Friday 29th July 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Reduce Taxes to Save Economy, NACCIMA, MAN Urge FG Caution against VAT increase Govt pleads for understanding, vows to reduce cost of lending to SMEs Crusoe Osagie The National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the two

largest arms of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in the country, at separate events yesterday, has urged the federal government to consider tax reduction to save the economy from further decline. The President of MAN, Dr.

Frank Jacobs, lamented that all the available economic indices showed that the Nigerian economy might slide into a free fall, stressing that urgent pronouncements and decisions of the government in the next few weeks would be critical

to its recovery. He noted that the federal government had to quickly decide whether or not to raise taxes. According to him, the plan by the federal government to increase Value Added Tax

(VAT), the new high lending interest rate of 26 per cent minimum, scarcity of forex to procure raw materials and machinery parts by factories and new machinery for startups constitute disincentives to investment in Nigeria.

'When an economy is contracting as is the case in Nigeria today, countries work closely with the private sector by providing incentives and support to encourage them to Continued on page 8

Friday 29 July, 2016 Vol 21. No 7763. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

TODAY'S WEATHER

ABUJA 16°C-33°C

MAIDUGURI 15°C-35°C

UT H

& RE A S O

ENUGU 22°C-34°C

KANO 11°C-33°C

LAGOS 23C-31°C

PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C

Resurgence of Crisis in PDP as Abuja Court Sacks Makarfi Party says ruling absurd Metuh dissociates self from Sheriff’s suit Tobi Soniyi, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Alex Enumah in Abuja and Olawale Olaleye in Lagos A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again affirmed Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even as it nullified the appointment of Ahmed Makarfi as the caretaker committee chairman of the party.

The court held that the purported convention held in Port Harcourt on May 20 was in violation of two court orders of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court which barred the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from holding the convention. Continued on page 8

Security Challenges Threaten Nigeria’s Unity, Says Chief of Defence Staff

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, yesterday reviewed the security challenges facing the country and warned that unless they were carefully managed, they might disintegrate the nation. "These challenges singly and collectively have the grim potential to undermine the Nigerian State,” the defence chief said, warning that:

“These are very potent and sensitive crisis situations that have the capacity to wreck our ship of state, if not handled with utmost care and professionalism that they deserve.” Consequently, Olonisakin called for patriotic commitment from all stakeholders for the unity, peace and security of the country. Continued on page 9

OLOROGUN'S PASSAGE

L-R: The wives of late Olorogun Felix Ibru — Matilda and Caroline — and Mrs. Flora Talib-Ibru, during the service of songs of the deceased at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja in Lagos… yesterday

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

FRIDAY, july 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT REDUCE TAXES TO SAVE ECONOMY, NACCIMA, MAN URGE FG maintain their investments and thus sustain employment levels. Under such circumstances, taxes are reduced and impediments to growth are removed as Britain did recently following the Brexit," he said. He noted that the news of government withdrawing the pioneer status tax incentive enjoyed by the cement industry is not only disturbing but also amounts to a shot on the foot of government, as it would send a bad signal to both current and prospective investors of local and foreign origins. "Similarly, the rumour that VAT would be increased must remain a rumour, else that would spell a disaster to what is left for businesses in Nigeria, because neither the ordinary consumer nor the companies whose margins have been stretched to the limit can afford such increase at this time,” he said. The MAN president said the interactive session of the organisation was timely because of the challenges the manufacturing sector had been encountering over the years, which had been exacerbated by recent monetary policy somersaults. According to him, “I believe that it would provide

a platform for us to assess the performance of the sector vis-a-vis the economy, with a view to articulating strategies for resolving them.” He said as manufacturers, the association had taken a number of positive steps that were aimed at resolving some of the challenges, particularly those within the ambit of its resources and initiatives, especially on the use of local raw materials. The MAN president also raised the issue of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), which he described as an excellent economic diversification tool apparently abandoned by the current government. According to him, the wellconceived and thought-out policies had remained a policy on paper without implementation. Jacobs explained that the policy believed to be a catalyst to the diversification agenda of the present administration was yet to see the light of the day, lamenting that the present policies of government did not support the diversification of the nation's economy. The NACCIMA President, Dr. Bassey Edem, in his report on the state of the nation yesterday, joined in the call on the federal government to take urgent steps

to redeem the economy, which he said was fast ebbing away. According to him, in the last six months, January to June 2016, the outlook of the economy had been bleak. The rate of inflation had almost doubled, electricity generation had reduced by almost 50 per cent, and the price of petroleum products had also doubled. He added that foreign exchange earnings had continued to drop significantly due to reduction in output caused primarily by the vandalism of infrastructure and low crude oil prices in the global market. Edem said: "Although, we acknowledge the effort of the federal government in addressing these issues, these efforts have not translated into measurable positive indicators; rather it has led us into recession which has become a thing of worry to private sector operators. "At the beginning of the year, a fixed exchange rate policy of N197 to the USD was implemented in the official market from January to June 2016; and the naira hovered between N300 and N330 to the US dollar in the parallel market. However, with the introduction of the flexible exchange rate policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria in

June 2016, the official exchange rate has risen to a figure between N280 – N310 to the US dollar with the parallel market rate hovering around N360 – N375 to the US dollar. "Inflation rate has almost doubled since the beginning of the year, from 9.55 per cent to 16.45 per cent, the highest point since 2005. "GDP Growth Rate: According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2016 was minus 0.36 per cent. In comparison, the GDP growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2015 was 2.11per cent while the GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2015 was 3.96 per cent. "At the same time, external reserves decreased from USD28.02 billion as at February 4, 2016 to USD26.35 billion as at July 21, 2016. "Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) has been increased to 14 per cent from 11 per cent as at February 2016. "Interest rate maintained a double digit figure, with the Prime Lending Rate at 16.13 per cent and Maximum Lending Rate of 26.73 per cent." Suggesting steps that could help to improve the economic situation of the country, Edem

said there was need for the federal government to fashion a plan that would ensure that the real sector received financing at concessionary rates, in order to ensure that while trying to mitigate crisis of spiralling inflation by raising interest rates, the relevant section of the economy is still stimulated to help the nation emerge from the ongoing recession. He said: "With respect to the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria to raise the Monetary Policy Rate from 12 per cent as at March 22, 2016 to 14 per cent as at July 27, 2016, we acknowledge and understand the decision of the committee as crucial to tackling the rising inflation rate. "We also acknowledge the assertion by the committee that most of the factors contributing to the rise in inflation rate which include high cost of electricity, transportation, low industrial activities, and high prices of both domestic and imported food products are outside the direct purview of monetary policy. "As we lend our voice to the calls by the committee for the urgent diversification of the economy away from oil to manufacturing, agriculture and services, we would like to point

out that a call for stakeholders to increase investment in these select sectors of the economy should be followed by lower interest rates in these sectors, as the current rates are too high to stimulate the much needed growth to lift the economy out of its current phase.” Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelemah, after a lengthy session with leaders of the private sector in Lagos yesterday, called for understanding, assuring them that the government was committed to stabilising the economy and returning it to growth. He said the government was going to bring down the cost of borrowing to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, noting that the ministry is not unaware of the challenges currently being faced by the sub-sector, adding that urgent steps were being taken to make funding available for the most vulnerable sector. Enelemah assured them that the federal government, through its development finance institutions, would lend to SMEs at single digit interest rate.

as scheduled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. “Let Nigerians recall that two former judgments before the Port Harcourt judgment declared that Senator Sheriff is not qualified to be a National Chairman given that the PDP Constitution 2014 which he claimed brought him to power is not in existence and therefore, null and void. "The PDP wants Nigerians to know that Justice Okon Abang is deliberately engaging in acts of derailing the country’s democracy given the fact that his court is not an appeal court that can set aside any judgment. "He has the penchant for abuse of court processes and actions of legal impunity. This judge, Nigerians will recall, issued judgment against the Governor of Abia State that led to INEC re-issuing another Certificate of Return to a man who did not contest election thereby causing unnecessary hardship for the people of that state. He also issued an order to INEC to recognise Senator Sheriff’s candidates in Edo and Ondo states before they could even plan their purported congress in Edo State. “In today’s case, this same judge outrightly denied the PDP representation in court, which is unheard of by serving the plaintiff (Sheriff & Co.) who instituted the case also as PDP (defendants). His excesses are extremely absurd, strange and unbecoming of a judge who enjoys putting the judiciary on the spot. We, therefore, bring this matter before the highest level of the judiciary in the country to stop this judge forthwith from waging war against the PDP. “We are equally calling on Nigerians and the international community to compel the Nigeria judiciary to address Justice Abang’s excesses before he kills our hard earned democracy. “However, the party is law abiding and therefore, will apply for stay of execution of this order and also appeal it. “Finally, the party calls on

all its members and teeming supporters nationwide to remain calm and law abiding and be rest assured that the PDP National Convention will hold as scheduled and all preparation towards the August 17, 2016 National Convention remains the same.”

have caused you. We respectfully urge you to consider whatever discomfort caused by this issue as part of your continuing sacrifice towards building our great party, the PDP. “Finally, we will continue to count on your advice, immense leadership capacity and wealth of experience for the betterment of the party. Please accept, our dear Leader, the assurances of our highest regards and esteem.” In his reply, Anenih, in a letter dated 25 July, 2016 acknowledged the PDP letter, and thanked the leadership of the party for the review of his indictment. He said: “I thank you for reposing confidence in me and my invaluable contributions. I completely agree with you that the party will continue to count on my advice, immense leadership capacity and wealth of experience for the betterment of our party and nation at large. “I believe in your leadership of the National Caretaker Committee and I am convinced that the process that the Committee has embarked upon to reposition our party will lead to positive results, one of which is our expected God-given and people-sanctioned victory in the September 10, 2016 gubernatorial election in Edo State,” Anenih stressed.

Continued on page 9

RESURGENCE OF CRISIS IN PDP AS ABUJA COURT SACKS MAKARFI Justice Okon Abang in a ruling yesterday barred the Makarfiled caretaker committee from exercising any authority or taking any decision on behalf of the PDP henceforth on account of being an illegal body. The Makarfi Caretaker Committee reacted instantly yesterday describing Abang’s ruling as objectionable, questionable and very strange. In a statement by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the committee accused Abang of constituting his court into an appellate court, overruling a decision of a court of co-ordinate jurisdiction. And in an open defiance of Abang’s ruling, it said the scheduled National Convention for August 17, 2016 would hold without fail. Abang, among others, had ruled that the lawyer hired by the Makarfi faction of the party could not represent the party. He chose to recognise the lawyer hired by the Sherriff’s faction. He held that the letter by Senator Makarfi appointing Ferdinand Obi (SAN) for PDP was illegal, unlawful and was set aside by the court on the ground that Makarfi has no law to his side to appoint a lawyer for PDP or carry out any act on behalf of the party. Justice Abang upheld the appointment of Olagoke Fakunle (SAN), having been appointed to represent PDP by the Sheriff-led committee. The judge took a swipe at the Makarfi-led group for going to Port Harcourt to obtain a favourable judgment from a division of the Federal High Court which is a court of co-ordinate jurisdiction to that of Lagos. Justice Abang said that the judgment of the Port Harcourt division, which recognised the Makarfi-led caretaker committee was unlawful, illegal and has no foundation in law to stand. He further held that until the orders made by the Lagos Division of the Federal High

Court, which restrained the PDP from holding the convention at the time it did was set aside, anything done in contravention of the two subsisting orders are unlawful, illegal and should not be recognised. "The Makarfi-led caretaker committee, as an apostle of impunity kiss their way to Port Harcourt to get judgment. That judgment cannot stand. "The Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court cannot make an order to neutralise the effectiveness and potency of orders of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court. "As at the time the Makarfi-led committee found its way to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, the orders of the Lagos division of the court was still subsisting. "The Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, therefore, has no business to have dabbled into the issues of PDP leadership in the light of the subsisting orders issued in Lagos by a court of competent jurisdiction. "Only again, let me make it clear that the Supreme Court has made it clear in a situation like this, something cannot be built on nothing. And in the instance case, I have no liver to depart from the Supreme Court decision. "Though I have powers to nullify the division of the Port Harcourt Court that recognised Makarfi leadership but I will not do so because there is no application to that effect before me. I will, however, allow the Court of Appeal to do justice to that," he said. The judge further admonished politicians not to cause disaffection among judges of the Federal High Court, adding: “If they do so, we have the power to call them to order." He said: "The culture of impunity must stop in this country. We have come of age and we should do things in line with the law." Justice Abang held that Sheriff remains the authentic national

chairman of the PDP and has the authority to act and take decisions on behalf of the party. He also said that any decision outside the Sheriff-led committee was illegal, unlawful and not binding on the party.

Metuh Dissociates Self from Sheriff’s Suit Sheriff’s judicial victory in the court presided over by Justice Abang was dampened by a denial from the party’s former National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, that he was involved in the case. In a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant, Richard Ihediwa, he said he was neither part of the suit nor did he instruct anyone to file any such suit on his behalf. "Chief Metuh wishes to inform the general public that he is not part of the suit seeking to stop the convention and he never instructed anyone to file any such suit on his behalf,” he said, adding: "For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Metuh has taken the pains to consult those that went to court and has been reliably informed that his name was listed in error and which they have promised to rectify accordingly.”

Makarfi Committee Reacts But the Makarfi committee said that it would ignore the court ruling by Justice Abang as a non-event and proceed with its 17 August, 2016 Port Harcourt Convention. It said: "We have just received information that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an Order of Interlocutory Injunction stopping our scheduled National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but we want to state that the judgment of the 4th of July, 2016 supersedes any Ex-Parte Order or Interlocutory Injunctions. So, our National Convention will hold

PDP Withdraws Letter on Anenih Meanwhile, the Makarfi-led leadership of the party has withdrawn a letter in which the defunct National Working Committee (NWC) of the party accused a former chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, of engaging in anti-party activities during the last general election. In the letter dated July 22 and signed by the Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi, the party referred to a 19 May, 2015 letter by the former NWC and signed by Prof. Wale Oladipo, former National Secretary of the PDP, where it accused Anenih of anti-party activities in Imo State during the last presidential and state elections. The party said: “To finally clear all issues relating to this matter and based on your request to meet with the current Caretaker Committee, and the agreed meeting which took place on the 13th of July 2016, the Committee Chairman, His Excellency Senator Ahmed Makarfi, CON, wishes to thank you for appearing before it to finally clear all issues relating to this matter. “Having heard from you, and made some consultations, the Caretaker Committee has reviewed the whole episode and decided to withdraw the said letter from and by the defunct National Working Committee. “The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee also wishes to thank you for remaining steadfast as a leader of the party and a foundation member of the Board of Trustees despite the discomfort the said letter may

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % MRSOIL 3.59 38.78 10.2 PHARMDEKO 0.08 1.73 4.8 LAWUNION 0.01 0.51 2.0 UACN 0.22 20.73 1.0 NASCON 0.02 8.02 0.25 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN % SKYEBANK 0.06 0.70 7.8 BERGPAINTS 0.40 7.63 4.9 CUTIX 0.08 1.53 4.9 FCMB 0.07 1.34 4.9 UPDC 0.18 3.53 4.8 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦850.00 Volume: 70.721 million shares Value: N 2.246 billion Deals: 4,609 As at 28/07/16 See details on Page 48

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

PAGE NINE

Nollywood Actress Aimaku Accuses #SaveMayowa Campaign of Fraud Martins Ifijeh While it has been established that Ahmed Mayowa Shukura is suffering from a terminal stage 4 degree cancer, one of Nigeria’s Nollywood actresses, Toyin Aimaku, and the Founder, Lifestake Foundation, Aramide Kasumu, who helped in raising over $100,000 for her ‘treatment’ have raised the alarm that the #saveMayowa campaign was a scam initiated by the Ahmed family to swindle Nigerians of their hard-earned money. But the Ahmed family in a swift reaction denied defrauding Nigerians, saying the fundraiser was genuine. They said having helped in raising the needed funds for Mayowa’s treatment, recent development showed that the family was not interested in pursuing any treatment for her, but used the medium to raise funds for themselves at the expense of the sick 28-year- old lady. According to Aimaku, who explained that she decided to champion the campaign because she thought it was genuine having seen the cancer patient physically, noted that she used her social media platform as well as put calls to well-meaning Nigerians, including AY, E-money, one of Okorocha’s son, Peter Odili and a host of other persons for assistance. “But after all the running around and securing the

funds they said they needed for her treatment, they told me they would be taking her to Reddington Hospital on the Island, and I was happy about it because I live in Lekki. I knew it would be easier for me to always visit her there, only for me to get to Lagos University Teaching Hospital this morning where they kept her, we were told nobody was allowed to visit her anymore. I was trying to tell them it was a public thing so they can't say they don’t want to see people, meanwhile the funds came from people, so they need to know what is happening,” Aimaku added. She said immediately, she had a feeling something wasn’t right. “Then I went upstairs to meet them to lie that the governor’s wife wants to know how much they have spent, that she wants to assist. That is how they started shaking. I then went to see the doctor inside, I gave him the medical report they have been showing everyone,” she said, adding that the doctor told her it was fake and that they knew nothing about that report. “The doctor said the family told them they would fly her out by 6pm this evening to Dubai, whereas I was told they will take her to Reddington Hospital," she said. She said to confirm her doubt, she confronted Mayowa, who told her that everything was a scam perpetrated by the family. Also, lending her voice,

