Wednesday 20th July 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT IMF: NIGERIA HEADING TOWARDS RECESSION and related products, which continued to be persistent drivers of the core sub-index. The IMF released its forecast on Nigeria in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled: “Uncertainty in the Aftermath of the UK Referendum,” posted on its website. The nine-page global report showed that Nigeria’s growth projection for this year was revised downwards, from the 2.3 per cent it had forecast in its April report. It also forecasts a 1.1 per cent growth for Nigeria in 2017, down from the 3.5 per cent it made in April. “The outlook for other emerging markets and developing economies remains diverse. Growth projections were revised down substantially in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting challenging macroeconomic conditions in its largest economies, which are adjusting to lower commodity revenues. “In Nigeria, economic activity is now projected to contract in 2016, as the economy adjusts to foreign currency shortages as a result of lower oil receipts, low power generation, and weak investor confidence. “These revisions for the largest low-income country are the main reason for the downgrade in growth prospects for the low-income developing countries’ group. “In South Africa, GDP is projected to remain flat in 2016, with only a modest recovery next year. In the Middle East, oil exporters are benefiting from the recent modest recovery in oil prices while continuing fiscal consolidation in response to structurally lower oil revenues, but many countries in the region are still plagued by strife and conflict,” it explained. The IMF also noted that before the June 23 vote in the United Kingdom in favour of leaving the European Union (EU), economic data and financial market developments suggested that the global economy was evolving broadly as forecast in the April 2016 WEO. However, it pointed out that the outcome of the UK vote, which surprised global financial markets, implied the materialisation of an important downside risk for the world economy. It stated that the global outlook for 2016-17 had worsened, despite the better-than-expected performance in early 2016. This deterioration, according to the IMF, reflected the expected m a c ro e c o n o m i c consequences of a sizable increase in uncertainty, including on the political front.

“With Brexit still very much unfolding, the extent of uncertainty complicates the already difficult task of macroeconomic forecasting. The baseline global growth forecast has been revised down modestly relative to the April 2016 WEO (by 0.1 percentage points for 2016 and 2017, as compared to a 0.1 percentage point upward revision for 2017 envisaged pre-Brexit). “Brexit-related revisions are concentrated in advanced European economies, with a relatively muted impact elsewhere, including in the United States and China,” it added. Furthermore, it noted that policy challenges would be more diverse across emerging market and developing economies, stating that in most cases, they could also include a need to bolster mediumterm growth prospects through structural reforms. The IMF advised policymakers to strengthen defences against protracted periods of global financial turbulence and tighter external financial conditions, stating that priorities should include reining in excess credit growth where needed, supporting healthy bank balance sheets, containing maturity and currency mismatches, and maintaining orderly market conditions. “And policymakers need to stand ready to act more aggressively and cooperatively should the impact of financial market turbulence and higher uncertainty threaten to materially weaken the global outlook,” it added.

Naira Falls on All Market Segments In the foreign exchange market, however, the naira depreciated on both the interbank and parallel FX segments of the market yesterday. The local currency fell against the US dollar by N2.42 to close at N294.57 to a dollar yesterday, weaker than the N292.15 to a dollar from the previous day. On the parallel market, the naira also shed N3.00 to close at N368 to a dollar yesterday, lower than the N365 to a dollar from the previous day.

Nigerian Economy in Stagflation Meanwhile, for more than one hour, the CBN governor yesterday briefed the Senate on the state of the economy in a closeddoor session presided over by Senate President Bukola Saraki. THISDAY was reliably informed that the CBN governor intimated the senators on the parlous

state of the economy, which he was quoted as describing as worrisome. Senate sources said Emefiele told the senators at the briefing that the economy was stagnant while inflation was on the rise, describing it as economic stagflation. According to one senator, the CBN governor said if the economy was growing, with mild inflation, the situation would have been less hopeless, but noted that a situation whereby the economy was stagnant and with inflation on the rise, was a terrible situation. THISDAY also learnt that the CBN governor warned that if the current trend continues, the federal government might be unable to pay salaries from October. He said the policies of the central bank at the moment would be focused on economic growth, adding that inflation targeting would have to be relegated temporarily so that economic activities can pick up. He was also said to have listed the FX crisis as one of the factors militating against the economic growth of the country, adding that the situation had been worsened by poor power supply caused by continuous bombings of gas pipelines and oil installations in the Niger Delta. However, after the closed-door session, Saraki announced that the session deliberated on the state of the economy, including the CBN’s FX policy. “The Senate in a closeddoor session with the CBN governor deliberated on the new foreign exchange management policy and the determination of exchange rate by demand and supply mechanism; the need to continue to grow the economy and still focus on the diversification of the economy; and also as regards the issues of some of the commercial banks. “Thereafter, he answered questions from distinguished senators on some of these topical and national economic matters. Is this a true reflection of what transpired in the closed door session?” Saraki asked his colleagues, to which they chorused “yes”. Also briefing journalists after the session with Emefiele, the deputy spokesman of the Senate, Senator Ben Bruce, said the CBN governor presented a comprehensive account of the performance of the Nigerian economy in the last one year. According to him, Emefiele’s presentation began with the current global economic conditions, which has been characterised by external shocks, including a sharp decline in commodity

prices among other things. He also said that Emefiele disclosed that the current challenges in the country were due partly to over 70 per cent decline in oil prices from about $116 per barrel in June 2014 to about $30 per barrel earlier in 2016. “We were impressed with his presentation. He explained to us about the difficulties we have with commodity prices, the drop in oil prices and decline in growth for two quarters in a row. “This means officially that we are in a recession and we need to spend our way out of the recession, and hopefully, that is what is going to happen. “We are optimistic that the economy will get better. Tomorrow, we are going to have the Minister of Finance; she will explain to us what percentage of the budget we have implemented and so forth,” he said. Explaining why the CBN governor was not allowed to make his presentation during plenary, Bruce said: “Some information could become too explosive if it is in the public domain. “I think you have to understand the confidentiality of some information but what the governor kept emphasising was to start buying Nigerian products. “We need to stop importing. We are in the mess already and everybody is part of it but to solve this problem, we need to buy made-inNigeria goods.” A statement issued later by the Senate on the session with the CBN governor, went further to state the meeting was in compliance with Section 8 of the CBN Act, which authorises the CBN governor to provide to the National Assembly periodic updates on activities of the bank as well as the performance of the economy. According to the Senate, the briefing by the CBN governor gave it an insight into the economic challenges confronting the nation, admitting that these were trying times for Nigeria. The Senate also acknowledged the pains being endured by Nigerians, noting that the situation called for the co-operation of all and sundry instead of pointing accusing fingers at anyone. The statement read: “The governor ’s presentation also gave us an insight into the Bank’s decisions in the foreign exchange market, and the rationale underlying the recent reintroduction of a flexible exchange rate mechanism in Nigeria. “He also delved into the health of the financial system and discussed

the Bank’s detailed examinations of financial institutions as well as its zero tolerance for insider dealings by boards and management of deposit money banks. “In sum, the governor declared that the strategic health of Nigeria’s financial system is still strong at this time. “After the presentation, many Distinguished Senators asked a host of pertinent questions and raised issues concerning the banking system, the slippage in economic growth in the first quarter of 2016, the gradual rise in inflation, fall in foreign exchange reserves, and policy coordination between the fiscal and monetary authorities. “Following an exhaustive response by both the governor and his team, the Senate acknowledged that these are indeed difficult times all over the world and not just in Nigeria. “The Senate also acknowledged the pains that many people may be facing at this time, especially in light of increases in the price of electricity and fuel. “But having carefully considered the policies of the CBN, the Senate would like to commend and support these policies, because they are mostly geared towards increasing local production, creating jobs here in Nigeria, safeguarding our commonwealth, and expanding economic opportunities and growth in Nigeria. “It is critical that we all join hands to seek long term solutions to our underlying problem of non-diversification of foreign exchange earnings, rather than pointing fingers or apportioning blames. “The Senate believes strongly in the resilience of the Nigerian economy and the ingenuity of the Nigerian people and as such, we are confident that we will all pull through these difficulties and come out as a much better, equitable, and prosperous nation.” In view of Emefiele’s presentation, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was invited to appear before the Senate for further briefing on the economy.

Also during plenary, President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter seeking the Senate’s approval of the annual budgets of 38 agencies and parastatals was read out. In the letter, the president urged the senators to expeditiously approve the budgets which had been forwarded to the

upper chamber. In the letter addressed to Saraki, Buhari said he had sent the budgets in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates the president to send the budgets of such agencies to the National Assembly for its approval. He added that the agencies which had been privatised were not listed among the 38 agencies and parastatals mentioned in the letter. The letter read: “Further to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, which provide that the budgets of agencies listed in the Act be collated and forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration, I forward herewith the 2016 budget proposals of the under listed agencies for your consideration and passage, namely: Bureau of Public Enterprises, National Agencies for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Shippers Council, National Maritime Authority, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, National Sugar Development Council, Nigerian Postal Service, and Nigerian Ports Authority. “Others are Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, National Communications Commission, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), National Broadcasting Commission, National Insurance Commission News Agency of Nigeria, Nigerian Copyrights Commission, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. “Also on the list are Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Radio Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, Nigerian Television Authority, National Automotive Design and Development Council, and Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority.” The letter included the National Business and Technical Examination Board, Federal Mortgage Board, National Environmental Standards and Regulations, Enforcement Agency Industrial Training Fund, Corporate Affairs Commission, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, as other agencies whose budgets were submitted for the Senate’s approval.

are serving the country. The president said: “Terrible and unfounded comments about other people’s integrity are

not good. “We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till

such individuals are indicted.” Buhari reiterated the administration’s commitment to probity,

accountability and integrity, promising that transparency remained a watchword, which would never be trifled with.

Senate Receives Budgets of Agencies

BUHARI DEFENDS KACHIKWU OVER OIL SWAPS media, that Kachikwu was being investigated over crude oil swaps and gas lifting during his tenure as the GMD of the petroleum

corporation, appealed for decent and civilized comments, particularly when it had to do with the integrity of those who

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016

NEWS

Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed, Son Take Trip on the London Underground The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, and his son recently took a trip on the London Underground, but left their dish-dashes at home, London-based Daily Mail has reported. They could be any Tube commuters - battling the summer crowds on a blistering hot day beneath central London, taking selfies and uploading them to social media. But these two chaps were not the average Oyster Card users, ramming up against others with their luggage en route to Heathrow at peak hour. The man seated was His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. His co-rider seated beside him was his son, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Time and Forbes have put his father’s wealth in excess of $4 billion, though note he gifted $10 billion in 2007 to set up the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, which aims to help future generations develop sustainable solutions in the Arab world. During their Tube ride,

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum appears to have taken a selfie with his father - and other Tube riders - and uploaded it to his Twitter, Instagram and SnapChat accounts. Unlike normal traditional arab dress, the pair were dressed down casually for summer like many other Londoners enjoying the warmer weather. It was unconfirmed which line the pair were travelling on but one user identified it as the Central Line, according to the Daily Mail. The pair appeared to be travelling with an entourage, with one man pictured sitting between them in some photos. They also possibly had a professional photographer with them, with a man pictured standing alongside commuters holding a large camera. The pictures and a video were then distributed through the son’s social media accounts. The Crown Prince has 1.84 million followers on Twitter while he has 3.8 million followers on Instagram. “ F r o m #londonunderground,” he said on Twitter while posting the pictures.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai (right), and his son, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, taking a ride on the London Underground

Apprentice Star, Omarosa Manigault, Named Head of Black Outreach for Trump Campaign As the United States of America struggles to overcome a racial divide, the woman known as "the villain" on The Apprentice, Omarosa Manigault, announced on Monday that she is now director of African-American outreach

for the Trump campaign. “I am the director of African-American outreach for Donald Trump. I am proud to serve in that role,” Manigault said on MSNBC Monday. “It is a very difficult time for our country, but the good thing I know is that I

know Donald Trump at his heart … and I know what he can do in that role.” When asked about polls that show Trump has zero per cent support from African Americans in Ohio (where she is from) and Pennsylvania, Manigault

said she was confused about who had been polled because “I just spent an amazing weekend with African Americans for Trump, about 300 of them”. “My reality is I’m surrounded by people who want to see Donald

Trump as the next president of the United States who are African Americans,” Manigault added. “Donald Trump is focused on improving the conditions of African Americans in this country … unemployment in African-American

community is at an all time high,” she said. Manigault was known for her intensity — and at times controversial actions — on the 2004 season of The Apprentice.

the state government. The state has been carrying too much of the load on its own.” He cautioned that the state government should not be left alone to carry the heavy burden and should be assisted by the federal government, private sector and wealthy individuals all around the country. “We all need to put in our efforts and see how we can address the situation because it is the women and children that have suffered the most from this. We must do our best to play a role and support the state in doing that,” he said. The Senate president, who was accompanied on the visit by Ndume, Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), said the visit to Borno was very important, as it offered the team the opportunity to see first hand

the extent of the crisis. He said: “It is clear that the state government has done very well. The report we heard about some of the children not being able to walk because of malnutrition, we can see all of them now well nourished. I must commend the efforts of the state government in doing that.” He however added that the visit also confirmed that there was still a lot of work ahead. On how the Senate would assist in the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of the people and communities affected by the Boko Haram crisis, he said: “You know we are almost at the final stage of passing the law on the North East Development Commission, we believe that the institutional framework is necessary to start to address the situation and once we pass the bill, the commission

can start to work and begin to handle rehabilitation and reconstruction that is important.” He added: “I believe the absence of the proper structure to coordinate the state donations, international donations, and those from individuals is also hampering progress, so all the load is placed on the state government. “But if there is an institution that is mandated to do that, then it knows it has a responsibility. “We are very keen to get this done, we are at the last stage now, and we want the commission to start work soonest.” At the treatment centre, Saraki while commending the health workers for treating the malnourished persons, advised Governor Kashim Shettima to invite his colleagues (governors) to see what he has been forced to contend with.

•Culled from USA Today

UNICEF, SARAKI RAISE THE ALARM ON ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN BORNO is not scaled up quickly,” said Mr. Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, who just returned from a visit to Borno State. “We and all partners and donors have to step forward to prevent any more children from dying. No one can take on a crisis of this scale alone,” he cried out. Fontaine described the ruins of towns accommodating displaced people, families with little access to adequate sanitation, water or food, and thousands of frail children in desperate need of help. “There are two million people we are still not able to reach in Borno State, which means that the true scope of this crisis has yet to be revealed to the world,” he stressed. The situation in the Lake Chad Basin overall has been the subject of discussions at regional dialogues and at

the UN headquarters. Around 3.8 million people are currently facing severe food insecurity across the Basin, where the lean season has now set in in many parts. In early 2016, UNICEF appealed for $55.5 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in North-east Nigeria, but has so far only received $23 million, the equivalent of 41 per cent. Similarly, Saraki yesterday described the scourge of malnutrition in Borno as a Nigerian one, which would be addressed in the Senate. Saraki, who was in Maiduguri, the state capital, to pay a condolence visit to the people of the state over the death of the First Republic minister and first African Head of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Alhaji Shettima Monguno, also took time out to visit the centre for the treatment of people suffering from severe

malnutrition. The Senate president, who spoke to journalists at the Maiduguri International Airport after his visit to the treatment centre for the victims of acute malnutrition, lamented that Borno State had been left to carry too much of the burden of the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that it had become pertinent for others to lend a hand. He said: “I am happy I’m here with the leader of the Senate (Mohammed Ali Ndume). Before we break, we will definitely discuss it (the Borno malnutrition crisis) on the floor and see what we can do.” He added: “The federal government and all agencies need to step up to the plate. I think it is not good for a country like ours; we are a rich country. “It is just an issue of organising ourselves and getting the funds to support

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Melaye Threatened to Rape Me, Remi Tinubu Insists, Petitions Saraki Kogi senator refuses to apologise to her Women’s groups protest for and against Melaye, Tinubu

Omololu Ogunmadein Abuja,Yekini Jimoh inLokojaand Olakiitan VictorinAdoEkiti Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Oluremi Tinubu, has written to the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) threatened to rape and assault her. In the petition addressed to the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Tinubu who said the action of Melaye against her during an executive session on July 12 was an affront to the Senate, the government of APC as well as the party itself, added that Melaye used a vulgar language to address her as she appealed to the party to accordingly sanction him. Tinubu who said but for fellow senators who shielded her from Melaye, he would have physically assaulted her during the session, adding that Melaye flared up against her at the meeting for merely cautioning him over the threat he issued against his fellow colleagues. She further said what made Melaye’s action unfashionable was that both of them belong to the same party, hence the need to invoke necessary sanctions against the Kogi senator. The letter read in part: “During the 12 July executive session, I was

duly recognised to speak by the Senate President after Melaye had spoken and berated some senators over their perceived roles in the judicial case involving the Senate leadership. “Although, I remained silent and attempted no interjection during his statement, Melaye tried to abridge my rights as a senator by hectoring at me and interrupting my contribution. At one point, I cautioned him about the use of his language and the threats made, reminding him that other senators were there by equal right as he and represented their constituents. “In a burst of apparent rage, Senator Melaye charged at me in what can only be seen as effort to physically attack me. The attack was only prevented by some respectful Senators who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching closer to me. I thank those Senators for their personal courage and sense of decorum. Melaye hurled foul and vulgar language at me, what he said should never be heard in any public institution let alone the floor of the Senate. Denigrating me as a woman. Melaye threatened to beat me on the floor of the senate simply because I dared to express an opinion different from his. “I am both a ranking Senator and a woman. But Melaye took neither into consideration as he

issued threats of rape and assault, while boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats. Compounding the damage inflicted by Melaye is the fact that we are both of the APC. Thus, I am compelled to report this incident. It also gives me great concern that the Senate leadership has heretofore been silent on this matter as if condoning the errant behavior of the Senator. “Through this letter, I officially inform the party about the improper behaviour of MeIaye and ask the party to investigate this matter in order to restore the public image and moral standing of the party

and of APC members in the Senate. “In this manner, we show that we reject the misconduct that has wronged our nation and its people for so long. Only if we act against such excesses will the people truly believe we are committed to the reforms we have promised them. We must start by ensuring that our own members know how to behave according the decorum befitting their elected positions.” In another letter, Tinubu petitioned Saraki, saying the assault meted to her by Melaye on July 12 constituted a gross misconduct. According to her, formally writing the Senate president over the alleged assault had become compelling “in

order to seek proper recourse that will protect me against criminal assault on the floor of the senate (or elsewhere) that l and other lawmakers may exercise our rights.” She also said the petition had become imperative if a repeat of the alleged misconduct must be averted, noting that a week after the action, the leadership of the Senate had been silent over the matter. He also said Melaye used sexist and hate language to address her, insisting that he must be appropriately disciplined if she must escape his attacks. “I write that such misconduct as that exhibited by Melaye shall never be repeated against me or

any other senator so that reputation and the vital functions of the senate as a respectful deliberative body shall not be undermined. “l note that a week has passed since the indecorous eruption by Melaye. However, the Senate leadership has been silent and has not reacted to the threatening misconduct of Melaye. “So that this serious transgression of legislative behaviour is not allowed to pass, I formally submit for the record that l object to the reckless misconduct of Melaye during the July 12 executive session. What he did was completely

Cont’d on page 56

Diete-Spiff: We are Trying to Get Militants to Cool Down Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt First military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, has said elder statesmen in the Niger Delta are working to calm militants in the region. He said the renewed militancy in the region was giving fillip by the rising unemployment among the youths and even the failure of government to cater for pensioners. Speaking to journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt at the sidelines of the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Diete-Spiff said the increased militancy was a reaction to the economic and social realities of the region. “The youths are not employed; the older ones, even the pensioners, are not getting their pension because the earnings have dropped seriously. Everybody is agitated and what you see is a spill over. When a kettle or a pot boils, it spills over and so the Niger Delta is boiling. We are trying to get to the root of it and see how we can control and make everybody cool down,” he said. The monarch noted the limitations of government to stem the tide of agitations in the region. “The state governments are cash-strapped because the oil is

not flowing and if it goes beyond this, the federal government will also be cash-strapped too. We must attend to these little problem,” he said. He however expressed optimism that militancy in the region would soon be controlled. According to him, “It is quite simple; just some little things. In the Niger Delta, we say ‘kalaye opuye, opuye kalaye’, meaning one little step will be a mighty stride.” On the Niger Delta of his dream, Diete-Spiff said: “The Niger Delta has been the treasure base of the nation and we would have liked to see everybody in the region living like those in Dubai or Kuwait. They should be looking prosperous, confident and completely relaxed and cool. That is the Niger Delta I will like to see; where our children go to school: we also have top-level hospitals and other institutions and everybody is coming down here because they know this is the beehive-the land flowing with milk and honey-with the people themselves being given their rightful position. “I will like to see a Niger Delta where everybody has peace of mind and equanimity and do not feel at all that they are being short-changed. I will like to see a Niger Delta where there is enough employment and where it is a joyful and happy family, proudly contributing and leading the nation’s economy.”

CHILDREN IN BORNO NEED HELP…

Senate President Bukola Saraki (third right, carrying a baby) and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima (second right), flanked by senators and other state government official, when Saraki and other senators visited a treatment centre yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, where persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency are being treated for acute malnutrition

Aviation Fuel Scarcity: NCAA Directs Airlines to Cut Operations Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised airlines to reduce flight operations as they cannot source aviation fuel to meet their schedule obligations, instead of allowing passengers to come to the airport and stranded. Spokesman of the agency, Sam Adurogboye, told THISDAY yesterday that NCAA was making every effort possible to help the airlines to effectively manage the fuel scarcity to ensure that passengers are not subjected to undue suffering. Since last week, there has been severe scarcity of the product which adversely affected flight operations, leading to cancellations and delays as Arik Air, Air Peace, Dana Air and Medview announced that they cannot keep up to their schedules because they cannot purchase fuel to operate their flights.

Adurogboye explained to THISDAY that aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, has been in short supply because the product is imported and the only solution is when the country would begin to refine the product locally. “Aviation fuel is in short supply because it is imported and marketers have to source for forex and there is high demand for foreign currency. “We have directed airlines to cut down their operations We told them, if you have sold tickets before now, get across to the passengers in time so that they won’t have to come to the airport and be stranded. They should get across to everybody. This is what we have advised the airlines to do,” Adurogboye said. The NCAA spokesman also said the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had met with the Governor of Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) on how to give concession to oil marketers so that they would be able to source forex and had also reached agreement with the Minister of Petroleum that government would dedicate one of the refineries to produce aviation fuel, and that plan would come on stream soon. However, the marketers have promised that the scarcity would ameliorate before the end of the week, disclosing that they are expecting delivery of the product. Adurogboye said it was the wish of NCAA that airlines should continue to take passengers to their various destinations but with the scarcity instead of leaving passengers stranded at the airports, they should have to cut down their services. “If you cut down your operations, you also cut down cost. Fuel constitutes about 40 percent

of operational cost of airlines, so within this short period that there is shortage, the airlines can cut down on their operations. Meanwhile, international airlines have chosen to buy the product from neighbouring countries, especially Ghana and some bring in the product from the airport of departure and only top up on arrival. NCAA spokesman said government was doing everything possible to alleviate this problem of scarcity and expressed optimism that soon, fuel scarcity would become a thing of the past when the local refineries would go on stream again. Since the beginning of this year, there has been fuel scarcity, which at some occasion, stifled flight operations but the scarcity of the product has not been as severe as the one that started last week.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEW

Plateau Youths Go on the Rampage over Murder of Traditional Ruler Lalong vows to fish out perpetrators House demands urgent action over monarch’s murder C’tee: Benue, Plateau, others face threat of being wiped out by herdsmen Damilola Oyedele in Abuja and Seriki Adinoyi inJoswith agencyreport

Following the murder of their traditional ruler, Lazarus Agai by suspected herdsmen, youths from Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday defiled the curfew imposed by the state government and went on rampage burning houses and brandishing weapons. This is even as the senator representing Plateau North senatorial district, Jonah David Jang, has condemned the renewed onslaught on the people of the state “by those who are hell-bent on dispossessing us of our God-given heritage.” A statement by Jang’s aide, Comrade Clinton Garuba, described the murder as heart-rending, “especially at a time when our dear state is going through a challenging time when his wealth of experience and the core values which he stood for are direly needed.” The 76-year-old monarch, who reigned for 42 years, was attacked on his way to Bokkos after visiting his farm in Sha District of the chiefdom. Also killed along with him

were his police orderly, his wife, and his son. To stem the violence and possible reprisal, the state government immediately imposed curfew in the area after summoning emergency meeting of all security chiefs in the state. But the irate youths who were armed to the teeth defiled the curfew and took to the streets in violent protest. The youths, who barricaded the major road leading to the area, also prevented journalists, and security operatives that were sent from Jos to reinforce the ones in the area. Meanwhile, state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Mallam Nuru Muhammad has raised the alarm that his members are under siege, and are being attacked by the youths of the area. Muhammad blamed the attack on Fulani communities on the reports carried by certain media organisations that were quick to accuse Fulani herdsmen of the killings even before police investigation. He lamented that though security operatives have controlled the youths, “but our homes have been utterly destroyed and burnt,”, urging the police to bring the youths

to book. Reacting to the murder, the state Governor Simon Lalong, described it as “very gruesome, babaric and sad.” “I received the news (of the killing) with a heavy heart. The cold blooded murder is despicable and cowardly,’, Lalong said in a statement signed by Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, Director of Press Affairs. He said the people and government of Plateau were pained by the unfortunate wave of killing of traditional rulers in Bokkos Local government council, and reiterated his determination to end the trend. “We shall work together with all peace loving citizens of the State to secure and sustain the peace on the Plateau,’’ he declared. The governor, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said government was in control of the situation and would fish out all enemies of the peace that had returned to the state. Lalong appealed to the citizens, particularly residents of Bokkos Local Government Area, to remain calm and not engage in any act capable of aggravating the situation. The governor expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Bokkos

and the entire people of Plateau State over the loss. However, the House of Representatives has demanded urgent action to apprehend and prosecute the killers of the first class monarch in Plateau State. This was was the state caucus in the House warned of impending violence if the murderers are not arrested. The House, following a motion of urgent national importance by Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren, condemned the murder of the 78-year-old monarch who was the Chairman of Bokkos Traditional Council. The lawmakers urged the acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to ensure that the death of the monarch, who was killed alongside his son, daughter in-law, Police Orderly and a relation, is unraveled. The Plateau State caucus, at a separate session, warned of impending violence in the state if the perpetrators of the murders are not found, and backed the calls for the establishment of state police to address insecurity. Bulus-Maren, while addressing journalists, noted that while leaders in the state continue to appeal for calm, the youths may implode if

there is no concrete action from the federal government. “The killing of the longest-serving ruler on the Plateau is one too many and a clear invitation to war,” he said, recalling that the state has lost a Senator, a member of the House of Representatives, a member of the state House of Assembly, and thousands of villagers, to suspected herdsmen. “This killing of the first class traditional ruler is not just murder but an attempt to erase us from the surface of the earth. We will give security agencies one more chance to see what they will do. We will continue to appeal to our people to be peaceful and law-abiding as we wait for the needed action by the authorities,” he added. Hon. Timothy Golu appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently visit Plateau State and make a clear statement on the actions being taken to address the increasing killings by suspected herdsmen across the country. “Plateau State will boil, and if it does, the whole country will be affected. The people living in the state are not Plateau indigenes alone,”Golu said. Hon. Edward Pwajok queried

why nobody has been prosecuted for the continued killings by suspected herdsmen. “Why is Nigeria’s case the way it is? In other countries, arrests are made within 24 hours of an attack. In Nigeria, nobody is arrested and there is never any prosecution. This is the time for the president to ensure that the security of lives of Nigerians matters. The issue of insecurity should be considered as utmost importance by the government,” Pwajok said. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House Committee on Army, Hon. Rima Shawulu, has warned that Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa States are at the risk of being wiped out through sustained attacks from herdsmen, if the matter is not decisively death, with. Reacting to the murder of the monarch, Shawulu lamented that the government has continued to handle the rising challenges of insecurity with levity. “In Benue State, indigenes have been chased away and strangers in the name of herdsmen now occupy their ancestral lands. These villagers are living in camps in Makurdi and other towns. It is happening in Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa States,” he said.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, , 2016

COMMENT

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

STEALING FROM THE POOR

Sonnie Ekwowusi argues that government should devise new strategies to ensure food meant for the IDPs get to them

hy should any thief in his right senses steal from the poor and the needy? Of course, stealing from the rich is not justifiable either. Stealing is stealing. But to steal from the poor, I think, is a graver crime that ought to attract stiffer punishment. The poor are always with us. Therefore we ought to provide for them, not to steal from them. As Pope Francis has been insisting, we need to create the enabling environment in which the vulnerable members of the society - the poor, the unborn, refugees, the weak, immigrants and the socially-displaced, should be protected by the state. God created us and put us is this world to love and to cherish our fellow human beings, not to steal from them. As St. Augustine explains, “Everyone can make the sign of the cross of Christ; everyone can answer, Amen; everyone can sing Alleluia; everyone can have himself baptised, can enter churches, can build the walls of basilicas. But charity is the only thing by which the children of God can be differentiated from the children of the devil. Those who practice charity are born of God; those who do not practise it are not born of God….” “The bread of the needy is the life of the poor; whoever deprives them of it is the man of blood. To take away a neigbour’s living is to murder him; to deprive an employee of his wages is to shed blood” (Sirach 34; 21-22). “Everyman has the right to possess a sufficient amount of the earth’s goods for himself and his family. Feed the man dying of hunger because if you do not feed him you are killing him” (Gaudium et Spes, 69) But unfortunately here in Nigeria some Nigerians including wellplaced and materially-rich Nigerians are shamelessly stealing from the Nigerian poor. As we speak, uncountable number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) especially women and children (victims of the Boko Haram insurgency) in the IDPs camps in Borno State are dying of starvation. Other IDPs in other camps in Adamawa State and other states are equally being starved. Why? Because the food and relief materials donated to them had been diverted by unknown thieves to unknown destinations. Consequently, humanitarian crisis is brewing in the IDPs camps at the moment. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an international organisation has recently released some shocking photographs of malnourished persons in the IDPs camps in Borno State. According to the report, between May 23 and June 22, 2016, about 188 IDPs died mainly from diarrhoea and malnutrition in an IDP camp in Bama, Borno State. About 1,200 graves, mainly for children, have been dug near the camp in the last year alone. Over 24,000 IDPs are said to be in critical health condition with 30 of them especially children dying every day. The latest is that 71 trailers carrying about 42,600 bags of rice and grains donated to the IDPs in Adamawa State by the federal government have vanished into the thin air. This is depressing. Considering that more and more IDPs especially children will be starved to death in the coming weeks, a new humanitarian strategy must be adopted to ensure that food and other relief materials meant for the IDPs get to them. Since the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is completely overwhelmed by the

THE LATEST IS THAT 71 TRAILERS CARRYING ABOUT 42,600 BAGS OF RICE AND GRAINS DONATED TO THE IDPS IN ADAMAWA STATE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE VANISHED INTO THE THIN AIR

enormity and complexity of the IDPs problems, the federal government should sincerely seek the expertise of non-government organisations (NGOs), churches, the Red Cross movement and voluntary organisations which have gained competence and reputation over the years in the promotion of humanitarian issues and in filling the gaps that exist in government policies and actions. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and others spared no effort in feeding the poorest of the poor. They did not divert the food donated to the poor in their possession. But when heartless men who have neither the love of God nor the love of their neighbours are recruited and entrusted with the delicate humanitarian task of distributing food to IDPs the result is what we are seeing today-stealing the food. That is why I suggest that government should seek the expertise and partnership of well-intentioned NGOs, churches in the distribution of food to the IDPs. The food distribution should not be hindered by political, religious or any sectional colourations. In fact, humanitarian priorities should prevail over political, religious or any sectional considerations in the food distribution. Having said this, we must recognise that the IDPs camps have serious drawbacks. They rarely become self-sufficient. They produce social tensions and constitute “human island” in which all sorts of despicable crimes are committed especially the exploitation of children and women. Therefore, beyond maintaining IDPs camps, the federal government should embark on the ambitious schemes of permanent resettlement and re-integration of the IDPs in their local communities or in new communities where they could live their normal lives. Against this background, it is obvious that the struggle against human miseries is still a goal that challenges both individuals and government in Nigeria. It is sad that the life of the Nigerian poor only offers them the spectacle of conventional existence without real socialised living and integration in the society. Everyone is quick to blame the government and the so-called “system” for this anomaly, forgetting that somewhere we are all guilty of stealing from the poor. Apart from stealing from the IDPs, there are other forms of stealing from the Nigerian poor. There are people stealing from widows and orphans. We have seen people embezzling pension funds; prisoners’ food is routinely diverted and eaten by non-prisoners; monies put in the church- donation box as church offering are stolen; we have seen employers stealing the salaries of their drivers, gatemen, housekeepers, typists, and so forth; monies collected at funerals meant for the bereaved have been stolen; we have seen people stealing food, old clothings, biscuits, loaves of bread and so forth donated to Motherless Babies homes and orphanages; we have seen people maltreating their housekeepers to the extent of denying them of food; we have seen people wasting food: Pope Francis says wasting food is like stealing from the poor. The wicked boasts in their hearts about devouring the poor. Men of blood lie in wait to oppress the poor. But the poor deserve justice and will triumph in due time.

