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SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016

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SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016

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SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016

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SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT WHY SACKED SHERIFF, ELECTS MARKARFI INTERIM CHAIR also in attendance.

THISDAY reliably gathered that the stakeholders had during the meeting asked Sheriff to step down as acting national chairman of the party. They noted that his emergence as acting chairman had divided leaders of the party and polarized the rank and file, raising fears that if urgent steps were not taken to halt the slide, the party may not recover from it.

They wanted to make room for someone who would be a unifying factor – instead of the divisive factor that Sheriff had become. He was said to have refused, insisting that he has till 2018 to preside over the affairs of the party.

It was also gathered that part of the reasons the governors and other stakeholders asked Sheriff to step aside was the fact that, contrary to widespread belief, he was broke and thought to lack the financial muscle needed to steer PDP out of its current difficulties. The fear, sources said, was that he would rely too much on the governors for funding, and many would be unwilling to venture into such responsibility under the present cash crunch and in an era of anticorruption campaign.

There was also the issue of trust as many leaders of PDP found it difficult to trust Sheriff, who had been in the opposition for the greater part of the Fourth Republic and came into the former ruling party not long ago. His manner of exit from the opposi-

tion coalition ahead of the 2015 general election, which also bordered on trust among his former comrades, was further cited as reason not to entrust the affairs of the party in his hands for too long.

THISDAY gathered that there were fears among even those that had been backing Sheriff about his motive for wanting to stay in office at all cost even when his stay had polarized the party and that there were tendencies that he would be out of control once he secures a new mandate.

Besides, many of the stakeholders argued that his tenure had ended and he should vacate office.

Sensing he would be sacked at the convention, Sheriff quickly called a press conference at Le Meridian Hotel, Port Harcourt announcing the convention’s suspension after he left the meeting at the Government House that lasted several hours, citing court orders, which he had, however, consistently tended to jettison.

At the press briefing, Sheriff said, “If we proceed with the convention, we will be charged for contempt of court. As a responsible party, we have to respect the court orders. We will reconvene as soon as we are able to dispense with the court cases.”

He added, “We've been meeting since morning. We had challenges of series of court cases; we've decided to abandon election into chairman, secretary and auditor (positions). We have sus-

pended the convention; we had three different cases in Abuja and Lagos. INEC also said they will not supervise the election. We will be contravening the court and we will be charged for contempt of court. We went to court, but we were denied permission.”

His directive was, however, ignored, as the convention went on as planned with the 12 PDP state governors and other leaders of the party in attendance.

While Sheriff left Port Harcourt after his press briefing, the 12 PDP governors as well as members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders headed to the Sharks Stadium venue of the convention and kicked off the programme. Rivers State Governor and chairman of the National Convention Committee, Nyesom Wike, was in charge of the process.

The convention dissolved the NWC, effectively sacking Sheriff, and set up a national caretaker committee.

One of the first decisions taken by the convention was the dissolution of the NWC by a motion moved by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara, and seconded by another former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

The convention, via a voice vote, set up a national caretaker committee following a motion by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, which was seconded

by Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwanbo. The caretaker committee, which will be in office for not more than 90 days and conduct a proper convention for the party, also has as members Senator Odion Ogbesia, Senator Abdul Ningi, Barrister Kabiru Usman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, and Alhaja Aisha Aliyu.

Another motion for the zoning of the position of presidential candidate to the North head of 2019 was moved by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu and seconded by Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

In his acceptance speech after being elected chairman of the caretaker committee, Makarfi called on all aggrieved PDP members to give peace a chance in the interest of the party.

“I humbly accept the challenge and I do so on behalf of other members of the committee. I assure you have no cause to worry. None of us is contesting for any office.

Please, give peace a chance, so that we can rebuild our party for the benefit of not only Nigerians and Africans, but the entire black race," the former governor pleaded.

One of the key conditions given to Makarfi and other members of the caretaker committee, THISDAY learnt, was that they will not contest for any position at the next PDP national convention.

The Concerned PDP Stakeholders, led by former in-

former minister, Professor Jerry Gana, at their parallel convention in Abuja, set up a 57- member steering committee co-chaired by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, and former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran.

The committee was required to oversee the affairs of the faction until the court orders against the election of new PDP officers were set aside and a proper convention was held.

The concerned PDP stakeholders said they decided to hold a non-elective convention in deference to court orders stopping the party from electing new National Working Committee members.

The faction said given the current disagreements in the party, the Board of Trustees is in the best statutory and moral position to assume the leadership of the party pending the reconstitution of its National Executive Committee.

Mantu said the stakeholders "resolved to rebuild, renew and rebrand" the party in line with the vision of the founding fathers. "This becomes a non-elective convention in respect of court orders, and also to enable us have a tete-a-tete with our brothers in Port Harcourt."

He reiterated that the decision to choose Sheriff as chairman of the party was in violation of the established procedure.

Former presidential adviser on public communications

in the Jonathan government, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said in an interview, “We are not ruling out reconciliation, we are open to setting up a caretaker committee .” He was referring to the group that convened in Port Harcourt.

Among party leaders at the Port Harcourt convention were former national chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed; outgoing nNational vice chairman (Southsouth), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; former chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mrs. Esther Audu; and former governors of Imo, Adamawa and Taraba states, Achike Udenwa, Ahmadu Fintiri, and Garba Umar, respectively.

Speaking after a meeting in Abuja to appraise the decisions that emerged from the convention in Port Harcourt, Mantu said there was no other body constitutional mandated to take over the affairs of the party at this time than the BoT. He stated, “There is a body that is constitutionally mandated to take over the affairs of the party. And that body is the conscience of the party called BoT. At this point in time, the only legal organ constitutionally empowered to actually take over the affairs of the party is the BoT.” Mantu added that his group had been vindicated by the removal of Sheriff in Port Harcourt, saying that is what the Concerned PDP Stakeholders have been advocating.

Uwaleke added: "What it clearly shows is that economic recession is already around the corner with successive slump in GDP growth rate.

This development is largely on account of energy and forex shortages which have led to persistent drop in the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) as well as capacity utilization of firms.

"The consequence has been massive job losses and high unemployment rate. Worse still, inflation rate is at an all-time high at 13.7 per cent. The quick fix is to vigorously implement capital budget especially in the area of infrastructure as well as other social welfare schemes in order to reflate the economy."

The professor advised the CBN to ease monetary policy and not to devalue the naira at this time. According to him, "doing otherwise will plunge the economy into further recession."

For the Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, “rather than the blanket increase in interest rate which affects all sectors equally, I will suggest a reduction in the benchmark interest rate while the MPC should use targeted money supply mechanism to inflate the sectors that need liquidity while mopping up liquidity from sectors where it is excessive.”

On exchange rate, Ademola noted that, “the CBN in early February 2015 announced the closure of the official market which was then selling USD at N168/$ and the use of the interbank market which was between N197 and N200 to a Dollar. However, the scarcity of FX brought about by the sustained low oil price and low external reserves led the CBN to arrange with Exploration and Production (E&P) oil and gas

companies to sell their green backs to downstream oil marketers for fuel importation.”

Nevertheless, Ademola pointed out that, “the recent announcement by the Minister of State for Petroleum of an exchange rate of N285 for the green back transactions suggest either the creation of another FX market or a devaluation of the interbank market from N198 to N285.”

“I will expect a clearer picture on this at the MPC meeting and my expectation is the announcement of an official devaluation of the Naira,” he added.

However, Ademola’s view differs from that of Managing Director, Global Analytics Derivatives Ltd, Tope Fasua, who said: “I would expect the MPC to maintain their monetary policy stance for now, because we are in a tight situation. Inflation seems to be running away, but increasing the MPR further will hurt the real sector and make the government even more unpopular. More stress for the real sector leads to further retrenchments and a ratcheting of unemployment indices.”

According to him, “The inflation we are seeing is imported because of our entrenched dependence on imported goods, and the concomitant increase in cost of production. The MPC will do well not to help the inflation to grow further. Yet they cannot begin to reduce the MPR and ease up CRR for now, because more liquidity in the system will have the same inflationary effect. I would rather they stay their hands and observe further.

Frequent policy changes can be detrimental to planning.”

NEGATIVE GDP RATE, GALLOPING INFLATION TOP AGENDA AS MPC MEETS TOMORROW by 4.32 per cent from the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2015.

Quarter on quarter, real GDP slowed by 13.71 per cent . The latest GDP growth rate, historically, a 12-year low, indicates Nigeria is on recessionary mode.

This is coming four days after NBS released the April inflation figures, which showed that the consumer price index rose further to 13.7 per cent in April from 12.8 per cent in March and 11.4 per cent in February. The bureau attributed the 0.9 per cent rise in the headline index to the lingering structural constraints which had continued to manifest in electricity rates and kerosene prices.

It emerged that the real growth of the oil sector, which contributes mainly to the economy, slowed by 1.89 per cent (year-on-year) in Q1 of 2016.

Oil production was lower relative to the corresponding quarter in 2015 by 0.07mbpd when output was recorded at 2.18mbpd . And t he oil sector contributed 10.29 per cent to total GDP in the review per cent higher than the share in Q4 of 2015 by 2.24 per cent but marginally lower than the contribution in the corresponding period of 2015.

Nigeria, in recent times, has been experiencing negative effect from activities of the resurgent Niger Delta militants, which has translated to a loss of 800,000 barrels of oil per day due to pipeline vandalism.

In effect, crude oil production of 2.2 mbpd has declined to 1.4mbpd. This development poses threat to the budget, which is predicated on the 2.2 mbpd target, since the government is incurring huge loss in revenue accruing to the

federation.

However, economic analysts and observers are divergent in their views on the current development, what should be outcome of the MPC meeting and the way forward for the economy.

Analysts at Eczellon Capital Ltd, led by its chief executive officer, Diekola Onaolapo, posited that, “the dismal GDP and Job reports coupled with the current high inflation levels (13.7 per cent) clearly show that the government’s economic policies are not effective and require an urgent review to avoid further plunge in economic activities.”

Nevertheless, they added, “the Q1 GDP has set the tone for the nation to enter into an economic recession by the end of the first half of the year as the weaknesses in the non-oil sector (Manufacturing & Financial services) are still very inherent.”

The analysts noted that, “the continued contractions in the nation’s manufacturing and financial services sectors indicate that the current faulty FX structure in the country continues to weaken economic activities, which is forcing more manufacturers to shut down factories as well as limit the ability of financial institutions to expand credit in the economy.”

According to them, “the spill-over effect of this is the primary driver for the rising rate of unemployment in the country.”

Thus, the Eczellon analysts urged that, “as the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN commences its meeting on Monday, it is imperative that the committee takes a decisive stance to alter the nation’s current FX policy to allow for flexibility in the pricing of the naira”

This, according to them, “ should go a long way in addressing the uncertainty currently bedeviling the nation’s economy as well as attract the much needed inflows to support the nation’s economic growth. Likewise, it would complement the newly-introduced price regime in the downstream petroleum sector and aid the government in achieving the objectives of its 2016 expansionary programmes.”

Specifically, the analysts stated that, “we envisage that the committee’s members may vote to tighten monetary policy further via a 100 basis points increase in MPR as well upward adjustment to the CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio). This will of course raise questions as to the appropriateness of such a decision in a period of waning economic growth.”

Speaking along the same line with the Eczellon Capital analysts, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Ltd, Bismark Rewane, who stressed the need for increased stimulus to reflate the economy, called for a review of the country's forex policy in order to encourage foreign direct investments.

He said the latest GDP growth rate was a confirmation that the country's policy prescriptions were suspect.

Bismarck, who said stimulus programmes should be implemented with urgency, pointed out that the delay in signing the budget and the activities of the militants in the Niger Delta also contributed to the poor GDP figures recorded in the first quarter of the year.

He said the amount of stimulus required to reset the economy would be profound.

"So, basically in the first quarter of this year, we

had no budget, we had no spending, meanwhile we blocked leakages. Although we sterilized cash, we did not jumpstart the economy with spending. On the other hand, we had no exchange rate policy.

"So, the consequence of all of these put together and the complete evaporation of international investors from the market, affected the economy in the first quarter of 2016.

More than anything else, the vandalism of pipelines all came together to create the storm. So, we had negative growth in the first quarter and there is the possibility of another negative growth in the second quarter except something dramatic happens.

"Which means officially we would be in recession. If that is the case, the amount of stimulus required and the policy management would have to be much more profound for us to get the desired effect," he added.

He however acknowledged that with policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the path to downstream deregulation, the economy was on the right path, just as he maintained that Nigeria needs to adopt a flexible exchange rate policy. " These are inevitable and if not done, it would be catastrophic and damaging to the economy. This is crunch time as far as I am concerned for Nigeria," he added.

Also, an Associate Professor of Finance and Head, Banking & Finance, Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, said the government needed to vigorously implement the capital budget to help the economy rebound and avoid a recession.

See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016

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MAY 22, 2016 • T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

THE MAN ON THE ELECTRIC POLE The authorities should begin to pay serious attention to the socio-economic constraints that now trigger in many Nigerians suicidal urges

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or close to eight hours, a Cameroonian named Fredrick Gino recently enacted a public lifeand-death drama in Lagos when he climbed an electric pole and threatened to kill himself after reportedly expressing frustration about his material condition. Gino was lucky that there was no power current to facilitate his electrocution before he was eventually rescued by the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) officials.

But that should not be the end of the story. Attempted suicide is a serious offence under the criminal code applicable in Lagos and if the man had committed the same offence in his country, (Cameroon) he would have been charged to court by now.

However, the Gino saga has also brought to the fore the rising cases of suicide attempts in our country. On Tuesday evening, men of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) prevented a mother of four from jumping into the Lagoon with a 12-month-old baby. According to reports, a cab driver had drawn the attention of the RRS riders on routine patrol to the woman who, on interrogation, said she had heard a voice propelling her to go and take the fatal plunge with her baby.

From jumping into the lagoon to hanging self with rope or electric cable, Nigeria is becoming a country where so many things that were in the past considered a taboo now happen virtually every day—and these include the extreme act of deliberately taking one’s life. Even without statistics, reports on suicide have grimly moved from an occasional blip to a very disturbing trend across the country today.

There are many theories as to why some Nigerians now take (or make attempts to take) their own lives. Indeed, the nation’s present socio-economic environment could be a predisposing factor to depression and perhaps suicide.

It is an established fact that impoverished individuals are a major risk group for depression which, according to experts, is the most common reason why people commit suicide

Letters to the Editor

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Therefore, given that there is enormous emotional and financial stress as well as pervading poverty and hopelessness everywhere, there is a need for the authorities to begin to examine some of the underlining causes with a view to finding remedies for them.

I S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

n Nigeria today, the plight of the under-privileged is steadily worsening and many go to bed with less than a survival diet. The unemployment crisis has created a lost generation of graduates who cannot find jobs while the dwindling prices of crude oil in the international market and the falling value of the national currency are likely to compound the problem for most Nigerians. Yet it is an established fact that impoverished individuals are a major risk group for depression which, according to experts, is the most common reason why people commit suicide.

However, there are also other reasons why people take their own lives and devastate members of their family and friends with shock and grief. Underlining mental disorders such as schizophrenia as well as excessive alcoholism and drug abuse play significant role in triggering suicidal thoughts. Schizophrenia is a disease with a wide range of weird symptoms like hallucinations, inner voices, disordered thinking and irrational fears and “emotions that seem out of tune with reality”—like the Lagos woman who was hearing a voice telling her to go and jump into the lagoon with her baby.

Today, the use of hard drugs—particularly Indian hemp, cocaine and even methamphetamine are commonplace across the country—drugs whose adverse effects range from depression to suicide. Indeed, manic depression—an emotional seesaw, oscillating between exhilarating highs and devastating lows—is often cited as one the reasons why there are so many mad men and women out there on most of our major cities.

However, breakthroughs in science and medicine have brought hope that many mental patients can lead normal and productive lives. So are suicide victims if help can reach them early enough. Besides, depression, one of the main culprits of suicides is treatable. This is why we call on all authorities to take out for rehabilitation the mentally challenged who roam the streets of our major towns and cities. Beyond that, public officials, at all levels, should also begin to pay serious attention to the socioeconomic constraints that now trigger in many Nigerians suicidal thoughts.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

WHY PDP SHOULD PUT HOUSE IN ORDER

head of the scheduled national convention of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, we must not fail to recognise the significance of its timing in our sovereign cycle and the huge responsibility on us to show strength and hope to Nigerians and indeed, the rest of the world at such an auspicious period where anxiety, despair and apprehension cloud our national space, and with no visible sign of any panacea from the party at the centre.

As Nigerians grapple with the realities of rising inflation, constant attacks on our internal security, inadequate electricity supply, job losses, flagrant abuse on the rule of law, etc., we must seize this opportunity that this convention offers in demonstrating unity like never before, in declaring our patriotic resolve and commitment towards saving and restoring the ship of state from its imminent collapse in the hands of incompetent and political jokers.

Every day, with this country’s challenge

worsening and no sign of abating, as the ruling party flip-flops on every policy statement, the onus lies on us to emphasise the need for strong institutions with our bold statement of successfully executing a one- of- a- kind convention devoid of any rancour. This convention must bear the true colours of a party on a mission, prepared and ready to carry every Nigerian along, irrespective of age, occupation, religion or tribe in pushing for a better opportunity and the fundamental right of all citizens.

There is no better chance to highlight the philosophy of what this party stands for in regards to recognising and upholding the doctrine of power resting with the people than the transparency in deciding who occupies every elective position, with the pledge to serve and be law abiding always.

Delegates must determine to exercise the confidence reposed in them by other members in putting the country first before any selfish or sectional interest,

thereby setting a precedent for a free and fair process. It is only with this display of selflessness, comradeship and a common front in uniting all parts of this country under this great umbrella can Nigerians begin to seek this option of a true and virile alternative they now yearn under these present circumstances.

Our party must not fail to reach out to the trade unions, public servants, pensioners, health workers, businesses of all cadre at this critical time, with the assurance that the errors of the past, with its omen have been eradicated from our consciousness and the desire to bring a purposeful, determined and decisive leadership is duty bound on us like never before.

We should be willing to first bear the responsibility of true followership as the opposition party by proffering mature and realistic solutions in any matter of national discourse that seems to elude the party at the centre through regional symposia, town hall gatherings, youth conferences and summits aimed at driving home

our transition into an evolved and better option to the mismatched and deeply convoluted system the APC seems to be operating.

The new leadership must be quick in exhibiting fresh dynamism by presenting a concrete road map that will guarantee competence at every level; ensuring seamless synergy between the grassroot cadre and Wadata Plaza; abiding strictly to the party’s constitution and establishing research engines that will imbibe adaptable and 21st century models in all policy statements critical for this country’s redemption. It must come out with enduring strategies that will be winning recipes in addressing the internal politics and conflicts within the party for greater stability, as we match forward to certain victory, come 2019.

There must always exist a concerted drive towards membership, not only in swelling the ranks, but creating an ideology that will drive the revolution towards good governance, public accountability,

citizens’ participation in every and all things Nigeria. We must take this great party back to the people, for therein lies the power to true nationhood.

The PDP must be an instrument of expression for the masses to demand their rights -to speak and be heard for a better living; it must be the vehicle to criticise constructively and offers tried and tested solutions for leadership; it must be seen as the true beacon of light to shine over the horizon for transparency, accountability and probity.

PDP must be the bastion of hope in promoting the adherence to the rule of law, eschewing impunity wherever it exists; PDP must first be an example in practicing true democracy in all our controlled states as we continue the war on corruption, nepotism and impunity.

We must send the message that the PDP is here to make Nigeria great again with Nigerians in the forefront of this revolution.

Chukwuemeka Ogbonnaya Nnochiri, eminnochiri@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor Abimbola Akosile E-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

Innoson Group Alleges Plot to Undermine Chairman’s Integrity Bennett Oghifo

GROOMING OLAJUMOKE L-R: Ojuolape Amodu; Managing Director/CEO of JSK Etiquette Consortium, Mrs. Janet Adetu; THISDAY Style Model, Olajumoke Orisaguna; Kemi Onadiran and Sarah Wusu during a session sponsored by the consortium for Orisaguna on etiquette and personal development in Lagos...recently

Buhari Begins Official Visit to Lagos Monday, First in 14yrs by a Sitting President Gboyega Akinsanmi PresidentMuhammaduBuhariwill tomorrowbeginatwo-dayworking visit to Lagos State, thereby making him the first Nigerian president that will officially visit the state in the past fourteen years.

Ahead of Buhari’s visit, the state government has released traffic guide, which it said, would help its residents to review their travel plans between Monday and Tuesday to avoid undue traffic congestion in the metropolis.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, confirmed the president’s official visit to the state in a statement he issued yesterday, noting that the president would inaugurate some landmark projects the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had fully executed in its first year.

Beyond inaugurating different projects, a government source told THISDAY that traditional rulers, illustrious indigenes and political leaders would seize the opportunity the president’s visit offers to renew their call for special status for Lagos.

Also, the government official disclosed that traditional rulers in particular would ask the president toworkwiththeNationalAssembly and ensure that the 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) are granted full status.

During the visit, it was gath-

ered that the president would be requested to return to Lagos State Government, Federal Secretariat and Tafawa Balewa Square among other properties of the federal government that were sold under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In his statement, Ayorinde said President Buhari’s official visit “is the first time in about 15 years that a sitting president will be visiting the state on a working visit.”

According to him, it is a testimony to the landmark achievements in the last one year of Governor AkinwunmiAmbodeaswellasthe good working relationship between Lagos State and the federal government.

During the visit, Ayorinde disclosed that Buhari “will formally inauguratetheLagosStateEmergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit in Cappa Oshodi built by the state government to ensure prompt and swift response to emergency situations in the state.”

After unveiling the LASEMA Rescue Unit, the commissioner said the president “will thereafter inaugurate the newly constructed Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo after which he will pay homage to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Rilwanu Aremu Akiolu at the Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island.

“The President will later be hosted to a reception by the state

government at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos where he will also commission and hand over security equipment and vehicles contributed by the Ambode administration to security agencies to beef up security in the state.”

He added that Lagos residents “are looking forward with excitement to receive the President in the state, just as he urged residents to bear with law enforcement agents and traffic control authorities who will effect road diversions in some of the routes that the President motorcadewillpassthroughduring the visit.”

However, since former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s official visit to Lagos in November 2002, no sitting president has officially visited the state despite its status as Nigeria’s economiccapitalanditscontribution tonationaleconomy.Thoughallpast presidents during their tenure used the airport in the state as transit point and paid non-state visits to Lagos.

Under the Obasanjo administration, the federal government’s hostile relation with Lagos State Government was evident, resulting in constitutional tussles that were resolved by the Supreme Court. The crisis between the federal and the state government was as a result of the political differences between former President Obasanjo and the then governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is now a national leader of the All Progressives Congress.

The conflict between Obasanjo and Tinubu erupted in 2002 when the latter created 37 additional local councildevelopmentareas(LCDAs), which brought the number of local councils in the state to 57.

But the conflict escalated before the 2003 general election during which the former president furiously led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an historic electoral contest to take control of Lagos.

While the Supreme Court declared the decision of the state government to create 37 additional councils constitutional, Tinubu was re-elected in a historic contest that edged out governors in five other South-west states.

Obasanjo’s immediate successor, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, who resolved some of the conflicts between the federal and state government, did not visit Lagos during the period he lasted in office apparently due to hisgravehealthconditionthatfinally claimed his life in 2010.

Likewise, Yar’Adua’s successor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan never paid official visit to the state even though he got massive support from the electorate in the state in the 2011 presidential election.

Ahead of the 2015 general election, Jonathan unofficially visited the statealmostonweeklybasis,holding meetings with political leaders and consulting traditional rulers, captains of industries and civil society practitioners.

Met Officer Removed from Corruption Post over Ibori Case Abimbola Akosile with agency report

A police officer, Det Sgt John McDonald, has been removed from a UK anti-corruption unit after claims he was paid for information about a case against a Nigerian politician, James Ibori, who is in prison for fraud and money-laundering linked to his time as the governor of Delta state.

The Crown Prosecution Service says it has intelligence which “supports the assertion” a Met officer was paid for information. He denies wrongdoing.

The CPS previously denied claims it had not handed over

all key evidence, according to a BBC report.

Ibori, a former governor of one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states, was jailed in 2012 for 13 years for laundering millions in the UK through the purchase of property, a fleet of armoured Range Rovers and a £120,000 Bentley.

The conviction of Ibori was the prize for a government anticorruption campaign initiated by the Department for International Development (DfID) 10 years ago.

McDonald, who is accused of receiving payment in return for providing information

about the case, headed the police investigation. He has always denied any wrongdoing, according to the report.

McDonald has been removed from the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit, where he had been on secondment. He has returned to the Met, where a review of his status has begun.