Kasumu said Mayowa actually has stage 4 cancer and according to the doctors was beyond treatment, adding that when her attention was drawn to the issue, she called the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, who reserved a room for Mayowa in the hospital. “I facilitated her admission in LUTH and then requested her medical reports with the family. Then a hospital in the United States said it could commence treatment on her but that it would cost them $100,000 each on several occassions. But the family decided to start a campaign for $100,000 without ever thinking of taking her for treatment. The fee for medical reference to the hospital was not paid, hence there was no reference letter to any embassy. There was no visa anywhere for her travel. It was just a scam," she added. When the CMD of LUTH was contacted, he said he was aware the patient was brought into the hospital for treatment but was unaware of the issue of the #savemayowa campaign and the associated scan. Meanwhile, the police have arrested some members of the Ahmed family who are currently being interrogated. Mayowa’s family had a week ago, initiated the #savemayowa campaign to raise funds for the treatment of ovarian cancer for her. So far, over $100,000 has been raised towards the ‘treatment’. However, a statement by

Mayowa engaged the services of the Flying Doctors to accompany her on the trip based on recommendation by the doctors in LUTH." The Ahmed family said Mayowa was receiving treatment in LUTH to pave the way for her to travel abroad for her treatment, as she has been transfused to help improve her PCV. "The funds are solely for Mayowa’s treatment and for no other reason. We await her visa for travel documents to commence the journey as we are in touch with the doctors abroad and they are awaiting her arrival. We appreciate the

contributions made by Nigerians on this journey. Mayowa will live to tell this story and you shall be one of the audiences by His grace. "Please support us with prayers as you will surely be told the success story as we have not given up on Mayowa living her life and we will never give up until the work God has started is finished. Thank you once again and will provide updates on her treatment and procedures. Meanwhile, the scam allegation has attracted mixed feelings from Nigerians," the statement read.

of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that what remains is for the civilian populace to rise up to the security situation in the country by mobilising support for the military and other security agencies. Mohammed, who was represented by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba, said that the relevant stakeholders should be able to keep the public abreast of other developments in the security sectors, which they "are currently demonstrating through the 'winning hearts and minds' projects". "To achieve this, I will recommend the putting in place of a sound public information strategy to enlighten Nigerians about the important roles the military has been tasked to play in the country," he said. Earlier, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe

Abubakar, said that the seminar would serve as a platform for enhancing a robust cooperation, understanding and partnership between the AFN and the media practitioners "especially at this critical time of security challenges facing our dear nation". Also, the communique issued at the end of the seminar recommended among other things that Defence correspondents and military information managers need regular training to improve capacity in defence reportage; experienced reporters should be assigned to Defence and security beat; and that military information managers should give timely access to information to Defence correspondents. The communique further called for "enhanced interpersonal relationship between military information managers and Defence correspondents; the Defence correspondents

are encouraged to do more investigative reports; adding that there is need for confidence building and trust between military information managers and Defence correspondents. "Need to engage in official and unofficial communication with Defence correspondents to agree on what to report and what not to report; military information managers should de-emphasise the recurrent preference for foreign media outfits in Defence/security-related matters; and there should be transparency and openness in the management of information on military operations. "That Defence correspondents should report all military operations with a sense of responsibility and patriotism to promote national security; and the military should devise strategy to honour officers and men who paid the supreme price in defence of the fatherland".

in Nigeria and you will be seeing the impacts in the weeks, months and years ahead." On the state of the economy, he pointed out plans to engage the private sector to seek ways to address issues affecting the economy, adding that in partnership, both parties could identify the problems and look at the ones that could be addressed immediately going forward. "One of the areas of interest for us is how to reduce the cost of borrowing for SMEs, industries

and the key players. One of the promises we made when we assumed office is that we said we are not going to work in silos and if you look at the way the government is running today, we have economic management team which cuts across including other inter-ministerial agencies to work across board to solve the problems to achieve a holistic and complete solutions rather than solutions in silos," he added. The Director General, Standards Organisation of

Nigeria (SON), Dr. Paul Angya, who also commented, said the agency was developing capacity, improving standards, increasing its testing capacities with laboratories and promoting access to the export market. "We are renewing our pledge that we will do everything possible to clean up the environment for local industries to thrive. We will also develop capacity for local industries to gain access into the international markets," Angya said.

the Ahmed family said the #savemayowa campaign was genuine, as the funds raised would be used solely for her treatment. The statement reads: "We have been called by friends, family and everyone who has our contacts that our raising funds for Mayo is a scam. We were also informed that some persons had made statements concerning her state and her ability to pull through this ordeal. As a family, we wish to state that Mayowa is presently in LUTH receiving treatments that will prepare her for her trip to Abu Dhabi. We have also

SECURITY CHALLENGES THREATEN NIGERIA’S UNITY, SAYS CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF The defence chief spoke at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, during the One-Day Defence Correspondents' Seminar titled: "Constructive Reportage as an Important Ingredient for National Security". He said that the media and military were two of the most important stakeholders in projecting, promoting and protecting national security. According to him, it is incumbent on all the stakeholders in the national security and allied sectors to assist defence media practitioners to build human and institutional capacity to facilitate effective performance and goal attainment, especially on issues that affect national security of Nigeria. "It is important from the onset to state that although, we play different roles and may see things from different perspectives, we all must be responsive as stakeholders in the overriding

task of nation building," he said. Olonisakin noted that in a developing nation like Nigeria, which is engulfed by a dynamic flux of security challenges, the media is required to build bridges of understanding between the military and the people in the discharge of its national security mandate. He emphasised that as professionals, the two parties are expected to have a clear understanding of the challenges confronting the country, which include pastoralist/ farmers' clashes, cattle rustling, kidnapping, militancy, vandalism of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) particularly oil facilities, ethnic nationalism, terrorism and insurgency. He said: "These challenges singly and collectively, have the grim potential to undermine the Nigerian State. These are very potent and sensitive crisis situations that have the capacity

to wreck our ship of state, if not handled with utmost care and professionalism that they deserve. "To prevent this, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has been called upon to provide Military Assistance to Civil Authority (MACA) in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)." "In the past one year, the AFN has made remarkable progress in the provision of security across the nation. In particular, I can proudly state that the patriotic and gallant efforts of our troops in alliance with other key players, downgraded the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-east. "However, the security situation in Nigeria is still rather fluid and calls for the patriotic commitment of all institutions and citizens, governmental and non-governmental organisations," he added. In the same vein, the Minister

REDUCE TAXES TO SAVE ECONOMY, NACCIMA, MAN URGE FG According to him, "We are going to lend within the capacity of government and the government development finance institution at single digit interest rate. From my understanding, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wants to bring down the inflation rate because it steals from pockets of the citizenry and there are many ameliorating steps being taken to make sure that funding is made available for the most vulnerable in the society. As the economy takes

off, we will be able to provide more supply which will help to tail inflation. We need to do more to improve production by making it easier for the producers to produce goods locally to act as a downplay for inflation. "We have heard the stakeholders and we have taken notes which is going to form part of the engagement process we will be having with the rest of government agencies both at the federal, state and local levels to address the needs of

our people. One of the ways we will be addressing the needs is the ease of doing business and I am happy to say that this is one of the areas where the president has taken interest by forming a presidential council on it to be chaired by the vice-president called the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council and one of this council's objectives is to work across ministries to identify those bottlenecks and challenges in doing business

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Economic Hardship: Buhari Urges Religious Leaders to Pacify Their Followers Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said his government is acutely aware of challenges of life facing the average citizen, and appealed to Muslim religious leaders to carry the message of hope to the people that things will improve. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, in a statement said Buhari spoke yesterday at a meeting with the Council of Abuja Imams at the State House in Abuja.

The president requested religious leaders throughout the country “to keep calming the people. The leadership at various levels is trying to solve problems of poverty, unemployment and insecurity bedeviling the country.” Buhari said the government chose to give priority to agriculture so as to create jobs for unemployed citizens and give the country food security. He said although efforts had begun, there was a bigger plan for the provision of fertilizers, insecticides and land preparations starting

next year. To key into this, the president requested state governments and community leaders across the country to organise the population into cooperative societies, stressing that “extension services, not money will be provided.” The president also addressed the religious leaders on the efforts to improve power supply in the country with on-going efforts to bring foreign

investment from China and some friendly countries that indicated willingness in developing the proposed Mambila and other hydroelectric power projects in the country. Buhari said the steps the government was carefully taking on the crisis situation in the Niger Delta would lead to long term peace and stabilise the region. On the war against corruption and the Boko Haram terrorism,

the president said his government would remain resolute and relentless. “We have no plan to humiliate or embarrass anyone through these actions. We are merely interested in instituting justice and fairness for all,” the president assured. He reiterated that whoever was caught as having stolen from the public would be forced to return the loot to the treasury. “The nation needs the

money,” he added. Earlier, the Chairman of Abuja Council of Imams, Dr. Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun on behalf of the delegation commended the efforts of the Buhari administration in the war against corruption and terrorism. He also d re w t h e P re s i d e n t ’ s a t t e n t i o n t o p ro b l e m s i n t h e e c o n o m y, health services, education and unemployment.

Donor Expresses Disappointment over Stealing of Healthcare Funds Buhari gives assurance of better management Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Chief Executive Officer of Gavi and The Global Fund, Dr Seth Berkley, has expressed disappointment with how the federal government officials utilised donor funds for health care in the past. However, President Muhammadu Buhari has quickly assured him that lapses that have characterised Nigeria as a nation are being corrected. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Berkley met Buhari at the State House in Abuja. The statement said Berkley said Gavi and the Global Fund were disappointed when forensic audit revealed systemic weaknesses and corruption in the utilisation of funds given in the past. Berkley, who led a team of top officials of the funds, however said that they were impressed by Buhari’s decision to tackle corruption head on. Responding, the president said he was impressed with the patience and steadfastness of leading supporters of health care in Nigeria, “despite our shortcomings as a nation.” He said: “We are making genuine efforts to correct the lapses. We are very serious about

people behaving themselves, and being accountable. “We thank you for deciding to re-engage with us, despite our inefficiencies. You decided to be here, not minding our shortcomings. There are other countries that would bring less problems. We appreciate your commitment, and we will do our best to put ourselves in the best shape to help us.” Eralier, Berkley had noted that the three focal points of the Buhari administration; security, economic development, and anti-corruption were critical to the future of Nigeria. He said Gavi and the Global Fund were disappointed when forensic audit revealed systemic weaknesses and corruption in the utilisation of funds given in the past, adding that there was now a “breath of fresh air” under Buhari’s leadership and fight against corruption and they were willing to “close the books of the past, and look into future support.” Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who was also at the event, disclosed that those indicted in the audit of the donor funds in the past, which was done between 2010 and 2015, had already been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and would be arraigned in court soon.

Indonesia Executes Three Nigerian Drug Convicts Indonesia on Friday executed one local and three Nigerian drug convicts by firing squad, an official said. They were put to death shortly after midnight, the Deputy Attorney General for General Crimes, Noor Rachmad, told journalists. He did not say why 10 other drug convicts, who had been expected to face the firing squad, were not executed, although the island where

the convicts were being put to death was hit by a major storm as the executions took place. “The executions were for now conducted on four convicts on death row,” he said. “This is not a fun job. For us, this is really a sad job because it involves people’s lives. “This was done not in order to take lives but to stop evil intentions, and the evil act of drug trafficking.”

HELP TO PACIFY YOUR FOLLOWERS

R-L: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello; Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari; President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman, Council of Abuja Imams, Imam T.M.B Adigun, Chief Imam of Presidential Villa, Abdul-Samad Suleman; and others, after an audience with the president at the State House in Abuja....yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

MTN Set to List Shares on NSE, Names Citigroup, Standard Bank as Advisers Goddy Egene with agency report The hope of many Nigerians to own equity and share in the profit of MTN Group will soon materialise as the Africa’s biggest mobile-phone operator has finally appointed advisers preparatory to its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). MTN had agreed to list the unit in Nigeria, the company’s biggest market, as part of a deal to pay a N330 billion ($1 billion) fine in cash to the Nigerian government for missing a deadline to disconnect unregistered subscribers. As a follow up to that agreement, MTN Group Limited, has appointed Citigroup Inc. and Standard Bank Group Limited as advisers to list the wireless company’s Nigeria business on the NSE. The company said in a statement that it was

targeting 2017 to list its shares. “Stanbic IBTC Capital, the Nigerian arm of Johannesburg-based Standard Bank, will be the lead issuing house, while a full syndicate including Nigerian parties will be appointed in due course,” Bloomberg News reported. In the statement, MTN said as part of a settlement arrangement with the Federal Government of Nigeria, it would undertake immediate steps to ensure the listing of its shares on the NSE as soon as commercially and legally possible. “MTN Nigeria is pleased to announce that its board of directors has resolved to proceed with preparations for a listing of MTN Nigeria on the NSE as soon as commercially and legally possible and has established a management task team with the responsibility to guide the company towards

a listing. At present, MTN Nigeria is targeting that the listing takes place during 2017, subject to suitable market conditions,” it statd The company explained that it has appointed Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited (together with its affiliates, The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and Standard Advisory London Limited) and Citigroup Global Markets Limited as its Joint Transaction Advisors and Joint Global Coordinators with Stanbic acting as the lead issuing house. “The proposed listing would be subject to suitable market circumstances and conditions and the appropriate approvals from relevant regulators and other stakeholders,” the company said. There have been calls by government officials, market regulators and operators to list MTN, other telcos and major oil companies operating in Nigeria on the

NSE as way of deepening the local bourse and enable investors share from the huge profits they are making from the economy. Recently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, restated the need for the companies to list on the NSE. Speaking during a visit to the NSE in Lagos, Dogara said: “The House may consider passing a law that will compel these companies to list certain percentage of their value on the stock exchange. The market needs to be deepened, this is sad because these companies account for a huge percentage of revenues in oil, communication, energy ,among others.” He promised legislative interventions in all areas of value-added partnership aimed at wealth creation and redistribution, as well as the creation of employment and economic diversification.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Dogara Ordered Transfer of Appropriation Committee Computers, Abdulmumin Alleges

Gombe caucus accusesAbdulmumin of blackmailing members with constituency project request letters Says matter should be settled internally Ex-chairman wants new Speaker Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The sacked Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, has alleged that all the computers of the committee’s secretariat have been transferred to the office of the Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s office. The allegation is coming just as the Gombe State caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday accused Abdulmumin of blackmailing his colleagues with letters he had sent to them requesting inputs for their constituency projects they wanted included in the 2016 budget. The former Appropriation Committee Chairman made the allegation in a statement yesterday where he also alleged that the secretariat staff are being harassed to keep quiet and suppress facts. “There has also been an attempt to break into my office at the House,” Abdulmumin said and alleged that Dogara plans to tamper with documents critical to the investigations. “But unfortunately for him, we already have enough evidence in our possession. The security and anti corruption agencies should kindly take note,” he added. But responding to the allegation of blackmail, Abdulmumin described it as a show of shame. “Two of them are part of the list of corrupt members I will be submitting to the EFCC,” he said. Meanwhile, the Gombe State caucus also noted that the allegations levelled against each other by Dogara and Abdulmumin, should be investigated internally, and not by anti-graft agencies as is being canvassed in some quarters. The leader of the caucus, Hon. Ali Isa, while briefing journalists yesterday disassociated the caucus from what he said was a campaign of calumny by Abdulmumin against the Speaker and other principal officers. “And if we are to talk about this “budget padding” scandal, we want to tell the whole world that shortly after Jibrin was appointed Chairman of the Appropriation Committee he

sent letters to all members of the House requesting them to send details of projects they want captured in the Federal Budget for their constituencies, and members complied with his circular accordingly,” he said. “But we are now shocked and surprised that Abdulmumin is now using these same letters to blackmail the House as guilty of padding the Federal Budget! What a shame!” Isa said. The lawmaker, flanked by other members of the caucus said the figures being reeled out by Abdulmumin were actually suggested by him. Isa added that the Appropriation Committee under the leadership of Abdulmumin initiated the allocation formula with which the constituency projects of members were inserted into the 2016 budget. “By reason of their leadership position, the Appropriation Committee conceded significant provisions to the principal officers of the House, but we are even shocked that Jibrin who is not a principal officer allocated provisions to his constituency far beyond what the principal officers he is accusing got. So what is Jibrin’s point in this shameless dance of absurdity?” he added. Hon. Yunusa Abubakar while fielding questions from journalists said the allegations raised in the spat can be investigated by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges as it is an internal affair of the lower chamber. He also said the National Assembly cannot be accused of padding the budget as additions and subtractions are part of working the budget. Meanwhile Abdulmumin in a series of tweets yesterday indicated that he would want a new Speaker to head the lower chamber. He promised to continue to release details of fraudulent actions against Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, until the ‘law catches up with them.’ The tweets read: “Allegation no21 to Mr. Speaker: why did you fraudulently divert a federal government water project to your farm in Nasarawa and how are

you funding the farm?” “When a new Speaker emerges and the other principal officers are replaced, I will write to the presiding officers of both chambers to commence radical internal reform in the entire National Assembly beyond

budget to cover performance assessment, running cost and allowances, investigations etc” “If the reform so done on National Assembly is not made public latest by December, I will shall take it up and lay before the general public even if I am

alone” “The idea is to do a clean up, flush out corruption and corrupt members so that in 2019 only corrupt free people who want to serve will come in. “God Almighty knows I am not perfect but as I approach

40 years in September, I have always wondered what is it that I can live and die for. “On one hand, I settled for aggressive rural agriculture with emphasis on migrating our farmers from subsistence to commercial farming.