PUBLIC SERVANTS AND BOARDS OF PRIVATE COMPANIES

There is nothing wrong for public servants to sit on the board of private companies, argues Ikeogu Oke

ast year, on November 10 and 11, the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari, held a crucial hearing on the power sector which I attended. Also in attendance, as expected, were representatives of the various government agencies in the sector, including those of the generation and distribution companies – the GenCos and the DisCos as it were – and the two labour unions in the power sector, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC). The hearing had the primary task of investigating investments in the power sector between 1999 and 2014, and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which culminated in the privatisation of the country’s power assets by their sale to the GenCos and the DisCos under the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the National Council on Privatisation (NCP). However, the two-day event witnessed important and far-reaching deliberations on the various issues that continue to hamstring power production and supply in the country and possible steps to resolving them, despite the privatisation of the power companies and the expectation that it would have led to the resolution of most, if not all, of those issues. Key among the issues was metering. The other was how to maximise the use of the plants built under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) of which less than 25 per cent of their 4,775-megawatt capacity is currently being utilised in a country whose peak generation on the day of writing this was 3,085.5 megawatts, and whose full utilisation would more than double the current generation value with commensurate

improvement of the potential for economic activity and that significant fraction of citizen comfort that depends on the availability of electricity. Also, two former Ministers of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji and Alhaji Bello Suleiman, delivered keynotes on the first and second day respectively, offering divergent views on the cause of the poor performance of the sector and proffering equally divergent solutions, with the one putting the blame on poor regulation and by implication suggesting an improved regimen of regulation as the solution while the other blamed the deregulation of the sector up until its privatisation and suggested a reversal of the privatisation exercise and a return to government ownership and control of the country’s power assets as the solution. A classic proof that even the experts differ on cause of the problem and the solution! Thus, the hearing tried to be serious while being comprehensive; and I think it was largely successful in this. However, an unusual, almost farcical, event occurred towards the end which has prompted this piece. It was unusual in the way it almost reduced such an important exercise whose resolutions, if well implemented, could be of great benefit to the nation, to a joke. And here is how that derailment from seriousness to farcicality occurred: In the twilight of the deliberations the representative of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, the bureau’s immediate past Director General, was fielding questions from the members of the committee on various roles played by his agency in the privatisation of the power sector and its aftermath and how those roles might have contributed to the current power problems. While responding to the questions, a member of the committee asked him about the allegation

that employees of the bureau sat on the board of the privatised power companies and have been rewarded with cars gifts and other perks as a result. What followed next was almost a melee as newsmen, in what seemed an orchestrated hunt for a “scoop,” primed their video and photographic cameras and tape recorders in a scramble for what, alas, would become the most important issue of the day, a fleeting, sensational hint at an unsubstantiated “scandal” at the expense of the preceding long and heavy deliberations on critical issues of national interest. And the media, online and print, did not disappoint with their headlines resulting from the event. Here is a random sampling: “Senate says BPE staff compromised by Gencos, Discos,”; “Power Probe: Senate Accuses Discos, Gencos Of Giving Exotic Cars To BPE Staff,”; “Power Probe: Senate committee decries membership of power company boards by BPE staff,”; “You Have Compromised, Senate Tells BPE Staff On GENCOs, DISCOs Board,” – all these taking off on different tangents, apparently from the chairman of the committee having alleged that “There are some staff of the Bureau of Public Enterprises that are board members of g eneration companies and distribution companies who were given Prado and Land Cruiser Jeeps.” The headlines and their seeming orchestration became, in a sense, a misplacement of priorities, put on a balance with the core developmental issues in the sector that dominated the hearing. Now, down the line, we have seen how the same senators detest exotic jeeps as, thumbing their nose at public outrage, they insisted on spending billions of our nation’s scare funds to import them for their use despite the current economic hardship that should instil frugality in responsible and patriotic leaders. And if a

private company chooses to allocate jeeps to its board members, should it exclude members that are public servants just to satisfy those who would rather not think that such members have “compromised”? But the real issue is whether it is inherently wrong for public servants to sit on the board of private companies in whatever capacity. And I think a recent explanation by the acting Director General of the BPE, Dr. Vincent Akpotaire, pertaining to his organisation should suffice to reinforce my position that it is not. In the explanation, published in a news story entitled “Why BPE sits on privatised power firms’ boards” in Daily Trust of May 25, 2016, he said “the choice of the bureau’s staff as alternate directors on the boards of privatised power companies is to checkmate the investors….” For those familiar with the game of chess to which the word “checkmate” hints metaphorically, the sense of having to sit on the (chess) board in order to (be able to) “checkmate” the opponent – and win what could be a high-stakes game in securing the nation’s interest – is not hard to fathom. And if such is the motivation for public servants sitting on the board of private companies like the Gencos and the Discos, it would amount to throwing away the baby with the bathwater to dispense with the practice, especially while there is no proven case of misconduct or conflict of interest against such board members from the public service, which in any case should be treated on their individual merit.

Oke, a public affairs commentator and a former staff member of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), writes from Abuja.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016

EDITORIAL STREAMLINING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN NIGERIA Government should abide by the Public Holidays Act

he federal government’s decision to increase the last Eid el Fitr holiday from two to three days has continued to draw sharp criticisms from many Nigerians who felt that frequent holidays at a time the nation’s economy is so weak, and almost heading towards recession, was most inappropriate. We agree. The government had declared July 5-6, 2016 as public holidays to mark the end of the Ramadan fast. However, when the moon was not sighted on July 4, the Sultan of Sokoto, being the leader of the Moslem faithful in Nigeria, directed that the fasting period be extended till July 5, 2016. Following this directive, the federal government also extended the holiday by one extra day. Although under the Public Holidays Act, 1979, the Minister of Interior has the powers to make the adjustment that was made, we think that government, at all levels, needs to become more sensitive to the economy which at this time requires that every WE URGE THE Nigerian puts in FEDERAL AND STATE more productive GOVERNMENTS TO PUT man-hours to revive AN END TO FRIVOLOUS it from its comatose HOLIDAYS WHICH IMPINGE state. SERIOUSLY ON NATIONAL The rage of many PRODUCTIVITY economists and business players was that the overall implication of the extension was that the entire working week was rendered work-free, the holiday having started on Tuesday. With Monday obviously used to prepare for the festivity and Friday being a conventional half working day, that week was a major loss in relation to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For an economy battling not to tumble into recession, that was not a loss to be encouraged. We think, therefore, that the federal government needs to lead the way to ensure that the letter and spirit of the Public Holidays Act is upheld

Letters to the Editor

by streamlining public holidays and making them as definite as they are in other climes that are even more developed than Nigeria. We say this because there is a consistent pattern of abuse of the discretion granted the Minister of Interior and the state governors to determine and declare special holidays. Three weeks ago, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, declared a week of holidays for obvious political reasons. No doubt, for businesses in that state, that was a huge financial loss. But Okezie is not alone. Governors are known to have declared impromptu holidays to commemorate largely political events without regard for the negative consequences on the economies of their states.

E T H I S DAY

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

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TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

DEATH AND THE TRANSFORMER

ur attention has been drawn to the editorial of THISDAY of July 11, 2016 on the electrical accident in Lugbe, Abuja, in which the newspaper went on to indict Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) even when investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the accident had not been concluded. In the editorial titled “Death and the Transformer”, THISDAY specifically said “The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company should be sanctioned for its negligence”. This swift conclusion that the AEDC’s “negligence” led to the accident was hasty and rather unfortunate. It is pertinent to state from the outset that the AEDC Management regretted the unfortunate incident and has shown great empathy with victims as well as relations of the deceased as soon as the incident happened. A team of officials of the AEDC has visited families of the deceased persons and the community to commiserate with them. The company has also taken up responsibility for the treatment of the injured persons, two of whom had been discharged while one other is still receiving treatment at the company’s referral hospital in Abuja. THISDAY said: “In the latest incident in Abuja

ven the federal government has several times been in breach of the law. For instance, the law says if any holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then only that Saturday or Sunday shall be a public holiday. Yet this year alone two public holidays, May Day and Democracy Day, had fallen on Sundays ( May 1 and May 29) and the federal government elected to declare the following Monday as public holidays. Yet when holidays are declared impromptu they disrupt long standing business and even social plans, which may take a longer time to straighten out. Accordingly, we urge the federal government to abide strictly by the law, which has established a certain number of holidays known to all and sundry, including New Year Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers’ Day (May 1), National Day (October 1), Christmas Day, and such other day as the minister may declare to be for public holiday in celebration of the Muslim festivals of Eid el Fitr, Eid el Kabir, Eid el Maulud, etc. To the extent that we cannot continue to encourage indolence and expect to grow as a nation, we urge the federal as well as state governments to put an end to frivolous holidays which impinge seriously on national productivity.

the community’s chief security officer, Geoffrey Ukeje, blamed the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for the tragedy, attributing the explosion to a wrong connection by the power firm”. And on the basis of this opinion of that single individual, the newspaper went on to stress that: “It is a familiar story, even as we hope the authorities will sanction and compel the AEDC to pay heavy compensation to the injured and the families of the deceased”. The paper, based on what the community’s chief security officer was reported to have said, came to its conclusion even when such an individual may not be an expert in the field of electrical engineering. If THISDAY had observed further, it probably would have read other reports which showed that most of the illegal connections in the affected community were neither done by AEDC nor its personnel. It is worthy of note that AEDC only uses standard equipment and apparatus that have been approved by the regulatory body- the Nigerian Electricity Management Services (NEMSA) in all its operations and takes proper care of such while in service. Abimbola Odubiyi, Director, Regulatory & Stakeholders Relations, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company

POST-UTME: ANOTHER DEVICE IS OUT

he solution of yesterday has now become a problem for today. PostUTME came as a solution to the menace of examination malpractices, it has now become a menace itself. To solve a problem is even more problematic than the problem. From the look of things, what matters most to the university managements is the fund raised from the examinations, the exercise is not to clarify or ascertain the quality of the student. This money is not only spent anyhow but shared without conscience. The problem of scrapping post-UTME will not be solved if all Nigerians do not make sure that the aim of the federal government is realised. Universities now device another means to charge the same thing as applicable during the era of postUTME. If the minister of education does not take his stand firmly, corrupt Nigerians will circumvent the good works of the government. In Obafemi Awolowo University for example, post UTME costs about #8000 every year per student; (#3500 for the form, #700 ba nk charges (#3500 for result checker). The most annoying thing which shows how corrupt the management of OAU is that they share the bank charges with the banks. From the N350, N200 goes to the school while N150 goes to the bank.

Now that post- UTME has been scrapped, and the price that is being charged for screening is moderated, OAU in its advertisement on the university portal said screening fee is #1500 (please check this link to confirm:http://eportal.oauife.edu. ng/2016-admission-screening-advert.pdf), while on another page of the portal, where the payment is activated, a sum of #5000 is required to be paid as EPORTAL Access Charges for ICT Development just like every other regular students. (Please check this link to confirm: http://eportal.oauife.edu.ng/ ala_putme_bankpay.php ) If we look at it critically, the applicants are not students of the university yet, therefore they should not pay what the regular students are paying. Second, during the era of post-UTME when everything was done on the university portal, from the registration to the allocation of centres, to results and also the admission process, OAU never thought of charging applicants for ICT, now that things have changed, they have now deviced another mechanism to exploit the students.The management of OAU is ‘stinkingly’ corrupt. I will advise that all the principal staff be removed and prosecuted so that the school can survive. Komolafe Adejumo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JULY 20, 2016

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Trading Impunity for Immunity Nigerians have a completely different understanding of the proposed amendment to the 1999 constitution, which seeks to provide the presiding officers of the National Assembly with immunity and it is not a pleasant one, writes Shola Oyeyipo

n one of her works, a Chilean-American writer, Isabel Allende wrote: “What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power, and the power to abuse.” But in Nigerian, impunity is an integral part of governance and the power game even as many people are either unconcerned or merely helpless about the situation, such that elected officials act as if they are lords over the electorate. Nothing other than impunity would best describe what happened recently during a two-day retreat on the constitution review, organised by the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, with the theme: ‘Towards Ensuring Governance Accountability in Nigerian Federalism’ where some senators and speakers of some state Houses of Assemblies proposed immunity for presiding officers of the legislature. The argument put forward by the chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya, was that granting immunity to presiding officers of the National Assembly would be a way to shield some public office holders against distractions in discharging their duties. His contention was that presiding officers in the legislature ought to enjoy immunity since the executive and judiciary enjoy it. According to him, “There are three tiers of government and only two arms enjoy immunity. See what is happening to the President of the Senate now. We are not saying the case in court should be stopped but even yesterday we read in the papers that there is a fresh case of forgery of Senate Standing Rule against the presiding officers and some other persons and all is to destabilise us.” For supporters of the Senate President and anti-federal government forces in the ongoing trial of the latter, the proposed immunity for some of the lawmakers is good, particularly for the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is being prosecuted for false and anticipatory assets declaration as well as alleged forgery and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, who may also have the forgery case against him dropped. Aside Saraki and Ekweremadu, some other immediate beneficiaries of the proposal, which came in the form of a bill, would be Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Deputy Speaker of the House, Yussuff Lasun. They all have a four-year tenure running till 2019, a period during which the National Assembly would have also concluded fresh amendments to the 1999 Constitution. While the executive and the judiciary enjoy immunity whilst in office, presiding officers of legislative houses do not enjoy immunity from prosecution at the moment under the constitution. The concept of immunity entails that a person or an entity is protected from legal liability due to a special status. It is often bestowed on government officials and that confers on them, the powers not to be arrested while acting in the course of their duties until the expiration of their tenures of offices, even though such a privilege does not encourage impunity. The Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and some other lawmakers were some of the first to throw their weights behind the proposal. But for Ndume, who is facing trial for allegedly sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, the immunity could be limited to civil offences committed by the officers while Akpabio on the other hand would prefer that such immunity is extended to all the lawmakers. Reacting to the issue, Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn N’Allah did not consider the proposal as an action taken in the best interest of the

Saraki and Dogara...a tact team

Nigerian people hence he feared that Nigerians might misconstrue the proposal for immunity for the legislature as a way of annexing excessive power. For N’Allah, rather than extending immunity to the National Assembly, an action some consider as capable of giving safe havens to law breakers working to avoid being brought to book, it is better to remove the immunity clause from all arms of government, “Let us remove immunity from everyone and let there be balance. If you give immunity to everybody, a legislator may rape a lady and wait to finish his tenure before being prosecuted because he has immunity,” he said. As the debate continues, members of the House of Representatives were more emotional about the debate as the house broke into a rowdy session Tuesday as members stood in rage against the proposed immunity against prosecution for presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Mind you, the agitation for the total removal of immunity is stronger than before due to abuse of the clause and it can’t be now that some are asking that such be extended to them. In a nutshell, immunity for lawmakers is inherently unacceptable. It is impracticable. It is self-serving. It means they are up to something… something criminal,”he argued

When the House Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, who is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Delta State, introduced an amendment to Section 308 of the constitution to include presiding officers of the National Assembly among political office holders covered by the immunity clause, he said the legislature needed as much protection as the executive arm of government. Though Ogor got the backing of the chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Mr. Nicholas Ossai, who is also of the opinion that “The constitution as we have it today guarantees protection for the executive” adding that the lawmakers ought to include immunity for the National Assembly because legislators too need protection to work, stressing that “When you protect the legislature, you protect the people.” But the argument did not go down well with the House Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who opposed the amendment on two grounds: the timing and the integrity of the National Assembly. To the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Surulere in Lagos State, the National Assembly is to serve the interest of Nigerians at all times and the mood of the people at this material time is not in support of immunity for National Assembly presiding officers. “Nigerians do not support this bill because of the timing. The assumption will be that we are making this amendment because of what is happening in the Senate.” Though Speaker Dogara attempted to end the debate by referring the bill to the Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review, it was Gbajabiamila’s intervention that sparked the rowdiness with a majority of members showing that they wanted the bill thrown out outright. While feelers from the National Assembly indicate that members of the lower chamber are ready to kill the bill, there are also indications that Nigerians are not favourably disposed to the proposed amendment. Polls conducted on various platforms showed a very wide margin of over 90 per cent between those against the bill and those for it. In a similar vein, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and elder statesman, Chief Niyi Akintola have strongly condemned the proposed life pension

and immunity for National Assembly leaders. According to Falana, “The proposal to confer immunity on legislators is provocative, to say the least. No serious nation can grant immunity to legislators who have been linked with criminal diversion of public funds, forgery and rape. “We can assure the concerned members of the public that the satanic proposals of the legislators will not succeed. It is pertinent to inform the legislators that the members of the human rights community have resolved to mobilise the Nigerian people to reject both proposals.” Another constitutional lawyer and former National Secretary, Labour Party (LP), Mr. Kayode Ajulo, who also disagrees with the bill feels that Nigerians are not effectively using some democratic instruments in calling holders of elective offices to order in Nigeria. “We need to appreciate the nature of the immunity we have in Nigeria. It is when we understand the nature that we will know whether our legislators deserve the new immunity they’re pushing for. Legally speaking, by the extant provision of our constitution, there is no absolute immunity in Nigeria. “The letter and the spirit of Section 308 is to the effect that as a President, Vice-President, Governor and Deputy-Governor, you are entitled to immunity so long that you stay true to your oaths of office and free of any misconduct as prescribed by our law. “Once any of them steps out of the line, the constitution prescribes how they are to be dealt with, starting with impeachment procedures, which itself is a disciplinary measures and or procedures. “The immunity confers on them is inherent of the nature and terms of their offices, that is being sovereign and chief Executive Officer of the federation, in respect to the president and his vice, and sovereign and or Chief Executive Officer of the state in respect of the governor and his deputy. “Whereas the legislators have their duties and functions spelt out by the Constitution and nothing therein makes them a sovereign and chief executive officers of the government. They are not sovereign. Immunity must be inherent to the duties and functions of their offices. What the legislators enjoy at the moment is in tandem with their functions as lawmakers that is the parliamentary immunity that safeguards their conduct in the hallowed chambers. “Any attempt to widen the scope of such immunity would be invitation to chaos, anarchy, that itself will be unconstitutional as it would erode the doctrine of checks and balances and the basic functions of the three organs of government. It is within the hallowed chambers that they can have their immunity, because while the president and governors could be removed through impeachment when they err, which process are we to use against any legislator that errs? “Mind you, the agitation for the total removal of immunity is stronger than before due to abuse of the clause and it can’t be now that some are asking that such be extended to them. In a nutshell, immunity for lawmakers is inherently unacceptable. It is impracticable. It is self-serving. It means they are up to something…something criminal,” he argued. The debate is still ongoing among the antagonists and proponents of the proposed bill. But the truth is that the common man, whose voice is unheard in the hallowed chambers, is questioning the rationale behind the lawmakers making laws for what is otherwise believed to have ulterior motives while the people continue to suffer at a time the entire machinery of government is both clueless and directionless.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JULY 20, 2016

ONTHEWATCH

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Ogun 2019: In Search of a Yewa/Awori Candidate In view of the agitation for power shift to the Ogun West senatorial district in 2019, Femi Ogbonnikan examines the possibility of an aspirant of the Yewa/Awori stock realising this age-long ambition, especially with the interference of the Lagos power brokers

Amosun

Tinubu

he quest for power shift to the Ogun West senatorial district, come 2019 elections, has continued to gain momentum, and has reaffirmed the sanctity and determination of its proponents towards actualising the dream. Evidently, the strident agitation for the governorship baton knows no bound as notable individuals and organisations have equally sprung up and have been in the vanguard of the current clamour for Ogun West to produce the next governor of the state in 2019, when the tenure of the incumbent governor will lapse. Indigenes and non-indigenes of Yewa/Aworiland extractions that are sympathetic to the cause have continued to lend their voices, citing the history of the state and democratic tenets of equity, fairness and justice as the basis for their agitation. The seriousness, commitment and determination attached to the clamour, no doubt, is a fallback and living testimony to the glaring marginalisation and denial of Ogun West to equitable distribution of developmental amenities and infrastructure by successive administrations in the state and the seemingly backwardness of the district, to which some political commentators have argued are consequences of the incongruous political structure bequeathed on the district since the creation of the state some 40 years ago. Historically, Ogun West (made up of Yewa/ Awori people), with a land mass of 6,297.64 km per square, representing 37 per cent of the total land mass, the area with the largest expanse of land in the state. It has five local governments (Ado-Odo/Ota, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Yewa South and Yewa North) with estimated Population of 1,109,884 people, which represents 31 per cent of the State population and almost equal percentage ratio with the other two Senatorial districts of Ogun Central and Ogun East with 33 and 36 per cent ratios respectively. Despite these insignificant differences in the population statistics of the state, Ogun West is being erroneously regarded as a minority in the state by those, who use such mischief for their personal political benefits to deny the people of Ogun West their rightful placement in the political structure of the State. Over the years, it has become the usual thing in the political circle of various interest groups and politicians from the two other senatorial districts (Ogun Central and Ogun East) to resort to blame game on a mere excuse of lack of unity among the people of the West while some even mentioned that there are no capable and competent persons from the area for governorship. They often remark that the inability of the zone to win the contest in 2011 and 2015 were clear evidence that the there was no serious and well-focused person to occupy the seat. But Chief Dapo Oke, one of the leading voices of power shift to Ogun West maintained that the entire political leadership in the state should take responsibility for the failure of Ogun West to produce a governor since 1978. He said the antecedents of the emergence of Ogun State Governors in historical perspectives show that they were all products of party structures through a well-managed conspiracy of powerful Oligarchies

and leadership caucuses across the senatorial divides rather than being the exclusive efforts of a particular district. “Many of you talk of lack of Unity of Ogun West derogatorily as if it is a problem that is restricted to the district only. Tell me, how true it is that it was the Egba unity that produced Osoba and Amosun or was it the unity of Ijebu and Remo that produced Bisi Onabanjo and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, we knew how it happened at leadership caucus at Ikenne, Ijebu Igbo, Ayepe, Aso Rock Villa and Bourdillon at the different times.” In the same vein, Chief Bode Mustapha, a chieftain of the APC in Ogun State advised aspirants from the two other districts (Ogun Central and Ogun East) to perish their thought of vying for the number one seat in the state. “I support them (Yewa/Awori people) 150 per cent. If you want to go into equity, you go with clean hands. As an Egba man, I will never have accepted, if since the creation of Ogun State, 40 years ago, an Egba man hasn’t been governor. For Egba, we have had elected governors. We have had Chief Olusegun Osoba, who is from Egba. We now have the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who is also from Egba. From Ogun East, because I don’t believe in anything called, RIYE (Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba). “To me, it is a scam. The 1999 constitution recommends three senatorial districts. Ogun East district has produced Chief Bisi Onabanjo, of blessed memory, and it has also produced Otunba Gbenga Daniel, but Ogun West has never produced a governor of this state. Why should they not produce the next governor? I

believe in the Ogun West getting the governorship slot. God sparing our lives, whatever it takes me to give them support, whatever little support, I can give them, I will give them because the Yoruba say, “A joje o dun ti enikan ko ba ni” (A friendship is not fun and cordial, if one of the group members is deprived). Let them govern this state. They should be given a chance”, said the 66-year-old politician. On the vexed issue of capable and competent persons from the West, the Bobagunwa of Egbaland threw jabs at those concocting falsehood about the quality of governorship materials the zone has produced in the recent past general election in the state. “An area, that has produced the late Chief Jonathan Odebiyi, the late Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, the late Prof Afolabi Olabimtan, Dr Samuel Ayinde Ibikunle, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Chief (Mrs) Ebun Oyagbola, Senator Felix Bajomo, Chief Adetunji Fadairo (SAN), Professor Anthony Asiwaju and many, many more. Do you want to say, they don’t have people? Please, nobody should claim monopoly of knowledge. Our senatorial district, Ogun Central and Ogun East should, please not play a monopoly of knowledge. They should, as of right, let the Ogun West people take over the mantle of leadership of this state and see what they can do,” he admonished. Oke, on his part, also picked holes in the argument that Yewa people have no competent and capable persons to govern the state, when he said “It is very insulting, derogatory and slanderous, and I want to ask: are they talking of colouration, whether there are blue people or green people in Yewa, and it is only red people that can be governor in the Stste? But let me tell you, if you are talking in terms of candidates, we are primus inter peris in the state.” He, however, identified two factors that have worked against the chances of Ogun West, since the creation of the state 40 years ago, which are the imbalance political structure which puts the Yewa/Awori people in a disadvantaged position in a free and fair primary delegate elections and the political crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 2009, which affected the chances of the party’s candidates at the 2011 and 2015 polls. “History is there to prove that the two times we were in the saddle, political leadership of the party and in the state went on holidays hence it was lack of unity and absence of party cohesion that really caused us the total victory at those two occasions. If the party was strong and cohesive as we had in UPN in 1979 and 1983, SDP in 1993, AD in 1999, PDP in 2003 and 2007, ACN in 2011 and APC in 2015, we would have been governor in 2011 and 2015.” While canvassing for support from the people of the two other senatorial districts, Oke said “If democracy itself is about equity, it is about equal opportunity, and if democracy is all we are talking about everybody being the same, then it means, the people of Yewa/Awori must definitely be allowed to actually have a taste from the pot of power in Ogun State”. Oke premised his argument on the fact that “Presently, if you look at what has happened in Ogun State, you will see that the political table