The CPS has also replaced the prosecution team involved in ongoing cases connected to the Ibori affair, although it stressed the lawyers still retained its full confidence.

Since Ibori’s conviction, defence lawyers have claimed the

CPS “wilfully misled” judges about the existence of evidence that McDonald took money in return for information about the case.

If that was to be accepted, Ibori’s legal team would seek to have their client’s conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal on the basis that there had been abuse of the process, the BBC added. At a hearing on Thursday, Ibori’s lawyer, Ivan Krolic, said prosecutors had consistently and deliberately manipulated the system.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

A private business sector operator, Innoson Group has urged members of the public to disregard news publications on their Chief Executive’s indebtedness to GTBank, as it was designed to spite him.

A statement by the Public Relations and Media Consultant, Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe urged “the general public to disregard the news publication as this is a smear campaign to undermine the integrity of Dr. Innocent Chukwuma OFR.” According to the group,

“Our attention has been drawn to a news report published by various online media that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has authorised the AttorneyGeneral of Federation (AGF) to commence the prosecution of a Lagos businessman, Innocent Chukwuma, his company, Innoson Nigeria Limited, and four others for alleged forgery.”

“Ordinarily, we would not have dignified this news report with a response but in a nation where silence may be seen as an admission of guilt, we therefore come out to state the true position of things.”

Herdsmen Kill Villager in Ekiti, Soldiers Deployed Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

Tragedy hit the sleepy town of Oke Ako in Ikole Local government area of Ekiti State on Friday night, as suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked the town and killed one of the residents.

An eyewitness confirmed to journalists that the gory incident happened around 8:00 pm on Friday night.

However, escalation of violence was prevented with the prompt response of a team of soldiers of the Nigerian Army who reportedly came from Akure, the Ondo State capital, even before the Police arrived the scene.

A woman, who identified herself as Mrs. Grace Olofin, had in a telephone interview alleged that the herdsmen in their numbers invaded the community with dangerous weapons like guns, bows and arrows, swords, machetes and hacked down the victim, identified as one Lekan Arosanyin, in the ensuing melee.

Olofin further alleged that the invaders had shot spo-

radically into the air and killed Arosanyin, while four others sustained various degrees of injuries and were said to be receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

Another witness, who narrowly escaped being killed, Adebayo Ajayi, described the incident as a reprisal attack as he said the herdsmen had previously fallen out with the villagers over their grazing activities in the community.

He further explained that the villagers had been resisting the use of their farmlands as grazing fields by the herdsmen.

The Divisional Police Officer in the area, who also spoke on telephone interview, confirmed the incident noting that he could not ascertain whether the incident was connected with armed robbery or it was actually a herdsmen attack.

However, the residents of Oke Ako community have blamed Police in the area for failing to act swiftly when the case was reported to them during the attack.

In Brief Nigeria Entrepreneurs Awards

The Governing Council of the prestigious and highly celebrated Nigeria Entrepreneurs Awards has announced that the 2016 edition of the award will honor outstanding achievements in business in Nigeria with an official call for nominationsfromthegeneralpublic.TheawardscheduledtoholdonNovember 11, 2016 is the premier Business Leadership Award that bring together some of the best-known personalities in corporate Nigeria. More than 30 Business Leaders,EntrepreneursandCorporateOrganizationsfromaroundNigeriahave beenrecognizedfortheirvitalcontributionstotheeconomythroughtheNigeria EntrepreneursAwardplatform.Someofthepersonalitiesthathavereceivedthe prestigiousawardincludes;Mrs.AdenikeOgunlesi(Founder/CEO,RuffnTumble), Chief Cosmas Maduka (Founder/CEO, Cosharis Group), Prof. Charles Ayo (VC, Covenant University), Prince AbimbolaOlashore (Chairman, Leadcapital Plc), MrsUche Pedro (Founder, Bella Naija), INTELS Nig Ltd, MTN Communications, Nisa Premier Hospital, Lagos State Government, SLOT Nig Ltd, Propertymart Real Estate Investment Ltd, Genesis Energy Group, Hon.OmosedeIgbinedion, ZenithKidneyMedicalCenter,HotFmAbuja,Amb.OlakunleChurchill.

Marketing Edge Holds Summit Award

Nigeria’s award winning brand and marketing magazine Marketing Edge publications, has concluded plans to hold the 2016 edition of its two-in-one annualeventthatincludesaNationalMarketingStakeholdersSummitand Brands and Advertising Excellence Award, to celebrate practitioners in the marketing and advertising professions. Both events will take place on FridayJune17attheCivicCentreinVictoriaIsland,Lagos.Thethemeofthis year’ssummitis‘BrandPositioninginaDigitalAge:ChallengesinaDeveloping Market’. The summit will hold 4pm, and it will be followed immediately by the award ceremony. According to the publisher of Marketing Edge, Mr. John Ajayi, the theme for this year’s summit is very apt because Nigeria is already a part of the digital age, therefore brands need to be properly positioned to maximise the benefits of digitalisation to make the most of their Return On Investment (ROI). Former Managing Director and CEO at Guinness Nigeria Plc Mr. Seni Adetu is the guest speaker at the summit, to deliver the lead address. Another high-profile speaker is the Managing PartnerofMarketSpace,Mr.GeorgeThorpe.

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SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

NEWS NCC Explains Delay in 2.6GHz Spectrum Auction

Emma Okonji

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), at the weekend, explained the delay in the auction of the nation’s 2.6GHz spectrum, attributing it to the fact that only one operator indicated interest to bid for the spectrum.

NCC had planned to licence the 2.6GHz spectrum to any telecoms operator that would emerge winner in a planned bid auction scheduled to hold last Monday, but the auction did not take place as planned,

a situation that raised concerns of industry stakeholders.

NCC had already closed the submission of applications for the bidding process on April 29, 2016, with a plan to select qualified bidders that will eventually bid for the auction of the licence on May 16.

Stakeholders’ fears were heightened because NCC had in the past, planned to auction the 2.6GHz spectrum twice, and equally failed twice to auction the spectrum, giving administrative reasons for its failure.

In a statement at the weekend, NCC said: “In line with Information Memorandum (IM) on the auction of 70 MHz in the 2.6 GHz Spectrum Band published on February 25, 2016 the Nigerian Communications Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, wishes to announce that the auction process, which closed for submission of applications on April 29, 2016, produced one qualified bidder.”

The qualified bidder expressed an interest to bid for six lots out of the 14 lots on

offer and paid the bid deposit as specified by the Information Memorandum on the auction, the statement said.

The Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who signed the statement, said: “Therefore, the need for an auction event no longer arose as the IM, stated that “If the aggregate demand from approved bidders is less than, or equal to the number of lots on offer, the commission will provisionally award the license to the party/parties at the reserve price”.

ReleaseOtukpoVicarGeneral, Others, Abductors Urged ClementDanhutor

Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev, Felix Femi Ajakaye, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to urge the abductors of Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev, Felix Femi Ajakaye, who has been in captivity since Sunday, 24 April, 2016, to release him.

He also made the same appeal for two Sisters of St Louis, Sisters Perpetua Apo and Bukola Familade, and their driver, Mr. Zwugwa Zibai, who were abducted on May

12, while they were searching for the kidnapped vicar.

Ajakaye in a release titled, ‘Abduction of Otukpo Vicar General, Two Srs of St Louis and Their Driver: A Passionate Appeal’ said, “for over three weeks, Fr John Adeyi, the Vicar General of Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, has been in captivity since Sunday, 24 April, 2016.

“According to the report, the humble Parish Priest of St Bernard Catholic Church, Okpoka, Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue

State, was kidnapped along the highway when returning from an outstation of the Parish where he had gone to celebrate the Holy Eucharist (Mass). He is the first Catholic Priest from Otukpa. Since his abduction, we have not got any information concerning his whereabouts.

“While still praying, hoping and searching for our brother and friend, Father John Adeyi, last Thursday, 12 May, 2016, two Sisters of St Louis, Sisters Perpetua Apo and

Bukola Familade, and their driver, Mr. Zwugwa Zibai, were also abducted.

“The three were traveling from Kaduna to Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State, for a programme when their vehicle broke down at Kajola, along OreLagos Road. They then called their Sisters in the neighbouring town for help. By the time, the Sisters and others got to the scene, they found the vehicle, but the three were nowhere to be found. It was later found out that they had been abducted.

Nigeria is Open for Investment, Fayemi Tells UK Parliamentarians Abimbola Akosile

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged Britain to take advantage of the abundant minerals deposits in Nigeria and the enabling environment being created by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to invest in the country’s mining sector.

Fayemi, who addressed British parliamentarians and investors at a recent session organised by the All-Party Parliamentarian Group (APPG) on Nigeria at the Parliament, Westminster, London, UK urged them to shun negative views about the country, which according to him are usually

unduly exaggerated.

He said perceptions about Nigeria are often skewed in favour of negative stereotypes that are contrary to the reality of the ground, according to a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode.

The Minister who presented copies of the Mining Roadmap recently developed by the ministry to the parliamentarians, said President Buhari is at the forefront of the efforts to convince investors that Nigeria is open for investment. He added that the President’s strategic diplomatic engagement has helped in giving the country a new image as a worthwhile investment destination.

Osun, Canada Schools Offer Full Scholarship to Rescued Chibok Girls Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Management of Kunike International Schools, Osogbo, Osun state and the management of Delta Schools District in Vancouver, Canada has offered full scholarship for the Chibok Girls who were rescued by the Nigerian Army last week.

The management noted that it is extending a full

scholarship (all tuition and boarding fees) to the first two Chibok girls - Amina Ali and Serah Luka respectively.

According to the Director Kunike Schools, Mr. Amos Adekunle, who broke the news yesterday in Osogbo, he stressed that the management is glad to have the two girls in the school, saying that Kunike is a secured and safe environment to rehabilitate them.

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MAY 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Herdsmen And True Federalism

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The quest for true federalism should be accorded top priority, argues Chinweizu

he struggle for true federalism suffered a big setback at the Jonathan Confab; but it is now back on the agenda. The menace from Fulani herdsmen and Fulani militia has brought it back.

In the last two decades there have been numerous reports of Fulani herdsmen committing crimes in their host communities all over the country, crimes such as trespassing and grazing farms; gang raping women; kidnapping; armed invasion and massacre of defenceless villagers; and even ethnic cleansing by battalion-strength Fulani militia armed with AK-47 and other sophisticated weapons of war. These reports have come from many states including the following: Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, in North-Central Zone and the southern parts of Kaduna State in the North-West zone. Reports have also come from Ondo, Kogi, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Ogun, Enugu, and Delta. So the problem has been reported from the South-West and North-Central, as well as South-East and South-South and North-West—i.e. five of Nigeria’s six zones.

The frequency of these crimes has increased dramatically since the 2015 elections. And there have been calls from southern sections of Nigeria to ban or otherwise restrict the movements of these Fulani herdsmen. But the owners of the cattle that they herd have been strenuously objecting to such calls.

The Fulani Cattle Breeders Association has been using the 1999 Constitution to justify the alleged right of their herdsmen to graze farms in other states of Nigeria. According to them, because freedom of movement is their constitutional right, [“No one can stop us grazing in the South”. (http://www.punchng. com/no-one-can-stop-us-grazing-south-fulani-herdsmen/ May 1, 2016).

Explaining their stand, Mr. Nuru Abdullahi, The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) Plateau State, said nobody could deprive Fulani herdsmen of their constitutional right of free movement because “. . . The Constitution

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement for every citizen of the country; this includes the right to live, work and carry out any legitimate activity in any part of the country. . . .”

However, a constitution that gives a loophole for criminal activities that threaten the security and lives of persons in five of the six zones in Nigeria needs to be questioned and discarded: What is the origin of that constitution? Who commissioned it? How was it brought into operation? Was it approved by the people in any referendum? Whose interest does it serve and

Should I submit myself and my descendants to permanent insecurity and destruction because of the 1999 constitution? Is a constitution sacred and irreplaceable? Is a constitution made to serve all the citizens or just a section of them? Is a constitution an altar where some citizens are sacrificed, and sacrificed for the special benefit of some other citizens?

whose interest does it harm?

Since it is self-advertised as a federal constitution, is it really and truly federal? There has been a long agitation, led by Afenifere, for true federalism in Nigeria. The charge has been that the 1999 Constitution lacks the characteristics of a truly federal constitution; and the agitation is for a remedy through a Sovereign National Conference, (SNC) to renegotiate the terms of the Nigerian union and embody the freely agreed terms in a truly federal constitution that will be approved in a referendum.

However, the Caliphate aristocrats, Sarkuna, and their agents have insisted that it cannot be renegotiated. In 2013, one of their militants even went so far as to threaten that those asking for SNC are asking for Civil War. [‘Supporters of SNC asking for civil war’—Junaid Mohammed. http://www.punchng. com/news/supporters-of-snc-asking-for-civil-war/] The question which every Nigerian must now face and answer is this: Should I submit myself and my descendants to permanent insecurity and destruction because of the 1999 constitution? Is a constitution sacred and irreplaceable? Is a constitution made to serve all the citizens or just a section of them? Is a constitution an altar where some citizens are sacrificed, and sacrificed for the special benefit of some other citizens? If the answer is that the constitution is not sacred and should not be used for human sacrifice—for sacrificing the victims of the Fulani herdsmen—then the task of abrogating the 1999 Constitution becomes paramount because a constitution that demands human sacrifice has to go!

The quest for true federalism thus becomes the top priority in Nigerian politics and society.

It therefore falls on every Nigerian victim or potential victim of the Fulani herdsmen to encourage Afenifere to revive its presently dormant agitation for a truly federal constitution.

––Professor Chinweizu is the author of the acclaimed historical work, “The West And The Rest of Us”

Abia As a Metaphor for Pollution

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Chuks Akamadu is worried about the damning health report on Aba and Umuahia

ccording to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report released in the first half of this month, 3000 cities in 103 countries were clinically scanned and 20 emerged as the most polluted in the world. Among the 20 were four Nigerian cities, and among the four were Abia State’s only cities of Aba and Umuahia. The report was said to have covered the period, 2011-2015.

The obvious implication of this startling revelation is that on account of poor air quality level, people who live in Aba and Umuahia are at an increasing risk of being afflicted by lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, chronic and acute respiratory diseases such as asthma. Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General captured it with evident precision when he submitted that “air pollution is a major cause of disease and death…when dirty air blankets our cities the most vulnerable urban populations – the youngest, oldest and poorest are the most impacted”.

This is not good news at all for Abia, and the state government should more than worry. The reason is simple: the period under review (2011-2015) was when Abians were unjustly subjected to a voodoo statesponsored propaganda designed to smuggle the incumbent governor (Chief T.A Orji) into our consciousness as a “legacy” governor. With these frightening statistics from quarters that cannot possibly be tagged “opposition elements”, Abians and the rest of the world can now see for their selves what kind of “legacies” the immediate past administration left in the state. Regrettably, the present administration is, for all intents and purposes, an extension of its predecessor’s, and have been severally accused, rightly or wrongly, of trying, in vain, to build on the ruins of Abia recent past.

To be fair, yes the buck should stop at the table of the state’s chief executive for that period, but Governor (as he then was) T.A Orji did not function as a “sole administrator”. As a democratically elected governor, he had appointees on whom he relied substantially to

translate his vision into concrete, measurable outcomes.

In this instance, his successor-in-office, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu played a critical part as the boss at Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA). So, if ex-Governor Orji is held vicariously liable, then the incumbent governor should not be allowed to walk away with a lighter sentence.

In Abia, environmental pollution is not restricted to the air specie”. There are also some other species like “cultural” and “political”. Aba’s distinctive features as a “rich-in-creativity” city, typify the pollution that has come upon Abia’s cultural environment. In Aba, might is right; in Aba nothing is certain except uncertainty; in Aba, nothing is sacred and nothing is inviolable; in Aba, morality is a commonplace variant of vice (or at least a weakness) whilst the opposite is a “virtue”. It is in Aba that one can find “breweries” and “distilleries” existing in two-bedroom apartments and one street can boast of 10 “breweries” and 10 “distilleries”.

Freely, the proprietors of these lucrative businesses flood the market with their killer-liquids, passing them off as beer, whiskey, brandy and cognac. Nobody’s conscience pricks them, even when they have knowingly imperilled public health – their kith-and-kin inclusive.

Calling Aba a showroom survival of the fittest showroom will not be out of place, but a more fitting description appears to be a city on the last rung of the Hobbesian state ladder! Someone should kindly tell Governor Ikpeazu that he has a duty to declare, without further delay, a state of emergency on Abia’s cultural environment.

The cleansing has to begin now, not later. He should also engage experts who can re-channel the abundant creative potential of Aba residents to legitimate business pursuits. The great Enyimba City should not be allowed to continue sticking out like a sore thumb.

Unfortunately, Abia’s political environment is no less distressed. It is the ravaging pollution that currently blights it that is responsible for the quality of leadership it possesses. The pollution can be better appreciated when one examines the quality of political

debate, quality of governance and quality of citizens’ participation in the governance process. But by far a more notorious testament to the stench that saturates Abia’s political atmosphere is the fashionable trademark pot-belly some Government House dependants (political appointees, if you like) flaunt everywhere.

This phenomenon underscores, on the one hand, the absence of mental and physical rigour in their respective state assignments and, on the other hand, the available expansive room for indulgence and unrestrained hedonism in Abia’s corridor of power.

All things considered, where then rest Abia’s prospects of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI)?

What greater disincentive could there be, especially when the resurgent menace of kidnapping is factored in?

Governor Ikpeazu should, therefore, find the moment suitable for sober reflection. My pain really is that on the contrary, as experience has shown, he is likely to see the concerns raised herein as an attempt to pull his government down. How sad! His close aides would want this piece archived and the author marked for future “punishment”. This is the tragedy of a society in the vice grip of pollution.

It is also one of the eloquent legacies he inherited from his predecessor. The incumbent governor is further encouraged to find the nerve to depart from the old way of viewing governance; he should humbly admit the errors of the past in the light of the damning WHO report and resolve to do things differently.

This he can achieve if he is able to desist from attempting to build on the ruins that were bequeathed him exactly one year ago.

And whether Governor Ikpeazu agrees or not, to successfully expel the pervasive pollution in God’s Own State, he must question and rupture the old order, just as he must redesign its structure and superstructure.

––Akamadu is a lawyer and public relations practitioner

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

LETTERS ORGANISED LABOUR AND THE DILEMMA OF CHANGE

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rom all indications, the strike embarked upon by the Ayuba Wabba faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in protest against recent increased in the price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 is not effective. Reports from across the country showed that many workers defied the strike to report at their various places of work. In major cities such as Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and many others, there were little or no signs the strike as normal activities were on. In Lagos, for instance, regular activities were in full swing as banks, markets, schools, petrol stations and other public institutions were opened for business. Indeed, Lagos roads were characteristically busy as commercial vehicles operate as in normal days.

Though rallies were held by labour leaders in pockets of places across the country to garner support for the strike, generally, the strike has not enjoyed widespread acceptability. Many have described the current position as a reality check for labour leaders on the need to embrace change and creativity in their interface with

Wabba

government on critical national issues that affect the society at large.

Before expatiating further on this, it is important to highlight some of the factors that could be responsible for the flopped labour strike. To start with, it seems labour is not presently getting its act together.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) in particular is fiercely factionalised and from all indications the factions do not

seem to be on the same page on the strike imbroglio. Watching leaders of the factions take to sharply divided stance on the strike is enough to know that things have fallen apart with organised labour.

Aside being factionalised, some of the groups that are critical labour stakeholders when it comes to organising industrial actions have refused to heed the call for industrial action. Such groups include

the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN), National Association of Senior Civil Servants, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), among others. The non-involvement of these decisive groups in the strike, to a large extent, partly accounts for its ineffectiveness thus far.

Perhaps, equally significance is the fact that the other notable labour body in the country, Trade Union Congress (TUC) is not with the NLC in the matter.

This, of course, is quite curious because the two bodies usually provide the needed rallying point for labour on the issue of industrial action. According to some TUC leaders, the body withdrew from the planned strike because of the view that the action would be without any benefit to the workers.

It is also important to stress that, over the years, organisd labour seems to have overdrawn its credit line with the Nigerian people in terms of integrity and genuine commitment of its leadership to protecting the general interests of the average Nigerian. Up till now, many people are still insisting that it

WHERE IS THE IGBO-OWNED TELEVISION STATION?

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itting down on my sofa and watching the 60th birthday celebration of the Proprietor of Dengue Broadcasting Network (DBN) Osa Sony Adun on African Independent Television (AIT) recently, aroused my interest on writing this particular article.

DBN television Chairman Osa Sony Adun, was one of those who pioneered private broadcasting in Nigeria in late 80’s and early 90’s. Why are the Igbo intelligentsia and business moguls lagging behind in the area of private television ownership? A good politician knows the power of media. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of Western Nigeria, knowing the importance of information dissemination through the print and electronic media, set up the Nigerian Tribune in 1949 even before Nigeria’s Independence in 1960. He also set up the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) using both of them to influence the mindsets of his Yoruba people; little wonder the Yorubas are highly educated today.

In contemporary Nigeria, a sagacious politician like Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu has various means of communication. In the area of print media, Tinubu owns The NATION newspapers. In the area of electronic media, he owns Television Continental (TVC) which has two arms: the news station and the entertainment station. Tinubu also owns Radio Continental, thereby making him the owner of both television and radio stations. Edo State seems to have the highest number of television proprietors in the country. Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, the Proprietor of AIT

is from Edo State.

Charles Momoh, the Proprietor of Channels Television is from Edo State.

Osa Sony Adun of DBN, the one whose 60th birthday celebration inspired this article is from Edo State. Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Proprietor of Independent Television (ITV) is from Edo State. And so many others. Silverbird Television is owned by Senator Ben Murray Bruce. I’m limiting this article to hard core television stations excluding television stations like Sound city, Hiptv, Ontv, Mitv, etc. which are entertainment biased. Curiously, no Igbo man owns any television station in Nigeria today.

However, an Igbo man in the person of Senator Mike Ajegbo, an Obosi man from Anambra State, used to be the proprietor of a television station known as Minaj Broadcast International (MBI) in the late 90’s which went off air immediately he left the Senate in 2003. MBI, apart from the pride and sense of belonging it gave Igbo people all over the country while it operated, had 60 per cent of its staff as Igbo people. In the advent of Fourth Republic in 1999, I recall with nostalgia that MBI used to be the voice of Ndigbo and their activities.

The station’s news bulletin and programmes gave ample airtime to the activities of Ndigbo down to the hinterlands. Sadly, MBI extinguished immediately the Senator Mike Ajegbo who owned it and still owns the license left the Senate. At times, I ask myself if the television station was set up by Senator Ajegbo to cover his activities in the Senate while he was there. This

question became necessary because immediately Senator Ajaegbo left the Senate in June 2003, the MBI television station was not received by those in Abuja and Lagos cities again.

It only operated in its Obosi station for few months or years before finally dying a natural death. Why are Ndigbo business moguls not interested in owning television stations?

Granted that obtaining a television license is a difficult task, but it not as herculean as many people think. Orji Uzor Kalu has two national newspapers, The Sun and The New Telegraph. Why did Chief Kalu even set up two national newspapers instead of looking in the direction of setting up a television station?

Apart from The Sun, The New Telegraph is not doing well at all, three years after its inception.

I know, by setting that paper he provided employments to a lot of people, but is the newspaper viable and sustaining itself like The Sun? Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is the owner of The Authority newspapers which is less than one year old, but from the way I see the paper struggling to penetrate the market, it may take a long time for it to break even.

It is a good venture though having provided employments to hundreds, if not thousands of people. It is also complementing The Sun newspapers as the only thriving Igbo newspapers in the market.

However, I think Chief Ubah should have gone into television ownership though it’s not late. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is another Igbo business mogul who had interest in media by setting up the near-defunct Champion

newspapers. I learnt that the Champion is still walking with one leg in the Lagos metropolis. But, my worry is that if the newspaper cannot thrive in Imo state where Chief Iwuanyanwu comes from, is it Lagosians that will accept it? Dr ABC Orjiako is another Igbo man that has a national newspaper called The Union.

The ability of the newspaper to break into the already saturated newspaper industry is yet to be seen after three years of its debut.

––Ifeanyi Maduako, Owerri

was the compromising stance of labour leadership that bungled the 2012 fuel subsidy protest.

Till date, the 2012 fuel subsidy protest remains, perhaps, the most well organised and widely supported in the annals of civil actions in the country. Sadly, it was while the protest was almost achieving its objective that labour leadership abruptly called it off. This has, no doubt, done incalculable damage to the image of labour leadership in the country. So much so that rightly or wrongly, people tend to perceive labour leaders as people who delve into unionism to achieve personal and selfish goals.

Equally, many Nigerians perceive strikes as mostly unrewarding as in the final analysis, nothing concrete often comes out of such protests.