MEETING WITH DONOR AGENCIES

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari, Global Fund, Division Head Grant Management, Mr. Mark Eldon-Edington; Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Director General, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA), Dr. Ado J.G. Muhammad; and Minister of State Health, Dr. Enhanrie Osagie, during an audience with Gavi and Global Fund team at the State House in Abuja.... GODWIN OMOIGUI

Saraki Tasks Nominees to Be Good Ambassadors as C’ttee Ends Screening

President’s representative commends committee NESG hail senate president for passage of Railway Bill

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday advised the newly screened ambassadorial nominees to ensure they positively project the country’s image in their respective places of assignment, saying their successful screenings showed that they had already made history. Saraki who made this remark while addressing the 47 ambassadorial nominees at the end of their screenings in the National Assembly, charged them to make the nation proud when they eventually assume duties after their postings. “The ambassadorial nominees, as we go forward, are taking positions in the history of the country. Going forward, they will be representing our country on the global stage. We appeal to you to please make us proud, though there are challenges, I urge you to look at things differently in your service to the nation. As you know, it is in the interest of our country to have ambassadors all over, as the absence will slow down bilateral relations. I wish you all the best,” Saraki said. Saraki also tasked the executive to without delay,

send the names of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate upon its resumption in September, saying “the earlier we have substantive ambassadors at our various foreign posts, the better at this critical time of repositioning the country for better.” Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, yesterday commended the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs over the successful completion of the screening exercise, saying it did a thorough job. Enang made the remark when he paid an appreciation visit to Saraki at the end of the exercise. Enang, who described the screening exercise as the most thorough that he ever witnessed since he had been in the National Assembly, also commended the committee for its perceived dedication and commitment. He said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend the Senate committee for the way and manner in which the screening exercise was carried out. I must say it is the most thorough and intellectual I’ve seen in my time here. ”Also, the committee has demonstrated by its decision

to screen the nominees despite the Senate being on recess that it is committed and dedicated to service of our dear nation,” Enang added. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has commended Saraki for his “leadership and unflinching commitment” that led to the recent passage of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Bill by the Senate. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NESG, ‘Laoye Jaiyeola, who made the assertion in a letter of commendation to the Senate President, dated July 22, 2016, specifically appreciated the Senate for the accelerated consideration and passage of the NRC Bill. Jaiyeola noted that the passage of the bill “marks a very significant milestone in Nigeria’s history and further demonstrates the role of our legislature in the nation’s economic development.” He expressed hope that the bill would mark the first journey that the private sector and the legislature under the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) have commenced to improve Nigeria’s business environment. The letter entitled: “Passage of the Nigerian Railway

Corporation Act 1955 Repeal and Re-enactment Railway Bill, 2016” read in part: “On behalf of our partners in the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, UK Department for International Development’s ENABLE II programme and Nigeria Bar Association’s Section on Business Law, I write to congratulate and express our deep appreciation to the Senate for successfully passing the NRC Act 1955 Repeal and Re-enactment Railway Bill, 2016. “This definitely marks a very significant milestone in Nigeria’s history and further demonstrates the role of our legislature in the nation’s economic development. This bill provides for the procurement of private sector participation in railway services, provide for the regulation of the railway sector, promote the efficient and sustainable development and operation of the railway sector and facilitate the development of competitive markets for services in the railway sector. “Your Excellency, we commend your leadership as well as your unflinching commitment to the entire process that led to the passage of the bill. You will recall that we presented the Final Report

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

IYC to Nigerians: Stop Demonising Ijaw People Leaders move to douse tension in Lagos

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, yesterday warned those who are in the habit of ascribing every negative action in the region and beyond to the Ijaw people, to stop forthwith. President of the organisation, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, who spoke with journalists in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, noted that the Ijaw youths took special exception to the accusation that people from the area had been attacking Lagos and Ogun States. He urged security agencies to take their jobs seriously and unveil those behind the recent attacks on communities in the two states, describing them as mere criminals. “I want to make the Ijaw position very clear. Nigeria should stop ascribing anything negative to the Ijaw people. Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) are not Ijaw people. Security agencies should stop transferring their jobs to community leaders. We refuse to eat sand as food,” Eradiri said. He appealed to Yoruba people not to be taken in by the ”propaganda” currently going on, reminding them of the last Odua People’s Congress OPC-Ijaw crisis which he said was stoked by issues that are inconsequential. “There are Ijaw people, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo and others in those places those

crimes happen. Thy should stop demonising the Ijaw people. “We have cohabited with the Yoruba people for a long time, but all manner of nonsense is now being ascribed to the Ijaw people. I sympathise with victims of those attacks in Ogun and Lagos, but we want to make it clear that those attackers are not Ijaw. “They are people who are stealing refined fuel and kerosene. The security agencies should do their jobs. We will not do anything to destabilise Lagos and Ogun States, but the security agencies should fish out those criminals instead of blaming Ijaw people,” he added. He alleged that the Ijaw people around Lagos were already being attacked because of the misinformation currently going on. “Just yesterday, property belonging to Ijaw people just outside Lagos were destroyed by some people just because of this propaganda. Herdsmen have been killing, instead of summoning their patrons, nothing has been done, nobody is inviting herdsmen and their patrons, why are there double standards in this country. “How many Hausa monarchs have been invited or harassed when Boko Haram was still killing people? Why is the military always quick to attack our communities. “Who said that Gbaramatu

is Niger Delta Avengers headquarters. Many can’t even go to school in those communities right now. “NDA is within government. They are blocking the presidents eyes from seeing them. The same way herdsmen are Libyans, somalians who are good in maritime things are blowing up pipelines. “I appeal to the Yoruba people. We still remember the Ijaw OPC crisis. If you remember it was one small issue that started it. Let nobody be deceived this time,” the IYC President said. Also, Ijaw leaders in Lagos have taken steps to douse the apprehension arising from

reports of criminal activities linked to alleged militants from the Niger Delta. Some communities in Lagos and Ogun States have been attacked by either armed robbers, pipeline vandals or kidnappers with accusing fingers pointed at militants. A Yoruba youth group recently threatened reprisal attack on Ijaw indigenes resident in Lagos and other South-west states. Since the threat was issued, tension had heightened in areas with high population of the Ijaw and other Niger Delta indigenes. Former president of the Izon Community Lagos, Mr.

Regent Youmor, in a statement yesterday, said the leadership of the Yoruba nation at various levels are being contacted to address the situation in order to douse the tension. “We are seriously worried about the spate of criminal activities and the colouration it is given in the media. The Izon community in Lagos is not taking the media reports and the feedback we get lightly. “We are ready to collaborate with our Yoruba brothers and leaders as well as security agencies to ensure that criminals masquerading as militants are fished out and dealt with according to the laws of the land.

“We however frown at a situation where a particular ethnic group appears targeted for negative and biased reportage in the media. We are a peaceful and peaceloving people, who abhor all forms of criminality whether in Lagos or anywhere else,” said Youmor, who is also vice chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. He disclosed that a friendly/ unity football match to cement the relationship between the Ijaw and their hosts is to hold on Saturday, August 6 in Lagos.

IG Moves to Streamline Foreign Donors’ Assistance to Police Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

assistance from all donors to the Police would now be well The acting Inspector General coordinated to address the of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim security challenges facing the Idris, yesterday constituted country. a specialised coordinating centre He said: “Upon my to streamline all foreign and appointment, I established international donors’ assistance the Donor Aid coordinating to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). unit to collate and streamline He said the centre would some of the assistance that be headed by an Assistant the Police are receiving from Commissioner of Police. international partners and foreign Addressing participants at organisations in Nigeria. an international technical retreat “We are receiving a lot of sponsored by the British High assistance from these agencies Commission in Abuja, he said but the security challenges have the technical and financial assumed a global dimension as

we share the same problems. This forum is a means by which we can collectively address the challenges.” According to him, the stakeholders’ meeting is to ensure a coordinated synergy between the Police and the donors to addressing challenges facing the Force and the country at large, adding that we need to see how we can organise ourselves in a proper way to collate these assistance and focus it towards addressing the challenges of the NPF. Idris said: “You are all aware

that the Police have a lot of challenges and that we cannot fix it alone and the reality is that technologically, you are more advanced than us and we believe that you will lead us to that technological age. We need your support and assistance.” In a remark, the facilitator and Technical Adviser to the IG, Prof. Olu Ogunshakin, said on assumption of duty the acting IG realised the importance of how we can harmonize a centre from all contributions, donations and technical assistance being given to the Police.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY JULY 29,, 2016

COMMENT

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

A CHANGE TO BELIEVE IN

The Ambode government in Lagos is serious about health reform, writes Nosike Odum

ike most of the sectoral progrmmes being instituted by his administration, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State is letting his actions speak louder than his words in the health sector. The governor is silently causing a revolution, especially in the area of primary health care in the state. The writer of this article accidentally overheard a fellow commuter in a public bus in the city of Lagos making frantic telephone calls to a number of his colleagues to assemble at a rendezvous to compare notes to prepare a progress report on a construction project being carried out at a primary health care centres in one of the suburbs of the state. The report, the writer gleaned from the telephone conversation, was to be submitted to the office of the governor immediately. It was in compliance with a matching order from the governor himself that all the contractors and engineers working on the massive rehabilitation of the many primary health care centres in the state should forward comprehensive reports for thorough assessment of the progress of the works. The governor officially first made his initiatives on primary health care public in March, 2016 when he announced plans to transform the 294 primary health care centres in the state to international standard. He spoke during the inauguration of two new PHC centres rehabilitated at the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area. He said he was embarking on the project to facilitate access to quality care, especially at the grassroots. In his words: “Lagos State has 294 PHC centres in the state; some are disused, some are dilapidated and some are functioning well. Our emphasis now is on the health care delivery system, education and social welfare in terms of empowerment and employment of the people.” He was impressed by the quality of work done at the Ojokoro health centres. He said it was in sync with the programme of the state government. He also revealed during the occasion that the goal of the government is to provide the health centres with experienced and seasoned medical staff. Some of observers present at the event were of the opinion that with the quality of the work being done, some of the health centres deserve to be upgraded to general hospitals with the provision of necessary equipment and personnel for optimal service delivery. Governor Ambode’s initiatives in primary health care are in line with what he outlined in his campaign manifesto regarding the health sector. He had listed the following then: to improve upon the flagship primary health care programme to increase the number and quality of public health centres that can offer 24/7 services on out-patient and maternal care and thereby ensure zero tolerance for all communicable diseases in Lagos State; harmonise private and public sector collaboration in secondary health care; establish medic parks in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to stave off huge capital flight arising from medical expenses abroad; reduce doctor-patient ratio and support health institutions with more equipment and infrastructure; pay more attention to training and capacity building of all medical practitioners in all our medical institutions/offices. During the maiden edition of the quarterly town hall meeting where he rendered his account of stewardship in office, he made the following claims regarding his health programmes: “A healthy Lagos is a wealthy Lagos. My administration has provided 20 mobile intensive care unit ambulances at a cost of N145.240 million deployed in all our ambulance points in the state, bringing this to a total of 36 mobile Intensive care unit ambulances. We have also provided additional 26 transport ambulances at the cost of N257.4 million deployed across all our general hospitals. We have created ambulance points across the states for easy access to our people. The ambulance service can be reached by calling the Toll-Free Line 112. Our administration in the last three months has installed 22 power generating sets ranging from 350 – 500 KVA as additional back-up sets across all our general hospitals at the cost of N270 million

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE 112-TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY NUMBER BACKED WITH THE PROVISION OF 20 MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AMBULANCES AND 26 TRANSPORT AMBULANCES HAS PROVED AMBODE TO BE A CARING GOVERNOR

to ensure 24-hour power supply. In addition, 26 mobile X-ray machines costing N519.656 million are being installed at all our general hospitals across the state. We have granted approval for the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure 24 hours service in our health facilities,” adding that the contract for the abandoned Ayinke House Project has been re-awarded while expressions of interest for a Lagos Medical Park have been received. “We will enter the phase of the project soon and at the end of this, Lagos State will become a key destination for medical tourism. All these have been painstakingly done to create better access to health services for all Lagosians,” he said. Besides, the governor has brought peace to the lingering crisis within the medical circle by putting a stop to casualisation of workers in the state. The medical doctors who were employed some years ago as casual staff have reportedly had their employment regularised while same was extended to those in the state civil service. Also aware of the need for a healthy and motivated workforce, he has also extended the accident insurance policy for its workforce to cover accidents recorded outside working hours. Governor’s Ambode has also shown himself to be a man with milk of kindness. When he read about the plight of Mrs. Ruth Uche, the mother of three set of twins whose husband absconded from their home in Agege, Lagos, he immediately directed his deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, to provide health and welfare support for the woman. Mrs Uche, her children and her run-away husband who came back home are now living comfortably. Prior to that, Governor Ambode had on his second working day in office intervened to save the life of the 2015 baby of the year in the state, Miss Oluwajomiloju Goodness Ogundimu, who was diagnosed with a heart defect that required surgery. Today, baby Ogundimu is hale and hearty after a successfully surgery in India. Also the introduction of the 112 -toll-free emergency number (the only one of its kind in Nigeria) backed with the provision of 20 mobile intensive care unit ambulances and 26 transport ambulances has proved Ambode to be a caring governor. Recently, the VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, inaugurated the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit in Cappa area of Oshodi, Lagos. During the launching of the project, President Buhari said Lagos under Governor Ambode has continued to maintain its leading role in delivering good governance to the people. Buhari described the facility as not only the first of its kind in Nigeria, but one that would go a long way to improve response time during emergency situations. The LASEMA response unit boasts of an initial acquisition of 51 equipment including three forklifts, one crane, 13 trucks, 10 paramedic motorbikes, two fire trucks, ambulances, among others. The Lagos State government has also improved facilities and upgraded services at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where medical feats of significant first in the country are now being recorded. In November, 2015 LASUTH carried out its first successful kidney transplant. In December, 2015, LASUTH carried out the first successful bone bridge surgery in West Africa and Cochlear Implant surgeries on three deaf patients without the support of foreign doctors. Just like in the era of his political mentor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the health sector is no doubt one area that the impact of Governor Ambode’s administration is being felt in spite of the huge challenges occasioned by the influx of people from other states and neighbouring countries on Lagos hospitals. From the upgrade of road infrastructure to schools’ refurbishment as well as street light projects, and now the health sector, the wind of change blowing through the state is gaining universal attention. Odum wrote from Lagos

BETWEEN ABLE AND THE DISABLED

Saka Olawale argues the provisions in the persons with disability bill will ease life for the physically challenged

ver 19 million Nigerians live with one form of disability or the other, with more than 80% of them living in the rural areas of the country. In every region of the world, in every country, persons with disabilities often live on the margins of society, deprived of some of life’s fundamental experiences. Persons with disabilities have little hope of getting education, securing a job, having their own home, creating a family and raising their children, socialising or even exercising their civic rights during elections. Persons with disabilities make up the world’s largest and most disadvantaged minority. From time immemorial, there’s been a huge discrimination against people with special needs; there is an extent to which the generality of the society wants to relate with disabled men and women. The domino effect of this marginalisation is an increased

rate in street begging. This has become an occupation as some people with disabilities have decided to venture into begging full time as a means of livelihood. It’s saddening that these men and women roam the streets begging for food, money, clothes, etc. For effective and efficient governance on the entire citizenry, the government must ensure that Nigerians (able and disabled) receive their civil rights as enshrined in the constitution, to feel a sense of belonging and enjoy the dividends of democracy just like an ordinary citizen. There should be an act to ensure full integration of persons with disabilities into the society and also to establish a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities which should be vested with the responsibilities for their education, health care and the protection of their social, economic, civil rights. It is worthy of note that the bill (persons with disability bill) which contains vital

provisions for the integration of persons with disability failed to be signed into law during the sixth and seventh assembly. For purposes of elucidation, here are some of the striking provisions of the bill. Part one provides for prohibition of discrimination and harmful treatment. Any offender in this section is liable to N1million for corporate organisations or N100, 000 for individuals and six months imprisonment or both. Part two talks about the accessibility of physical structures. It made it mandatory for public buildings, roads, walk-ways and others to be constructed in such a way that persons with disability can access them like every other person without a hindrance or difficulty. Offenders here are punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both. The bill also gives the right of first refusal in queues and emergencies to PWDs and condemns the act of using a person with disability for begging. Interestingly, the

bill says persons with disability should be encouraged to participate in politics and public life. In addition, the proposed law provides for the establishment of a commission. Section 33 (1) says: “There is established a body to be known as the National Commission for persons with disability (in this Bill referred to as ‘the Commission’”) to be placed under the Presidency. It stipulates that there shall be a board which shall conduct the affairs of the commission. One of the many great points scored by the 8th Senate under the leadership of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki would be the signing of the Persons with Disability Bill into law. If the bill is assented to by the president, it will radically transform citizens living with disabilities in Nigeria and this will eventually lead to equal participation of people living with disabilities in public life. Sakaolawale26@gmail.com

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

EDITORIAL BETWEEN ARASE AND IDRIS The new Inspector General of Police should get his facts right

hat the relationship between Ibrahim Idris, the acting Inspector General of Police and his immediate predecessor, Solomon Arase is not cordial is most unfortunate. Idris recently accused his former boss of carting away 24 vehicles, including two bullet-proof BMW cars, belonging to the Nigeria Police. He also alleged that the deputy Inspector Generals who retired alongside Arase left with between seven and eight cars each. However, the former IGP has dismissed the claims, arguing that Idris was up to some mischief. Arase claimed that every information about the vehicles and perhaps on other issues were in his handover notes. “It’s unfortunate that this matter is being made a media issue because my successor has my telephone number and could have called me for any clarification or even sent me a text message rather than addressing the media on an issue well documented in my handover notes,” said Arase. Anyone in Idris’ position would be angry if the allegations were true. IT IS EVIDENT THAT But in no sense was THE MONTHS AHEAD the accusation right WILL NOT BE CALM, as the vehicles reportPARTICULARLY BECAUSE edly had been found; OF THE DETERIORATING which means the new ECONOMY. IDRIS NEEDS police boss has to be THE COOPERATION OF ALL more circumspect in his actions since getting his decisions right will ultimately rest on complete information. He may be in a hurry to put the police house in order but it would be wise for him to always crosscheck his facts. It will save him and the police force from making unnecessary enemies of the people who could be of immense assistance to them. Instructively, when he assumed office barely a month ago, Idris had pledged to leave a legacy of efficiency and transparency in the Nigeria Police Force. Apparently embarrassed that despite the efforts of his predecessors, corruption is still rife and has indeed

Letters to the Editor

eroded the image and confidence of the public in the police, Idris had vowed to address the issue of integrity and accountability in the force. “We will make sure that our police officers are accountable to the people,” he said. “I am assuring you that every police officer from my rank to the assistant superintendent of police must declare their assets”. True to his declaration, one of his major acts on assuming office was to order the audit of police investment bodies and subsidiaries to ascertain the true position of assets, finances and liabilities of the Nigeria Police. The exercise is in line with the federal government’s agenda to institutionalise fiscal discipline, probity and accountability in the management of public funds. These actions are entirely justifiable as Idris recognises the need to restore the trust and confidence of Nigerians in the police.