It is believed, therefore, that any candidate from Bourdillon would be a no debate for Osoba because he would never buy into it the same way he allegedly initially opposed Amosun before the intervention of other stakeholders, both within and outside the state. And now that Bourdillon and Amosun are seemingly not on the same page, it makes it easier for Osoba to call the bluff of the choice of Bourdillon as far as 2019 is concerned. In fact, the belief is that it is easier for him to run with Amosun than Bourdillon

is still standing on three legs. The fourth leg, which is the people of Yewa/Awori, has not been provided and unless that leg is provided, there cannot be equilibrium in the State,” he said, appealing to the cognition of those who decide political matters in the state to favour power rotational arrangement among the three districts. “The assumption here is that Ogun State should be a mature understanding of the history that created it, from the two provinces of Abeokuta and Ijebu, to the Four Divisions of Yewa, Egba, Remo and Ijebu and now the three Senatorial districts of Ogun Central, East and West.” But the question remains: who takes over the reign of power from the incumbent governor, among the many aspirants of Yewa/Awori extraction, who have signified their intention and also, going by the pronouncement of the governor to hand over to an Ogun West person on May 29, 2019? An inside source within the Ogun State APC leadership, who craves anonymity, hinted of an undercurrent bickering over who will take over the reign of power from the incumbent governor and as well, drew a wedge between two prominent leaders of the party, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Governor Amosun. Already, the return of Osoba to the APC, it was learnt, did not go down well with the governor, not because he does not want him in the party but because he thought he should have been part of the reconciliation process. Thus, while the governor is believed to have his own Yewa/Awori person, still being kept close to his chest, it is suspected, that the return of Osoba to the APC fold is unsettling such a ploy and regarded as a grand design to impose an anointed candidate of Ogun West stock from Bourdillion, where the incumbent is also believed to have derived his power. But those close to Osoba as a very independent and politically savvy person have dismissed the extrapolation because one of the reasons Osoba was believed to have left the APC in the first place was not because of Amosun but the seeming extension of the Bourdillon influence to Ogun State. Osoba was said to have warned that since he does not meddle in Lagos politics, he would not take kindly to Bourdillon meddling in the affairs of Ogun State, a statement he exemplified by calling the bluff of the APC when it mattered most in the countdown to the 2015 elections. Against this backdrop, it is believed, therefore, that any candidate from Bourdillon would be a no debate for Osoba because he would never buy into it the same way he allegedly initially opposed Amosun before the intervention of other stakeholders, both within and outside the state. And now that Bourdillon and Amosun are seemingly not on the same page, it makes it easier for Osoba to call the bluff of the choice of Bourdillon as far as 2019 is concerned. In fact, the belief is that it is easier for him to run with Amosun than Bourdillon. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisday.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

A Regional United Front Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that Operation Opia Toha, 'Togetherness at Sea' was designed to forge a regional united front between the Nigerian Navy and the navies of other West African countries in a bid to secure the maritime domain from piracy, crude oil theft and militancy

t was the first of its kind. It was a maritime sea exercise planned for Africa nations, by an African nation (Nigeria), for the region (West Africa) and conducted in the Gulf of Guinea waters. This regional cooperation reinforced the truth of strength in numbers and sent a strong signal that that the region is united against maritime illegalities. Although it was a one-day exercise, it was a huge step on the part of the Nigerian Navy led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas. This move, which has been commended by both foreign and local independent observers, came at the backdrop that all other regional exercises the African navies have ever participated in, were at the behest of either the Royal Navy, the United States Navy using the African Partnership Station (APS) and United States African Command (AFRICOM), respectively. Thus, with the burden to create a sea exercise tailored at addressing African challenges in the maritime domain, Operation OPIA TOHA was borne. OPIA TOHA, an Idoma word for 'Togetherness at Sea' was organised by the Nigerian Navy and it involved navies of the West African region. It was principally designed to enforce maritime security on our territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), as well as enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, stretching almost a thousand miles up and down the coast. This is because a continuous improvement of Gulf of Guinea nations, will go a long way to enhance the recently enacted Yaounde Code of Conduct, a non-binding international agreement that the Gulf of Guinea nations have enacted to lay down the standards which each country is expected to follow, especially as regarding information exchange and the rule of law. Therefore, after due preparations, the Regional Maritime Sea Exercise was held with the Nigeria Navy deploying vessels like NNS Prosperity, NNS Okpabana, NNS Kyanwa, NNS Thunder and NNS Centenary. Also deployed by the navy were its Augusta 08 helicopter and the Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Other participating nations like the Ghana Navy deployed their Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Chemle, while the Cameroonians deployed the Ghana Navy Ship (CNS). Although some of the regional navies didn't deploy their ships, the French navy ship from France Lavallee also participated. Other countries’ navies that participated in the one day sea exercise were France, Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Cote D’ Ivoire and the United Kingdom. While the NN deployed five vessels and two helicopters, France, Ghana and Cameroon each deployed a boat for the exercise Aside the navies of other countries that came, other agencies of government with interest in the maritime sector were part of the sea exercise. Events at sea The formation sailed from the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island and moved to the exercise area, which was 48 miles from the nearest coast (Forcados). The vessels moved to the exercise area in a procession led by the NNS Centenary, NNS Okpabana, Prosperity, Cameroon, France and then Ghana. Alternating between the frequency of 120.50KHZ and the speed of seven knots, the course was at a point set at 090 and

L-R: Commanding Officer, NNS Prosperity, Captain Okehie; Commodore Kor; Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade; CNS, Vuce Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas; CTOP, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and FOC West, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai

a latitude of 05 52, the exercise started with tactical maneuvers that saw the above mentioned navies maneuver tactically in a formation. Also done at sea was the Vessel Boarding Searching and Seizure (VBSS) by the Special Boat Services (SBS), the Gunnery Exercise (GUNNEX), seamanship and Communication Exercises (COMMEX). Meanwhile, there was also room for the NN Augusta helicopter to perform its landing and taking off exercise while at sea. But the high point of the exercise was the simulation at sea, when the naval ships encountered a Motor Tanker (MT) Jahu, with 300 metric tonnes of AGO, coming from

We are doing our very best but still require much more from government to enable us do better. We need more assets. We have a vast maritime space to cover. We have the back waters as well where new emerging threats are coming from. Indeed, we need vessels to be able to dominate

Ivory Coast, that was hijacked by sea pirates. They boarded the vessel, rescued and freed the crew and arrested the pirates. It was an opposed boarding because the pirates were armed and opposed the boarding of the Special Boat Services (SBS), who were deployed from NNS OKPABANA. Earlier on, the assistance of the Maritime Patrol Aircraft was needed and it was deployed to fly over the area and detect the exact position of the hijacked vessel. At the sea exercise were the Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade; Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola; Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo; Sierra Leonean Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gen. Alfred Nelson-Williams (rtd); Namibia Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Peter Vilho, among several others. Time out with Vice Admiral Ibas During the course of the exercise, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, addressed some certain issues including the recent threat of militancy in the Niger Delta region, acquisition of more platforms especially the arrival of NNS Unity, the completion of the second indigenously built Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) and rehauling of the nation's flagship NN’S Aradu. While describing militants attacking oil facilities and other infrastructure of government as enemies of state who must be dealt with accordingly, Ibas said there was need for more assets and platforms for the navy to enable it tackle tackle the challenges of the moment head on and effectively. He said: “The Armed Forces of any nation are trained to fight enemies of the nation. For now, militants are enemies of Nigeria

and we will completely eliminate them. We are doing our very best but still require much more from government to enable us do better. We need more assets. We have a vast maritime space to cover. We have the back waters as well where new emerging threats are coming from. Indeed, we need vessels to be able to dominate.” Speaking on the arrival of NNS UNITY, the second vessel ordered from China, he said it would soon be delivered, adding that the SDB is almost complete, just as he said a survey is being conducted on NNS Aradu before recommendations can be made. He said, “NNS UNITY will be with us in a short while. Already, the Second Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) is about 98 per cent complete. It has already been launched. Once they start the sea and acceptance trials, she should be able to join the service. For NNS ARADU, survey is being conducted. To put ARADU back means deploying resources into the system. But once we get the recommendation of the survey, we will be able to take appropriate actions." On the outcome of the exercise, he said the performance justifies the resources they put in, adding that with more of the exercises, the navy will do better. Namibia's partnership It was Namibia's first partnership that would bring it to Nigerian soil. Led by its Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Peter Vilho, it's personnel also participated in the sea exercise to show their support for a maritime domain free of illegalities and criminalities. Commending the NN for deploying men and material for the regional exercise, Vilho said it was a demonstration of the NN's might and capabilities, adding that when

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

compared to the navies of other third world countries, the Nigerian Navy has made major strides. He said: "We used to do a few exercises in our region but we have never had one like this with many vessels and nations participating. The Nigerian Navy has been able to muster so many vessels at sea in this exercise. I am here personally because we were supposed to also bring a vessel for this exercise but it developed technical problem. "So, I said we are still going to participate and continue since we already registered our interest for it. We are a bit farther from the Gulf of Guinea region but we believe that things can be tackled before they get worst. That's why we find out about challenges from other parts of the world in order to prevent them. "Both navies are working towards cementing the existing relationship especially in training. We already have senior officers attending the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja but I will still want some more junior officers to come. We are discussing on the possibility of a Namibian ship paying a port call in Nigeria." Ghana's collaboration Sailing from Ghana in the Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Chemle, a snake class of boat, the Ghana Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Peter Faidoo, was fully a part of the sea regional exercise. He said, "This is the first time so many navies have had an exercise on its own unlike previously when it has been on the prodding of the United States African Command (AFRICOM). On the issue of piracy, the Nigerian Navy has a robust Special Boat Services (SBS) and they are very good at opposed boarding and we are deficient in that aspect Ghana navy but we have already sent our personnel to learn. "The Gulf of Guinea is considered to be very dangerous but it is not good for only the Nigeria Navy to protect their waters, it will still affect them because the spillover from other countries will also affect them. But the Nigerian Navy has been very generous so that together we will have a seamless and safe water."

The Namibia Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Peter Vilho and Vice Admiral Ibas

The Royal Navy's commendation Sent to monitor the exercise as an independent observer for the Royal Navy (United Kingdom), Commander Shaun Quinn, said although the navy had struggled a little over the years, it has now come to its own. He said, "The navy has struggled a little but in the last couple of years, they have started getting better at what they do. With the Nigerian government relying heavily on oil, the navy is important in providing security especially on the maritime domain. "The sea exercise was a good one. It was good a number of nations came together. Although some of the nations did not provide ships of aircrafts, the gains of the exercise will spur them to participate in further

exercises. Already, the Nigerian Navy has proven its capabilities by organising the regional exercise and another good thing was that they brought in other maritime agencies. It should be done often."

This operation afforded us the opportunity to sharpen our skills on anti-piracy operations, test our ability to share information and contend criminalities within the Gulf of Guinea. It also tested the tactical skills in Vessel Boarding Searching and Seizure (VBSS), Gunnery Exercise (GUNNEX), seamanship and Communication Exercises (COMMEX)

Observer's conclusions Although there were official observers, there were still some very senior officers onboard NNS Prosperity who monitored the exercise and gave their conclusions. According to the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC), Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, who also doubles as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC) and Commander of the Task Group, said the objectives of the exercise were met in the sense that the joint forces proved that language was not a barrier to effective maritime security. While addressing the need for more acquisitions of platforms including vessels and air lift power, are acquired based on threat scenarios he said, "The Nigerian Navy's contemporary threats are in our back waters and that is where we have militancy, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, so, we must look for proper mix of vessels to fight them. Off Shore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are one of the good vessels we can use to patrol our offshore installations. Helicopters are a force multiplier because they can be sent out to survey and feed the ship back on its findings so that the right platform

L-R: Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola and THISDAY reporter, Chiemelie Ezeobi

can be deployed to go and confront the particular challenge." Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, expressed delight at the participation of other friendly navies, adding that they all performed creditably well. He said, "They performed creditable well. All the formations kept stations and the firing exercises were smooth. I think the VIPs onboard have been very impressed. But as more exercise progresses, more trainings will be undertaken. I was here to observe the exercise and see new innovations that the NN can key into moving forward. "For us in the navy, we must corporate. Most of the collaborating efforts have been foreign driven. This is the first time that we are taking and conducting this on our own. So, it is for us as a region a beautiful thing because even your presence alone at sea is a strong deterrent to would be criminal." Stressing that the walls have been broken down on the maritime domain between nations, especially as regards communication, he said, "The navy's operating theatre is not like visual boundaries but what affects littoral states will have a carryover effect on the maritime domain. Look at MT Maximus that was hijacked by pirates in February and was rescued by the NN, was coming from Cote D'ivoire. So we cannot but work together. So, this exercise is a right step in the right direction because most of the

sea exercises conducted are driven by the United States, and Royal Navy but this is a good initiative for navies of the Gulf of Guinea and we will build on it." On his own part, the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) Rear Admiral Osinowo, who also doubled as the Officer Conducting the Exercise, while doing the debriefing said it was to consolidate on the recent gains of the combined regional exercise under the auspices of Operation Obangame held in Duoala, Cameroon. He said, "This operation afforded us the opportunity to sharpen our skills on anti-piracy operations, test our ability to share information and contend criminalities within the Gulf of Guinea. It also tested the tactical skills in Vessel Boarding Searching and Seizure (VBSS), Gunnery Exercise (GUNNEX), seamanship and Communication Exercises (COMMEX). "It was the first indigenous exercise planned, hosted and executed by the navies of the Gulf of Guinea. So this is a major feat. It marks the beginning of appropriate doctrine and we had a team of independent observers who gave their own objective observations." Having successfully organised and hosted a regional maritime exercise, many argue that the navies of the region must not rest on its oars, rather build stronger partnerships that would be a force multiplier and tackle headlong maritime illegalities and criminals.

IMAGES

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016

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

L-R; Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Felix Ohiwerei; Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae; President, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), Mr Okey Akpa; and Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, during Adewole’s familiarisation visit to Fidson’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sango Ota, Ogun State...recently

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire (left), and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during the launching of Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) by the ministry in Abuja...recently enock reuben

L-R National Chairman, PPA, Chief Peter Ameh, National Chairman Independent Democrats, Hon. Edozie Madu and Sen. Ben Obi, during the dedication and thanksgiving service of Miss Olivia Sinachi Madu, at Diocese of Abuja Anglican Communion, St. Matthews Church, Maitama, Abuja...recently

L-R: Chairman, Central Working Committee, Mayflower School, 72/76 Set, Mr. Owolabi Oshode; Chairman, Mayflower School, 72/76 Set, Mr. Abiodun Abdul; and National President, Mayflower Old Students Association (MOSA), Mr. Abiodun Dada, during the 40th anniversary of the 72/76 set in the school premises at Ikenne, Ogun State...recently

L-R: Channel Development Manager (Modern Trade), Friesland Campina WAMCO, Grace Onwubuemeli; winner, Rosemary Ebohon; and Account Manager (Modern Trade), Friesland Campina WAMCO, Dayo Sanusi, during the presentation of a refrigerator to Ebohon who emerged winner at the Peak Milk Special Ramadan promo at Abule Egba, Lagos...recently

L-R: Founder, Sugar Weddings and Parties, Tarebi Alebiosu; Head, Public Relations, Events and Sponsorship, Globacom, Olabode Opesitan; and Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Josephine Igberaese, during the Sugar Rush Wedding Exhibition in Lagos...recently

R-L: Managing Director, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo(right) and Ag. Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Ahmed Abdul, during a visit of the (BBP0 management to Toyota Nigeria Assembly Plant, in Lagos...recently.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD INVESTOR APATHY CONTINUES TO TRAIL INSURANCE STOCKS provided Internet gateway for verification has been of immense benefits both to the insuring public and the law enforcement agencies,” he stated. He said to enhance the insurance certificate verification process, the association recently commenced discussions on the implementation of a faster, more robust and more responsive verification gateway. He said this will be implemented soon. According to Thomas, the collaborative efforts of the association with government agencies has added more value to the NIID system’s performance, highlighting some of these collaborations as; provision of auto crash reports for the Federal Road Safety Corps, discussions with the Nigeria Police Force on the integration of NIID with computerised Tinted Glass Permit system as well as engagement with the Nigerian Customs Service for integration with their trade system for enforcement of marine insurance. FIRMS CUT ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES TO SURVIVE TOUGH OPERATING ENVIRONMENT nancial Services Limited, said. They added that YoY change in general prices is expected to remain high in the months ahead as the underlying inflationary factors continue to run their full course. “We expect the high inflation rate and uptrend to be of key concern and to drive policy discourse at the forthcoming monetary policy committee meeting scheduled to hold on July 25 & 26, 2016. Clearly, rising inflation amid weak economic performance presents a conundrum for the CBN. Thus, given the growth concerns and cost-push inflationary trend, we do not expect the CBN to address rising inflation through an increase in interest rate,” they said.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

NEWS

Ohuabunwa: Nigeria Needs Proactive Economic Team to Overcome Her Economic Challenges Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu A former chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa has said that for Nigeria to sail out of her present economic woes, President Muhammadu Buhari must ensure that strategic thinkers and a proactive economic team are brought on board to bring about appropriate and timely economic and fiscal policies. Ohuabunwa, who spoke to journalists at the ‘Leadership, Marriage and Business Summit’ of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International (FGBMFI) in Enugu, weekend, identified a lack of thinking and patriotic commitment of Nigerian leaders as the cause of the current economic crisis facing the country. Ohuabunwa, a former chairman of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals spoke to a capacity crowd of about 500 persons. “Enlightened is the word; enlightened, dedicated, patriotic leaders, who know that the purpose of leadership is to move people from a state of poverty, the state of low quality of life, to a state of wealth and a higher quality of life. The moment we focus our attention on the quality of life of Nigerians, then politics will play less impact,” he noted. Ohuabunwa who had earlier made a presentation entitled ‘Leveraging on Ideas and Innovations to Achieve Success for Start-ups and SMEs’, expressed worry at the current trend where politics is mixed with governance as well as the lopsided appointments in the

country said the problem was not because of lack of money or fall in oil price but lack of adjustment. “I mean let’s face facts, how can you be doing this (lopsided appointments) one after another, the same area, you ignore some other areas and how can you build a country that way? It will affect our economy, it will affect commitment, it will affect unity; because people operate, by feeling of equitable belonging, I will do my best for this nation because the nation is doing its best for me. If I see the nation discriminating against me whether its perception or real, my moral will be low, I won’t probably do the best I can.

These are the things and they affect the economy,” he said. He therefore urged young people to develop a thinking mind and to begin to confront issues “from the point of view of thinking, of research and of seeking to find; so that they can create new realities. The domain of innovation comes from exploring and thinking and researching.” “The declining economy is an opportunity to develop possibilities for export. We should look at the opportunity that the collapsing oil economy is bringing to us. Today, oil contributes about 10.1 per cent of the nation’s GDP unlike what used to be the

case in the time past. This is the time for Nigerians to think out of the box in order to grapple with the present state of affairs. Anything one can do to earn a dollar, which means we have to develop things that can be exported, should be done,” he said. Other speakers at the event including, MR. Ambrose Okpala, who spoke on “Work Ethics” and Jim Okpala, who spoke on “New Generation Chapter’s Imperative in a Modern Society FGBMFI Perspective”, all stressed the need for every Christian business man to anchor his or her business plans and strategies on God by following due process and godly way.

Specifically, Ambrose Okpala said: “What we are doing as a fellowship is what we know and believe can help change the status quo, because it begins with men and women in Nigeria. If people can cultivate proper attitude, proper approach to issues, proper ethics; the change we really expect will manifest.” The summit, according to the Coordinator of the event, Mr. Chidi Eze was powered by the New Generation Chapter, an arm of the FGBMFI, designed to provide a platform for equipping upwardly mobile young men and Spiritual leadership across board in the nation

CLOSING GONG CEREMONY

L – R: Head Market Services, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ade Ewuosho; Head, Human Resources, Pai Gamde, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Ade Bajomo; Global CEO, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Rich Lesser; Head, Domestic Primary Market, NSE, Tony Ibeziako, at the Closing Gong Ceremony at the NSE …recently

Oando Envisages Lower Earnings on Naira Devaluation Goddy Egene Oando Plc has said it would record lower earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016. In a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the oil firm said the lower earnings would result from the impact of the Naira devaluation by the Central Bank of Nigeria that is expected to amount to an unrealised foreign exchange loss arising from United States dollars (USD) denominated liabilities, outstanding bank trade facilities as well as vendor payables. Oando said: “As at the time of the devaluation the company

had USD denominated borrowings of $260 million in our Naira dominated earnings businesses, consisting of ~$68 Million in core loans, $89 million in bank trade facilities, $83 Million in asset financing and $21 million in other payables. A 40 per cent devaluation in the value of the Naira against the US dollar from the bank rate of N199.00:$1.00 to N280.00:$1.00, has effectively resulted in these significant foreign exchange losses which we have prudently booked into our financial statements.” The indigenous energy group bounced back into profitability for the first quarter (Q1) ended

March 31, 2016. Despite the prevalent challenging operating landscape, the company recently assured stock operators during its ‘Facts behind the figures’ session at the NSE, of its desire to return to consistent profitability by growing its dollar earning higher margin upstream and export trading businesses. Commenting on the company’s confidence in its diversified business model and the long-term prospects for growth in Nigeria and beyond, Group Chief Executive, Oando, Mr. Wale Tinubu, said: “This first quarter of 2016 demonstrated our dedication to return our

business to profitability by the end of the 2016. We have implemented constructive corporate initiatives which are driving forces for our business in this new global reality of economic restraint and lower oil prices in our industry. The successful and ongoing implementation of these initiatives reiterates our strategy of growth, deleverage and a return to profitability by the end of 2016. As a group we have placed our focus on growing our upstream higher margined business while still holding fundamental interests in the midstream and downstream sectors. We look forward to a rewarding year, where we

solidify our aspirations and return to profitability.” Tinubu noted that marketdriven efficiencies have encouraged the management to implement a necessary corporate reset through recapitalisation to ensure alternative capital access to optimise our business operations and value preservation for our shareholders. Oando also recently agreed a N70.5 billion recapitalisation of its Downstream business with Vitol, the world’s largest commodities trader and Helios Investments Partners, a premier West African focused private equity firm.

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor Capital Market Editor

Stanbic IBTC Pension Pays N200bn to Retirees

Senior Correspondent

James Emejo in Abuja

Emma Okonji

Goddy Egene

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Capital Market)

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr. Eric Fajemisin said the bank has till date disbursed over N200billion as monthly pension to retirees under the contributory pension scheme (CPS). He also said the company has continuously kept to its promise of ensuring that retirees get their benefits as and when due.

Speaking in Abuja at a pre-retirement forum for its customers, he stressed the need to build a relationship with customers as well as guide them in making wise decisions with their benefits. Represented at the forum by the Executive Director, Investments, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, Fajemisin said: “As people head towards retirement, a decision about the type of life they wish to live in retirement should not be made from the

hip, but rather through a wellstructured financial planning process. The process, he said, should commence from the day one takes on a first job and involves setting aside part of current income into a retirement savings account.” According to him, “Relationship is very key and these are our clients and so what this forum is actually tailored to achieve is to prepare our customers that are close to retirement- to prepare them

as to what it takes, what they need to do and how they need to live after retirement. “It’s always very important for us to plan. This money that we are talking about is something they’ve been putting aside right from when they got employed and when they were in service.” At the forum, the company had outlined steps to help people make a successful transition to the next stage of their lives and have the

dream retirement they desire. It stressed that though people have the freedom to make choices about the kind of life they want to have in retirement, failure to plan for this eventuality will however lead to unpleasant consequences. The relevance of the meeting became obvious when persons presumed to be retiring sooner showed they really don’t understand basic retirement procedures.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

EQUITIES WATCH

United Capital Consolidates

With a jump of 154 per cent in profit for the half year ended June 30, 2016, United Capital has consolidated on its previous year’s performance, writes Goddy Egene The harvest season is here when companies announce their financial performances for the half year ended June 30, 2016. Given the operating environment, which has been very challenging in the past six months, companies are expected to declare mixed results. The first half (H1)of the year has been characterised by rising cost of operations caused by fuel scarcity, foreign exchange scarcity and general lull in economic activities due to delay in passage and signing of the 2016 budget. Inflation rose to over 15 per cent at the end of the fifth month. These headwinds are expected to lead to some companies reporting decline in profit for H1. Some will end the period with improved profitability, while some others will record losses. As expected, some of the companies announced their results last week. United Capital Plc, an investment banking and financial services firm, is among early filers of results at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Despite operating in a market that has been very volatile, United Capital ended the H1 with highly impressive performance thus raising investors’ hopes for a rewarding 2016. Corporate profile United Capital Plc was incorporated in Nigeria on March 14, 2002 under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. It was listed on NSE in January 2013 after a successful spin-off from United Bank for Africa Plc. United Capital is first investment bank in Nigeria to be listed on the NSE and it is a holding company with three subsidiaries: United Capital Trustees Limited, United Capital Asset Management Limited and United Capital Securities Limited. The company is engaged in the business of investment banking and provides issuing house, corporate investment advisory services, project finance, debt restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, debt capital markets. Through its subsidiaries, it provides additional services such as trusteeship, asset management, securities, trading and insurance. United Capital’s vision is to be the leading financial and investment services group in Africa, while its mission is to be the financial and investment role model across Africa, deploying innovation, technology, and specialist skills to exceed client expectations, whilst creating superior value for all stakeholders. Mr. Chika Mordi is the chairman of United Capital, while Mrs. OluwatoyinSanni is group chief executive officer. Other directors include:AdimJibunoh, J. K. Shinkaiye, Yoro Mohammed Diallo and Emmanuel Nnorom. Half year financial performance Details of the unaudited results of United Capital for H1 2016,showed gross revenue of N3.655 billion, up by 34 per cent from N2.750 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2015. Investment income rose from N1.349 billion to N1.721 billion, while fees and commission income grew from N817 million to N980 million. Net operating income settled at N3.411 billion, up from N2.546 billion. Although inflation has been rising, hitting 15.5 per cent in May, the management of the United Capital maintained a commendable cost strategy that led to a reduction in total operating expenses from N1.128 billion to N1.074 billion. Consequently, the company ended the first half of the year with a profit before tax of N2.065 billion, indicating a growth of 47 per cent. However, the company’s bottom-line was boosted by a N1.526 billion realised from the sale of investment in an associate company to hit N3.591 billion in 2016, up from N1.408 billion in 2015. Specifically, the investment was its 50 per cent holding in United Metropolitan Life, a joint venture established in 2005, to its Joint Venture partner, Metropolitan International Holdings (Proprietary) Limited. Commenting on the divestment, Sanni, said: “This marks the conclusion of a very successful investment. Our objective is always to maximize shareholder return and we look forward to redeploying the capital in further ventures. We

Sanni

remain strongly convinced of the opportunities in the Nigerian financial services sector.” Shareholders’ funds rose from N10.421 billion to N11.346 billion, while total assets improved from N144.106 billion to N162.965 billion. The company also shows efficiency in its operations going by its profit margins. Gross profit margin improved from 65 per cent to 70 per cent, while net profit margin stood at 56 per cent in 2016, up from 51 per cent in the corresponding period of 2015. Early Assurance The impressive H1 results did not come to

many stakeholders in the market as a surprise, considering the fact that United Capital had begun the year on a very promising note, posting an impressive first quarter (Q1) results. The company had recorded gross earnings of N1.857 billion in Q1 of 2016, compared with N1.307 billion in 2015. Net operating income stood at N1.761 billion, up by 49 per cent from N1.182 billion in 2015. Total expenses was reduced by 11 per cent from N512 million to N453 million. As a result, profit before tax improved by 59 per cent from N892 million to N1.422 billion, while PAT witnessed a fast growth of 61 per cent to be at N1.137 billion as against N707

million in 2015. Besides, Sanni had assured stakeholders of the readiness of the company to deliver improved performance going forward. She said as the company commenced 2016, it remained committed to achieving its goal of building Africa’s leading investment and financial services group and to work hard to accomplish our strategic objective set out in 2015 & 2016. Sanni said: “Our priorities include: driving effectiveness and efficiency initiatives to improve productivity whilst optimising costs. Further improving our brand awareness, corporate image and brand value to achieve market-wide recognition and appreciation of our corporate identity.” She added that the company would renew focus on service excellence and execution to drive client growth and retention, expand its footprint, develop innovative product lines, driving growth in its market share along core areas of product coverage and expertise, increase focus on developing human capital and strengthening our staff. “These initiatives should see us successfully enhance the group’s productivity, revenue growth and profitability. I have great confidence in the highly dedicated staff and the management team of United Capital Plc, whose superior pedigree and expertise, led by a strong and highly supportive board of directors, make us supremely equipped to build on our strong performance in 2015 to take on 2016, ensuring delivery of excellent value to our shareholders,” she said. The GCEO said she was confident in company’s ability to consistently deliver value to stakeholders in the current year. “I have no doubt in my mind that the strategies we have put in place in light of our expectations of market scenarios in the coming year will prove effective in delivering much better results. I must thank all of you for your constant support in our task of building a leading financial services firm in Africa. I am confident that with the dedication of our resourceful staff and your unalloyed support, we will continue to delight you with superior return in every line of business we are involved,” she declared. It is obvious that if the company maintains the positive trend in the second half of the year, shareholders will have another fruitful financial year. Shareholders got a total dividend of N2.1 billion dividend in 2015, which translated into 35 kobo per share.

