the seizures.

There is even no money to follow the barons thereby putting the life of the agents at the mercy of the barons.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

NEWS

Ending Malnutrition Will Drive Sustainable Development, Says DG NAFDAC Martins Ifijeh The Acting Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, has stated that tackling malnutrition effectively in Nigeria will drive sustainable development across the country.

She said the current funding of nutrition intervention was not enough to meet the 2025 World Health Assembly (WHA) targets or the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets of ending malnutrition in all its forms, adding that the concrete action to address malnutrition was being scaledup by all stakeholders.

Oni, who stated this during the National Consultative Summit on Food Fortification #NigeriaFutureFortified in Lagos, said; “Commitment to and financing nutrition intervention may be ramped-up significantly especially with the recent approval of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition by the Federal Executive Council. The approval of the Policy was made possible as a result of the stewardship of the Honourable Minister for Budget and National Planning.”

According to her, good nutrition signals the realisation of people’s rights to food and health. “It also provides

foundation for human development. In a nutshell, good nutrition is an essential driver for sustainable development.

When people’s nutrition status improves, it helps break the inter-generational cycle of poverty, generates broad based economic growth and leads to a host of benefits for individuals, families, communities and nations.

“Malnutrition takes many forms: wasting and stunting in children, obesity and nutrition related non-communicable diseases. These effects of malnutrition apply in all countries and one-in-three people on the planet. Nearly half of the populations of all countries face these multiple serious burdens of malnutrition,” she noted.

She stressed that the Agency was not unaware of the fact that there was still high rates of child and maternal mortality in Nigeria which is partly due to malnutrition. “The Nigerian government in collaboration with development partners, in particular, GAIN, UNICEF, Micronutrient Initiative (MI), WHO and a committee of selected experts initiated certain actions and mounted control programmes including Mandatory Food Fortification aimed at addressing the micronutrient deficiency problems in the country,” she explained.

Nigeria to Save $12 Billion by Eliminating NTDs Martins Ifijeh A recent data released shows that sub-Saharan Africa could save $52 billion between 20112030 if the region meets the World Health Organisation’s 2020 targets for controlling or eliminating the five most common Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Nigeria alone could save nearly $12 billion and avert the equivalent of over 23 million years of life that would have otherwise been lost to ill health, disability and early death.

These statistics developed

by Erasmus University with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were released at an event hosted by the World Economic Forum on Africa and the END Fund, an international philanthropic

organisation in Kigali, Rwanda.

Nigeria is affected by all five of the most common NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis (bilharzia), soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms), and trachoma. Fortunately, however, much work is ongoing to prevent and treat NTDs in Nigeria and protect people against these debilitating diseases, but stakeholders across Africa believed much needs to be done in the area of funding for its elimination.

At the event, the Chief Executive Officer, END Fund, Ellen Agler, said “NTD control efforts offer a return on investment unparalleled in global health,” adding that, “ending these debilitating diseases will help reduce poverty at all levels,

from families and communities to whole nations.”

NTDs are a diverse group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases that are particularly prevalent in areas with limited access to safe water, proper sanitation and adequate medical services. According to statistics, sub-Saharan Africa bears over 40 per cent of the global burden of NTDs, with Nigeria taking a major chunk of the burden.

The report also showed that the impact of NTDs on both health and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa is massive. Each year, these diseases cause disabilities and disfigurements for millions of African citizens with Nigeria taking a major chunk of the burden. NTDs have also been known to cause a marked increase in absenteeism in

schools and dramatically reduce labour productivity, ultimately perpetuating cycles of poverty.

“I have seen the devastating effects of NTDs first hand in my community,” said HRH Queen Sylvia of Buganda, a kingdom in Uganda, who delivered remarks at the event.

“We cannot continue to let people across Africa suffer from these diseases of poverty when simple solutions exist.

It is holding our people and our countries back. We can and we must do more.”

The five most common NTDs in sub-Saharan Africa can effectively be prevented and treated using low-cost, easy-toadminister interventions, such as preventive chemotherapy (PC) treatments through mass drug administration (MDA) in affected communities.

Experts Warn against Use of Mercury Blood Measurement, Say it’s Harmful Rebecca Ejifoma Stress management specialists have warned pharmacists and other medical practitioners from the continuous use of mercury blood pressure measurement, saying it is more harmful to the body and as such it has become obsolete.

Although these experts have concluded that the mercury measurement device was odourless, they recommended the automatic or digital blood measurement device, which they said was the latest and safest way to go.

According to a Stress Management Consultant, Dr. Jacob Nwachukwu, Omron, blood pressure monitoring has provided the modern, easy and affordable way of measuring blood. “Therefore, the world has transited from the old measurement to the digital measurement called ‘out of the office measurement’.

This method affords every individual the opportunity to monitor his blood pressure at home.”

Meanwhile, the health experts have urged people living with asthma to strictly adhere to the medications, as proper control of the disorder would prevent severe asthma attacks that can lead to death.

Founder of Asthma and Chest Care Foundation, Professor Gregory Erhabor said many children with asthma develop symptoms

before age five. “There are a number of conditions that can cause asthma-like symptoms in young children. But if the child’s symptoms are caused by asthma, early diagnosis is important. Asthma treatment in children improves day-today breathing, reduces asthma flare-ups and helps reduce other problems caused by asthma,” he added.

Erhabor, who spoke on ‘Asthma in Children’, explained that it varies by age group. “Infants, toddlers and four-year-olds are diagnosed and treated differently from teenagers and adults.

As a Consultant Chest Physician, Obafemi Awolowo University, Erhabor explained that when a patient admitted for asthma is not properly treated, such a person stands a higher risk of developing severe asthmatic attacks.

On ‘Modern Management of Asthma and Hypertension in Local Communities’, he urged patients to ensure they have an instrument called a Peak Flow Meter for monitoring asthma control with a view to determining the severity of their asthma. “This meter is to the asthmatic what the sphygmomanometer is to the hypertensive or the glucometer to the diabetic. Working together with the doctor, the asthmatic needs to have a written health management plan to know when asthma is not controlled and what to do in that instance.”

GIVING BACK TO THE SOCIETY

Medical team and members of the Rotary Club of Ikeja Central District providing free Oral and Dental care to a patient. With them are the District Governor of 9110 (3rd right), Rotarian Obidi Ugeh and Rotarian Bola Onabadejo (2nd left) in Lagos ...recently

Invivo Opens New Outlet in Demonstrate Political Will to Enable Pharmacists Perform Abuja Metropolis Efficiently, ACPN Tells FG

Paul Obi in Abuja

Invivo, a health and wellness one-stop chain shop has opened a new outlet in a move to expand its reach across the country in the provision of efficient and effective community health services to Nigerians.

The opening of the new shop is in continuation of the company’s resolve to extend free medical treatments to about 2.5 people across the country as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The company also hinted that with the free medical services, it will raise the health consciousness using several of its chain shops across the country.

Speaking to journalists at the opening of the shop, located at the popular Ceddi Plaza, Central Business Area of Abuja, Invivo director John Onyeoguzoro explained that already, the company has provided free medical consultation for some 10,000 patients since it opened outlets in Lagos and Ibadan. He stated that the company’s aim of reaching the target demands opening about 500 outlets nationwide, adding

that, the shops are structured to operate a basic model associated with primary health care that offers patient-centred, consultation-driven health and provide discreet and efficient health services. “Already two more outlets are currently in the pipeline and these will run a pharmacy and treatment room with a resident doctor offering free consultations on a daily basis,” Onyeoguzoro told journalists on a tour of its outlet in Abuja. Onyeoguzoro stated that “according to its model, patients can get free consultation with a staff medical doctor, who runs rapid tests—or refers out tests beyond Invivo’s capacity—before writing out prescriptions for a drug pickup at the pharmacy.

“Staff nurses and pharmacists also provide patient care, alongside other health professionals from dermatologists who provide wellness tips and recommendations before shoppers go to the shelves.

“It is the chicken and the egg.

One is more important than the other. That’s why we made the tests free before buying drugs,” said Onyeoguzoro.

Funmi Ogundare Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has called on the federal government to demonstrate political will and constitute a pharmacist council that would enable the body carry out its constitutional/statutory responsibilities efficiently.

The National Chairman, Dr. Albert Alkali Kelong who made this known, recently, while briefing Journalists on activities to hold its national conference tagged ‘Coal City 2016’, stressed the need for the federal government to also consider appointing a director general of NAFDAC from among pharmacists for greater efficiency.

According to him, “recent happenings in the field of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria, indicates that the two agencies need to do more.

These can be measured by the numerous illegal pharmaceutical premises and patent medicine stores scattered in the number of fake and substandard pharmaceutical products all

over the country.

This is made worse by the open drug market that there regulators are shying away from closing.”

He expressed concern that the proliferation of illegal pharmaceutical premises and fake and substandard products, all over the country is a lack of political will by the federal government through its regulatory agencies to implement well conceived and articulated National Drug Distribution Guideline (NDDG) 2012 edition, adding that it would have solved the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria.

“The government has shifted the implementation date twice and we are looking to the new date which is tentatively August 2017. We hope that the government through her regulatory agencies would muster the political will and subdue vested interest in implementing the new NDDG so that faking, counterfeiting, unregistered pharmaceutical products and illegal premises would be a thing of the past, ” the president stressed.

42

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

HEALTH

Taking a Bold Step against Malaria With Nigeria having one of the highest burden of malaria scourge in the world, putting over 90 per cent of its population at risk of the disease, Reckitt Benckisers, through its “own a community project” has taken a bold step to change the narrative towards eliminating the menace in the country.

Writes Martins Ifijeh

I

t is no longer news that malaria kills about 482,000 children under age five every year across the globe, which means 1300 children die every day globally due to malaria scourge, with the prevalence not having a significant decline year in year out, as available statistics have proven beyond reasonable doubt. What this implies is that one child dies from malaria every minute.

Available information suggests that of the 627,000 deaths that occur due to malaria, 90 per cent of this figure occur in sub-Sahara Africa, with Nigeria sharing a major chunk of the statistics.

Reports have it that over 200,000 people die yearly in Nigeria from a disease that the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated in its 2013 reports that it was entirely preventable and treatable.This burden placed on the country by the scourge has birthed various interventions from all levels of government, health bodies, stakeholders and public spirited individuals, through awareness creation on how to prevent the disease, distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets, among others. But sadly, the interventions have not yielded significant results. Every year hundreds of untimely deaths are been recorded due to malaria.

But in a bid to change the narrative by reducing the scourge to the barest minimum or eliminate it totally from the country, Reckitt Benckisers West Africa, makers of insecticide brand, Mortein, has through a resilient intervention approach made a bold step towards achieving the dream of every Nigerian who is threatened or at risk of the menace. The approach, tagged ‘own a community project’ intends to make every Nigerian aware, and actively participate in collectively reducing the prevalence of the scourge in the country through deliberate adherence to WHO three core integrated malaria prevention methods, which are cleaning of the environment, use of long lasting insecticide treated nets, and the use insecticides like Mortein.

On its innovative strategy, ‘Mortein own a community project’ provides Mortein insecticide, share long lasting insecticide treated nets and Larvicides to the residents and educated them on malaria prevention methods, and then do a before-and-after study to know how much impact has been made in that particular community.

With the believe that a thousand mile starts with a step, the project, which is billed to cover all urban, rural and hard-to-reach areas in every state in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, started the intervention from Lagos State, with a particular focus in Kosofe Local Government Area of the State.

With the support of the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the Lagos State Government, this strategy was analysed in Kosofe LGA, with reports suggesting that the project has caused a 55 per cent decrease in malaria cases in children within the six months of the intervention in the local government.

Lending his voice to the project, the Marketing Director, RB, West Africa, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, stated that the project was a huge success in the local government, adding that a 55 per cent reduction of malaria cases among children under the age of 10 was achieved through the project.

According to Oguzhan, over half a million (627, 000) people die from malaria each year, with

L-R: Deputy Director, Research & Head, Medical Research Program, Nigerian Institute of Malaria Research, Dr. Sam Awolola; Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Oguzhan Silivrili; Officer, Advocacy Communication Sensitization Mobilization for Malaria, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Akintunde Ibironke, and Marketing Manager, Mortein, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola, during RB/Mortein Anti-Malaria summit in Lagos ...recently

25 per cent of this figure from Nigeria, mostly among children under the age of five. ‘‘As I speak to you, millions of people are suffering from malaria all over Nigeria and every minute a child reportedly dies from malaria’’, he said.

He added that, “Malaria is not a destiny for Nigerian children, malaria is preventable.

We have proved this in Kosofe with a 55 per cent reduction in malaria cases in children in only six months. To replicate the success of the project, we would go from community to community, house to house and mom to mom with the help of grass-root NGOs, to distribute insecticide treated nets and Mortein, as well as educate them on how to protect themselves and their families against Malaria,” he added.

He further stated that the Mortein Own a Community Campaign Research, in partnership with the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) through the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH) gives further credence to the three core methods of integrated malaria vector control, and that if Nigerians can adopt and adhere strictly to the recommended measures, we stand a chance at eliminating Malaria in Nigeria. He said it was unfortunate that despite 97 per cent of Nigerians at risk of the scourge, research still suggests that the citizens have continued to show nonchalance to prevention of the scourge, including the non-use of insecticide treated nets, and use of insecticides like Mortein, hence the need to bring these solutions close to the people so they can take a queue from the approach, adding that it represents a sure way to reduce the scourge in the country.

According to him, Mortein was working on educating and training households in every local government of Lagos State to accomplish a benchmark of 1000 households in a year, including a door-to-door education on how to prevent malaria.

He also added that “the vision is to make sure that by 2030 malaria is eradicated from Nigeria

or at best reduced to a very minimal level.

In his presentation at the project commissioning in Kosofe, a Public Health Vector Control Specialist and Head, Malaria Research Programme, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Dr. Sam Awolola, who led the project exercise, said the six- month project was to assess the efficacy of the combined interventions of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs), Larviciding and Mortein on malaria prevention at select mosquito hot spots in the local government.

He also confirmed that there was a 55 per cent reduction in the cases of malaria amongst children under the age of 10, in homes where all the interventions provided to them were used.

He commended Mortein for its contribution towards the fight against malaria in Nigeria and also stressed that community participation and cooperation were very key to the success of major malaria vector control programmes.

Reiterating Mortein’s commitment to eradicating malaria, Marketing Manager Mortein, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola stated that Mortein has been at the forefront of the fight against malaria in Nigeria.

“In the past few years, Mortein has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), LSMOH and various state ministries of health to foster education on malaria prevention via TV infomercials and at primary healthcare centres . “We have taken it a step further with the Mortein Own a Community Project and we do not intend to stop in Kosofe only. We intend to implement this all across Nigeria, starting with Lagos state. Mortein is partnering with the Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) in Lagos State, and over the next couple of months will replicate the Own a Community Project proven steps to malaria prevention across 20 select grass-root communities in Lagos State,” she said.

Also lending his voice, the Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos, Mr. Ronald Kayanja commended Mortein’s work on malaria prevention in Nigeria. He also stated that initiatives like the Mortein Own a Community Project is supporting the United Nations to achieve a part of goal three (section 3.3) of the sustainable development goals; “To end the epidemic of malaria by 2030”.

In her goodwill message, Advocacy Sensitisation Mobilisation Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Akintunde Ibironke, representing the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, commended Mortein for its work and continuous support in the fight against malaria through its collaboration with the government and innovative solutions.

She therefore pledged the Lagos State government’s commitment to work with RB / Mortein to ensure the implementation of this initiative at every local government within the State.

According to experts, malaria is a mosquitoborne infectious disease of humans and other animals, caused by parasitic protozoans (a type of single cell microorganism) of the Plasmodium type. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting and headaches.

In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma or death. RB (Reckitt Benckiser) has been in existence in Nigeria for more than 50 years with popular household brands such as Dettol, Harpic, JIK, Mortein, Durex, Strepsils, Gaviscon and Airwick. RB’s vision is a world where people are healthier and live better lives, with a purpose to make a difference by giving people innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes. Over the years, RB Nigeria, has been in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Global Hygiene Council and the Nigerian Medical Association to actively and consistently promote the message of good health and hygiene in Nigeria

Piercing Children with Fake Earrings Cause Loss of Ear, Firm Warns Rebecca Ejifoma An England-based company, Caress Manufacturing, has warned Nigerians and other African countries on the alleged use of fake earrings and piercing kits for new born children that is unsafe to the health.

The company gave this call through its Business Development Manager, Samantha Nicholson,

who said that the use of fake piercing kit could cause loss of ear. “Fake earrings are made from brass, which can cause irritation and other skin and ear reaction. Brass can cause an allergic reaction leading to a skin infection.”

According to her, common reactions include: spots, rashes. Adding that the skin might get itchy, dry, irritated and appear red, flakey or scaly. “Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Ivory

Coast are the main countries that are prone to this fake product.”

Nicholson spoke further that piercing kits and earrings are to be made from good environment and gold. “The quality of our product is of utmost importance to us.

We provide a range of hypo allergenic 24 carat gold plated studs. Our 24 carat gold plated studs are produced in our ISO 9001

accredited UK factory and assembled in a clean air environment.”

She affirmed that the metal they use is medical grade stainless steel with, at least, two microns of gold plate. “We have found out that most fake studs are made with brass with just a flash of gold. Not only is this a health hazard but also the studs will tarnish quickly and won’t last long.”

43

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

HEALTH

Dissecting Innovative Exploits From FMC Umuahia Loveday Onyebueke In healthcare, the term “innovation” has traditionally been reserved for the development of new therapies, drugs, or medical devices. As both private and public efforts to reform the Nigerian healthcare system gain momentum, it is clear that innovation must be explored in a broader context, one that examines previously underdeveloped opportunities in areas such as data analytics, consumer behaviour, provider incentives, and process improvement in care delivery. This is at tandem with the objectives of national health policy which is essentially to strengthen the national health system such that it will able to provide effective, efficient quality, accessible and affordable health services that will improve the health status of Nigerians through the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Minister for Health, Professor Isaac Adewole since his appointmenthas stressed at different interactive fora with healthcare providers the need to carry out a holistic healthcare reform to address the issue of weak health system, disharmony among health workers, inadequate physical infrastructure, materials and technology as well as lack of governance and regulation—all of which have not been properly addressed and threatening the survival of the country’s health care system.