T T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEPH USHIGIALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

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

he police, whose officers and men are supposed to be at the epicentre of restoring law and order, will have to be disciplined to perform their onerous constitutional responsibility. A police force that cannot deal with its financial problems will eventually go broke and unable to perform its duties. But as we stated in a recent editorial, Nigerians are not only concerned about indiscipline and corruption in the force, they are worried about the string of crimes in their everyday life. As many Nigerians have observed, after the Nigerian civil war, never has the security of the nation degenerated in this manner, almost to the point in which Nigeria is now practically at the edge of the abyss. Everywhere in the country today, there is the pervasive sense of fear and insecurity. Armed robberies, kidnappings and other allied crimes have conspired to paint a picture of a country practically at war with itself. It is evident that the months ahead will not be calm, particularly because of the deteriorating economy. Therefore, Idris needs the cooperation of all, including his predecessors, to make an enormous difference in the battle ahead.

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.

PRESERVING THE DIGNITY OF THE NIGERIAN CHILD

he need to promote and uphold the dignity of the Nigerian child cannot be overemphasised because the child eventually becomes the adult of tomorrow. As the saying goes, “the child is the father of the man”. Life certainly is a cycle. As the child grows, his life experiences, actions and inactions of others, treatment meted out to him and values imbibed all cumulate to determine who he becomes as an adult. These are the things that eventually form the character of the child, shape his perception, understanding, beliefs, ideals, goals and values. How he is treated as a child determines to a large extent what he becomes and how he reacts to people and situation around him. The life he is exposed to, the environment he grew up in, the quality of education he acquires and a host of other factors are all major elements that informs his personality. Consequently, being a product of the society, children naturally giving back to the society what has been deposited in them. Self -worth, dignity, self-love and respect are elements of a healthy personality. The development of a healthy personality cannot be achieved outside a conducive and loving environment. There is a saying that you can’t give what you don’t have. A child that lacks the true element of a healthy personality will grow up into an adult without character. The value we place on the child says a lot about the value we place on ourselves as adults.

A child is a personality with feelings, emotions and rights which must be recognised and respected. These rights protect the child as a human being while taking into consideration his fragility and appropriate needs that will help him develop into a healthy adult. The prevalent flagrant disregard for the rights of the child in the Nigerian society is a cause for serious concern as we are daily inundated with gruesome tales of child right abuse in homes, schools and the society in general. The abuse ranges from rape, molestation, child labour, torture and victimisation to abduction and trafficking. It is unfortunate that the home, school and society that should be a haven of love, promotion and enforcement of the child’s right have turned to places of abuse. The level at which the rights of the child are being abused is appalling. How do we explain a situation where a child is raped by the father, who is meant to be the first line of defence for the child? Mothers are not left out, as in most cases, they are silent onlookers, while some have abdicated their responsibilities for the pursuit of mundane things. The protection of the child’s rights must begin from the home which is an essential unit of socialisation. In addition, the daily abuse of the Nigerian child under the cloak of tradition must be arrested if truly the rights of the child must be enforced and his dignity preserved. It is sad to note that harmful traditional practices that contravene the Child Rights Act are still being practiced in our society by parents with the connivance of family members. According to statistics, Nigeria has the highest rate

of female genital mutilation next to Egypt and Ethiopia. The United Nations Population Fund says over 19 million Nigerian women have undergone female genital mutilation around the country with a steady increase in some parts, including the South-East zone from 40% in 2003 to 48% in 2013. This record is abysmal in the light of recent global enlightenment and awareness on the ills of female genital mutilation. It is most unsettling that the Nigerian girl child is still plagued by this assault of her personality which deprives her of the joy of being a woman with her sexuality complete. Child marriage is equally rife in our society and it has led to the death of thousands of children and physical disability of many more due to Vesico Vagina Fistula .The prevalence of this harmful practice is alarming in the face of available data. For instance, it has been revealed that 43% of Nigerian girls are married off before their 18th birthday. According to UNICEF, Nigeria is home to the largest number of child brides in Africa with 23 million girls and women married as children. These traditional practices do not only deprive the child of the right to good life, education and freedom to be a child as in the case of child marriage which robs the child of dignity and self-worth. Any part of our culture and tradition detrimental to the physical, psychological, emotional and sexual well-being of the child should be jettisoned. Our children should not be sacrificed on the altar of culture and tradition. Temilade Aruya, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Oloyode Pays the Ultimate Price for Rectitude Last week’s verdict by the National Judicial Council recommending the compulsory retirement of Justice Olamide Oloyede of the Osun State High Court, is largely seen as a subliminal message to anyone who speaks against the ills of the society, writes Davidson Iriekpen

he National Judicial Council (NJC) shocked many Nigerians last week when it recommended the compulsory retirement of Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede of the Osun State High Court for daring to write a petition against the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola. Acting on the allegations levelled against the judge by a group, Osun Civil Societies Coalition, the council said she failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office and the impartiality and independence of the judiciary by writing a petition against the governor and his deputy to the House of Assembly and circulated same to 36 persons and organisations. The NJC said the judge, by her petition, crossed the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and created a negative perception of the Nigerian judiciary to the public. It also described her actions as constituting misconduct contrary to Section 292(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution and Rules 1(1) and 5 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. The council proceeded to suspending the judge pending the time Aregbesola confirms her compulsory retirement. “The petition written by the judge was said to contain political statements, unsubstantiated allegations and accusations aimed at deriding, demeaning and undermining the government of Osun State; the person and character of the governor (as one who is cruel, a liar and a traitor), his deputy and aides. The council also found that the petition contained statements calculated to incite the residents of Osun State against the state government and its elected officers.” First off, Oloyede was owed salaries for an upward of seven months by the state government. The hardship and suffering this had caused her, her family and other workers as well as their dependants was unimaginable. As a judge, she did not want to be tempted to be demanding for bribes from litigants and lawyers. She could also not understand why in a democracy, a governor, who begged for votes during electioneering could owe workers for seven months and be comfortable in office without resigning or sacked through impeachment. Following the conspiracy of silence, with courage, in July 2015, she took up the gauntlet and wrote a 39-page petition to the state House of Assembly, calling for the impeachment of Aregbesola and his deputy. In the innocuous petition, the judge alleged that Aregbesola’s “act of literally ruling the state from Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Lagos is disloyal, neglectful and un-patriotic and is the direct cause of most of Osun’s problems.” To her, “all these acts of recklessness amount to the greatest betrayal and treachery of the ideals of democracy and consequently of the rule of law of which he (Aregbesola) is one of the greatest beneficiaries.” Before people began to make different imputations to the petition, the judge made it clear that she was not motivated by politics, malice, spite, pecuniary interest or promise but personal conviction for governance. She claimed to have made the allegations with a deep sense of responsibility and sincerity of purpose. She said it was “due to my conviction in the sanctity of truth and in the rule of law as the bases for promoting the ideals and the attainment of good governance and the welfare of all persons in our country, on the principles of freedom, equality and justice as enunciated at the Stockholm Conference

Oloyede...the price of speaking the truth

(1942), a principle which finds expression in the preamble to our constitution, and which I believe is a fundamental pre-condition to the establishment and sustenance of our collective dream of an ‘egalitarian society’ as promised by Osun State’s anthem, as well as the basis for harmony, universal brotherhood and world peace.” She equally added that her motive for the petition was driven by the need to sanitise the society. “My objective is to ensure that human beings are treated justly, and thus ensure the reign of peace, since peace and justice can never be separated – they are two sides of the same coin. If the world is ever to experience peace,

First off, Oloyede was owed salaries for an upward of seven months by the state government. The hardship and suffering this had caused her, her family and other workers as well as their dependants was unimaginable. As a judge, she did not want to be tempted to be demanding for bribes from litigants and lawyers. She could also not understand why in a democracy, a governor, who begged for votes during electioneering could owe workers for seven months and be comfortable in office without resigning or sacked through impeachment

therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that no one is treated unjustly, and that the propensity of certain persons to mistreat and maltreat others are, at least, put in check, for as long as it is not quite possible to wipe out injustice completely. “I declare that in presenting this petition, I’m not in any way motivated by malice, spite, pecuniary interest or promise thereof, nor am I propelled by a desire for higher office, since it has always been my conviction that all good things come from above, only from above. I am also not unmindful of the need to respect the dignity of fellow citizens and to respect constituted authority (including Mr. Governor), it is however trite that: respect begets respect, and that dignity is as dignity does. “I verily believe that the desired power, prestige and good image for our country that the majority yearns for can only be achieved when we all cooperate to fight ineptitude, corruption, greed and abuse of entrusted power in governance.” She said she was unmindful that she was seeking the removal of a governor, who is a brother and a fellow Ijesaman. “I am also convinced of the fact that loving one’s brethren means doing that which will benefit them, which includes having them corrected and or punished if they refuse to understand and persist in acts, which are damaging to others beside themselves. “Even Mr. Governor has admitted publicly, the fact that Osun is in financial quagmire and that he is clueless on how to pull her out of the doldrums into which she has been pushed. Nor is it in dispute that the state has been unable to discharge its financial obligations to its pensioners, civil service, the judicial arm and contractors alike.” As expected, on August 5, 2015, not only was the petition against the governor dismissed by the assembly, the lawmakers described it as lacking in merit, fictitious, frivolous and baseless. Rather than applaud the judge for the courage she exhibited when others, were pained by the situation in the state and afraid to speak, a few Nigerians in the camp of the Aregbesola descended on her, called her names and demanded she be sacked from the bench. Ironically, these Aregbesola’s supporters do not see anything

wrong with his non-payment of salary for seven months neither did they care about the plight of civil servants and their dependants. Their contention was that the judge breached the oath for judicial officers not to publicly engage in a bitter public confrontation with any other arm of government. A petition was subsequently sent to the NJC, alleging sundry offences against her. And since the NJC took the decision, many analysts and groups have expressed their reservations, condemning it. They also described the verdict as “completely insensitive and draconic.” For instance, a human lawyer, who did not want her name in print for fear of being victimised by the same NJC said: “This for a very long time will remain one the worse decisions ever taken by the NJC. Their verdict is not only draconic, but undemocratic. I am surprised that under a democratic regime, the NJC could come up with such a decision. “If it were in other climes, Justice Oloyede would have been celebrated, held in the highest esteem and commended for her courage and daring to speak out against injustice, where others chose to keep silent. Where is the famous word Frantz Fanon, who posited that evil thrive in the society because good people keep silent and refuse to speak. This is a shame to the NJC.” Another lawyer, who spoke on similar grounds, pointed: “What was the NJC expecting – for her to be collecting bribes from lawyers and litigants? In an era when judges who are even paid at the federal level are busy collecting bribes for judgments and orders, Oloyede who was not paid for seven months is being punished for agitating for her salary. “This is shameful. If not because the state House of Assembly is in the governor’s pocket, is anybody supposed to remind them that the best thing to do is to sack Aregbesola from office even after he admitted that he did not have solution to the financial quagmire in the state? He even refused to step down for a more competent person to come and govern the state.” On its part, the Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) faulted the NJC for its decision. It called on President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the matter by constituting an ‘independent and unbiased’ panel of enquiry, saying failure to aptly do that might rubbish his anti-corruption crusade. The Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi-Sulaiman, while addressing journalists in Osogbo expressed displeasure over the verdict handed down by the council and said it had political undertone. He said the council demonstrated clearly the highest level of corruption and moral bankruptcy in its verdict. Sulaiman further explained that the verdict was aimed at discouraging, albeit and silencing any persons, who might want to speak out against the multitude of evil being perpetrated by some elected leaders in the country. He noted that some of the signatories to the petition, which led to the compulsory retirement of the judge had one cases or the other which according to him was contrary to the August, 2015, NJC published 2014 Judicial Discipline Regulations, which stated that no petition will be treated without investigating the integrity of the petitioners. “We put it to the leadership of the NJC that the so-called 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was masterminded by a cabal in the judicial and the executive arm of government determined to ensure Oloyede’s exit from the bench of Osun State.”

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

POLITICS

TRIBUTE

Bamidele: 54 Years of Progressive Errands A former House of Representatives member and governorship hopeful in the All Progressives Congress from Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele is 54 today. Shola Oyeyipo pays tribute to a man, whose idea of change comes on a moral high ground

e’s had quite a very humble start, both in education and public service. Although he’s not called it quit yet, his coming this far has not been by sheer happenstance. An activist, educationist, lawyer and politician, Hon. Opeyemi has had all of these different parts play crucial roles in his trajectory. With his excellent delivery on assignments, especially as an ‘errand of progress’, his name comes with morality even though he operates in a filthy political environment. For the record, “Errand of Progress” was the title of the book launched to commemorate his 40th birthday 14 years ago. Bamidele’s penchant for public service was believed to have forced him to seek an elective office in 1992, to the House of Representatives from Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency in Lagos, which he gallantly lost by a single vote. Undeterred by this development, he remained active and loyal to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was soon appointed in October 1992 as Special Assistant on Legal Matters to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Appropriation, Banking and Currency in the 3rd National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In March 1993, Bamidele served as National Accreditation Officer at the SDP National Convention in Jos, Plateau State, where Bashorun MKO Abiola was elected the party’s Presidential candidate. In July 2000, he was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Political and Intergovernmental Relations. He also doubled in this capacity as the National Director of Publicity of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) between November 2000 and June 2003. He successfully combined these positions with his flourishing law practice as President of Amicus Law Associates and Principal Partner of Opeyemi Bamidele and Associates, a firm of Solicitors, Advocates and Arbitrators established since July 1992 and currently with offices in Lagos and Abuja. In February of 2003, the ebullient Bamidele was appointed into the Lagos State Executive Council as the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Governor and seconded to manage the political office of the then Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Pedro. In recognition of his commitment to service and humanity, the former the state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in July, 2003, where he further proved his mettle in service delivery. Owing to the many life changing programmes that he designed, particularly his incisive presentation on Tekunle Rehabilitation Centre, Lekki, the state government was awarded World Leadership award in December 2005 and another on the creation of youth centers across the state in 2006. These groundbreaking achievements provided a credible justification for his re-appointment as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy by the administration of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) between June 2007 and 2011. In his vocation as the chief image maker of the state, the characteristic fervour for diligence, brilliance and prompt delivery of remarkable statecraft for which Bamidele was known remained the hallmark of his approach to the challenges of governance. The Ministry of Information and Strategy under his supervision recorded lofty landmarks. Following these, in 2011, he aspired to represent the people of Ekiti Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Though he won in the party primaries, however due to the persuasion of the party leadership, he contested in the April 2011 general election and was elected

A reliable team player, leader with unusual reservoir of energy for service, consummate politician, seasoned administrator and given his sterling leadership qualities that are coupled with his penchant for details, Bamidele is certainly one of the emerging leaders of the dream Nigeria…He is, no doubt, a symbol of an up-coming generation of intelligent, result-oriented, dynamic and visionary leaders. Above all, he is a moral agent for positive change

Bamidele...staying the course of progressivism

into the House of Representatives. In the House, he served for four years as the Chairman, Legislative Budget and Research Committee. He also served as Chairman of the House Ad hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs as well as a member of the House Committee on Education, Judiciary, Constitution Review, Housing & Habitat, and State &Local Government. Owing to the disagreement with some of the leaders of the defunct ACN in Ekiti State by the end of 2013, he left for the Labour Party on which platform he ran for the governorship of Ekiti State in the June 2014 governorship election, finishing in the third position. But following the intervention of wellmeaning leaders of the newly registered All Progressives Party (APC), he, along with leaders of his group, agreed to join the Buhari/ Osinbajo project in January 2015 as a part of the broad coalition, which secured 41 per cent of the Presidential votes in Ekiti State for the APC. He and his group thereafter publicly held a press conference in Ekiti to announce their movement to the party, APC. In April 2016, he was appointed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSSOC) as a Consultant and Facilitator; and in May 2016, he was invited by the United Nations to participate in the World Humanitarian Summit (which held on 23rd and 24th of Mayin Istanbul, Turkey)

as an AU Facilitator. In June 2016, he was appointed by the 8th National Assembly as a Legal Consultant to the House Committee in charge of Constitutional Amendment. Following the conclusion of the Edo State Governorship Primaries of the APC in June 2016, he was appointed by the Nigerian ruling party as the Chairman of the Edo State Governorship Primary Election Appeals Committee. He is currently the Principal Attorney and Head of Chambers at the Law Office of Opeyemi Bamidele & Associates with offices in Abuja and Lagos. Born on July 29, 1963 to Pa Stephen and Madam Tinuola Bamidele of Iyin Ekiti in Ekiti State of Nigeria, Bamidele, is a lawyer without border, holding three professional licences to practise in Nigeria as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court; an Attorney and Counselor-at-Law of the State of New York, USA; and a Notary Public of the State of New Hampshire, United States of America. He graduated in 1986, from the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), IleIfe, with a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) degree. His passion to serve humanity with his professional calling made him to enroll again as a full time student at the prestigious University of Benin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B, with Honours) degree in 1990.