UNITED CAPITAL 2016 HALF YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY JUNE 2016

N11.346bn JUNE 2015

N10.421bn

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

JUNE 2016

N3.665bn

JUNE 2016

JUNE 2015

N2.750bn

JUNE 2016

JUNE 2015 JUNE 2015 N2.581bn N1.793bn JUNE 2016 N1.128bn N1.074bn

N3.591bn JUNE 2015

N1.408bn

1 0

GROSS REVENUE

TOTAL EXPENSES

PROFIT BEFORE TAX

PROFIT AFTER TAX

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Budget 2016: From Hope to Despair?

With the controversies that surrounded the passage of the 2016 budget, the implementation of this important fiscal policy document whose signing was trailed with so much optimism might be a mirage owing to the worsening economic climate, writes Obinna Chima

With exactly 164 days to the end of 2016, there are clear indications that implementing Nigeria’s budget, the single most important policy document for planning by government may be a mirage. This followed recent comment by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal that the N6.06trillion budget for this year will only be partially implemented as a result of revenue shortfall. He had blamed the decline in economic activities on the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which has claimed responsibility for the wave of attacks on oil installations in the oil-rich region. Indeed, the signing of the ambitious budget by President Muhammadu Buhari in May this year was greeted with so much hope, with the expectation that it would help pull the nation out of the brink of recession. Nigerians expected that the proposed N350 billion quarterly injections by way of capital projects that was disclosed by the Finance Minister, Mr. Kemi Adeosun, would be done immediately, so as to help stimulate economic activities and reflate the economy. But this and most other projections in the 2016 budget are yet to become realistic as they still remain mere wishes. Igniting Hope After several months of controversy, the president had in May finally signed into law the 2016 Budget. Buhari had said it gave him great pleasure to sign the first full-year budget of this administration into law. “As I said in my New Year message, living in the State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers

and listen to the TV and radio news. I hear your cries. I share your pains. “The Budget is intended to signpost a renewal of his government’s commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people. This administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth, the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year. “Though the 2016 budget, aptly titled “Budget of Change, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trn. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget & National Planning,” Buhari had said. He added:“The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350 billion into the economy by way of capital projects. “To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200 billion to road construction as against a paltry N18 billion allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget.” He said that despite the current difficulties, his government would work extra hard to achieve his revenue projections. Buhari said: “Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to

contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues. “We are experiencing probably the toughest economic times in the history of our nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians.” Desperate for Funding The finance minister last month led a team of officials to meet bond investors in London in government quest to raise funds to finance the budget. Tapping the offshore bond market this year is crucial for Nigeria to fund the budget to stimulate the economy. Nigeria is also trying to raise dollar debt from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the Eurobond market has taken on added importance. The federal government had said it decided to opt for offshore borrowing to finance a major part of the N2.2trillion deficit in the 2016 budget so as not to crowd out the nation’s private sector. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, had stated that the borrowing was to be raised roughly equally from domestic and foreign sources. The deficit is to be financed mainly by borrowings projected at N1.84trillion, with the local component standing at N984billion and N900billion from international sources, “We have decided to source from international sources so as not to rely exclusively on domestic borrowing, which may have the effect of crowding out the private sector Furthermore, we are optimistic that we may be able to access some of the foreign loans on a concessionary basis. The

Ministry of Finance is currently negotiating with multiple sources to secure the external financing,” Udoma had said. Bitter Truth from the SGF Lawal disclosed that the federal government’s earnings had declined by 40 per cent as a result of the drastic fall in oil prices, as well as the persistent attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta. Against this backdrop, he said the N6.06trillion budget for this year will only be partially implemented. The SGF who said this while appearing before the Senate over a comment credited to him that the federal government would not implement constituency projects as provided in the 2016 budget. But Lawal explained that the oil benchmark of $38 per barrel set by the federal government in the 2016 budget had not been effective in view of the protracted attacks by militants on oil installations. He also disclosed that the nation sometimes produces as low as 800,000 barrels per day. When asked if he indeed said constituency projects would not be implemented this year, Lawal did not mince words, insisting that the problem was not exaggerated. “We cannot guarantee the implementation of constituency projects in the 2016 budget. As a government, constituency projects are championed by members of the National Assembly. Like the legislature, members of the executive are politicians who canvassed for votes. “Lawmakers are aware that oil production has dwindled to about 800,000 barrels per day. This has led to the inability of government to

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

BUDGET 2016: FROM HOPE TO DESPAIR?

Udoma

finance the budget. It is the duty of government to prepare the minds of Nigerians ahead that there will be challenges in implementing the budget,” he had said. He added, however, that funds would only be released for the implementation of major projects this year, stating that the situation had forced the government to set new priorities for its policies. “Government based its funding on zero budgeting this year. Funds will be released to finance key projects in line with the implementation plans of the government. I will explain why it will be hard for the government to implement the budget. “Some ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) might find it impossible to implement projects appropriated in their budgets. We have to re-prioritise. I would like us to understand that this is the background upon which I made that statement,” he added. Lawal said he knew that members of the National Assembly would find his disclosure offensive, but insisted that the truth needed to be told and further disclosed that MDAs were currently facing challenges in implementing their budgets in view of the little funds available to them. From Hope to Despair? Commenting on the situation, the DirectorGeneral, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Professor Akpan Ekpo, said there is definitely a gap in terms of the way the federal government wanted to finance the budget. He also lamented the delay in its implementation, saying it might take the nation into depression. Ekpo added: “I thought that they told us they were going to borrow externally? So, we need to know if the borrowing didn’t come through. Except they had a wrong projection when it comes to internally generated revenue. You know the benchmark for oil that they used wasn’t too correct and that may be a problem. Oil price has increased marginally in the last few months. But the quantity Nigeria is exporting is not the same because of the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers. “So, they have to be very careful because if they don’t implement about 85 per cent of the budget this year, then the country may go into depression. Now, we are moving towards a recession and if they don’t

Adeosun

find ways to finance the budget and do more, then we are going to have serious problem.” Furthermore, Ekpo advised the federal government to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT), by just one per cent, saying raising it higher or imposing addition tax on Nigerians might be too hard for Nigerians to bear. “Also, we were told that the recovered loots are in trillions, why can’t we use that to finance the budget? So, even if the budget is to be implemented 100 per cent, it would help and may not stop the recession. But to now say they don’t have money to finance it, then it means we are heading into a recession. “I am not happy that they are very slow in implementing the budget. It seems like they are not taking the crisis serious. They delayed in passing the budget and now they are delaying the implementation. This is the time we must avoid delays, because it causes more problem to our economy. They just have to fast-track the implementation,” he added. Also, the Chairman, Polar-Afrique Consulting Limited, Dr. Chris Itsede, pointed out that if any fundamental disruption affects the revenue flows of any budget, the expenditure component would also be affected. According to him, the collapse of crude oil prices and the reduction in the quantity of crude oil exports as a result of the insecurity in the Niger Delta region are two things that would definitely affect the revenue components of the budget. Itsede argued that regardless of how much borrowing the federal government intends to do, it is not likely that the government can fill the deficit gap in the budget. “That is because the budget came as a massive deficit budget, the highest deficit budget of the country since independence. So, even if all the revenues come in, we are still going to borrow to finance the budget. So, the meaning of what the SGF said was that unless there is a miraculous rebound in crude oil prices –you know oil market is very volatile; or secondly if we are able to find an amicable solution to the Niger Delta problem. These are two ways that may see us achieving our revenue projections. “So, if things remain the way they are presently, definitely there is no way the budget can be implemented as proposed. So, what should happen is that the executive and the National Assembly

should sit again and look at the situation and prioritise in the light of the dwindling revenue profile,” he explained. On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, RTC Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, said it had always been obvious that the 2016 budget would have issues of implementation. He said he had always queried the assumptions of the budget. “I have continuously said that the budget assumptions have question marks. How the deficit was going to be financed was not so clear. People and analysts in the oil industry have always made the point that the assumptions about, not just crude oil price globally, but Nigeria’s oil revenue base. Of course, your revenue projection is oil price minus your cost of production. “And every expert in the oil industry I had spoken with had indicated that the assumption both from the petroleum profit, taxes from the oil sector, all appeared optimistic. Even the assumption for Customs duties, taxation, etc, in view of the declining economic activities, were also very doubtful. So, it was inevitable that the government was going to have challenge with this budget. “For me, the question is why now, about five months to the end of the year that what was obvious in January or February is now being admitted? So, for me it raises questions about our economic policy and management,” he argued. Cyprus-based research analyst FXTM, Lukman Otunuga stated that Nigeria’s first quarter government revenues for first quarter reached a paltry 55 per cent of what was targeted following on-going militancy in the Niger Delta, which has seen oil production decline to painful levels. According to Otunuga, the incessant declines in global oil prices already weighed heavily on the biggest economy in Africa, saying that the diminishing government revenues could rekindle concerns over a technical recession in the second quarter of the year. “The pressure trickled onto the naira, which depreciated over four per cent against the dollar last Friday after the Central Bank of Nigeria relinquished the dollar at a weaker rate in an effort to boost market liquidity. Sentiment is slowing changing towards Nigeria and the on-going concerns over a slowdown in economic

momentum could trigger a wave of risk aversion which punishes the Nigerian Stock Exchange,” he added. The Managing Director/Chief Economist for Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, stressed that the resumption of spending alone should go some way towards stimulating activity. According to her, while lower-than-expected revenue collection is a concern, the federal government still has some headroom for borrowing – which should allow it to smooth spending, even as it works on driving higher revenue mobilisation. “For capital expenditure the FG has stated that it would seek to borrow more externally. It can certainly kick-start projects with current resources, while it finalises plans to borrow on external markets. There is also around USD 3.5 billion of financing potentially available from the World Bank and African Development Bank – so cyclically-low revenue collection should not be a binding constraint on the ability to ramp up investment and stimulate growth. “It is important however that further efforts to drive faster revenue generation are seen – as this will influence the terms at which Nigeria is able to borrow from international capital markets,” she said. But the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, noted that for a country that planned to spend N6trillion in six months, when it was supposed to have spent in 12 months, there definitely was going to be a problem. London-based Economist at Exotix Partners LLP, Alan Cameron, also stated that the underperformance of revenues is fairly common for Nigeria, saying that given recent issues affecting oil production, it would not be a surprise for the market. “We would also argue that the influence of public spending is generally overstated: N350 billion quarterly in an economy with output of N20- 25 trillion is not a huge sum,” he added. Clearly, government budgets help in reallocation of resources, reduction in income inequalities, economic stability, management of public finance, among others. The foregoing therefore implies that failure to implement the budget to a satisfactory level could mean that Nigeria’s economic situation may worsen with Nigerians made to go through more hard times.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Managing Risks in a Volatile Environment Developments in the economy that were occasioned by the prolonged decline in crude oil prices call for the adoption of risk management measures, writes Nume Ekeghe

Monye

During the 2008-2009 global financial crises, the Nigerian economy, just like most economies in the world, was hit by foreign exchange crisis, drop in government revenue and threatened financial institutions. However, these same issues have again surfaced causing the same volatility as it once did to our economy. Recently the association of risk managers, Nigeria (RIMAN) held a conference to discuss how to navigate out of the present economic downturn earning from the mistakes made during the last crisis. Going back memory lane The President of RIMAN, Mr. Jude Monye pointed out that there have been significant changes in the world economy since July 2015. “I remember back then we were questioning the longevity of crude oil as a sustainable source of revenue for the economy. Today this question has become a reality as oil prices have slumped and the economy is on the verge of another economic recession. Nigeria and the rest of the oil producing world faced with a global crisis that has inevitably crystallised in the form of energy risk. “Getting out of this is not going to be an easy road, the economy is already at a volatile state and the last thing we need is a prolonged recession. It is for this reason, we have themed this annual national risk conference as global oil crisis and energy risk,” Monye added. Also, the Emir of Kano and a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II pointed out that the situation in the commodities market was worse during the 2008-2009 financial crisis, compared with what is happening presently. However, he said policy makers were able to mitigate the shocks due to the savings in the excess crude account. He added: “The situation going on to today is very sad because we ought to have learned from our experiences. In the global crisis of 2008, which started from the financial markets and then hit the commodities market, Nigeria financial system was badly affected, precisely for reasons similar to the reasons we have today. “But in a sense, 2008-2009 was much less severe than 2015-2016 and the reason was that prior to 2008, the government of Obasanjo had built up a buffer in the excess crude account and therefore the economic management authorities both monetary and fiscal did have some flexibility in their pursuit of countercyclical fiscal monetary policy. It was possible to draw on a huge pool of reserves to mitigate the impact of a collapsing currency and to continue to fund import and to also fund an expansion of government spending.” Continuing, the former CBN governor said: “In 2009 the CBN and the minister of finance, took the decision that oil price shock would be

Sanusi

Sekibo

Effects on Institutions Also speaking during a panel session, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said as a result of the development, the country’s ratings as well as those of some institutions had been cut, portfolio flows dried up and stock market affected. “And as organisations, we are bleeding because we are paying so much for energy to drive our operations,” he added. Also, Head Risk, Stanbic IBTC holdings Ms.

Mfon Akpan said Nigeria would always be susceptible to global energy crisis because of its reliance for revenue from the commodity. She said: “If we look at the global economy, we know that for some it has been opportunities. Such as the UK, US etc. So while it was positive for some nations, the OPEC countries are struggling. We need to look at Venezuela to project and see what the long term downside risk could look like for a country like ours which is heavily dependent on oil export. The days of triple digit oil prices are behind us. “On the broader scale, at a macro level, this clearly forces issue of diversification. You then have a ripple effect because government is still the largest employer of labour, when you bring it home to the industry itself.” But the Director, Banking Supervision Department, NDIC, Mr. Dapo Adeleke, expressed confidence in the steps taken by the CBN and NDIC in ensuring that the banks are stable. Adeleke said: “In 2008-2009, we knew how much the CBN had to give to banks for liquidity support. I knew at that time that when we look at capital adequacy ratio of most of the banks then, they were far below of what we expect prudentially that they should have. Today, that capital is under stress but I believe most of the banks have enough capital to the extent that that they can still be going on their business.”

The situation going on to today is very sad because we ought to have learned from our experiences. In the global crisis of 2008, which started from the financial markets and then hit the commodities market, Nigeria financial system was badly affected, precisely for reasons similar to the reasons we have today

Exchange Rate Risk The Emir of Kano expressed optimism that the full implementation of the flexible exchange rate policy would help ease some of the foreign exchange problems as well as attract foreign direct investments (FDIs). Sanusi said: “The exchange rate was a very big risk at the rate of N197 to a dollar. Now, we have had devaluation down to N280.Unfortunately to my mind so long as the system continues to target rates, you would not resolve the problem.” Continuing, he said: “All the money we spent on subsidy was keeping the refineries open in Europe. If a small fraction had been spent on building domestic refineries, we would be totally independent of the external world for import. We would be exporting refined crude. The economy would have been immune significantly from the shock to the crude oil price.” He urged the federal government to create an enabling environment to encourage foreign and local investments. He said: “We are today in a situation where clearly the government does not have money. Oil prices have dropped, oil output is low because of the Niger Delta Avengers are targeting the energy security of the country and the revenues of the government. Now this point in time, the government needs to make it very clear that

absorbed by nominal variables. We would rather have the exchange rate and nominal prices take the shock that the real economy. What seems to have happened in 2015 is that the government took the decision to allow the real economy take the shock while protecting nominal variables in terms of exchange rate and that was the choice to make. You do not absorb a real shock of the real economy, it is bad economics. “As a country, in the years 2010 to 2014, we had a golden opportunity to have learned from the experience from 2009 and when oil prices went up to prepare from the prices would go down and we refused to learn and we refused to listen which is the situation that this administration has inherited. Oil prices have gone down and there are no savings.”

it recognises that economic development and investments in infrastructure can only come from the private sector. “The risks we run are risk that we may send the wrong signals to the private sector because some statements that are made would suggest that the private sector is not welcomed. And if you don’t have the private sector committed to investing, local direct investment and foreign direct investments in the economy, the government simply cannot do it. You need them to come in and build refineries, roads and invest in other critical infrastructure reforms.” “We are at a point in the history of our country were for the first time in a long time, we have a president that is genuinely committed to fighting corruption and improving good governance but without the resources to implement the much need structural reform. And it is so sad. We do hope that when the revenue position of government improves, we would have the same kind of attitude in government.” He recommended an improvement in the country’s economic situation. “In terms of broad outlines, I think the government has been doing the right thing. The focus on governance, anticorruption and I do agree with 80 per cent of what the government is doing or maybe 90 per cent and the 10 per cent which is fuel subsidy and exchange rate which we have now moved closer to each other. So we are on the right track”, he said. Investing in Alternatives Sources Furthermore, Akpan said the challenge in investing in alternatives is that the country lacks long-term development capital. However, the RIMAN president said investments in carbon trading should be considered, saying: “Carbon trading is something that can help us. If you look at China, with all the emission they have, the carbon trading is what they are applying to reduce the CO2 emission. Nigeria is almost at zero level. We can make a whole lot of money on carbon trading. But the market today is not due. Let us see how we can develop our market so we can see this energy crisis being brought to a level where it is manageable.” Going Forward Going forward, Akpan urged risk managers to understand that their job is not a popularity contest, saying it comes with resilience by having a tough skin, courage and also demonstrating commerciality when one needs to. “It is not always about saying no. There are times when we have executives that are more domineering but we are professionals and we know what we are required to do to render to you so our standards are being compromised.”

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Harnessing Nigeria’s Natural Resources for Growth Insurers’ roles in the development of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources for economic development dominated discussions at the second edition of the annual national insurance conference, which held in Abuja recently. Ebere Nwoji reports The insurance industry, has no doubt realised its long standing dream of fostering cooperation, collaboration among the various arms of the industry and pulling resources together to engender the growth and development of the sector and the economy in general. The operators achieved this last week at the second edition of the National Insurance conference organised by the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC), a body comprising all the arms of the industry namely Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers(NCRIB), Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria(CIIN),Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria(ILAN) and Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN). These arms of the industry, have been existing as fragmented entities speaking with diverse voices and having their annual conferences over the years without achieving their overall desired result of growing the industry to contribute significantly to the national economy. But through the second edition of the conference held in Abuja recently, the operators have been able to collaborate to chart the way forward for the industry’s growth especially in the area of channelling their thoughts towards harnessing the opportunities in various sectors of the economy for national economic growth. This year’s edition of the conference, which has the theme Expanding National Resources and Infrastructure in Challenging Times, assembled experts from the various sectors of the economy, such as Agriculture, Mining, Construction among others to X-ray the opportunities in these sectors as well as how insurance can collaborate with them to enhance the growth of the industry and expand the economy. At the conference, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, the industry operators, after two days of serious brainstorming sessions, agreed that in its years of existence as part of the financial service sector of the economy, insurance contribution to the national economy has remained insignificant. Till date, the industry’s contribution to the Nation’s GDP is still as low as 0.6 percent and the industry ranks third in Africa in terms of market size whereas South Africa, which ranks first contributes close to 6 percent to the country’s GDP. The operators, after listening to paper presenters selected from the various sectors of the economy, agreed that more concrete steps should be taken to enable it position itself for the enormous potentials available in the economy. This includes human capital development for competencies and capabilities, increased penetration and contribution to GDP. They also agreed that the insurance industry should invest in data for decision making and embrace share services for seamless growth at cost effectiveness. They resolved that the existing laws should be reviewed to enable the industry take advantage of emerging opportunities including areas of infrastructure development. The conference noted the challenging environment, which the nation’s economy has found itself due to decline in crude oil prices and the need for development and growth of non oil sectors as alternative sources of income for the economy. The insurers at the conference agreed that Agriculture, Mining and Industry including SMES should be seen and recognised as sectors that need to be critically developed to move Nigeria forward. They were also of the view that insurance has critical role to play not only as investor but in the risking bearing aspect of the sector by understanding the value chain, develop appropriate product and deploy relevant technology for flow of funds to these sectors. They also agreed that specific insurance products should be developed along the value chain to enable them perform in those sectors. The conference also concluded that though mining is difficult to develop, it posses tremendous investment opportunity therefore insurance

NIA Chairman, Mr. Eddie Efekoha

industry should collaborate with operators and become one of the important partners in the industry. On the role of insurance in infrastructural development, the conference agreed that insurance is germane to conception, creation and maintenance of infrastructure in the country. The operators noted that there is a strong connection between infrastructure and insurance hence insurance industry should reposition itself to take advantage of huge potential in this area. The communiqué also stated: “The industry should embrace innovation, research and development, entrepreneurial skills and creation of value adding products on existing and emerging risks in order to tap into these huge potential. “The industry should improve in the area of customer engagement and public advocacy.

The industry should embrace innovation, research and development, entrepreneurial skills and creation of value adding products on existing and emerging risks in order to tap into these huge potential. The industry should improve in the area of customer engagement and public advocacy

The operators also agreed that a lobby group should be engaged to protect the interest of the industry especially in blocking various leakages and curtailing unhealthy competition against the industry from local and foreign institutions. The Conference noted that there should be an improvement in the collaboration with federal agencies such as federal fire services, and Federal Road Safety Commission to ensure effective implement of compulsory insurances in addition to what the industry is already doing and a structure should be put in place by the commission for implementation of its current initiative of re-launching compulsory Insurances. They also noted that the issue of inappropriate pricing of premium was inimical to the growth of the industry and resolved to encourage pooling in the area of public sector insurance. The communique also recommended that Micro insurance for low income earners should be encouraged for premium growth and development of the industry. Speaking at the conference, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said government was determined to lead in the reforms of a more vibrant Nigeria insurance market. The minister in her opening remarks at the conference, explained that a developed and active insurance market would bring about increase in GDP, accumulation of long-term funds for infrastructural financing, job creation, and an improved standard of living. She added that the development would also attract foreign investment in the country. Speaking on the ongoing efforts of industry stakeholders to reposition the insurance industry for growth, Adeosun said the federal government was ready to lend its support, adding, “there is a need to immediately address the decline in the Nigerian insurance industry as it is lagging behind global and African peers. ’’Despite being the largest economy in Africa, the Nigerian insurance industry remains largely underdeveloped. The industry has under-performed the banking sector and even the recently established pensions sector.”

Emphasising the resolve of the federal government to stimulate extra-ordinary growth and unleash the potential of the insurance industry in Nigeria, the minister listed some factors necessary for the change as recognising the true stage of development- we have an industry that despite its age remains in its infancy. This means that the government must act as a nurturer and incubator of the industry. “We have also seen the success of the pension fund industry as a text book example of where government policy set clear parameters for participation, led by example and enforced legal obligations. If we are to use the Pension fund success story as a template for the Insurance Industry, then we can jointly identify the required road map. She also stressed the need to strengthen the capital base of insurance companies. Speaking on the existing opportunities for insurers in infrastructural development, Kunle Elebute, Partner and Head of KPMG Advisory Services Nigeria and Head of Infrastructure, Government and Health Practice, noted that infrastructure projects such as electricity, roads, airports, water systems and telecommunications are the foundations of modern economies. He said investment in infrastructure not only generates direct employment in construction and operation of the various projects but also improves efficiency and productivity levels thereby increasing competitive advantage. According to him, while investment in infrastructure is not the only factor for economic growth, higher investment in infrastructure in China appears to support a faster economic growth. On the private sector role in infrastructural development, Elebute said based on Nigeria’s National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, annual investment of US$33billion is required between 2014 and 2018, which is significantly higher than government capital expenditure allocation in the period. “Consequently, as witnessed in major developed and emerging economies, private sector financing is required to bridge the financing gap,” he stated. He listed typical providers of private financing as Pension funds Insurance funds, Private investors (local and foreign). He viewed that since Life insurers seek investment options that offer high yields and long maturities to back long-duration life insurance obligations, one such option involves investments in infrastructure, such as transportation, communication, water, sewer and the generation and distribution of electric power. He recommended that insurers should collectively establish an infrastructure Investment Fund with contributions from industry players over the next 10 year; appoint infrastructure Fund Manager, which will determine infrastructure assets to invest in either directly or via project finance bonds; Fund investment committee that will ultimately be responsible for making final investment decisions He listed benefits of investing in infrastructure as stable returns, reliable cash flow and low volatility, as well as portfolio diversification among others. On their part, insurers said they can only invest in infrastructural development and mining within the ambit of insurance law guiding their premium investment in other sectors. Discussions at the conference point to the fact that there is insurance element in virtually every economic activity in every sector of the economy both in investment and risk -bearing areas but insurers have not spread their tentacles wider thereby limiting their premium generation chances. The insurers were encouraged to put their long term investible funds into use. This was confirmed by the Group Managing Director of Custodian and Allied Insurance Mr. Wole Oshin, who admitted that the insurers have over the years, concentrated attention on premium generation and little attention to the other side of their business which is investment of the generated premium for further yields.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FG Directs Extension of Anchor Borrower Programme to 14 States Obinna Chima

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its development partners, such as the Bank of Industry (BoI) to extend the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) to 14 other states in the country. The Executive Director, Corporate Servises and Commercial, BoI, Mr. Jonathan Tobin, disclosed this in a presentation he made at a media parley organised by the BoI in Lagos. Some of the states are Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Admawa, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Cross-

Rivers and Ebonyi. The central bank last year commenced the pilot phase of the programme with rice production in Kebbi state. The ABP aims at creating economic linkages between over 600,000 smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilisation of integrated mills. It is also expected to close the gap between the levels of local rice production and domestic consumption, as well as complement the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture

by graduating GES farmers from subsistence farming to commercial production. “I have it on good authority that Mr. President has directed that what was done in Kebbi state under the ABP be replicated in 14 other states. So, they are walking round the clock to ensure that the ABP is replicated, not only on rice, wheat, oil palm and various other commodities that states have comparative advantage in their production,” Tobin said. According to him, a recent report disclosed that Africa spends $35.4 billion on food imports annually. Out of this, Nigeria accounts for $11 billion

of this amount, which he said wasn’t helpful to the country’s quest for food sufficiency and economic diversification. Tobin further said a total of 78,000 farmers were trained in Kebbi state under the programme, just as he commended the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Governor of Kebbi state for their passion towards to ABP. Earlier, the acting Managing Director, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said as a financial institution, confidence is very important, just as he urged journalists to continue to support the Bank. “For you to attract financial

resources from your shareholders or development partners, you must be positively perceived before anybody would be able to part with its resources. That is why it is important to ensure that cconfidence is sustained. That is the only way we can achieve our objectives,” he added. Olagunju pointed out that Nigeria is highly blessed, saying that the country has all it takes to attain its potential. “Nigeria is among 20 countries in the world with population above 20 million. But your population can either be an asset or a liability to you. If we are exporting most of what

we produce, it is an asset, but if we are importing most of what we consume, then it is an asset. There is a relationship between population and GDP growth. “Apart from human resources, we have a lot of natural resources - agriculture, solid minerals, then of course, oil and gas. Each of the 774 local governments in Nigeria have natural resources that have been identified. So, we need to continue to sensitise Nigerians on what those natural resources can do so that they can use the opportunity to create wealth and jobs,” he added.

FG Commends Erisco Foods for Curbing Waste Nume Ekeghe The Minister of State for Industry, State and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, has commended Erisco Foods Limited for its innovative technology to curb wastage of tomatoes. She gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the firm’s factory in Lagos recently. Abubakar said: “Just few weeks ago, we were discussing that nobody was doing anything about the tomato scarcity. Little did we know that something was actually being done. With what I have seen at Erisco, it is really very innovative. I think what is happening at Erisco will open doorway for other fruits and vegetables that are being wasted. Once people see it can be done, they will start investing in it.” According to Abubakar, the ministry was trying to develop a macro policy for industries, adding that her team would go around, see other factories, engage farmers to identify how best to develop a policy to move the industry forward. Also the president,

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, said the federal government and MAN often emphasised the need for backward integration as one of the ways the country could achieve economic growth. “When I took a tour around Erisco Foods’ facilities, I saw an innovation that Erisco should sell to the world,” said Jacobs. Earlier, Eric Umeofia, founder and chairman, Erisco Foods Limited, said the company was in full support of government’s call for diversification. Umeofia, however, said the firm still needed government support for survival. “Erisco Foods is not only producing tomatoes but has diversified to other products. We need the support of the government so that we can do much more,” Umeofia said. “The government needs to ban the importation of tomato paste to help local producers in the tomato industry. Erisco Foods now produces 45,000 metric tonnes and the only company processing dried tomatoes and converting same to paste.