In line with this understanding, the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Umuahia, Abia State (formerly known as Queen Elizabeth Specialist Hospital) is in the forefront of carrying out this innovations in healthcare delivery services.

The Medical Director, Dr. Abali Chuku, who is driving the Federal Government’s change agenda in the health sector, has turned the medical facility into a Centre of Excellence and a reference point in healthcare services. Dr. Chuku personified a leader whose vision is to create a better institution by judicious utilisation of available public resources while living a lifestyle that serves as role model to others.

In the past years, the management under Dr. Chuku, initiated several policy reforms to make the medical centre one of the best in the country in terms effective service delivery and this has assisted in changing the public perception of the hospital which was poor in the past.

The transformation has also touched other areas of the hospital administration, like personnel, patients and customer care. The changes cut across other areas.

The management has procured and installed a Computed Tomography (CT) Scan machine manufactured by General Electric, and also a Mammography Machine. The hospital never had CT scan until Dr. Chuku came on board.

With these machines and advanced Diagnostic Laboratory, there is no doubt that FMC Umuahia stands out as the best in healthcare delivery destination in the entire southeast geopolitical zones as the hospital is the only hospital that has a functional CT Scan in the zone. The hospital’s CT Scan is not on Public –Private Partnership (PPP), it is wholly- owed and operated by the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. The other health institutions in the South-east that have CT Scans, are not under the operation of Federal Government, rather PPP arrangements.

Still new is the dialysis centre. Before the Abali Chuku Management started, there was no dialysis centre. Today, FMC Umuahia has dialysis unit with four functional dialysis machines as efforts are been made to increase the number to six machines. Out of this two machines, one will dedicated to HIV positive patients and the other for hypertensive positive patients.

Another important thing introduced at FMC Umuahia apart from CT scan is a functional In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centre.

An evening clinic is another innovation introduced by Dr Chuku and his management team.

According to him, “we are about the only hospital that has an evening clinic. We provide this evening clinic to address those patients that want to access our care but are unable because they may not have the chance to come here in the morning or they may be VIPs and they may not be able to queue up with other patients.

So what we did was to create a separate clinic

Prof. Isaac Adewole

for them that takes off that about 4.30pm. And that is after the official close of the regular clinics and of course we make them comfortable’’ Still new in FMC Umuahia is 88 bed facility complex with 16 bed private ward which has been commissioned and fully functional with the state of the art facilities. The Management copied National Hospital Abuja and added 1per cent to it.

National Hospital Abuja has 12 private wards but FMC Umuahia has 16; making the hospital bigger and better equipped. The hospital has piped oxygen and suction machine in all the rooms, multi -(6)-parameter monitors that include ECG, networked to a central work station in all the rooms.

According to Dr. Chuku in recent chat with the media said, “My vision for the hospital in 2016 is to devote effort on improving the quality of our services, improve patient- doctor relationship and give more attention to patients’ right to information. I want to encourage staff to give

information to patients. I will also improve on the working environment, and make it more conducive and improve on the aesthetics of our hospital which I believe, will boost the centre’s mission: to provide specialized and comprehensive healthcare, using modem equipment, research and training through highly motivated work force operating in a conducive environment to capture our antecedent as a mission hospital”.

In spirited effort to reposition the hospital as it veers into medical tourism and also to improve on its customer care services, the management has brought in what they call AIDET, which is actually the protocol that is operated in the United States (U.S.) This protocol which has been used by the Star Buck Chain in the United States from where it is borrowed stands for Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain and Thank (AIDET). AIDET is an acronym for these stages of customer care areas. The entire 1600-member of staff of FMC, Umuahia are being trained so as to comply with the

AIDET Protocol. In fact at FMC, Umuahia, it is mandatory for newly employed staff to undergo training on AIDET Protocol before the recruitment processes is finalized.

The objective is to make staff, patient friendly and customer oriented so as to change the perception of patients positively so that they can regard hospitals as a hospitality industry.

To complement the public power supply from , the management in addition to the public power from the national grid, the hospital has a 500 and 400 KVA power generating machines to augment power supply and these generators provide light to the whole hospital.

The hospital equally has a standby 150 KVA generator that powers our CT-Scan and a 50 KVA for the dialysis machine. Also, there is a 30 KVA generator for the Accident and Emergency unit and all are fully loaded to serve the wards.

The laboratory department has one 2.5 KVA for the machines there and another 9 KVA is dedicated to O & G Main Theatre.

The hospital has its own challenges which include amongst others the need for increased funding for the hospital in order to drive the change agenda of the present Administration.

The road network in the hospital is a very deplorable state and needs to be rehabilitated.

The management has approached the State Government for assistance. They equally need philanthropists and well meaning Abians and indeed Nigerians to contribute to the development of the hospital.

The Hospital Management is said to be contemplating on the need to create a Public Private Partnership (PPP)/ Diaspora office. Dr. Chuku believes that the hospital is prepared to cater for Nigerians and foreigners who may wish to patronize the hospital instead of going abroad for medical treatment.

“The West African College of Surgeons and the Ohio Medical College testified that we have one of the best. In a recent accreditation exercise here in FMC for the Department of Pediatrics, we scored 4.3 over 5 and 4.3 over 5 is really very high. In Family Medicine we have also done very well. We have been accorded one of the highest ratings in our Family Medicine Department. We have one of the best equipped endocrinology and metabolic team in this country.

We also believe in team care. We believe that no patient should be left at the mercy of a single consultant, so operate in teams” With these innovative exploits recorded at FMC Umuahia, there is no doubt that a foundation for a new beginning has been laid in the hospital.

It goes to show the visionary and transformative leadership in place at this foremost health institution. A transformative leader is a person who can guide, control, motivate, direct, and lead the people in a way that influences them to convey a fundamental change concerning the issues they are dealing with.

Dr. Onyebueke, Is a public health consultant from Arochukwu, Abia State

FCMB Restores Sight, Bankrolls 400 Eye Surgeries Martins Ifijeh First City Monument Bank (FCMB), the flagship of FCMB Group Plc is again this year set to offset the medical bills of over 400 Nigerians affected by cataract and other eye diseases, nationwide. By way of medical examinations, eye surgeries, provision of medication and eye glasses, beneficiaries will include indigent Nigerians-the underprivileged and senior citizens, drawn from all Regions of the Federation.

In partnership with a team of eye doctors and experts from India under the umbrella organisation-Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF), the lender institution said the services are free of charge to Nigerians and are without conditions attached as long as the prospective patient can find his/her way to either the Center in Calabar, Cross-River State for all in the South and Kebbi in Kebbi State for patients in Northern Nigeria. With out-patient screening taking place on Mondays and Thursdays and surgeries on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the one month activity effectively commences on the 9th of May and comes to an end on the 29th of May 2016.

FCMB stated that the passion to help restore sight is motivated by its desire to contribute towards national development. The Bank is not just in business to make profit but is also fully concerned with the need to positively affect and impact the community. “When it is well with the people, it is well with the nation”, the Bank said in a release made available to THISDAY. Speaking to the Media at its Corporate Head Office in Lagos, the Group Head, of Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Mr. Diran Olojo said, “The project tagged, “Priceless Gift of Sight” is a social service initiative FCMB has continuously sponsored for 7 years in a row.

It is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals’ aspect of ‘health for all’ campaign. It also fundamentally aligns with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillar of Poverty Alleviation. How well we also positively affect the people in the communities where we do business, is a major concern of our Executive Management, Mr. Olojo stated.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Col Prasad who is the Chief Operating Officer of Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF) said, “We thank

FCMB for being generous to give us sponsorship for 400 eye surgeries this year despite the economic crisis. TCF will remain grateful to your esteemed organisation. We remain greatly indebted to your Bank for your kind and generous support towards the noble cause of eliminating and reducing the scourge of avoidable blindness thereby giving the gift of sight to many underprivileged people across the country.”

Besides restoring sight to thousands of Nigerians nationwide, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has over the years, promoted environmental sustainability including sponsoring tree planting in its campaign against deforestation, inspired and granted micro-loans to thousands of women-owned small businesses, donated to widows, empowered youths, championed community development projects, constructed bridges, awarded scholarships to indigent citizens, adopted schools where buildings have been donated, libraries fortified with books and ICT infrastructure established. All these projects have been executed in a bid to demonstrate its commitment to nation building and socio-economic development.

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THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016

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46

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY,MAY 19, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Financial Stability Report Reveals Decline in Banks’ Asset Quality Five banks maintain market dominance Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Financial Stability Report released yesterday has shown a marginal decline in the quality of assets in the Nigerian banking industry in the second half of 2015, compared with the position at the end of June 2015.

The report posted on the central bank’s website covered the second half of 2015. It showed that the ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) to gross loans increased by 0.21 percentage point to 4.86 per cent at end December 2015. The decline in asset quality was attributed to the unfavourable macroeconomic environment in the review period.

Also, the ratio of core liquid assets to total assets decreased by 2.2 percentage points to 16.3 per cent at end-December 2015 from 18.5 per cent at end-June 2015. Similarly, the ratio of core liquid assets to short-term liabilities decreased by 2.1 percentage points to 25.0 per cent at end-December 2015 compared with 27.1per cent at end-June 2015.

In addition, on the basis of size of deposits and assets, available data showed the continued dominance of the five largest banks in the industry during the review period. The market share of the largest bank with respect to deposits and assets stood at 15.65 and 14.27 per

cent in the second half of 2015, respectively. The average market share of deposits and assets of the five largest banks decreased to 52.99 and 52.94 per cent, from 54.49 and 59.98 per cent in the first half of 2015, respectively while the remaining 17 banks had market shares ranging from 0.29 to 7.19 per cent in deposits and 0.29 to 6.78 per cent in assets, reflecting low competition in the market.n This, according to the report was supported by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) of the industry (on a scale of 100 to 10,000) of 788.09 and 781.39 for deposits and assets, at end-December 2015, compared with 817.05 and 778.09 at endJune 2015, respectively.

However, the report pointed out that notwithstanding the marginal improvement recorded relative to the first half of the year, the structure of the banking industry in the second half of 2015, remained oligopolistic.

“Most indicators of capital adequacy weakened during the period. The ratio of regulatory capital to risk weighted assets stood at 17.5 per cent at end-December 2015, showing a marginal increase of 0.1 percentage point below the level at end-June 2015. Similarly, the ratio of tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets which stood at 17.4 per cent at end-December 2015 was 2.2 percentage points below the level achieved at

end-June 2015. This decline was attributable to the fall in the level of banks’ general reserves in the second half of 2015.

“At end-December 2015, the baseline (pre-shock) capital adequacy ratio (CAR) for the banking industry, large, medium and small banks stood at 17.66, 18.48, 15.61 and 17.61 per cent, respectively. These reflected 0.28, -0.08, 1.06 and 3.53 percentage points changed over the June 2015 positions,” it added.

The industry ratio of nonperforming loans (net of provisions) to capital increased to 7.4per cent at end-December 2015 from 5.5per cent at end-June 2015.

“The December 2015 solvency stress test captured the idiosyncratic nature of individual bank’s balance sheet and macroprudential concerns using the bottom-up and top-down approaches. The exercise covered the 23 Commercial and Merchant banks using the following risk elements: credit, liquidity, interest, foreign exchange rates and foreign exchange trading risks.

“For systemic and peer assessment, the banks were classified into three groups based on their asset size as follows: large banks are banks with assets greater than or equal to N1.0 trillion, medium banks have assets greater than or equal to N500 billion but less than N1trillion and small banks have assets of less than N500 billion.

BoI Grants N48.44m to 15 SMEs in Kaduna James Emejo in Abuja The Bank of Industry (BoI) has approved a N48.44 millioncredit to 15 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Kaduna Startup Entrepreneurship Programme (KADSTED).

The beneficiaries represented applicants whose business proposals met the bank’s risk acceptance assessment.

KADSTED was initiated by the Kaduna State Government in conjunction with the Kaduna Business School (KBS) and the development finance institution to empower aspiring entrepreneurs to have access to various intervention funds which are available to SMEs in the state.

Speaking in Kaduna during the presentation of cheques to successful applicants, the acting Managing Director, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju noted that

the loans were approved for applicants who met the bank’s Risk Acceptance Criteria (RAC).

He added that the bank and KBS were currently working to help 10 other SMEs meet the RAC in order to benefit from the Reddit facility.

Olagunju said the bank was also introducing measures to increase the success rate of KADSTEP graduates with a view to reducing the mortality rate. He said: “We are optimistic that most of them will eventually scale through and encourage others to complete their applications in good time so that they could also become beneficiaries.”

Under KADSTEP, successful small business operators would also have opportunities to leverage on existing N1 billion matching fund instituted between the bank and the state government.

Altogether, 25 startups had participated in a two-month intensive entrepreneurial training programme with one month practical session in business plans development-but only 15 graduates got credit facilities ranging from N2 million to N5 million.

The BoI acting MD further said that the bank would support the economic blueprint recently unveiled by the Kaduna State Government, noting that several of the initiatives contained in the document, if meticulously implemented, were capable of making the state the economic hub of northern Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, said the state government was targeting to empower 5,000 young entrepreneurs in the next four years under KADSTEP.

‘Lagos Remains Strong, Stable Despite Crunch’ As most states in the country continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the drop in federal allocation, Lagos State has continued on the growth path.

The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state in 2015 grew to N225 billion. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2016, the State’s IGR was N76 billion, while federal transfers stood at N26 billion.

This was disclosed by the Lagos Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Mustapha Abiodun Akinkunmi, during the 2016 inter-ministerial press briefing, at Alausa Ikeja, in commemoration

of one year anniversary of the state Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode held recently.

“Despite wider national economic malaise, Lagos State’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals provide a strong base for growth and development.

I am happy to report that the Lagos State’s economy is strong and financially viable.

“Lagos State’s GDP is 20-25 per cent of Nigeria’s, and is larger than that of many neighbouring countries within the region. In the year 2015, fiscal sustainability was strengthened to in response to the oil price collapse and lowered federal receipts. For

example, in year 2015, LIRS alone accounted for N225 billion (56%) of the State’s total revenue which amounted to N399 billion including federal transfers,” the Commissioner added.

Highlighting the efforts of the state government towards job creation in the state, he said: “We have facilitated the opening of the N6.25 billion Lagos State Employment Trust Fund which will allow youths and unemployed citizens have access to adequate finance for entrepreneurial ventures, in line with the initiative and campaign promises of the Governor,” Akinkunmi noted.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

FEBRUARY 2016 Broad Money (M2)

20,489,166.72

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,095,578.34

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,377,483.11

---- Demand Deposits

7,682,095.23

-- Quasi Money

11,429,588.38

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,471,351.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

15,017,814.94 22,414,322.75

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) ---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,424,029.62

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,807,604.55

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

1,383,574.93

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,990,293.13

--Other Assets Net

7,396,507.81

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,095,380.23

--Currency in Circulation

1,711,623.51

--Banks Reserves

3,383,756.72 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 17 MAY 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $44.82 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $44.37 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Minas (Indonesia), 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), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

47

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

18-May-16 17-May-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

166.99

167.00

-0.01%

2,845,594,331,560.95

10.64

15.69

5.79

4.79%

4.41

02 Nigerian Brew. Plc.

127.50

125.02

1.98%

1,010,960,363,220.00

5.37

23.75

3.66

2.82%

5.93

19.54

19.03

2.68%

575,085,242,036.96

3.38

5.78

2.51

9.06%

1.39

725.00

725.00

0.00%

574,675,782,700.00

29.95

24.21

3.80

4.00%

15.12

05 Zenith Bank Plc

15.02

14.44

4.02%

471,575,336,665.72

3.37

4.46

1.09

11.98%

0.79

06 Lafarge Africa Plc.

73.50

74.00

-0.68%

334,785,283,035.00

5.93

12.40

1.25

4.08%

1.90

205.00

205.32

-0.16%

267,008,626,115.00

4.45

46.08

2.14

1.68%

5.77

14.50

14.94

-2.95%

266,068,492,617.50

1.39

10.41

0.52

4.28%

0.71

350.00

350.00

0.00%

193,658,609,550.00

23.48

14.90

1.71

4.55%

0.69

99.00

99.75

-0.75%

149,082,930,612.00

0.78

127.20

2.99

0.00%

3.34

11 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.09

3.99

2.51%

148,383,262,656.98

1.64

2.49

0.47

14.67%

0.45

12 Access Bank Plc.

5.10

5.05

0.99%

147,532,655,318.10

2.28

2.24

0.44

10.78%

0.40

14.25

14.25

0.00%

142,500,000,000.00

2.04

7.00

1.21

0.70%

1.27

3.67

3.57

2.80%

131,735,724,546.64

0.42

8.70

0.26

4.09%

0.23

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc.

32.01

32.80

-2.41%

121,103,312,962.50

0.32

101.57

2.04

0.16%

15.13

16 P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc.

22.95

22.95

0.00%

91,122,448,182.75

1.10

20.91

1.26

5.66%

2.17

17 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc.

141.00

145.00

-2.76%

90,323,241,183.00

11.12

12.68

1.16

1.56%

3.76

18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.20

6.00

3.33%

74,400,000,000.00

0.96

6.45

0.74

8.06%

1.28

19 Oando Plc

5.63

5.81

-3.10%

67,754,904,373.22

0.50

11.26

0.12

13.32%

0.43

20.00

20.00

0.00%

65,884,985,600.00

0.64

31.29

3.56

1.25%

5.47

175.00

175.00

0.00%

63,104,170,850.00

13.51

12.95

0.98

4.11%

4.11

22 Flour Mills Nig. Plc.

22.33

23.50

-4.98%

58,599,216,385.71

1.84

12.13

0.18

8.96%

0.57

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc.