This, of course, brings us to the all important issue of the need for labour to change its strategy in responding to vital government’s decisions or policies that it deems anti-people.

In as much as strike option is universally acclaimed as a weapon for organised labour to exert pressure on governments to rescind certain decisions, the Nigerian experience, as it has been briefly analysed, has shown that the option is not necessarily potent.

Insisting on strike action, at this point in our national life only goes a long way in exposing the cluelessness of labour leadership. It is no longer news that the Nigerian economy is currently experiencing a downward trend. The current fall in global prices of crude oil, a major source of revenue for the country, has serious implications for the country’s economy.

Presently, the economic situation is biting so hard in some states in the federation as monthly receipt from the federal purse has sharply declined.

Unconfirmed reports have it that some states got as low as N150 million as monthly allocation

from the federal purse last April.

And these are states that used to get as much as N6 billion a while ago.

It is, therefore, from this perspective that one faults the present insistence of labour on industrial action. Labour has to be more creative in its response to critical national issues. The reality on ground now does not justify a strike as such would further worsen the economic situation of Nigerians.

Labour leadership, therefore, needs to come up with new strategies that would erase their perception as noise makers.

The poser here is: Where was labour when all the nation’s refineries packed up? Where was labour when the nation began the disgraceful venture of importing petroleum products into the country? Where was labour when major public and private companies with huge employment generating potential folded up? What did labour do to avert the collapse as well as the resuscitation of public corporations such as Ajaokuta and Oshogbo Steel Rolling mills and others alike? Where was labour when the economy of the country was appallingly mismanaged to the point where we currently find ourselves?

What happened to the mass transit business that labour once ventured into?

The time has come for labour to evolve into a pro-active and development inclined body rather than the reactionary one it has been over the years.

The realistic thing to do now is for labour to go into dialogue with government and come up with necessary modality to ensure that whatever is gained from the current no subsidy regime is ploughed back into programmes and projects that can be of huge benefits to the average Nigerian.

––Tayo Ogunbiyi, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

OUR GOVERNMENT, OUR PROBLEM

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overnment exists to protect the lives and property of the people. Why are the Fulani herdsmen still killing in Benue and in other parts of the country? Why did the government remove fuel subsidy without proper arrangement, causing more hardship to the people?

Why is the government not communicating to the people and sensitising them on issues before taking decisions? Why is our government embarking on policies that are causing more harm than good? We have to ask these questions and more and insist on getting satisfying answers from our leaders. We have to voice our anger so that our leaders can know our feelings; we have to stop being cowards and being scared of asking questions.

Our silence over the years for fear of torture, even death on issues that affect us in our country

is what has made our society rotten. We kept quiet and allowed corruption, injustice, tribalism, brutality, oppression and other harmful practices of our leaders to grow and become legalised habits that are now holding back our development. Many people are still scared to speak out against our leaders’ selfish policies that are meant for their personal development against our progress. As long as we choose to be cowards, we will continue wallow in poverty and remain useless to the society and burden to our families.

For me, I have chosen to speak against any discomforting policy of our so-called leaders that is harmful to us. I have chosen to fight our so-called government with pens and not guns. I choose to speak and die than to keep quiet and be alive. I have agreed to be despised by anyone who don’t want the

truth to be told and I will not and never be muted because of the threats that I have received so far from different persons for saying things the way they happened, for uncovering the covered fact, for antagonising those corrupt, selfish, unfocused, incompetent and the organised ruffians called leaders.

Those who get sick whenever the truth is told should get ready to be more sick; those who want to die for hearing the truth should better begin to prepare for their death and those who always want to kill when the truth is told should cock their guns.

I want everybody to cherish the principle of equal rights, equal opportunities and the rule of law. This is a task which I have to live for and accomplish but, if needs be, it is a task for which I am prepared to die.

–Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

NLC members marching against increase in fuel price

Making the Bouquet of Palliatives Work

In the wake of the public outcry against the hike in the price of petroleum motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, the federal government has unveiled what it packaged in the 2016 Budget as ‘palliatives’ to cushion the adverse effects on the masses. Ndubuisi Francis, in this report, reviews the incentives

F

or most homes in Nigeria, these are not the best of times. Many are walking through the valley of the shadows of death with economic adversity holding sway. It appears a common denominator in most households, and provides Nigerians with little or no choices.

Gloom seems to have enveloped the atmosphere with the purchasing power of most Nigerians fizzling out.

In deed, the immediate-past Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had repeatedly raised the alarm in the wake of the precipitous fall in oil prices that tough times awaited Nigerians in 2015 and beyond. And those tough times are here.

Nigerians may not be alone in the current economic hardship. Many commodity exporting countries are faced with similar tough times due to the global fall in the prices of such items, but what determines the level of economic adversity faced by the citizens of the various countries affected by price shocks could be official policies and management approach.

In the case of Nigeria, the citizenry has fought the rampaging economic adversity from various fronts. From the later part of last year till now, the scarcity of PMS with the attendant prohibitive cost not only bore gaping holes in the pockets of most Nigerians, but also inflicted maximum

psychological and other socio-economic blows on them. In the face of all these, the income of those gainfully employed remained static.

The government dished out promises upon promises of ending the trauma that the PMS conundrum inflicted, but all ended in the ocean of Utopia.

However, the government finally decided to stop living in denial on May 12, 2015 when it ‘removed’ fuel subsidies. The removal later attracted various nomenclature, including ‘price modulation’ as the price per litre of PMS currently stands officially at N145 per litre as against N86.50/N86 it was fixed early in the year.

That hike in the pump price of fuel (or is it subsidy removal?) has drawn the ire of many Nigerians with organised labour led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the arrowhead.

Not a few Nigerians had questioned the rationale behind the federal government’s action and timing, at a period many Nigerians are merely existing and not living. The moderates, who are not totally opposed to the federal government’s action had particularly argued that ‘palliatives’ should have accompanied the hike. Their position is predicated on the consideration that inflation has ballooned to an all-time high of almost 14 per cent, forcing prices of virtually everything,

including staples and transportation to skyrocket to unprecedented levels in recent years.

Many had argued that when the previous administration under former President Goodluck Jonathan made an attempt to remove subsidy on PMS in January 2012, and met stiff resistance from the masses, it was forced to embark on partial removal by pegging the pump price of the product at N97.

The now-rested Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) came handy as a throw-up of the partial subsidy removal which offered a window through which governments at the federal and state levels provided palliatives to pacify angry Nigerians as well as salve frayed nerves.

Funds from SURE-P provided a revolving mass transit scheme with mass transport buses acquired to subsidise transportation expenses incurred by commuters The rail system also benefited; while maternity and child health intervention programme received serious attention, just as vocational training programme received attention.

In the 2014 fiscal year alone, the previous government earmarked the sum of N30 billion under SURE-P for the East-West Road; N12.5 billion for Abuja-Lokoja road project; N10 billion for the Benin-

Ore-Shagamu road and N12.5 billion for the dualisation of the Kano-Maiduguri road project.

Others are N11 billion for the PortHarcourt-Enugu-Onitsha road project; N10 billion as counterpart funding for the construction of second Niger Bridge and N20 billion for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project.

Giving the 2016 Budget breakdown,, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and the Minister of State, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had unveiled N500 billion Social Intervention Projects in five areas.

The areas include Job Creation, School Feeding, Conditional Cash Transfer, Enterprise Programme, and STEM Education Grant.

Under job creation, the government has earmarked N191.5 billion to provide jobs for 500,000 teachers and 100,000 artisans while N93.1 billion is voted for feeding 5.5 million school children for 200 days.

For Conditional Cash Transfer, from the N8.7 billion budgeted, the sum of N5,000 per month is to be paid to a million beneficiaries while the Enterprise Programme has a budget of N140.3 billion to support one million market women; 400,000 artisans and 200,000 agric workers.

The N5.8 billion STEM Education Grant, one of the five areas covered by the Social Intervention Projects is targeting 100,000

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

21

BUSINESS/ECONOMY Making the Bouquet of Palliatives Work Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

But with reactions trailing the current hike in the price of PMS and the attendant public outcry, the government has declared that the social intervention projects are offering the palliatives to cushion the effect of the hike.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, had last week given a breakdown of the interventions and palliatives, some of which he said would be starting in a matter of weeks.

According to him, the federal government would be directly impacting the lives of over eight million Nigerians through the various social investments in the 2016 budget spending that would offer relief and serve as palliatives to ordinary Nigerians.

Echoing the package, which Udoma and Ahmed at the budget breakdown, the Vice President’s spoesman said the direct payment of N5,000 monthly to one million extremely poor Nigerians for 12 months is provided for in the 2016 budget for which N$68.7 billion has been appropriated.

Akande also alluded to the direct provision of very soft loans for traders and artisans, including agricultural workers.

According to him, this would reach a total of 1.76 million Nigerians, without the requirement of conventional collateral, with some of the traders likely to get about N60, 000.

“Payment of between N23,000 to N30,000 per month to 500,000 unemployed graduates who would be trained, paid and deployed to work as volunteer teachers, public health officers and extension service workers among other responsibilities.

“They would also be given electronic devices to empower them technologically both for their assignments and beyond.

Similarly, 100,000 artisans would also be trained and paid. N191.5 billion has been set aside for this in the budget,” he said.

The media aide to the Vice President noted that “at least 5.5 million Nigerian primary school children – i.e starting first in 18 states, three per geo-political zones – would be fed for 200 school days under the free home-grown School Feeding Programme,” adding that N93.1 billion has been appropriated for this in the 2016 budget.

His words: “100,000 tertiary students in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) plus Education will partake in the N5.8bn already provided for this education grant in the budget. This payment would also be paid directly to the students.”

Summing the Social Intervention Projects up, Akande said when aggregated, this year alone, over eight million Nigerians would be benefiting, stressing that the N500 billion programme of the Buhari administration is a ready-made palliative to lift Nigerians from poverty and economic hardship.

“Long before now, the Presidency had made adequate arrangements in the 2016 budget to ensure that Nigerians are lifted from poverty and hardship,” he said, pointing out that this would not only alleviate the current pain arising from the new fuel pricing regime, but will provide ongoing social safety nets for over eight million citizens this year alone.

“The Buhari presidency is keen to ensure that Nigerians are lifted and that, if necessary, on an ongoing basis palliative measures would always be considered to address the conditions of the people,” Akande said.

While the federal may have conceived the N500 billion social intervention programmes to provide succor to the beleaguered citizens, there are more questions than answers on how the various components will be executed.

For instance, analysts have wondered what would form the template and considerations for those to benefit from the monthly N5,000 stipend. The question on several lips is who are “the extremely poor?”. Who determines the ‘extremely poor? Even if the beneficiaries are to be

Cont’d from Pg. 20

Cost of transport has gone up... One area government can ease sufferings on the masses

considered on geo-political basis, who decides the beneficiaries. In a clime where there is no credible data base, who constitute the ‘extremely poor’ and would the beneficiaries not be considered on the basis of political patronage? In this case, many are apprehensive that only those sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC) might end up getting the N5,000 monthly stipend.

Another question begging for answer is what impact a monthly N5000 to the one million ‘extremely poor’ would make on the lives of over 100 million other Nigerians that are also poor; perhaps not ‘extremely’?

The same question applies to other four areas of social intervention programmes.

For instance, who benefits from the soft loans for traders, artisans, and agricultural workers. How would the beneficiaries be determined, and who determines them.

Will this not be open to abuses, corruption and nepotic tendencies in a clime where our proclivity for ethnic sentiments, primordial, religious and sectional attachment is legendary?

Many are of the opinion that the best way to administer social intervention programmes for effect, in a complex society like ours is to inject them into areas where less physical contacts and influences.

For instance, transportation costs have skyrocketed and commuters are groaning.

Many argue that it would have been more impactful to provide highly subsidized mass transit buses for the 36 states and Abuja, and get more coaches for the rail system while ferries are provided for the riverine communities. That way, commuters won’t pay through their noses.

Analysts believe that the social intervention projects, though commendable, are highly limited in scope. At a time like this, critical mass is a factor, and programmes that will provide the greatest succor to the greatest number are desirable.

Perhaps, the federal government is looking at the divergent views and alternative opinions flowing from the current strike action by a section of organized labour, It has constituted a 15-man technical committee to consider suggestions and contribution from relevant parties on the N500 billion social investment projects in the 2016 budget as palliatives to cushion

While the federal may have conceived the N500 billion social intervention programmes to provide succor to the beleaguered citizens, there are more questions than answers on how the various components will be executed. For instance, analysts have wondered what would form the template and considerations for those to benefit from the monthly N5,000 stipend. The question on several lips is who are “the extremely poor?”. Who determines the ‘extremely poor? Even if the beneficiaries are to be considered on geo-political basis, who decides the beneficiaries. In a clime where there is no credible data base, who constitute the ‘extremely poor’ and would the beneficiaries not be considered on the basis of political patronage?

In this case, many are apprehensive that only those sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC) might end up getting the N5,000 monthly stipend

the adverse effects of the increase in the pump price of PMS. The committee headed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, is part of the agreement reached between the government, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The Labour Ministry said the trade unions will provide seven members of the committee with TUC and the Ayuba Wabba-led NLC providing five members while the Ajaero faction provides two members.

The government’s representatives on the committee are Minister of State for Petroleum Resource; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Finance, Minister of Solid Minerals, Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, representative of Office of the Head of service of the Federation and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“Based on the above efforts by all concerned parties, all industrial actions by members of the NLC and TUC shall be stayed in order to provide a conducive industrial relations atmosphere for the effective and efficient implementation of the Federal Government’s policies to realise the targeted goals and objectives,”. a statement issued by the ministry said.

While asking the affected trade unions to submit all their nominees before close of work to enable their inauguration on Monday, the statement said the committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.

There is nothing wrong borrowing from some aspects of the palliatives of the previous administration that worked under the SURE-P or fine-tuning those that were well-intentioned but badly executed.

As Nigerians await a more impactful bouquet of palliatives that will salve the frayed nerves of majority of poor Nigerians, it is hoped that those who would be saddled with the execution would see the entire country as a single constituency and avoid those dichotomies that will make some parts alienated from the anticipated reliefs.

The palliatives should not be seen as pay back time for party loyalists and those from some sections of the country. That way, social tension can be assuaged.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Harder Times ahead with Galloping Inflation

At 13.7 per cent, the April inflation figures by the National Bureau of Statistics would have an overarching negative effect on the economy, with all indices already pointing further northward, write Kunle Aderinokun and James Emejo

W

ith the latest inflation as reported for the month of April by NBS, hitting a sixyear high of 13.7 per cent , having spiked from 12.8 per cent of the previous month, Nigerians are in for more difficult times in the short term as the recent increase in pump price and hike in electricity tariffs, among others, continued to drive up inflation.

Specifically, government’s resolve to allow oil marketers source foreign exchange from the parallel market to meet their import obligations, with its attendant risk of increasing the cost of funds and further weakening the naira are seen negative signals for the economy.

In April, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which gauges inflation rose further to 13.7 per cent compared to 12.8 per cent in March and 11.4 per cent in February, according to NBS. The April index is the highest since August 2010.

The increase in headline the headline index was attributed to the lingering structural constraints which had continued to manifest in electricity rates and kerosene prices as well as increases in imported and domestically produced foods.

The NBS further noted that the impact of higher prices in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Vehicle Spare Parts contributed significantly to the Core Sub index in April.

However, with the recent hike in pump price of fuel and the directive to oil marketers to source forex from the parallel market including black market, with its attendant increase in exchange rate, experts have advised Nigerians to brace up for harder times as there appeared to be no end in sight to the rising inflation which has sent prices of commodities up.

And given the existing macroeconomic indices, it is further expected that the Cnetral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may raise the monetary policy rate (MPR) during it meeting this week.

Speaking in an interview with THISDAY on developments in the economy, an Associate Professor of Finance and Head, Banking & Finance, Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, predicted a lot of distortions in the economy adding that hard times are really around the corner.

According to him, “in the short term, Nigerians should expect more difficult times ahead. The inflation rate we have now is even the official figure from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). If you take independent opinion from other research outfits, it may be higher. The actual inflation in this country is higher than 13.7 per cent.”

Uwaleke further projected inflation to rise in May. He said: “My prediction is that the official inflation rate of 13.7 per cent is still going to climb further because of the hike in fuel price, and the fact oil marketers have been asked to look for dollar from the secondary sources-and that will put a lot of pressure on the foreign exchange market because most of them will be getting it from the parallel or black market which is shallow, but the important thing to note is that this will put pressure on the dollar and the naira is bound to weaken further.”

He also said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may likely devalue the naira at its next MPC meeting with further consequence for the economy.

According to him, “the committee may end up officially pronouncing a devaluation of the naira from the current N197/N199 to the dollar. So if the naira is devalued, because devaluation is bound to follow the so-called

Traders facing low patronage

deregulation we have now in the petroleum sector: devaluation is simply something that naturally accompanies it. Just like we’ve seen elsewhere, in January, Venezuela hiked the price of gasoline and at the same time devalued its currency.

“So that’s what is likely going to play out here-devaluation will follow suit and if that happens you can imagine the particular effect it’s going to have on the economy: inflation rate will go up and the MPC meeting which is about to take place is expected to increase the monetary policy rate. The whole implication is that it will increase the costs of funds which are already high and making it difficult for the small and medium enterprises to source funds and it will be more expensive and these costs will be transferred to the ultimate consumer.”

Continuing, the university don posited that the new call for increase in minimum wage could further dampen the prospects of reducing inflation.

He said: “Again, labour is talking about increasing minimum wage: if you increase minimum wage without a corresponding increase in productivity, what you find is further inflation. All of these will rub off in the short term, we are hoping to see a lot of distortion in the economy.

“But in the long term, if the capital portion of the budget is well applied, I expect the hardship will be moderate in terms of creation of job opportunities and gradual trying to increase productivity and reduce inflation. But in the short run, we should expect inflation going beyond 13.7 percent and the naira weakening further even at the black market.”

For the analysts at Eczellon led by its chief executive officer, Diekola Onaolapo, “the sharp rise in inflation came in unsurprising as the country continues to grind under petroleum shortages which has pushed petrol price to a new higher national average price of N162.8/

litre in April from N135.7/litre in March.”

Likewise, they pointed, “lag effect of electricity price hike as well as an increase in price of vehicle spare parts were other key contributors to the upsurge in the inflation rate.”

Specifically, the Eczellon analysts, explained that, the new inflation figure has two basic implications for businesses and individuals in the country.

“First, it will drive up the cost of borrowing for the government which will manifest in the form of a higher yield on government securities as investors will demand higher returns to cover the new inflation rate. This will in turn dovetail into higher borrowing cost for private businesses as well given that the benchmark (government) borrowing cost in the economy has gone up.

“Secondly, the higher inflation figure further erodes the real earnings of average Nigerian which would invariably limit his/her spending capacity. This should have far-reaching implications for consumer facing industries/ companies in the coming months, other things being equal.”

The analysts noted that, “as uninspiring as the above may seem, the situation is not likely to get better anytime soon for three key reasons” “First, the commencement of the implementation of the 2016 budget would increase the liquidity level in the economy which could resort to further inflationary pressure in the month of May. Secondly, the value of the naira worsened last week at the parallel market on the back of heightened demand from oil marketers.

This is likely to remain the case in the coming weeks due to inadequate FX supply to meet the rising demand in that segment of the market. Thus, imported inflation would likely be impacted which could in turn drive up general price level in the economy. Thirdly,

the upcoming Ramadhan fast billed to commence in early June is typically associated with higher prices of food, pushing consumer prices further north,” they said.

“That said, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN may be inclined to raise MPR (Monetary Policy Rate) further to tame inflationary pressures at its next meeting later this month. We however believe that a more sustainable approach would be a comprehensive review of the nation’s FX policy to allow for adequate flexibility in the pricing of the naira.

This should aid in attracting the much needed FX required to fund the nation’s import requirements and tame the pace of price increases in the interim,” the analysts however added.

Also, in their assessment, analysts at FBNQuest Ltd said, the latest increase in inflation, “was our expectation in analysts’ polls for the wire services.”

According to them, “there were sharp increases for both the core and food measures to 13.4 per cent y/y and 13.2 per cent y/y from 12.2 per cent and 12.7 per cent respectively. The shortage of fx at the official rate continues to bite. CBN sales of about US$200m per week are inadequate although fx demand is easing in line with household spending.

They explained: “This first point is made by the latest surge in imported food inflation to 16.4 per cent y/y in April from 15.2 per cent . Transport inflation of 13.4 per cent y/y is a little below the headline, and the m/m increase slowed in April to 1.8 per cent . Across Nigeria only a small minority of consumers could access the official retail price at the petrol pump,” urging however, that, “ we should not overstate the inflationary impact of the new pricing system.”

Nevertheless, the FBNQuest analysts are optimistic that “We would expect some respite in the May report from the acceleration in y/y headline inflation, given positive base effects.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Oil barrels

Militancy Takes Huge Toll on Oil Production Chineme Okafor

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enewed attacks on oil installations by militant groups in the Niger Delta have led to drop in Nigeria’s production capacity such that the country only manages to produce1.4 million barrels of oil every day.

Trailing some distance – about 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) - away from the projected production target of 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) that was embraced by the government in its 2016 budget, the renewed attacks by militants in the Delta appears to have taken the wind off the country’s target.

In disclosing and accepting the challenges before the country, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, told members of the National Assembly in Abuja that some hard works would need to be put in to recover the lost volumes.

“We declined from 2.2 million barrels which was the focus of the 2016 budget to 1.4 million barrels as of today,” said Kachikwu.

He said the ministry was committed to restoring and protecting the destroyed oil facilities in the Delta, adding: “We are going to work hard to see how we will get these issues resolved and get our production back.”

Starting from February, a new militant group, the “Avengers” have carried out repeated attacks on oil installations in the country, thus reducing oil output and subsequent shut down of two refineries – the Kaduna and Warri Refineries as well as a major export terminal – the Forcados.

The group which had made several requests on the government said in an email to journalists on Thursday that it was fighting for an independent Delta and would step up its attacks unless oil firms

left the region within two weeks.

Also, in their assessments, security experts explained the group have shown a level of sophistication in their attacks quite different from what was seen during the peak of militancy in the Delta between 2004 and 2009, and from which Nigeria’s production halved.

According to their assessment which was reported by Reuters, they may be getting help from sympathetic oil workers in identifying key pipelines to cause maximum damage to the country’s production.

While it had undertaken attacks which bore the hallmarks of a group, they in February acknowledged that they attacked an undersea pipeline that forced Shell to shut the 250,000 barrels a day Forcados terminal.

They have also wreaked havoc on a Chevron platform which resulted in the shutting of the Warri and Kaduna refineries. Power supply across Nigeria has also taken a dive due to cuts in gas supply to power stations.

Kachikwu, in his response during the meeting with the parliament, stated the need to develop infrastructure to promote increased and efficient oil production in the country.

His response was however more diplomatic than that of President Muhammadu Buhari , who had consistently promised the group government’s full wrath. Buhari had told the world that the group would get from the government similar treatment that members of the Boko Haram were getting in the North.

However, the military in response launched a wide-ranging hunt across the Niger Delta last week but given the lack of intelligence about the group, their quest has not yielded any significant results that could guarantee the country some respite especially with regards to crude oil revenue streams.

Possible impacts on 2016 budget

Already, the government had in its 2016 budget pegged national production at 2.2mbpd and with a price range of $38 per barrel. It expects to gain N820 billion from the oil sector to fund its N6.07 trillion budget.

What that suggest is that about 13 per cent of the national budget would have to be funded by the oil and gas sector. In a situation where oil prices are relatively unstable, oil producing countries have majorly resorted to leveraging their production volumes, and as such, Nigeria could lose vital production advantage and revenue.

The capacity of the government to comfortably fund its budget may be impaired by such drop in production.

With this in mind, the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday disclosed that higher than expected, Iranian oil production has helped stabilise the global oil market by offsetting concerns generated by the renewed insurgency in Nigeria’s Delta and wildfires in Canada’s Alberta region.

IEA said in its monthly report that global oil output rose to 32.7 million barrels a day in April but that the figure was boosted

by Iran whose production increased faster than expected following the lifting of international sanctions earlier this year.

The IEA also forecast a sharp drop in the global oil supply surplus by the end of the year and which it noted should push the market toward a “much-anticipated balance” after a volatile couple of years, Nigeria with the current conditions may not benefit from this shift in balance.

It noted that oil prices fell in April after leading producers failed to agree on production cuts in Doha, but have since risen after troubles in oil-producing Canada and Nigeria threatened output.

According to it, it is unclear how deeply the damage from a devastating, ongoing wildfire in Canada’s oil sands town of Fort McMurray will hurt overall production

and this is in addition to Shell reportedly closing the terminal that exports Nigeria’s benchmark Bonny Light crude oil and evacuated its workers from a threatened oil field.