UBA Partners MasterCard on e-Payment The United Bank for Africa (UBA) and MasterCard have announced a partnership which will see UBA act as the issuer for MasterCard in 18 new markets in Africa. The partnership which came into effect in the second quarter of 2016 will see UBA issue MasterCard credit, debit and prepaid cards across these markets. The partnership will also focus on increased payments infrastructure across Africa, including the roll out of pointof-sale and mobile-point-of-sale technology, to ensure merchants are able to accept the cards when introduced into these markets. MasterCard and UBA are partnering across the 19 African countries in which UBA currently operates: Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,

Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. “As the needs of our customers change, we are adapting through strategic innovations and partnerships to provide them with excellent and convenient services. Through these strategic partnerships, we are able to accelerate the drive for financial inclusion and economic well-being across the African continent,” the bank’s Group Managing Director-Designate, Kennedy Uzoka said in a statement. Also, the Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Daniel Monehin said: “This focus on infrastructure and the roll out of easy-to-access solutions is a key part of driving financial inclusion and a move away from cash in these markets.

REWARD FOR LOYALTY

L-R: Vice-President, Consumer Sales and Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Ken Ogunjiofor, presenting a Galaxy Samsung tab to Etisalat customer, Donald Ukpong, during the Etisalat Customer Forum in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State...recently

CPC Flags Off Grassroots Sensitisation with Women James Emejo in Abuja The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has flagged off its nationwide grassroots consumer awareness programme with the country’s womenfolk as part of its strategies to stem consumer abuses in the country. Also, in line with this vision, the agency has named the wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, as the Nigerian Consumer Ambassador for effective mobilisation of Nigerian women in the agency’s renewed crusade against consumer abuses. CPC’s Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, who flagged off the sensitisation campaign for women groups, said while addressing the National Convention of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) in Abuja at the weekend, that the women folk has a critical role

to play in tackling consumer abuses in various sectors of the economy. She said:”Women constitute the largest consumer block, in the economy by virtue of their innate ability and God-given role of making purchase decisions as well as in catering for the needs of the family hence, they suffer the most abuse as consumers”. She said the Council identified NCWS “as an organisation that represents the entire strata of Nigerian women, particularly at the grassroots” as part of her agency’s drive “to drastically improve the level of consumer awareness in the country”. On the decision of CPC to name the wife of the president as the Nigerian Consumer Ambassador, Atoki noted the “initiative to ensure Nigerian women know their rights can find no better personality to identify with its cause than Her

Excellency, Hajia Aisha Buhari.” She pointed that “CPC as the apex agency for the protection of Nigerian consumers has respectfully sought the consent of Her Excellency, and she has graciously agreed to serve as Nigerian Consumer Ambassador”, stating that “we are indeed very grateful to Her Excellency, who we trust will assist in taking consumer protection to another level under her watch as Nigerian Consumer Ambassador.” Atoki also referred to the committed efforts of Hajia Buhari in taking on the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are predominantly women and children, by raising funds to meet the needs of the IDPs outside government resources as exemplary, expressing her conviction that such commitment would safeguard Nigerian women from malpractices of

unscrupulous businesses. She said: “The same passion exhibited by Her Excellency on the plight of the IDPs will be brought to bear in support of CPC to ensure that women are not further impoverished by businesses, due to lack of awareness of their rights as consumers”. The CPC boss added that the renewed vigour of the Council in raising the level of consumer education in the country was predicated on the fact that “an informed consumer is an assertive consumer”, stressing that “consumers on their part must have good grasp of their rights in order to be assertive and get value for money”. Consumers, she stated, “must know where to seek redress, they must just not grumble, they must complain when dissatisfied with a product or service.”

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 2016, • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NAICOM to Relaunch MDRI Initiative Stories by Ebere Nwoji The insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is considering the re-launch of its much orchestrated Market Development and Restructuring (MDRI). This is to ensure deep penetration of insurance among Nigerian populace and enhance its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The MDRI project is a medium term plan, which first phase spanned between 2009-2012. The objective was to ensure the deepening of the insurance market and moving the industry gross premium form the initial N164billion in 2008 to NI.0 trillion 2012. Its objectives aside deepening insurance penetration, was to create 50,000 jobs through the agency system, fight against

fake insurance institutions and ensure enforcement of compulsory insurances. Though the initiative could not achieve these set objectives at the appointed time, the industry in pursuance of this set objectives, has laid solid foundation for its achievement in 2017 according to the immediate past Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel whose initiatives the present commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Kari has vowed to consolidate on. Kari, shortly after taking over the mantle of leadership of the insurance commission said his main focus was to polish the image of the industry by doing away with fake insurance operators, creating awareness on relevance of insurance to Nigerians and collaborating with relevant government agencies to enforce compulsory

insurances. At the recently concluded National Insurance Conference held in Abuja, Kari, said in a bid to ensuring the enforcement of compulsory insurances, the commission has planned to relaunch the seven year -old MDRI initiative to review it for the immediate impact. “We believe it will provide. We believe if properly implemented, it will bring the desired result as envisaged. This effort has further been boosted by the just concluded review of the draft Insurance bill by the ministerial committee set up by the Minister of Finance; the presidential directive on insurance of government assets, the Senate resolution supporting the enforcement of compulsory classes of insurance across the country. He said while efforts and consultation have reached

advanced stages with the various agencies including state governments towards enforcement of these classes of insurance, the minster has consented to chair the grand launching of the enforcement campaign. “The underwriters and brokers have also reached some landmark agreement which would see to improved market discipline and streamlining of the technical management of risk which is now lacking in most areas of operations”, Kari stated. Speaking on the level of insurance penetration in the country, Kari said the commonly used index for measuring the development of insurance in an economy is the market penetration which is the ratio of total insurance premium to the gross domestic product. He said while the challenges

of low spending power, culture and low financial inclusiveness does not help insurance penetration, enforcement of the compulsory classes of Insurance would give the needed boost to jump-start penetration in the sector. This according to him informed the resolve to re-launch the MDRI. “Having reasonably tackled the immediate issues wedging the positive moves of the industry, efforts are now being focused on the medium and long term impetuses required to provide the quantum leap the industry so desire to be able to contribute to the national economy. He said to achieve this goal, the commission has continued to provide regulatory oversight for the industry in relevant areas through the issuance of guidelines, training and the creation of the enabling

regulations to introduce new classes of Insurances to address the financially disadvantaged in our society. He noted that the efforts of the market need to continue to be supported by the government and the Legislature adding that government need to ensure the adequate protection of public assets and the timely funding of such, and the legislature need to increase their oversight function of the activities of the sector including passing the approraite legislation, Also speaking, President of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Isioma Chukwuma said the benefit of insurance to national economy cannot be overemphasised. She however said regrettably, these enormous potential have been stultified, among others, by lack of intra industry cohesion.

FBN Insurance Boss Moves to Expand Firm’s Clientele Ebere Nwoji The Managing Director/ Chief Executive officer of FBN General Insurance Limited, Bode Oadokun, has said that his focus is to expand the coast of the company by building strong hold on the retail insurance market segment. FBN General Insurance is a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Company. Opadokun disclosed this recently at a press parley in Lagos, adding that the firm would leverage on retail operations to increase its market share, income and penetration. “We want to see how we can drive our operations in such a way that it will impact our market size and the industry in general. Opadokun, noted that despite the huge population of Nigeria, insurance industry’s contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is still very low. He said one of the ways the operators can develop the insurance market is through creation of new market.

According to him, FBN, would engage the services of insurance agents, information communication technology, association and groups to sell its products to people, especially those at the grassroots. The FBN Insurance boss vowed to reposition and rebrand the company in such a way that it will stand the test of time in terms of productivity, staff welfare, customer relation and profitability. He said the company will match research with communications to ensure the arrays of products in its kitty are known and appreciated by the public, stressing that the firm will regularly evolve products that meet the need of the public. The firm’s half year financial performance, he noted, far exceeded what it recorded within the period last year, adding that though insurance is a hard sell in the country, the firm would continue to make giant strides through innovations and improved service delivery.

FG to Complete Galaxy BackBone Office Complex Soon Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Minister of Communication Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, has pledged federal government’s commitment to completing the new office complex of Galaxy BackBone (GBB), within the next two months. The multi-million naira head office complex of the parastatal under the ministry will fast track effective deployment of broadband services to both the public and private sectors. Shittu , who made the pledge during his maiden visit to Galaxy BackBone Ltd, over the weekend, in Abuja, said discussions are at top stage with various development partners

on how the project which is near completion will be quickened to enable the company expand its operations. The minister said the downturn in the economy notwithstanding, and considering the importance of ICT as an enabler of all other sectors, government will put its focus and resources into making the office an immediate reality. He said: “Our intervention on the project is crucial and we believe it is one project that will certainly finance itself in the long run due to the long range of services it will render. It is a thing of joy for this agency to be created, particularly as it will fill the yarning gap in the ICT sector and bring everybody on board.”

PRODUCT UNVEILING

L-R: Sales Manager, West and Central Africa, BiC, Mr. Guillaume Groues; Director, CFAO-FMCG Africa, Mr. Jean-Francois Sonder; Managing Director, CFAO/NIPEN Plc, Mr. Regis Tromeur and the Marketing Manager, West and Central Africa, BiC, Mr. Oumar Dihalo,

Great Nigeria Insurance Tasks Nigerians on Insurance Culture Ebere Nwoji Great Nigeria Insurance Plc has urged Nigerians to adopt insurance culture in their day to day activities. The insurance firm’s advice is coming on the heels of incessant cases of road accidents across the country; collapsed buildings, especially those under construction; fire outrage and other unforeseen happenings which have destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. The Chief Technical Officer of the company, Mr. Folusho Alliyu stated this during a press briefing in Lagos . According to Alliyu, this is the time Nigerians need to consciously be educated on the benefits derivable from insurance contract. He said there are various insurance products that have been designed to protect lives and properties, noting that the most essential thing is for the insuring public to willingly open their minds in accepting the

fact that insurance is a very important aspect of their lives. “Nigerians have waited too long in recognising and accepting the reality that without insurance, one is like building a house without a foundation, which in no distance time, could crash. “And when that happens, you will have to start from the scratch again with even more funds than you initially expended”, he explained. According to him, insurance gives the promise of a safe and comfortable future. “The earlier we disabuse our minds of the old notion that insurance does not work, the better it will be for all of us, he mentored. Also, the DGM/ Head of Marketing and Business Development of the underwriting firm, Mr. Toyin Alonge attributed the low patronage of insurance in the country to the fact that Nigerians lack the basic insurance knowledge to fully appreciate the benefits inherent in it.

According to him, “there’s a willing suspension of acquiring basic knowledge about insurance products and how it works by majority of Nigerians which must be dispelled.’’ He said experience has shown that an individual who took one insurance policy or the other in the past but with ugly experience along the line was largely due to the inability to read through insurance policy document ,Adding that such an individual is capable of giving wrong information or misrepresentation of ideas to would-be customers out there who would have taken one policy or the other. On her part, the Managing Director/CEO,of the company, Mrs. Cecilia O. Osipitan noted that low awareness remains one of the major reasons why a very large percentage of the Nigerian population is not insuring as they ought to considering the population and the level of commercial activities in the country.

She also emphasised the need to positively influence the perception of the insuring public to engender greater patronage of the sector, pointing out that wrong perception of the industry by many Nigerians is adversely affecting the performance of the industry. She charged the industry operators to do more on sensitisation of the masses to ensure better patronage. According Osipitan, as part of its sensitisation effort, Great Nigeria Insurance Plc recently launched a live radio program titled “GNIONGO” to extensively discuss the import of insurance with the different products and services available under the stable of the company. GNIONGO is a weekly radio program which is aired live on Fridays between 12:15 pm and 12:30 pm on Traffic Radio 96.1FM with a call-in segment where listeners can call to ask questions and seek clarifications.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JULY 20, 2016

EDUCATION ‘How STEM Can Aid Nigeria’s Technological Devt’

Florida-based, Nigerian born Onyema Ajuogu, who is the President of Benignant STEM Innovation Foundation, is a trained aerospace engineer/pilot. Ajuogu has traversed many countries including Central America teaching young girls how to embrace science. As she launches the Nigerian version of STEM education, she speaks to journalists on her mission and why the Nigerian government should introduce STEM into schools’ curriculum. Uchechukwu Nnaike presents excerpts: is all about? BSI wants to create that awareness by hosting a one-day ‘Innovative Technological Development through STEM Awareness’ in Nigeria. The purpose for this event will be to increase the awareness about STEM and the need of adopting STEM projects and its inclusion in the Nigerian education system for the nation’s technological development. Our plan with this event is to highlight these facts, introduce Nigerian private sectors, civil society, youths and education leaders to BSI’s innovative STEM projects, and start expanding public-private partnerships to extend STEM education to all secondary school student in Nigeria; as well as opening a centre in Nigeria to house an aircraft building STEM workshop.

Who are you and who do you represent? My name is Onyema Benigna Ajuogu, an aerospace engineer, a STEM advocate and I represent Benignant STEM Innovation (BSI)Foundation. I have been a champion for engaging young people in science and technology because I recognise that the future of a nation depends on the innovations and advances of today’s students. BSI’s educational programmes are a direct response to the reality that our future will be built on innovation and invention and creative problem solving. How can you describe STEM education? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM is a unique approach of teaching and learning. But Benignant STEM Innovation Foundation is a non-profit innovative organisation that is committed to inspiring young women and providing educational opportunity. The focus is on developing countries and underserved group in developed nations. I believe that STEM is a tool that can help start development in developing countries. What does your organisation do? Benignant STEM Innovation Foundation is an innovative organisation dedicated to promoting increased participation in postsecondary education STEM fields by young people from developing countries around the world. One of our programmes is the “STEM workshop,” where we use tools such as rockets and aircraft kits to give young people hands-on activities to spark their interest in STEM education. The project classes can last from one week to six months depending on which tools are used for the workshop. Our rocket and aircraft kits are the “vehicles” we use to reinforce STEM concepts, as well as teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership and innovative thinking. Your organisation was one of the exhibitors at the USA Science and Engineering Festival. What was it about? The USA Science and Engineering Festival is a collaboration of over 1,000 of the nation’s leading science and engineering organisations with an expected attendance of more than 350,000 participants from around the country. Because of United States priority in science, science fair is celebrated as they celebrate Hollywood. An opportunity that brings together teens, kids, and families together for a weekend filled with fun science activities that stimulate their interest in STEM and answer basic and high-level scientific questions. The different organisations exhibiting at the festival explain scientific concepts through games, competitions and activities. What did Benignant STEM Innovation do during the event? BSI sees the festival as a perfect venue for spreading its message of inspiration, education, and opportunity through STEM education. We hosted STEM workshop, an activity that is designed to help participants learn and build model rocket. To excite the participants and encourage them to be interested in STEM programmes with the new hope of being engineers, scientists, among others. Why do you think STEM is important? Our organisation focuses on developing countries because that is where technical

Ajuogu

development needs to come in. STEM is not only a matter of social justice, but a matter of nations’ economic prosperity and wellbeing. If you look at history, every developed nation like United States has embraced STEM education that brought them to where they are today. What are the key things leaders can do to encourage youths to study STEMrelated fields? Every school should have curriculum that includes STEM project. These days, it is not all about what you learn in the classroom, it is the experience you put into it. An experiment or hands-on activities that can expose them to basic STEM concepts would go a long way to get students interested in STEM fields and equip them with the 21st century skills for the real world. A hands-on activity that can spark their interest in STEM. And finally, a hope to use those skills acquired and incentives that comes with in form of pay cheque. You know talented students are not entering these field because they have not been exposed to it much and lack of opportunities after graduation and role models are obstacles for these young students. They need to be shown what it is and the benefits they can get going into these STEM fields. The development of

any nation is measured by the advancement in infrastructure, technology and the service sectors such as public transportation. With lack of STEM skilled workers in the country, it is impossible to bring about this development. The root cause of this problem lies in the education system and the system in which we retain skilled workers. Why do you think government and corporate organisations should throw their weights behind the project? The scale of the STEM crisis has grown far beyond the resources and capabilities of government and the schools boards alone. Much like climate change, STEM education now requires “all hands on deck,” with the corporate world driving much of the systemic change required. US corporations are now investing $350 billion annually in STEM education, more than 100X the scale of President Obama’s unprecedented $3 billion STEM initiative. Companies from all sectors have now made STEM education for 21st century jobs their number one corporate citizenship initiative. Many more companies invest deeply in STEM education as a means of innovating and surviving in the marketplace. Benignant STEM Innovation Foundation is about to create awareness in Nigeria. What

What is your advice to Nigeria about STEM? STEM is the future. It is important because it pervades every aspect of what brings development to a nation. STEM professions build communities and transform nations. Science should be identified as a national priority, but science teachers can’t do it all on their own. A lot of importance needs to be given to STEM education in this country. We need to provide the right kind of opportunities for students who wish to pursue their education in STEM, we need to show more faith and fully support intelligent students in the country. We need to inspire more young people to get into these advanced degree fields in STEM. While doing so, we also need to rethink the system in which we retain highly qualified STEM workers in the country. Many of the STEM skilled individuals leave Nigeria for better employment opportunities in developed countries such as the USA and UK, as a result what gets left behind is just public service, fashion and arts. We need to implement a strong system, which allows Nigeria to retain this highly qualified population. The overall goal must be to create a sustainable system/plan, which allows for an increase in the number of STEM workers in the country. Nigeria is ripped for actual development, which cannot happen outside or without STEM skills. Why is the innovation important now? During the time I was planning to come to USA for my studies, there was no university in Nigeria that offers aerospace engineering. I am not sure if there is any school offering that course now. That shouldn’t be happening at this 21st century. In fact, Nigeria should have aircraft producing plant by now. The country is ripe for technological development. STEM skills have enabled the richest countries achieve sustained economic growth over the last two centuries. Their economic growth is powered, fundamentally, by their capacity to innovate. The competition among the developed countries is closely related to their relative capacities to innovate and to win new global markets for their technologically advanced products. We hope that whether attendees care about tackling climate change, finding a cure to cancer, using technology to help make people’s lives better, or getting a human to Mars, they realise that STEM is the answer.

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

Promoting Indigenous Culture and Heritage

In its quest to promote indigenous dance and entertainment, the Afemai Heritage and Cultural Studies, an indigenous concept, recently organised masquerades and dance troupes in Benin City, capital of Edo State, writes Adibe Emenyonu

Egbogio dance troupe.

lthough it was not a festive period of any kind which usually epitomise the appearance of masquerades and other cultural dances, but the public appearance of some masquerades and dance troupe of Afemai extraction, June 10, 2016 at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, situated along the Government Reservation Road, attracted people of all walks of life. Afemai is name used to describe the indigenous people of Edo North senatorial district of Edo State which comprises three Etsako namely, Etsako Central, Etsako East and Etsako West. The two Owan which is Owan East and Owan West as well as Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas. The Afemai Heritage and Cultural Studies (AHCS), was founded on March 2010 and was inaugurated in Auchi, administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area by the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. Since that inauguration, AHCS Founder and Artistic Director, Alhaji Usman Abudah, said "the body has been in the vanguard of promoting, propagating and documenting the artistry of the Afamai people in various creative themes within the six local governments that make up Edo North senatorial district." The first national and international recognition of Afemai Heritage and Cultural Studies was recorded the same year it was inaugurated, when the Founder and Artistic Director was invited in the maiden edition

Kids playing scrabble game

of the Black Heritage Festival held in Lagos. Upon attendance, Abudah disclosed that he went with a 45-man troupe consisting of masquerades and dance troupes. It was a segment of these same troupe that were on parade in Benin City to perform. They are made up of the Aimi masquerades, Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government, the renowned composer, dancer and hunter known in local parlance as Oyase (soloist) from Ayogwiri, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

I will like our young girls and boys of today to be genuine and original in all that they do. Because to me, no one culture is superior to the other neither is there any that is inferior to the other. Our people should begin to appreciate ourselves for whom we are as Africans. And through this music today, our culture is being portray to the world

Others are the Ogbona Female Singers, which is a creation of Abudah comprising elderly women who specialise in singing folk songs, notably songs of joy and pains that portray human existence. There was also the Aigbeloje Dance Troupe (a dance for the elites) from Owan West Council area of Edo State, as well as Egbogio Dance Troupe. According to oral tradition, Egbogio is a village in Etsako Central who settled by the sea side and migrated from North-Ibie to their present aboard. Above all, the most outstanding of all the performances was the display by the soloist who uses the flute, referred in local language as "alido" a local wind instrument to sing songs of joy just as the famous Kenny G handles the saxophone. According to Abudah, the "alido" is almost none existent because of the death of manufacturer and versatile instrumentalist called Aghigwe Odion. "All the instruments are indigenous as they are made of wood in a cup form," he stressed. Speaking at the event, the lead vocalist of Agbeloje cultural dance troupe, Godwin Ikhide, said he came into the dance troupe because of his love of culture and the protection of his forebears. Ikhide who traced the history of the dance troupe, disclosed that this particular form of music dates back to the 1950s when the elders then aurally sing it while in the farmland. "It was from then on, more and more people began to see reason why it must be sustained and exported to the admiration of humanity," he pointed out. Besides, he said the spirit behind the music unlike what obtains today is "the

protection and propagation of our cultural values," adding "Our history is communicated through music. When you are on stage, there is this feeling of tradition and I see myself as one person that is helping to promote our beautiful culture to the world. On whether he attached monetary values to his performances, Ikhide exclaimed: "Oh no! The money may not be there. For some of us, we equally engage on other jobs in order for us to be able to sustain our family. Our livelihood is not totally dependent on it. So whenever we are not practising or on such exhibition, some of us go to farm, others are involved in one form of trading or the other.â&#x20AC;? To Ikhide said that the upcoming generation should remain steadfast and committed in all that they do so much so that they should learn to appreciate the culture of their heritage, preserve and cherish it to the admiration of those yet unborn. According to him, "I will like our young girls and boys of today to be genuine and original in all that they do. Because to me, no one culture is superior to the other neither is there any that is inferior to the other. Our people should begin to appreciate ourselves for whom we are as Africans. And through this music today, our culture is being portray to the world." Also in the words of Chief Joshua A. Isimede, Patron, Agboloje cultural dance troupe, said one of the motivating factors is the cultural dimension to music. He noted that most times, people seem not to understand what music is all about. His words: "You cannot separate man from his culture. The culture is the way of life of any particular

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people. In the way they dance, play and interact with one another. "In this case, the culture of the Owan people is being communicated today in this form of dance performance. We call it, the Agbelojekhe special dance performance. This is one that is rarely played. It is played on special occasions; like when there is a big ceremony to celebrate and you have a big audience of top personalities from within the society in attendance. "You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see this troupe every now and then. It is a song performance for royalty, the kings. Like what you observed today, it is because we were told that the high and mighty in the society will be gathered here that is why we were invited to do a live performance and to entertain the audience while also showcasing our rich culture and traditional heritage of our people," he said. Nonetheless, one of the problems militating against the appearance of cultural dances of this nature has remained the issue of logistics. In other words, the means of transporting them from the rural communities to the city centre, as well as remuneration for members of the troupe due to poor patronage and much preference to western music. It is therefore against this backdrop that Isimede had to call on government at all levels to take a second look at the cultural heritage of the people and see how it can be preserved through adequate funding, training and attention to prevent it from going into extinction. He said, "That is why what we are rightfully demanding is for government to take a look at our cultural heritage and to see how it can be preserved. This can be done when adequate funding is made available for culture group like ours, the Adelojekhe dance group. "Our culture is ours and the western people have their own culture. Our culture is unique to us and we are by this preserving our tradition. The only thing we want the government, stakeholders to do is to pay more attention to our culture and inculcate our cultural values in our children who are the future generation.â&#x20AC;? .In his address at the occasion, Founder and Artistic Director, Afemai Heritage and Cultural Studies, Abudah, the body that assembled the troupes, made a passionate plea to structures of government at all levels to sincerely have a change of mind towards their attitudes to anything that has to do with the promotion, propagation and documentation of the creative artistry of the people. Besides, he said one of the problems cultural troupes face is peanuts they receive whenever they are invited to perform at government functions unlike secular artistes who are well paid. Abudah, who asked officials of government to as a matter of urgency to stop such cheating attitude, advised the federal government to handover the running of the skills acquisition centre built by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) located in various zones in the country to serious artistic disciples to run for the benefit of the citizens. He said: "This address was a compelling decision taken at the last moment of assessing whether it is worth presenting or just making unregistered observations on the general handling of the creative themes of

Our culture is ours and the western people have their own culture. Our culture is unique to us and we are by this preserving our tradition. The only thing we want the government, stakeholders to do is to pay more attention to our culture and inculcate our cultural values in our children who are the future generation

Ogbona female dancers

The Ayogwiri soloist (Oyase)

FounderArtistic Director, Afemai Cultural Studies, Alhaji Usman Abudah.

Ogbona masquerade

the people, whose gift in this aspect is mostly God-given thus establishing the differences

between those who went to school to be taught how to dance, sing and play instruments to

the university level and those who inherited the act down the family line."

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WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

In Cleveland,Trump’s Wife Tries to Soften His Image Zacheaus Somorin with agency reports

Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, in her first major political speech on Monday, tried to soften her husband’s image by portraying him as a talented, compassionate and unrelenting leader who would unify rather than divide the country if elected to the White House. According to CNN, the Slovenian-born jewelry designer and former model delivered the speech, part of which strongly resembled an address given by current First Lady Michelle Obama in 2008, to a cheering crowd at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland after a one-minute introduction from Trump. The presumptive Republican nominee made a dramatic entrance, silhouetted against a white background, to the accompaniment of Queen’s

1977 rock anthem, “We Are the Champions.” “I have been with Donald for 18 years and I have been aware of his love for this country since we first met,” the aspiring first lady told the convention. “He’s tough when he has to be, but he’s also kind and fair and caring.” “Donald wants prosperity for all Americans,” she said, reading from a teleprompter, as people applauded. Her roughly 15-minute speech was a bid to soften the image of the New York businessman-turned-politician, who has been accused of bigotry and callousness for his calls to suspend Muslim immigration and deport millions of undocumented immigrants if elected. He has also been criticized for insults directed at women, political opponents and journalists. Part of the text referring to the values held by her family was strikingly similar to a section of Michelle Obama’s speech to

the Democratic convention in 2008. A Trump campaign official suggested the similarity was the result of an error by her speech writers. “In writing her beautiful speech, Melania’s team of writers took notes on her life’s inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking,” Jason Miller, Trump’s senior communications advisor, said in a statement. Trump’s Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has accused Trump, 70, of lacking the experience and temperament

needed to work in the Oval Office. On Monday, Clinton, 68, used an address to a largely black audience to cast Trump as someone who would divide the country along racial, ethnic and religious lines. The convention’s opening night featured a string of emotional speakers attacking Clinton’s record as secretary of state under President Barack Obama, many arguing she had made Americans vulnerable to Islamist militancy. “I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son,”

said Pat Smith, the mother of an information management officer who was among the four Americans killed in an attack on a U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose administration has been credited with sharply reducing crime in the city during the 1990s and who oversaw the city’s response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center and killed almost 3,000 people, gave a highly charged speech slamming Clinton and

making the case for Trump. “What I did for New York, Donald Trump will do for America!” he said. The convention erupted in chaos earlier when Trump opponents inside his party stormed out of the room and others chanted, in a failed attempt to force a vote opposing his candidacy. The turmoil threatened efforts by the Trump campaign to show the party had united behind him and distracted from the day’s theme of “Make America Safe Again”.

Turkey Accuses Gulen of Being Behind Failed Coup Hizmet Movement denies allegation Alex Enumah in abuja The Turkish government has accused an influential Islamic cleric, Fethullah Gulen, as being the mastermind of the botched July 15 coup allegedly staged by a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces in some cities of Turkey, particularly in Ankara and Istanbul. The indictment was made yesterday by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil, during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja. The ambassador who noted that peace has since returned to the country owing to the strong resistance put up by the citizens of the country however vowed that any person found guilty would be made to face the full wrath of the country’s constitution. “This coup attempt was staged by the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). Our government has been constantly exposing the real motives of this terrorist group and its leader, Fethullah Gülen, to all allies and partners. The failed coup is the latest criminal act revealing the danger posed by FETÖ”. “Our President, Prime Minister, Government and Members of Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Turkish people all together defeated this coup attempt and stood by democracy and rule of law. “The terrorists will be punished in accordance with the law”, the ambassador said. Meanwhile in a swift response, the opposition Hizmet Movement, an organization at the forefront of promoting democracy as well as peaceful co-existence among the people of Turkey has described Gulen’s indictment by the Turkish government as “irresponsible and concerning”. However report has it that Gulen have said he is open to

any international investigation and probe in order to prove his innocence, adding that he is ready to face the consequences if found guilty. In a separate interaction with newsmen in Abuja on developments in Turkey, President of the UFUK Dialogue, Kamil Kemanci, distanced the movement and Gulen from what it described as a probably staged managed coup. He said, “Mr. Fethullar Gulen, inspirer of Hizmet Movement has always advocated for democracy and insisted there is no u-turn from democracy at every stage of his life. “As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt. I categorically deny such accusations”. The president said the group strongly condemns the attempted military coup and reiterated that there is no place for military interventions in Turkey’s democracy. “Theattemptedmilitarycouptoover throw the Turkish government was an act of military aggression and injustice. Wehavealwayssupportedthedevelopment of Turkey’s democracy despite the increasing anti-democracy practices in recent years”, he said. Democracy, ruleoflaw,peacefulco-existence,freedom and human rights are the core values of Hizmet participants, he added. Following the wake of the failed coup, thousands of government officials have been arrested and dismissed from office. Latest report has it that over 15,000 teachers have also been relieved of their appointment, adding to their counterparts in the military, judiciary and the police. There is also fear that the regime may introduce capital punishment which is said to be alien in the country’s constitution in an attempt to completely get rid of all opposition.