43.71

43.71

0.00%

57,697,200,000.00

1.85

23.65

0.43

3.43%

2.38

169.00

170.00

-0.59%

57,379,190,453.00

11.92

14.18

0.28

8.28%

3.53

25 Sterling Bank Plc.

1.73

1.73

0.00%

49,807,423,357.98

0.36

4.84

0.45

5.20%

0.52

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

1.16

1.16

0.00%

44,916,357,013.00

0.05

22.11

1.10

0.00%

0.51

27 Diamond Bank Plc

1.80

1.82

-1.10%

41,688,700,142.40

0.24

7.37

0.19

0.00%

0.19

19.55

19.55

0.00%

37,552,898,765.85

2.70

7.24

0.51

5.12%

0.51

1.25

1.23

1.63%

36,203,232,115.00

0.48

2.60

0.25

12.80%

0.20

30 Presco Plc

35.51

35.02

1.40%

35,510,000,000.00

3.28

10.83

3.13

0.28%

1.58

31 Cadbury Nigeria Plc.

17.24

17.24

0.00%

32,380,203,169.60

3.21

5.38

0.96

7.54%

3.13

0.76

0.75

1.33%

29,316,594,221.56

0.06

12.60

0.64

0.00%

0.64

33 Cap Plc

40.00

40.00

0.00%

28,000,000,000.00

2.49

16.10

3.97

2.88%

18.42

34 Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

29.11

29.11

0.00%

27,768,320,100.00

2.76

10.55

2.85

0.34%

2.30

35 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc.

22.42

22.42

0.00%

26,811,550,860.96

0.81

27.78

0.88

1.34%

2.03

36 FCMB Group Plc.

1.21

1.17

3.42%

23,961,280,045.01

0.24

5.03

0.16

8.26%

0.15

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.40

8.40

0.00%

22,255,282,375.20

0.79

10.57

1.38

6.55%

3.14

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.10

2.18

-3.67%

22,050,000,000.00

0.16

13.27

1.33

2.38%

1.27

39 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.61

3.78

-4.50%

21,233,529,743.95

0.71

5.06

0.71

3.88%

0.81

40 Skye Bank Plc

1.09

1.17

-6.84%

15,129,528,536.90

0.85

1.28

0.11

27.52%

0.11

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.68

1.65

1.82%

13,322,732,065.44

0.14

11.89

0.27

9.52%

0.62

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.08

1.04

3.85%

11,202,563,856.96

0.21

5.23

0.57

11.11%

0.72

43 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

7.86

7.86

0.00%

9,877,487,240.76

0.96

8.22

0.76

1.27%

0.97

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.77

0.77

0.00%

9,000,790,215.34

0.54

1.42

0.14

0.00%

0.10

45 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

4.18

4.00

4.50%

7,184,374,979.10

1.81

2.31

0.64

16.75%

0.22

46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

4.16

4.10

1.46%

6,756,750,000.00

0.33

12.56

0.80

4.81%

1.11

47 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

48 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

49 AIICO Insurance Plc.

0.77

0.77

0.00%

5,336,257,449.60

0.28

2.79

0.16

6.49%

0.55

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.04

2.14

-4.67%

3,060,000,000.00

0.50

4.11

0.37

2.45%

0.48

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. 04 Nestle Nigeria Plc.

07 Forte Oil Plc. 08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd. 10 Guinness Nig Plc

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc 14 FBN Holdings Plc

20 International Breweries Plc. 21 Mobil Oil Nig Plc.

24 Total Nigeria Plc.

28 U A C N Plc. 29 Fidelity Bank Plc

32 Wema Bank Plc.

TOTAL

8,578,697,402,207.64

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,192,258,585,900.15

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

93.33%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open Close Change % 17-May-16 18-May-16

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

26,655.48 9.17

26,763.86 9.19

0.41 0.22

109.66 8.54

110.18 8.58

0.47 0.47

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 17-May-16 18-May-16 %

UACN Property Development Co. Limited Zenith Bank Plc Continental Reinsurance Plc FCMB Group Plc. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

4.00

4.18

4.50

14.44 1.04 1.17 6.00

15.02 1.08 1.21 6.20

4.02 3.85 3.42 3.33

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 17-May-16 18-May-16 %

Skye Bank Plc Flour Mills Nig. Plc. Fidson Healthcare Plc Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc Mansard Insurance Plc

1.17 23.50 2.14 3.78

1.09 22.33 2.04 3.61

-6.84 -4.98 -4.67 -4.50

2.18

2.10

-3.67

Market ASI returns northward as it gains a modest 0.41% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Wednesday, May 17, 2016 ended on a positive note as the market closed green due to investors’ strategic positioning. This was further highlighted by positive performances from NSE Sub sectors; Banking and Consumer Goods (Save Insurance and Oil & Gas). Trading activities increased in volume as 670.80 million shares worth N2.06 billion in 3,976 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 398.03 million shares worth N2.66 billion in 5,513 deals carried out on Friday. Topping in volume terms was Wema Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, while Wema Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 0.41% (+108.38) increase to 26,763.86 from 26,655.48 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.19 trillion from N9.17 trillion of prior trading day.

Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an increase of 0.47% to close at 110.18 from 109.66 recorded the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.58 trillion from N8.54 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 22 stocks gained on the bourse today while 23 stocks declined, leaving 53 stocks unchanged. UACN Property Development Co. Limited emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.50% to close at N4.18 per share.

It was followed by Zenith Bank Plc with a gain of 4.02% to close at N15.02 per share. Others on the gainers list include; Continental Reinsurance Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Skye Bank Plc led with a loss of 6.84% to close at N1.09 per share.

It was followed by Flour Mills Nig. Plc with a loss of 4.98% to close at N22.33 per share. Others on the losers list include; Fidson Healthcare Plc, Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc and Mansard Insurance Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

48

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY,MAY 19, 2016

MARKET NEWS

NSIA Rules Out Direct Investment in Nigerian Stock Market Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji has ruled out direct investment in the equities market for now. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos yesterday, Orji said direct investment in the stock

that meet targeted financial returns and contribute to the development of essential infrastructure in order to stimulate the growth and diversification of the Nigerian economy) and The Stabilisation Fund (that acts as a buffer against short-term macro-economic instability).

He NSIA now has assets under management of about $1.8 billion, comprising the seed capital of $1.25 billion and about

market is not the mandate of the authority.

According to him, the mandate of NSIA is to manage three funds, which include: The Future Generations Fund(meant to preserve and grow the value of assets transferred into it by investing in a diversified portfolio of appropriate growth investments);The Nigeria Infrastructure Fund( aims to invest in domestic infrastructure projects

$550 million that it manages for third party.

Orji said having been focusing most of its investment out the country in the past, the time has come to investment in domestic market, noting however, that the focus will not be on stock market for now.

“We have five areas of immediate focus for infrastructure which are healthcare, agriculture, tolled roads, power and real estate.

Our mandate is to manage the three funds by investment mostly in infrastructure. But we hoping that some of that investments we made in private equities will lift such companies and they will list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE). Secondly, we are also hoping that as our infrastructural programme develops, we will be raising bonds and that brings us into the market. We also hoping that as we create

other co-investment vehicles, those vehicles attract people to bring money on the platforms we are creating to invest in Nigeria, which will create liquidity that will help the stock market,” the NSIA boss explained.

He disclosed that agriculture is the centre piece of most of their investments this year, noting that the company co-sponsored the first agriculture financing in Nigeria.

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

E XC H A N G E

Prices for Securities Traded as of 18/05/2016

Printed 18/05/2016 14:32:51.051

PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES

Price List (Equities)

FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1

BANKING ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

471,575.34

15.02

4.02

BANKING S/N 2

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

131,735.72

3.67

2.80

TRADES

VOLUME

504

45,084,903

504

45,084,903

TRADES

VOLUME

279

15,693,103

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

279

15,693,103

FINANCIAL SERVICES

783

60,778,006

TRADES

VOLUME

INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 3

BUILDING MATERIALS DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

2,845,594.33

166.99

-0.01

19

38,898

BUILDING MATERIALS

19

38,898

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

19

38,898

802

60,816,904

PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES

Price List (Equities)

CROP PRODUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

5

OKOMU OIL PALM PLC.

27,672.93

29.01

-

6

PRESCO PLC

35,510.00

35.51

1.40

CROP PRODUCTION S/N

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING

ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC

123

CAP PLC

124

CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC

127

LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

128 129

TRADES

VOLUME

6

66,000

47

456,316

PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC

784.99

0.99

-

1

PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC

824.00

2.06

-

BUILDING MATERIALS S/N

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

132

CUTIX PLC.

S/N

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS

134

BETA GLASS CO PLC.

135

GREIF NIGERIA PLC TOOLS AND MACHINERY

23,545

TOOLS AND MACHINERY

6

82,729

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

14

106,274 VOLUME

8

S/N

CHEMICALS

TRADES 0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

S/N

METALS

1,940.00

0.97

2.11

59

2,369,942

138

ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC.

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

59

2,369,942

METALS

AGRICULTURE

73

2,476,216

9

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,779.65

1.05

-

1

2,000

11

JOHN HOLT PLC.

319.10

0.82

3.80

4

490,000

13

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC

47,162.17

1.16

-0.86

216

47,310,785

14

U A C N PLC.

35,632.03

18.55

-

35

328,537

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

256

48,131,322

CONGLOMERATES

256

48,131,322

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER S/N 17

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

57,697.20

43.71

-

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 19

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

22

1,054,263

22

1,054,263

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

7,184.37

4.18

4.50

10

138,272

10

138,272

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

32

1,192,535

TRADES

VOLUME

CONSUMER GOODS S/N 23

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

2,386.33

0.50

-

1 1

9,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

21,844.30

2.79

-5.42

46

4,289,004

149,082.93

99.00

-0.75

39

78,406

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS

24

CHAMPION BREW. PLC.

26

GUINNESS NIG PLC

27

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

28

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

65,884.99

20.00

-

1,010,960.36

127.50

1.98

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N 30

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. FOOD PRODUCTS

600

103

689,369

190

5,057,379

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

90,323.24

141.00

-2.76

11

32,044

11

32,044

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC S/N

2

9,000

TRADES

VOLUME

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC

74,400.00

6.20

3.33

45

2,371,769

32

FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC.

58,599.22

22.33

-4.98

75

775,939

33

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

31

1.68

1.82

41

249,490

36

NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC

22,255.28

8.40

-0.12

33

1,396,931

38

TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC

25,650.00

5.13

-9.68

25

571,346

40

UNION DICON SALT PLC.

13,322.73

3,788.48

13.86

-

2

26,250

221

5,391,725

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

FOOD PRODUCTS S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

41

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

42

NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

32,380.20

17.24

-

15

26,404

574,675.78

725.00

-

44

41,304

59

67,708

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 44

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,137.59

4.21

-4.97

27

384,511

27

384,511

TRADES

VOLUME

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

46

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC.

47

UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

91,122.45

22.95

-

121,103.31

32.01

-2.41

CONSUMER GOODS

27

83,609

47

545,825

74

629,434

583

11,571,801

TRADES

VOLUME

FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

BANKING

48

ACCESS BANK PLC.

49

DIAMOND BANK PLC

50

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

51

FIDELITY BANK PLC

52

GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC.

53

SKYE BANK PLC

54

STERLING BANK PLC.

55

UNION BANK NIG.PLC.

56

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

57

UNITY BANK PLC

58

WEMA BANK PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE 0.99

196

19,709,878

41,688.70

1.80

-1.10

176

60,246,263

266,068.49

14.50

-2.95

34

722,607

147,532.66

5.10

36,218.50

1.25

1.63

55

2,449,339

575,085.24

19.54

2.68

271

11,447,134

15,129.53

1.09

-6.84

69

3,472,271

49,807.42

1.73

-

83,493.53

4.93

1.02

24

308,224

148,383.26

4.09

2.51

310

23,157,468

9,000.79

0.77

-

9

47,349

29,316.59

0.76

1.33

55

380,528,749

1,200

502,092,282

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

5,336.26

BANKING S/N

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

1

3,000

60

AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

0.77

-

11

134,560

61

AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC

22,050.00

2.10

-3.67

6

327,135

63

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC

11,202.56

1.08

3.85

7

126,050

70

LASACO ASSURANCE PLC.

3,661.72

0.50

-

1

5,000

74

%CHANGE

TRADES

1.65

-0.61

13

589,820

13

589,820

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

21,613.79

43.23

-

1

10

393.57

9.23

-

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

0

0

1

10

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

99

1,368,065 VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,164.37

9.84

-

1

414

1

414

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

CHEMICALS

S/N

MINING SERVICES

S/N

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

0

0

NATURAL RESOURCES

1

414 VOLUME

OIL AND GAS S/N

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

141

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

3,131.35

0.50

-

2

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES S/N

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

142

OANDO PLC

S/N 144

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS CONOIL PLC

145

ETERNA PLC.

146

FORTE OIL PLC.

147

MOBIL OIL NIG PLC.

148

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC.

149

TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

150

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

2,500

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

67,754.90

5.63

-3.10

312

9,488,891

312

9,488,891

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

15,960.90

23.00

-

20

35,675

3,795.06

2.91

-3.96

38

4,138,913

267,008.63

205.00

-0.16

56

64,456

-

28

9,278.21

36.53

-

16

32,503

57,379.19

169.00

-0.59

19

103,116

177

4,425,817

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

197,205.60

350.00

-

3

63,104.17

175.00

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS S/N

2,500

2 MARKET CAP(Nm)

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS

51,154

105

3

105

494

13,917,313 VOLUME

SERVICES S/N

ADVERTISING

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

ADVERTISING S/N

APPAREL RETAILERS

APPAREL RETAILERS S/N

AUTOMOBILE/AUTO PART RETAILERS

AUTOMOBILE/AUTO PART RETAILERS S/N

COURIER/FREIGHT/DELIVERY

154

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

155 S/N

TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. HOSPITALITY HOTELS/LODGING

158

IKEJA HOTEL PLC

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.10

2.76

2

159,000

254.49

1.28

-

2 4

163,444

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,614.93

2.22

-

1

500

159

TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC.

161

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC

4,444

7,885.00

3.51

-

0 5

10,603

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

HOTELS/LODGING S/N

0

PRICE

2,416.94

HOSPITALITY S/N

0 MARKET CAP(Nm)

COURIER/FREIGHT/DELIVERY

0

6,000.00

0.50

-

1 1

2,000

S/N

PRINTING/PUBLISHING

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

162

ACADEMY PRESS PLC.

381.02

0.63

-

3

200,000

163

LEARN AFRICA PLC

655.73

0.85

-

2

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT

PRINTING/PUBLISHING S/N

ROAD TRANSPORTATION SPECIALTY

S/N

TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC

170

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

171

C & I LEASING PLC.

172

CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC

TRADES 0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,236.30

1.95

-

2

5,000

6,756.75

4.16

1.46

17 19

300,492

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

941.41

0.50

-

1

2,900

5,260.30

1.57

-

14

136,725

15

139,625

SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS SERVICES MAIN BOARD TOTALS PRICES FOR ASEM SECURITIES

213,000 VOLUME

%CHANGE

TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES S/N

13,000

5 PRICE

SPECIALTY 169

2,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ROAD TRANSPORTATION S/N

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

VOLUME

PRICE

1,453.09

MINING SERVICES MARKET CAP(Nm)

63,050 778,235

NATURAL RESOURCES

%CHANGE

CONGLOMERATES

3,696

2 85

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

S/N

54,215

-0.68

%CHANGE

S/N

118,806

5

7.86

PRICE

LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

16,152

15

-

73.50

PRICE

8

9

-4.12

9,877.49

MARKET CAP(Nm)

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

-

7.67 40.00

334,785.28

MARKET CAP(Nm)

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N

19.08

2,222.95 28,000.00

42,728.77

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS

AGRICULTURE S/N

121 122

295,492

49

829,164

3,172

609,983,590

Price List (Equities)

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE TRADES

VOLUME

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

0

0

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

S/N

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

CONSUMER GOODS S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS

174

MCNICHOLS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

395.01

1.33

-

2

3,492

FOOD PRODUCTS

2

3,492

CONSUMER GOODS

2

3,492

N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC.

4,277.21

0.81

1.25

6

275,000

75

NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

3,869.74

0.50

-

1

239,161

TRADES

VOLUME

84

WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

6,691.37

0.50

-

5

628,098

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

0

0

37

1,735,004

FINANCIAL SERVICES

0

0

HEALTHCARE TRADES

VOLUME

PHARMACEUTICALS

0

0

HEALTHCARE

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 86

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,675.37

1.17

3.54

8

157,755

8

157,755

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

6,422.50

1.54

-

1

500

1

500

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS S/N 89

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

92

AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC

93

CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC

95

FCMB GROUP PLC.

99

STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC

100

UNITED CAPITAL PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

5,900.00

2.95

4.98

65

1,626,734

21,233.53

3.61

-4.50

7

150,202

23,961.28

1.21

3.42

123

18,586,792

142,500.00

14.25

-

5

22,001

11,700.00

1.95

-0.51

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES

106

5,703,634

306

26,089,363

1,552

530,074,904

VOLUME

HEALTHCARE S/N

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

251.09

1.65

-

0

0

0

0

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS S/N

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

103

MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES S/N

PHARMACEUTICALS

104

EVANS MEDICAL PLC.

105

FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

106

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC.

107

MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.

108

NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

109

NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

366.17

0.50

-

0

0

3,060.00

2.04

-4.67

2

102,000

26,811.55

22.42

-

8

6,348

970.20

0.99

-4.81

13

200,750

1,569.55

1.00

-4.76

7

100,936

556.71

3.62

-

1

1,522

PHARMACEUTICALS

31

411,556

HEALTHCARE

31

411,556

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0 VOLUME

ICT S/N

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS S/N

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS S/N

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES S/N

IT SERVICES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

17,220.00

4.10

-

2

10,300

2

10,300

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

IT SERVICES S/N

PROCESSING SYSTEMS

118

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC

PROCESSING SYSTEMS S/N

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

0

0

ICT

2

10,300

TRADES

VOLUME

INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N

BUILDING MATERIALS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

S/N

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

PHARMACEUTICALS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

PRICE

%CHANGE

%CHANGE

OIL AND GAS S/N

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

OIL AND GAS

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

SERVICES S/N

FOOD/DRUG RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

FOOD/DRUG RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS

0

SERVICES

0

0

ASEM TOTALS

2

3,492

3,976

670,803,986

EQUITIES TOTALS

PRICES FOR ETP SECURITIES S/N

COMPANY

0

Price List (ETP) PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1

LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

531.34

8.57

-

1

5

2

NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF)

365.25

2,435.00

-

0

0

3

STANBIC IBTC ETF 30

824.18

72.00

-

0

0

4

VETIVA BANKING ETF

97.99

2.68

2.68

1

5

5

VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF

5

6

VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF

7

VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF

MARKET CAP(Nm)

78.06

6.72

0.15

1

1,863.46

12.39

-0.16

1

84.12

19.20

-

1

5

5

25

5

25

ETP TOTALS

PRICES FOR DEBT SECURITIES S/N 6

COMPANY 12.1493% FGN JUL 2034

BONDS TOTALS

5

Price List (BONDS) MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

932,909.89

86.71

-2.02

1

770

1

770

1

770

T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016

49

50

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016

51 ADVERTORIAL

52

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Trump to Renegotiate Climate Accord with North Korea Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has said that he is willing to talk to North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, on climate accord and to try stop Pyongyang’s nuclear program, proposing a major shift in U.S. policy toward the isolated nation.