At the completion of his one-year academic stint at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos and having been called to the Nigerian Bar, Bamidele launched himself into a full-time legal career, specialising in Constitutional and Human rights Law as well as International jurisprudence. While in the United States of America, Bamidele pursued a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree programme at the World-renowned Franklin Pierce Law Centre (University of New Hampshire Law School) in Concord, New Hampshire, USA and by the end of 1996, he had already become a legal expert on Intellectual Property, with bias in International Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, including the Licensing of International Transfer of Technology. A learned counsel of no mean stature, Bamidele is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria. As a university student, Bamidele exhibited his sterling leadership qualities, which singled him out among his peers, both as the Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union Government at the University of Ife and also as the Chairman of the University of Benin Students’ Union. The peak of his career as a student activist was his election as the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in 1989. This vantage position that he occupied made him to be at the centre of several negotiations and collective bargaining with federal and state governments as well as higher institutions’ authorities on issues relating to students welfare, academic freedom and the resolution of the endemic crisis in which the nation’s educational sector was then engulfed. A reliable team player, leader with unusual reservoir of energy for service, consummate politician, seasoned administrator and given his sterling leadership qualities that are coupled with his penchant for details, Bamidele is certainly one of the emerging leaders of the dream Nigeria. He epitomises integrity and his passion for progressive change is insuppressible. He is, no doubt, a symbol of an up-coming generation of intelligent, result-oriented, dynamic and visionary leaders. Above all, he is a moral agent for positive change.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

R A T E S NIBOR

24.3333% 17.9243%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

A S

18.4765% 19.301%

A T

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08057161321, 08033294157

J U L Y 12.6447% 12.9717% 13.4370%

2 2 ,

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

2 0 1 6

4.3684% 15.0135% 16.6335%

EXCHANGE RATE N307.98/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes

Firm’s Welfare Excites Customers

BOSAK Microfinance Bank Limited has affected the lives of its customers positively with the introduction of health insurance policy, scholarships for children of their customers and distribution of souvenirs, which included wall clocks for all that attended its Group Leaders Congress at Alakuko area of Lagos. The customers were thrilled and cheered endlessly when the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Mr. Kola Bello announced the many social security packages that would improve their lots in life. The management of the Bank commenced a life insurance policy for any deceased group member, so rather than the group paying the outstanding debts or loan of its member, the insurance policy would have catered for it. Bello added that the bank was interested in fostering good health for all its customers and as such told the gathering that their entire family would henceforth enjoy free health medical care in some selected hospitals as a way of cushioning the effects of the hard economic situation being experienced in the country. In the same vein, BOSAK management’s desire to ensure educational excellence for wards of its customers and group leaders, it announced a term scholarship to children of six group leaders. The firm also considered the epileptic power supply in the country and through partnership provided solar products to customers via their asset finance scheme.

BOOSTING THE ICT SECTOR

R-L: Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Nike Akande; Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Ltd, Mr. Knut Ulvmoeon; and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, at the opening ceremony of 2016 LCCI information communication technology and telecommunications exhibition/conference in Lagos … recently etop ukutt

African Governments Tasked on Digital Inclusion Emma Okonji in Tanzania African governments have been enjoined to collaborate with the private sector in creating an enabling environment that will help boost digital inclusion for the continent. Head, Mobile for Development at GSMA, Yasmina McCarty told journalists at a round table session at the GSMA 360 Africa conference in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania that majority of the African people who dwell in rural communities, were yet to be connected, thus creating huge connectivity gap between the urban dwellers and the rural dwellers. McCarty emphasised the need for African governments to revisit their tax policies and reduce taxes imposed on telecoms services. She said a

ICT study on mobile tax reforms carried out on some African countries in 2015 by GSMA, showed that the reduction in taxes in some African countries like Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Tanzania and Tunisia, brought about significant impact on the growth of telecommunications in those countries. According to her, in DRC, the abolition of excise tax of 10 per cent on mobile services resulted in additional 3.2million connections, contributed $970million to the GDP and $28million to tax revenue. She said in Ghana, the reduction in service tax on voice services resulted in additional 1.3 million connections and a

contribution of $598 million to GDP as well as $0.67 million in tax revenue. In Tanzania, the reduction in excise tax on mobile services from 17 per cent to 10 per cent, she further noted, resulted in two million additional connections and a contribution of $549million in GDP and $11million to tax revenue. Similarly, in Tunisia, the abolition of the 5 per cent industry fee on mobile services, resulted in additional 0.4 million connections, a contribution of $314million in GDP and $22million in tax revenue. She therefore urged other African governments to consider reducing or completely abolishing taxes on mobile services in their various countries. McCarty listed four key factors that would drive

digital inclusion in Africa as: Development of relevant content, Digital skills acquisition, Network coverage in rural areas, and Affordable devices and services. She also said that the industry would need to address mobile-specific taxation to help make internet access more affordable, especially for low income earners. According to her, network coverage can be enhanced by expanding mobile broadband networks to underserved population groups by promoting infrastructure sharing, regulatory best practice and technical innovation. McCarty said communities should be trained to enable them understand the benefits Continued on page 20

‘Intels Monopoly Bid, Threat to Huge Investments at Nation’s Ports’ Eromosele Abiodun Terminal operators and private investors in Nigerian ports have kicked against moves to grant monopoly for handling certain types of cargoes to Intels Nigeria Limited, insisting it will destroy the gains of the concession policy and erode existing and potential investments in the sector. This was sequel to Intels claim of monopoly of oil and gas vessels in the port despite enjoying massive remuneration

ECONOMY from the federal government for its facilities. In a chat with officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recently, General Manager of PTOL Terminal Limited, Mr. Henry Cline decried the situation stressing that the diversion of cargoes from the port to Intels under the guise of oil and gas is a challenge that must be resolved. He added that the term oil

and gas is used by Intels to monopolise the operation of such cargo in Rivers port. Also, a top executive of one of the firms operating in the sector said that industry stakeholders including the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and other terminal operators have vowed to resist the firm’s monopoly bid, insisting it has no such entitlement. According to the operator, “Intels is a concessionaire, what that means is that the government gave them their facilities to

run on its (government) behalf. Intels has been so privilege as a concessionaire others because government pays for their facilities. No other concessionaire has that privilege. So the whole maritime industry has accepted that government is paying for Intels facilities whereas the rest of us have to pay for ourselves. What we will not accept is this monopoly; we won’t accept it because in 2007 and 2008 when that monopoly was there before Continued on page 20

Owolabi, Ex- SAHCOL Boss Bows Out

Ex - Chief Executive Officer of SAHCOL, Dr. Oluropo Owolabi was showered with encomium by friends and colleagues who cut across aviation and other sectors recently when he bowed out of the company. He was also bestowed with the highest individual award by the Publisher of Nigeriantravelsmart, Mr. Simon Tumba who extolled the virtue of the former SAHCOL boss for his exemplary leadership and how he was able to transform the company into global reckoning. Owolabi transformed SAHCOL from a small handling firm to one that is about the largest in the country with only Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) to contend with in the field of aviation ground handling business. SAHCOL at that time in the 1990s was doing well until November 21, 2002 when fire razed down the entire warehouse of the company. It was a sad day for the staff and customers who lost goods worth over N1billion. With the fire that gutted the warehouse in 2002, the fortunes of the once most viable of the defunct Nigeria Airways subsidiaries begun to nosedive as the absence of the warehouse greatly affected its operations. The company was able to sustain itself during its trying period based on the professionalism of the then general manager, Dr. Oluropo Owolabi who used his wealth of experience to keep the handling company in business against all odds.

Air France Cabin Crew Begins Strike

A week-long strike by cabin crew at Air France has caused the cancellation of around 13 percent of the carrier’s flights planned for Wednesday, Reuters reported. For Thursday, the airline would cancel around 30 percent of short and medium-haul flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle, while keeping around 90 percent of long-haul flights running. Around 80 percent of domestic flights would also operate, it said. The airline is trying to keep flights running between Paris and Amsterdam to allow transfer passengers onto the KLM network, which is not affected by the strike. The strike could cost more than €40 million, the chief financial officer of the carrier’s parent group said. Two of the airline’s cabin crew unions called the strike, which started on Wednesday after talks on renewing a collective agreement broke down. Parent group Air France-KLM earlier on Wednesday said a strike by pilots in June had cost it around €40 million and CFO Pierre-Francois Riolacci said the cabin crew strike could cost more than that, or “several dozens of million euros”.

“Government said before the end of the year Jet A1 will be refined locally. We have the capacity for local refining of the product” Director, Consumer Protection Directorate of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Adamu Abdullahi

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS TASKED ON DIGITAL INCLUSION and opportunities of being online and have skills to use mobile internet. On relevant local content, she said there was need to encourage and promote development of content and services that are relevant to underserved population groups. She said the consumer, the telecoms operator and the government must collaborate to drive digital inclusion in Africa. She raised the concern that low income earners in rural communities that cannot afford to pay for high cost of telecoms services, occasioned by high taxation on telecoms services by governments, are completely left behind from the digital inclusion, insisting that such group of people must be part of the mobile digital revolution that is currently sweeping the globe. MacCarty also spoke on the need to close the gender gap in Africa on mobile money and mobile internet access, in order to reduce the gender gap. “Additional nine operators have been added to the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, which focuses on reducing the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services,” she said. ‘INTELS MONOPOLY BID, THREAT TO HUGE INVESTMENTS AT NATION’S PORTS’ it killed the industry. “We would not accept it because many of us have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the intervening 10 years and there is no way you can tell people to invest and have a level playing field, give them licence to operate and again tell them they have to handle their business with Intels. “Our position is that their needs to be collaboration among industry stakeholders and we strongly encourage government, the private sector and even Intels need to seat round the table and decide how we need to move forward. We need to recognise that there is no future for Nigeria without all of us coming to work together.”

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

NEWS

NEMSA Moves to Curb Power Sector Losses, Accidents Chineme Okafor in Abuja

The Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has said it has put in place measures to drastically reduce the Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, as well as high accident rates recorded in the privatised power industry. NEMSA said through the use of certified electrical contractors and installers by industry operators, incidences of huge revenue losses reported in the sector and accidents would be reduced. It said it will no longer accept the prevalent practice of operators engaging unlicensed installers and contractors for power assets installation across their networks, adding that such practices have resulted in huge losses for the country. NEMSA disclosed that for any installation work to be done and accepted in the sector now, contractors engaged by operators would have to be tested and certified fit for the job by it. It noted that design and construction failures; use of substandard materials and equipment; deliberate overlook of extant procedures and codes for electricity projects; disregard for standards; and inadequate safety provisions have cost the sector huge financial and human resources. NEMSA’s Managing Director, Peter Ewesor who spoke before the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola when select electrical in-

stallers were recently recertified in Abuja, stated that reported high energy and revenue losses by the industry were often from such bad practices. Ewesor said this was expected to reduce with the engagement of the right people to install electricity facilities by operators. He said NEMSA will through the certified installers, moni-

tor; clampdown; and enforce sanctions on bad practices that lead to loss of generated power; revenue; and accidents. He explained that going forward, certified installers who are contracted by operators in the sector for jobs, are mandated to leave a nameplate of their details and work accomplishments at the premises of their clients or

sites where they worked. According to him, NEMSA will trace and reach them in cases of inappropriate or substandard jobs through this. He added that there will be penalties associated with incidences of identified sharp practices and non-compliance with set codes. Fashola, who spoke through

the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Sheguri stated that the expected growth in capacity of Nigeria’s power sector had made it necessary that people who undertake key jobs of installations are certified and given guidelines to minimise economic losses to the sector.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru; Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mr. Adeola Adetunji; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, and Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Mr. Clem Ugorji during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State in Abeokuta … recently

Customs Accused of Frustrating National Single Window Project Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been accused of frustrating the National Single Window project designed to expedite cargo clearance process at the nation’s ports. The National Single Window is a platform meant to integrate all agencies involved in the clearance of cargoes at the ports with a view to easing the inspection calculation and payment of all import duties, levies and other charges on line. Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi made the accusation during the inauguration of the Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence System, a marine operation and surveillance

centre, at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos. Speaking to representatives of the Controller General of the NCS, he said: “Please the Comptroller General of Customs has to agree and the Customs needs to be connected to the NSW to make our ports more effective. All we are doing now is manual; it will not last for long. “Very soon Nigerians will protest against the seaports. People are already importing through Benin republic. Everyone has a single window. Niger which used to import things through Nigeria is doing so through another country. This is because we are charging both official and unofficial charges. Goods in

Nigeria are too expensive.” National Single Window is a cross-government website for trade facilitation. It offers a single portal for trade actors, both Nigerian and international business community to access a full range of resources and standardised services from different Nigerian government agencies. Expressing his pleasure at the development of Nigeria’s port operational system, Amaechi noted that the development of the CCCIS facility began in 2013. He said the aim was to provide business intelligence for the movement of vessels and cargoes, as well as providing secured communications within our waterways.

“This is one of the positive responses to the dynamics of port modernisation. The infrastructure comprises of long and short range video surveillance monitoring systems which are in line with the International Maritime Organisation Conventions for the safety of life at sea. “The development and installation of the CCCIS by the NPA will in no small way promote the rating of our ports by the IMO,” Amaechi added. The Managing Director of the NPA, Ms. Hadiza Usman had earlier said the CCCIS had been developed to cover maritime activities in the six ports and four pilotage districts.

She said: “This project will incorporate other port automotive devices like the Vessel Traffic System and the Integrated Port Community Information System. The ultimate goal is to establish an automated single window system for the maritime industry. It would enable us to surmount security and safety challenges within our operations and the entire maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea.” Usman added that the NPA would in the future ensure synergy and collaboration amongst relevant agencies such as Customs and the Nigeria Navy for the purpose of sharing information, documentation, as well as blocking revenue leakages.