Chevron’s Escravos oil and gas facility also closed after a bomb attack. The IEA noted that this new deadly violence by the militants was taking a bigger share of Nigeria’s oil wealth. This is also at a time oil prices have recovered slightly to the $45 a barrel range that producers had looked towards.

Possible solutions Kachikwu in his assessment of the situation however said the country had not done enough to upgrade her oil infrastructure and perhaps minimise the frequency or extent of breaks on them.

He said the existence of oil infrastructure with questionable integrity in the country could be aiding such easy breaks as often done by militants.

“Our pipelines are 35 years old and none has been replaced; we have not been able to put gas infrastructure in place, our refineries are next to comatose and old and we are working hard on them.

“Our critical facilities are at a breakdown stage, so no serious infrastructure has taken place.

“No country in the world will expect that the price system in the country will benefit its citizens if it doesn’t invest in infrastructure. So, the energy we put on PMS we need to begin to focus on building massive infrastructure all over the country,” said Kachikwu.

“I know how much efforts it has taken to pump products from the south to the north, to the east and to the west. It has been one battle after another, but the time has come to invest in proper pipelines, proper tracking, proper buried levels and begin to move with the world,” he further stated.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

INTERVIEW

Clifford: How Alliance Manchester Business School, TEXEM are Boosting Nigeria’s Strategic Leadership in Turbulent Times In this interview, Dr Nick Clifford, Senior Fellow, Public Policy and Management, Alliance Manchester Business School, speaks on how the institution, in partnership with These Executive Minds (TEXEM), is boosting Nigeria’s Strategic Leadership in Turbulent times for Superior Performance. Excerpts

T

ell us about the program at the Alliance Manchester Business School

Alliance Manchester Business School and These Executive Minds (TEXEM) pride themselves on their ability to customise programmes for their clients. Through extensive collaboration we have a deep understanding of Africa. Alliance Manchester Business School is listed in the top 50 Schools in the world for Executive Education.

It was the top institution for research according to the Economist in 2014. Alliance Manchester Business School is the UK’s largest Business School and is still growing.

A recent £15 million endowment gifted by Lord David Alliance has led to its new name Alliance Manchester Business School.

This programme at Alliance Manchester Business School seeks to provide participants with a knowledge platform for senior leaders who are finding it difficult to overcome the challenges of turbulence in today’s markets. While providing important material for discussion and new ideas for tackling challenging situations, TEXEM and Alliance Manchester Business School also seek to provide an all-round experience of the City of Manchester with its history, culture and entertainment. This programme on Strategic Leadership for Superior Performance in Turbulent Times takes place between 31st of May to 3rd of June. For more information, please visit www. texem.co.uk

How does the program help executives address issues that they are currently facing?

To better understand the key dynamics in the current economic situation and the challenges that are presented to senior managers and executives; To provide leadership skills and techniques which address the difficulties of dealing with change; To recognise the key essentials in managing for accountability and transparency; To offer a new perspective on problem identification and analysis which can lead to more effective action plans; and to provide a way of thinking and planning more strategically for the future.

How does the program help executives address issues that they are currently facing?

By offering a blend of academic management theory with interactive teaching and learning, all participants can feel that their own challenges have been addressed and thought about, so that they can return to their organisations with some fresh insights, renewed energy and enthusiasm for dealing with the challenges they face in the future.

Clifford

Why do you think executives should sign up to attend this program?

Who does this program target, and what type of companies should it attract?

Participants are expected to comprise senior directors and executives from organisations of some size that have to deal with both corporate as well as operational managerial tasks and problems that require experience and skill to solve them.

All senior executives operating in challenging environments can find it extraordinarily beneficial to refresh their knowledge, to meet similar executives experiencing similar problems, and to share ideas and suggestions for improvement – ‘we are never too old to learn’.

Often, just the opportunity to work briefly with other executives in other organisations can be an enormous benefit – sometimes a ‘break can be as good as a rest’.

Are the sessions participatory and interactive –why is that important and how does it benefit participants?

How would this programme provide methodology for problem analysis?

The style and content of the programme offers the opportunity to engage and participate in discussion to enable participants to feel they have both grasped some new managerial concepts as well as found new ideas for how they might change their approach to the more difficult challenges they face in their day to day management responsibilities.

Is the program tailored to suit the specific needs of different participants?

Through close collaboration with Texem and its world class faculties Alliance MBS has a very good grasp of contextual realities of Africa vis-à-vis fragile institutions, limited infrastructure and the huge size of government.

The programme is highly relevant to organisations based in emerging countries. The relevance of past programmes organised by TEXEM has been exemplified by 60-70per cent of TEXEM’s delegates being repeat participants. Also, the programme direction in Alliance Manchester Business School is delivered by the School’s more experienced academics and this is focused on monitoring the programme throughout to ensure that participant’s needs are a primary consideration during the whole period of the four day programme.

Problem analysis and solution finding can be complex – a model of analysis that ensures that the ‘scope’ of the problem is identified, the key stakeholders and their role in the problem is thought through carefully, the key barriers are identified and a strategy to overcome them can be extremely helpful. Such a model has been developed at Alliance Manchester Business School which can ensure that the ‘problem’ is thoroughly looked at, and a ‘solution’ can then be explored that provides the basis for developing a successful action plan. This is based on extensive research into practice and is highly relevant to modern business managers in large corporations.

Could you give some insights into what some leaders facing turbulence and uncertainty in other climes do?

The programme will acknowledge the differing experiences of nations and cultures across the international context and contrast the different reactions and responses to the problems that have been identified.

Analysis to suggest what has lain behind the different responses; what action plans have been adopted to deal with them; what lessons have been learnt; and what approaches have been most effective and efficient will

be provided to enable fresh insights to be gained on current managerial challenges.

How could thinking more strategically assist in formulating better strategic plans for the future?

The ability to see the wider (or ‘whole’) situation is often the difference between a corporation’s successfully navigating a period of turbulence or being overwhelmed – this ability is based on the degree to which thinking strategically has been developed. Alliance Manchester Business School is proud to have a long track record in assisting managers, directors and executives to discover and then ask the important and critical questions at the ‘mission critical’ time to ensure that the corporate strategic action plan is well understood and provides a strong platform for future growth.

How could leaders better handle change?

The ability to recognise the nature and scale of modern change problems so that an organisational buy-in to a new change strategy can be achieved is one of the fundamental challenges of modern leadership. Alliance Manchester Business School and TEXEM both have a considerable track-record in providing the best and most optimal programmes for their clients. Such programmes enable leaders with natural talent to become even more effective in their chosen fields.

How could accountability to key stakeholders be improved?

A combination of openness and collaboration with colleagues can provide the most secure platform to ensure that the challenges of responding to change are addressed and developed further together; in this way greater confidence can be engendered across internal and external stakeholders to ensure that their support is maintained.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

25

BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

Rescuing and Defending the Naira

Victor Odozi

are desperate to buy now before the Naira depreciates further or is devalued. This “Naira pessimism” or preference for dollars is a major factor in the continued slide of the Naira in the free segments of the foreign exchange market in recent times.

In summary, increased “Naira pessimism”, severe supply constraints in the face of unrelenting heavy demand, the ensuing huge and increasing backlog of unsettled past-due import bills and invisible trade transactions, a large and widening parallel market premium, etc., have all engendered increased uneasiness about Naira exchange rate stability and the well-founded view that the prevailing official rate cannot be sustained for too long, without depleting the external reserves. Consequently, there has been a huge speculative attack on the reserves. Furthermore, the lingering insurgency in the North East and socio-political unrest and violent crimes in some parts of the Country, coupled with weak near-term growth prospects, have all induced increased capital flight, thereby exacerbating the woes of the Naira.

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his contribution has been triggered by several considerations, including the following: First, the urging of a long-standing friend of mine who thought that I had something worthwhile to contribute towards the ongoing efforts to stabilise the Naira exchange rate.

Second, it is in memory of the late maverick, Egheomhanre Emmanuel Eyieyien, fondly called “Ëghes”, a great patriot and close associate of mine. He died on Christmas Day last year, barely three days after publishing an article, entitled: Emefiele is Not the Problem, in which he lamented the travails of the Naira and, inter alia, advocated its devaluation as a realistic step towards restoring exchange rate stability in the Country.

Third, the timing has also been informed by the recent phenomenal crash of the Naira in the free foreign exchange markets, with the Naira crossing what might be called the “bar lev line’’ of 400 Naira/Dollar. Indeed, until that point, I was of the firm view that the devaluation of the Naira, as urged by many experts, including those of the IMF, was not, per se, the solution to our country’s foreign exchange crisis. Now, however, I firmly believe that Naira devaluation is inevitable and, indeed, mandatory. The real debate now should not be over whether or not the Naira should be devalued, but when and by how much and the elements of a strategic policy framework to make the emerging exchange rate regime stable and sustainable. It should also be clear that failure to act now will merely postpone the evil day and exacerbate the prevailing foreign exchange crisis. In this connection, it is instructive that three past Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have spoken out in favour of Naira devaluation. Furthermore, some oil-exporting countries, whose economies have been mired by the collapse of international oil prices, just like Nigeria, have been obliged to devalue their local currencies to ease the unrelenting pressure. For instance, the Russian rouble has officially devalued by over 50% since July 2014 while the Venezuelan Bolivar was officially devalued by 37% in February 2016 for the same reason.

So, Nigeria is not alone on this devaluation issue and the authorities need to recognise that it is inevitable, and the earlier it is done the better for the country.

Thus, this contribution seeks to make a case for appropriate official downward adjustment of the Naira exchange rate (devaluation) as one of the key elements in a comprehensive and robust macroeconomic policy response by the Federal Government to the prevailing economic and financial crises. It should be reiterated that Naira devaluation, per se, is not the answer and should be undertaken only in the context of a coordinated and coherent fiscal/monetary policy response, backed by complementary supply-side and corrective measures. It should also be stressed that the issues raised and the proposals made in this contribution are not entirely new or original but they remain highly relevant in our present circumstances.

Above all, it should be recalled that our country faced a similar dire situation some 30 years ago. Then, in mid-1986, after conducting a long-drawn-out and heated national debate whether to devalue or not to devalue, the Military Government under General Ibrahim Babangida mustered the will to devalue the Naira. That was a matter of last resort and a key element in the nexus of economic reform measures introduced under the auspices of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). Although the outcomes of the SAP were mixed, they were, on balance, highly beneficial. Thus, although the SAP is nominally dead, its spirit prevails till this day. Indeed, the SAP ideology of guided market capitalism has continued to inform and inspire policy-making and management under successive administrations ever since. The learning point here is that we had faced a similar situation before as we are in now and that there is a viable option available if the required political will could be summoned to do what is inevitable and unavoidable. We believe that this government is not lacking in the courage to devalue if it is clear and persuaded that there is a compelling case for it. An attempt is made to present such a case in this contribution.

After work on this paper had virtually been concluded, news came that a currency swap deal had been signed between Nigeria and China. Details of the arrangement, in terms of coverage, transaction dynamics, documentation requirements and take-off, etc., have not yet been provided. Accordingly, only tentative comments on the deal are warranted here. In this connection, it is important to state that any arrangement, such as the one referred to above, that seeks to relieve the prevailing pressure on our external reserves is welcome, provided the terms are right and the benefits are sustainable. Nevertheless, even with the most favourable terms available, the above initiative, which is analogous to a clearing-house arrangement, should be seen as merely complementary to, and not a substitute for, the existing payment arrangements for the settlement of international transactions. Indeed, the US Dollar still looms large in our external transactions and payment obligations and this dominance will remain for long. Thus, the need to deal with the current exchange rate misalignment and the case made for it in this paper remain valid.

1. Some Conceptual and Leading Issues i. Factors at Work The exchange rate, in general, reflects the underlying health or otherwise of an economy, particularly the economic fundamentals of foreign exchange demand and supply, interest and inflation rates, balance of payments position, and growth prospects. The psychology of the market (expectations and speculative activity)

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and socio-economic and political factors also exert a significant impact on the exchange rate.

The following factors have, to varying degrees, been the driving forces behind the persistent depreciation of the Naira exchange rate since the last quarter of 2014: The collapse of oil prices which started in June 2014, resulting in the sharp decline in petrodollar receipts and depletion of our external reserves. · Gross inadequacy of supply relative to demand for foreign exchange. This has been exacerbated by the removal of 41 items from the list of imports eligible for foreign exchange sourcing from the official market, with those affected being left with no choice but resort to the bureaux de change and parallel markets to meet their otherwise legitimate needs. · The increasing incidence of hedging and speculative transactions which have swollen an already bloated demand for foreign exchange. · With the persistent Naira weakness and the spectre of imminent Naira devaluation, there has been increased incentive to hold foreign currency rather than the Naira. Thus, while investors and other potential suppliers of foreign exchange with-hold their funds in order to make more profits (gains) later, foreign exchange users

In making a case for rescuing and defending the Naira, we should begin by stressing the critical role of the exchange rate in the economy.

For a country, such as Nigeria, with an open economy where foreign trade accounts for a significant proportion of the Gross Domestic Product, the exchange rate links the domestic economy with the outside world.

Furthermore, it is the most important price which influences most other prices and, indeed, the general level of prices. Consequently, exchange rate levels and movements have farreaching implications for inflation, price incentives, fiscal viability, export-competitiveness, efficiency in resource allocation, international confidence and balance of payments equilibrium

ii.Why Rescue and Defend the Naira?

In making a case for rescuing and defending the Naira, we should begin by stressing the critical role of the exchange rate in the economy.

For a country, such as Nigeria, with an open economy where foreign trade accounts for a significant proportion of the Gross Domestic Product, the exchange rate links the domestic economy with the outside world. Furthermore, it is the most important price which influences most other prices and, indeed, the general level of prices. Consequently, exchange rate levels and movements have far-reaching implications for inflation, price incentives, fiscal viability, export-competitiveness, efficiency in resource allocation, international confidence and balance of payments equilibrium.

Given their widespread impact, it is not surprising that exchange rate developments are a matter of great interest and often concern to Governments, the business community and the general public.

In some situations, exchange rate devaluation becomes the government’s concern and is beyond the purview or discretion of the central bank. That is why this contribution is being placed in the public domain.

Rescuing and defending the Naira is to ensure that the exchange rate regime is not left to the vagaries and devices of free, unfettered markets which are often manipulated and driven by greed and criminality. It is also to ensure that the exchange rate performs its resource-allocation function efficiently and that the emerging regime is stable and sustainable. Indeed, given its critical role in macroeconomic management, the Naira exchange rate needs to be stabilised and subsequently sustained within an appropriate band or target zone, to make for better planning by economic agents.

2.An Agenda for Action i. Some Fundamental Principles To put the proposals being made in this contribution in context, the following fundamental observations or principles may be advanced.

First, the exchange rate is a price. Like all other prices, in a free-market environment, it is determined by the forces of supply and demand. Consequently, and as past and present experiences have amply demonstrated, trying to fix it arbitrarily is an exercise in futility. Indeed, as asserted by Jacques Polak, IMF Director of Research (1958 – 1979, “It is not in the best interest of any country to seek to maintain a disequilibrium exchange rate and no country in the end succeeds in doing so”.

Second, macroeconomic management invariably entails delicate balancing acts and difficult trade-offs among key fiscal and monetary variables, e.g.: price stability versus growth; interest versus exchange rates; consumption versus savings; and the short versus long term; etc. Thus, achieving a stable exchange rate might require raising interest rates; devaluation is sometimes required to restore external balance; and devaluation might be unavoidable to achieve a realistic and sustainable exchange rate regime. The policy or operational discretion the fiscal and monetary authorities have depends on the prevailing economic conditions; the degree of divergence of the variables from optimality; and the magnitude of corrective measures called for in order to restore normalcy.

Thus, unduly delaying corrective action often results in bigger and more painful adjustment in future.

Third, since the demonetisation of gold in the early 1970’s, there has been a generalised system of floating exchange rates.

However, in practice, there is nothing like a “clean” or “pure” float whereby the exchange rate is left entirely to the vagaries of market forces. Although there is a continuum of exchange-rate regimes worldwide, ranging from fixed to flexible arrangements, the predominant system is the “dirty” or “managed” float. This entails periodic intervention by the monetary authorities in the foreign exchange markets to achieve certain strategic objectives, such as buoying up the value of the local currency in periods of severe market pressure or reducing its value to restore export competitiveness or improve the trade balance. A few countries have a fixed exchange rate regime either in the context of a monetary union (as in the case of Europe) or under a currency board system (as in Hong Kong and Argentina). Nevertheless, irrespective of the regime chosen, it is important that exchange rate determination is technically sound and realistic and that the rate is stable.

–Odozi, is a former CBN Deputy Governor, Financial Sector Surveillance.

(See concluding part on www. thisdaylivecom)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

28

BUSINESS/ MEDIA

Media Share, Prime Media Battle over N11m Advertisement Debt Stories by Raheem Akingbolu

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his is not the best of time for the management of Media Share, a media buying agency located in Opebi, Lagos. Since late last year, the agency has been battling with a court case over its refusal to pay the sum of N11,199, 795.89, being the advertising services handled for three of its clients Nestle, DStv and Airtel between 19th March, 2010 and 14th December, 2013

by Prime Media. The services were said to have been handled for some major projects, which included; DStv alternative Payment on NTA network, Airtel Club 10 on NTA and Nestle H1 Strenght 15” animation also on NTA network.

Until last year when Prime Media dragged Media Share before a Lagos High Court, the two agencies were said to have engaged in dialogue. At the initial stage, the total amount was put at fifteen million but the two agencies agreed on twelve million at one of their meetings. Precisely, at a meeting

held on the 11th of February, 2015, Media Share and Prime Media agreed and accepted N12, 288,008.39 as the outstanding sum due to Prime Media from Media Share. In an agreement paper obtained by THISDAY, Mr. Lawson Adekunle Ayodeji, signed for Media Share while Mr. Daniel Adeniran signed for Prime Media.

In what looked like a positive move, Media Share, had agreed at another meeting on 2nd of June last year to pay by monthly installment of N1, 088,212.50. But after a lone payment of the installment with payment voucher

no: 10253334, everything suddenly stopped with no sign that the agency was ready to keep its words.

As a result of this, Prime Media went to court late last year to challenge the management of Media Share. As things are, one thing that is clear is that the two agencies agreed on the debt but in spite of that, nothing has shown that Media Share is ready to pay. Meanwhile, THISDAY check revealed that the three companies that hired Media Share for the various projects have since paid. But only the agency knows why the money is still being withheld.

Tuface Joins Stakeholders to Usher in Partner Mobile

T

uface Idibia caused a stir recently at the unveiling of a new entrant in the Mobile end of the telecommunication market called Partner Mobile.

The icon of the nation’s entertainments industry suddenly emerged from the blues while the event was on and changed the atmosphere.

While some observers concluded that the musician was brought in to add glamour to the launch, it was believed in some quarters that he might later become the ambassador of the mobile company in Nigeria.

The company, which was said to have entered the market with an intention to disrupt the phone marketing strategy introduced 3 series of mobile phones- PS1, E15 and KS1, otherwise known as the King Series, the Elite Series and the Prestige series respectively.

While the PS1 is the entry level phone, the E15 and KS1 are the upscale devices set up to do battle with Samsung, Infinix, Lenovo and Tecno brands of handset.

The flagship PS1 is however positioned to penetrate the market from the entry level of the rank.

Explaining the reason for coming into the Nigerian market at this time, the Partner Mobile’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Simon Klepper, said Partner Phone is wholly Nigerian brand despite the fact that it is manufactured in China. According him, “Partner Mobile is a Nigerian company with our head office in Abuja, this is where we will run the company from and we will be on hand to assist wherever necessary, the consumer and our dealers throughout

Klepper and Tuface

the whole of Nigeria.”

Assuring on quality, the COO stated that the company will bring the latest advances in mobile phone technology with visually attractive products, made with quality components to perform reliably at prices to suit consumers.

Speaking on the choice of name, Klepper said “on Partner Mobile, the name wasn’t chosen without reason; we want to be your

phone of choice not only for today, but tomorrow and way into the future.

To achieve the unthinkable to topple some renowned phone brands in the market, Klepper said “we need to build confidence, not only in our products and the constant search to bring innovative, ground breaking technology to market; but in a human capacity, through positive customer care experiences,” adding that

“be it from your first visit to one of our stores or dealerships, through to the after sales support we provide, in case customer should ever need it.”

For marketing, he stated that the company will be launching advertising campaigns across all mediums, to reach the eyes and ears of the nation. “We will use local languages in our communications and sponsor local festivals and events to properly entrench the brand.”

Understanding that customer care service is an important aspect of every business, Partner Mobile already have Spare parts in case the need arises in site, he mentioned that the brand stores will have a Customer service department, ready & equipped to meet the demands of purchasers.

Also, Dealerships around the country will also have customer service facilities, the company’s website will offer customer support, & we will have dedicated contact numbers to help solve any queries that our customers may encounter.

In his words, Partner Mobile isn’t planning to limit her services to Nigeria alone, but works are already in place for the brand to launch into other African countries beginning with countries in West Africa.

To herald the brand promise of sponsoring the local event, Partner Mobile has partnered with Innocent Tuface Idibia new project tagged “trip and Treat.

“The brand announced that Partner Phone will be engaging consumers through the new platform to take 3 consumers to Nairobi for his concert.

Still on DStv, GOtv’s Gift on Africa Day

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ith the trend of things in the Pay TV industry, it is hard to dispute the debate in some quarters that Multichoice is holding tight to the leadership of the market. Just when some patrons of the brand thought they had gotten enough, handlers of DStv and GOtv rolled out a new offering to commemorate Africa Day on May 25.

As Africa Day, 25 May, approaches, viewers are in for a treat, as DStv and GOtv bring more exciting locally-produced quality programmes. This is in celebration of exciting content produced in Africa and for Africans..

EbonyLife TV, a Pan-African Entertainment channel, in association with Wakanow, a travel portal, has produced an upmarket travel show, Destinations Africa. This is designed for the African traveler and highlights the continent’s top tourist destinations.

The 30-minute, 12-part series features destinations that include Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Ghana, The Gambia, Senegal, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.

The show airs on EbonyLife TV (DStv channel 165) on Saturdays at 7:30pm; Sundays

at 8:30pm and Tuesdays at 9:00pm.

The Voice Nigeria pits against one another singing acts, Waje, Tubaba, Patoranking and Timi and the teams they coach in the spectacular singing competition.

The show airs Sundays at 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 151) with #Teamwaje leading the pack with 11 talents. #TeamTubaba, #TeamPatoranking and #TeamTimi each have 10 talents in Africa’s most exciting television show.

Fans can download The Voice Nigeria app on the Apple and Android app stores and get updated on backstage photos, news and highlights from Africa’s biggest show.

A repeat of The Voice Nigeria airs on Africa Magic Family (GOtv Channel 2) for GOtv subscribers every Tuesday at 5:00pm.

Also, as part of commitment to supporting the local entertainment industry and talent, AfricaMagic recently announced its partnership with Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, to launch his much-anticipated pan-African thriller, The CEO in association with AfricaMagic, which will premiere exclusively on board an Air France flight on 1 June from Lagos to Paris.

Speaking recently at the film’s press conference, the Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “This partnership is

in furtherance of our continued drive to support Nigerian and African cinema by investing in people, ideas and talent, and we can’t wait for fans and lovers of good cinema to watch this movie.”

The CEO is set on a beautiful beach resort on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria, The CEO follows five top executives from across Africa who are dispatched on a oneweek leadership retreat by a multinational telecommunications firm to determine who gets selected as the new CEO. Things go awry when one by one the executives are eliminated in sudden death circumstances, with the finger pointing to the last two remaining executive as prime suspects.

To give their customers more value for their money, the entire month of May has been earmarked as Africa Month. This is in celebration of home-grown content and will witness the introduction of six series on Africa Magic Family (GOtv Channel 2).

Every day of the month, GOtv’s Africa Magic channels will feature family-oriented and informative movies, series, sitcoms, comedy shows as well as documentaries.

Jokes Alone and Hope234 will run back-toback, airing at 5:00pm and 5:30pm respectively on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Jokes Alone is guaranteed to leave

subscribers in stitches, while Hope234, which stars Afeez Oyetoro, aka Saka, is a television specially designed to teach young people to have an optimistic attitude to life.

Single and career-driven women can relate to Allison’s Stand, which chronicles the life of a young, upwardly mobile female professional whose fiercely independent ways puts her in a delicate position requiring her to choose between family and career.

Allison’s Stand airs from Monday through Friday at 8:30pm It was stated during the announcement of the offering that subscribers can also watch The Calabash on weekdays at 10:00pm to see how employees of a struggling bank meet their targets when the bank management decides to employ stringent measures to force them to deliver on outrageous targets, using unethical means.