In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters,Trump also called for a renegotiation of the Paris climate accord, saying he disapproved of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin’s actions in eastern Ukraine, and that he would seek to dismantle most of the U.S. Dodd-Frank financial regulations if he is elected president.The presumptive Republican nominee declined to share details of his plans to deal with North Korea, but said he was open to talking to its leader.

“I would speak to him, I would have no problem speaking to him,” he said. Asked whether he would try to talk some sense into the North Korean leader, Trump replied,“Absolutely.”North Korea’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s remarks.

Trump, 69, also said he would press China, Pyongyang’s only major diplomatic and economic supporter, to help find a solution.

“I would put a lot of pressure on China because economically we have tremendous power over China,”he said in the interview in his office on the 26th floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan.

“China can solve that problem with one meeting or one phone call.”

A Chinese official said dialogue was needed to resolve issues on the Korean peninsula. “China supports direct talks and communication between the United States and North Korea. We believe this is beneficial,”Foreign

Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters. Trump’s preparedness to talk directly with Kim contrasts with President Barack Obama’s policy of relying on senior U.S. officials to talk to senior North Korean officials.

Obama has not engaged personally with Kim, but he has pushed for new diplomatic overtures to Iran and Cuba that produced a nuclear deal with Tehran and improved ties with Havana. Sitting at his desk with an expansive view of Central Park, Trump spoke at length about his economic and foreign policy ideas in the half-hour interview. Facing him on his desk is a framed photograph of his father, the late Fred Trump. A wall displays framed photos of Trump with various celebrities, as well as numerous magazine covers on which he has appeared. On Russia, Trump tempered past praise of Putin, saying the nice comments the Russian leader has made about him in the past would only go so far. “The fact that he said good things about me doesn’t mean that it’s going to help him in a negotiation. It won’t help him at all,” he said.

An adviser to Hillary Clinton, the leading Democratic presidential candidate, criticized Trump’s foreign policy comments, noting they came soon after Trump said he was unlikely to have a good relationship with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

“Let me get this straight: Donald Trump insults the leader of our closest ally, then turns around and says he’d love to talk to Kim Jong Un?”Clinton’s senior foreign policy adviser, Jake Sullivan, said in a statement.

Trump“seems to have a bizarre fascination with foreign strongmen like Putin and Kim. But his ap-

Afghanistan Signs Pact with Taliban-allied Militants Afghanistan has signed a draft agreement with the Hezb-e-Islami militant group in a move the government hopes could lead to a full peace accord with one of the most notorious warlords in the insurgency. Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a veteran of decades of Afghan war and rights groups have accused his group of widespread abuses, particularly during civil war in the early 1990s, when he briefly served as prime minister.

The United States has also linked the group to al Qaeda and the Taliban and put Hekmatyar on its designated terrorist list. The group has played only a minor role in the Taliban-led insurgency in recent years and the deal is unlikely to have any immediate practical impact on security.

But with little sign that the Taliban are ready to join peace talks, the deal offers President Ashraf Ghani’s government a concrete sign that it is making headway in drawing insurgent groups away from the battlefield and into the political process.

Mohammad Khan, deputy to government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said the draft accord was a positive step but

more work would be needed for a final deal.“We are optimistic about this agreement and we strongly support it,” he told reporters in Kabul before the accord was signed by a delegation from Hekmatyar’s party and officials from Afghanistan’s High Peace Council. But he added: “This doesn’t mean it’s finalised.”

The announcement came as officials from Pakistan, the United States, China and Afghanistan held another round of meetings, in Pakistan, aimed at laying the ground for peace talks with the Taliban, who have refused to join the talks.

Human rights groups have criticized the move toward a deal with Hekmatyar’s group but the pressure on the government for some sign of progress in bringing peace appears to have outweighed the concerns.

Under the terms of the draft, members of Hezb-e-Islami would be offered an amnesty, similar to that offered in 2007 to warlords accused of war crimes as well as a release of prisoners held by Afghan authorities.

The government would also work to have the group removed from a U.N. black list.

proach to foreign policy makes no sense for the rest of us,”he said. In the Reuters interview, Trump said he thought Cameron’s criticism of him was inappropriate but“I’m sure I’ll have a good relationship with him.”

Trump said he is “not a big fan”of the Paris climate accord, which prescribes reductions in carbon emissions by more

than 170 countries. He said he would want to renegotiate the deal because it treats the United States unfairly and gives favorable treatment to countries like China.“I will be looking at that very, very seriously, and at a minimum I will be renegotiating those agreements, at a minimum.

And at a maximum I may do something else,” he said.

A renegotiation of the pact would be a major setback for what was hailed as the first truly global climate accord, committing both rich and poor nations to reining in the rise in greenhouse gas emissions blamed for warming the planet. Trump has been criticized for offering far fewer specific policy proposals than Clinton, his likely rival for

the Nov. 8 presidential election.

The New York billionaire said he planned to release a detailed policy platform in two weeks that would propose dismantling nearly all of Dodd-Frank, a package of financial reforms put in place after the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

“Dodd-Frank is a very negative force, which has developed a very bad name,” he said.

BOOSTING COUNTER-NARCOTIC EFFORTS

The United States Consul General, Francis John Bray; Chairman/Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah; Director General of NDLEA Mrs. Roli Bode-George; during the donation of eleven (11) pick-up trucks and transport vans to the NDLEA by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos…yesterday

Militant Attacks Force Bangladeshi Gay Community into Hiding Weeks after suspected Islamist militants hacked Bangladesh’s most prominent gay rights activist to death in his apartment along with an associate, many living in the gay community have gone into hiding. Meanwhile, a friend of the activist has received a threat letter.

“Say your prayers, confess to God for your sins. Eat or drink whatever you wish to, nobody can save you,” read the handwritten letter, delivered to his home in Dhaka. Bangladesh’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community was already marginalized in a country where same-sex sexual activity is illegal and many people strongly disapprove.

Now it has been pushed further into the shadows after Xulhaz Mannan, editor of the country’s

first LGBT-themed magazine, and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy were murdered in the capital on April 25.

The attack, claimed by the regional arm of al Qaeda, was the first of its kind to target the community, although it followed similar killings in the last 16 months of university professors, bloggers and atheists who published views critical of Islam.

Reuters interviewed eight members of Bangladesh’s LGBT community, some of them activists. All but one spoke on condition they not be named, because of the threat to their safety. Based on their own and others’ experiences, they said some people had scrubbed Facebook pictures that hinted at same-sex relationships or de-activated profiles altogether.

Several had gone into hiding in safe houses in Dhaka arranged by local

and foreign friends, while others fled to the countryside, considering it safer than the teeming capital.“There is this constant, creepy feeling of being followed by someone, even if in reality we are not,” said a young gay professional, who froze in fear last week when e mistakenly thought a man carrying a bag was approaching him with a machete.

“This is what is crippling our everyday life. Any bag can have a machete, which can crack my skull open for being a free thinker.”

Some have moved to more secure apartment blocks with close circuit television, while others are taking self-defense classes.

The slaying of the two gay men is part of a broader pattern of killings claimed by Islamist militants, who

have stepped up a violent campaign in the mainly Muslim nation of 160 million people.

At least 23 people have been hacked to death with machetes since February, 2015. Most attacks occurred in homes, but some happened in broad daylight. The main groups claiming these murders have been al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Islamic State, lending the impression of an intensifying rivalry between two movements engaged in global jihad and trying to lure recruits.

That prospect has raised alarm in India and the United States, diplomats in the region said, particularly with U.S. forces engaged in battling Islamist insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan facing its own militant threat.

Kerry in Cairo to Talk on Mideast Peace, Libya The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, landed in Cairo yesterday for talks with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Libya and to explore a proposal by the Egyptian leader to try to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Kerry’s brief Cairo stop follows a series of international meetings in Vienna on ways to end conflicts in Libya and Syria. A U.S. official said Kerry wanted to explore in more detail a proposal on Tuesday

by Sisi to mediate a reconciliation

between rival Palestinian factions to pave the way toward a lasting peace accord with the Israelis.

Egypt was the first of a handful of Arab countries to recognize Israel with a U.S.-sponsored peace accord in 1979, but Egyptian attitudes toward their neighbors remain chilly. Sisi’s proposal, made during an impromptu speech at an economic conference, comes as France is pushing to organize an international conference to launch peace talks between Palestinians

and Israelis.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told France’s foreign minister on Sunday that Israel remained opposed to the French initiative, born of French frustration over the absence of movement toward a twostate solution since U.S.-brokered talks collapsed in 2014.

Kerry also spoke by phone to Netanyahu on Tuesday, the U.S. official said without elaborating.

Kerry will elaborate on details of a meeting in Vienna on Monday

in which world powers said they were ready to consider demands from Libya’s new unity government for exemptions from a U.N. arms embargo to help take control of the lawless country.

The West is counting on the UN-backed unity government to tackle Islamic State in Libya and stop new flows of migrants heading across the Mediterranean, though the newly instated leaders are still not in control of the capital city, Tripoli.

53

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Four Turkish Soldiers Killed by Roadside Bomb Four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine wounded yesterday when a bomb was detonated as their vehicle traveled past in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the country, the military said.

The army deployed troops backed by helicopters to the area, located about 70 km (45 miles) from the town of Semdinli near the Iraqi border, to launch an operation in the wake of the attack, security sources said.

Explosives had been laid in the road in advance of the soldiers’ convoy, the military said on its

website.

Security forces have been battling militants in the armed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the southeast since a ceasefire collapsed in July 2015, wrecking a peace process aimed at resolving one of Europe’s longest-running insurgencies.

Hundreds of soldiers and PKK fighters, as well as 500 or more civilians, have been killed in the violence. Earlier in on Wednesday, a soldier was killed in Nusaybin, situated at the Syrian border some 500 km

(310 miles) away, when militants opened fire on him. The town of 100,000 people has been under a round-the-clock curfew for more than two months as security forces try to root out militants.

Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets overnight in southeast Turkey and northern Iraq, killing at least 10 fighters, security sources said. The military has been carrying out regular air strikes against positions of the outlawed group in mountainous northern Iraq, where it has camps near the Turkish border.

Yemen: Sanaa Residents Yearn for End to War Anxiety reigns in theYemeni capital Sanaa, where ordinary people await the outcome of almost a month of peace talks they hope can end a devastating war. Life was already a struggle for many residents of one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, but the onset of the conflict more than a year ago has made mere survival the priority and extreme hardship the norm.

The crump of air strikes, power outages and the deep-seated gnawing fear that their society may never emerge intact have all become part of daily life.

Hope is hard to find, and what little exists lies with the peace delegations representing the armed Houthi movement - which controls Sanaa - its allies, and their enemies in Yemen’s exiled, Saudi-backed government taking place in Kuwait.

Seemingly a world away in Sanaa, the ancient city whose old city is clustered with majestic mudbrick towers, the past looks brighter than the future.

“We are optimistic that we will see the Kuwait negotiations stop the war, especially in light of the decrease in the number of air strikes,” said Abdussalam Hamad al-Harethi, 39, who sells antiques, souvenirs and silverware.

Less upbeat, Ahmed Hizam al-Soudi, 75, who sells traditional Yemeni curved daggers called jambiyas said he hoped wisdom would prevail among negotiating parties in Kuwait.“We ask God to relieve us from this ordeal, which we were not expecting.”

“God willing, they would agree, because we are exhausted. And if they love the country, they will stop the war that brought devastation and destruction to the people of Yemen.”The sentiment is widespread.

Youth activists fed up by the deadly feud among Yemen’s political and military elites that has left 25 million citizens suffering the consequences have warned them on social media:“Don’t come

back to Yemen unless with peace.”

Standing amidst her fresh-faced students, Yemen’s future, mathematics teacher Wafaa Mansour shared a view held by many - that the conflict has been infiltrated by so many foreign powers that only diplomatic intervention from the outside can help.

“If all sides do not make concessions, I do not think that there would be a proper solution without the intervention from one of the big states sponsoring the dialogue.”

In the maternity ward of a Sanaa hospital, 28-year old nurse Hindia Abdurabu al-Zubah looks after some of the country’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens and hopes the senior politicians in the land face up to the gravity of their task. “I’m optimistic that the ongoing talks in Kuwait will unify us again and put an end to a year of war and conflict, and my message to them is: ‘Yemen is your responsibility,” she said.

S’ African Minister Denied Guptas Investigation Knowledge South Africa’s Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, said yesterday that he did not know whether a wealthy family with ties to President Jacob Zuma was being investigated on allegations of illegally moving money out of the country.

Gordhan rejected opposition claims that the state was dragging its feet over demands to investigate the finances of the Guptas, a family of India-born businessmen who have been criticised for wielding undue political influence over Zuma.

South African law limits the amount of money businesses and individuals can ship out of the country.The opposition charges the Guptas have breached that limit, although it hasn’t said how much they are supposed to have moved

offshore and it is unclear what their limit might be. The main opposition group, the Democratic Alliance,says it has written to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) requesting that it investigate the Guptas.

When he was asked in parliament to confirm whether an investigation was underway,Gordhansaidbothheand the head of the FIC were prohibited from knowingwhom the FIC was investigating.

“Nobody is obfuscating,”Gordhan said.“Let me give you the assurance that we will do ... what is required by the law without fear or favour.”At a separate event, the mines minister, Mosebenzi Zwane, said he had spoken to banks to try to restore services to Oakbay Investments, the Gupta family holding company.

Several companies, including the

country’s four main banks, last month ended their relationships with Oakbay Investments, amid allegations over the family’s influence with Zuma. Zuma and the Guptas deny the claims.

Zwane said he was trying to save the jobs at Oakbay.“We are the government of the people.We will not allow our people to just lose their jobs,”he told reporters.

The Guptas own businesses ranging from media and mining.

Concern over political meddling in key economic departments has weighed on South African assets.

The rand fell nearly 10 percent in December after Zuma replaced Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene with a little-known politician, then recalled Gordhan, who served at the ministry in 2009-2014.

Uganda’s Opposition Leader Detained Uganda’s main opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been ordered detained until June 1 on charges of treason, a judicial official said, days after he was accused of unlawfully declaring himself president.

Besigye lost to veteran leader Yoweri Museveni in presidential elections in February, but said the vote had been rigged. He

was detained last week, then charged on Friday with being sworn in as president in a mock ceremony, a charge sheet showed.

The conduct of the election and treatment of opponents has drawn criticism from Western donors, who also value Uganda as an ally in the fight against Islamist militants. Ugandan troops are part of an African force battling

al Shabaab in Somalia.

The opposition has staged sporadic protests since the vote, leading to clashes with police and dozens of arrests.

“He appeared (on Wednesday) and the treason charges were freshly read to him again. He was thereafter remanded,” Solomon Muyita, spokesman for Uganda’s judiciary, told Reuters.

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$12bn Oil Suit: You Have Case to Answer, Court Tells IOCs Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court sitting

in Lagos has struck out the preliminary objection filed by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company

MTN Fine: Communications Minister Contradicts Self on Negotiations Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Despite his persistent claims that the Ministry of Communications and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) were not involved in the downward review of the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on MTN Nigeria, the Minister, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, has said the ministry asked the telecommunications company to pay N50 billion as act of good faith.

MTN had been fined N1.04 trillion by the NCC for its negligence to deactivate 200,000 unregistered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card. The fine had been reviewed downward by 25 per cent to N780 billion.

Shittu, on several occasions had told the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications that the negotiations for the fine was taken over by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr.Abubakar Malami, without consultation with his ministry.

He however, contradicted himself

yesterday when he spoke at the sectoral debate organised by the House on economic diversification, where he also said the N50 billion is not part of the fine.

Shittu recalled that the MTN proposed an out of court settlement, after suing the federal government, and was asked to pay N50 billion as act of good faith.

The minister noted that negotiations over the fine could not continue due to the ongoing investigation into the matter by the House Committee.

The position of the lawmakers is that the fine cannot be reviewed downwards without an amendment to the NCC Act, which stipulates N200,000 fine for each unregistered SIM card.

The Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Hon. Saheed Fijabi (Oyo APC), pointed out that the minister had given a different information to the committee, and had denied involvement in the negotiations of the fine.

Limited against the federal government.

The preliminary objection dated March 24, 2016, came on the heels of the lawsuits filed by the government against notable international oil companies (IOCs) such Chevron, Mobil, Agip, among others, seeking an order of the court to strike out the suit filed by the government on the grounds that it failed to disclose a reasonable cause of action against the defendant.

In opposition to the objection, the federal government, through its legal team led by Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), filed a counter-affidavit praying the court to discountenance the prayers of Agip and hold that there exists a right and

a reasonable cause of action against the defendant.

After a thorough consideration of the totality of the application, the court in its ruling, agreed with the arguments of counsel to the federal government and held that it (government) had a reasonable cause of action against the multinational oil corporation.

In a move seen by industry watchers as a major step by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to curb the menace of oil theft in the country, the federal government had March 3, 2016 instituted civil suits against IOCs operating in the country in a bid to recover over N2 trillion in alleged missing revenues

from over 57 million barrels of crude oil shipments that were believed to have been declared or under-declared between 2011 and 2014.

The suit may not be unconnected to President Buhari’s position from the outset of his government that a lot of the oil theft under his predecessor’s administration went on with the collusion of international oil tankers that lift Nigeria’s crude on behalf of the IOCs and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The federal government in the civil actions suits, stated that the decline in crude oil revenue recorded in 2014 ‘necessitated an intelligence based gathering of data, which showed that

part of the reasons for the decline in the revenue from crude oil exploration was the un-declaration and/or under-declaration of crude oil shipments’.