WE APPRECIATE YOU

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright with Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, during the commissioning of a newly constructed immigration Returns Reception Centre at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, built by the UK government

North Korea Fires Three Ballistic Missiles in New Show of Force North Korea fired three ballistic missiles yesterday which flew between 500 and 600 km (300-360 miles) into the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s military said, the latest in a series of provocative moves by the isolated country. The U.S. military said it detected launches of what it believed were two Scud missiles and one Rodong, a home-grown missile based on Soviet-era Scud technology. North Korea has fired both types numerous times in recent years, an indication that unlike recent launches that were seen as efforts by the North to improve its missile capability, Tuesday’s were meant as a show of force. “This smells political rather than technical to me,” said Melissa Hanham, a senior research associate at the U.S.-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California. “I think the number and distance of the missiles lets them remind the ROK (Republic of Korea) of what they are up against,” she said, referring to South Korea by its official name. North Korea

and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. The North regularly threatens to destroy the Japan, South Korea and the South’s main ally, the United States. The launches came nearly a week after South Korea and the United States chose a site in the South to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter threats from the North, which had prompted Pyongyang to threaten a “physical response”. “Our assessment is that it was done as a show of force,” a South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff official said at a briefing. The missiles were launched from an area in the North’s western region called Hwangju between 5:45 a.m. South Korea time (04:45 p.m. EDT Monday) and 6:40 a.m., the South’s military said, an indication that the North was confident they would not crash on its own territory. “The ballistic missiles’ flight went from 500 km to 600 km, which is a distance far enough to strike all

of South Korea, including Busan,” the South’s military said in a statement. Busan is a South Korean port city in the south.North Korea has test-fired a series of ballistic missiles in recent months, in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, including intermediate-range missiles in June and a submarine-launched missile this month. “In addition to the basic goal of enhancing missile units’ readiness to fight, it might be a way of reminding their southern neighbors that the site chosen for a THAAD battery in South Korea is within reach,” Joshua Pollack, editor of the U.S.based Nonproliferation Review, said of Tuesday’s launches. South Korea announced last week the THAAD system would be deployed in the southeastern county of Seongju. In addition to the decision to base a THAAD system in South Korea, the United States recently angered North Korea by blacklisting its leader Kim Jong Un for human rights abuses. “The threat to our national security is growing very quickly in a short period

of time,” South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn told parliament on Tuesday. North Korea conducted its fourth test of a nuclear device in January, and activity at its nuclear test site has increased recently, according to media reports in South Korea and Japan citing government officials, as well as a report by Washington-based North Korea monitoring project 38 North. Following the latest nuclear test and a February space rocket launch that was widely viewed as a missile test in disguise, the U.N. Security Council imposed tough new resolutions that further isolate North Korea. While China supported tougher sanctions against its neighbor and ally North Korea, it has sharply criticized the decision to base a THAAD battery in South Korea, saying the move would destabilize the security balance in the region. “The situation on the Korean peninsula is severe and complex and all sides should avoid any actions that raise tensions,” China’s foreign ministry said, echoing previous statements.

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Discos: Nigerians Would Have to Choose between Darkness and Light Insist electricity service has to be priced appropriately Chineme Okafor inAbuja Electricity distributing companies in Nigeria (Discos) has said Nigerians would have to choose between working with them to improve the country’s electricity system for their benefits and going back to darkness which they said had been the situation long before they took over from the government. They insisted that the decision of a Lagos Federal High Court to outlaw the 2015 electricity tariff used by electricity distribution companies (Discos) to supply power to electricity consumers across the country was not in the interest of the power sector. The Discos, through their association, the Association of Electricity Distribution Companies (ANED), said at a press briefing in Abuja that even with the 2015 tariff which the court disbanded last week, it was still quite difficult for them to operate and meet the demands of consumers in their networks. They also stated that public electricity services in the country would have to be priced appropriately for steady investments and improvements to be recorded, hence its decision to respect the Lagos court judgment; file for a stay of its execution and then appeal against it at a higher court. The Executive Director for Research and Documentation of ANED, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, alleged at the briefing that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) knew that

the 2015 tariff was inadequate to attract investment in the sector because it is not absolutely cost reflective. He said NERC and the government have for more than two years failed to live up to the agreement it reached with the Discos that a cost reflective tariff would be allowed in the sector to attract investments into it. Oduntan noted that with the current situation, financial institutions in the country are already cutting back their investments in the sector, a situation he said would impact on the Discos’ network expansion plans. “Nigerians have an option between light and darkness. If we need darkness, let us continue the way we are going now. Let’s continue to say they should reverse the tariff, let’s continue to steal energy, let’s continue to vandalise gas pipelines, let’s continue not paying our bills. “If we continue, darkness looms, if we can change, we can increase the power supply. We can progress gradually from incremental to stable to uninterrupted power supply, but we can’t achieve these without the cooperation of everybody. “Inappropriate tariff leads to shortfall, shortfall leads to funding gap and funding gap leads to inefficiency because we will not be able to give appropriate service,” said Oduntan. He further stated that: “Part of the agreement at pre-privatisation was that appropriate tariff will be given. The problem we have

Hijab: Osun Court Strikes out Stay of Execution Suit Filed by CAN Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo yesterday struck out the application for the stay of execution of June 3 judgment allowing Muslim students to wear Hijab as approved by the state government to public schools. The state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had on June 22 filed an application before the state High Court asking for a stay of execution of the judgment. However, at the court sitting yesterday, Justice Jide Falola, in a brief ruling struck out the case based on the fact that the state Christian Community has approached the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital to sit on the matter. Tens of adherents of the two religions and their lawyers trooped to the court premises at Oke-Fia area of the state for the resumed hearing of the stay of execution application filed by CAN but met an empty courtroom. According to information, the state CAN had in fresh affidavits deposed to by Rev. Jacob Asani and Rev. Olasunbo Ige urged Justice Falola to hand-off the case as the state Christian community has gone to a high court to adjudicate on the matter. Consequently, Justice Falola who had abandoned the on-going court

recess to attend to the case due to its importance, struck out the stay of execution application filed before his court. The state CAN had through its counsel Olufemi Ayandokun, on Monday, July 18, headed to the Appeal Court to file all the necessary papers including a fresh application for a stay of execution of the June 3 Hijab judgment. Justice Falola had during the last court sitting on July 8 admonished all the parties in the matter to refrain themselves from doing anything against constituted authority, saying his judgment was based on the law and facts before him “at that material time” and that the case was a constitutional issue that will still be taken to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, has called on Christians across the state to be law-abiding pending the determination of the case before the Appeal Court, while wishing that the state government would ensure that the status-quo would be maintained in the state public schools. According to him, the state CAN would pursue the matter to a logical conclusion and urged his members to be vigilant and prayerful for a successful conclusion of the suit at the appellate court.

had ever since is that two and half years down the line, the government did not fulfill their pledge. It did not keep its side of the agreement and that has affected us. “On November 1, 2013, we were supposed to have an average of N24 per kilowatt hour across board and all we had was N11 per kilowatt hour. Over that period till now, you are talking of a huge funding gap. “Today, the funding gap is over N300 billion and somebody needs to pay for that shortfall. What we are saying is that we

need to ensure that the product is appropriately priced. The MYTO 2.0, 2.1 and 2.1 amended, NERC was just playing to the gallery. “They knew they got it wrong when they started and everything they tried to do to get it right did not measure up, the funding gap continued. It was only the one they did on December 22, 2015, that measured up. But we couldn’t understand why they said it should commence on February 1, after they have left office. “That also left January with another huge gap. We are asking that the product should

be appropriately priced and it is the job of NERC to ensure that. We all know how much it cost to produce electricity. So, the shortfall keeps growing in the industry.” Oduntan said while banks in the country have been unable to fund the financial shortages in the sector, the Discos would welcome a discussion with the government on how to close the shortfall through a long term measure. “Also, there has been the inability of the banks to finance the deficit over the years; that happens because the business

was not bankable. A bank will only finance your business if they know that they can recoup their finance. If your business is being run at a loss, no bank will finance it. “Therefore, federal government needs to come up with a mechanism to deal with the shortfall which can now be financed long term because the revenue shortfall has adversely impacted the ability of the Discos to make capital investment in the system like metering; network expansion; equipment rehabilitation and other critical works,” he stated.

WE ARE BEHIND YOU

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Walid Jubrin; member, BoT, PDP, Ibrahim Mantu; and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, when members of the BoT paid a solidarity visit to Ekweremadu and other PDP senators in the Senate in Abuja....yesterday Julius Atoi

APC, Groups Protest against Non-swearing in of Rivers Assembly Members Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some civil society groups in Rivers State yesterday marched to the state High Court and the House of Assembly to protest against the continued refusal of the Speaker of the assembly, Adams Dabotorudima, to swear in two members of the assembly elected on the platform of the APC. The protesters, which included civil society organisations, such as Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition, the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) and the Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF), said they were protesting against what they referred to as the corruption by some members of the Rivers State Judiciary which has led to some suspect judicial actions and pronouncements that have stalled the swearing-in of Hon. Victoria Nyeche of Port Harcourt Constituency I and Hon. Andrew Miller of Opobo/ Nkoro Constituency. Addressing journalists

later, the National Assistant Secretary of the APC, Hon. Oji Ngofa, said: “We are here to demonstrate our disgust and to protest against the rascality of the Rivers State Judiciary. The Rivers State Judiciary has been made like the legal caucus of the PDP and judgments that have been given are so partisan. “So today, we came as a people that will no longer tolerate a judiciary that have been knocked down by the state government. The judiciary is meant for everybody; the Judiciary shouldn’t have any party coloration. The Judiciary should dispense justice to everybody equally. “We will give you a few instances to buttress why we are here today. First, one Justice Enebeli of the Rivers State Judiciary has sat in judgment in a matter that the Appeal Court has discharged and given a ruling and that is the case involving Victoria Nyeche, the APC member-elect representing Port Harcourt Constituency 1. As we speak today, she has not been sworn in because a State High Court judge, Justice

Enebeli has given an order that she should not be sworn in. “That is somebody that has already been given judgment by the Appeal Court. It has never happened in our system, that a state High Court overruled the Appeal Court. We are demanding that he reverses that and that Victoria Nyeche be sworn in immediately. “Secondly, we have another

case involving Hon. Chidi Lloyd, that the former Attorney-General had already entered a nully and in law, once an AttorneyGeneral enters a nully, you don’t reverse it, but the state government has reversed that and this same Justice Enebeli has given an order that Chidi Lloyd be arrested. Where does that happen? What sought of judiciary is this?”

Atiku: My Visit to APC Secretariat was Routine Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has explained the purpose of his visit to the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, at the secretariat of the party recently. In a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, Atiku denied that his visit to the party secretariat was a response to summon by the leadership of the party as widely reported. According to the statement, Atiku said: “My visit to the national

secretariat of our great party was to rub minds with the party hierarchy, and it was a kind routine for a chieftain of the party. “I was neither summoned nor queried by the party on any issue as is being speculated. Rather, my visit was at my own behest. “As a party chieftain, I owe it a duty to my party to appraise challenges within the structures of the party and also proffer suggestions on how to manage those challenges. I urge you all to discountenance any malicious insinuations about my visit to the party secretariat.”

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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Malnutrition in Borno, a National Problem, Says Saraki

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said the malnutrition situation in Borno State is a national problem that will be addressed on the floor of the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly. Saraki, who was in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Monday to pay a condolence visit to the people of the state over the death of the first republic minister and first African head of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),

Alhaji Shettima Monguno, also took time out to visit the centre for the treatment of people suffering from severe malnutrition. The senate president, who spoke to journalists at the Maiduguri International Airport after his visit to the treatment centre for the victims of acute malnutrition, lamented that Borno State has been left to carry too much of the burden of the Boko Haram insurgency and it has become pertinent for others to give their shoulders. He said: “I am happy I am here with the leader of the Senate,

MTN Group Issues Profit Warning over Nigeria Fine, Devaluation MTN Group Limited fell in Johannesburg trading as the Africa’s largest mobile-phone company said it expects to report a first-half loss after agreeing to pay a record fine in Nigeria. The shares dropped 2.5 per cent to 138.13 rand by 11:25a.m., after earlier slumping as much as 3.8 per cent, the most in three weeks on a closing basis. The N330 billion ($1.18 billion) settlement in Nigeria, announced in June, will reduce earnings per share for the six months through June by 4.74 rand, while foreign-exchange losses, joint ventures and adjustments for inflation in Iran will further hurt results, MTN said in a statement yesterday. According to a data compiled by Bloomberg, MTN is set to report first loss-per-share for a six-month period in at least 20 years. The telecoms giant is seeking to turn the page on a dispute with the Nigerian government, which initially imposed a $5.2 billion fine after the company missed a deadline to disconnect

unregistered users. Johannesburg-based company is overhauling senior management and has added new directors as it seeks to convince investors the penalty won’t be repeated and revive a share price that’s 36 per cent lower than a year ago. Earnings were also damped by under performance in MTN’s two largest markets, it said. Nigerian results were further weighed on by government-mandated subscriber disconnections and a temporary withdrawal of regulatory services, while profit margins in South Africa were narrowed by an increase in handset sales. The loss would be the first over any half-year period for at least 20 years. MTN, which reported earnings per share of 6.53 rand for the same period a year earlier, said it would issue a further statement once it’s ready to provide more detail about the projected loss. The final results will be announced on August 5.

PoliceVow to Arrest killers of Newly-wed Bride in Kano The police in Kano yesterday vowed to arrest those behind the murder of a newly-wed bride in Sha’iskawa village of Danbatta Local Government Area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Magaji Majiya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the command had already commenced investigation into the incident with a view to arresting perpetrators of the dastardly act. He did not release the name of the victim. “After we received the report of the incident around 5:30a.m. on Sunday, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) swung into action. “As the police reported to the scene, they found that the late bride was raped before she was stabbed to death in her matrimonial room. “We have so far launched an investigation into the incident and that will lead us to the arrest of the assailants,” Majiya said. He, however, said the

command had yet to make any arrests, but that the knife used in killing the woman had been recovered. He reminded members of the public on the need to always be security conscious. The victim was stabbed to death on Saturday night in her room few days after her wedding and the husband returned to Abuja where he runs his business. She was murdered in Sha’iskawa, a village in Danbatta local government area of Kano state. Her husband, an Abuja-based businessman, had reportedly returned to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when the assailant struck. Her attackers were said to have raped her before stabbing her to death. The tragic incident occurred a few days after her wedding. A similar incident happened last year when a teen bride was reportedly raped and slaughtered by hoodlums at Bachirawa quarters in the Kano metropolis.

before we break we will definitely discuss it (the Borno malnutrition crisis) on the floor and see what we can do.” He added that: “The federal government and all agencies need to step up to the game. “I think it is not good for a country like ours, we are a rich country, it is just an issue of organising ourselves and getting the fund to support the state government. The state has been carrying too much of the load on their own.” He said the state government should not be left alone to carry the heavy burden but should be assisted by the federal government, private sector and wealthy individuals all over the country. Saraki said: “We all need to put in our effort and see how we can address the (malnutrition) situation because it is the women

and children that have suffered most from this. We must do our best to play a role and support the state in doing that.” The senate president who was accompanied on the visit by the Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), said the visit to Borno was very important as it offered them the opportunity to see first hand, the extent of the malnutrition crisis. He said: “It is clear that the state government has done very well. The report we heard about some of the children not being able to walk because of malnutrition but we can see all of them now well nourished, I must commend the effort of the state government in doing that.” He however said the visit “has

just confirmed that we still have a lot of work ahead.” On how the Senate intends to assist in the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of the people and communities affected by the Boko Haram crisis, he said: “You know we are almost at the last stage of passing the law on the Northeast Development Commission, we believe that the institutional framework is necessary to start to address the situation and once we pass the bill the commission can start to work and begin to register the issues of rehabilitation and reconstruction that is important.” He added: “I believe the lack of having the proper structure to coordinate the state donations, international donations and individuals is also hampering that, all the loads is now placed on the state government, if there is

an institution that is mandated to do that, then it knows it has a responsibility.” He said: “We are very keen to have this, we are at the last stage now, we want the commission to start work soonest.” At the treatment centre, he told the IDPs that they are not only as those that are “part of government must ensure that you feel you have government in Borno State, to carry on our shoulders this responsibility with you. To ensure that these children are not only back to full nourishment but back to rehabilitation, back to education and make them better.” The senate president while commending the health workers for their great job of treating the malnourished persons, told Governor Kashim Shettima to bring his colleagues (governors) to see what he has experienced.

DISCUSSINGTRADE

L-R: Principal Deputy Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mr. Yonov Fredrick Agah; Secretary of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,India,Ms.RitaTeaotia; andactingManagingDirector/CEO,NigerianExport-ImportBank(NEXIM),Mr.BashirMahewali,afteraministerialroundtablediscussionon‘LoweringHurdlesforTrade:TradeCosts,RegulatoryConvergenceandRegionalIntegration,’attheongoing14thSessionoftheUnited NationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopment(UNCTAD14)inNairobi,Kenya....recently

FoI Advocates Pick Holes in Arms Audit Panel Report Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The presidential arms audit panel report continues to come under heavy criticisms as a United Kingdom-based organisation, the Freedom of Information Advocates Nigeria, yesterday picked holes in the report. In a statement released and signed by the acting Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs. Sharon Adoli-Lawrence , the group said it aligned with the Nigerian government’s anticorruption campaign, but added, “however, Nigerians expect that such must be holistic, transparent and inclusive.” FoI Advocates said it had carried out an independent forensic analysis of the interim report submitted by the Presidential Investigative Panel and found that some members of the panel participated in the acts they had been called upon to investigate and that their impartiality could not be guaranteed. It also observed that Air Vice Marshal (AVM) J.O.N. Odey

(Chairman of the Presidential Investigative Panel) was the Special Adviser to the then Minister of Defence, Major Gen Aliyu Gusau (rtd) 2014-2015 whose role was to superintend and advise the minister on issues relating to arms procurement and other related matters. “It is not prudent for Odey to sit in judgment over a matter in which he was involved,” the group said. The group further noted that Brig-Gen. Nyama who was the procurement director between 2007-2011 who is also a member of the Presidential Investigative Panel investigating arms contracts which he participated in awarding should not have been appointed a member of the panel. “He should at best be a witness not an investigator,” it added. FOI Advocates also said that “Major General Gusau (rtd), Permanent Secretary Aliyu and others superintended over the arms procurement deal in the Ministry of Defence,

NSA’s office within the period 2007-2015 but they were not mentioned in the report. Why? “Former Minister Murtala Yar Adua was in charge of the Ministry of Defence for the period in question. We wonder why this supervising minister hasn’t been invited for interrogation.” The group also faulted the report for not not specifying the amount allegedly mis-appropriated by each ministry oragency with dates indicating purpose and level of performance. “The funds were all lumped together misleading the general public. Each ministry or agency ought to have given account of all funds accrued to them within the period under investigation,” it added. Government has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation based on the report. It has however not indicted anyone based on the report. A presidential source who

spoke with out correspondent in confidence said that anyone who had not done any wrong should not be bothered by the report. The source further added that everyone would have the opportunity to defend themselves. There has also been allegation that the report might have deliberately left out some people who acted in one capacity or the other during the period they were investigated by the panel. President Muhammadu Buhari set up the investigative panel three months after he assumed office to help uncover fraudulent practices that might have occurred in the procurement of arms for the military between 2007 and 2015. So far, the committee had uncovered monumental corruption in military procurement, indicting many political and military bigwigs. Some of them are already facing trial. They however, remain innocent until they are convicted by the courts.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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Petrol Scarcity Looms as NARTO, PTD Threaten to Withdraw Services Damilola Oyedele and Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nationwide supply of petrol and other associated products may face fresh disruptions in the next seven days as members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) yesterday served notice of their intention to withdraw their services if their demands are ignored. Speaking at a press briefing on the outcome of an emergency meeting convened in Abuja, where issues affecting their operations were discussed, the National President of NARTO, Dr. Kassim Bataiya, told journalists that if they withdraw their services as threatened, up to 98 per cent of petroleum products used in the country would not be moved from point to point. He said the associations were protesting longstanding operational challenges which include alleged unjust withdrawal of insurance premiums from freight payments to transporters by oil marketers; non-payment of accumulated transporters’ claims by the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF); delay in review of freight rate by the PEF despite increasing economic challenges; as well as charging of Goodsin-Transit (GIT) insurance premiums on transporters by members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN). He also said the associations wanted the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to expedite work on major roads across the country now that the 2016 budget has been passed into law. The association said if the PEF failed to commence immediate full payment of transporters’ bridging claims, as well as their

accumulated arrears of claims for January to May 2016 and oil marketers failed to settle and reimburse transporters’ claims from rejected freight rate for the same period, it would have to withdraw its services and deny petrol stations products supplies. “Nigeria depends largely on roads to truck petrol. There will be no movement of petroleum products from one point to another when we withdraw our services and you know the implications of that to the economy,” said Bataiya. He further said: “Consequently, we wish to place the organisations on notice that we have exhausted our patience as our businesses are gradually grounded. “We are therefore giving them a notice that after seven days from today, if they fail to address the issues satisfactorily, then we would be left with no option but to take all necessary measures legally available to us including the option to withdraw our services in pursuit of our legitimate demands.” He said PEF has specifically failed to objectively address its protest against its increasing operational challenges. Meanwhile, stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have said that incentives for private refineries in the country would go a long way in boosting Nigeria’s economy. The stakeholders who spoke at a public hearing on a bill to provide for the licensing, regulation and incentives for petroleum refineries in Nigeria, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (downstream) said they were in total support of any legislation that would liberalise the industry. One of them, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association

Family Releases Programme on Felix Ibru’s Funeral Rites The funeral rites of the late first civilian Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ibru, has been announced by his family. According to a statement signed by his brother, Goodie Ibru, there will be an evening of tributes in memory of the late former governor on Wednesday, July 27 at the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos from 4p.m. The statement added that there will be a service of songs the following day, Thursday, July 28 at the Bishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos from 5p.m. to 7.p.m. while on Friday, July 29 at 10a.m., a commendation service will hold Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. It said on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, the funeral train will move to Asaba, Delta State, where a lyingin-state will hold at Government House, at 11a.m. On the same day in the evening, there will be a ceremony, which include service of songs/lying-in-state and Christian wake keep at his

Ughelli, Delta State Home, the White House, from 4p.m. On Wednesday, August 3, 2016, the statement said, the funeral service will take place at the All Saints Cathedral, Ughelli Anglican Communion Interment follows at his home town of Agbarha-Otor Delta State, while reception follows at Ibru Centre Field, AgbarhaOtor. Thanksgiving and outing service will hold at St. Andrew’s Church, Aghorha-Otor on Sunday, August 7, 2016 from 10a.m. The Ibru who passed on March 12, 2016, was elected the first Governor of Delta State in 1991, and became senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the fifth Senate. He was also the President-General of the Urhobo ProgressUnion(UPU).Hewasaged80. Ibru was survived by two wives, six children and many grandchildren. The departed renowned architect was also survived by two brothers and two sisters, including Olorogun Michael Ibru and Mr. Goodie Ibru.

of Nigeria (IPMAN), through their legal adviser, Modu Shettima, said their support for the incentives for private refineries was to encourage local investment, ensure fair competition and encourage participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control and management of the downstream oil sector. Shettima explained that their resolve to support such legislation was to attract direct foreign investment; boost general employment for people in the country; check-mate capital flight; and make petroleum

products available in the country. The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) on its part said it would support the move. It asked the government to put measures to guide against abandonment of refineries and that structured industrial management plan should be evolved to create synergy in the sector. PTI said as part of the incentives, such refineries should be exempted from value added tax (VAT) as well as import and export duties for a specified period and that the provision for tax and levies should be for

a period more than 10 years, even as appropriate price regulatory agencies should be empowered to determine prices without recourse to the National Assembly for approval. The institute also suggested that there should be provision for adequate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to host communities in order to maintain industrial harmony and that Nigerians should constitute a minimum of 70 per cent of the employees of the refineries. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who was

represented by Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano), declared the session open. He said the bill was part of the ongoing reform in the oil and gas industry, which was expected to increase efficiency and address perennial shortages of products supply and curb corruption. He equally stated that the level of production and utilisation of bitumen in Nigeria needed a boost to broaden the economic opportunities of the country and prevent wastage of foreign exchange on the importation of the product.

AN EVENING WITH .JP CLARK

Mrs. Eloho Ogude; Emeritus Prof. J. P. Clark; Vice President, Government College Ughelli Old Boy’s Association (GCUOBA), Dr. Cyril Ogude, at the 2016 GCUOBAVIicePresident’s ChampagneNightincollaborationwithMoet&Chandon inLagos...Sunday

Wike: Why Rivers is Hosting 2016 Editors’ Conference All is now set for the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) holding from August 3-7 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme: ‘Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.’ No fewer than 300 Nigerian editors, a collection of mainstream farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy-makers and captains of industry are expected to grace the event. The host Governor, Nyesom Wike, said the conference would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potential. In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner editors and the media to consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large. Wike noted that the state is hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable. “Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness first-hand

the development projects and programmes of my administration which has improved the living standard of the people,” the governor said. The ANEC is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors. It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years. The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada, in Osun State. Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country. The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organizations such as the West African Editors Forum (WAEF), the African Editors Forum (TAEF), the World Editors Forum (WEF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil. Speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policy-makers. The founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on agriculture as panacea for unemployment while Mr. Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on agriculture as a foreign exchange earner. The Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju would

be explaining the role of banks in agriculture financing while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms would experientially explore the topic: Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain. The acting President of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said: “The sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base. This is the first the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture.” Previous editions have bordered on good governance, electoral values among others. In 2005, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, facilitated the conference in Abuja with the theme Media, a Catalyst for Good Governance. In 2006, the government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, then governor of Bayelsa State, sponsored the conference, which was held in Yenagoa and the theme was Media and the

Challenges of Political Transition. In 2007, ANEC was held in Bauchi State, with the support of the government of Malam Isa Yuguda. Theme was: ‘The Media: Electoral Reform and Election Management.’ The fifth edition was held in 2008 in Kaduna with the support of the government of the then Governor Mohammed Namadi Sambo with the theme ‘Vision 2020, Economic Growth and the Nigerian Editor.’ In 2010, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State hosted, and theme was ‘Oil and Gas, Post-Amnesty and the Nigerian Editor,’ while in 2011, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State hosted the conference with theme ‘Deepening our Democracy: Role of the Nigerian Editor.’ In 2012, the Akwa Ibom State government hosted, and theme was ‘National Security and the Nigerian Editor.’ Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State hosted in 2013 and the theme was ‘Nigeria Beyond Oil,’ while in 2014 Katsina State government hosted with the theme ‘Credible Elections and Good Governance – The Role of the Editor.’ Last year, Bayelsa State hosted and the theme was ‘Nigeria: The Change We Need – Role of the Editor.’

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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BPE Boss Calls for Separation of NNPC’s Role as Regulator and Operator James Emejo in Abuja The acting Director- General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Vincent Akpotaire, has canvassed for the separation of the roles of the regulator from the operator and policy formulation in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as currently practised. He said: “The challenges we are facing today were envisaged by the BPE over ten years ago hence the articulation of the Petroleum Sector Reform and the first ever drafted Petroleum Industry. After

over a decade, we are still talking about the problems rather than the solution.” Akpotaire pointed out that the delayed reforms in the corporation was meant to enthrone international best practices in the sector. Delivering a paper titled: ‘The Petroleum Industry Reform in Nigeria: Reinventing the Wheel by Innovation, at the National Stakeholder’ Workshop on the Petroleum Industry Reform in Abuja, he noted that the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which ought to be a regulator is an arm of the NNPC in the present

FG Demonstrates Commitment to Transparency, Applies to Join Open Government Partnership Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Nigeria has signified its intention to be enlisted as a member nation of the Open Government Partnership, a global coalition in the fight against corruption. This intention became official yesterday through a letter to the OGP steering committee dated June 20, 2016 and titled, ‘Letter of Intention to Join the Open Government Partnership’ signed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN). This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by Mr Salihu Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The statement said the letter was addressed jointly to Ayanda Dlodlo, Deputy Minister for Public Service Administration, Jean-Vincent Place, Secretary of State for State Reform and Simplification, Government of France, Alejandro Gonzalez Arreola, Executive Director, GESCO, Gestion Socialy Cooperacion A.C. and Manish Bapna, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, World Resource Institute. The statement quoted the minister as stating in his correspondence

to OGP that, “I am honoured to submit this letter of intent to the Open Government Partnership Steering Committee on behalf of the Government of Nigeria and to express Nigeria’s commitment to join the partnership. “As you are aware, Nigeria meets the eligibility criteria set out by the OGP and the government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the principles of Open Government. “By joining OGP, the government of Nigeria commits to transparency and accountability in the management of public office. We believe that the OGP membership will enhance innovation, economic development and accelerate the transformation of our public service.” The Attorney General of the Federation also revealed that, “It is important to note that Nigeria is already participating actively in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process and implementing the EITI Standards.” The minister said Nigeria had enacted the Public Procurement Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act with a view to enhancing transparency in public contracting, public procurement as well as the management of public finance.