According to the Public Relation Manager of GOtv, Efe Obiomah; the initiative was conceptualised to celebrate the diversity of Nigerians. “This month, we celebrate our diversity as Nigerians and the breadth of GOtv’s local content offering demonstrated through our five Africa Magic channels. We believe our subscribers will be very excited by the new series which are launching on Africa Magic Family”, she said.

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

COVER

The Rafsanjanis

AUWAL MUSA RAFSANJANI

THE STRUGGLE IS HIS LIFE From Aminu Kano, Attahiru Jega, Alao Aka-Bashorun, Beko Ransome-Kuti and Olisa Agbakoba, he has drunk deep from the well of activism. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) told Funke Olaode that he has done nothing else all his adult life than engage in the struggle to guarantee justice and equity towards a better society

I

t is a road less travelled; made even more precarious because it is a rough and hard road, but this path overwhelmed on all sides by an ever-present cloud of danger is the choice career route for Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.

Born in Kano City to parents who were traders and Islamic scholars, Rafsanjani looked beyond his immediate family for inspiration. His earliest influence was the revered Mallam Aminu Kano, the strong man of Kano politics who was very popular at the grassroots.

There was something about the way Aminu Kano mobilised the ‘talakawas’ (commoners) that struck a lasting chord

in Rafsanjani. Although he was not a rich man, he was very influential and respected by the downtrodden whose cause he championed. From an early age, Aminu Kano became his role model and he very much wanted to be like him.

Times and circumstances have changed; and although Rafsanjani would never compare himself to his revered hero, Aminu Kano, he is just happy to say that he has taken the struggle farther by deepening the conversation and extending the perspectives from which to look at the enduring class division in the society.

While Aminu Kano’s image loomed large in Kano and its environs with an

impressive incursion into other parts of Nigeria as he campaigned vigorously to govern Nigeria, Rafsanjani has built bridges and worked with Nigerians from all over the country while tapping into a pool of international connection that may not have been available to Aminu Kano.

Perhaps, his study of Political Science at the Bayero University Kano accounts for the expansion of his radicalism.

He would later cut his teeth as an activist under the tutelage of prominent Nigerians and academia. There was Professor Attahiru Jega, whose recent national assignment as boss of Nigeria’s election umpire earned accolades from far and wide.

Not a few know that Jega’s activism as head of the Academic Staff Union of Universities recommended and prepared him for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) job. Jega and other prominent Political Science teachers groomed him. From them, Rafsanjani learnt political economy and activism.

His ambition was fired so much that in year one, he was already an active participant in Students’ Union Government of Bayero University as one of the executives. There has been no looking back since then, even joining and working with groups like

Cont’d on pg.57

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

57

COVER

...with Oby Ezekwesili

Musa Rafsanjani

Women in Nigeria (WIN) that appeared incongruous.

But for every action, Rafsanjani has an explanation. “We believed that to deal with the issue of women marginalisation, exploitation, gender equality and development of women, you need both men and women to put hands together.” He was in the university at the time. In 1992, he became the Assistant-General Secretary of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Juggling academics with activism was not the easiest thing, but there is always a way for a determined soul.

As critics of the system, students like Rafsanjani perpetually placed the burden of morality on themselves.

More than anything else, they had to be outstanding in their studies to be above the board of dangling sword from authorities which were ever-ready to either cut them to size or eliminate them completely.

It was a sacred responsibility they owed the activist community. For those of them in the social sciences, the political education from political activism stood them on good ground.

It enabled them to have a better understanding on how to approach their studies.

Although many a time they were out there mobilising the Nigerian people against the military dictatorship of the then General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and the late General Sani Abacha, they were ahead of many students that were in the class room because of their exposure and political education from senior comrades.

Rafsanjani sees himself as a general

...with Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara during CISLAC workshop

FOR RAFSANJANI, LIFE IS A ONE-WAY STREET. HE WAS BORN TO FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. THIS IS WHERE HE IS IN HIS ELEMENTS AND HE DUTIFULLY CHANNELS ALL HIS ENERGY INTO IT….

A DEVOUT MOSLEM, RAFSANJANI’S TYPICAL DAY BEGINS EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN HE SAYS HIS PRAYERS. PIETY IS AS IMPORTANT TO HIM AS THE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING HE HAS SECURED FROM HIS WIFE, MARIA SHERIFF, OF 15 YEARS. TOGETHER, THEY HAVE THREE CHILDREN

in the civil liberties army. Of course, it goes without saying that he has tell-tale scars from many battles. Confronting the authorities always left bruises, especially during the military era. He was not afraid of being incarcerated, having been tutored that genuine political activism attracts victimization by the authorities.

A number of times Rafsanjani and his comrades in arms were rusticated or suspended from the school, but with the collective intervention of the then ASUU and senior comrades, they would be recalled.

Coming to the national stage of the students’ body meant interacting with older and seasoned activists. He was in the nucleus at the formation of Campaign for Democracy (CD), an organisation led by the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti. He was also part of the Democratic Alternative led by the late Dr. Alao Aka-Bashorun, and also a member and coordinator of United Action for Democracy (UAD) led by Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. As one who had known no other life, his youth service year between 93/94 in Abuja was not different. It was a particularly tempting period for Rafsanjani. Coming from northern Nigeria, it was a make or mar decision period for him. He could choose to walk on easy streets by turning his back on activism forever. In his mind’s eye, Aminu Kano’s image would not be erased.

He also recalled many of the fiery speeches of his mentors like Jega, Agbakoba and Ransome-Kuti. But more importantly was the condition of the downtrodden and working

class Nigerians who he had sworn to defend. Instead of seeking employment with multinational organisations, he immersed himself deeper into activism.

“We were fully on ground to ensure that the campaign for military disengagement from Nigeria’s political terrain was sustained. After my youth service the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), a human rights organisation which was organised by progressive minds led by the late Emma Ezeazu as Executive Director invited me.

“I was the first Programme Officer in Abuja in 1995. I was with them till 2001 when Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) led by current Minister for Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as an executive director invited me to join the organisation in the Abuja office. I worked for this group for some time and resigned in 2005.”

To Rafsanjani, activism has given him the same if not more privileges of seeing the world and interacting with distinguished leaders as he may have had working for any global blue chip company. His passion for humanity has taken him round the globe where he has been able to meet with presidents.

He has equally met with the international leaders at the level of the World Bank, United Nations and many international fora. In the private sector, he has interacted with the likes of Bill Gates and other philanthropists working on development in Africa.

“It is a platform that has given me opportunity to meet world leaders locally and globally. I was nominated

Cont’d on pg.58

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

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COVER

L-R: The USAID Mission Director, Mr. Michael Harvey, Ambassador, United States of America, Mr. James Entwistle and Auwal Musa Rafsanjani during a signing agreement with CISLAC

and appointed as one of the civil society delegates to the last National Constitutional Conference,” he said.

After 25 years of the struggle, Rafsanjani is still revving his engine to fire on. Pooling the experience of working with other civil organisations, he noticed a huge gap in advocating on issues in Nigeria. And having struggled with others to disengage military rule, he thought that the civil society should constructively engage the legislature that has the constitutional and legislative power to make laws, particularly to remove laws that impede human rights.

He later came up with an intervention.

And through the mentorship of people like Dr. Abubakar Momoh, General Ishola Williams, the late Emma Ezeazu, he was able to form the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a non-governmental, non-profit, advocacy, information sharing, research, and capacity building organisation. Today, CISLAC is one of the most famous legislative and policy engagement organisations in the country.

Rafsanjani is the Executive Director of CISLAC, which is headquartered in Abuja. He is also the representative or contact person for Transparency International, the regional General Secretary of West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) and the Chairman of Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC).

According to him, the mission of CISLAC is to strengthen the link between civil society and the legislature through advocacy and capacity building for civil society groups and policy makers on legislative processes and governance issues. The organisation is also interested in the well-being of Nigerians particularly in the area of the extractive industry (oil), which is the major source of revenue for the country.

RAFSANJANI SEES HIMSELF AS A GENERAL IN THE CIVIL LIBERTIES ARMY. OF COURSE, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT HE HAS TELL-TALE SCARS FROM MANY BATTLES. CONFRONTING THE AUTHORITIES ALWAYS LEFT BRUISES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MILITARY ERA. HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF BEING INCARCERATED, HAVING BEEN TUTORED THAT GENUINE POLITICAL ACTIVISM ATTRACTS VICTIMIZATION BY THE AUTHORITIES. A NUMBER OF TIMES RAFSANJANI AND HIS COMRADES IN ARMS WERE RUSTICATED OR SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL, BUT WITH THE COLLECTIVE INTERVENTION OF THE THEN ASUU AND SENIOR COMRADES, THEY WOULD BE RECALLED

To him, getting policies and legislations that would ensure accountability and transparency on how Nigeria’s resources are managed through extractive, taxation and public procurement is very important. And that is why CISLAC is at the fore front of advocacy for legislation that would ensure prudent management of Nigeria’s resources.

Reeling out its achievements, he said the organisation has played key roles to pass certain legislations. “We played a big role in the adoption of Freedom of Information Act (FOI) in Nigeria, sponsoring bills and policies that will enhance transparency and accountability and improve the well-being of Nigerians. We laid the enactment of the Public Procurement Law. Before this law, we all know that in every one Naira in Nigeria, 60 kobo was lost to corruption.

“We also led the enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Law. In the past, there was reckless borrowing. Together with other civil society organisations we ensured the law was in place. Of recent, we have also participated in ensuring that we have the National Health Act in place. We were also at the United Nations (UN) 70th General Assembly in New York, USA which took place in September, 2015, where we advocated for the adoption of the new 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure a better world.

“Also, CISLAC with other civil societies in the world was at the recent 2016 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, USA. The aim was to meet with development leaders, finance ministers and other stakeholders across the world to discuss how to finance development, how to ensure that World Bank is more transparent and the money countries are collecting as

either loans or grants are transparently utilised.

“I am very happy that we have raised the level of confidence between government and civil society. They now see that we are not noise makers but working towards improving the lives by ensuring that transparency and accountability are mainstreamed in government. Through our work, we are able to monitor elections. I participated in the formation of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG). I was one of the founders.”

For Rafsanjani, life is a one-way street.

He was born to fight for social justice, democracy and human rights. This is where he is in his elements and he dutifully channels all his energy into it.

“That is why I continue with struggle that we must work toward eradicating poverty, address conflict, address injustice in Nigeria, address inequality, environmental abuses and degradation and monumental corruption that has led to under development in Nigeria. I am interested in seeing for the rest of my life how I would continue to play this role by ensuring that I give my maximum contribution to a better Nigeria.”

By far the biggest gain from giving his life to activism is the set of skills he has acquired over time. “Because of the work that I do, I have developed some expertise, which some organizations and people at different levels call me from time to time to share my ideas and do some works. I get remunerations from that. I am also contented with little things that come my way.”

A devout Moslem, Rafsanjani’s typical day begins early in the morning when he says his prayers. Piety is as important to him as the love and understanding he has secured from his wife, Maria Sheriff, of 15 years. Together, they have three children.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

Onoshe

Nwabuikwu

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

What’s New on TV

Hush...the new nollywood telenovela

As far as the definition of new goes, these programmes/shows may not be described as ‘new’ because they are not so new. But one thing is for sure, they are new to this page. Let’s begin with the most prominent: going for classy and understated? But the Hush has all the ingredients to •Hush combination of the awkward finger and deliver a truly engaging telenovela. And -Africa Magic Showcase

H

ush is described by its producers as a telenovela much like Hotel Majestic which had a wonderful run on the same channel. Hush premiered on Africa Magic Showcase (dstv channel 151) on Monday April 4, 2016 on the prime time 8pm slot, same time Hotel Majestic ran on. It then bumped Jikulumessu down to 9 pm.

The ‘Hush’ story is set around Bem Tsenugo (Richard Mofe-Damijo) and Arinola Cardoso (Thelma Okoduwa). Bem is the very influential fashion designer and owner of the House Of Tsenogu with powerful connections thanks to his links to an exclusive gentlemen’s club. Arinola is the courageous woman daring to enter the murky world that’s politics . She wants to govern Lagos State. The rest of what makes Hush is the drama surrounding Bem, his fashion house, staff, kids, etc.

Arinola also comes complete with her own baggage: disgruntled god-sister turned biological sister in the form of Nse (Uche Mac-Auley), ex-husband Tokunbo (Nonso Odogwu). Then there are her political enemies and all the ‘poli-tricking’ involved in politics.

there are aspects I find entertaining. I like the chemistry between sisters Oye (Ade Laoye) and Koko (Meg Otanwa).

Ade Laoye also has her role as the superefficient almost manic assistant down to an art. Uche Nwoefuna in the role of Vina reminds me of Linda Ihuoma Ejiofor as Bimpe in Tinsel. Feisty, life of the party, can be mischievous although Vina appears more street smart than Bimpe and also has a slightly vicious streak.

Must say I’m pleasantly impressed

by Thelma Okoduwa. Her interpretation of Arinola very believable and easy to relate to. The women appear to be winning this one. But I’m happy as I’m sure many women are to see RMD in action. His onscreen sons: Adze (Baaj Adebule) and Tes (Mawuli Gavor) are a winning bonus. Meanwhile, there are errors in the credits. Tsenugo is written as Tsenogu. Nse is wrongly spelled as Ntse. Since the character’s surname is Idongesit, I assume this Ntse is the same Nse (Obong, etc) we’re all used to.

But if I could change one thing though: It would have to be in the montage. That picture/shot of a forefinger pressed to a woman’s lips signaling ‘hush’ is not really ‘sexy’. And there’s something about the montage . Perhaps they were

the bronze/mud coloured lips, not chic at all.

And if I may add, Rotimi Adelegan playing governor wannabe and resident bad guy (Folahan Majekodunmi) needs to tone down the husky voice.

All said, you may want to give Hush a look in.

•Bukas and Joints -AIT As its same suggests, Bukas and Joints is about food. That should be selfexplanatory especially if you’re Nigerian or live in Nigeria. Bukas and Joints takes the viewer round Nigeria showcasing a variety of food from very accessible joints.

It is hosted by Olisa Adibua.

Bukas and Joints is fairly new, having made its debut Sunday March 20, 2016 and it is a weekly show. That means there would’ve been a few editions since then but I have only seen one-the episode with Tubaba at The Calabar Kitchen in Ikeja, Lagos, Sunday May 1, 2016.

I still have to watch a few more episodes of Bukas and Joints. Suffice it to say that it is a welcome concept. We do need more shows about Nigerian food.

For now, you can catch Bukas and Joints on AIT (dstv 253) and Startimes channel 128, Sundays, 7 pm.

COME AGAIN? CCT and the big rat on AIT. -AIT news, Tuesday April 19, 2016, 12 pm-ish.

Anni Davies was the news correspondent bringing the news that afternoon on AIT. It was the news about some activists who were protesting the proposed bill to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. I didn’t get the group’s name but I do recall it wasn’t any of the newly popular ones like that which sounds like

SHARRAP. My attention was drawn to the words I heard on TV: ‘They smell a big rat.’ I do know we prefer to do an overkill.

The phrase is ‘smell a rat.” Whether it’s an ‘elephant-rat’ or ‘ant-rat’, when suspicious, it’s okay to just smell a rat.

The other issue was the correct pronunciation of bureau. Is it ‘boo-rio’ (butio) or ‘boo-roo’? Anni prefers to booroo.

“Two fear deaded in Maiduguri bomb blast.”

-ITV News headlines, Thursday May 12, 2016, 4.32 pm-ish.

To be fair, one other station, NTA (I think) also made a mistake with this news item. They said “Two feared death” in Maiduguri bomb blast. Must be the shock from the news about the bomb blast seeing as Maiduguri has been enjoying relative peace and tranquility in recent times.

Brymo, Chocolate City and STV On Thursday May 12, 2016 on Silverbird TV (STV) there was a report about Brymo and the real reason he lost his court case against his former record label, Chocolate City. According to the report Brymo thinks the Choc City guys must have helped kill the case but claimed he won. How? “I don’t know what they did but they definitely spoke to the judge and spoke to the lawyers and scrapped the case, they are lawyers; they can do it.”

This report was not exclusive to STV. I found out later that several other news outlets reported Brymo’s interview which he had granted to Beat FM, Lagos. But from the STV perspective, many questions were left unanswered.

Top on that list of questions would be whether Brymo had been represented by a lawyer of group of lawyers. If yes, where are they?

And if no, was he barred from hiring the services of lawyers?

Meanwhile, I assume the point of the report/interview was to promote Brymo’s latest CD, Klitoris. I have been holding my breath waiting for a TV/Radio presenter to say the name of Brymo’s new CD in a news report.

And this STV male reporter whose name I didn’t catch finally said it: “Klee-trees.” Klee-trees? Well, I suppose this is the equivalent of the Igbo phonetic prononciation of slippers: ‘seel-pers.’ But can you blame the presenter? What was Brymo thinking?

Speaking of which, I still don’t know anything about this ‘kleetrees.’ Does it feature a track titled ‘Uterus’? And are the proceeds from the CD sale going to help victims of FGM? By the way, FGM means female genital mutilation.

Questions, questions… I know the easiest way to find out is to buy the CD and see things for myself, yes? No. I’m not buying any ‘kleetrees.’ I’ll just have to wait to hear its songs on Radio and watch any videos on TV. Yes, I’m smallminded like that. This is beginning to sound like a Facebook rant.

Truth is, I’m a Choc City/ Brymo fan. And like that child holding out hope (against hope, it seems) that his parents would reunite, I’ve been waiting to hear the ‘good news’ of Brymo’s return to Choc City. Yet, instead of a reconciliation, all I get is regurgitation. I bought Brymo’s last CD, Merchants and Dealers.

Wouldn’t say I was blown away.

It’s not about Brymo’s talent-he is uber talented. Perhaps, a Choc City touch could’ve added something extra. Who knows?

To refresh, we the ordinary viewers and listeners need informed commentary, analysis from entertainment reporters.

Someone, preferably someone who has real knowledge, needs to help the viewer put things in proper perspective. There ought to be more than ‘He said’, ‘She said’ reportage.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

EVENT

A Taste of Two Cities

Milano-restaurant private dining room

Vanessa Obioha

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hen Milano Restaurant opened business in 2013, it intrigued customers with its unique dining setting. Occupying the second floor of the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, its walls were lined with wine, cozy private dining room, intricate designs and Latin music pooled customers. It became a tourist attraction for guests who were not only fascinated by the edifice that housed the restaurant but beguiled by its sheer class and elegance.

Giving in to their curiosity, the restaurant soon became the go-to restaurant for Italian meals. The rich exotic wine list and mouth-watering cuisine added to the spellbinding experience.

Named after the exquisite city of Milan in Italy, home to iconic designs

and high-end dining, Milano prided itself in offering its high-end guests the best Italian dishes in a very classy ambience. From breads to pizzas to pastas, the true Italian experience is on offer.

However, a recent visit to the restaurant shows a change in their menu.

Understanding the diversity of Lagos and the rich flavour of Nigerian dishes, the restaurant experimented by adding local flavours to their Italian dishes. The result is a tasty harmony of flavours from two countries.

The restaurant’s Chef Allam Sayed from Egypt leads his team of chefs to explore different Nigerian spices. For instance, there is Suya Pizza, Gizzard Pizza and asun (goat meat) pizza. Each of these is embellished with local spices, tenderly made, giving it a very brilliant combo on the palettes. The names further show the emerging relationship between the two countries.

The hotel’s Director of Food and Beverages Ahmed Raza sees the new

Amosun Commends Nigerian Drum Festival

S

atisfied with the outcome of the debut of the recent Nigerian Drum Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has directed that plans for the 2017 edition of the festival should commence immediately.

Amosun, who applauded the festival and commended all the artistes and troupes as well as the guests and the audience, publicly acclaimed the performances of Anu, the lady Ekwe, who is Nigeria’s only female Ekwe percussionist and Olo Omidan Bata, who is also Nigeria’s only female bata drummer; both of Atunda Entertainment.

He described their performance at the festival as not only entertaining but exceptionally creative and enchanting, adding that being ladies made it the more captivating and that their devotion to the art and the authentic talents displayed by the duo should be embraced and emulated by all especially the youths and young girls. He later honoured them at the executive dinner hosted by him at the government house.

The festival was full of pomp and pageantry with theatrical and enchanting performances on display by the various artistes and troupes, which attended the festival that recorded an amazing turn out and galaxy of personalities, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II who was accompanied by over 10 African envoys.

Besides the titillating and awesome performances put on by the various performers, a reflection of the rich and diverse performance culture and extensive repertoire of the various ethnic groups in Nigeria, masterfully embellished and crafted in the best tradition of the performing art, the occasion also attracted rich presentations by some notable culture, entertainment and tourism promoters, including the Founder and President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who suggested that the drum festival, which was making its first entrant to the cultural and entertainment landscape of the country, should be renamed African Drum Festival.

Chef Allam Sayed in kitchen

concept as meeting with their customers’ needs. “We notice Nigerians like their food to be spicy so we blend the key elements of Nigerian foods into our Italian meals, giving it the spicy feel that our diners want. It is an emerging relationship.”

He emphasised that the restaurant is deliberately designed to portray the Italian tradition. For example, diners could watch the chefs flip the dough when making the pizza as often seen in New York restaurants. Italian spices like the oregano; different wines are also on full display. Raza further revealed with a sense of humour his intention to serve palm-wine in the

restaurant.

However, one cannot ignore the budding marriage between the two countries. From that standpoint, it is evident that the restaurant is creating a unique dining experience that will pool locales. It has also incorporated the playing of Nigerian music to blend with the Latin music that endlessly whispers from the hidden loudspeakers.

Albeit, Milano still retains some of its traditional meals like the serving of bread -in this case- Focaccia with sauces like pesto for starters. Its pastas (farfella, penne rigate) are also creatively served, rich in Italian flavours.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MAY 22, 2016

ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION

Pregnant perspectives by Zemaye Okediji ter images that blur the lines between perception and reality. Her aquatic expressions tapped from personal emotions were interpreted in mesmerizing images. The works are deep and thought-provoking; representing opportunities and barriers within natural and imagined intellectual landscapes.

She was also at the preview to shed more light on the works in the ways her strobe lights could not.

Her underwater photography in itself pushes the boundaries for a female who has stereotypical societal roles. In her work titled “Iceberg”, a female model emerges from the pool of water while in one of the untitled series, another model is caught in the whirlwind of terrestrial existence. “In a way, the journey of the woman is set in water that is bound only by whatever contains it, reinforces the notion that boundaries only exist in our minds and inspires a conversation about distinction in a way that reflects the very bias that it seeks to challenge,’’ said Okediji Based in Brussels, Obiageli Okigbo brings back history with her collection of monumental figures in Africa. In the series titled, “Female Heroes”, this artist who is incidentally the late poet, Christopher Okigbo’s daughter, evokes the memories of leading women of courage, intellect and sense of purpose. These include the singer-songwriter and civil rights activist, Mariam Makeba; the Nobel Laureate Waagari Maathai; the warrior queen of Hausa, Amina Mohamud amongst others. Okigbo also is inspired by her father’s poems and it’s no surprise how these have found their way into her creative expressions.

On her part, Nnenna Okorie who is a Professor of Art at the North Park University, Chicago brings a different feel to the show with her ceramic and mixed media techniques. Her drawings on hand and paper as well as her hanging burlap speak on human labour and the effect on her material world. The artist’s perspective seems to suggest a Marxist interpretation of the exhibition theme.

For Nigeria’s celebrity/ fashion photographer and singer, TY Bello, the exhibition was long-overdue for her to express self in a unique experience for the viewer of her works. Her super impositions provoked some gender debate at the preview whereas her intention with the work titled Intercessions was to show what connects all, regardless of age, gender or social status. Interestingly too, the Intersection features another female Nigerian artist based in France, Asa. The more you look at the works, the less you see the actual images because the mental images offer more profound statements.

The leading female artist and owner of Nike Art Gallery, Chief Nike DaviesOkundaye, sinks the adire motif into her world of her works. Asides her contribution to this show, Okundaye had promoted women empowerment by facilitating workshops in rural areas such as Oshogbo.

Her work in beads, “Celebration’’ is a large portraiture of everyday heroes and it occupies a very prominent space in the gallery and hopefully, a special place in viewers’ hearts.

Karin Troy, an American artist who had lived two decades in West Africa is showcasing her wearable art at this group exhibition. Placed on mannequins clad in designer wears, the works have such

Imadode 1 by Taiye Idahor

aesthetic pull that ignites interest and then brings the contention of whether her works were only capable of making fashion statements or exploring deeper

meanings around the theme.

The show which runs till August 15 is sponsored by UBS, the Swiss International Bank and luxury house Moet Henessey.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

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CICERO/ISSUE

Members of Nigeria Labour Congress and Civil Society Organisations protesting over inhuman increase in petrol price in Abuja

The Strike this Time

Afterseveralweeksofthreatsandclosed-doortalksbetweenlabourandgovernmentovertheincreaseintheprice of petrol, labour embarked on a strike last week, but with a divided house. Paul Obi writes on the flow of events

S

ince last year, when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, organised labour has been facing daunting challenges in confronting what it called the “scorch-earth policy” of the government. To compound the matter, government introduction of several policies, some of them, a complete summersault from its glamorous campaign promises, has taken the frosty relationship between it and labour to the precipice.