In the suit, it was discovered that “the crude oil declared to have been exported from Nigeria, was less than what was declared to have been imported into the United States using the same shipment by the same vessel on the same bill of lading.”

The lawyers representing the government revealed that the missing revenue accrued to Nigeria from the illegal shipments made between 2011 and 2014 to buyers in the US alone is worth a total of $12.7billion. At the current official exchange rate, the said amount would be worth over N2.4trillion.

Badeh Paid $6.2m in Two Tranches for a Property in Maitama, Says Witness Alex Enumah in Abuja The third prosecution witness (PW3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Useni Umar, in the ongoing trial of the former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Air Marshall Alex Badeh (rtd), over allegation of corruption yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that Badeh gave out the sum $6.2million in two tranches for the purchase of a property at No. 6 Ogun River street, Maitama, Abuja.

The witness, an Estate Survey manager, said Badeh instructed that the sum of $6.2million be released in two tranches within the period of two weeks for the purchase of the property located at no 6, Ogun River Close Maitama, Abuja after they had carried out a joint inspection on the property and Badeh was satisfied.

Umar told the court that after he got an instruction from Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau to get a ‘beautiful’ edifice-a retiring home for Badeh-he inspected four other properties together with Yushau.

The prosecution witness who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN), said: “When I got the instruction from Yushau, the first inspection was carried out between me and Yushau.

“The second inspection was carried out between me, Badeh and Yushau while the third and fourth inspection was a joint one by me, Badeh, his wife, his son, Sam, and daughter.

“It was after the joint inspection of the property that Badeh, having being satisfied with the property, instructed

that the sum of $6.2milion be paid in two tranches for the property.”

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), the witness said he did not state in his statement at the EFCC that they inspected four properties before Yushau chose the one on Ogun River Street because he was giving a summary of his statement to the EFCC. On whether he was aware that Yushau had told the court in his testimony that they inspected only three properties, the witness said he was telling the court what he knew about the transaction and not what Yushau told the court.

“I do not know that Yushau told the court that we inspected three properties, what I know is that we inspected four.

“The first inspection was carried out by me and Yushau “I told the court what happened, which is my own side of the story. It was after the fourth joint inspection, where all of them were happy with the property, that Yushau gave me the go ahead to negotiate with the property owners,” he said.

According to Umar, “That aspect of them being happy with the property was not included in my statement but the issue of approval and negotiation is there in my statement.

“It was Yushau who gave me the go ahead to negotiate with the owners of the property.”

Olujimi thereafter prayed the court for a one-day adjournment to enable him get the required materials for proper cross-examination.

Justice Okon Abang thereby adjourned the case to 12 noon today for further cross-examination of the witness.

SEEKINGTHE WAY FORWARD

R-L:Vice President ProfYemi Osinbajo confers with the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Minister of State for Petroleum and GMD NNPC, Dr. IbeEmmanuelKachikwu,aftertheFederalExecutiveCouncil(FEC)meetingattheCouncilChambersinAbuja.

Godwin Omoigui

House Disagrees with Use of Stun Guns

by Police Raises the alarm over danger of imported tomato paste

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The House of Representatives has disagreed with plans by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase, to introduce stun guns for use by policemen in place of firearms as a measure to reduce casualties resulting from misuse of firearms.

The House warned that the rising crime in the country does not warrant a soft approach to handling criminals.

Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji (Ekiti PDP) who sponsored the motion on the issue, urged the IG to ensure that the appropriate punishment is served to whoever misuses his firearm, to those who fail to respect the rule of law, and to those who fail to conduct themselves professionally.

“Although stun guns, being an electroshock weapon or an incapacitating weapon that momentarily disables victims with an electric shock, will reduce incidents of extra-judicial and

accidental killings by policemen on duty, its use could also lead to easy escapes for dangerous criminals.”

“It is an issue of concern that many of the incidents of extra-judicial killings in which the police have been implicated had to do with demands for bribes and refusal of the victims to comply, besides, many of the police personnel involved in those incidents allegedly acted under the influence of alcohol and narcotic which largely impaired their sense of judgment,” Oladimeji said.

The stun guns would also endanger policemen and the citizens to more danger from criminals who are usually equipped with sophisticated weapons, he added.

Meanwhile, at a time where several Nigerians have resorted to alternatives due to the scarcity of tomatoes in the markets, the House has raised the alarm at reports of sub-standard cancercausing tomato paste being

imported into country.

It therefore directed its Committees on Health Services and Drug and Narcotics to investigate the reports.

The resolution followed a motion under matter of public importance sponsored by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (Delta PDP) who alleged that the importers of the product are colluding with some indigenous manufacturers to release the sub-standard paste into the market.

The sub-standard paste is being sold at very cheap prices, resulting in low demand of the products of genuine indigenous manufactures, and retrenchment of their staff, Ossai added.

“Section 5 subsections (a) to (e) and (I) of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act (NAFDAC) has given the agency the onerous task of ensuring that fake and substandard food items are not found within the Nigerian markets,” he recalled,

The House also mandated its Committee on Aviation to ascertain the extent to which the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) comply with their responsibilities of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating within the country’s airspace.

Following a motion by Hon. Sergius Ogun (Edo PDP), the House also called on NAMA to adhere strictly to providing updated weather information for airlines.

“If a thorough investigation of the activities of airline operators are carried out with a view to ascertaining the airworthiness of aircraft operating in the country, it will help in no small measure to minimise the frequency of air crashes in Nigeria and also significantly improve the ratings of the Nigerian Aviation sector globally,” Ogun said.

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FUEL PRICE HIKE PROTEST …

FUEL PRICE HIKE PROTEST…

NLC Strike Records Poor Compliance Nationwide Our Correspondents

worker should be seen loitering around and hanging within the gate.

Another source told Thisday that the Head of Service, Mr Chamberline Nwele ordered that all workers should write attendance or forfeit the month’s salary in compliance with the no work no pay policy.

The nationwide strike ordered by the Comrade Ayuba Wabba faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday recorded poor compliance with workers in majority of the states shunning the call to strike and resuming normal duties while others recorded partial compliance as reported by our correspondents from their various beats nationwide.

Labour Vows to Shut down Anambra Today

Bank Workers Opt out of Strike

Normal banking activities were observed across commercial banks in Lagos yesterday despite the call for a sit-at-home protest by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Checks by THISDAY from the mainland and island areas of the state showed that there were no disruption of banking operations in any of the branches.

The Association of Senior Staffs of Bank and Financial Institutions Employees, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), had in compliance with its parent union directive not to join the strike, urged it members to defy the call for strike. But on the other hand, although the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, (NUBIFIE), an affiliate of the NLC asked its members to join the strike, findings showed that the directive was ignored. It was observed that it was business as usual at all the banks located on Oba Akran road, Ikeja. The banks visited were UBA, Unity Bank, First City Monument Bank, GTBank, Wema, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic, Union Bank and Ecobank. Furthermore, at Apapa, Lagos, THISDAY also monitored GTBank and Diamond Bank branches on Burma Road, while Access Bank branch on Ijesha road, Lagos, had normal banking transactions as their banking halls were filled with customers conducting all sorts of banking transactions.

Hoodlums Hijack Protest in Lagos, Unleash Mayhem Despite measures taken by the Lagos State Police Command in beefing up security around key public and government facilities ahead of yesterday’s nationwide strike planned by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), hoodlums yesterday seized the moment to unleash mayhem across the state.

The mayhem which started at the Fadeyi area of the state, along the Ikorodu Road was supposed to be a peaceful protest organised by the NLC to register their grouse against the hike in fuel price by the Federal Government.

According to an eyewitness account, the protest was going on well until some hoodlums said to be from the Mushin, Bariga and Somolu area stormed the venue of the protest and hijacked it.

THISDAY gathered that the hoodlums had blocked the entire stretch of Fadeyi, forcing motorists heading towards Ojuelegba to turn back.

Meanwhile, the strike action by the NLC extended to some government offices, which were shut down by the striking union.

At Airport Road in Ikeja, the shut down affected the offices of the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as the union locked out the staff of both agencies.

In the same vein, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, had earlier issued a directive for all personnel to be on guard and ready for deployment at short notice to aid the civil authority.

Dickson Urges Labour to Return to Negotiation Table

In Bayelsa State, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, yesterday, threatened to invoke the principle of no work, no pay, should labour proceed on an indefinite strike, without dialogue.

He, however, restated the government’s commitment to adopt the option of dialogue as the best means of resolving industrial disputes, with a call on the leadership of labour to shelve its planned indefinite strike action and accept its offer for an amicable resolution of the contending issues.

The governor renewed his call on the NLC and the TUC to do its promised consultation and return to the negotiating table for an amicable resolution of the issues involved for the benefit of all parties.

NO TO FUEL PRICE HIKE

A cross-section of labour leaders during a protest against the recent hike in the pump price of petrol in Abuja yesterday… .

ENOCK REUBEN

The labour movement in Bayelsa state had decided to embark on an indefinite strike action, citing the non-payment of salaries of workers.

In his reaction to the strike threat, Dickson said, if labour must adopt the strike option, the government would have no other option than also to invoke the rule of “No work; No pay’.’

Labour Vows to Continue Strike in Oyo Until...

Members of the organised labour unions comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Oyo State, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joint Action Front (JAF), Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), MDCAN, among others yesterday said no going back on the strike enforced in many establishments and called on the federal government to reverse the new pump price of fuel back to N86.50k.

The position was made known by the NLC chairmanship, Oyo State, Comrade Waheed Olojede while addressing the members of the public at various joints where the group protested by making procession across major roads in Ibadan.

“The position of the Nigerian people now as made by the labour leaders is that the Federal Government of Nigeria should go back to the drawing board to do a re-think and reverse the price of fuel from N145 to N86.50k,” Olojede said.

Though there were free flow of vehicle in Ibadan, the protest rally took off from the Oyo state headquarters of the labour congress moved round the state capital through Gate, Oje, Bere, Orita Merin, Dugbe, J. Allen, Mokola Round about and secretariat.

Olojede while addressing the crowd “enough is enough. Nigerian masses are ready to take their destinies in their own hands. The position of the Nigerian people now is that the Federal Government of Nigeria should go back to the drawing board to do a re-think and reverse the price of fuel from N145 to N86.50k.”

Benue Observe Partial Strike

The call by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for worker to embark on strike action following the increase in the price of petrol was yesterday observed partially by affiliate members of the union in Benue State. Even as the state chapter has threatened to shut down the State today until the 145 naira oil price is reversed.

THISDAY check revealed that most schools were opened for work while banks remained open for operation.

However,Lecturers in the state university observe the strike action to push for a reversal in the price.

Chairman of ASUU in BSU, David Ikoni told reporters on phone that the union wrote to the university management intimating them that they will participate in the strike as an affiliate of NLC. The State Labour chairman Comrade Godwin Anya who said this during an interview with newsmen yesterday while enforcing the strike action at the State Radio station, described as ‘inhuman’, federal government action to increase oil price without proper consultation with stakeholders.

Protest Grounds Activities in Osun

Activities in Osogbo, the Osun State capital were yesterday brought to a halt as members of the Nigerian Labour Congress and civil society groups under Joint Action Front took to the street protesting the increase in the price of petrol, as directed by the Ayuba Wabba led group of NLC. The protesters who mounted road block at the popular Olaiya roundabout, one of the major roads in the town were also seen seating on the road and chanting solidarity songs.

THISDAY gathered that all workers at the state secretariat were also forced out by the labour executives who were enforcing compliance.

As early as 8a.m the morning, members of the Nigerian labour congress, civil society allies and student unions mobilized themselves to the state capital and carried placards with different inscriptions to buttress their stand.

Ekiti Records Partial Compliance, Schools, Govt Offices Shut down The nationwide industrial action declared by the organized labour enjoyed partial compliance in Ekiti State on yesterday as the development however took toll on both economic and office activities.

Members of both the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and Trade Union Congress, (TUC) as well as the Joint Negotiating Council, (JNC) used street protests to aggravate the situation as they came out as early as 7a.m on the streets of Ado Ekiti to mobilise workers.

As a result of the development, all government offices in the state secretariat, including the state house of assembly located nearby were under lock and key as workers stayed away.

In the same circumstance, most markets, banks, filling stations, schools, except few private ones including shops did not open for normal activities early in the morning, but business later took effective position before at about 11.00 am.

Ebonyi Compels Workers to Write Attendance

Workers in Ebonyi state on Wednesday shunned the strike action embarked upon by the organised labour as they were compelled to write attendance for work or risk forfeiting their monthly salaries.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor led other labour leaders to lock most of the offices in the state as earlier as 7am to bar workers from gaining access to their workplace.

At the state secretariat, workers were locked outside for two hours until the detachment of the Ebonyi state police command were mobilised to come and ensure that no worker was harassed from duty.

When THISDAY visited the secretariat, a source disclosed that the police came and restored orderliness and ordered that no

The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Anambra State, Comrade Jerry Nnubia has said that the union will cripple Anambra State beginning from Thursday, through picketing.

Nnubia who spoke to journalists on his arrival from Abuja, after addressing leaders of affiliate unions of the congress saying that the compliance on Wednesday was commendable, but total success will be witnessed in the coming days.

“What we are saying is that there is hunger in the land, and people are suffering. Our expectation is that the government will do something to ameliorate this suffering not to add to it.

“Coming with his change mantra, we were looking forward to something new not the same old story, especially as our President has previously been quoted to have said that he does not support the removal of fuel subsidy.”

Enugu Workers Defy Strike Directive

Workers in Enugu state yesterday went anout their normal duties in defiance to the strike action ordered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest against the recent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

ThisDay observed that government and private agencies including banks were all open for business despite directive from NLC leaders in the state that all agencies should be shut down. It was also gathered that the last minute withdrawal of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from the planned action affected officials of NLC. “We are agreed on how to ensure that workers complied with the strike action, but suddenly, our counterparts in TUC backed out and this has really affected us,” an official of NLC who spoke on grounds of anonymity noted.

However, labour leaders in the state went round government offices in a last minute effort to mobilise the people to shut down and join the protest.

The TUC in a release endorsed by its Chairman and Secretary in Enugu state, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe and Comrade Benneth Asogwa, respectively directed all workers under it’s affiliate unions to go on discharging their routine duties.

Kokori Calls for Amicable Resolution of Crisis

Former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, yesterday urged the federal government to enter into “a proper and broad dialogue” with all the stakeholders in order to avoid social disruption as a result of the fuel price increase.

The legendary labour leader who led oil workers to protest the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, in an interview with THISDAY, criticised the approaches of both government and labour in handling the dispute over the fuel price increase.

He specifically asked government to involve both factions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

“A strike is avoidable in this circumstance, given good faith in all sides,” he said. Kokori chided NLC for having “a divided house,” while expecting to have a successful outing. He also said it was unrealistic for labour to organise a successful strike within two days. According to Kokori, the issues involved could be resolved with proper engagement between labour and government, “while all the facts are put on the table.”

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Lawan Was Caught on Video Collecting $500,000 from Otedola, Witness Tells Court Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The second prosecution witness in the trial of former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Farouk Lawan, yesterday told an Abuja High Court sitting in Lugbe, that Lawan was caught on video receiving USD 500,000 from Otedola.

The witness, David Igbodo, who is Commissioner of Police, Legal Services and Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the office of Inspector General of Police (IG) Special Investigation Unit told the court that Lawan was caught on video, the product of a sting operation by the Department of State Security (DSS).

Testifying before Justice Angela Otaluka, David said after collecting $500,000 in the house of Femi Otedola on April 24, 2012, Lawan proceeded to the House of Representatives and crossed out the name of Zenon Oil that was earlier indicted in a report before the ad hoc committee.

He said: “I found out that on April 24, 2012 at about 3:47a.m. in the morning, the defendant was in the house of Otedola and was given the sum of $500,000 and was caught on video due to the sting operation by the DSS. “The purpose of the demand and acceptance was to remove the name of Zenon Oil and AP Petroleum from the list of indicted companies,” David told the court.

Enugu Killings: Police Begin Aerial Surveillance of Troubled Nimbo Community Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu In a bid to forestall the possibility of another invasion of the troubled Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the state police command yesterday began an aerial surveillance of the three senatorial zone of the state beginning fromUkpabiNimboandNsukkazone.

Residents of the community had raised alarm of another possible attacks vowing however to vacate the area should the military, police and other security agencies deployed to maintain peace in the community round up their assignments and leave.

They insisted that but for the presence of the security men in the area, “no single soul would still remain in the community” in view of their sad experience in the hands of the suspected herders.

The villagers who spoke through the President of the Town Union in the community, Mr. Mathias

Ekere, when Nsukka Professionals Group Lagos led by its President, Charles Nwodo, paid a visit to the community over the attacks, maintained that “we’ll rather take to our heels instead of being steadily massacred by those who have no value for human lives”.

But in a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said the aerial surveillance being carried out by the air-wing of the police is targeted at having proper sight of all the nooks and cranies of not only the community but the entire state for effective crime prevention and control.

The statement noted that the Enugu Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu had noted that the gesture was part of the Inspector General’s commitment to ensuring “that the entire area is made safe while advising members of the public not to entertain fear or panic as the helicopter patrols their areas”.

Arms Deal: Witness Reveals How Ex-PDP Chairman, Haliru Bello was Paid N300m Senator Iroegbu inAbuja A witness in the ongoing trial of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello, Yazidu Ibrahim, who is a Staff Officer, Accounts, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has told the Federal High Court in Abuja, how he was instructed to pay the sum of N300 million to a company, BAM Projects and Properties Limited, owned by Bello.

Bello alongside his son, Bello Abba Mohammed, and their company, Bam Project and Properties Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly receiving the sum of N300 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Ibrahim told Justice A. R. Mohammed that he received a written instruction on a piece of paper to prepare a payment mandate for BAM in the sum of N300million.

Led in evidence by Adebisi

Adeniyi who stood in for Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Ibrahim further stated that the piece of paper had the account name, account number, amount and reason for payment (Payment for Safe Houses).

According to him, there were two signatories on the payment mandate: Muhammed Sambo Dazuki, a former National Security Adviser, and S.A. Salisu, Director, Finance and Administration. ‘‘After they have signed the paper, I would also sign before taking it to the bank (Central Bank of Nigeria),’’ he said.