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritime)

Shittu: MDAs Strategic to Local Content Promotion Emma Okonji The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu has re-emphasised government’s readiness to re-validate its directive on the patronage of locally produced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products and services by the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as a means

of promoting local content in the sector. He said there would be no excuse for MDAs not to patronise indigenous ICT products and services because local content is vital in achieving the overriding mandate of economic diversification and empowerment of the ICT ecosystem in the country. According to the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister,

Victor Oluwadamilare, the Minister restated government’s readiness, while declaring open a plenary at the Afritex ICT Export Industrial Forum and Expo 2016, held on Wednesday in Abuja. The Minister defined local content as the amount of incremental value added or created in Nigeria through the utilisation of Nigerian human and material resources for the provision of goods and

services in the ICT industry within acceptable quality and standards in order to stimulate the development of indigenous capabilities. He asserted that the patronage is aimed to achieve the development of local skills, technology transfer, use of local manpower and manufacturing and that it would have a triple effect to increase demand, thereby creating jobs and contribute

to the job and wealth creation component of the government’s ‘Change’ mantra. Shittu disclosed that Nigeria is ceding about 70 per cent of the country’s technology market to foreign brands due to apathy for locally made products thereby losing about $2.8billion yearly to the continued importation of ICT hardware and services as capital flights from the country.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AvIAtION

As Uncertainty Trails the Nonappointment of NAMA MD Almost six months after the head of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency was removed, the federal government is yet to appoint a substantive successor. Chinedu Eze examines how this has affected service delivery and created an air of uncertainty in the agency In February this year, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was removed alongside some top officials over allegation of fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Since then, the agency is being supervised by Mr. Emma Anasi in an acting capacity. The fraud allegation came as a shook to the workers of the agency but many of them who spoke to THISDAY recently, reasoned that the agency should move on since the culprits of the obnoxious act were taken out It appears the ghost of the last management still haunts the agency because the system has not been redefined by new management and a new Managing Director who would set a new direction for the airspace service provider. Those who are heading the various departments in NAMA are doing so in active capacity. The agency is being managed by an acting Managing Director. Others departments- Operations, Finance and ICT are also being supervised by acting directors and General Manager respectively. It is feared that because these strategic positions are being supervised by those in acting capacity, critical decisions that would spur the agency forward may not be taken. There is fear and uncertainty to the extent that some decisions urgently needed to make necessary changes in the daily running of the agency are sometimes kept in abeyance. Investigations have revealed that the management is always in a dilemma about taking some decisions or actions because of the uncertainty about how government would react through the Ministry of Transportation. Sources familiar with activities at the agency told THISDAY that Anasi is doing everything possible to ensure that the agency continues to deliver its mandate, which is ensuring safe operation of flights. But there is stalemate in the running of the agency because “there is continuous hope that government will appoint a new Managing Director soon. This expectation has gone on and on and some issues are kept for the coming Managing Director to tackle. Some projects are being delayed because there is no substantive Managing Director to take critical decisions. Lack of Will A senior official of the agency said that many people who are in acting capacity are scheming everyday to be confirmed and that the present management “lacks the will to initiate new projects”. “Things are at a standstill in NAMA. But the air traffic control people are doing their things; the engineers are doing their things. But an agency such as NAMA is dynamic. What has kept it ahead of other agencies is because of its dynamism and ability to keep abreast of all development concerning airspace management. You cannot find us wanting, but since the beginning of this year that progress has been stalled. “We are not getting much from either the Minister of Transportation or from the Minister of State for Aviation. In fact, there is conflict there. Who is in charge of the aviation industry? We don’t know. I have never seen this industry so laid back as what we are experiencing this time and it seems that NAMA is the butt of this uncertainty,” a source told THISDAY. But despite the seeming deadlock, the workers said they are receiving their salaries and allowances as at when due and everything seems to be running as initially programmed. “No new ideas and training have been stalled; except the ones initially arranged before now and they are very, very few. All we are demanding is that they should put NAMA back on track. “Since the removal of the former Managing Director things have been stagnant because there is no new MD. In January some groups

Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika

from our department went for training at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (NCAT) and they returned in April. The next batch was supposed to leave in May but it was not signed, so no approval; they said there is no substantive Managing Director. That is the way everything is going now. “We have been agitating for improved condition of service but anytime the matter is brought up now they will say that we don’t have Managing Director to take decision on that. When are they going to appoint one? We don’t know. The former MD was the one that signed improved welfare package for the Air Traffic Controllers before he was removed; there is agitation that all the staff in NAMA should have improved service but the quest has become a stillborn till further notice,” a source in the agency told THISDAY. Degeneration There are fears that if the uncertainty continues, things would start degenerating in NAMA and this might affect air safety. Some of the workers who spoke to THISDAY said that what is happening now is that what was laid out before now is what is subsisting but such situation is not meant to last for long “because there will be time an important decision is expected to be taken urgently and when you start wasting time, debating what to do things will degenerate.” “We seem to coax government to do the right things now because we are yet to have emergency. When emergency happens how are you going to take immediately actions to rectify a bad situation when you don’t have the powers as the Managing Director, which is bestowed by the Act establishing NAMA. People should know the importance and the critical nature of NAMA and should not toy with its leadership. We also expect the Minister to know that he is responsible to whatever is happening in the agency and in the industry because he remains a representative of the federal government,” a senior agency official told THISDAY. THISDAY also learnt that since the fraud allegation earlier this year that resulted in the removal of top officials of the agency, those who

Acting Managing Director, NAMA, Anasi

are in charge of finances are being very careful and are not ready to take decisive actions on payment. Besides, the two important figures there are also on acting capacity. “So besides the payment of salaries and allowances, money is not made available to carry some other activities in the agency because they are afraid to take actions that may indict them tomorrow but if we have a substantive leader, he will take those important decisions and endorse whatever actions that needed to be taken,” a worker said. This was buttressed by a former manager in the agency. He told THISDAY that all eyes are on NAMA since the fraud allegation and the workers are “being over careful” not to make mistakes and in doing so abdicate some of their responsibilities. “It is the responsibility of government to appoint a new Managing Director and the agency needs one urgently now. It appears a lot of eyes are on NAMA. It is the Managing Director that has the right to make approval. The acting Managing Director does not have such rights so what has been happening is that he gets his approvals from the Ministry; in fact, it is the Ministry that is running the place now. Most often the acting MD is on phone seeking approvals from the permanent secretary of the Ministry. We pray they should give them a new MD,” he said. Projects stalled NAMA had a few years ago embarked on the automation of Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) and the project is nearing completion. The agency has not embarked on any project since February the substantive Managing Director was removed and some of the on-going projects have been stopped due to lack of funds. But recently Anasi, the acting Managing Director promised speedy completion of the AIS automation project in view of the fact that AIS is the “live-wire of any air navigation system, as it ensures the safety, efficiency and regularity of air navigation through the exchange of accurate, timely and reliable information to airspace users.” THISDAY learnt that the agency and other agencies in the industry are awaiting the approval of their budgets by the National Assembly.

With that approval the money could be made available for the agency to continue with the on-going projects. “But then there maybe another hitch. They may say that the money may not be spent until a new Managing Director is appointed. You see how this is stalling activities in the agency. Or they may resort to the Ministry to get approval. I think the Ministry is enjoying what is going on; that is why the Minister is not in a hurry to appoint substantive top officials to man the agency,” a NAMA source said. NAMA, prior to now carried out safety critical projects to enhance safety in Nigeria’s airspace. The projects recently completed include the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications, which enhances seamless communication and has eliminated the notorious black spots in Nigeria’s airspace. That is part of the airspace where the pilot would lose voice communication between him and the controller. This has also boosted communication in the nation’s Flight Information Region (FIR) Kano and also in Lagos. Through Kano FIR, which is the main communication outlet to the world, pilots overflying Nigeria’s airspace to other parts of the world communicate with controllers and NAMA earns huge revenue from this. The agency has also completed e-clearance project, which is a system that enables NAMA to identify all incoming flights and record them in real time using their tail numbers as well as recording the time they depart the Nigerian airspace. Before the introduction of e-clearance, flight clearance were processed manually, a process that has not been very effective. There are also other projects including solar power as secondary power source to sustain electricity for the safety critical equipment of the agency. However, since February this year, there has been a lull in the activities at NAMA owing to lack of substantive leadership. Despite the hard work being put in by Mr. Anasi, his efforts may never be appreciated because he is constrained by administrative bottlenecks since he functions in acting capacity.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Tefferra: West Africa Still Suffers from Air Connectivity Gaps Managing Director of Asky Airlines, Henok Tefferra has described the West African air transport market as a competitive one in a restrictive environment. He spoke to journalists at the just concluded Accra Weizo. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts: The operating environment in West Africa is described as harsh but your airline has continued to operate successfully. How do you weather the challenges? I think that there are three or four things that are key ingredients for the success of any airline including in this region. The first is the business strategy, you need to have an airline that is purely commercial driven and market focus but market driven, because in this region and in Africa you have airlines commonly referred to as flag carriers which is another model all together. But you need to have a sound business strategy based on the marketing environment, the network and the fleet plans that allows you to maximise your revenues and realise you profit objectives so the business strategy is one and Asky had a very good development strategy from the onset and it also has the sixth freedom traffic connecting West Africa through Lome, it’s main hub. That is one, the second issue is having a strong and reliable technical partner, strategic partner and I think Asky made the right choice in Ethiopian Airlines, which is known for its technical abilities, for the commercial abilities and is now the biggest airline in West Africa. So a strong backing in technical, commercial by a strategic partner is critical for any airline from the onset, and that is the second critical factor, and the third factor I will say is having a strong human capital management strategy, recruiting right and developing people in their skills, because aviation is also a skills- driven industry, so that is very important as well, I will say this three are basically very important, the business strategy, market focus, right network, right fleet type and to maximise the market opportunities and to reduce cost, having a strong technical or strategic partner that provide you technical or commercial support and having the right employees and a little bit of luck is also very important. You have connected destinations, which hitherto a passenger from one West African country would have to go to Europe and then board a flight to another West African country, how has your experience been? Asky was created or launched because there was an air connectivity vacuum in West Africa after the demise of Air Afrique, Air Afrique was owned by many Francophone governments in this region and that experience failed and people had to virtually go through Europe, many to London or Paris to see their next door neighbours and there was really a need for air connectivity, and secondly, the drive, the pan African vision of integrating Africa and also the marketing potential of that noble enterprises, so Africans of like minds came together. The institution is a pan Africa outlook as Ecobank, a pan African institution, ECOWAS Infrastructure Bank, a development bank for French speaking West African countries and together with Ethiopian Airlines came together to establish the airline. They are the strategic partners but as a shareholder and as commercial and technical support, they established the airline and launched it in 2010. And that business plan envisaged Asky to have a bespoke hub operations, connecting the region, the West African and the West and the central region through its hub in Lome, so from Lagos through Lome to Darker, and from Lagos through Lome to Accra. So it was that strategy that was put in place using the right fleet type, a fleet type that is fit for the mission and the network and the airline now operates to about 23 destinations in West and Central Africa, almost daily flights, we operate a fleet of Boeing 737 and Q400 aircraft. We have introduced a new aircraft in June of this year and we plan to introduce one aircraft per year, so gradually now the regional traffic is more or less being catered for and as we go forward

Tefferra

next year we carter for long haul operations. You know that this July together with Ethiopian airlines, New York flight through Lome was started, Ethiopian airlines operating that flight in partnership with Asky, Asky filling passengers particularly from Lagos, Darker, Abidjan, from all these stations, direct service with minimal ground time in Lome, you come from Lagos you have less than an hour in Lome and nine hours in New York and really the fastest route and the same for the Brazilian route, Sao Paulo and soon Asky will start its own operations to Europe, to Paris and London. With growing competition in the West African market, why should I prefer Asky to other airlines in the region? Because Asky is a customer-focused airline as I said, so we want to meet your expectations, one is safety, the highest, the maximum international safety standard possible; Asky is an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certified airline. Secondly, we bring you on time, our flights are 80 percent on time, so we have a very on time performance, punctuality and the friendliness, the punctuality, the courteousness,

the hospitality of our staff both on ground and in the air. We now have a fantastic airport in Lome, a new airport terminal was inaugurated in May this year, I would say the airport I have seen in this region, it has fantastic services, free WiFi access, fantastic duty free shops, really very spacious, the most modern facilities and amenities you will imagine to get in Europe. With that airport and also with our latest aircraft that is very modern, all these factors make the customer experience as agreeable as possible, that is why flying with us more time and more is a wonderful experience. Many passengers who travel through the West African destination complain of poor in-flight service among operating airlines. How do you rate yours? We are a regional carrier, we do not have in flight entertainment, we will start that when we go long haul, but for regional route, we don’t have in-flight entertainment because flights last two hours more or less.

What are you doing about the connectivity problem in West Africa, say Lome to Gambia, Sierra Lone and other West African countries? Yes, West African connectivity gaps still exist, and the reasons for it are twofold, one is that the aviation policy environment is not very conducive to be very frank, you still have traffic rights restrictions, I for example cannot fly as many times as I want to all the destinations that I want. There are still restrictions which I don’t understand because over 20 years ago that the Yamoussoukro Decision was adopted by the leaders of Africa, liberalising African skies for African airlines, especially fifth freedom, is slow in implementation, you still have an initiative by African Union to create a single African aviation market, which we support, we want to push, but fragmented and the traffic right restriction is very difficult to issue, the environment is not conducive. And second, the cost environment in West and Central Africa is prohibitive, why is that cost of overflying here is twice as expensive as CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

TEFFERRA: WEST AFRICA STILL SUFFERS FROM AIR CONNECTIVITY GAPS Africa should not be a consumer base for the global economy; Africa should be an economic player in the global economy. Africa should be an economic player, playing an active role in the global economy. African airline should have a fair share of the travel and tour from Africa and that is what we are aiming to tap into.

in East Africa, why is it that ground handling here is 30 - 40 percent more expensive here, why is that the same aircraft fuel as I know that the aircraft consume everywhere is 20- 30 percent more expensive here. So the environment is prohibitive; it is not conducive for business growth and on top of that you have taxation. The taxation regime which considers aviation not as a strategic sector which enables trade, investment, tourism, and economic development and integration but merely as a luxury sector, as a cash cow. With that mindset, aviation in this part of the world will have difficulty in providing initial air connectivity. It is not conducive, we can learn from what Singapore did, what Dubai did and what others did, so we have a growing economy in this region, young population, this is the region that has the highest demographics in terms of the population size and a fast emerging middle class, and these are the people that have the ability to travel with disposable income. So why are we hindering it and hindering aviation from playing its rightful role? It can be a catalyst, aviation today is responsible for eight million jobs directly or indirectly in the continent, which could be much more, because it contributes significantly to the GDP of the continent, it could be much more, though it is much already. Imagine what it could be if all these restrictions and obstacles are removed. If you opportunity to address the political leaders of West Africa and Africa on these issues, what are the key things you will say to them? What I have said now, remove all barriers and restrictions for African airlines to operate freely to your airport? If am an African carrier, I should be able to operate freely anywhere I want in Africa, just like an European carrier operate freely on the European airspace or in Europe; two, treat aviation as a strategic assets, as an enabler of economic growth because it is only through aviation you can develop and encourage trade, investment, tourism and development in your country. You can have airport taxes and charges that are not prohibitive for the development for the growth of aviation. Any plan to operate long haul destination?

Which country gives you more passengers currently? Obviously is Nigeria, because of the market size, Nigeria is by far the biggest economy, by far has the highest population. The volume of the population with disposable income is high and Nigerian are very industrious people, people who do a lot of business, a lot of trade and you also have a lot of companies and organisations based in Nigeria like ECOWAS, so naturally is Nigeria to all the networks, Dakar is a big market for Nigeria, Abidjan is a big market for Nigeria, all over the network are big market for Nigeria. How fulfilled are you with the success of the airline? As I said, this is the beginning, the success is a small one, Africa needs strong African airlines that can work together and tap into the African market, which is currently being dominated by non-African carriers, which should not be. As far as I am concerned, Asky is managed by Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian is the strategic partner of Asky, manages the airline and provides the technical and commercial support and it also has equity in the airline, I was seconded by Ethiopian Airlines to manage Asky and previously, before coming here, I was vice president at Ethiopian Airlines in charge of strategy, alliance and communications. Tefferra

Yes we are planning to start the major market for West African region, which are London and Paris, now that our regional network is strong with 23 destinations covered; I think we are talking about our second phase of our development where we are looking at starting long haul flights to Europe Did you envisage the kind of growth and acceptance you are witnessing with the airlines when you started this operation?

It was something that was planned, but the growth exceeded our expectations, it is something that we worked hard for, but it is only the beginning, in the West African region, the airlines are very small even the so called big ones, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenyan Airways, South African Airways, everybody put together, we are merely 20 percent of the long haul market from Africa, merely we are in infancy of aviation, but there is a promise because Africa is growing as Africans are travelling more and more, but

How do you feel about the award as Balofon Aviation personality in West Africa? Like any successful endeavor, it is a collective endeavor; it is the work of everybody. Those in operation, those in the back office are all collective effort, both management and employees working together in synergy for unity of purpose and direction to make the airline successful. It is humbling and also a privilege for us to be recognised. It shows that we are getting something and also to use it as a stepping-stone to further develop the airline and achieve even greater heights.

NITDA’s Taraba Smart CIMA and AICPA to StarTimes Enhances City Project Gets Global Form New Association Nova Bouquets with cast ballots voting in favour. Eromosele Abiodun Recognition Additional Channels Work to create the Association

The Jalingo Smart City Tracking and Monitoring project, designed and implemented under the tutelage of the Smart City initiative of the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, has been globally recognised. The project was awarded the Global City Teams Challenge (GCTC), $10,000 Leadership Prize at the just- concluded Smart City Innovation Summit in Austin, Texas, United States. The Internet of Things (IoT)based solution, offers hope to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Jalingo, Taraba State. It has a medium and long term plan to implement the solution throughout the North eastern region. The project will also provide more accurate data to government agencies and support groups as well as enable citizens receive quicker and better quality response before, during and after displacements. The GCTC is a collaborative platform enabling local governments, non-profits academic institutions, technologists and private corporations from all over the world to form project teams or “Action Clusters” in order to work on groundbreaking Internet of Things applications within the smart city environment.

Across the country, GCTC Action Clusters are working to address the country’s most pressing problems in the areas of transportation, public safety, health, education, waste management, internal revenue collection and so much more. The Jalingo IoT based IDP Tracking and Monitoring System Action Cluster consists of the NITDA, Hope Afresh Foundation Jalingo, Jalingo Local Government Council, IDEA Hub, Land Gate Consultancy and a host of telecommunications companies in Nigeria. Since its formation, the project has completed the Geographic Information System Mapping of Jalingo Local Government to identify areas without mobile network coverage. More features on the drawing board include a mobile application for receiving and sending messages and clearing house for data analytics. The project also includes a social infrastructure component which covers education and skill development for children and other vulnerable groups. Receiving the Leadership prize on behalf of Jalingo Project Team Lead, the Head, e-Government at NITDA, Mrs. Grace Amaefula and Nigeria Smart City Initiatives Programme Lead.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) are joining forces to create a new association that would represent the breadth of the accounting profession. The new Association plans to become the most influential professional accounting body in the world, and will represent 600,000 current and next-generation professionals. CIMA in a statement said: “The association has been designed to complement rather than replace both constituent organisations – so while it will bring extra weight and influence to CIMA, CIMA’s existing structure and Royal Charter will remain, and CIMA will retain its management accounting focus. “CIMA and the AICPA members will retain membership of their existing member organisation but will gain additional membership of the new Association. The decision to create the Association was taken after both organisations’ member bodies voted to endorse the move in ballots which concluded on June 16. 89.7 per cent of CIMA members voting endorsed the resolution, with 86.5 per cent of AICPA members who

will begin straight away, and it will launch in 2017.” CIMA’s President Andrew Miskin said: “We live in a time of rapid change and increasing competition. Responding to this, I am delighted that CIMA and the AICPA members have endorsed the proposal to create a new association so that we can stay ahead of market changes and developments. We will build on the history and strengths of both CIMA and the AICPA, which will enable us to accelerate our strategy, and to expand the opportunities for CGMAs around the world.” He added that the formation of the Association represents a deepening of the joint venture that CIMA and the AICPA have operated since 2011, “which has expanded management accounting within the USA, and created a new global designation, Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).” CIMA’s outgoing President Myriam Madden commented: “This has been a year of focus. Throughout this process we have maintained an open dialogue with our members to better understand their professional needs and the world-class services required to deliver greater recognition and employability.