Added to that, the standard of living of almost every Nigerian has taken a downward turn, as economic hardship pervades the landscape. Government’s desire to source more funds to pursue its programmes has led to increments in the prices of goods and services.

This has tended to draw the battle line between labour and government.

Increment

Since its assumption of office, the Buhari administration has displayed a penchant for increment in the prices of goods and services. The government argues that there is need to make such increase and the aim is not to punish citizens.

Setting a preamble for the recent turn of events, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,

while speaking to a group of businessmen during the Ogun State Investment Forum, said: “I think that we are at a point that a lot has been said about subsidies and what to do with subsidies. I think we are at a point where we must make many difficult decisions and make very tough choices.

“But I think the Nigerian people are prepared for all what is required and all it would take to make a real difference. In no way can a country make the kind of progress we expect it to make without being able to ensure that in public life our finance system is transparent and would ensure that there is accountability.

“Our Ministry of Finance has been putting in place a system that would ensure accountability. It would ensure that public funds are accounted for and that the country is not exposed to some of the kinds of huge corruption that we had seen over the past few years.”

The petrol price increase came barely two months after government increased electricity tariffs amid worsening electricity supply across the country.

The hike was effected in disregard of an existing court order mandating the federal government and organised labour to return to the status quo.

But with the increase in petrol pump price, there has been a spiral effect on commodities, goods and services,

affecting mainly the aviation, transport, industrial, manufacturing sectors.

‘Ambush’

Prior to May 11, when the increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit was announced, tension between labour and government was already obvious from various disagreements on policies. But the meeting that fateful day at the instance of the vice president was a game changer. After the meeting, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who briefed journalists, said, “We have just finished a meeting of various stakeholders presided over by His Excellency, the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The meeting had in attendance the leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives, the governors’ forum, and labour unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG and PENGASSAN).”

He added that the meeting reviewed the current fuel scarcity and the exorbitant prices paid by Nigerians for the product, saying, “These prices range on average from N150 to N250 per litre currently.”

Kachikwu revealed that the meeting also noted that the main reason for the current problem was the inability of importers of petroleum products to source foreign exchange at the official rate due to the massive decline of

foreign exchange earnings resulting from low oil prices. As a result, private marketers had been unable to meet their approximate 50 per cent portion of total national supply of petrol.

He stated, “Following a detailed presentation by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, it has now become obvious that the only option and course of action now open to the government is to take the following decisions: “In order to increase and stabilise the supply of the product, any Nigerian entity is now free to import the product, subject to existing quality specifications and other guidelines issued by the regulatory agencies.”

Labour viewed this tactics as an ambush by government to hoodwink the masses and browbeat organised labour into submission to the hike. They argued that they were only invited for a meeting, without any agenda in mind.

According to NLC Secretary General, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, who attended the meeting, labour leaders were invited to a meeting at the State House, but the letter did not specify what the meeting was all about.

Ozo-Eson told THISDAY, “Of course, we received a letter from the Office of the Vice-President for a meeting. We attended the meeting and a presentation was made by the Minister of State for

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

CICERO/ISSUE • The STrike ThiS Time • Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

“We listened to the presentation, but said that we have to reach other organs of NLC, as it is our organs that will decide what direction we will take.”

Many within labour were disappointed with the approach, as they reasoned that there was no consultation before the decision was made. With this perceived betrayal, labour proceeded to declare a strike to protest against the increase in petrol pump price.

Division

At the negotiating table, the federal government led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, made known government’s resolve to increase fuel price as solution to the slump in crude oil prices. Lawal contended that the price increment had also been prompted by the need for government to meet its funding needs for development and infrastructural projects.

But for labour, it was a house divided against itself.

While Joe Ajaero and Igwe Achese led the pack of oil and electricity workers, Ayuba Wabba led the central body of unions housed by NLC. Government seized the opportunity of this gulf among the unions to have its ways in various ways. Knowing that the Ajaero group, though a small arm of organised labour, wields much influence in the energy and power sectors, government aligned with the group to deal a big blow to the emergence of a unified and common labour front. At the end, Ajaero went with government, while Wabba reluctantly headed to the streets for a strike.

Weak Protest

Out of the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, 11 states stayed away from the strike, while the rest participated in a dilly-dallying manner. In Abuja, where Wabba led the protest, workers resumed at their duty posts after the SGF gave a warning order of “no work, no pay”. The protest mostly took place at Berger Roundabout, and then Area One Roundabout. With a divided union, the protest failed to gathered momentum. Though, there were success stories from many of the states, that the strike and protest made little impact in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, the three most strategic cities, was a bad omen for labour. It is one bitter and sad experience organised labour will not forget soon. The consequence of a divided house bites hard, staring labour officials in the faces.

Enter Oshiomhole

Of all the dramatis personae fighting hard in favour of fuel price increase and subsidy removal, and those opposing it, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole seems to be the most controversial.

Oshiomhole, a former NLC president and textile workers’ leader, at the inception of the Fourth Republic, fought the government to a standstill on several policies. He was always quick to call any court injunction aimed at stopping his planned strikes then a “black market” injunction.

But between 2011 and 2012, Oshiomhole, now a governor, moved close to becoming enemy number one to the Jonathan government. In one of the forums where subsidy removal was vehemently opposed, Oshiomhole, popularly known among his people as “O’talk, O’do”, lampooned the Jonathan

Labour leaders addressing the crowd

government’s decision to tinker with petroleum subsidy, arguing, “the adoption of economic policies of international monetary bodies, including currency devaluation, removal of price controls and fuel subsidy, cuts in public spending on social programmes would inhibit human and capital development of Nigerians.”

Oshiomhole added, “it is noteworthy that the Head of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team and Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, came from the World Bank/IMF stable.” He stated that such polices were “predicted that the ultimate result of the planned removal of oil subsidy would bring about prosperity for the already developed countries, intensify poverty, unemployment and brain drain for developing countries, such as Nigeria. This cannot be said to be conducive to national growth.”

Oshiomhole further stated Jonathan’s economic strategies, which placed much emphasis on opening up the nation’s economy to the global market, may eventually lead to stagnation, capable of breeding conflicts and revolution.

Today, however, the Edo State governor is a federal government negotiator for petrol price increase. He sits as the head of the negotiating team. He told labour unions demanding reversal of government policies, “You’ve organised strikes and those strikes have not helped in increasing wages. So it is time to make tough choices. The president is socially concerned but the fundamentals have changed.”

Buhari also told journalists, “I have already said it that our party, APC does not believe in it (subsidy removal). Let them wipe out corruption and we will

…The House Position Damilola Oyedele

U

nlike in 2012 when the House of Representatives under Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal took a clear position on the removal of subsidy and sided with the people, the current House chose to play safe. Although it convened a special session, like the seventh House, the eighth House on Monday, set up a committee to interface with the labour unions and stakeholders in the oil sector. It said this was based on the need to properly discuss with stakeholders to allow the lawmakers take an informed decision on the removal.

The House chose this route after a closed-door session, apparently, in order not to be regarded as anti-people and not to be seen to be opposing a policy that is critical to development of the sector. Most of the lawmakers were in support of subsidy removal. Some of them publicly declared their support for

the removal including majority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who in 2012 had opposed the removal of fuel subsidy. Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor and several members of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus also supported the removal.

Before the closed-door session, however, the PDP caucus staged a protest, delaying the admittance of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, into the chambers.

Kachikwu had been summoned over the deregulation policy.

Waving flags, the caucus members sang “all we are saying, save Nigeria,” disrupting proceedings for about 20 minutes. Some of the members told THISDAY that the protest was not staged against deregulation, but to point out that the subsidy removal policy was the idea of the Goodluck Jonathan government, which was resisted by the same people now at the helm of affairs of in the country.

“When the PDP removed it in 2012, they kicked and it was reversed. They

live happily forever.”

The case of the Edo State governor goes beyond supporting subsidy. Oshiomhole had fiercely supported the Wabba group during the struggle for supremacy between Wabba and Ajaero. Today, Oshiomhole is a buddy to Ajaero, celebrating Ajaero and his group for putting the “nation’s interest” first, by supporting the government. The irony is that while Oshiomhole was in Abuja with the powers that be, negotiating for government, organised labour in Edo State shut the state and its economy, as they supported the Wabbaled NLC to strike.

Uncertain Times

The whole country is now divided over the fuel price hike and subsidy removal. The Wabba led protest group appeared to be gathering momentum with the turnout witnessed in Abuja. Yet, labour was so divided that unity in the nearest future was doubtful.

The federal government appears to be having the last laugh owing to the discord within organised labour. With the rising tensions in the Niger Delta and disruption of oil production, this federal government certainly needs organised labour on its side more.

The strike action by NLC may not be very effective due to the divisions within labour that the government is obviously exploiting. But many believe the federal government should not approach the current disagreements over petrol price and subsidy with a conquest mentality. Rather, it should open sincere channels of negotiation with all the major stakeholders with a view to reaching an acceptable settlement.

said there was no subsidy, that it did not exist. So are they removing what does not exist or they simply criticised for the sake of criticism,” a PDP member said.

The 18-man adhoc committee headed by the Chief Whip, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, met with the labour leaders on Tuesday.

In the interim report laid on Wednesday, the committee expressed support for the removal of fuel subsidy.

The committee, Doguwa said, sought to extract a commitment from organised labour to shelve the strike action, but they could do not provide a dedicated response, until they meet with their state chapters.

“They categorically reiterated the massive hardship inflicted on the Nigerian worker by the recent developments in the petroleum downstream sector, which included sky-rocketing prices in markets, both within and outside the oil and gas sector. They insisted on an assurance of reliable palliative measures to assuage the sufferings of the Nigerian workers,” Doguwa said. “The com-

mittee unequivocally stressed the support of the House in the present efforts of government in sanitising the petroleum sector, and noted that the palliatives already contained in the Appropriations Act 2016, would allay the fears of the general masses of our country, cushion the effect of the deregulation initiatives and create the necessary peaceful environment conducive for a more rapid growth and development.”

The Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, also met with the labour leaders on Thursday evening. Briefing newsmen after the closed-door meeting, Dogara said a living wage would reduce the harsh effects of the hike in pump price of petrol. He again appealed to labour to suspend the on-going strike.

“Workers should be paid a living wage. We appealed to labour to look into this issue again and do the right thing. We have to look at the national interest in all our actions in order to suspend this strike or call it off entirely”, Dogara stated.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Bulama: Cost of Boko Haram Havoc in Borno about N1.3trn Dr. Mohammed Bulama is the commissioner for Information in Borno State. In this interview with Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Michael Olugbode, he speaks on how the state has been coping with the humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram, a deadly group which made the state epicenter of its activities and what government is doing to ensure that displaced people return to their communities and live in peace

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here is a belief in some quarters that things are beginning to return to normalcy in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, is that true? Is it something we can take to the bank?

Definitely, things have gotten normal in Maiduguri for a long time now. Maiduguri has been an island of peace in Borno State, for some time now, since the advent of the Civilian JTF, that is the youth volunteers in May, 2013, when they were able to flush out the many cells that Boko Haram had in Maiduguri, at that time.

Maiduguri has largely been peaceful for this number of years.

Of course, there were a number of attempts by Boko Haram over the years-in 2013, 2014 and even 2015 to invade Maidiuguri. They made several attempts, that is true, but Maiduguri has largely been peaceful for these number of years. Things have gotten even better in the last few months. Definitely, I can say with confidence that Maiduguri is doing very well. It is largely peaceful. As you can see people are going about their businesses.

A lot of the road blocks and army check points that were in the city have been relaxed now. Perhaps, the only thing that somebody who has not visited Maiduguri in a long time would notice is that we still have a curfew regime which starts at 9.00pm until 6 in the morning. Other than that, Maiduguri is doing very well and even the other local government areas now are largely free of these dangerous elements.

How many of the 27 local governments are free of these dangerous elements would you say are enjoying the kind of normalcy that we have in Maiduguri?

For the kind of normalcy that we have in Maiduguri, there are not very many local government in the state that have it. In the sense of people going about their businesses, schools, banks opened and commercial activities and all other sort of activities, I am afraid for the moment, there are not many cities that you can say-there are towns like Biu, Shani in southern Borno, Bayo, those local governments, and now to some extent, Damboa.

In the north, it could be Yot and to some extent Mungono. That said, I need to emphasize the fact that all our local government areas, at least the local government headquarters have all been liberated from Boko Haram. The military is in control. It is just that the residents of many of these towns who had to flee from the attack of Boko Haram and are now resident in towns like Maiduguri have not gone back yet to these local government headquarters and towns and villages in the interior. That is because those places are not yet quite ready for the return of these people. That is the situation. At present, we don’t have any local government headquarters or any town occupied by Boko Haram. Of course, we have Boko Haram elements scattered in the bush and som{ places and the reason why we don’t have people in these towns yet is that we are still in the process of making those local governments and towns habitable.

What kind of pressure does that put on the capital city?

There is tremendous pressure on Maiduguri, there is no question about that. In the last three or four years, it would be safe to assume that the population of Maiduguri has more than doubled.

From what?

Let’s say from about one million to something over two million now, because the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who had to flee their homes and communities, many of them flocked into Maiduguri. Some of them live in the IDP camps, but most of them live in the host communities with the people.

Definitely, infrastructure and facility are overstretched.

Which facilities, for instance? Where have you felt the pressure most? Is it water supply, sanitation or what?

That would be water supply, sanitation, accommodation, you find homes meant for a small number of people, may be a family of three or four, now accommodates between 20 and 40 people. There is a lot of pressure, obviously on the economy, as well. You are talking about a lot of jobless people who just walk on the streets of Maiduguri. You can see that the town is filled to the brim. You see a lot of young people who don’t do anything roaming around. Many of them came from the local government areas. There is no question that the facilities are overstretched. Even in the market, you will see this reality staring you in the face.

Bulama Is that also not a security issue to have so many jobless young people in Maiduguri?

Obviously, it is a very serious problem. Too many people for so much facilities. That consititutes like a security danger. That could also account for the fact that the security agencies are themselves overstretched and are finding itdiddificult to control the people. That means that if, for instance, there was one police man to 100 people in Maiduguri before these crises, now you have one policeman to 200 people, that means crime would be more prevalent. We are not talking about mundane crime like stealing and armed robbery. We are talking about crime that border on terrorism. It is not a desirable situation. It is taking its toll on everybody-government, residents of the city. It is a very delicate situation.

At the executive council, you are counting the cost, in what area is government feeling the pinch most as a result of the insurgency?

It is the fact that our people are totally displaced. That means that the economy itself is completely dislocated. People are not able to engage in agricultural activities and commercial activities.

Homes in many towns and cities have been totally razed and our people are on the run. It is no longer business as usual in terms of governance because people can no longer carry out economic activities in their towns and villages, while government provides services to them, that alone constitutes a very serious problem. In terms of service delivery, it is a huge problem for us.

We have had cases where one hospital or one school has been built three or four times over. You build it with so much money and the next day, it is burnt. That is taking a lot of toll on our lean resources. It means that we have had to commit resources where we necessarily did not have to.

The area that it is most obvious now is in the resultant forced emigration of people into Maiduguri. It has brought a lot of

Photos by Kunle Ogunfuyi dislocation to the city. We have the feeding of the IDPs. The cost of taking care of them alone is enormous. At a point, we were spending close to half a billion Naira every month, at the height of the crisis. At that time, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was not assisting us. The whole burden was on the state government. That means a lot of resources that should have been used for development was diverted to taking care of IDPs. For a state like Borno that is a non-oil producing state, it meant that when we get our allocation, we pay salaries and the rest is spent on looking after the IDPs. That is what it virtually boiled down to at a point. Thank God that we now have some relief. It is not as bad as it used to be because NEMA has taken a lot of the burden off our shoulders. They are catering for the IDPs. Another area of concern is that our children in public schools are not able to go to school because the school premises are used as IDP camps, there are close to 10 of this type of schools primary and secondary schools» What is the volume of water you supplied before and what is the volume that you need now and with metric disposal, what is the metric tons of refuse you now have to deal with?

Honestly I would have to find out from my colleagues in charge of those areas. Nigerians are not very good at keeping data. I am sure my colleagues would know better. I may not have the figures but I know definitely that things have increased manifold.

Are there industries that had to shut down in Borno State as a result of the insurgency?

Continued on Pg.76

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Ensign: FG Should Make Groups With Good Knowledge of Local Communities Pivot of North-east Reconstruction Policy For a university founded on the core principles of learning and development, the American University of Nigeria, located in the North-east state of Adamawa, could not have found a better location.The development challenges in the zone have worsened considerably since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009, and AUN has been involved in the search for solutions.The institution recently held a graduation ceremony for 209 students in its class of 2016. President of AUN, Dr. Margee Ensign, tells Onyebuchi Ezigbo how the school has been using education to rebuild lives and livelihoods. Excerpts:

A

UN is one institution that takes great in trying to transform people through a technologydriven learning system.

How does the school do this?

I think it has already started actually and I think it’s fair to say we are building the Nigeria Silicon valley and it is not in Lagos, it’s in Yola. We are graduating young people who can write apps that the world is looking for. They have done it through our Technology Enhanced Learning for All (TELA) programme. They also teach thousands of children out of school. We do massive training in the city because it is not just about our students; it is about ensuring that this community has access to technology. Few days ago, we graduated 300 people in Yola, which include gardeners, farmers, drivers and you may be wondering why they will want access to technology. They do because farmers can get information about prices, where they can sell their cows and get the most money. It is really our vision not to only develop the technology but to ensure that everybody, even the poorest, have access to the world’s knowledge that is on the net. Sometimes, innovation happen in funny places, you would expect it in Lagos or any other big cities, but it is happening here.

Is your institution partnering with other state governments in the North east?

We are actually partnering with every university in Nigeria. The Vice Chancellor of the Maiduguri university and Adamawa State University were here and they said they would like to be doing what we are doing. So our teaching and training people out of school is not just on tablets but with apps and they said if we could get them through with the work books, they would do the same thing.

Think about it, if we could get all the major universities in this region to do what we are doing, I believe we can wipe out illiteracy in two to three years.

Are you partnering with relevant agencies in connection with the federal government’s reconstruction agenda for the North-east?

I was asked to testify in the House Committee on IDPs last week but, unfortunately, after announcing two days of hearing, they only held one. Some of us were ready to testify but I was only allowed to submit a written statement and what I encouraged them to do is to work with actors like the AUN Adamawa Peace Initiative, who have structures now in the North-east, and local community leaders who really know who needs the help. This is not the moment for people who don’t need help to take it. It is really important that the funding from the federal government is channelled properly. The EU and US were here and we helped the UN with their NEEDS assessment.

Increasingly, Adamawa Peace Initiative is seen as honest brokers and people with good local knowledge. I hope and pray that the federal government reaches out to groups like ours and even the civil society organisations. They really have lots of knowledge of the local community.

Ensign What are some of the activities the Adamawa Peace Initiative has been involved in?

It was formed in 2012 and before the insurgency got worse we had trained about 10,000 young people, elderly people, vulnerable people on information technology, literacy, women entrepreneurship. We were building this programme when the IDPs started to come into Yola. At the height of the insurgency, we were feeding every week 276,263 people.

For 18 months, that is all we did. Now, we are able to get back to some other important projects and the really important one is that we have begun reconciliation efforts.

Communities have asked us to come and get people back together because in past, neighbours were against neighbours. We were in Michika recently working with religious leaders, women, children in school who were calling themselves hate names and making hate speeches and it could be the beginning of things starting again. We have done reconciliation work. Last week, the US government reached out to me to know if I would assist the state government in delivering 100,000 seeds to vulnerable people in the North-east. It will be done in weeks because the rains have started.

They want to use us because they trust us to identify the vulnerable people. Members of the AUN can say, in this community, here are the

20 families who have nothing and so on. Once the seeds come in, we are in charge of giving them to the right people. I think that is a very effective use of our peace initiative.

Do you have a target in terms development in Adamawa State and, indeed, the North-east?

First of all, let’s think of how this university was started by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, who came here to Yola. He had American Peace Corp teachers here and he started thinking, American education is different, it is focused on problem solving. People ask, why Yola? Of course, it should be here. It is a developing university and this is where it belongs, this is where the challenges are the greatest. So, we are very proud to be here and there is no doubt, we are making a huge impact. If you look at the economic impact of this university, $100 million is pumped into this region yearly. Who else is doing that with the people we employ? We buy from this community to build these building, the contract you see coming are all local. So the economic impact is huge. The social impact is also huge.

We have trained a lot of people and we are right now training 750 women to have income of their own, to generate their own income through the Waste to Wealth programme. The educational impact is also huge and I know the

peacemakers kept alive 300,000 people because no one was here. Government was not here, the international community hadn’t responded.

I think these last four years have defined what it means to be a developing university. What is most important is that our students are out there, delivering food, teaching people how to read, teaching women how to have income and producing projects to keep their families going. There is much ahead. We are going to be using technology even more now as we go forward, not only in training people. We are getting ready to set up some incubators, that is how Silicon Valley did it and our best students will get some prizes to keep going here and to keep generating these great applications and so on. I think the future is very bright but it is really important you understand that none of this would have happened without His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar. He keeps the institution running, he pays the salaries, he keeps the light on. This is not about politics; this is about a man who is the biggest philanthropist in higher education in the world. There is no one contributing more to higher education.

What he does is extraordinary.

How are the rescued Chibok girls you accommodated here?

Continued on Pg. 76

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

CICERO/INTERVIEW • teCHnology Holds key to resolving nigeria’s development CHallenges •

nearest future?

My dream is that our students who have learnt begin to solve problems on a grander scale. I hope that we can take on lack of educational access in other states. I also hope that we get more external funding to expand our work.

When our School of Law opens in August, it will be the first in Nigeria to be focused on gender, environment and humanitarian law.

Those students will go out from our legal clinic and provide legal advice to prisoners, to those who have been charged, to those who don’t have any legal recourse. I just see us growing and expanding and my hope and dream is for us to have a medical school.

Guess who sang the national anthems, I didn’t tell you, that was them. Those beautiful young women on the stage sang the anthems. They formed a singing group.

They are extraordinary; they are excelling in their academics, the fact that they have the confidence to stand in front of 4,000 people to sing the national anthem shows that they are doing well and we have 27 of them with us out of the 58 that escaped.

What do you think is wrong with Nigerian education system?

I think what is important is the demographics. Nigeria is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Nigeria’s population is at 180 million now. Do you know where the population will be in the next 26 years?

Just double it and that will make Nigeria 360 million. How are you going to educate those kids? It is really important that your policy makers think about it because the other piece of statistics that is really unfortunate is that you have more children out of school than any other country in the world. You have 14 million and now with the insurgency, two million more. Do you think you have time to do it the traditional way? That is what the policymakers are saying. They are saying you should build schools, train teachers but the fact is that many of the children in schools now don’t get an education that will prepare them to have an income or prepare them to be productive citizens of the country. I really believe there is only one way to do it and that is technology and that is why we are pioneering the use of technology in Yola and the North-east. The solution for Nigeria’s rapidly growing population and for education is technology. We can do it well, it is not the second best solution, I think if we do it well, Nigeria will leapfrog. If we don’t do it in the traditional way, we are going to teach these kids how to learn by accessing information, by having critical thinking skills to evaluate things and they will be the model for the world. But we are not there yet because we don’t have approval to do those things and that is why someone needs to shakeup the people at the top really hard.

What kind of approval are you seeking?

Continued from Pg. 75

Ensign No university in Nigeria right now can do distance learning programmes but the rest of the world are doing it. I would love to have the approval to offer this education in a blended format in every major city in this country so that people can learn both online and in person. The research shows that it is the best way to do it. It is not the second best solution to use technology but the best but the policy makers are not there yet. The distance learning programme will be at all levels if approved.

We have a programme called Feed and Read.

It is the children on the street who are learning how to read, half of them are listening to radio while half are on tablet computers. The schools are like this and this is why the US government said I should do it all over the region because the kids learn in months. With the programme, the children read well, they have confidence and that is how you are going to change Nigeria quickly and you must do it

quickly because you don’t have a lot of time and if you don’t educate the two million who are out of school in the North-east plus the 14 million who are already out of school, you are going to have social unrest for a very long time. These people must have education, they must learn how to have income, they must learn new skills. We are basically doing model projects in Yola and it will scale them up to the North-east and then they can go anywhere in the country.

The needed approvals may have legal implications. Do you have synergy with representatives of the people in the National Assembly who can help to push for the approvals?

I do and the Senate asked me to put together a document and I think the Senate hearing will be in a few weeks’ time.