Prior to giving this revelation, he had told the court that there were procedures of making payments, which included presentation of documents, approval of the documents and instructions from the Director of Finance, among others.

He stated: ‘‘Documents to be presented included: contract documents, contract agreements, signature of the contractor and voucher.

Following the case of alleged bribery against Lawan by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Lawan and one Boniface Emenalo were initially charged but the charge was amended and Emenalo was made a prosecuting witness.

Lawan was accused of obtaining $620,000 from Otedola in order to doctor the committee’s report in favour of Zenon Oil and Gas Limited. During examination by prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the witness further told the court that “On the same April 24, 2012, the defendant after collecting the money at the house of Otedola, crossed the name of of Zenon Oil earlier indicted in a report before the committee at the House of Representatives.”

In his evidence-in-chief, he said: “To my findings, the defendant (Lawan) admitted collecting the $500,000.

“He admitted he went to the house of Femi Otedola and collected the sum of $500,000, crossed the name of Zenon from the list.

“The witness also told the court that Lawan admitted collecting the money and gave it to another Honourable member named

Adams Jagaba, Chairman House of Representatives on Narcotics and Financial Crimes.”

Jagaba, however, was said to have denied ever receiving the $500,000 from Lawan and equally denied that any letter was written to him in respect of the collection.

The witness testified before the court that he found out that the defendant after collecting the sum of $500,000 which was caught on video, did not report the collection to any security agency neither before nor after collecting the money.

David said a search was conducted on the house of Jagaba but no money was found in the house.

At this point, a copy of the search warrant was presented before the court.

David said that he found out that after the defendant had collected the $500,000 in the early morning of April 24, 2012 which was five days later, went to the chairman of EFCC and reported that some marketers were offering him a plane load of dollars.

David however said Lawan failed to inform the EFCC that he had earlier collected $500,000 from Otedola.

According to the witness, Lawan

had said that the EFCC asked him to come back if any attempt was made to give him the plane load of dollars.

David also told the court that his findings revealed that first prosecution witness, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, who was Secretary to the Adhoc committee on fuel subsidy had also visited the house of Otedola on April 24, 2012 at about 9-10a.m. and was caught on video collecting $100,000.

“I found out out that the $100,000 he collected from Otedola was given to the defendant,” he added.

David also told the court that he found out that the defendant could not refund the sum of $600,000 made up of the $500,000 earlier collected and the $100,000 collected through Emenalo when the police had demanded it from him, even though he had made an undertaking to produce it.

“In search of the $600,000, a search was conducted in the house of the defendant on June 15, 2012 where the sum of $10,000 only was recovered,” David said.

Criminal Form D; Search Warrant, used to conduct a search on the house of the defendant where the said $10,000 was recovered, a diplomatic passport

issued on April 24, 2009 (though expired as at 2014), was tendered before the court.

However, when the $10,000 obtained during the search was tendered, defence counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) objected to its admissibility arguing that the $10,000 has nothing to do with the weight attached to it.

Ozekhome also argued that the prosecution had not shown from what custody the money had emerged. Awomolo at this juncture applied for withdrawal of the money stating that the defence counsel was going to waste time.

Ozekhome said it was too late to withdraw the money as issues had already been joined to it.

Awomolo, however, argued that issues would have been joined if he had replied and on point of law.

Justice Otaluka, after admitting the diplomatic passport and the search warrant document as exhibits PWD2D and PWD2E respectively into evidence, ruled against the admissibility of the $10,000.

Statements of the witness with the EFCC dated June 20, June 15, June 20, July 11, July 16, July 19 and September 25 were admitted into evidence as Exhibits G, H, J, K, L, L (1), and M respectively.

CAMEROUN OPEN TO INVESTORS

L-R: President Paul Biya of Cameroun; Keynote Speaker and Chairman of Heirs Holdings , Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; and Former Prime Minister, Republic of Korea, Dr. Chung Un-Chan, at the International Economic Conference organised by the government of Cameroun, tagged Investing in Cameroun, held in Yaoundé... Tuesday

Nigeria Practising a Pseudo Democracy, Says Oby Ezekwesili Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The former World Bank Vice President (Africa) and co-leader of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, said what Nigeria is currently practising is not real but pseudo democracy bequeathed by the Nigerian military.

Ezekwesili made this observation yesterday as a guest speaker at a seminar on “Advocacy to Lawmakers Seeking Reduction in the Age Limit for Young People Seeking Political Office” with the theme ‘Youths in Nigeria: Inclusion and Participation in Politics’ organised by the League of Progressives Ambassadors of Nigeria (LEPAN).

She explained that the nascent Nigerian democracy was founded on the imperfect constitution drafted

under the military authorities and handed over for civil rule.

She however noted that even though there were gaps in the constitution, it helped Nigerian democracy to thrive for 17 years, which is the longest stretch of democratic governance since the country gained independence.

“The democracy we have today might not even be real democracy.

It might be a pseudo one based on the Constitution handed over to us by the military. However, we must thank God that we have enjoyed democracy now for 17 years.

“Even though there are gaps in the Constitution, it still provides the basis to agitate for more improvement in democracy and for inclusive governance,” she said.

Speaking further, Ezekwesili,

noted that the country had only achieved what she termed a “low outcome” since its 56 years of independence.

Consequently, she called for urgency in addressing the issues of governance in the country including visionary youth participation in politics.

“There is an urgency to improve things in the country. By October this year, we are going to be 56 years and in all these we have been able to achieve is this low outcome that the country has found itself. That is why there should be urgency in what we do,” she stressed.

Ezekwesili also noted the fact that in other climes like the United States (US) and other advanced democracy, youths enter into politics with a vision to advance the course of their country

and not for monetary gains, which is the norm with most of the politicians in Nigeria.

She also emphasised that the quality of the politicians and institutions go a long way to determine the quality of the governance, policies and programmes in the country.

“Common problems lead us to politics, which in turn lead us to governance, policies and programmes. Our common problems create a necessity for us to therefore engage in politics.

“The quality of the operators of a political system determines the quality of its outcome. So the question is; how are you (youths) going to activate your time to determine the desired quality outcomes,” she posed.

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THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Weapons Found in My House Belonged to ONSA, Dasuki Tells Court Ex-NSA tells ECOWAS Court he is unjustly incarcerated Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Federal High Court in Abuja was yesterday told that the weapons found in the Asokoro residence of the former National Security Adviser, (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) barely 48 hours after he left office in 2015 belonged to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The weapons were said to be for the use of the security details attached to him as the National Security Adviser (NSA) for protection.

These were contained in Dasuki’s statement made to the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) tendered and admitted as exhibit by Justice Adeniyi Ademola in the ongoing trial of Dasuki on charges of unlawful possession of arms.

A prosecution witness in the trial of Dasuki, Mr. Samuel Ogbu who is an operative of DSS indicated this when he read in the open court the statement made by Dasuki during his interrogation by DSS before he was charged to court.

Under cross-examination by counsel to Dasuki, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), the witness said Dasuki in his statement confirmed that the weapons were for the ONSA and for the protection of the NSA. The witness also said Dasuki claimed in his written statement that the weapons were to be returned to the ONSA by the security details at the end of the day.

Ogbu who was asked by Dasuki’s lawyer to read a portion of the statement of the defendant to the open court, admitted that Dasuki in the first paragraph of his statement made it clear that the weapons belonged to the ONSA and not his personal belonging.

The witness further said he could not remember the date Dasuki left office as NSA but however insisted that the interrogation was conducted after he had left office.

Answering another question, the

witness, who claimed to have spent 34 years in the service, admitted that the NSA was entitled to security details as the coordinator of activities for all security agencies in the country.

The operative claimed that the DSS did not issue the weapon to the former NSA but admitted he would not know whether the weapons were issued to Dasuki by the military authority, especially the Nigerian Army.

Also under cross-examination, the witness admitted that he had never being to the armoury of the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and DMI and would not know whether the weapons found in Dasuki’s house were issued to him by any of the agencies.

The witness said: “I am aware that the Office of the NSA coordinates the activities of all security agencies in this country comprising the police, army, air force, navy, DSS, and DMI among others and my evidence in this trial relates only to what happens in the DSS.” Earlier in his evidence-in-chief, the witness had claimed that the house of Dasuki was searched based on intelligence report and that some weapons including powerful rifles were recovered.

He said as a follow-up to the recovery, he was invited to participate in the interrogation of Dasuki to know the ownership of the weapons and for what purposes they were meant in the house.

The witness claimed that the interrogation was freely conducted and fully recorded in video and that Dasuki’s statement was also recorded when it was being made voluntarily.

Led in evidence by the counsel to the federal government, Chief Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), the witness said the DSS decided to interrogate the ex-NSA on the weapons because of their sophistication.

The witness added that ordinarily such weapons were not usually

issued to ordinary individuals because of their capacities and that licences were not usually issued to individuals to purchase or carry.

Ogwu told the court that parts of the guns, Tavor Assault Rifle were imported into the country by the federal government following the crises of the insurgency, especially Boko Haram so as to enable the country’s security personnel to have an edge over terrorists.

Further hearing continues today.

Meanwhile, Dasuki has told the ECOWAS Community Court that the federal government had no legal or moral justification for his continued incarceration since December last year.

Dasuki who spoke through his counsel, Mr. Robert Emukperuo, yesterday while making his final address, predicated his stance on Sections 293-296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015 which outlines the procedure for keeping a suspect in detention for not more than two weeks.

“To accentuate the illegality of the arrest and detention of the applicant, the ACJA 2015, S.293 to 296 thereof, set out the procedure for the detention of any person pending trial or investigation. And in summary, that procedure requires judicial intervention by a magistrate for it to be carried out and the maximum detention time-frame is two weeks”, he submitted.

Emukperuo had earlier filed an application to amend the originating application by including additional reliefs, a request the court granted, ordering the defendant to respond, if any, within 15 days to the issues raised in the amendment.

He prayed the court to order the release of his client and as well order the government to pay N500 million as compensation to Dasuki.

He recalled how several courts had granted Dasuki bail and how President Muhammadu Buhari had stated in a media chat that the ex-NSA could not just be released.

Over Five Million People Die Annually Due to Tobacco Intake, Says WHO Paul Obi in Abuja As the world celebrate the Family Doctors’ Day today, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicates that over five million people die worldwide as a result of tobacco intake annually as many are affected by lung cancer, heart diseases including heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, erectile dysfunction, birth defects and other ailments.

The report also revealed that about one billion people worldwide practice tobacco smoking with reasons given as recreational and fulfilment of some religious rituals, among several others.

The President of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Dr. Frank Omo-

Ehijele Odafen, who spoke on the 2016 theme: ‘Smoking Cessation’, told journalists yesterday in Abuja, that many passive smokers such as children, are affected by the behaviour of others especially where there are no laws protecting non smokers.

He stated that smoking “killed approximately half of long term smokers when compared to age mortality rates faced by nonsmokers.” The association called on the federal government to put some wholesome laws in place which is expected to protect non-smokers.

He urged “government to legislate that every family should have a family doctor as according to him, a family doctor is not only a healthcare provider but a decision maker, communicator, community leader, team member and an advocate for the patients

in health, sickness, death and even post mortis.

“Government at all levels should ban smoking in public places/ transport systems; government should institute high taxation on tobacco products, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) should run advertorials on TV/ radio to discourage smoking; government should disallow all commercials advertising promoting smoking in the media- print and electronic and government should provide social rehabilitation centres for those willing to give up smoking.”

“Cultural practices that discourage children and youths from embracing smoking should be given more impetus and government should legislate that every family should have a family doctor,” Odafen stressed.

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

NAFDAC, Others to Tackle Nigeria’s Food Supply Challenges Crusoe Osagie In a bid to address the issues hindering the activities of food supply chain management, handling, regulations on importation and exportation, stakeholders have

brainstormed on the way forward to boost Nigeria’s food and beverage industry.

Stakeholders believe that investors have continued to see food distribution and retailing as a lucrative opportunity in the

TY Danjuma Foundation Spends N200m on IDPs Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja In line with its vision of providing succour to the poor and the needy in the society, the Theophilous Danjuma Foundation said it has expended over N200 million on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered in various camps across the country.

The CEO of the foundation, Dr. Sunday Udo, made this known yesterday in Abuja at a skills acquisition training programme for 55 IDPs at the New Knochigoro camp, Abuja, which was organised by the All Children Charity International Foundation (ACCIF), in partnership with TY Danjuma Foundation.

Udo, who was represented by the Grants and Partnership Officer, Mr. Gima Forje, said the training was a continuation of what the foundation started in 2015, where it trained 35 IDPs at the Pegi camp in Kuje.

According to him, “All what we are doing is in line with the mission of the organisation, and the vision set forth by the chairman of the foundation. So, supporting people in need is what we do; and you will imagine people who moved all the way from Borno State to Abuja to get support, they are in need, and that is what we do, and we have to do that.”

Udo revealed: “So far, we have expended about N25 million on this project. But barely speaking, we have put into IDPs project probably N200 million. For this specific project, last year we have 38 IDPs we supported at the Pegi camp in Kuje. Today, we are supporting 55 IDPs at Pegi and New Knochigoro camps.”

Earlier, in her opening remarks,

the founder and the Executive Director, ACCIF, Barr. Ranti Daudu said the programme marked another history in thr lives of the 55 IDPs as they would begin a journey of training in shoe-making, tailoring, and Welding for six months.

She stated: “in 2015, 36 IDPs were trained in in shoe-making in Pegi, IDPs camp. The success story of the skills acquired by the beneficiaries is still being celebrated as quite a number of them are doing great in their various businesses. Today, some of them are with us as proofs that indeed the TY Danjuma Foundation means what it says by providing training and start up equipment for each beneficiary. “ Daudu added: “Twenty of the IDPs will be trained in tailoring, 25 in shoe-making and 10 in welding technology. Each training will be provided with start-up equipment at the end of the training. The equipment are already purchased and waiting to be distributed to each beneficiary after their training.”

She also stressed that free launch and training materials would also be made available for the trainees daily during their training days, while each vocation centre would have two trainers.

Daudu noted that an entrepreneur class was being put in place for the trainees where they would be taught business skills and management on how to effectively manage their own businesses afterwards.

However, the Village Head of New Knochigoro, Mr. Ibrahim Wamgbe, urged the trainees not to misuse of the opportunity which he said would turn their lives around and in turn have impact on the lives of others.

FG Pledges Commitment to Nationwide Health Coverage Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, has pledged the commitment of the federal government to ensure the provision of health services to Nigerians across the country, assuring that although that task appeared daunting, it was achievable.

The minister stated that on assumption of office, the first thing his ministry did was to announce a universal health coverage that would target at least 100 million people in the first instance, adding that a lot of people were cynical about it.

Adewole, who spoke in Abuja at KPMG’s book presentation, described that drive as a journey, which has already begun and must move towards full realisation, adding that there was no doubting the fact that Nigerians have a leader in President Muhammadu Buhari who would deliver because he is not only ‘pro-poor’ but also ‘pro-rural.’

Receiving over a 100 copies of the book, “In Search of the Perfect Health System” authored by KPMG’s Global Chairman & Senior Partner for Health, Mark Britnell, the minister promised to make copies available to the National Assembly and all critical stakeholders, noting: “We will remember this day as the day KPMG made a significant contribution to our efforts.”

Presenting the book, Partner & Head, Advisory Services, KPMG, Mr. Kunle Elebute, said the organisation was desirous of supporting the federal government’s drive at the reinventing the health sector, noting that the challenges were enormous, but surmountable.

He noted that of particular concern was how to reverse the growing trend of medical tourism abroad, pointing out that the book depicts countries in various continents of the world that have embarked on putting in place excellent health systems for their people.

nation, saying that with Nigeria improving its macro and socioeconomic conditions, the industry is the best way to tap into increasing spending power in the country.

The Acting Director General, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni, explained that Nigeria has great potential in agriculture, noting that it is the responsibility of regulatory authorities to collaborate with stakeholders in the food industry on value addition for agricultural commodities for local consumption and export.

Oni, during a three-day multisector Food Nigeria Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, said food safety was a growing concern in all parts of the world including Nigeria, maintaining that the supply of safe food to consumers promotes national economies, trade and tourism, food security and ensures sustainable development.

According to her, the success of the food and beverage sector depends on consistent selling of safe foods and beverages while also maintaining consumer confidence in food and

beverage supply.

“NAFDAC is happy to collaborate with food Nigeria at this exhibition to ensure that the goods exhibited are certified. We are particularly excited about this programme which could not have come at a better time than now when the government of Nigeria is shifting from the oil sector to the agricultural sector. We want to use this food exhibition to educate all the exhibitors on what the food safety programme is all about and what they have to do to get their products registered because any food products that will be sold must have NAFDAC certification. We are also here to educate the exhibitors on the process and procedures involved in registering their food products.

We know that these products are all aimed at ensuring food security and in the long run, improve the economy of Nigeria and also provide job opportunities,” she said.

She said in order to carry out the agency’s regulatory activities, it has put in place transparent and user-friendly regulations to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade, saying that in this challenging economic

terrain, collaborative efforts from all the regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders is required to come up with a framework for addressing the quality and presentation of made-in-Nigeria food products.

“This would encourage Nigerians to redirect their consumption pattern from imported products to madein-Nigeria products to enhance wealth creation and creation of job opportunities for the nation’s teeming unemployed youths.

In her words, “We are also looking at attracting foreign food companies into the country to explore the opportunities available in the country and this is a policy that NAFDAC will begin to enforce sooner than now.

If we bring in the technologies, it is going to make production cheaper because we have the labour here, we are also going to engage people here and we also have the market here. We need collaborate with these foreign companies to carry out their processes here so that our local producers can borrow a leaf from them to begin to set up their own factories that will be of international standards. This is the way to go. There is beauty in

many people being in the business because it gives room for healthy competition.”

She noted that the exhibition will provide an avenue for meaningful interaction between foreign and local food and beverage manufacturers, distributors and consumers, appealing on key stakeholders to ensure that food and beverage are of good quality, warning that fake food products poses global threat endangering lives.

On the EU ban on Nigeria’s beans, she said the agency has put in a framework so that by the time EU taking cognizance of the right procedures and processes, adding that EU will have no doubt than to grant made-in-Nigeria food products entry into the EU markets.