Emma Okonji

Digital TV Company, StarTimes Nigeria, has revamped one of its four bouquets on its Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform, Nova Bouquet, to include three more channels. The additional channel is a strategic move to further improve its rich entertainment to budget-conscious subscribers and offer them better value for their money. Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria, Oludare Kafar, said the new offering which would give StarTimes subscribers on Nova Bouquet access to watch and enjoy three more channels, namely Wazobia TV, Wap TV and Liberty TV, further reiterates the company’s commitment to provide Nigerians with quality entertainment they can afford. “Nova bouquet is designed as the most affordable Digital TV bouquet which gives access to value for money customers to enable seamless connection to digital TV and enjoy exciting entertainment at a very affordable rate which suits their lifestyle. We have refreshed the bouquet to include three more channels, including Wazobia TV, Wap TV and Liberty TV and further opened access to more entertainment, drama, talk show, music and lifestyle

shows,” he said. Kafar added that the bouquet now comes with over 30 channels, including popular channels like Orisun, NTA Sports 24, ST Dadin Kowa, ST Zone, Emmanuel TV, ST Sports Focus and ST Music, with monthly subscription reviewed to N800. Subscribers to the bouquet, he said, will enjoy a wide selection of movies, sports, news, music, lifestyle shows and series both local and international. He further announced that for parents who are always seeking decent and inspiring entertainment for kids as they proceed on vacation, StarTimes would offer wide range of kids channels with wholesome entertainment like Nickelodeon, Jim Jam, Baby TV, Jyb TV, PoP, Da Vinci Learning and many more on its very affordable bouquets. StarTimes is the leading digital-TV operator in Africa, covering 80 per cent of the continent’s population with a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 distributors. StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 440 authorised channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programmes, fashion and religion, among others.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Local Airlines Lose N32bn to Paucity of Aviation Fuel Chinedu Eze Domestic carriers may have lost over N32billion in revenue and additional costs paid for Jet A1 as the price of the product continues to soar owing to its scarcity. The airlines, including Air Peace, Medview, Dana, Aero and Arik Air said the scarcity came at a time passenger traffic had reduced by about 40 percent due to economic downturn. THISDAY investigations revealed that as at March this year, the average price of Jet A1 was N96 per litre; by May/ June it had risen to N140 per litre and by July it soared to over N200 per litre. The airlines said the scarcity of the product has made them lose passenger loyalty besides huge revenue losses, as passengers could not book for flights due to the uncertainty and accompanying high fares,

which became inevitable in order to defray the high cost of aviation fuel. Head of flight operation at a major domestic carrier told THISDAY that while the airline’s flight operations were reduced by 40 percent, they paid their pilots who were not working; they paid their cabin crew; engineers and paid other charges, whereas they were not earning revenues, while the price of aviation fuel skyrocketed. “You can say we saved money we would have used to buy fuel but other payments are constant. We have to pay our workers and because of the delays caused by aviation fuel scarcity our international flights did not take off as scheduled so we did not meet our landing slots so we have to pay extra charges in foreign currency. “Meanwhile, the price of aviation fuel has increased by more than 150 percent. We

cannot pass the increase fully to the passengers; otherwise the fares will be so high beyond the ability of many passengers to pay, so we are losing in all areas,” the pilot said. Dana Air official had lamented that the uncertainty has hampered their operations, noting that all flight operations have been affected by delays and cancellation. As a result, he said the airline could not hold on any promise to its customers, while struggling to ensure that it takes their loyal passengers to their destinations, purchasing scarce aviation fuel at prices that continues to change in hours. THISDAY also learnt that in the last two weeks when the scarcity was most severe, Arik Air operated 17 to 18 flights a day during the weekends out of its average of120 flights a day, but maintained about 40 to 50 of its capacity most of the period.

AIR WATCH Lingering Aviation Fuel Scarcity Lagos Airport domestic terminal, MMA2

FAAN Pledges Annual Award to Best Student at MMIA College The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma has pledged an annual award for the overall best graduating student from the Murtala Muhammed Airport School. Dunoma made the pledge when he attended the school’s 2016 graduation/ award dinner held in Lagos where he charged the students to

be agents of positive change in the larger society as they leave the school in order to contribute meaningfully to the society. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Kabir Muhammed, the FAAN boss noted that the school’s legacy of excellence was what informed his decision to personally sponsor an annual award for the overall best graduating student from

the institution. The FAAN Managing Director also noted that FAAN would continue to support institutions and projects that would enhance the development of great future leaders for the nation. The event attracted dignitaries, including the Managing Director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole who gave goodwill messages.

BA Partners Airtel to Delight Joint Customers British Airways has entered into a strategic agreement with telecommunications giant, Airtel, in a deal that would see customers of both organisations enjoy substantial discounts off tickets purchased in the next few months. Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka said both companies operated

in similar markets and placed a premium on customer service. “This partnership is a way in which we are able to offer benefits to our joint customers. If you already have an Airtel number, more details on our partnership will be shared with you, if you do not have an Airtel number, this would be a good time to get one, so you can enjoy the discounts we are offering,” he added. Airtel’s Chief Commercial

officer, Ahmad Mokhles who signed on behalf of his organisation expressed his delight at the opportunity to team up with British Airways. Discounts to Airtel customers will be available to worldwide destinations, in the UK, United States, Canada, Europe and parts of Asia. Customers can choose and pick their preferred destinations for summer or even plan, prepare and book early for Christmas.

Emirates Academy Partners Boeing for Ab-initio PilotTraining Emirates Flight Training Academy, the new world class flight training facility developed by Emirates airline to respond to the industry’s growing need for pilots, has signed an agreement with Boeing under which both organisations would collaborate on a comprehensive training curriculum and software infrastructure to support academy operations. Emirates Flight Training Academy, currently under construction at Al Maktoum International Airport- Dubai World Central (DWC) and scheduled to open in October 2016, would combine best practices in education with state of the art learning technologies and cutting edge

training aircraft. Under the agreement with Boeing, Emirates Flight Training Academy would receive an integrated software system, based on the Peters Software system acquired by Boeing, for managing cadet learning and training flight operations, and an enhanced curriculum customized for Emirates. Cadets will learn with highly interactive digital content delivered in purposedesigned classrooms and on personal tablets. “Our programme is designed to produce career-ready pilots. Exceeding regulatory requirements, the curriculum would, for instance, see cadets complete at least 1,100 hours of ground and 315 hours of flight training

using a competency-focused approach. We are leveraging Boeing’s expertise in airline pilot training to identify opportunities to enhance the Academy’s curriculum,” said Captain Alan Stealey, Principal, Emirates Flight Training Academy. Emirates designed the Academy to promote advancements in four key areas of pilot training: interactive learning for theoretical subjects in classrooms, practical learning in the most capable training aircraft, practical learning in advanced flight simulators, and airline-focused line-oriented flight training. When fully operational, the Academy will be able to accommodate over 600 students at a time.

he last two weeks could be described as the toughest period for Nigerian airlines as the aviation sector witnessed the worst fuel crisis in at least the past two years. The product was not available and few companies that had the product, sold at exorbitant prices. Airlines’ operations were crippled. Air passengers, who could not make planned business of personal trips because of flights cancellations or delays, felt downcast at their inability to keep scheduled appointments. The cloud of uncertainty and hopelessness enveloped the aviation industry and some irate passengers who had waited for several hours only to be informed the flights had been cancelled, ventilated their anger by hitting the counter of airlines they held their tickets. Some went into fisticuffs with airline officials who looked unperturbed though deeply concerned. To say the lingering fuel scarcity caused so much pain to everyone; from the marketers to the airlines to the aviation agencies and to the passengers is an understatement. Everyone was losing money; everyone was losing time. Everyone was losing opportunities. Everyone wished it went away. The perennial aviation fuel crisis has defied all solutions as successive governments failed to address the root causes, by boosting local refining capacity. It is feared that an end may not be insight because the country still import much of the product and local refining capacity is still very low. Also, the high exchange rate, which is about N380 to a US dollar in the parallel market, where forex is sourced due to scarcity of the green back, will make the matter worse. THISDAY investigation revealed that where the product is available, it is sold for between N250 to N280 per litre. So marketers, who spent so much to bring the product to Nigeria, would only increase the price in order to make very little profit. “Now, the marketers, according to inside sources, see the importation of aviation as a patriotic duty; not as a business enterprise “because there is a lot we can do with our money than to struggle to use it to import aviation fuel, but without the product air transport will be paralysed and this will affect our economy,” explained a source at one of the oil marketing companies. THISDAY spoke with the Director of Consumer Protection Directorate of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Adamu Abdullahi, who painted a graphic picture of what passengers are going through and explained that the airlines cannot be held responsible because the fuel

scarcity is beyond their power to control. Abdullahi : “Yesterday (July 24) I had Dana Air booking by 6:30 pm to Lagos from Abuja. As at 2:00 pm the flight was moved from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. I was at the airport by 6:00 pm waiting for my flight. Around 7:00 p.m. I got another message from the public speaker system at the airport that the flight had been moved to 9:00 p.m. So I didn’t have a choice, I had to wait because I knew it was beyond the power of the airline. “What is happening is that there is aviation fuel shortage in the country. Since government decided to deregulate the importation of fuel, it also affected the importation of Jet A1 and therefore the product is scarce. We don’t refine it locally. Kaduna and Warri refineries used to refine Jet A1 in this country and they don’t do so anymore. Now we depend solely on importation. “So for oil markers to go to the black market and buy dollar at N380 per dollar, it is very, very expensive and by the time you bring your product to the country it is no longer economically viable. As you know, aviation fuel constitutes about 70 to 75 per cent of cost of the ticket you buy. So by the time the cost of aviation is added to the ticket we are in trouble. So airlines are doing business at a very, very expensive rate because their major cost of operation, which is aviation fuel has gone up by over 150 percent,” Abdullahi explained. He said that at about N280 per litre, aviation fuel is too expensive so oil marketers are not willing to import the product, adding that passengers are already paying fares, which have increased by over 50 percent and this would increase as Nigeria continues to import the product. “So if you buy aviation fuel at N280 per litre to operate. It is too expensive. So what we are experiencing now is that marketer are not willing to go ahead and import fuel at that price. We are already paying about 50 percent more on our ticket prices. By the time it gets worse that we would pay N50, 000 for one hour flight in Nigeria that is when we are going to really experience difficulties,” he added. Abdullahi urged passengers to understand that airlines should not be blamed for this but it is happening because of the nation’s economic downturn. He said that the only solution to the problem is the local refining of the product. “This is a passing phase. It won’t last forever. Government knows what is going on. Government is aware and it is working hard to relief people of this suffering. So people should exercise restraint and understand that this will come to pass,” Abdullahi promised.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Akinlade: High Interest Rates are Killing the Real Estate Sector Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Suru Group, Mr. Edward Akinlade, in this interview with Eromosele Abiodun spoke extensively about the state of the housing sector in Nigeria, the relevance of CIMA qualification in uncertain economic times. Excerpts: As a veteran of the property and investment segment of the economy, how would you assess the real estate sector in Nigeria? Everyone agrees that there is a huge gap to be filled in the real estate sector, but in reality, the gap only exists at the affordable housing level. In order to close this gap, government should create an enabling environment for operators in the private sector to thrive. Unfortunately, land value is the biggest factor that is limiting growth in this market. Government should consider making land available for developers to build and sell affordable houses in every state of the federation. Some of my colleagues have made representations to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola in this regard. If developers are given a mandate to build 10,000 housing units every year in the 36 states and Abuja, for example, that will amount to 370,000 affordable houses available to citizens annually with government’s support. One approach could be for government to give the developer land to build 10,000 units with a promise that 30 percent of the houses will serve as payment for the land and the developer can do whatever he wants with the remaining. Nigerians are eager to see things happening from this government and I believe this is something that should be easy for the government to implement. It is our hope that the Federal Government would work to aggressively reduce the massive 20 million housing deficit in Nigeria. Most economies enrich their citizens through housing. This was done in the UK through a programme called “Right to Buy” where people let homes and the government later sells to them at a discount. A similar initiative will work wonders in Nigeria. Closely related is the hospitality industry where the government is not doing enough to encourage investors. One of the reasons why we have not expanded our Best Western brand, for example, or Suru Express brand is because the enabling environment is not there. For instance, we pay VAT to the Federal Government while the Lagos State Government collects consumption tax as well. Yet, we cannot increase the room rates because competition is fierce in the market. Also, the banks are not helping matters with the interest rates that they charge. How would you compare the real estate sector in Nigeria with that of Britain where you worked for several years? The UK market is more transparent in every direction. If I need money to do any real estate development in London, I would approach the banks with a proposal and if they like it, they will give me the funds. Interest rates are at a maximum of five percent unlike in Nigeria where the rates are between 25 and 30 per cent. It’s a killer. So, unless you want to do the development and get double from day one, it doesn’t add up. Also, if I want to do a development in the UK, I would make my application to the local authority and within 28 days to two months’ at the most, I would obtain the approval to build. Submit an application for Governor’s Consent to build in Nigeria and you may be on it for six months up to one year. That is why some developers cut corners. The cost of getting title deeds is so exorbitant and time wasting also. Government officials are aware of these lapses but bureaucracy around what they do is not allowing them to change. In Lagos, for example, they cannot change because the money they make out of the land department is a huge revenue earner. We need to learn from other nations such as Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. With the decline in oil prices and instability in the economy generally, can the real estate sector play a defining role in becoming a driver and mainstay of the

Akinlade

Nigerian economy? There is no doubt about it. Let’s take the deficit in housing which we know is operationally more than 20 million at the moment. If this number of units gets built and is sold to people, the houses would have appreciated enormously within five years. Basically, you are transferring wealth to them. But the worry has always been about where people will get the money to buy. In the UK, the mortgage market is very active. Payment period is between 20 and 25 years and you only pay interest while the principal will be collected on the day you sell the property. If you apply for a mortgage in Nigeria, the banks will say the mortgage is for five years with 20 percent interest and you are also expected to pay the principal. The economy and our people will be the better for it if low income earners can be assisted to get mortgages. We did an affordable housing project of 27 units in Ibeshe four years ago. We sold it to the residents there for N8 million. Now, the owners are selling the units for N15 million. If that was done on a much larger scale, the level of equity it would have transferred into people’s pocket would be enormous. The N7 million profit on those properties will be available for other investments in other that will grow his portfolio. So, you can actually use it to redistribute wealth and to rebalance an economy like ours that is too focused on oil. If we do the right thing through housing, we don’t really need to bother about whether oil prices go up or down. So, if the government

is sincere, they can change the outlook of the economy in less than one year through housing. You are also involved in the hospitality sector in Nigeria. Do you think there is a proliferation of hoteliers in the country today? I think one needs to be extremely clear on why we build hotels in Nigeria. Most of the hotels in most parts of Nigeria were not built for tourism. They were built mainly for business and private visitors to Nigeria. A tourist hotel will usually have an ocean view. It will be a place for people that are visiting Nigeria just to enjoy themselves. So, we have that mismatch as most of the hotels are aiming for the same set of customers rather than differentiate and say ‘this is what I am’ or ‘this is what I do.’ In London, for example, you have what is called a City Hotel right there in the town centre, providing accommodating for short-term visitors on business and then you have hotels in resort areas like Brighton. Hardly do you see that in Nigeria. Tinapa may be an exception but do people go to Abuja for leisure? With respect to proliferation, the hotel industry in Nigeria is not a closed-shop because it is open to everybody. You can just buy land and build a hotel but you may find out that the hotel would soon become a mushroom one. We have the Best Western Hotel in the Suru Group. We bought the name from Best Western in Ireland and they come once or twice a year to inspect the quality which is very crucial.