What is your dream for AUN in the

What are some of the challenges you face?

We don’t look on them as challenges. I have to say that when I looked out of the door in 2014 and this city doubled in population and we had so many hungry people at the gate, we had employees saying 20 people were living with them and a driver even had up to 50 people. It was at the help of His Excellency who said, do not let anyone in Yola go hungry because the truth is, the international communities were not here then. No one was here, and people started coming to AUN. That was a moment to take a very deep breath and say, how can we feed these people. We came together with community leaders, religious leaders, women and we raised money. The founder gave us money, the US gave us a little hope and we were able to feed those people for 18 months because once we began, we could not stop. They didn’t go to the camps; they stayed in the university community, which is what kept them alive. We were very poor but we still kept those people alive for 18 months. It was a scary few months and as time got closer, we kept this university going because I felt as long as we could do it, then it wasn’t a threat and we will not walk out the door because if we do, then they (insurgents) will win and then we will shut down the major university. I am really proud of everybody who is here. Also, we learned a lot and we really transformed from this process and our students are the best reflection of AUN.

• Bulama: Cost of Boko Haram HavoC in Borno aBout n1.3trn • Continued from Pg. 74 I know that many businesses have had to close. We didn’t really have many big industries. We had some government owned industries like the Borno Clay Factory, the wire and nail factory and the insurgency has taken a toll on those. At a stage, Maiduguri was cut off from the national grid. That means many of these factories couldn’t operate.

For how many years?

At one stretch, for over six months. There was no power supply. People had to be laid off. We had a lot of small scale businesses, semi-small scale, oil mills, rice mills owned by individuals that had to close down, Many were directly destroyed by the insurgents. Others had to close down because just getting access to Maiduguri became a problem, at a point-flights were suspended, the roads were not passable because of security concerns. Many of the local governments shut down completely. Whatever economic activities were going on in those places ceased.

Borno State is the major gateway to East, Central and North Africa from Nigeria. Our neighbours in Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Niger and Central Africa Republic rely a lot on Nigeria so when the roads became impassable, that means all the business activities taking place on these routes had to cease. These has taken its toll on life-stock There was a particular time government had to stop some of its agricultural projects, can you let us into what really happened?

We have not resuscitated that particular one in Mate because it is very difficult to get to Mate for security concerns. A lot of the roads are still mined, We need anti-mining activities by the military to take place. That is a largely no-go area. The Borno State government has invested heavily in agriculture, we have bought so many agricultural equipment. We have 750 40-ft containers of modern agricultural stuff in our warehouses which we have started to deploy in safe areas. Some agricultural activities

are beginning. Green houses are being installed right now in safe and secure places around Maiduguri. Very soon, we will start deploying the factories and the rice mills and the oil mills.

We have already commenced reconstruction efforts.

The state government has created a ministry that is completely devoted to that, the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement. This was created about eight months ago. The budget for this year is called Budget of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement. I know it is a budget of N120 billion. The whole budget is not allocated to that ministry alone, but it is major beneficiary of the budget and it is doing a lot of work already.

We have some agro-allied industries that are already coming on stream. We have a two billion Naira factory for the production of pipes. That factory should come on stream before May, God willing. A new industrial park is being constructed. All of these are in Maiduguri. We have a factory for recycling of plastic waste. A lot of activities are going on in the area of job creation.

Has Borno State been left alone, you did not talk about assistance from individuals, corporate citizens, international bodies and the federal government?

I was going to come to that. They have done tremendously for us. All we can do is to thank them. No words are enough to express our deep appreciation to the international community and the federal government for what they have done in the area of humanitarian assistance at the IDP camps. Apart from NEMA, we have all these donor agencies and international humanitarian organisations like UNICEF, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and the like.

Now that peace is beginning to return, the UN, the World Bank and the EU have come in a big way with the North East Recovery and Building Assessment. This will assess the damage that have taken place. It is a highly scientific exercise. It is about to end. They have

what we used to be.

It is difficult to determine the extent of damage, it is still going on. In Borno State alone, the quantum of damage that has been wrought is something in the region of N1.3 trillion, we have done some assessment with the World Bank. The figures are not yet final, but it is that huge.

When it comes to states, some of them readily come to mind. I know that Kano supported Borno. At the risk of not mentioning other states. Lagos did. There was a time all the APC governors came to Borno and all of them donated some money. Banks have contributed along with individuals, They are too numerous to mention.

Bulama

seen for themselves. Assessment has been done from information coming in from all the local government areas. They have carried out remote sensing activities by themselves. In the meantime, they are already providing assistance in the camps and in liberated communities.

They are assisting us in the area of education, health, livelihood and so on. They are already doing a lot of wonderful work but they are looking to come in a bigger way in the area of reconstruction. They are committed to helping the north east with billions of dollars.

I also want to talk about the effort of the federal government which has already put in place the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE). They are doing a lot of work.

There is also the Victim Support Fund which is under the administration of Gen. TY Danjuma and Alhaji Aliko Dangote. They have invested a lot. They intend to invest a lot. After consultation with stakeholders, they are about to reveal their big plan for the north east, like a blue print for the reconstruction of the north east. They are already working on that. We look forward to the federal government stepping in to spend billions of Naira to bring us back better than

Have you been able to figure out how Borno got into this situation and what can be done to prevent reoccurrence?

By now we should be reflecting on the causes and the consequences of these crises.

The governor has said many times, it boils down largely to the failure of leadership, at all levels. Families abdicated their responsibilities, in terms of bringing up their children, government at local, state and the federal government shied away from their responsibility. There is no question that leaders and I am not exonerating myself (when you talk of leadership, you don’t have to be in government), leadership has played a very critical role in this.

Other aspects of these include the total collapse of our value system. It is not something that is unique to Borno. It is a national problem.

The other contributory factor is excruciating poverty, ignorance and illiteracy. Unfortunately, all these came at a time when the question of bad governance also played a role. Poverty is not unique to Borno, it is a Nigerian problem, especially in the north combining with the neglect of education, although these factors are there in other parts of the country, they did not coincide in a situation where very bad leadership presided over these conditions.

(See concluding part on www. thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

CICERO/REPORT

With Rescued Chibok Girls, a Renewed Hope Amina Ali Nkeki and Serah Luka, two of the 217 schoolgirls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok on 14 April, 2014 by Boko Haram, was rescued last Wednesday and Thursday respectively from the fringes of Sambisa Forest, more than two years after their abduction, thus raising hope for the return of other girls, write Tobi Soniyi and Michael Olugbode

W

hen the news broke, it took many by surprise.

Not a few doubted it until photographs of Amina Ali Nkeki, one of the 217 schoolgirls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok on 14 April, 2014 by Boko Haram began to trend on the cyberspace. Coming a couple of weeks after a false report that one of the Chibok girls had been located in Cameroon, and the hurriedly written press release by the military last Wednesday giving the name of the rescued girl as Falmata Mbalala, instead of Amina Nkeki, the initial doubts about the authenticity of Amina’s rescue were not unfounded. It however turned out to be true. But just as the joy of her rescue filled the Chibok community, there were also mixed feelings. The disclosure by her that six of the abducted girls were dead sent a pall of grief across the community. Also the realisation that a girl who was barely 17 when she was abducted was found with a four month old baby was a sad indication of the condition of others still missing.

Amina was rescued by troops of 25 Brigade Damboa in conjunction with Civilian JTF deployed in Baale, near Damboa. A man suspected to be her abductor, Mohammed Hayatu, who claimed to be her ‘husband,’ was also arrested with her.

Both were brought to Headquarters 25 Task Force Brigade Damboa, while Amina and her baby later underwent medical examination.

Barely 24 hours later, another abducted Chibok School girl, Serah Lukah, was rescued by the joint effort of troops of 231 Battalion, 331 Artillery Regiment (AR), Detachment of Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) 2, Explosive Ordinance (EOD) Team and Civilian Vigilante group of Buratai while conducting clearance operations at Shettima Aboh, Hong and Biladdili general area in Damboa.

A statement by the military said Miss Serah Luka, who is number 157 on the list of the abducted school girls, is believed to be the daughter of Pastor Luka. The statement also said Serah disclosed during debriefing that she was a JSS1 student of the school at the time they were abducted.

The statement by the military also disclosed that Serah, who was immediately taken to the medical facility at Abogo Largema Cantonment, Biu for medical attention, said there were other three girls who fled from Shettima Aboh when the troops invaded the area on Thursday.

The rescue of the two girls has raised hope that others may soon be reunited with their families because of the vital information that may have been provided by them as the military continues with the ongoing operations inside Sambisa forest - the last stronghold of Boko Haram.

The President Receives Amina

At about 3p.m. last Thursday, Amina arrived the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock. She had been flown into Abuja in a presidential jet.

Amina was rescued by a vigilante group in a village on the fringes of Sambisa forest last Tuesday.

Amina was brought to the villa by the governor of Borno State Kashim Shetima amidst tight security.

The girl came with her four month old baby and her parents. She was shielded from journalists as she was ushered into President Muhammadu Buhari’s office.

At first, she was taken to the State House Banquet Hall, but when it dawned on her escorts that Buhari would receive her in his office, they quickly made a detour and headed for the president’s office. In the midst of this confusion, journalists from across the world who had come to capture the visit embarked on a hot chase of Amina trying to get a good shot.

The drama did not end there. In what appeared to be a prepared list, journalists were called into the president’s office to cover the meeting with the president. Sadly, the mentality of giving preference to foreign media which was thought to have been discarded long time ago was reignited as the State House gave preference to foreign media organisa-

President Buhari receiving Amina and her baby at the Villa

Serah...the second girl rescued tions to the detriment of local media who were always in the State House to report presidential activities.

According to those who had the privilege to be in the president’s office while Amina met Buhari, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, spoke first.

He said: “We are here for an event that is a watershed in the history of our country.

Yesterday when the refreshing news came out we immediately sent a presidential jet to the state to fetch the girl who by now has become a mother and the girl is here with her baby, her mother and her brother. They are here so that you can officially receive them and rejoice with them.”

Praises for Buhari

Also at the meeting were Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, Defence Minister, Mansur Dan Ali, and other dignitaries.

Shettima spoke next. He praised the President saying, “Your patience, persistence, perseverance, doggedness for the restoration of peace in the north east has started to yield dividend.”

According to him, one year ago nobody could venture out of Maiduguri beyond 15 kilometers.

Maiduguri, he said, was on the verge of falling into the hands of demented monsters called Boko Haram.

“We were under siege until God in his infinite mercies intervened with your emergence as president,” he added.

He described the abduction of Chibok girls as the tilting point.

He said: “The abduction of the Chibok girls was the point the world woke up from her slumber when the conscience of the world got pricked. We have to thank you for your efforts in the north east.

“Boko Haram are now on the defensive and on the run and I am pleased to tell the whole world that not a single local government in Borno or in Yobe or Adamawa is under the control of Boko Haram.

“They have been sufficiently degraded and now they have resorted to suicide bombing which is a sign of weakness.

“With mix feelings, with happiness mixed with sadness because 218 girls are not accounted for but a journey of a thousand miles starts with single steps and the recovery of Amina Ali is a sign of greater things to come as our gallant troops engaged in the counter insurgency operations especially in the Sambisa and the shores of the Lake Chad.”

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali also spoke. He relished the moment when he said, “What we are celebrating today is your political commitment and support which has given major boost to the success of the fight against terrorism.”

According to him, the change of military leadership at the inception of the administration injected new ideas and vigour into the military administration.

He said: “Consequently Sir, the Armed Forces of Nigeria achieved tremendous success by ensuring that the safety of lives and property and protection of territorial integrity of our country.

“This operation crack down is offensive operation within operation Lafia Dole which started on the 28th of April. It was aimed at clearing Sambisa forest, the haven of Boko Haram terrorists. In that operation we have been able to clear a lot of villages, 20 villages have been cleared in the last 22 days of this operation.

“We have also rescued over 150 in this operation since it started among which we separated our Chibok girl, Amina Ali. “The officers and men of the Armed Forces have actually been involved in this operation.

“In these 22 days we have lost about 7 soldiers, 3 due to enemy action and IEDs, one accidental during clearing of IEDs, and 3 as a result of road

traffic accidents. We have also had some troops injured and they are responding to treatment.

“We have counted close to about 69 killed in action and we have also captured equipment and also bombed some of their own platform.”

The President Assures Amina of Support

In his response, Buhari gave an assurance that Amina would return back to school to complete her education after undergoing necessary medical attention to reintegrate her back into the society.

Buhari, who expressed mixed feelings at the recovery of the girl, who had already been forced into marriage by the insurgents, also promised to ensure that Amina get the best of medical attention.

The president said: “Like others all over the world, I’m delighted that Amina Ali one of the missing Chibok girls has regained her freedom .

But my feeling is tinged with deep sadness and horrors the girl had had to go through at such an early stage in her life. ”Although we cannot do anything to reverse the horrors of her past, the federal government can and will do everything possible to ensure that the rest of her life take a completely different course.

“Amina will get the best care that the Nigerian government can afford, we will ensure that she gets the best medical, emotional and whatever care that she requires to get full recovery and be integrated into the society.

“Yesterday, medical personnel from government and other NGOs examined her for a total of about five hours. Trauma experts from UNICEF also met her. The FG will assist the Murtala Mohammed Foundation which has already been providing support for the families of the missing Chibok girls and which runs a truama and counseling faciity in Kano will also be involved in the ongoing work with Amina in monitoring her progress and any additional support she requires. ”For the continuation of Amina’s education, so abruptly disrupted, will definitely be a priority of the federal government. Amina must be able to go back to school. Nobody in Nigeria should be put through the brutality of forced marriage. Every girl has a right to education and their choice of life.

“Rest assured that this administration will continue to do what it can to rescue the Chibok girls who are still in Boko Haram’s captivity.

Amina’s rescue gives us new hope and offers a unique opportunity to vital information.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

CICERO/ISSUE

PDP Congresses of Crisis The recent meetings by the PDP to elect new state executives and resolve disagreements in the party have seemed to create new divisions, reports Onyebuchi Ezigbo

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n line with efforts to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party after a woeful performance at the polls last year, the national leadership of the party decided to take the first step of trying to organise credible congresses nationwide. The party fixed April 25 as date for the commencement of elective congresses in 33 states of the federation, leaving out three states, Edo, Ondo and Kogi states.

A statement issued by the national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to announce the state congresses, read, “In view of the resolve of the leadership of the PDP to enthrone and sustain internal democracy within our fold, and in line with the decision of the National Executive Committee on the exemption of states with on-going congresses as well as non-contentious states from the forthcoming congresses, the National Working Committee hereby announces that only three states, namely, Kogi, Ondo and Edo states are exempted from the congresses.”

Metuh said the remaining 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory will be involved in elective congresses starting April 25.

Controversial Congress Committees

But even before the party came up with the list of congress committees, allegations had started flying that the compositions were anything but fair. Despite efforts by the national headquarters of the PDP to explain that nothing of such happened, some of the stakeholders who had entrenched interests came to the national secretariat to protest the membership of the committees. They alleged that some of the compositions that were skewed against them.

The leadership of the party did not help matters, as it failed to start the process of composition of the congress committees early. In some cases, the lists of members of the congress committees were still being made less than 24 hours to the commencement of the congress.

As a result, notifications on the composition of the committees were sent out very late, with some of the lists being published on the day the congresses were to start. For instance, some of the states, like Anambra and Borno, had their committees published after the exercise had commenced. The result was that many of the stakeholders hardly knew those appointed to organise the congresses, while others took advantage of the ensuing confusion to corner the election materials for their own selfish purposes.

Some of PDP leaders alleged that the committees appointed by the national secretariat were hijacked by some politicians to ensure that they do their bidding during the congress. There were also allegations that members of congress committees were made up of loyalists of some politicians who on the congress day prevented others from opposing camps from getting forms to contest for positions, and simply wrote results to favour their benefactors.

In some of the states, there were court injunctions that restrained the committees set up for the congresses, while in others the battle lines were drawn, with two parallel state executive councils of the party in place even before the arrival of the congress committees.

Those who felt aggrieved with the outcome of the congresses have accused the leadership of the party under the national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, of working in cahoots with serving PDP governors to hijack the

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Sheriff and Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose after a meeting party structures in the states.

Supremacy Battle

For states like Anambra, Imo and Lagos, where the state chapters of the party had been fictionalised even before the congresses, the congress committees found themselves in serious dilemma over which faction to work with. The case of Anambra State was particularly pathetic because even though the party was divided along political gladiators, such as former Governor Peter Obi, Senator Stella Odua, Senator Andy Ubah, and his brother, Chris Ubah, it was the Ubah brothers that were at each other’s throats over the composition of the congress committee.

The supremacy fight between the two brothers ensured that nothing fruitful came out of the state congress and it was scuttled. It was not only in Anambra that the fight for control of party structures during the congress was bitterly fought.

The story was the same for Adamawa,

But even before the party came up with the list of congress committees, allegations had started flying that the compositions were anything but fair. Despite efforts by the national headquarters of the PDP to explain that nothing of such happened, some of the stakeholders who had entrenched interests came to the national secretariat to protest the membership of the committees

Lagos, Osun and Sokoto states.

In Adamawa, former special adviser to the president, Ali Gulak, was accused of seeking to hijack the process. The congress committee members stormed the national secretariat of the PDP where they addressed journalists and alleged that they were almost kidnapped and practically prevented from conducting the congress by political thugs sponsored by contending forces in the state chapter of the party.

Similarly, in the South-west, key stakeholders of the PDP were in disagreement over the conduct of the zonal congress, with each group brandishing the list of its own candidates for the positions allocated to the zone. The matter led to a faceoff between the national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, and the governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. Both engaged in a verbal war over the propriety of going ahead with the zonal congress despite a court injunction restraining the party from doing that.

While the PDP scribe accused Fayose of causing confusion in the party, the governor questioned the powers of Oladipo to give directives in such matters. According to Fayose, the national secretary alone does not constitute the leadership of the party. “He is an interested party on this issue,” Fayose alleged.

Court Injunction

PDP later suspended the South-west zonal congress.

Oladipo, at a press conference, said the party had been duly served with a court injunction and will abide by the decision.

He stated, “We are in receipt of an order from the Federal High Court in Lagos, which had ordered us to put a stop to the exercise pending when the case filed is heard and resolved. As a law abiding political party, we have been served this order.

“I, as the national secretary of the party, and Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, the national auditor, who are the two representatives of the zone, want to tell you that the party has decided to abide by the order.”

The South-west zonal secretary, Chief Gbenga Otemolu, on behalf of the

zonal executive, had approached the court demanding the suspension of the congress on the ground that their tenure had not expired. But the national chairman, who was in Taraba State for the North-east zonal congress, said he was yet to be communicated on the court injunction.

However, Fayose insisted that the congress would go ahead.

Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP

The outcome of the congresses has seen many leaders of the party, especially those who had occupied the top hierarchy of government in the past on the platform of the PDP, screaming and claiming foul play. Many of those who had enjoyed the comfort of always remote-controlling the structures of the party from their Abuja base found that they had been taken out.

The group that seemed to be worst hit was the Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, numbering over 50. Having felt threatened under the present circumstances, they regrouped and articulated a position demanding the cancelation of the congresses in some states. While giving their reasons for revolt, the coordinator of the group, Professor Jerry Gana, said a lot of things had gone wrong, starting from arrangements being put together for the convention to zoning, congresses and constitutional amendment procedure.

Gana said, “It is very bad that in a number of states, congresses were badly conducted, totally unacceptable to the people and we believed that it will be fair that in such cases, they have to be re-done so that there will be credibility. In some areas, it should be a matter of reconciliation, which we shall do.

“We reaffirm our position that the party should suspend the proposed amendment to the party’s constitution because the procedures being followed are unconstitutional and illegal.”

However, in a desperate effort to reconcile the aggrieved members, the leadership of the PDP has accepted to revisit the conduct of the state congresses in eight states, including Lagos, Anambra, Adamawa, Osun, and Yobe.

Only time can tell how things would pan out in the former ruling party.

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MAY 22, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

The Future of the Print Media in Nigeria: Not Yet an Obituary Reuben Abati

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word of congratulations is in order as the departure point for this extended commentary on the future of the print media in Nigeria. It is amazing that it is now 20 years since the first edition of the City People magazine appeared on the newsstands. Within the intervening period, the publication in reporting the city to the people, and capturing the character and the persona, the joys and the foibles, the ceremonies and the traditions, the fashion and the glitz of the people of the city for the overall benefit of society, has established itself as a formidable and successful business enterprise within its genre. It has served as a practicing field for hundreds of journalists, and a compulsory rendezvous for those seeking knowledge and information about the softer side of life as it is lived in our cities.

The founder, Seye Kehinde, and his team and all members of the City People family, including present and old staff, and the faithful patrons whose patronage has sustained the business deserve commendation. I assume however, that if Seye Kehinde were to be asked to reflect on the experience of the past 20 years, his simple, modest answer is most likely to be “It’s not been easy”, or something along that line to summarize the challenges of managing business in an environment wracked by peculiar uncertainties.

The truth is: it has not been easy managing the media, particularly the print media in any part of the world in the last two decades. Newspapers all over the world within the period have moved gradually from a season of prosperity to dwindling fortunes, and in the last decade, many have faced a chronic existential crisis, resulting in a re-thinking of the business model or the adoption of new strategies of survival or the bitter reality of bankruptcy, downsizing, mergers and acquisitions or outright disappearance from the news stands. The world of the newspaper, and the technology for producing it, and even the nature of news has changed dramatically.

Globally, advertising revenue for newspapers has dwindled as advertisers seek greater visibility and reach for their messages. Many have had to lay off staff, or reinvent the identity of the newspaper by migrating from the physical print form to the digital space. By far, the greatest factor responsible for the contraction of the print media has been the rise of digital media, or social media which has changed the nature of the delivery of news, the nature of the practice and which has

A newspaper stand also significantly raised questions as to the true identity of a journalist as a professional.

A consideration of the future of the print media in Nigeria is to be situated within this context. For in every sense, and even more, the global fate of the newspaper has been reproduced in Nigeria, prompting the same concerns as expressed elsewhere, whether or not the print media is likely to survive or disappear as we know it, in the face of the onslaught of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs, WhatsApp, and the ubiquitous mobile phone – all of which now deliver news in the form of fast food, in a formulaic manner, with little or no restrictions even if without the substantive thought that offers the kind of education that a newspaper is well suited to provide. Technological advancements and new modes of innovation have also made the radio and the television far more interactive and expressive than cold print.

Demographically, the younger population is moving more in the direction of the new media, and its many dimensions, whereas an older population continues to romanticize the unique feeling and pleasure that is derived from burying one’s head

One other thing is certain though: Our print media may be thus challenged but it has not yet lost its attraction for those who in getting the news, enjoy the physicality and tactile encounter with print, and are interested in professional, organised presentation and the feeling that they are reading materials provided by trained hands, rather than a dilettante or the adventurer, or the ordinary man exploiting the near-boundless citizenship and freedom that the internet offers….. So, in the same manner in which the onslaught of radio and television has not resulted in an obituary of the print, the newspaper as we know it, should survive the rise of the cybernetic Fifth Estate, even if in a different shape and design

in a newspaper and the fresh smell of print.

without work and instant gratification. Young people in particular have fallen out of the habit of reading newspapers, partly out of an antipathy The Nigerian Situation towards reading anything that appears serious or For the avoidance of doubt, the newspaper in Nigeria, the first of which appeared on the news- extended, but also because of their fascination with stands in 1859, has served Nigeria and Nigerians the growth of the Nigerian cybernetic space and its well. The print media in Nigeria has been the big contagious speed, attraction, and impact. At the platform on which all the big issues of the making heart of this is a crisis of communal amorality, and and the unmaking of Nigeria as a society and na- the collapse of values.