Diversification: Declare Emergency in Agric Sector, Fayose Tells Buhari Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday told the federal government to immediately declare emergency in the agriculture sector to confirm that it is serious in the much proposed diversification of the economy. Fayose, who said the step became imperative in view of the dwindling revenues from the oil sector, charged the federal government to vote more funding for agriculture, particularly for food production for states that are already incapacitated to carry out such responsibility. The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and the founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola(SAN), said the country can only have economic breakthrough only if serious investment is done in the agriculture sector. Fayose who spoke at the commencement of the four day agricultural summit in Ado

Ekiti, said the states had found it difficult to carry out diversification because they can’t discharge their responsibilities in the payment of workers’ salaries. “The federal government should declare emergency in the agriculture sector, and give out bailout fund for the sector. What Nigerians need is food on their tables. “It is sad that the state governments can’t diversify again because they are financially incapacitated, so the federal government must come to our aid, they must bail the people out. If emergency is declared in the sector and people are attracted into farming, they can use the gains to run around and better their lives,” the governor stated. Fayose counseled the federal government to also do more by increasing electricity generation in the country and in provision of storage facilities to add value to agricultural products.

arrangement. He said: “NNPC currently acts as the policy maker, the regulator, as well as an operator of the policies which go against international best practices.” He said: “It was because of the need to reform the sector that the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) in 2009 through the Federal Executive Council (FEC) transmitted to the National Assembly the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).” The acting BPE DG further regretted that the first attempt to pass the PIB was stalled by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources after it had passed through the

first and second reading and subsequently tabled for public hearing. He said: “The ministry at that point made additional legal and regulatory provisions for a third regulator-the mid-stream petroleum sector regulator as well as other ancillary provisions that were claimed to have been omitted in the FEC’s approved draft bill.” According to him, the 2009 version of the PIB sought among others, to promote transparency and openness in the administration of the petroleum sector in Nigeria, separate the commercial institutions in the sector from the regulatory

and policy making institutions deregulate petroleum product prices, increase domestic supply and put in place a fiscal framework for increased revenue. This, he said, consequently led to the redrafting of other versions the PIB which he noted, conflict with the NCP’s reform mandate and the globally accepted framework in the sector. However, he noted that “the 2015 version of the PIB which is privately sponsored is outlined in only two parts, not properly structured into parts, creates an Asset Management Company, creates a Frontier Exploration

Services, does not state who carries out the implementation of the reforms in the oil and gas sector; and also does not state who manages the funds on behalf of the Petroleum Host Communities Fund (PHCF).” In a statement by BPE spokesman, Mr. Alex Okoh, the acting DG recommended that since the 2009 PIB approved by FEC had no controversial provisions, having had the benefit of review by stakeholders, it should be represented with necessary adjustments to reflect the current realities in the sector to the National Assembly for enactment.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Executive Director, Corporate Services, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Emmanuel Efeni; President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Mr. Fred Amata; and Director of Finance, DGN, Mr. Tony Akposheri, during a courtesy visit by the DGN team to THISDAY Head Office in Lagos... yesterday Mubo Peters

MELAYE THREATENED TO RAPE ME, REMI TINUBU INSISTS, PETITIONS SARAKI unjustifiable and contrary to the established customs and norms that govern the behavior of members of this body. “For merely voicing my opinion on the floor of the Senate, which is the fundamental right and duty of every Senator, I was verbally abused and threatened by Melaye. “He did not stop there, he used blatantly sexist and misogynistic language offensive to every woman in Nigeria and offensive to every person who truly believes that gender discrimination has no place in the Nigeria we are trying to build for ourselves and all future generations. “ln summation, unless Melaye is appropriately disciplined, he remains a danger to me and to the Senate at large. He has promised twice within one week to attack me,” the letter read in part. Meanwhile, before the Senate went into a closed-door session with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele,yesterday, it held its own executive session where senators deliberated on the altercation between Melaye and Tinubu. THISDAY learnt that Melaye refused to apologise to the wife of the former Lagos State governor, instead chose to apologise to the entire Senate for the embarrassment the exchange of words might have caused it. It was learnt that some Senators advised Saraki to provide a platform for reconciliation between the two Senators.

Meawhile, Kogi State women yesterday demanded an apology from Senator Remi Tinubu over her altercation with Senator Dino Melaye, saying in African culture it is not woman-like to insult a man, not even in the public. Addressing journalists at the press centre in Lokoja, the spokesperson of the women, Honourable Mrs. Fumilayo Olumodeji, said as women in this country, they are disappointed that Tinubu who was expected to speak for the women in the red chamber when various inhuman treatments have been meted on Nigerian women to raise her voice in their defence, rather went so far as to display her “arrogance” and “pride,” to have insulted a “man” and a distinguished senator colleague. “This Tinubu embarrassed her Senate President and the Deputy Senate President on different occasions but nobody was sensitive enough to caution her. “The same woman almost slapped Senator Rafiu Ibrahim from Kwara State, nobody demanded any apology or response from her or the entire senator, why now? “The same woman deliberately sat on the Deputy Senate President’s seat to unnecessarily cause an uproar, and nobody demanded an apology from her. “A woman was killed in Kano recently and she could not raise her voice in the red chamber in the defence of womanhood and just last week a woman preacher was killed and she did not react despite

the fact that it was in the news all over the world,” Olumodeji stated. According to her, it was a shame on womanhood when they saw women on Monday morning, protesting on behalf of Remi Tinubu, with well printed placards, evidencing that they were sponsored. “The various people and groups that have gone to Bourdilion to apologise, we want to ask, on whose behalf? Definitely not Kogi State, not Kogi West and not our distinguished Senator Dino Melaye, our pride,” she said. She called on the national leader of APC, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to steer clear of the crisis and tame his wife to know how to comport herself with dignity in the public as a wife and mother. “We therefore demand that Mrs. Tinubu should as a woman, mother and wife be cautious enough to apologise to Melaye and take a cue from the likes of late Margaret Thatcher, late Dora Akunyili, Hillary Clinton and other noble women around the world, and the whole world would celebrate her,” she stated. However, the APC Women Leader in Ekiti State, Mrs. Dupe Bakare, has condemned Melaye over verbal attack on Tinubu at a recent executive session of the Senate. She described Melaye’s conduct as reprehensible, lacking in decorum associated with the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.

In a statement issued in AdoEkiti yesterday, Bakare criticised the senator in what she described as a show of shame, stressing that “Melaye’s motor park act” had given the senator away as a man lacking respect for family value and “unrepentant terror” to filial integrity in the world where women offered support for a strong family as a foundation for the health of the larger society. “Senator Melaye has proven to be a man not cultured to be in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whoever gains the acceptability of the people to reach such exalted position is expected not only to be decent and civilized, but also exhibit a high moral value that will distinguish and make him a shining example to the younger generations. “We view his indecent outburst and attack against the wife of our national leader as injustice against women folks. We will do everything within the purview of the law to resist and reject any form of molestation against women no matter where the threat is coming from. “It is a pity that Melaye has not grown out of his infantile rascality at ABU, one would expect that he should be decent enough to accord respect and honour to not only a fellow colleague, but also a wife and a mother par excellence,” Bakare said. Melaye, representing Kogi West, had last week engaged in a brawl with Mrs. Tinubu during a closed door session of the Senate.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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Arms Probe: House Blames Embezzlement on Non-enforcement of Procurement Act To probe operations of Defence Corporation, scam by govt officials, insurance brokers

Damilola Oyedele inAbuja

The House of Representatives has blamed the alleged embezzlement of some of the $2.1billion in the arms deal scandal on the non-application of the Public Procurement Act in defence procurement. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said this when he declared open yesterday’s hearing on the proposed amendment to the Act, to allow its application to defence expenditure. This is as the House at plenary yesterday directed its Committee on Defence to investigate the operation of the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to determine why the company has not been able to live up its responsibility of manufacturing military kits and

equipment. Dogara, who was represented by the House Minority Whip, Hon. Yakubu Barde, said alleged the embezzlement, was an avoidable one. “The president has ordered an investigation into defence spending in the past years. By extending the application of this Act to defence spending, some of these problems will be addressed,” the speaker said. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Wole Oke, noted that the current provisions of Section 15 (2) of the PP Act exempts certain defence expenditure from compliance on the grounds of national defence or national security, except when otherwise stated by the president. The amendment being sought does not jeopardise national security,

Ituah Urges NigerianYouths to Battle for Leadership Space Sunday Okobi A Lagos-based cleric, Ituah Ighodalo, has called on Nigerian youths to get involved in leadership of the country “because whatever happens to the government of the country definitely affects their welfare.” The Senior Pastor-in-charge of Trinity House in Lagos said going by the global influence on leadership, Nigeria as well needs fresh crop of people in leadership position, suggesting that the country should have much younger people with fresh ideas in governance of Nigeria. The renowned cleric stated this in Lagos yesterday at a press conference to usher in the sixth anniversary of the church, highlighting that this year’s anniversary celebration is what “we have called the youth entrepreneurship seminar with the theme: ‘Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s leader’.” He added: “This is being driven by our Trinity Leadership which is like a business development leadership training school for young people. “The graduating class of that school has chosen this theme as their graduating assignment. We will do a seminar where we can harness the youths of Nigeria and begin to prepare them for tomorrow.” Ituah who noted that military incursion in Nigeria governance did not allow the natural evolution and development of youths, stated that: “All over the world the youths are been prepared for the future.

Therefore, we want to begin a development initiative where the youths would be trained, mentored and empowered,” adding that by the time the military left the vestiges of power, the old guard who hadn’t had enough of leadership yet came back again, and there was no succession planning for the young people to take over the mantle of leadership” He highlighted that “Next Thursday at 9.a.m, we will have a round table discussion where we will be featuring Kate Henshaw, Leke Alder, Fisoyo Okunsanya, Tara Fela-Duroloye, among others at the Trinity House centre, Ligali Ayorinde. On Sunday 9.a.m., we will have our celebration service, where we are hoping that everybody all over the world would come and celebrate with us. “At Trinity House we have about 14 non-government organisations. We are concerned about the future of Nigerians and welfare of the people. As a church we want to play our part in the national development of the country.” Ighodalo stated that all over the world, development is rapidly driven by young workforce, “so we intend to be a voice to youth leadership across all spheres of society, instill moral in them, empower them to be creator of jobs and good leaders in order to challenge todays leaders to do the right thing in the right way that will bring about positive change.

Oke noted, adding that the House seeks to insert the following into the law: ”Procurement involving national security or national defence shall be conducted in line with the provisions of this Act, but its supervision shall be handled by a Special Committee appointed by the council and the council shall be entitled to grant waiver or exemption from application of specific provisions of this Act.” The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), however expressed its opposition to the proposed amendment to Section 7 (1) of the PP Act, to subject the approval of the appointment of its Director-General to the confirmation by the National Assembly. The power to appoint the DG of the BPP is vested in the president subject to recommendation from the council. The proposed amendment seeks to vest the power

of confirmation in the National Assembly, following recommendation by the president. The Legal Adviser of BPP, Mrs. Amaka Obinna, said the proposed amendment is a breach of Section 171(27)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, which solely empowers the president to make appoint the heads of extra-ministerial bodies. At plenary, the House said the failure of DICON in achieving the mandate for which it was set up, has resulted in the country expending scarce foreign exchange to procure kits and equipment for the military and other security agencies, to prosecute the fight against Boko Haram. The lower chamber also called for collaboration with local manufacturers, where necessary. The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Olajide Boladale (Oyo APC) who expressed worry

at the continued dependence on importation of kits and weapons for the Armed Forces and other security agencies. The lawmaker said the monies expended on importing kits and equipment would have helped create employment, if it had been invested in local production and fabrication of military equipment. “Nigerian Air Force would have been forced to ground its entire fleet of Alpha jets due to lack of brake assembly, but for Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company which helped to modify and overhaul the brake assembly of the MB-339 Aircraft for adoption on the Alpha Jets, which feat helped to save huge foreign exchange for the countries and also helped the Air Force to sustain its bombardments against the insurgents,” he argued. The Defence Industry Corporation

of Nigeria, was established in Kaduna in 1964, and is charged, among other things, with the operation, maintenance and control of factories for the manufacturing and storage of kits and weapons for the Armed Forces and other security agencies. The committee is expected to submit its report to the House in six weeks. In another development, the House resolved to investigate alleged scam by insurance firms in connivance with unscrupulous government officials on kick-backs for insurance premiums. It therefore directed the Head of Service of the Federation and other government establishments that purchase direct insurance covers, to provide detailed data of all premiums paid on group life (general) and related government assets within the last three years.

PRODUCTLAUNCH

L-R: DivisionalExecutive,South-east,UnionBank,VincentEze;Mrs.UzuomaOkonkwo; ManagingDirector,Faarmsand CompanyLimited,AfamOkonkwo; and HeadofChangeManagement,UnionBank,ChienyeOgwo,atthelaunchofthenewlyupgradedUnionBankBrightStreetbranchinOnitsha....yesterday

BoI, NCDMB Launch $100m Intervention Fund to Boost Local Content Crusoe Osagie The Bank of Industry ( BOI) has partnered the the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to launch a $100 million fund aimed at boosting local content in Nigeria. According to the acting Managing Director, BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, the fund provided by NCDMB to be managed by the development finance institution ( DFI) will help Nigeria reduce its dependence on foreign expertise and technical know-how, pointing out that Nigeria has been importing skills and technical knowledge for the past 60 years when a lot can be done by Nigerians which he said would go a long way to drive the nation’s industrialisation base and improve local productivity and labour workforce. Olagunju during the official launch and Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) signing ceremony for the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) said, “We know that with this partnership, a lot of enterprises will be promoted

and also have developmental impacts which includes job creation. We also need to build the capacity of artisans so that they can take up jobs. We need to build up their skills. We are also trying to revive the value of vocational skills in Nigeria. There are lots of jobs in the country but many of the youths are unemployable because they lack the skills. This is why I keep saying the unemployment situation in Nigeria is artificial because if we do the right thing, there are lots of jobs available for those willing to work.” In his words, “Many industrial companies have established but have had to import skilled workforce from outside Nigeria. We are talking about building local content not only in industries but also in terms of labour. We are also working hard to ensure that we maximise the benefits of this initiative.” He said the DFI is positive and optimistic that the MoU would cut across the lives of millions of Nigeria, saying that the partnership his is a natural partnership with NDCMB is aimed at transforming the nation’s industrial sector. “Our strategy going forward is a

commodity based industrialisation, where we are talking of adding value to Nigeria natural resource endowments. We are more of an agricultural country than oil. We have vast solid mineral resources. We are not doing much with the oil and gas, we are not adding as much value as we should relative to what other Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are doing with their petroleum resources,” he said. Describing the fund, the Regional Head, South South, Mr. Balarabe Hassan, said the fund will be used to finance existing and intending manufacturers, oil and gas service companies and other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He said the NCIF will help these manufacturers procure fixed assets, working capital, leasing of industrial and business equipment and marine vessels. He said the features of the fund will include a single digit interest rate of 8 per cent with a tenor range from 1 to 10 years, a moratorium maximum of 12 months from date of loan disbursement and a maximum

$10 million obligor limit. He added that the development finance institution ( DFI) is a specialised bank set up to promote balanced industrial and economic development and therefore mobilises funds for short, medium and longterm loan facilities from within and outside the country for the promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSMEs) and large scale industrial enterprises. The acting Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Patrick Obah, said the access to competitive priced finance by the Nigerian oil and gas service providers is a critical success factor in capacity development, stating that the MoU between both parties reflects the strong determination to lead the process of industrialisation by closing the gap of financing of projects that have high prospects of creating employment while also adding value to our natural resource endowments. “The $100 million injected into the NCIF to be managed by the BOI will bring about an array of benefits and let me also say that transactions that have been already consumated under the previous agreement will not be terminated but managed,” he said

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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Ize-Iyamu: Edo People will Compel Oshiomhole to Hand over to Me Ugo Aliogo The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said the people of the state will compel Governor Adams Oshiomhole to hand over to him in November against his wish, because they are desirous to change the ‘change’ that has brought misery, suffering, hike in fuel, food prices, obnoxious taxes and levies, and worst of all, deceitfulness them. In a statement by his campaign

organisation, Ize-Iyamu said: “The good people of our state have resolved and will vote for Ize-Iyamu overwhelmingly on Saturday, September 10, 2016. ‘’And we pray to Almighty God to protect and preserve the out-going governor’s life so that he can witness the hand-over ceremony that will usher in IzeIyamu to Dennis Osadebe House in November this year.’’ The organisation advised the outgoing governor to hold his head in shame for squandering

Benue Assembly PassesVote of No Confidence on Speaker George Okoh in Makurdi Members of the Benue State House of Assembly yesterday passed a vote-of-no confidence on the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, whom they also asked to resign his position for alleged N750million car purchase scam rocking House. The members, under the aegis of ‘the Concensus for Change’ took the decision on the heels of a rowdy session of the assembly which saw members engaging in a shouting match which forced the speaker to personally moved for the adjournment of the day’s sitting. Trouble started when in the course of the day’s sitting, Dr. Kester Kyenge representing Logo State Constituency, raised a point of order, which was severally overuled by the speaker. Kester insistence that Order 8(4)(a) of the House Standing Rule, as an instrument that gave him the wherewithal to inform the assembly was equally dismissed which ignited a quarrel among members and sudden

adjournment of sitting. Speaking on the matter, Kyenge said: “We have been compelled to passed a vote-ofno confidence on the speaker because as legislators, we feel culpable and guilty before our constituents over the approval we granted the Governor to excess the bailout funds for payment of salaries but many are still to receive their pay. “Secondly, the assembly was emeshed in a N750million car scandal and most of us were detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over something we knew nothing about and the Speaker has refused to clear the air. “There is also the issue of over N500million allegedly found in the Speaker’s bank account which he has not made effort not cleared till date same is the issue of N86million meant for the procurement of biometric machines by the House, which has not been supplied. “It is for these issues that we have unanimously passed a vote-of-no confidence on the speaker and equally ask him to honourably resign his position.”

INEC to Deploy 5,603 Personnel for Imo, Kogi Rerun Polls Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will deploy a total of 5,603 personnel to conduct the outstanding re-run elections in Imo and Kogi States on Saturday. For the Imo State re-run elections, the commission will deploy 4,105 personnel to conduct elections into one senatorial district of Imo North and three state constituencies of Isiala Mbano, Oru East and Owerri West with a total of 390,311 registered voters in eight local government areas, 64 registration areas and 817 polling units. In a statement issued by the commission where it gave details of the breakdown of the personnel to be deployed, it indicated that INEC deployed one Returning Officer for the senatorial district election; three Returning Officers for the state constituencies elections; eight Local Government Area Collation Officers; 78 Registration Area (RA) Collation Officers; 82 Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs); 817 Presiding Officers; 2,742 Assistant

Presiding Officers (APOs); 175 Assistant Presiding Officers (VP); 146 Reserve APOs; 9 LGA Supervisors (plus one reserve; 40 RA Cluster Supervisors and four Constituency Supervisors (1SD; 3SC). It said the Kogi State re-run elections would be conducted to fill vacancies into one senatorial district of Kogi East and two state constituencies of Ofu and Idah, across eight local government areas with a total of 140,297 registered voters in 45 registration areas (RAs) and 236 polling units. The breakdown of personnel to man the elections is as follows: One Returning Officer for the senatorial district election; two Returning Officers for the state constituency elections; eight Local Government Area Collation Officers; 45 Registration Area Collation Officers; (RA) 45 Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs); 236 Presiding Officers; 915Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs); 135 Assistant Presiding Officers (VP); 53 Reserve APOs; 9 LGA Supervisors (plus one reserve); 46 RA Supervisors (plus one (1) reserve) and three Constituency Supervisors (1SD; 3SC).

the state’s funds, which have now resulted to the state’s inability to pay local government workers’ salaries for 15 to 17 months, and other socio-economic crisis enveloping the state today. The PDP governorship campaign organisation also asked Oshiomholeled All Progressives Congress (APC) government to explain to the people of the state how he squandered over N1.7 trillion of the Federal Allocations and Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) he has collected in the last seven and a half years and his scandalous wealth. Responding to the governor’s outburst during the flag off of the APC governorship campaign in Benin City last weekend, the organisation said: “It a shame that Oshiomhole still talks about corruption ---- accusing innocent people of corruption, when his government stinks of corruption. ‘’From documented evidence that we have, Oshiomhole is the most deceptive person in the

country today. He should tell the people of Edo how much he is paying as land tax for his house in Iyamo worth over N10bn and other properties he has acquired in the last seven and a half years in Dubai, Cape Town in South Africa, in San Francisco, United States of America, a high rise apartment in Atlanta both in America and London. ‘’His estate in his village, Iyamoh, which people commonly call Three–in-One that even shocked President Muhammadu Buhari to his marrow -- when he visited the place during the governor’s wedding last year, is the size of a Texas Style Ranch --with swimming pools, water fountains and a big occasion hall, amphitheatre, indoor cinema hall, Golf arena to mention a few. This house was valued at N10 billion in 2015, and it consumes N500,000 electricity bill monthly.’’

The organisation said that Oshiomhole’s consistent outburst is always designed to divert the people’s attention, saying the Edo people are now used to his tactics and will surely punish the APC for it in the coming election. ‘’Oshiomhole has mismanaged the huge financial resources of the state, which were entrusted in his care in the past seven and a half years, and he is now receiving the heat from the people. The energy he put in defending himself shows he already feeling the heat,’’ the statement added. “Oshiomhole has failed; the people of Edo State now know him better. He is the least qualified person to talk about corruption in the country today because his actions and programmes in the past seven and a half years in Edo State epitomise corruption.’’ ‘’Again, how will Oshiomhole explain over N30 billion he has so far spent on Edo University, Iyamho, at the expense of the two

other state universities that were denied government attention? ‘’This amount included inflated N12 billion for the building of a teaching hospital in the university --- excluding the equipment, and another scandalous N1.6 billion spent to build a less than 150-room hostel in the institution. ‘’And this is coming at a time the state is facing a serious economic recession while the College of Education, Ekiadolor, renamed Tayo Akpata University, established at the same time with the Edo University Iyamho, is yet to receive any attention from the state government.’’ The campaign organisation added that the College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, still uses the Irrua Teaching Hospital, Irrua, owned by the federal government, for the clinical studies of its students without the state government considering building a teaching hospital for it.

LEGISLATIVE RECOGNITION

L-R: Director General, National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), Dr. Ladi Hamalai; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; and Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, at the award of fellowship of NILS and University of Benin (NILS) to some former leaders of the National Assembly in Abuja....weekend Julius Atoi

Nigerian Content Board, BoI Sign MoU on $100m Intervention Fund Ejiofor Alike The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the utilisation of the $100 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) to be managed by the bank. The NCI Fund is a pool made available by the NCDMB to meet the funding needs of manufacturers, service providers and other key players in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. In line with Section 104 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010, operators in the oil and gas industry contribute one per cent of the value of every contract

in the upstream sector into the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) from which the NCI Fund was created. Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony in Lagos, the acting Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Patrick Obah, said the $100 million fund was motivated “by the desire to reengineer the operations of the NCDF; increase access and grow indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry. “The fund shall be utilised to finance existing and intending manufacturers, oil and gas service companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” he added. He identified areas of utilisation of the fund to include fixed

assets; working capital, leasing of industrial and business equipment and marine vessels. According to Obah, intending features of the fund include single interest rate of eight per cent; tenor range of one to 10 years, moratorium maximum of 12 months from the date of loan disbursement and speedy processing. “Intending beneficiaries who have previously executed contracts in the industry must be up-to-date with the remittances to the NCDF). BoI will obtain this confirmation from the NCDMB before any application can be successful,” Obah explained. The NCDMB boss added that the BoI would serve as the custodian and manager of the fund, stressing that the fund would be accessible to eligible

players at the given single interest rate. Obah said the collaboration of his agency and the BoI was based on the bank’s expertise and specialisation as a developmental bank created to speed up the industrialisation of the Nigerian economy. Also speaking, the acting Managing Director of BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said his bank had the capacity to successfully manage the fund. “Our mission is to transform Nigeria’s industrial sector. We are not adding much value in the oil and gas industry as other OPEC countries. But today, we will begin to promote industrial projects in areas covered by the mandate of the NCDMB. We are glad that this collaboration is taking place,” Olagunju added.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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Leave Ekweremadu Alone, PDP BoT Warns FG Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) yesterday warned the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to desist from its attempt to “rope” the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in the allegation of forgery. Ekweremadu along with Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Benedict Efeturi, are being tried for

alleged forgery of Senate Standing Orders 2011. The group which issued this warning when it paid a solidarity visit to the PDP caucus in the Senate yesterday, said Ekweremadu was overwhelmingly elected as the Deputy Senate President on June 9, 2016 by 48 senators along with some of his APC counterparts and any attempt to remove him will be counter-productive. Speaking on behalf of the group, its chairman, Walid Jibril, said the federal government should leave Ekweremadu alone and allow him to do his job, threatening that any insistence to remove him will have

Omisore: Reopening of Ige, Dikibo Killing a Good Omen Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Senator Iyiola Omisore yesterday described the decision of the federal government to revisit the killings of the former Minister of Justice and a political icon, Chief Bola Ige and Chief Dikibo as good and a welcome development. Omisore who spoke through his Media Director, Prince Diran Odeyemi, however urged the federal government to extend its search towards unraveling the killers of late Funso Williams and Oduayo Olagbaju, just to mention a few. Omisore also advised the federal government and theInspector General of Police (IG) to widen the scope of their investigations to all areas rather than limiting themselves to a particular area or section. Speaking further, Omisore said “I am particularly happy that fresh investigation will further exonerate me and others who were wrongfully framed up, suffered untold hardship before we were finally acquitted and discharged by the court.” He however prayed to God to expose all the people and whoever is connected to all the killings under investigation while wishing the new IG the best of luck in the task ahead. A former Commissioner for

Special Duties in Osun State, Dr. Basiru Ajibola, had already praised the federal government’s resolve to re-open the murder of Ige. Ajibola’s reaction came on the heels of the order given by President Muhammadu Buhari to the acting IG to re-open investigation into the unresolved murder of Ige, and ex-Deputy National Chairman, South-south, of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Amoinosari Dokubo. The legal luminary in his reaction in Osogbo on Monday, contended that the directive would be a plus to the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. According to him: “Will be a plus to the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria because it is a thing of shame that the sitting AGF could be killed and the culprits would not be made to face justice.” “The fact that the earlier trial went the way it went, was a serious indictment of our criminal investigation procedure as well as criminal justice administration.” “My candid advice for the government this time around is that all the agencies of government should handle the matter with all the seriousness. They should do their investigations and prosecutions thoroughly.”

Senate C’ttee: N30bn Budgetary Allocation to Navy, Inadequate Senator Iroegbu inAbuja The Senate Committee on Navy has described as inadequate the approximate sum of N30 billion budgetary allocation for the Nigerian Navy capital and overheard expenditure in 2016. This is coming as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas, disclosed that the navy is yet to receive any funding for capital expenditure this year. The Committee Chairman, Senator Isah Hamma Misau, made this remark yesterday, during the working visit to the Naval Headquarters, Abuja. Misau said the service was grossly underfunded with the allocation of N25.6 billion as capital expenditure and what he described as a meagre N3.4 billion for overhead within the 2016 fiscal year. He said: “The committee is aware that these problems still persist and cannot be solved overnight. Efforts are being made to ensure that the Nigerian Navy is assisted through enhanced budgetary provisions. “For instance, only the sum of N25,646,409,841 was appropriated for the Nigerian Navy in the year 2016 budget, as capital expenditure

and a meagre sum of N3,479, 967,632 was appropriated as overhead expenditure. We are aware that the provisions are inadequate to enable you perform your duties satisfactorily.” The committee assured the CNS that they would “work and partner assiduously with the navy to ensure that opportunities are explored towards ensuring that the Nigerian Navy becomes more modern, sophisticated, potent and aggressive in the course of carrying out its statutory role defending the nation’s maritime domain.” Earlier, Ibas disclosed that there is no fund for capital expenditure, which has in turn affected most of their policy drive, programmes and projects. He said this has hampered its operational effectiveness and resulted in failure to acquire required platforms and military equipment necessary to police Nigeria’s maritime sector. He agreed with the committee that the service is poorly funded, thereby affecting the ability to maintain its fleet for sustained presence at sea. “Currently no fund has been released for capital expenditure,” he said.

an adverse effect on democracy. The BoT Chairman said: “We are here to show solidarity and recognise the leadership of Senator Ekweremadu, especially when we hear stories of what is happening to him. We are here to give our total support to him over the recent framing of him in an alleged forgery case, because we cannot, as fathers and conscience of the party, sit down and just watch. “Senator Ekweremadu is a man of integrity with a high record of performance. We want to advise strongly that nobody should try to tarnish his personality and we are strongly calling for fair hearing and justice in the attempt to rope-in Ekweremadu for political reasons. “He was elected Deputy President of Senate by 48 PDP senators with the support of APC senators, which is a good omen for our democracy. No attempt should be made to rope him in. He should be left alone to continue

the good service to the country,” he said. Wali also assured the senators that the PDP would soon increase the number of senators in the National Executive Council (NEC) of the PDP from its current 12 as he promised that the trustees would continue to partner with them because they have done well and made the party proud. On the crisis rocking the PDP, Wali said the party would ensure an amicable resolution of the crisis pointing out that all those who had instituted one case or the other in the court should go and withdraw it. He also said all parties to the crisis had been advised to remain calm and shun violence, vowing that the PDP will win all forthcoming elections especially in Edo State. Also speaking, a member of the BoT and former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, said the era of executive interference

in legislative business was over given the spirit of support among senators. “I speak as a victim of executive interference in the legislature. During our own time, there was not the kind of unity being exhibited by the senators today. I want to commend and salute you all for that. The last time the two presiding officers went to court, as I watched on television, I was moved to tears. The court was on vacation, and no one had the courtesy of informing them before hand. “The time they would have used to attend to the nation’s task, was wasted, going to court. It is high time the executive realizes that the era of executive interference was over,” Wabara, added. Responding on behalf of the senators, Ekweremadu who thanked the BoT members for their show of solidarity for PDP senators, said the move confirmed that the BoT is indeed the conscience of the party. Ekweremadu also claimed that

former members of PDP who defected to APC prior to the 2015 general election are currently warming up to return to the party because they have realised that voting for APC was an error. According to him, the PDP is committed to the welfare of Nigerians as well as the ideals of democracy and rule of law as he restated the commitments of senators to the party adding that as senators proceed on recess tomorrow, they will actively participate in the ongoing governorship election campaign in Edo State. He said: “You have shown that you are indeed our fathers and mothers and I cannot see any parent who will sit aside and watch his children being persecuted without showing concern and solidarity.” You have actually lived up to the expectations of well meaning Nigerians, and the idea behind founding the BoT, by its founding fathers.