The Director, Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. G Chukwumah, said the ministry is working towards ensuring that all food produced in Nigeria are safe for human consumption, saying that stakeholders are working towards the overall objectives of eliminating or reducing to the barest minimum the incidence of food poisoning in Nigeria.

YOU ARE GOOD TO GO

L-R: Aspirant for Edo State governorship election, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon; Director of Organisation, APC, Abubakar Kari and National Organising Secretary, APC, Senator Osita Izunaso, presenting the Expression of Interest form to Imansuangbon yesterday in Abuja.

Julius Atoi

Edo Governorship: My Priority will Be Job Creation, Says Imansuangbon Oyinlola committee submits report to Oyegun Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja One of the governorship aspirants seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, has promised to make job creation his administration’s number one priority if elected.

He also pledged to take the people of Edo State back to farming to create massive employment if given the opportunity.

Imansuangbon who became the first aspirant to purchase the gubernatorial form to contest the APC primary scheduled for June 18, told journalist shortly after being presented with the form at the APC national secretariat in Abuja yesterday that if he emerges, youths in the state will be the better for it

because most of them would be taken out of the streets to engage in more rewarding endeavours. ‘’I am running because I believe that the Edo people need an experienced person to create jobs. Boys and girls must be taken off the streets, and to do this, you need an experienced hand from the private sector. ‘’What makes America great is not the guns or nuclear weapons they have but the ability to feed every American. I will be the number one, chief farmer in Edo State, I will create farm industries.

I will make everyone a farmer. ‘’I am known as the rice man but this year, we will create rice farms, rice plantation, close to the sea which is my local government.

We will make juices of all kinds,

tomato paste, and of course bread.

Everybody will be busy, meaning that crime will be reduced.”

Another aspirant, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, told journalists after picking his form that he had pledged his loyalty to the party, assuring that APC will defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the contest.

“The election will be peaceful, the party is supreme and I have pledged my loyalty to the party. The party will come out with a candidate that will flog the PDP. PDP in Edo State has become complacent, we were the strong ones in the state and we have moved.”

Meanwhile, the peace committee set up by the party’s national chairman, Chief John Oyegun, has turned- in its report.

While submitting the report, the chairman, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said the committee was able to secure the commitment of all the party stakeholders in Edo State to ensure that there is unity in the state chapter ahead of the governorship poll.

On his part, Oyegun said he would ensure absolute neutrality by the party in all the processes leading to governorship primary.

“I haven’t read your report yet but I know that I haven’t gotten one single criticism, from one single stakeholder, about the work that this committee did. And about the relative level of peace that now envelopes the party in Edo State as well as the restoration of some degree of civility,” he said.

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Gunmen Kill Cop in Bayelsa, Bolt with His Corpse Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

It was like a scene from a Hollywood thriller in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, yesterday when some gunmen shot dead a senior police officer identified as Mathew Akpos and disappeared with his corpse.

The policeman, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was reportedly gunned down along the OMPADEC school field in Amarata suburbs.

Eyewitnesses told journalists that stray bullets from the gunshots fired at the scene of the incident also hit an elderly woman, who is a trader in the area, on the leg and stomach.

While the policeman’s body was taken away by his assailants, the woman was said to have been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) where doctors were said to be battling to save her life. ‘’The gunmen were dressed like a special police squad. They wore the outfits of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and wore police bulletproof vests,” a resident who preferred to remain anonymous said.

He said the gunmen drove into the community in a black Hilux Toyota vehicle and accosted their target immediately.

“There were gunshots all over the place. I was at a

supermarket directly opposite the scene of the incident. The way they drove into the community was suspicious and sent panic all over the place.

“But the gunshots caused commotion in the area as people, even youths who were playing football abandoned the game and scampered for safety,” he added.

The hoodlums, it was learnt, first attempted to force the cop into their vehicle which he resisted, before he was able to pull out his pistol. ‘’While Akpos was being dragged into the car, he resisted his assailants and in the process pulled out his pistol from its casing and shot at one of his

assailants.

“One of the gunmen who was standing close to the Hilux van immediately pulled out his gun and shot the victim who fell to the ground.

“They packed his body into their vehicle and zoomed off. Bullets also hit an elderly woman in her 60s. She was taken to the hospital where doctors operated on her,’’ he said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Bayelsa, Mr. Butswat Asinim, said the police were still trying to get to the root of the attack and why the gunmen ran away with the victim’s corpse.

In Brief Two Arraigned for Human Trafficking.

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the remand in prison custody of two accused, Joy kenneth and Albert Eze, over human trafficking. The accused were charged by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Person and other Related Offence (NAPTIP) on a four-count charge. They however, both pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred. Following an application for their remand by prosecution led by Mrs Kehinde Falade, Justice Abdulazeez Anka ordered the remand of the accused in custody.

He fixed June 28 for hearing. In the charge, the duo were alleged to have conspired in December 2015, to procure travelling documents for a 19-year-old girl to Dubai for purposes of prostitution. The first accused (Kenneth) who resides at No 15 Divine Victory St., Alagbado Lagos, was said to have on December 4, 2015, at No 55 Unity St., off AIT Road in Lagos, assisted one Endurance who is now at large, to procure the documents. The second accused, (Eze) who resides at No 18 Igbaja St., Bariga, was also alleged to have assisted the said Endurance to arrange the foreign trip of the teenager at the Murtala Muhammed Airport on December 14, 2015.

The accused were alleged to have secured the travelling documents of the girl to Dubai, for the purpose of prostitution. The teenager is said to be from Ewohimi in Benin City, Edo State. The offences contravenes the provisions of Section 18 of the Traffic in Person Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. Justice Anka has fixed June 28 for hearing.

Police Parade Suspected Robbers, Kidnappers in Ondo The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police, late Tuesday, paraded 20 suspects arrested within and outside the state for various offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping and hijacking of fuel-laden truck. The suspects were paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Harrison, at the command headquarters in Akure, the state capital. Of these numbers, 13 were suspected armed robbers, two were arrested for kidnapping while five others were being held for allegedly hijacking of a fuel-laden truck.

Nduka John, 30, and Jude Adeniyi Ayire, 37, were arrested for allegedly abducting one Gbadamosi Olakunle on March 9, 2016 at about 8p.m. while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons. According to the commissioner, the victim was abducted at Galumus Petrol Station located at Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.

Harrison said the victim was later released unhurt nine days after, stressing that the handset that was used in negotiation for ransom along with Green Nissan Premera car with registration number KAA 246 FK that was used for the operation were also recovered from the suspects. The police boss said gun loaded with five rounds of live ammunition along with other dangerous weapons were recovered from them when they were arrested.

Sharia Court Judge Arraigned for Attempting to Rape Married Woman

KEEPING THE PEACE

Policemen from the Airport Police Command controlling the traffic during the peaceful protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos...yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

EFCC Arraigns Man, Company for N5.8bn Fraud A 46-year-old man, Frank Okwudili, yesterday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged fraud and forgery.

The accused was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside his company, Geebee Zulu Investment Company Limited, on a four-count charge bordering on forgery and fraud.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Mr. Henry Anazo, told the court that the accused committed the offence in 2011.

He alleged that sometime in 2011, the accused forged a valuation certificate purportedly made by Jide Taiwo & Co Estate Surveyors and Valuers, in a bid to fraudulently secure a loan.

According to the prosecutor, on October 27, 2011, the accused attempted to use the said forged document in procuring a loan facility to the tune of N5.5 billion from Mainstreet Bank in

Ikeja, Lagos.

He said on November 30, 2011, the accused again presented the forged document to the same branch of the bank, in a bid to secure a loan of N350 million.

The prosecutor said the forged document was presented as a loan collateral and was said to have been prepared by Jide Taiwo & Co, The alleged offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 1 (2) of the Miscellaneous offence Act, 2004.

The offence is also said to have contravened the provisions of sections 5 (1) (2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006.

After the arraignment of the accused, his counsel, Mr. P.U Nnoli, made an oral application for bail of his client, urging the court to admit him to bail.

The trial judge, Justice Abdulazeez Anka however, ordered him to put it in writing.

The prosecutor, thereafter, applied for accelerated hearing of the case, and prayed the court to order the remand of the accused in prison custody.

Shonde: Autopsy Cites Respiratory Seizure as Cause of Death Chiemelie Ezeobi As investigation into the death of Mrs. Ronke Shonde, who was allegedly murdered by her husband, Lekan, deepens, the much-awaited autopsy report, which has been released, might have shed further light into the circumstances that led to her death.

The autopsy report which was taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Investigate Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, at exactly 8.45p.m. yesterday cited one of the chief cause of death as respiratory seizure.

The autopsy which was finally concluded on yesterday by pathologists at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), examined amongs other things, the bruises on her skin.

A police source who spoke to THISDAY said although other possible causes were listed, none of them were inflicted by violence or

aggressive battering.

According to the source, although it was not clear what brought about the seizure, the other bruises on her body did not establish that it led to her death.

A medical doctor with the general hospital, who spoke with THISDAY on anonymity explained that seizures can be caused by a change in the behavioral state resulting from an abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

On whether the autopsy exonerates the suspect he said that seizures can be caused by either a severe blow to the head, acute fever or severe case of intoxication.

He said often the person suffering from the seizure might first loose consciousness, leading to stiffening of the body with forceful expiration of air from the throat.

The doctor also explained that if the person having the seizure is standing without support, a fall can can be a hard and fatal.

A Sharia Court judge in Basawa, Zaria, has been arraigned before an Upper Sharia Court for alleged attempt to raped a married woman.

The accused, Haruna Aliyu, was brought to the court located in GRA Zaria, by the police on a one-count charge of attempt to commit rape.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Ibrahim Hussaini, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) told the court that the accused was apprehended by the police at about 7p.m. on Monday with the woman. He said a lawyer, Aminu Adamu-Mohammed, of Waff Road Sabongari, reported the case through a phone call to Sabongari Divisional Police Headquarters. The prosecutor said the complainant had accused Haruna of luring one Fatima Alhassan, a house wife, to a hotel on Samaru road in Zaria with the intention of committing adultery. The prosecutor said the offence is punishable under Sections 226 and 116 of the Penal Code Law. The accused however pleaded not guilty to the offence, and his counsel, Mr. M. G. Sadiq requested the court to grant his client bail. The judge, Mustapha Umar granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. He ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant on GL 10 or a Village Head. Umar adjourned the case to June 6, for further hearing.

EFCC Quizzes Ex-Kogi Commissioner for N2bn Funds

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has invited a former Kogi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Yabaji Bologi, and others for questioning over an alleged diversion of over N2billion loan released to the state past administration by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). THISDAY reliably gathered yesterday that the former commissioner who served in the immediate past administration and some top government officials are presently with the EFCC in Abuja to explain what happened to the missing fund meant to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Sources close to Government House Lokoja disclosed to THISDAY that the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, during his visit to the ministry discovered that the N2 billion was missing. According to the source, the governor was not satisfied with the explanation from one of the top government officials of the ministry as to how the loan was disbursed. It was further gathered that the commission invited the former commissioner, the permanent secretary and other top officials to Abuja for questioning following a petition on how the sum of N2 billion provided by the CBN was allegedly diverted.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

NFPL

Giwa FC Makes U-turn, Begs LMC to ‘Bend’ the Rules

Femi Solaja

Reason may have prevailed over emotion for embattled Giwa FC in its sink or float situation as regards Its continuation in the ongoing Nigerian Football Professional League after the club’s management reached out to League Management Committee (LMC) to temper justice with mercy in the mess it found itself.

Going by the rules and regulations guiding the league, the Jos club is on the brink of dismissal from the competition after missing three consecutive matches.

But last night, when it seemed that it was all over for the club, its management reached out to the LMC in what is a last attempt

to starve off execution of the rule of the League.

The Jos Elephants have agreed to play their Matchday 18 game against Enyimba that was slated for Ilorin yesterday afternoon.

The club however asked that the game be rescheduled not taking into cognisance that Enyimba had already walked over them in Ilorin.

A statement from the club yesterday revealed that it still wants to remain in the league but asked the LMC to review the circumstances that led to Its recent travails.

“Giwa FC has written to inform the League Management Company (LMC) that it has accepted to play its Match day 18 with Enyimba International,” said a statement from Media

Officer David King.

The club pleads that the date of the match be rescheduled to enable the team play the match, at a venue outside Ilorin.

The club promised to do its best to uphold the integrity of the league for the good of the game too.

Secretary of the Club, Samson Adamu, regretted all inconveniences caused league.

“Giwa FC of Jos also pleaded for an independent commission

to be set up by LMC to look into the cases of the last two matches that were missed earlier with a view to allowing a replay based on arising conditions.

Giwa FC insists that as a law abiding club it promises to uphold the integrity of the league,” concluded the statement.

Giwa FC was banished to Ilorin after the fracas midway into Its home game against Enugu Rangers in Jos on Matchday 12.

The club has since missed two

consecutive “home” games in Ilorin where it lost three points to Its opponents and three goals awarded against it.

The club has been embroiled in the political drama involving its proprietor Chris Giwa’s fight for the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Wikki Tourists and Akwa United have both walked over Giwa in Ilorin, where the Jos club were banished.

Last week, the League

Management Company formally cautioned Giwa warning that it risked expulsion from the league.

The LMC referred to Rule 13.28 which states as follows,” if a club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the league season without acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed shall be cancelled”.

It is now left for the league to enforce this regulation.

National Lottery Fund Donates N574m Sports Equipment to Schools Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The National Lottery Trust Fund will tomorrow make donation of sporting equipment to 2,000 primary schools nationwide in fulfillment of its mandate as an intervention agency established to promote the well-being of citizenry through projects.

The Executive Secretary of the Fund, Abu Gumel told reporters yesterday that the equipment in nine key sports including football, athletics (track and field, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, judo, taekwondo, handball and basketball will be parceled to the schools to enhance grassroots sports development.

According to Gumel a robust and comprehensive evaluation and monitoring system has been put in place to monitor and track the utilization of the equipment.

He put the cost of the equipment imported directly from manufacturers in China and Taiwan at N574 million. The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be the special guest of honour at the unveiling and the presentation of the equipment in Abuja.

Gumel, who is the President

of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), said the gesture was to promote grassroots development given that Nigeria’s current crop of athletes was ageing and a need for the grooming of talented sports men to excel in international sports was necessary.

He said that the National Lottery Fund would work with the Federal Capital Territory administration would attach coaches to the selected schools to ensure that the students are trained on the use of the facilities.

Twenty schools in Abuja will benefit from the project.

“It is our conscious effort to develop school sports and these projects are funded from remittances received from lottery operators and promoters across the country, which in the past was used in supporting the 9th All Africa Games in Algiers in 2007 and the West Africa Police Games in 2009,” Gumel said.

The National Lottery Trust Fund was established pursuant to National Lottery Act of 2005 and commenced operations same year with an appointment of board of trustees members and a chairman.

Giwa-FC before a match in the ongoing season

Anambra FA Introduces “Football Made in Anambra” The newly elected Anambra State Football Association under the leadership of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has unveiled a blue print towards fast-tracking the transformation of the game in the state.

Amongst the programmes which are aimed to revolutionize football in the state is the highly anticipated “Football Made in Anambra”which seeks to foster grassroots football.

This competition, which will involve participants from over 50,000 families in Anambra State and

Scrabble Generation Next Emerge in Lagos The next generation of scrabble champions will emerge at the maiden edition of the Rabiu Adeola Under-12 Scrabble Championships holding from 8am on Thursday, 19th of May, 2016 at the prestigious Lagos Country Club Ikeja G.R.A Lagos.

The competition which is aimed at discovering and nurturing young talents in the game of scrabble will see 50 kids from over 12 schools in Lagos and Ogun states in a battle of word power. Chrisland Schools, Mind Builders School,Trinity College, Karis Schools, Dansol School, Grange Schools, Olive Success Academy, Coastland, Berkeley Science Magnet School and others will slug it out at the one day event.

Organisers of the competition, 27 July Ltd are optimistic that the competition will not only discover players for the future but also

give other kids the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Sponsor and sports broadcaster, Bimbo Adeola who said the competition is in memory of his late dad who passed on three years ago also informed that it will be an annual event.

“The competition is being put together to honour my dad who was very passionate about words and by extension the sport. It’s also our own way to give back to the society and also discover new talents for the country. We will ensure that the competition holds every year at the Lagos Country Club and endeavour to have schools from other parts of the country participate in future editions.”

He also enumerated the several benefits of scrabble to the students, ‘the event will also give the kids the

opportunity to enhance their spelling skills and word power, provide an ample way for students to expand their repertoire. It is also a fun way for students to learn words for their English language classes in particular.

Playing scrabble enables them to exercise their addition skills since those letters simply aren’t going to count themselves. I’m sure they’ll have fun all through.’

World scrabble champion, Nigeria’s Wellington Jighere is the icon of the day and he will deliver a brief motivational speech to the kids on how to be the best.

Prizes to be won includes trophies for the best overall player and most promising player plus medals for the the 1st to 3rd place finishers. All the participants will however smile home with certificates, dictionaries and other gift items.

in Diaspora, will set out to discover young and budding talents whose talents will be harnessed by the best hands in the country in an academy to be set up by the association.“1 family-1 footballer” which is the theme of the programme aims to identify and develop one footballer from every family in a fiesta that will be hosted in every community for a period of two weeks with lots of giveaway prizes including over 50,000 branded footballs and jerseys for participants and their families.

The programme is billed to attract legends from within and outside the shores of Nigeria as the association looks to completely change the face of football in Anambra state.

According to a communiqué released after the inaugural meeting of the Executive Committee on May 14; as part of its efforts to set the pace and ensure speedy growth of grassroots football in the state, the committee resolved to introduce series of programmes which includes ‘Football Made in Anambra’, ‘Anambra State Unity Cup’as well as focus on the training and retraining of state football coaches, referees and administrators by renowned instructors from across the country.

The committee also agreed that in its bid to enhance administration as well as the credibility of the State FA, its secretariat has to be relocated to a more befitting edifice.

Chairman of the association, Dr. Ubah while addressing pressmen

pointed out that the massive Games village coming up in Nnewi with over six football pitches will be a turning point towards attaining the glory that Anambra lost over the years. He further explained that the use of the pitches will be split into three categories, two pitches for children between the ages of 6 and 12, two other pitches for children/ youths between the ages of 13 and 20 and the last two pitches will be used to harness amateur footballers.