In the Nigeria of the 70s and 80s, public interest tion have been debated, exposed and documentin the print media could be measured by the numed for more than a century from colonial rule to amalgamation, colonial governance, the struggle bers of persons who besieged the newspaper stand for independence, the post-independence era, the in the morning, to buy copies or to join what was civil war, military rule, aborted democracies and referred to then as the Free Readers’ Association the eventual return to civilian rule. It has held up –persons who could not afford to buy newspapers, but spent time with the vendor, chatting with him, a mirror over time to our society, our trade and keeping him company, and using the opportunity commerce, our heroes and heroines, the villains to glance through the newspaper. In some cases, of history and the prospects of our nation. The such persons would buy one newspaper, and media is essential to democracy and the definipay a small token for the permission to read a tion of commonly shared ethos and values, and few more. The vendors’ stand soon developed here, the print media, its content, practice, and into a mini-conference centre by the road side or members have dominated major aspects of our street corner, as the readers ended up debating the national history. issues of the day, often with feigned expertise on It is ironic however that this once powervarious subjects. Such gatherings by the vendors’ ful institution is in decline. The newspaper stand are no longer as common as they used to be. industry in Nigeria is caught in the web of great The vendors cannot afford to be left with unsold depression and recession. It is falling victim to a copies, the city has even become risky, and there is combination of intertwined factors. The first is growing impatience with debate and discussion, the dispossessed economic environment, which but more than that, the news that is offered by the has reduced advertising revenue, as well as the print media is no longer as exclusive or as of urgent purchasing power of the reading public, and interest as was the case in the past. driven up the cost of production to an almost The third factor is closely linked to this point unmanageable level. With a foreign exchange regime that is unstable, and virtually every input and it is the manner in which the broadcast media and the social media, helped by advancements required for production imported from abroad, in technology have stretched the competition to or sourced locally at cut-throat prices, an average newspaper which used to cost almost nothing in the disadvantage of the print media. The radio remains to date the most popular source of media the 70s, is now priced beyond the reach of many information: in the past two decades, there has Nigerians. Given the poor state of the economy, been an explosion in the number of innovative and many businesses have had to cut down the interactive radio programmes in Nigeria, in part amount that they spend on newspaper advertisdue to the seemingly corresponding explosion ing, and rationalize the options available to in the number of private radio stations across the them in terms of reach and impact. Government country. For the same reason, the television in departments and civil servants of old who used Nigeria has become a far more powerful media to buy newspapers have had to cut their budgets organ, and those who have access to electricity or for such purpose. Circulation figures have can afford to run generators know that whenever therefore dropped. they need information, the various television The second factor is the absence of a reading stations, public, private and cable, are available to culture. The tragedy is that the failure of the offer detailed service at comparatively relative cost.

Nigerian education system has resulted in a The main fare of a newspaper is news. But the decline in the art of reading and a sharp rise in illiteracy. The education system no longer prepares news cycle has shrunk radically leaving the newsthe Nigerian school leaver for a life of thought and paper in a lurch. The 24-hour news cycle has been rigorous application. There has been a discountCont’d on Pg. 80 ing of ideas in favour of a culture of wealth

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 15, 2016

PERSPECTIVE • The Future of the Print Media in Nigeria: Not Yet an Obituary • Cont’d from Pg. 79 replaced by a news-on-the-go culture, which has become such a strong reality manifesting as the icon of the new century and the wave of the future. Today in Nigeria, as elsewhere, nobody needs to wait for the newspaper in the morning to gain access to any special information about the issues of the moment. With the rise of social media and mobile devices and applications, news has become an open commodity available per second, not even necessarily on demand but as a fact of the new age of media democratization.

A mobile telephone set, a laptop, or a palm top grants just about anyone access to news, either as a receiver of news or as a citizen providing news. People can load news, report incidents, circulate gossips and jokes, upload video on instagram, BB, and whatsApp, and generate a revolution of information within minutes by just taking a picture or recording a video with their phones. No staff may be required and no major investments are necessary. Such expressions as “Trending”; “breaking the internet”, or “going viral” indicate just how powerful the internet media has become. These devices and applications may reduce news and analysis to 140 words or a few seconds of video but the lack of depth notwithstanding, they have turned out to be the true mass media of communication. By the time the newspapers arrive on the stands in the morning, they are often behind the news, offering stale information.

Many newspapers have tried to respond to this by providing a little more in-depth reporting and analysis, but again in this regard, they are up against stiff competition from the various talk shows on early morning TV and the massive proliferation of blogs, where young men and women, who may never have worked in any media house, and have never heard of any code of conduct or style book, supply analysis and information, with such facility and speed that a newspaper may not be able to attempt. The newspapers try to compensate for this in the course of the day by reporting “Breaking News” but the bloggers

middle-aged. Even with the constraints of power supply and affordability of devices and applications, internet penetration in Nigeria continues to rise. It remains the main arena of the future for power, authority, influence and democratic mobilization.

Struggling to Survive

are usually steps ahead. The emerging stars in the media industry in Nigeria today are mostly bloggers or those they call twitter overlords, and whose qualification is no more than sheer enterprise and an understanding of how the new technologies of communication can be deployed to influence the public mind.

It should not be surprising indeed that in every election in Nigeria in the past decade, for example, the battle for the vote has proven to be much fiercer on social media than on the pages of newspapers. Advertisers are also moving to the social media space. They have come to realize that the audience is on social media, the reach is phenomenal, the cost and the diversity are effective. Whereas a newspaper, projecting itself to be a national newspaper, with no more than a daily circulation figure of 10, 000 can reach just a few Nigerians, social media is global in its reach and the feedback is quick and measurable. Besides, it is the arena of engagement for the young and the

The fear therefore is that print media in Nigeria may in the face of this competition, eventually disappear, or that it may someday in the future become extinct, not just in Nigeria, but globally.

It is this that has promoted a resort to survival mechanisms by many newspaper establishments. An analysis of some of the measures in this direction by Nigerian newspapers exposes a genuine concern, but at the same time, the inadequacy of strategy or the lack of creativity and innovation.

The standard response by many of the print houses is to set up a website, or create an e-newspaper. These web sites merely upload nearly every item in the newspaper, with all the sections replicated. The obvious question is: when daily newspapers give their content free in such manner, what incentives do readers have to buy the print version? Besides, Nigerian newspapers online are yet to explore the option of subscription-driven online presence nor do they have any system for tracking the demographics and identity of visitors to their websites, since no registration is requested for. In the absence of strict copyright rule enforcement, content uploaded by the newspaper websites, produced by professional journalists are promptly copied and plagiarized across the Nigerian cyber space by parasitic bloggers, often without any attribution or acknowledgement, and usually without sanction or rebuke. There is an urgent need for a different business model, the type that involves horizontal and vertical creativity, to adapt and monetize digital newspaper distribution in order to attract significant online advertising revenue, and to prevent the theft of valuable material.

a frightening figure considering that Nigeria’s democratic experiment requires an enlightened and perceptive citizenry which cannot continually be subjected to the vagaries of demagogues.

But the reading culture goes beyond basic literacy level of the average Nigerians. We are referring to an educational tradition that awards certificate and deny depth of understanding. Most of us, at one time or the other, have been frustrated by the apparent lack of a deep reading culture that could facilitate a fundamental insight into our collective predicament. What frustrates most of us is that the pervasive shallowness not only breeds a rabid anti-intellectualism which passionately only embrace those mundane things that conduces to the satisfaction of base appetite, and reduces critical issues of democracy and development to their unflattering orthodox interpretation that fails to show a sophisticated understanding of their dynamics. There is no one in this auditorium who has not heard the stereotypical statement that Africans do not read. While that statement is as false as all generalised statements can be, the small iota of truth it contains reflects badly in the way our educational and learning capacity has decreased in Nigeria.

Thus, if, according to Dewey, “education is not preparation for life; education is life itself,” it is very easy to relate a substantial part of that education to a reading culture that constantly refreshes the mind and experience of those involved in it. Is it not the case to say that any society which manifests a dismal reading culture like ours may find it difficult to entrench a democratic dynamics grounded on the active collaboration of the universities, the media, the civil society, and other critical aspects of the society?

And if this collaboration fails, how then can we deploy the benefits of democratic governance to the transformation of Nigeria’s governance space and policy dynamics? These are fundamental queries arising from the decreasing lack of a viable reading culture in Nigeria.

For one, the policy architecture of Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from an actively reading population that possesses the capacity to confront government policies and proffer critiques and alternatives. In other words, democratic governance and a vigorous reading culture are inseparable.

Democracy requires a citizenry which can appreciate what democracy involves while unravelling its complex values and processes. It is in this

context that Gustave Flaubert, the French novelist, counsels us: “Read in order to live.” This is wise counsel because reading generates scepticism and insights, appreciation and reservation. Reading is a form of an unending inquiry that points at itself and to other issues. For Umberto Eco, a good book contains certain signs that not only points at other signs but also signifies things, issues, ideas and predicaments.

It is the desire of the ISGPP to intervene in this gloomy statistics through the initiative of the Book Readers Club. This is a dimension of the School’s outreach programme meant to actively engage Nigerians in the discourse and exchange of ideas on the Nigerian project. The ISGPP Book Reading Club is meant to critically bridge this gap by providing a vibrant platform for critical interaction and discourse among crucial members of the Nigerian public on various issues that have some serious bearing on the Nigerian condition.

The long term essence of the exercise is to bring together a critical mass of Nigerians into a constant deliberation with those who have some form of ideas, framework, paradigms that ought to be interrogated and distilled into the policy architecture of the Nigerian state. Those we have gathered here today, and many more who will join them, falls into Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s fourth category of readers, those he calls mogul diamonds: rare and valuable readers “who profit by what they read, and reflecting, refracting, and enlarging upon it enable others to profit by it also.” Nigeria needs this kind of high calibre readers, and ISGPP has gathered them, in order to raise the bar of public discourse on anything that concerns the development of Nigeria and her relations to the rest of Africa.

Let me deservedly appreciate all of you who have decided to add your honourable stature to the ISGPP’s quest for a better Nigeria. Many of you are not newcomers to the urgency of the need to make Nigeria work.

You have been at the forefront of these and many other national struggles in different respects. The hope reposed in you all is that you have been involved with Nigeria long enough to understand her challenges and predicament, and you have witnessed so many policy trajectory to understand which are wrongheaded and which holds the promise for a real governance transformation of Nigeria.

Why is the Readers Club commencing with

Abati

There is also a growing tendency by Nigerian newspaper houses to move sideways in pursuit of other revenue generating options.

This has been in the form of organizing musical and fashion shows, or awards for Man of the Year or The Best manager of the year, or The Best Act of the Year and so on and so forth. This has become so infectious that even otherwise conservative media houses in the mainstream have joined the bandwagon of organizing such events. While this may promote the brand, attract attention, provide visibility and perhaps some revenue, it may not necessarily be a sustainable means of survival.

Many of the recipients of these awards are usually well-heeled government officials or business executives. The diversion of the media enterprise into the business of giving these “chieftaincy titles” is a distraction that should be reconsidered. The business of a newspaper remains what it is: newspapering. The future of the media should include a search for greater integration and convergence: the creation of niche products, a robust web presence, the exploration of the use of online video and radio, and online media applications, to provide for the newspaper a heightened presence, all within the scope of the core business.

In recent times also, some Nigerian newspapers have following in the footsteps of the US magazine, Newsweek, suspended the publication of their print versions and migrated online. Still, there is no evidence that this has been properly thought–through. Changing a business model is not a mere function, the test lies in the viability of the new model, and its management.

––Being a presentation by Dr. Ruben Abati, former presidential spokesman, at the 20th Anniversary of City People Magazine, in Lagos recently (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

ISGPP’s Book Readers Club and the Nigerian Project Tunji Olaopa

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he idea that gave birth to the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) springs from the very obvious fact that government, our government in Nigeria, is not working well, especially at that optimal level that would make it sufficiently democratic to concretely affect the lives of Nigerians. The ISGPP has therefore taken on the mission to harness all available elements—intellectual, professional, practical—within a framework of executive education, research and training to mobilise and motivate government to face up to its democratic responsibility. ISGPP came into existence, in other words, to stimulate a robust interrogation of Nigeria’s governance space in a manner that facilitate active and meaningful participation under a humane regulatory framework that conduces to a democratic service delivery of goods and services to Nigerians.

Democracy and development are the two concepts that stand central to the understanding of how governments all over the world facilitate the betterment of the lives of their citizens.

But these are two concepts that we all need to deliberately unpack properly so that we can make it do what we require in Nigeria. One way to do this unpacking is to see how democracy can empower Nigerians. This is crucial because that is what all citizens all over the world demand from democratic governments.

Nigerians do not demand less. Democracy, in other words, must be tied to our experience in order to make that experience more edifying in a way that makes us better and facilitate social harmony and progress. However, there is a dimension of our collective experience that poses one of the greatest dangers to the consolidation of democracy and the harnessing of our development potentials. This is the steady weakening of the reading culture in Nigeria.

By reading culture, of course it is normal to reflect first on the tragedy of basic literacy in Nigeria. According to recent statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics, illiteracy level stands at 56.9%. This means that close to 70% of Nigerians are illiterates, compared to a 20% illiteracy level on the globe. This is

Odia Ofeimun’s Taking Nigeria Seriously?

There are two reasons. At the inaugural conference of the ISGPP, the opening mandate is that the School is committed to the task of getting government to work optimally for development and democracy. It requires little reflection that apart from the major operational platforms the School is putting together to achieve this mandate, there is also the need to deploy other significant outreach activities. The ISGPP understands the critical need to take Nigeria seriously.

The Book Readers Club chose Ofeimun’s book, amongst several others, because the book is provocative enough to advance the series of thoughts and insights that were raised at the inaugural conference. What that Conference achieved was to bring together a significant mass of Nigerians who take Nigeria seriously.

And here we have a compendium of essays on what it means and what it takes to take Nigeria seriously. Secondly, the author himself is a patriot extraordinaire who through his poems, plays and non-fictions has provided invaluable service to the understanding of the Nigerian project as he perceives it.

We put it before this meeting to help ISGPP decide on the next sets of books to read. Of course, the books must be robust in their focus on the Nigerian Project enough to build on the discourse that commence today. To guide your decision we propose the following: 1. Matthew Hassan Kukah’s Witness to Justice: An Insider’s Account of Nigeria’s Truth Commission; 2.

Chinua Achebe’s There Was A Country; 3.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Reforming the Irreformable; 4. Stephen Lampe’s Thinking About God; 5. Olusegun Obasanjo’s My Watch; 6. Olusegun Adeniyi’s Power, Politics and Death: An Account of Nigeria under President Yar’Adua; 7. Obafemi Awolowo’s Strategies and Tactics of the People’s Republic of Nigeria.

We hope this august gathering will throw up significant policy imperatives, flowing from the interrogation of Ofeimun’s ideas, that can be distilled into the working of the government in a manner that orients the governance space and capacitates it for optimal performance.

––Dr Olaopa is the executive vice chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (tolaopa@ibsgpp.com; tolaopa2003@gmail.com; tolaopa2003@ yahoo.com)

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 22, 2016

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he burial service of Pa Joseph Shofolahan was held at the Cathedral Salem African Church, Ebute Metta. Reception took place at the Grandeur Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos. Here are pictures of some of the personalities that graced Photos: Etop Ukutt the event.

L-R: Hon. James Abiodun Faleke wiith wife Bukunola

L-R: Mr. Gbolahan Shofolahan and Chief Jide Shofolahan

L-R: Mrs. Wumi Shofolahan and Dupe Shofolahan

L-R: Mrs. Balogun, Amb. Fadunmiyo and Gen. Joseph Oshanupin

L-R: Mary Eronmonmen, Oladapo Olutekunbi and Gbemisola Adebosin

L-R: Hon. Duro Meseko, Alh. Mohammed Audu and Mr. Shaba Ibrahim

L-R: Alh. Mutiu Are and Chief Abayomi Finih

L-R: Mr. Idris Salman, Hon. Fehinti Dada, Hon. Yusuf Tajudeen and Femi Olugbemi

L-R: Hon Segun Olufade Eteniyan, Hon. Abiodun Tobun and Hon. Bashir Owto

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L-R: Hon. Busola Akeredolu, Mrs. Moji Awosika and Mrs. Mami Adeyemi

L-R: Mrs. Mosunmola Olulade, Prof. Yemi Olatunji-Bello and Mrs. Ronke Kazeem

L-R: Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Hon. Akande and Mrs Kemi Nelson

L-R: Hon Ade Ismail, Alh Hddy Audu Amefun and Abdu Abueulkediri Yahya

L-R: Olu Ezekiel, Hon. Funsho Ojo and Elder Bejide Leke

L-R: Hon. Sunday Karimi, Hon. Buba Futon and Hon. Ganiyu Salaudeen

L-R: Mayowa Sunday, Abosede and George Olumoroti

L-R: Chief Owonili Akere and Mrs. Margareth Olaninipa

L-R: Otunba Muyiwa Gbemi and Femi Mokikan

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 22, 2016

NEWSXTRA

HONOUR DESERVED L-R: President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Nike Akande; Speaker, Lagos State

House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and M.D. CEO Alpha Morgan Capital Managers Ltd, Mr. Ade Buraimo receiving the LCCI award for Emerging Investment Banking Firm from the Speaker, as Mrs. Modupe Buraimo, Dr. Tayo Otubanjo of Lagos Business School and Vice President/ Head Alternative Assets, AMC, Mrs. Tosin Ilesanmi, look on at the 2016 edition of the LCCI Awards held in Lagos...recently

STRENGTHENING TIES L-R: National President, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Mr. Ezekiel Essien;

Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju, and the Executive Director, Corporate Services and Commercials, Mr. Jonathan Tobin, during the association’s courtesy visit on BoI management, in Abuja...recently

Global Index Ranks Lagos, Abuja among 33 Cities with Worst Quality of Life

Abimbola Akosile with agency reports

One of the world’s largest human resources (HR) consultancy firms, Mercer has released its Quality of Living Index, which listed Lagos and Abuja among the 33 cities with the worst quality of life in the world.

According to a report in the Independent, UK, Mercer made a list of 230 countries and Business Insider took a look at the bottom 33 in the world.

Every year Mercer releases its Quality of Living Index, which looks at the cities that provide the best quality of life. Business Insider has already looked at the 27 cities with the best quality of life and also the 17 European cities that are deemed the most unsafe. This new index looked at the worst cities.

While Lagos was ranked number 20 among the 33 countries identified in this index, Abuja was jointly ranked number 19 along-

side Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania was ranked as number 33 while Baghdad, Iraq was ranked as number 1.

The ranking seemingly does not reflect the various strides made by the current Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, to curb crime, ensure adequate housing and ease transportation difficulties in the metropolis, both in continuation of the projects initiated by the previous administrations and in other new projects.

Of the 33 identified cities 20 of them are found in African countries, namely Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania (33); Luanda in Angola (32); Lome in Togo (27); Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire (25); Addis Ababa in Ethiopia (24); Harare in Zimbabwe (22); Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso (16); Tripoli in Libya (15); Niamey in Niger (14); and Antananarivo in Madagascar (13).

Others were Bamako in Mali (12); Nouakchott in Mauritania (11); Conakry in Guinea Republic (10); Kinshasa in Democratic Re-

public of Congo (9); Brazzaville in Congo (8); N’Djamena in Chad (6); Khartoum in Sudan, and Bangui in Central African Republic (2).

The other 13 cities in countries outside Africa include Lahore in Pakistan (joint 32); Yangon in Myanmar (30); Karachi in Pakistan (29); Tehran in Iran (28); Tashkent in Uzbekistan (26); Ashgabat in Turkmenistan (23); Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan (21); Dushanbe in Tajikistan (joint 19); Dhaka in Bangladesh (17); Damascus in Syria (7); Port Au Prince in Haiti (4); Sana’a in Yemen (3), and Baghdad in Iraq (1).

According to Mercer, the ranking is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and is carried out annually to help multinational companies and other employers to compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments.

Looking at 450 cities across the world, Mercer took into account the following metrics to judge which cities made the list for the best quality of life -- which there-

fore shows what it feels are the best and worst.

These include political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement); economic environment (currency-exchange regulations, banking services); socio-cultural environment (media availability and censorship, limitations on personal freedom); medical and health considerations (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution); schools and education (standards and availability of international schools).

Others are public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transportation, traffic congestion); recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure); consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars); housing (rental housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services); and natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters).

Nigeria’s Economy Will Surely Get Better, Says Atiku Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Nigeria’s former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said the future of the country’s economy looks very bright inspite of the present challenges it is going through.

He said investment in agriculture and allied business is probably the answer to the puzzle on how to get the country out of her addiction to fossil fuels, and over-reliance on rent-seeking enterprises. The former Vice President spoke yesterday in Abuja at the ground-breaking of an animal feeds factory, Rico

Gado Nutrition, Nigeria.

Speaking on the viability of the agro-business enterprise, Atiku, said from the experience he has gained in previous venture, agriculture is a key ingredient for unlocking our nation’s future fortunes, adding that it is an opportunity to change the way we Nigerians look at our economy and agriculture.

“Despite the doubts about our economy because of current challenges, we are confident about Nigeria’s future and about our future. I think I speak for my partners in this joint venture when I say: We know what we

are getting into, and we’re doing it because we believe in Nigeria, because we believe that Nigeria will overcome its current difficulties, because we believe our nation will change for the better,” he said.

Atiku noted that in spite of cynicism surrounding the establishment of agro-allied industries, he had decided to go into the venture because of his firm belief “that agriculture is a key ingredient in our nation’s future fortunes.

I’m proud that today, we’re taking another small step on our long walk to a more diversified, more productive, and more competitive economy.”

The Director of J. Silva Group, partners in the Animal feed project, Joao Barreiro Silva said the Abuja factory is expected to be constructed within thirty-two weeks.

He explained that it would be producing over one hundred (120) metric tonnes of assorted livestock feeds, per annum, meaning 50 tonnes per hour.

“This is in realisation of the huge potential of the Nigerian economy, the largest in Africa. In particular, Rico Gado recognised the flourishing economy of Nigeria which offers several opportunities in Agriculture.”

Navy Smashes Cross-border Syndicate

Chiemelie Ezeobi

In line with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas’s, zero tolerance for crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, yesterday smashed a cross-border vandalism syndicate.

The navy in one of its midnight patrols at Tongeji Island, off the boundary between Benin Re-

public and Nigeria had stumbled on the suspects attempting to smuggle over 2,000 kegs of 25 litres each of stolen products, containing approximately 50,000 litres of fuel.

THISDAY gathered that the syndicate specialises in smuggling either vandalised pipelines or buying from other vandals, before sailing across the border to sell at a higher price to their

respective customers.

Speaking with THISDAY at the naval base in Apapa, Lagos, NNS Beecroft Commander, Commodore Abraham Adaji, said these recent arrests came on the heels of the recovered 218 kegs of 25 litres each, which were handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday.

He said, “You will recall that

we handed over 218 kegs of 25 litres each of stolen products. Today (Saturday), we offloaded three wooden boats and we recovered about 2000 kegs, each of 25 litres capacity fully laden with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).

“The products were recovered from Tongeji Island, around the Badagry axis on the fringes of Nigeria’s Western border with Republic of Benin.

Ojikutu Counsels Ministers on Budget Implementation Clement Danhutor

Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has called on members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to implement the budget recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari religiously in the interest of the Nigerian masses.

Speaking in Lagos, Alhaja Ojikutu counseled all the ministers to have the fear of God and work hard to improve the plight of the masses who had been subjected to poor governance over the years.

Ojikutu said a judicious implementation of the 2016 budget would lift a vast majority of Nigerians out of poverty and put the nation on the path of sustainable growth and development.

Noting that poor budget implementation, corruption and bad leadership have been the militating factors against Nigeria’s

development, Ojikutu said with a new leadership under Buhari, who is reputed for his integrity and commitment to fight corruption, what was needed for the country to get out of the current economicquagmirewasforallthe ministers to play their own role by supporting the president.

“We have a President that has demonstrated capacity to provide leadership and tackle the hydraheaded problem of corruption.

The minister also have a great role toplaybysupportingthePresident particularly in ensuring that the budget is properly implemented so that the Nigerian people can begin to feel the impact of good governance,” Ojikutu said.

The former deputy governor, whohasbeen an advocate of good governance, noted that God loves Nigeria and endowed the nation with vast human and natural resources.

Four FUTA Students Die in Auto Accident

James Sowole in Akure

Four students of the Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA)yesterday lost their lives in an accident at Ibule, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State on their way Ibadan for a religious programme.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Ondo State, Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident said preliminary investigation revealed that the accident involved a Hiace bus conveying the students and an Okada rider.

Joseph said the accident happened when the Hiace bus which was on top speed,

somersaulted several times after trying to manouver its way when an Okada rider suddenly bumped into the Akure-Ilesha highway.

He said policemen and FRSC officials quickly responded to the incident and rushed the injured to the hospital, adding that the four corpses have been deposited at the morgue.

FUTA Student Union Public Relations Officer, Segun Oladele who also confirmed the deaths, said the injured are responding to treatment while they are still trying to get the identity of the dead students.

He said the management of the institution was already aware of the accident.

Alpha Morgan Capital Wins Award

Alpha Morgan Capital Managers Ltd, a fast growing financial services and solutions provider won the award for “Emerging Investment Banking Firm” at the 2016 LCCI Commerce and Industry Awards organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The award was received by the Managing Director, Mr. Ade Buraimo. The company was established in 2012 as an asset management company and investment banking outfit which has shareholders fund of over ₦300 million and asset under management of over $50 million. Alpha Morgan Capital is promoted by reputable investors and engaged in financial services including Investment Banking, Financial Advisory, Alternative Assets, Real Estate and Proprietary Trading. It is regulated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria, and also a member of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and a Dealing Member Specialists (DMSs) of the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.

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