RENDERING ACCOUNTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Chairman, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mr. Atedo Peterside (left), and Managing Director, Mr. Roy Naaman, during the 51st annual general meeting of the company in Lagos....yesterday Etop Ukutt

Didi Akinyelure Awarded Second BBC World News Komla Dumor Award The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) yesterday announced that the business journalist and presenter, Didi Akinyelure, has been awarded the second BBC World News Komla Dumor Award. Didi - a Nigerian with a passion for telling African stories - began her career in the financial sector before moving to journalism in 2011. Didi currently produces and presents a business show for CNBC, which is watched across the continent. She is experienced in business reporting, having anchored CNBC Africa’s daily show ‘Open Exchange’ from West Africa for over three years. Didi is passionate about social entrepreneurs and has covered several stories about those who are transforming the African business landscape. Akinyelure joined CNBC Africa in Lagos in 2013, where she is an anchor for prime time news. She has reported hard-hitting business stories from across Western Africa. She also created, produces and presents a weekly segment called ‘Entrepreneur of the Week’, which aims to inspire small and medium sized enterprises in Africa. Prior to beginning her journalism career in 2011, Didi worked in asset management.

Joining the BBC News teams in London, Didi will begin a threemonth placement in September. This placement provides the opportunity to gain skills and experience by attending a course with the BBC Academy, and working with teams across BBC News on TV, radio and online, reaching the BBC’s audiences of 348 million across the world each week. She will also have the opportunity to travel to a country in Africa, with a top BBC producer, to report on a story for a global audience. In her reaction, Didi said: “I am completely overwhelmed and excited to win this prestigious award. I am honoured that the BBC chose me out of hundreds of applicants. Komla Dumor was someone I admired. He told the African story with so much passion for the continent, giving a balanced view and inspiring so many. You could tell that he loved what he did every single day and, I hope with this opportunity, I can continue Komla’s great work.” Didi impressed the judges with her enthusiasm and tenacity in getting to the heart of a story, and helping audiences make sense of some of Africa’s complex issues. Her passion for telling Africa’s diverse stories and challenging

preconceived stereotypes reflect Komla’s own devotion to the continent and, as part of his legacy, Didi will be able to share her enthusiasm with the BBC’s global audience. Josephine Hazeley, Deputy Editor for BBC Africa, said: “We were looking for a journalist who has the passion, pride and eloquence that Komla Dumor possessed – someone who would be able to follow in his footsteps by telling compelling African stories. Didi particularly excels in telling business stories, which was an area Komla was also passionate about.

Komla’s death was a huge loss to everyone at the BBC, and especially the Focus on Africa team, so we’re really pleased to have found a worthy winner of the award that we established in his name.” Nancy Kacungira, last year’s winner of the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award said: “The past year has been an incredible journey for me – from being told I’d won the award to training with BBC Academy; from learning from some of the world’s best journalists to working for the BBC. I’m sure Didi will find the experience exceptionally rewarding, and I hope we can both continue Komla’s great work.” The award was set up in honour of presenter Komla Dumor who passed away in January 2014 and aims to continue Komla’s legacy by celebrating African journalism and finding exceptional talent. The judging panel included Anna Williams, Editor BBC World News; Josephine Hazeley, Deputy Editor for BBC Africa, and Ory Okolloh, director of investments for Omidyar Network’s Governance & Citizen Engagement initiative in Africa. There are two runners up for the award: Olive Burrows and Trevor Ombija, both of whom are Kenyan.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Ambode: We’re Working Hard To Rescue Iba Monarch, Others Convenes emergency security council meeting

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has presided over an emergency security council meeting attended by heads of security agencies in the state, just as the state government assured residents that efforts are being put in place to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state. Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said government and all security agencies in the state are bordered about the emerging crime of kidnapping, and that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently in the State including the Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni. “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping are rescued and we bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

He added that the emergency security council meeting was principally to holistically appraise the security issues confronting the state, as well to assure members of the public on the priority and importance that the state attached to their welfare and security. Speaking on the spate of kidnapping in the state, Owoseni said: “All of us are bordered. As the people are bordered, government is bordered and law enforcement institutions in the state are bordered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenals of the state towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they

cannot vandalise the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping. “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries, the Bank of Industry (BoI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the State and federal level had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed,” the CP said. Owoseni, who addressed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the state, the state

Attorney General, urged members of the public to stop patronising street traders, saying there have been instances where criminal elements hide within them to launch havoc on unsuspecting citizens. He said the law against street trading had always been in place even before Ambode came into office, but that the enforcement was being implemented responsibly considering the mood of the society. He said: “The law has been there even before the present executive governor came into power, so what we are doing as responsible government and responsible security and law enforcement institutions is to further engage like the governor did last time on television on the evils of street trading. “It is not just about stopping the street trading, it also has the security elements. The fellows that are on the roads under the guise that they are selling, some of them are also criminals. “

SECURITY ISSUES

L-R: Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; and Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship Beecroft Apapa, Navy Commodore Abraham Adaji, briefing journalists shortly after an emergency state security council meeting at the Lagos House, Ikeja...Monday

Right Group Seeks Justice on Alleged Case of Sexual Assault of NAF Recruit Ugo Aliogo The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for justice to prevail over the alleged case of sexual assault and purported dismissal of a recruit of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Miss. Igbobie Beauty Uzezi. In a statement signed and issued by the National President of CDHR, Malachy Ugwummadu, the group alleged that Uzezi was raped by her former instructor, Flight Lieutenant B. S. Vibelko at the NAF Base in Kaduna. The statement also noted that the complainant in the unfortunate incident became unconscious due to profuse bleeding and was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Ward 435Aero Medical Hospital, Kaduna by the same Vibelko and ACM Bello who believed that she was passing out. Ugwummadu in the statement, added that the medical consultants of the Hospital, Dr. Balami and

Sergent Ngajuwa who properly observed her, confirmed that she has been raped. “It is a sad commentary on the entire military, no less the air force that you presently superintends that an instructor in whose care recruits are entrusted will turn around to devoured them in such violent manner,” he noted. The statement explained that Uzezi was subjected to some psychological assault which affected her, therefore she applied for voluntary retirement from the force, but this infuriated her superior officers, the request was not granted and she was put through series of inhumane treatments, intimidation, imprisonments and consequently summarily dismissed from the force. The statement further called for a thorough investigation into the alleged case of sexual assault with a view to court-marshaling Vibelko and his cohorts, while also calling for their arrest by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Gunmen Kidnap Ogun Lawmaker’s Wife Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta Gunmen yesterdaay kidnapped Mrs. Felicia Oyenuga, wife of a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Ijebu East, Hon. Olufowobi Oyenuga. Felicia was said to have been kidnapped around Odoladalepo in Ijebu Ife shortly after her son dropped her off at her farm. The lawmaker who is Chairman, House Committee on Establishment, was said to have been contacted by the kidnappers demanding N25million as ransom. A vigilance group in Ijebu Ife and police patrol team were said to have given the gang a hot chase, and they eventually caught up with the driver, Ahmed Folorunso, who drove the gang’s operational vehicle with number plate EPE 663 AJ. While Folorunso was arrested along Ondo Road in Ijebu Ode, other members of the gang made

away with their victim. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said one of the suspects had been arrested and already in police custody. He said: “We got a report that a woman was kidnapped this morning at Ijebu Ife. We learnt that some members of the state vigilante service in the area gave the kidnappers a hot chase. “Another police patrol team were detailed to join them in the pursuit. They caught up with one of the members of the gang, Ahmed Folorunso, at Ijebu Ode, in their operational vehicle with number plate EPE 663 AJ. “The suspect is already in our custody. We are optimistic, we’ll rescue the woman very soon. We are doing the needful to ensure the woman(victim) is rescued and other fleeing members of the kidnap gang arrested.”

In Brief Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Calabar

The Cross River State Police Command on Tuesday in Calabr announced that it has arrested one suspected kidnapper and rescued their victim one Godwin Oduma. According to the police, Oduma was kidnapped at his No.14 Nyong Edem Street residence in Calabar at about 8pm on Monday. The State Commissioner of Police,Jimoh Ozi Obeh, who confirmed the arrest of the suspected kidnapper, said he was arrested when the police stromed their hideout in Calabar. He said others members of the gang escaped when men of the police made to arrest them. The commissioner said the rescued victim’s Pathfinder Jeep which the kidnappers snatched has not yet been recovered. “There is a massive stop and search going on to recover the Jeep and get other members of the gang arrested,” the commissioner said. Narating his ordeal to journalists ,Oduma said: “I was kidnapped in the guise of an arrest. They first pretended as if they were taking me to the State CID, but after sometime, they pretended again as if they were taking me to the Airport Police Station. On reaching the Airport Police Station, they sped off and took me straight to Goodluck Jonathan by-pass, just after Federal Government Girls’ College where we disembarked. “There is a footpath on your right that leads to a river close to where we disembarked. There, I met another six other kidnappers waiting for us with a speed boat. “It was at that point that I was blindfolded and taken to a marshy swampy island where they built a shanty house that they use for their trade.” Oduma stated that it was while in their captivity that the police,obviously acting on a tip-off, swooped on the kidnappers and arrested one of them arrested while other members of the gang escaped.

.... Parade Five Suspected Ritual Killers

The Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded five suspected ritual killers who had participated in two serious homicide cases in the state. Besides, three suspected cultists and three armed bandits were also paraded by the state police command. Parading the affected suspects before journalists in Ilorin yesterday, the outgoing state police commissioner, Mr. Sam Okaula, said the two serious homicides cases where the three suspected ritual killers took part happened in Omu-Aran and Ilorin, the state capital. According to him, “During the dastardly act, three people were gruesomely killed by the suspected ritual killers.” He said: “The suspects, Saidi Amadu, Idris Amadu, Quadri Ayodele and Ayodele Amadu who are now in police custody were arrested in connection in the gruesome killing of Fasilat Azeez and Rohimat Kehinde on the July 12, 2016.” The police boss who complained over rising cases of ritual killings in the state explained that the victims were hawking drugs and other items around Gaa-Arasiko via Alapa on June 12, 2016 when they were way laid and gruesomely killed. Okaula added that, “the suspects Saidi Amadu, Idris Amadu and Quadri Ayodele confessed that they conspired to commit the crime to implicate their eldest brother Ayodele Amadu, now in prison for taking a larger portion of the properties left behind by their late father. “The remains of the victims were dumped in the compound of Ayodele Amaduto implicate him which led to his arrest.” Okaula also said: “The fifth suspect, Segun Bamidele, 30 also way laid one Sunday Owolabi in Agbebi farm, in the out skirt of Omuaran and severed his head with a very sharp cut lass and then took the head to a herbalists for sale.” He said the herbalist, who refused to buy the human head immediately alerted the village head who then informed the police who arrested him. He also told journalists that three suspected armed robbers who invaded Unique students hostel of University of ilorin remedial school, Fufu were arrested after a fierce gun battle with the police team led by the female DPO in the area.

Assassins Hack Embattled Bayelsa Monarch to Death

The embattled paramount ruler of Oluasiri, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Chiefson Awululu, was in the early hours of yesterday attacked by suspected assassins in his house in Yenagoa, the state capital. Awululu, THISDAY gathered, had before now, survived several attempts to remove him by some people in his community who were purportedly not happy with his style of leadership. The suspects reportedly scaled the fence of the palace of the traditional ruler by 2.30 a.m. and broke through a burglary proof door into his bedroom. Thereafter, they were said to have inflicted deep multiple machete cuts on him before leaving him for dead. Unconfirmed reports noted that the assailant’s returned later at about 5 a.m. to confirm if he was indeed dead, but met that he had been rushed to the hospital. Some of the gory pictures sighted by THISDAY indicated that the suspected criminals ostensibly hit their target with the intention to kill him. There were deep machete cuts which almost removed the monarch’s right shoulder and another targeted at his jaw which left him in the pool of his own blood. The room where the monarch was attacked was also soaked in blood. Neighbours who later rushed him to the hospital also attempted to stop the heavy loss of blood by using wrappers to stop the blood flow without success. Some elders and indigenes of the Oluasiri community had in April this year, reportedly passed a vote of no confidence on him over issues they said ranged from poor leadership, absenteeism and administering the community from outside. They also accused him of failing to maintain peace in the community, administering the community like a sole administrator and alleged illegal constitution of the Oluasiri Development Union (ODU) as well as the Oluasiri Youth Federation (OYF).

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016

WEDNESDAYSPORTS Le Guen Deal Runs into Glitches

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

NFF: He was only recommended, contract terms not concluded

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Femi Solaja in Lagos The deal between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Paul Le Guen started on a curious note after the Frenchman scorned report that he had been appointed as Super Eagles Technical Adviser. Le Guen ‘s refutal was revealed by a top French journalist, Herve Penot, via the twitter handle (@ hpenot_lequipe). The tweet said that Le Guen, who had once coached Cameroun, was not coming to Nigeria, because the NFF was yet to meet the terms and conditions for the said job. The Nigerian federation is enthusiastic to employ Le Guen, to drive the Eagles’ quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The NFF Technical Committee that met in Abuja had on Monday announced that Le Guen had been offered

appointment as the new national coach. But Penot had tweeted in French that Le Guen would not be traveling to Nigeria as his conditions had not been met. Paul le Guen n’ira pas au Nigeria. Les conditions pas réunies pour être sélectionneur. Rien à voir aujourd’hui avec la sélection — Herve Penot (@ hpenot_lequipe) July 18, 2016, said Penot’s tweets. The tweet when translated reads:. “Paul le Guen will not go to Nigeria. Conditions not met to be coach . Nothing to do with the selection”. But strangely, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire, last night said the technical committee, only ‘recommended’ Le Guen as technical adviser, while the final decision on who to employ rested with the Executive Committee of NFF. The Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity

Paul Le Guen Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande similarly dismissed reports in local

and international media of the Frenchman’s rejection of the position as simply

preposterous. “The press statement was clear, to the effect that all appointments made at the Technical and Development Committee meeting were mere recommendations, which had to be deliberated upon and agreed to by the Board. No sub-committee in the NFF, except the judicial bodies, takes decisions. They only make recommendations. “In truth, the Technical and Development Committee perused the profiles of all the coaches who submitted applications and find Mr. Paul Le Guen suitable for the post. But during final negotiations, he objected to being given a target and also did not wish to live in Nigeria, which was a sore point with the board.” Yahaya-Kwande added: “The job of Head Coach of Nigeria is a very big one and there is no way anyone will get such a job without being handed a target. There is absolutely no issue with Le Guen saying he

is not coming; several highlyqualified persons would be happy to be named Manager of the senior national team of Nigeria. We have a plan to take care of that eventuality.” But THISDAY gathered last night that one of the grey areas between NFF and Le Guen is on the status of the Nigerian back-up staff. It was learnt that NFF is imposing the local technical staff led by Salisu Yusuf on Le Guen, who insisted on bringing his own team to assist him in Nigeria. However, this development makes the Frenchman the second foreign coach to leave the Super Eagles post moments after being announced for the job. Former Brazilian World Cup winner in 1970, Carlos Alberto Torres, did same to the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in 1996 before the race for the World Cup qualifying matches to the1998 Mundial in France.

Buhari UnveilsTeam Nigeria to Rio 2016 Olympic Games Toriola: I Never Thought of Making Pledges early release of funds for Rio Olympics Seven Olympic Games Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

When Segun Toriola made his debut at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games in Spain, he just wanted to fulfill his childhood dream of competing at the biggest sporting event in the world. But when the Rio 2016 Olympic Games kick off on August 5, Toriola will etch his name in the annals of Olympic history as the first African to compete at seven Olympiads. “I feel very honoured about this my seventh Olympic Games because it is a record for me, Nigeria and for the continent of Africa. “At the beginning of my table tennis career, I didn’t know that I’m going to play in seven Olympics but here I am heading to Rio and I am super excited for this feat,” he said. Toriola, who is yet to get national honour for his feat as the most successful table tennis player in Africa is focusing on doing well at the Rio Games. However, Toriola is optimistic of good outing in Rio despite the lack of preparation, “The team is trying a lot to prepare ourselves because it is very important that we put up a good performance and make the country proud at the Olympics. We are preparing ourselves very well and hopefully we will have something to celebrate in Rio.” On Aruna Quadri, he

Toriola

said: “Aruna Quadri is an experienced player considering what he has achieved as a player. I don’t think that he will be under unnecessary pressure because he is not going to be thinking about the pressure because it is only when an athlete thinks based on his status that the pressure will affect his performance.” TORIOLA’S ROLL OF HONOUR • 4 African Table Tennis Singles Championships medals (1998, 2002, 2004, 2006) and 2 Doubles Championships (1994, 1992) • A Commonwealth Singles Championship (2002) in Manchester (United Kingdom) • A Commonwealth Doubles Championship and Singles Bronze Medal (2006) in Melbourne (Australia) • 4 African Games Singles Gold Medals (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), • 4 Doubles Gold Medals (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), • 1 Mixed Doubles Gold Medal (1999, with Bose Kaffo; they also won silver in 2003) • 3 Team Gold Medals (1995, 1999, 2003). • Olympic Games: Featured in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and now 2016 in Brazil.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said budget for the 2016 Rio Olympics would be released on time. The 2016 Olympic Games, commencing from 5th to 21st August this year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The president who spoke at the official handover of Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and his investiture as the Grand Patron of the body, however called for a judicious use of the funds giving the parlous state of the nation’s economy. He said “Let me equally assure you that the Federal Government is fully committed to our delegation’s successful participation in the Rio Olympic Games and will ensure that funds budgeted for the Games are released without further delay. “We are all aware of our

nation’s dwindling revenue and the current global economic challenges. It is therefore imperative that funds provided for the games are utilised judiciously. “In this regard, any official who has no business at the games should stay at home to cheer the team from here and if they must travel to the Olympics, they should do so at their own expense.” He continued “Nigeria has 49 qualified male athletes and 29 female athletes, giving us a total of 78 athletes in 10 sport disciplines. “It is therefore the honour of the Federal Government to officially unveil the qualified athletes of Team Nigeria to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “Aside the sports that we have qualified for the Olympic Games, I have equally been informed that our athletes have qualified athletes for the Paralympic Games, which comes up immediately after the Olympic Games in Brazil.

“I therefore want to use this opportunity to personally congratulate all these worthy athletes on their qualifications for these Games, even in the face of daunting challenges in their preparations.” He charged the athletes and their accompanying officials to be worthy ambassadors of the country, both on the field of play and outside the sporting arena. He said “The eyes of the global community are on you and as such, you should desist from acts that could dent the image of our great country, Nigeria. “You are very aware of recent doping allegations which cast aspersions not only on the individual athletes but on their home countries. Please keep Nigeria clean. “The menace of drug use in sports is threatening the core foundation of sports and has led to embarrassing situations as well as sanctions of some great sporting nations.

I therefore urge you to keep the integrity of our nation intact by competing clean and fair at the Olympic Games. “Please bring as many medals back home as a result of your efforts and endeavour. But remember it is more important to compete and acquit your country as a fair sporting nation than to bring a pack of medals as a result of bending the rules and denying the Games of fair competition “Finally, let me assure you of the support of over 170 million sports-loving Nigerians who are solidly behind you as you depart to bring glory to our fatherland in Rio.” Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, said that the president had consistently supported the ministry in spite of the cash crunch facing the country. NOC President, Habu Gumel, assured Buhari that the team would be of good behaviour and put up good appearances at the Olympics.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a group photo with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Sports and Youth Development Solomon Dalung, President of Nigerian Olympic Committee Habu Gumel and some national athletes during the formal handing over of the RIO 2016 Olympic Games-bound delegation and the Investiture of Buhari as the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Olympic Committee at the State House in Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2016

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Dope: IOC Delays Decision on Blanket Ban for All Russian Athletes

Russia must wait to learn if it can send a team to next month’s Olympics after calls for it to be barred from the Rio Games for operating a four-year, state-sponsored doping programme. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it will “explore the legal options” before deciding whether to implement “a collective ban” on all Russian competitors for the global showpiece, which starts on August 5. In the meantime, the IOC has said that it plans to re-test all Russians who competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. This follows the findings of the McLaren report, which said urine samples of Russian competitors were manipulated across the “vast majority” of summer and winter Olympic sports from late 2011 to August 2015. Mutko said yesterday that there was “no state doping schemes in Russia”. Calls for a blanket ban on Russia - from both the Olympics and Paralympics - followed the publication of the McLaren report on Monday. The IOC says it will first “take into consideration” a ruling, to be made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) tomorrow, on

the legality of banning all of Russia’s track and field athletes. IOC president Thomas Bach said the findings of the report were a “shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sport and on the Olympic Games”. Wada president Sir Craig Reedie described the “scope and scale” of the findings as a “real horror story”. He said his organisation wanted the IOC to “decline entries, for Rio 2016, of all athletes” submitted by the Russian Olympic and Paralympic committees. “Is what Russia has done here so bad that it warrants a collective ban - as no Russian can be above suspicion and therefore no Russians should go to Rio? “Or is it a case that individual sporting federations should take into account circumstances and decide for themselves if certain Russian athletes who pass the right tests then they can go? It’s a very complicated area. It looks on the face of this statement that the IOC is edging towards a blanket ban. “Russia will not take any decision about a blanket ban lying down. They want to be at the Olympics. It would be a national humiliation for them not to be. They are sporting

superpowers, so they will fight on to try to make sure their athletes are there next month.” Commissioned by Wada, it looked into claims made by Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Russia’s national anti-doping laboratory. He alleged he doped dozens of athletes, including at least 15 medallists, in the build-up to the Sochi Games.

He said this was the result of an elaborate plot with the Russian government, which exploited its host status to subvert the drug-testing programme. Russia topped the table in Sochi, winning 33 medals, 13 of them gold. Rodchenkov, now in hiding in the United States, also alleged he doped athletes before the 2012 Olympics in London, the 2013 World

Athletics Championships in Moscow and the 2015 World Swimming Championships in Kazan. It has already suspended a number of senior sports officials following the publication of the McLaren report. Despite his denial of any state-sponsored doping programme, sports minister Mutko told the R-Sport news agency he had suspended

anti-doping advisor Natalia Zhelanova as well as Irina Rodionova, deputy head of Russia’s state-funded Sports Preparation Centre, and two other officials. McLaren said Zhelanova and Rodionova had worked closely with Russian deputy sports minister Yury Nagornykh to cover up positive tests since 2011. Nagornykh has also been suspended.

IBB Lady Captain Fetes Kids The new Lady Captain of the IBB Golf Club, Lami Ahmed, is indeed making the fact known that the game of golf should be handed to kids who could eventually win medals for the nation in future Olympics. To prove her point, Lami, a Lioness who thrives on oil and gas, precisely at the Conoil, has put together two gigantic tourneys that could make several kids on coming holidays some great fun. Lami Ahmed stated that over 200 kids will feature in developmental clinic between July 21 and August 12. She affirmed that kids who will be part of the programme will learn the game from the scratch and play it properly

before the expiration of the programme. The Lady Captain also claimed that brilliant professional golfers are already on ground to put the kiddies through. Between August 7 and 10, the 8th IBB Junior Open Golf Championship will hold at the ame venue. Close to 200 kid golfers across the nation will participate in this monumental event that will see all participants housed and fed. Thereafter, those who finished tops in this event will be recommended to the Royal and Ancient St Andrews, the world body governing golf for proper grounding.

Iheanacho Left out of Man City Pre-season Squad Nigeria’s rising star, Kelechi Iheanacho, has been left out of Manchester City’s provisional pre-season tour squad. City manager, Pep Guardiola, has named a 32-man traveling party for the tour to Germany and China and Iheanacho is conspicuously missing. But the squad list is subject to change due to visa applications. It is not yet clear of this latest development will open up an opportunity for Iheanacho to represent Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. City blocked Nigeria’s attempts to include Iheanacho in their Olympic squad, with Guardiola insisting on the striker joining him for pre-season,

rather than taking part in the Rio Games. The 19-year-old will be given the chance to establish himself as Sergio Aguero’s understudy next season and the tour was going to be his chance to make an impression on City’s new manager. He could yet be added to the squad for the games against Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund in Beijing and Shenzhen. Aguero, David Silva, Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling are among those who will meet up with the squad in China. Iheanacho scored 14 goals in all competitions for City last season.

Russia athletes are going to be missing from the Rio2016 Games due to dope allegations

Popoola, Udo-Obong, Ogunkoya to Speak at Editors’Forum HS Media Group, a global sports television conglomerate, is organising an Editors’ Forum on Friday, July 22 at its corporate headquarters in Oregun, Lagos where top sports experts at to speak on the state of Nigeria’s ports. Special Guests speakers expected at the forum include; Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Poopola; Olympic gold medallist in 4 x 4 Relay, Enefiok UdoObong and Olympic silver medallist in Women’s 400m,

Falilat Ogunkoya . The event which will be wholly sponsored by HS Media Group, the emerging media hub in the coast of West Africa, will be a congregation of carefully selected crack team of seasoned Sports Journalists, players in the industry and administrators. Also expected at the gathering are Managing Director Complete Communications, MuminiAlao; GM Special Publication (The Sun Newspapers), Kunle Solaja;

Editor, The Nation’s Sporting Life Newspapers, Ade Ojeikere; Chairman, Guild of Sports Editors/Group Sports Editor Vanguard Newspapers, Tony Ubani, and a host of others. According to Chairman/ CEO HS Media Group, Mr. Taye Ige, the objective of the forum is to among other things provide a platform for sports experts and sports journalists to highlight the present challenges facing Nigerian sports. “The objective of the Forum,

among other things, will be to provide a veritable platform for these men of sports experts and pen profession to depict an accurate status of sports in Nigeria, highlight the present challenges of our Olympic Contingent preparations, and identify practical and specific steps to achieving podium performances for Nigerian athletes at future Olympics with a view to encouraging more commitment and support for TEAM NIGERIA by both Public and Private Sectors,” Ige noted.

Sicilian Master, Adu, Wins Millionaire Chess Femi Solaja International Master Oladapo Adu showed shades of his genius on the big stage following his massive win at the just concluded Millionaire Chess Championship at the Chevron Recreation Centre, Gbagada, Lagos last Sunday. Playing in the pool of best players in the country, Adu opted to play different openings in the tournament, with the English opening as white and Queens Gambit most used during the grueling nine-round Swiss event pairing which he won convincingly. The feat means that Adu who has triumphed in six

previous tournaments among his contemporaries, has won the ticket to represent the country at the forthcoming Millionaire Chess Open in Atlantic City, USA in October. “It’s the Lord’s doing for all the successes I have achieved in the last one year in Chess. This is the seventh time that I will emerge top in a major tournament among my other rivals,” Baku Chess Olympiadbound Adu commented after the win. After securing a quarterfinal slot by scoring 7.5 points from nine rounds to lead other contenders into the final knockout phase, Adu dismissed Udeme Edet in

three straight win to hit the semifinal and won against fellow Baku-bound chess Olympiad Dr. Adeyinka Adesina with same result. The defining moment of his triumph came in the final match against ambitious FIDE Master Daniel Anwuli. The champion had to dig deep after being down to half out of two points in the rapid. “I needed to win the two blitz games to become the overall tournament with a 2.5-1.5 thereby securing the ticket to the Millionaire Chess championship in Atlantic city, New Jersey, USA,” revealed Adu. In his closing remarks, the

President of Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, commended all the participants for their comportment all through the four-day event. He enjoined them not to lose focus on the plans the present board of NCF has for them in spite of poor funding from the Federal Ministry of Sports since the inception of the current board of the federation. “We hope to organise more rated tournaments even after the World Chess Olympiad aimed at making more aspiring players to improve on their ratings and earn titles,” he remarked.