According to Dr. Ubah, all these programmes will be complemented by a Football Academy and School which would kick off soonest.

On a lighter note, Dr. Ubah said that under his watch, Anambra state stands a great chance of producing at least five Messis and Ronaldos within the next five years. He further declared that his target is to ensure that football tourism grows to be the biggest contributor to Anambra State’s Internally Generated Revenue.

In a show of appreciation, Dr. Ubah thanked the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano for his promise and determination to support the association and its programmes aimed at revolutionising football in the state.“A journey of a million miles starts with one step and that visionary step we have taken”, Dr. Ubah said.

According to the document, various committees will be

constituted for the smooth running of the FA to ensure the realization of an all-inclusive administration and vision of the Dr. Ubah-led administration.

The committees which will be headed by members of the executive committee include Technical, Media and Publicity, Match Appointment, Organising, Disciplinary, Security, Finance and Restructuring committees. Members of these committees will be announced at the joint meeting of the State Executive Committee and the local football councils on Sunday, May 22 in Awka.

The association also decided that in line with its efforts and good intents, a Reconciliation Committee comprising of Rev’d Father Obinna Dike (Chairman), Chief Charles Onyeka (Vice Chairman), Rev’d Father Azudiugwu (Secretary), Chief Martin Nwosisi and Mrs Nkiru Igwenagu will be reconstituted, to unite the state’s football family, with specific mandate to reach out to all aggrieved members of the family in the state.

The communiqué also revealed that there would be a World Press Conference and Facility Tour of the Games Village in the next couple of weeks which would be used to unveil the detailed blueprint of the association. It also noted that the modalities for its flagship programme ‘Football Made in Anambra’ would also be unveiled during this press conference.

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THURSDAYSPORTS NPFL… NPFL… NPFL…

Ovoke Shoots Rivers Utd to Top Again Rivers United have returned to the summit of the Nigeria league after they beat Akwa United by a lone goal yesterday courtesy of a fourth minute strike by on-form Bernard Ovoke. It was Ovoke’s fifth goal of the season.

The Port Harcourt club now have 34 points from 19 matches, while erstwhile leaders Rangers will only play tomorrow night against regional rivals Heartland.

In other matches played yesterday, Nasarawa United beat Lobi 2-1, Heartland and Plateau United played out a goalless draw and troubled Shooting Stars defeated Abia Warriors 2-0.

Meanwhile Coach Sam Okpodu had something to cheer him up when his bottom club Ikorodu United pipped his former club Warri Wolves.

Former international Okpodu was assistant coach when Wolves finished runners-up last season, but he failed to stay put at his hometown club this term after a pay dispute.

His immediate task now is to ensure Ikorodu United are not relegated in their debut season in the top flight.

Fatai Oluwadayo’s welltaken free kick goal after 42 minutes proved to be the match winner for Ikorodu United on the day.

The Lagos club swarmed

over their visitors from the first whistle and deserved

their fourth win of the season.

They move away from the bottom of the table

with 16 points from 19 matches.

Okiki’s Brace Gives Sunshine Stars Win over Wikki It was a battle of strikers when hosts Sunshine Stars beat Wikki Tourists 3-1 as Nigeria league leading scorer Godwin Obaje netted his 12th goal of the season with Afolabi Okiki grabbing a brace to take his tally to 10 goals.

Obaje restored parity for

RESULTS

Ikorodu Utd 1-0 Warri Wolves 3SC 2-0 Abia Warriors HeartLand 0-0 Plateau Utd Sunshine 3-1 Wikki Tourist Nasarawa Utd 2-1 Lobi Stars

Wikki in the 40th minute after Sunshine took the lead in the 29th minute, when Okiki slotted home a penalty.

Okiki proved to be the sharper striker on the day when he produced the winning goal in the 53rd minute via a superb header off a pullout.

Skipper Sunday Abe then made the game safe for Sunshine with a third goal in the 84th minute.

In stoppage time, Okiki would have completed his hat-trick, but he failed to beat the Wikki goalkeeper when he came face-to-face with him.

Sevilla players celebrating lastnight in Basel

E U R O PA F I N A L

Coke’s Double Sinks Liverpool Sevilla staged a remarkable second half comeback to blow Liverpool out of the water and claim their third successive Europa League, as Coke netted twice to seal a 3-1 victory in Basel.

Unai Emery’s men, outplayed in the first half, responded with

C O PA A M E R I CA

StarTimes Announces Fabulous Prizes for Viewers StarTimes Pay TV, has enumerated plans to reward viewers with different mouth-watering gifts and prizes during its one-month exclusive broadcast of Copa America Centenario across Africa between June 3 and 26 live from USA. Highlighted prizes offered to thrill viewers and football enthusiasts include a star prize of $1500 cash, Bundesliga VIP ticket,daily cash rewards to be given to viewers after every game totaling millions of naira and N500 recharge cards given daily to 100 customers.To win any of these fabulous prizes, viewers need to watch the Copa Americachampionship on ST World Football (Channel 254) and ST Sports Focus (Channel 250) and

answer Predict and Win questions on any of the StarTimes platforms including website,social media, radio and TV shows with the hashtag #CopaAmericaonStarTimes.

The PayTV firm had earlier announced that it signed a deal to beam the much anticipated CopaAmerica Special Centenario edition live all over Africa.“We are using this opportunity to offer very interesting sporting content to our viewers on a very affordable bouquet and with a promise to reward them with mouth-watering gifts.

With N1200, viewer can access StarTimes basic bouquet which offers the sports channels that will air Copa games; the Copa Centenario is a landmark edition

which commemorates 100years existence of Copa America and will have most of world’s best footballers in action.Cash prizes and other items have been arranged to thrill our viewers, said Oludare Kafar,StarTimes Marketing Director.”“Aside enjoying superstars like Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez, Sergi Aguero, Sanchez and others in action, StarTimes viewers stand the chance to predict and win fantastic prizes likes cash and others via various programs on radio, television, online, on StarTimes App and social media platforms like facebook and twitter through which Nigerians can participate and win with the hashtag ##CopaAmericaonStarTimes, added Kafar.

L-R: Dare Kafar, StarTimes Marketing Director, Justin Zhang, General Manager Lagos, Brand ambassador, Jonathan Akpoborie, Israel Bolaji, Head of Public Relations and Qasim Elegbede, Content Manager at the announcement of StarTimes Copa America 2016 Broadcast Rights in Lagos on Wednesday.

an emphatic second 45 minutes to leave Liverpool reeling and condemn Jurgen Klopp to a fifth-straight defeat in a major final.

Liverpool, who had dispatched Villarreal so impressively in the second leg of the semi-final, were the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead when Daniel Sturridge curled in a superb finish from the edge of the area.

But Sevilla, who came from behind to beat Dnipro in last year’s final, responded seconds after half-time with Kevin Gameiro’s 29th goal of the season, before Coke capped a fine team move to put the holders ahead.

Klopp, whose side also lost the League Cup final to Manchester City in February, introduced Divock Origi in a bid to find a response but Coke struck a

crucial blow 20 minutes from time, steering the ball beyond Simon Mignolet from close range despite Liverpool’s appeals for offside.

Liverpool produced a memorable comeback against AC Milan to win their last European trophy in 2005, but there was to be no repeat of those Istanbul heroics as Sevilla became the first team to win Europe’s secondary competition three years running and ensured a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Sevilla started with more control in a cagey opening 10 minutes, although Emre Can brought the first save of the match out of David Soria with a low effort from the edge of the area.

Daniel Carrico made a timely intervention to hook Sturridge’s

header off the line as Liverpool began to look threatening on the break, and Roberto Firmino felt he should have earned a penalty when he diverted the ball into the arm of the Sevilla centre-back.

Gameiro got his first sight of goal, hooking a bicycle kick narrowly wide of the near post following a corner, but Sturridge produced a moment of magic to open the scoring 10 minutes before the break.

Philippe Coutinho found Sturridge on the edge of the area and the England striker bent a sublime finish beyond Soria with the outside of his left foot.

Lovren thought he had made it 2-0 with a towering header four minutes later, but the assistant referee flagged for offside after Sturridge had stuck out a foot to intercept the ball.

Large Turnouts Expected at Lagos Lawn Tennis Club Walk for Life Over 300 people are expected at Saturday’s Walk for Life, an event put together by Lagos Lawn Tennis Club as part of activities aimed at ensuring wellness and healthy lifestyle.

The event is expected to be flagged off by the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club’s car park.

Speaking at a press conference at the Molade Okoya-Thomas hall, to herald the programme, Vice President of the club, Gbenga Lufadeju said, Walk for Life was born as part of activities to celebrate the club’s 120 years of existence last year, but the president decided to make it an annual event.

In his address, chairman planning committee of the programme, Mr. Bala Yesufu, said the walk would be a special day in

the calendar of events of the club.

“In the spirit of sportsmanship, we have extended invitation to other recreation and sports club within our vicinity, such as Ikoyi Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, Club Arcade amongst others,”Yesufu said.

On return from the walk, the club would kick start the earobics programe of the club.

The walk will take through outer Marina, Bonny Camp, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Law School to the interchange bridge on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi and then back to LLTC. Meanwhile, one of the major sponsors of the event, Access Bank, has promised continued support for the initiative, saying the romance would be a long standing one.

Representative of Access Bank, Group Head Strategy and Communication of the bank, Shina

Atilola, said the bank is partnering with Lagos Lawn Tennis Club’s Walk for Life initiative because it agreed with one of the values of the bank.

“For you to create wealth you must be healthy. It was a good thing that the initiative coincides with the world hypertension week and walking reduces hypertension.

“Walk for Life combines two things that are very importantsports and health. Walking has several benefits and it does not cost much, 15 minutes’ walk can help burn a minimum of 200 calories. It’s very critical that we partner with an organisation that cares about the health of the people. Our philosophy at Sterling Bank is enriching life. Therefore, we are in this partnership for a long hug,”Atilola assured.

TR

Thursday, May 19, 2016

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Samuel Ortom to Federal Government

“Every day you hear how my people are being killed, raped and maimed. The situation has gotten to a point where if we contain the crisis in one community, they move quickly to another to massacre the people. These are wicked mercenaries under the guise of herdsmen attacking us and taking over our farmland. There is a limit to which I can appeal to my people to restrain themselves from reprisal attacks” – Benue Governor Ortom on the killings in his state by herdsmen

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Fantastically Challenged Country THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

B

y the time President Muhammadu Buhari took over power on May 29 last year, it was glaring to the discerning that the economy was tottering and that urgent decisions needed to be taken on two critical fundamentals: subsidy payments for PMS and the exchange rate of the Naira. What particularly made decisions on the two issues compelling was that they both have such economic and political implications that if nothing was done, the matter could be forced out of the hands of the federal government.

Since the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) makes subsidy payment a first-line charge from the federation account (even when the idea is not supported by law), it means that the 36 states and 774 local governments were contributors to the subsidy fund. And since the remaining sum being shared between the three tiers of government is in Naira, it also means that what is due them would also be dominated in the prevailing official exchange rate. Against the background that many of the states are in dire straits, it is difficult to imagine that such policy choices that practically reduce their earnings from the federation account by more than 50 percent would endure.

Besides, in an environment of acute foreign exchange shortage occasioned by the fall in oil prices, fixing the exchange rate and then allocating forex to a select few with discretionary powers left in the hands of some Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials is an open invitation for corruption. No matter the good intention of the operators, the CBN forex policy endorsed by this administration (which leaves room for a scandalously huge arbitrage) is nothing but another version of subsidies and product allocations in the oil sector, with all the inherent abuses.

Unfortunately, on both issues, we were told that once we dealt with corruption, our problem would be solved. Well-meaning interventions, including by two former CBN Governors, were cynically dismissed. On subsidy, specifically, media aides parroted President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that the arguments of those calling for its removal “lacked depth”. Invariably, those who were trying to help the administration to solve two critical problems were made to look as if they don’t care about the ordinary Nigerians or/and that they are simply agents of some foreign institutions with the usual culprit being the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The point that was missed is that there is a clear distinction between subsidy for the poor and rent for the middle man. What we have had in Nigeria over the years is nothing but a carefully ochestrated scam that was never really well thought-out and has been so poorly implemented that the real beneficiaries remain the fuel merchants and their collaborators within government, not the ordinary Nigerians. That explains why, in one year alone (2011), a huge sum of N1.7 trillion in the name of fuel subsidy (more than US$12 billion at the then prevailing exchange rate) was practically shared among some fat cats in both the private and public sectors. That corruption scandal, documented in my most recent work, “The Inside Story of the Fuel Subsidy Scam” (original copy now available

Vice President Osinbajo on olusegunadeniyi.com) remains the biggest in our recent history.

In the face of a cartel that has perfected the art of making mockery of every government by extracting humongous rent for a commodity only a few Nigerians get at the advertised price, it was difficult to see how this government would reform the subsidy regime. Well, after initial resistance, based on a self-deceiving posturing, the federal government last week announced a hike in the price of PMS, up from N86 to N145 per litre.

According to a statement by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, “the main reason for the current problem is the inability of importers of petroleum products to source foreign exchange at the official rate due to the massive decline of foreign exchange earnings of the federal government.” He, however, added: “We expect that this new policy will lead to improved supply and competition and eventually drive down pump prices.”

Despite spending billions of Naira trying to turn around some obsolete refineries that have all seen better days, importation still accounts for about 95 percent of our current fuel supplies. And because of the forex palaver, aside the uncertainties about subsidy, NNPC has been bringing in majority

Contrary to what President Buhari thinks, there can be no better time to lead Nigeria than a period like this. For sure, the challenges are enormous but so are the opportunities to make a difference. History is replete with leaders who met their countries in shambles yet made considerable progress within a short period

of the fuel cargoes – using its swap mechanism and also relying on its dollar receipts. I have it on good authority that the NNPC has also tried to make dollars available to players in the industry based on their performance under another desperate but opaque formula: If you helped the situation in the first quarter by importing, you were likely to get more support by way of forex and allocations in the second quarter. But since this is also based on discretion, there are questions around its implementation.

To be fair, Kachikwu inherited a thoroughly mismanaged NNPC and—if you discount the ‘I-am-no-magician’ gaffe—he has not done badly under the most difficult situation he now finds himself. At some point, Kachikwu even made spirited efforts to get the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to support fuel importation by selling dollars to the majors and some of the independent importers who have performed well in terms of imports. But even that effort, from what I gathered, has had limited success.

And with all roads seemingly closed, the federal government was last week forced to jerk up the pump price of PMS by as much as 70 percent!

In his explanatory note titled “The Fuel Pricing Debate: Our Story”, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo argued that it was “not a removal of subsidy” but rather “a decision meant to allow independent marketers and any Nigerian entity to source their own foreign exchange and import fuel” because of “a foreign exchange problem, in the face of dwindling earnings” that may not even be enough to pay for one single consumption item: PMS! “We expect that foreign exchange will be sourced at an average of about N285 to the dollar, (current interbank rate). They would then be restricted to selling at a price between N135 and N145 per litre”, he added.

There are two issues here. The first is that of law while the second speaks to commonsense. As the federal government has done in the power sector at a time the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has no governing board, the statutory role which belongs to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) is now being performed at the Villa because the agency has no board. Yet, as my colleague, Kayode Komolafe, asked yesterday, what exactly does it take to constitute statutory boards?

Now, to commonsense: What I find rather curious in Osinbajo’s follow-up statement is the claim that the federal government is not devaluing the naira after publishing a template that tacitly acknowledges an exchange rate of N285/$1 for those who would import fuel. At a time we need a consistent foreign exchange policy that will encourage inflows and support the real sector, there is so much uncertainties in the market. Yet this idea that we can hold the line in the face of dwindling forex earnings and a vanishing foreign reserve is a fallacy as we can see with the crashing value of the Naira in the black market.

As things stand, some connected marketers will get their forex at N200/ US$1 to part finance petrol imports, some at the new N285/ US$1 announced by Osinbajo while majority will make do with the black market rate that is now steadily nudging towards 400. Since we are talking of

allocation of something that is very scarce, in a country President Buhari himself told the world last week is “fantastically corrupt”, it is the politically connected and the crooks who know how to play the system that will get the cheaper dollars.

To the extent that the volume of foreign exchange at the black market may not be large enough to cater for the importation of PMS and diesel, then we are going to see a mix of CBN dual exchange rates (N200/ US$1 and N285/ US$1) as distinct from that of the black market rate of N340/ US$1 (as at yesterday). Technically, we are now talking of three exchange rates in one economy. But the sad part is that regardless of the rate the marketers get the dollar, if experience were any guide, they are still coming to sell the fuel to us at the black market rate. So, it is the people on the street who will still bear the brunt of this unclear policy.

Before going further, I must make it very clear that I support the full deregulation of the downstream sector and I also believe that the subsidy regime has not served the ordinary Nigerians. While that has been my position for more than a decade now, we are still a long way from full deregulation of the downstream sector though we may be in some sort of transition to it. If the administration is committed to going the full hog, as it should, a lot has to be done to ensure a level playing field…

NOTE: This piece continues in the online edition at thisdaylive.com

The Corruption Canal Intent on hitting the ground running, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr. Waziri Adio, has introduced the ‘NEITI Policy Brief’ as one of the advocacy instruments designed to deepen NEITI’s engagement with critical stakeholders.

Adio, who is not yet three months in charge, is keen on taking NEITI beyond conducting annual audits, which take a long time and cost huge sums of money, aside limiting the agency’s opportunity for engagement and exposure.. He dreams of transforming NEITI into a constantly engaging thought leader and effective instigator of change in the sector which, despite the current downturn, remains the backbone of our economy and is still in dire need of not just more transparency and accountability but also of holistic reforms.

The maiden edition of the ‘NEITI Policy Brief’, released just a few days to the recent London Anti-Corruption Summit, focuses on beneficial ownership disclosure that our country has committed itself to and an issue at the heart of the Panama Papers’ scandal that, as usual, has a Nigerian content. The message: nobody should be able to hide behind phoney companies and fake boards of directors to stash away money looted from Nigeria. Interested readers can find the insightful ‘NEITI Brief 01’ on www.olusegunadeniyi.com along with new offerings.

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