Anyone can just build a hotel next door to you. What can you do? In the UK where I lived for many years, if you have a hotel on a street and someone wants to start a hotel next door, they will have to go to the local authority to get approval and then, the council would enquire why when there is a hotel next door. The answer could be that the hotel is filled up but if the hotel is not filled up, why build another one. When we came into Ikeja GRA in 2006, there were only four hotels. Today, it cannot be less than 40 and still, others are under construction. I know about five more are under construction in Ikeja GRA alone. Now, what is the business that they are all targeting if not visitors into Lagos? It’s good for the visitors but unfortunately, it is not good for the industry because sooner than later, most of them will close down. This is because you cannot use bank money to build these hotels and remain open when your expected occupancy of the hotel is not happening. So, we would still have proliferation of hotels in Nigeria for a long time because the market has not been segmented. Right now, everybody is fitting into one segment of the market and that is a recipe for disaster. How did you end up in the real estate/ hospitality industry? I think my last few years in the UK basically shaped what I am doing in Nigeria. My last CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

AKINLADE: HIGH INTEREST RATES ARE KILLING THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR What, in your view, is the true value of management accountants to businesses, especially in Nigeria? Well, it is of immense importance. I think most organisations do not understand the importance of hiring a management accountant. The accounting department in most organisations only prepare the accounts that are of little value in decision making but the CIMA member would interprete the figures and give directions for the future. It is unfortunate that most of the companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange do not have CIMA members working for them. Sadly too, they cannot be found in most government establishments. I can assure that if you have a CIMA member in government in any of these states that cannot pay salaries, that CIMA member would be able to guide the governor on the things that should be done to cut costs and to achieve growth. Now that they are looking at costing issues, the CIMA member would be able to assist them.

few years in the UK were mainly in the real estate/property market. So, when I relocated to Nigeria, I decided to specialise in property. Hotel is just a by-product but it still focuses on brick and mortar. When I came here in 2006, nobody was investing in Ikeja GRA. So the Suru Group took the decision to focus our investment in Ikeja. So it is unlikely anybody would do anything in this GRA without coming to us first. If you want to buy a land or a house, you are likely coming to Suru Group. It’s only in the last one year that we are now going out of Ikeja GRA. Before coming home to invest, what were your career highlights? My work experience in the UK started with Westminster City Council before I joined a housing association and I also worked for an accountancy group. I was actually more of a property development consultant in the last few years of being in the UK. But my training as a management accountant gives me an edge over everyone else, I can smell a good deal before everyone else can do. When I receive any proposal, I am looking at the figures even before I look at every other thing. So when the figure adds up, I start looking at the quality and what we need to do to get it better while some people would be looking at something else. Why did you decide to study for the CIMA qualification? I have always had a passion for accountancy but I just don’t like the auditing line. I like to understand the numbers and to make use of those numbers. So I went to the London School of Accountancy. I am sure the school is closed now. I spent about three years doing the CIMA exams and after passing the exams, I started working in London. Before I left for the UK, I went to the Lagos State College of Science and Technology. I have an OND in Business Administration. What are the benefits of undergoing the CIMA qualification process? Would you

Akinlade

say it has contributed to getting you to where you are today as an entrepreneur? Well, there is no doubt about that. Like I said, everything about me has to do with interpreting figures. So CIMA exam prepared me for that and it has shaped me to become what I am today. Without going through

the CIMA training, I won’t be where I am today. If I had settled for other accounting qualifications, my focus will be to merely prepare accounts for other people which is at odds with my role as an entrepreneur who is using past figures to shape your tomorrow.

What advice would you give to young people who are aspiring to pursue certifications in accounting/finance and they decide to go for CIMA? Well, my advice would always be for them to get on with it. It is a career path that one may not appreciate in the age range of 20 to 40 but when in his or her 40s and 50s, one will appreciate it better. It is unlikely that I would offer a person in his 50s a job here because I would think that he’s going to come and be my boss. So, the discriminatory element taking place as a result of age would have been removed if the CIMA qualification is obtained at a younger age. So, I am going to say that you may not appreciate the CIMA qualification at age 20 but by the time you start getting on life, you would see why CIMA qualification is key to success in life. You don’t want to sit down in a finance function and just be preparing account for your MD day in, day out. You will be bored with it. But in management accounting, it varies, it changes as your organisation changes over the years and that is the attraction.

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

UT H

& RE A SO

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

ERAVE | P32

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

‘HOW I CONVINCE PEOPLE TO BUY MADE-IN-NIGERIA PRODUCTS’ ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

29.07.2016

‘How I Convince People to Buy Made-inNigeria Products’ Growing up, his mom’s sewing machine inspired his passion for tailoring and today even though this young aspiring chap studied Public Administration in the university, his interest in fashion is immeasurable. Adejare Adejobi in this interview with Mary Ekah, talks about how he has been able to convince Nigerians to buy made-in-Nigeria products with his works Why the interest in fashion? I’d say that my clients from my other business inspired fashion in me as a business. I was running a dry cleaning business when I was in school, and a majority of my clients used to have complaints about their tailors. I just saw that area as an area of need, and I wanted to tap into the opportunity; that was how I started, basically. And right now, I’m meeting the need by providing speedy and innovative design and tailoring services to several clients. Could you give us insight into your formative years? Growing up was just amazing for me. I grew up in a family where my father had eight wives, and my mom was the youngest. I have three brothers from the same mother though my immediate elder didn’t live with us for a long time. But we were just three boys and all those years were not too good moments because my dad died while I was still growing up. I was very young when my dad passed on so there was nobody to take on those responsibilities. It was just with my mom. Growing up with a single parent, we had to struggle to do everything. So, that really shaped me to learn how to live independently through the days of my schooling, my survival instincts came alive at an early age. That was one of the things that awakened my entrepreneurship drive. That entrepreneurship spirit was forming gradually. And just recently, I was thinking about how come I decided to do fashion as business or what really spurred me. I could remember that when we were young, possibly because of the cost of patronising tailors, my mom used to have this sewing machine and that possibly inspired those instincts. So growing up was very wonderful in the sense that throughout my schooling days I was one of the best. In my secondary school, I had excellent results. I was a pretty tough guy when it comes to reading and all that but when I got into the university I decided to hustle to break into other areas besides just reading, reading, reading and reading. Reading was favourable when it comes to the grades but it wasn’t really catering for all my expenditures. Meeting needs, the income wasn't coming frequently from home because my mom had to cater for my brother and other things, so I just had to find something doing. So that was it basically. I had this big dream of becoming a medical doctor or a neurosurgeon; you know those days of Ben Carson stories but along the line, I just discovered that sometimes the environment and people around us can plant ideas and dreams in us that don’t necessarily reflect our entire world of possibilities. You know, our parents always saying things like, ‘oh my child will become a lawyer, my child will become a doctor’ and all that. Eventually, I discovered that I had been wired to be the pay guy and not the one waiting to get paid by the end of the month. That’s how I decided to go into business, and it’s been fun. Who are those that you look up to in the industry, both locally and internationally? I’d been looking up to a couple of people, but because of the standard I am looking to set up, the standard I am aspiring to, I have not really seen any fashion designer that has consistently stayed on the pedestal. Mudi for instance is someone I admire, an excellent and thorough entrepreneur but I believe and know there are still more that haven’t been achieved and I look forward to that more in the industry. Internationally, I simply look forward to bringing to bear excellence in the delivery of our rich cultural heritage, and becoming a

Adejobi

globally competitive brand with fortunes in the billions. What aspect of fashion design do you enjoy most? I enjoy the creative part, illustrating. I like to sketch. I sketch out a lot of designs because I try as much as possible to imagine what the creation is going to look like in the end. Before we start to produce, I like to have a picture of what it's going to look like. I like my clients having an idea of what their attire is going to come out like, so I love that part of the business, that part of creation. And then another part I like is relating with my customers; having to collate their ideas, having to get them to buy what I have for them and then feedback after we produce. Getting to understand what they like about the job and if there are any complaints or if there’re other things they have in mind for future businesses, etc. You feel you are really good at what you do; why? Yeah, I’m still perfecting anyway because I continually seek knowledge on how to improve my business processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness, but at the same time I try to deliver the best, the best of the best.

all my clients the celebrity feel. Are your jobs confirmed to international standards? When you say international standard, Nigeria is international when you are in the UK, UK is international when you are in Nigeria, do you understand? I have designers and clients who are abroad, who patronise my products and the feedbacks are great. What are things that have kept you grounded so far? What has kept me grounded, or humble like you call it, is understanding the fact that I am coming from somewhere, I am not where I want to be, at the same time I have a history. I have a background. I have a wealthy background but I didn't grow up enjoying that wealth. I have a wealth of experience, hustling, more than enjoying the affluence. So that keeps me going, that helps me understand what people are going through, that helps me relate to different times and seasons.

In creating a wardrobe, what’s the minimum price range? For wardrobes, it depends on the kind of clients. Let’s not go into the details. Depending on the number of items of each product line you’re requesting for. Your budget too will determine. So, it can be a wardrobe for work, etc. You may also want premium, which happens in most cases. Because 500 thousand may deliver just five sets of things to you and for somebody it may deliver ten in total. Ten pieces or 10 sets of things, for somebody else it may deliver three. Sometimes, I call it fashion around purpose.

Looking at Nigeria and our quick adaptation to what is not truly ours, how does that influence you as a fashion designer? I’m one person that likes simplicity. I like something being unique and simple. A majority of my clients also believe in that; they like simplicity, as much as you're going to make it very stylish, we keep it simple. Most of the time I don't follow the trend, I don't appreciate just following the trend. I create from inside, I create as inspired. The trend can be motivating but you know we have what is ours, we have a gold mine on our inside as Africans, as Nigerians, and as a Nigerian designer, there are things that the world has not seen before and I like to venture into new things, I like new things, I like things that are crazy. I like adventure.

Have you ever designed for local celebrities or politicians? I love more, clients who understand to an extent what they want or need. Though, I would also be patient to attend to the ones who don’t have their briefs all put together. The only reason I would turn down a client’s job is if I can’t readily access the resources needed to actualise the client’s brief, especially when time is a major constraint. I’ve worked for a couple of celebrities. Also, my goal is to give

What drives you? My passion for people drives me. I’d like to be remembered for my contribution to this industry especially and to managing people. Because another thing the fashion business has taught me is managing people. You meet people with different emotional intelligence quotients, people that can easily flare up, people that are very calm and reserved so it’s a mixture, it’s a babel of different tongues like Leke Alder would call it.

Do you design your fabrics yourself? Do you import or buy locally? I work with some local manufacturers, because, as I said, I love made-in-Nigeria, and I would love to deal with made-in-Nigeria and I don't just say it, I like to do it. There are some quality and some wonderful creations here and I try as much as possible to work with as many as I can. I patronise them, sometimes based on request. I also get to import and I work with suppliers who are out of the country, so it depends. If I'm creating something for someone who relies on my strength of creativity, I can add an indigenous touch to the production and all. It’s what I’m creating with it that matters most. Most international products are cheaper than our locally made ones. Why? We have not gotten the technology right for mass production, we don't have it as it were. Even the textile industry in Nigeria, at the moment, is nonexistent and until all these other infrastructures are revived, I think we can’t compete yet in terms of pricing. The Nigerian fashion industry is a platform for all to spread their ideas, how does that affect you? I think the uniqueness of our personality is displayed in the things we create. We have different world views, so it determines our output, that’s one. Then two, for those who see it as a place to spread their bed, you know it’s up to them; for those who see it as place for them to increase their bank accounts, it’s also their choice. So everybody is in it for different purposes. I am in it to add value and to get value in return. How do you intend to convince Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria products? I think excellence is key, quality and excellence. Once it is excellence-driven, people will buy. People know excellence when they see it and when they’ve experienced it. If they experience it once, they’ll come again. So you get people to come again and again once they can guarantee that they are getting value for what they are paying for. Every Nigerian wants to buy something that is expensive if it will deliver what it promises. So I just basically deliver what I promise and give people value for their money and they keep coming, again and again.

29/XTRA

29.07.2016

‘God Has His Joshua in Ondo State’ Founder, Talk for Jesus, a Leadership Training Centre and pastor-in-charge of RCCG, Ark of Covenant Sanctuary, Lagos, Pastor Seun Oluade Fanokun in this interview with Mary Ekah, reveals how a vision from God led him to become one of the spiritual backers of the Tunji Ariyomo governorship project in Ondo State, a man he describes as the Joshua of today What is your projection for the 2016 election in Ondo State? I do not have a projection. I am not a seer. That is not my calling. I am also neither a politician nor a political activist. My anointing is the service of God and my participation thus far is strictly according to my calling and His leading. However, sometimes-early last year (2015), I received a vision on the leadership of Ondo State and the need for me to seek out a particular aspirant who bears the name of God. God said he has his Joshua in Ondo State who has been prepared through a refining process by fire. This ‘Joshua’ is for a revival in Africa but God will use him as a tool starting with Ondo State. The message was very clear but confused me. So I began to pray and fast to be led aright. Each time I came about any name in the newspapers or from relatives, I would question God – is this he? Or her? I would then get a chastising from God. “Did I tell you to seek his size, his money or power?” This was because I was looking out for big men. I was also looking out for people bearing ‘Oluwasomething’, like Oluwasina, Olorunsola and so on because God told me his choice bears his name. Was this over a possible governor in Ondo? Yes. Over the coming governorship election to be precise, God told me to stop chasing after my own estimate and rather use His estimate. He added that when I do meet his anointed, His Spirit would minister to me right

or explain it. The room became cold. Then it went back to normal. I went on my knees and started praying. Then I heard His voice that I should get up and go anoint him. The purpose of my prayer was to seek from God if I had the right person, but his voice directed me to proceed to anointing him. That was it. The rest, they say is history.

Fanokun

away and that the leader he has prepared is bigger than all the big men I was watching out for altogether. To cut a long story short, sometimes in July 2015, a page popped up before me on social media of an aspirant in the state they call Imole or Light. That is Tunji Light Ariyomo. My heart skipped. I lost a beat instantly. I don’t know how to say it

So you never knew or met him up till the time you came across him on social media? Not at all! In fact, I never heard of him. I was the one that sent messages to his supporters to link me with him that it was very important I met him. Probably he was spiritually shielded from me so I could appreciate God the more. True to the words of God, on the day I came with God’s anointing oil to meet Engr. Ariyomo in Akure and I listened to him, I saw why God was laughing at me. In the middle of a crowd, Tunji Light is like any other person. But when you listen to him for five minutes, you immediately know that he carries a different anointing. Though young in age, he is bigger than my earlier big men all put together. Using human estimate, he is more experienced than all the others put together in the area of relevant experiences on how to use the instrument of political power to transform the land. Now it is interesting that Joshua is the anglicised form of Yahushua which is the Hebrew form of the Latin name Lesous which modern English version is Jesus, the exact name of our Lord who himself is

the Light of the world! Did God specify his political party? No. I will not add a word beyond what I was given. I was asked to seek out a man. It happens that he is in APC. If he were in the PDP, I would still obey God because his ways are different from man. God has chosen Imole (Tunji Light Ariyomo) for this state. I am a messenger. I have delivered my message. I am not a politician. I do not collect money from politicians. Not even a kobo. I am however hundred per cent certain that if any other man of God approaches my father for direction, he would get this same answer. I am sure about that. He is not a God of confusion. Any other genuine man of God who specifically seeks the face of God on Ondo State will receive this same revelation. I have my reason for saying this. I have seen testimonies from other men of God on the same subject. God will not force anyone. If Ondo State chose outside his choice, the consequence is that they will again operate outside his light. They will operate outside his fast track. Remember the experience of Israel? How they walked in the wilderness for 40 years before getting their road path clear. I want our seniors in the vineyard to particularly take note and seek the face of God as I have done so they can confirm my message or otherwise. Let it be on record that I Oluwaseun Oluade Fanokun delivered this as directed and that it reached the people of the state and the different political parties. God is faithful.

Afro Model Awards: A Call for More Participation Most often people work tirelessly to ensure that the fashion and style industry is alive and grows to a global level but most times, these group of people, which include models, fashion designers, makeup artists and so on, are not recognised for their good work and as a result they lack the inspiration and opportunity to grow to the next level where they would, peradventure, go on the global pedestal. Therefore, in order to give African practitioners in the fashion industry, especially the young and budding Nigerian models and fashion practitioners, the opportunity to be recognised globally and also to be taken to a standard where they would compete equally with the foreign models, most especially the white models, who most often are given more recognition in the United Kingdom (UK), the organisers of Afro Model Awards, a UK-based annual ceremony which gives recognition to models, fashion designers and people in modeling industry for their work, is calling for more participation from Nigerians. Afro Model Awards is the biggest awards ceremony, which focuses on models, designers and innovators in fashion and style and had ran for five years consecutively. Presently operated in London by a group of young patriotic Nigerians, Afro Model Awards ceremony was created five years ago; to search, locate and reward hardworking/talented; models, photographers, makeup artists, agencies, designers, beauticians, accessories designers, magazines, personality, fashion blogs, fashion events and so on, by ways of rewarding their hard work via award recognition annually. Speaking during his recent visit to Nigeria, London-based Nigerian and Co-Founder, Afro Model Awards, Mr. James Jegede, said, “Afro Model Award was created to enable African models all over the world, attain a global status. It is an award that also recognises exceptional black fashion designers and makeup artists – we recognise and reward what they do on a yearly basis.”

L-r London Coordinator, Afro Model Awards; Abimbola Jegede, Co-Founder, Afro Model Awards; James Jegede, and Nigeria Coordinator, Afro Model Awards; Afolabi Ibikunle during a press conference in Lagos

Speaking further he said that most importantly, Afro Model is an award ceremony that was created to sort of bridge the gab that exists between the white and black models and therefore make the black models be on equal level with their white models on the runways. And this, he said they have been achieved in the United Kingdom in the last five years. Buttressing on the need for Nigerians to participate more fully in the annual event, he said, “We are here in Nigeria to solicit for the support of the Africa’s most strongest and influential black nation in the world. We have done this for five years in London and it is an award every black in London picks interest in but we have realised that without a strong participation and support from Nigeria, Afro Model Awards is likely to fail in future. So I am here to get more blacks, especially Nigerian models to participate in Afro Model Awards in a full and functional level because Nigeria has

got what is required to add more credibility of Afro Model Awards. And at the same time, we want to give Nigerian models the opportunity to come down to UK and participate in the event.” Jegede who said he has got a lot of international modeling agencies calling for black models, noted, “Such opportunities can go for Nigerian models who are good and that in turn can boost the GDP in Nigeria. We are a beautiful people and we export a lot of things and so I want Nigeria to add fashion and style as part of its exports. So I want to call for more participation by Nigerians and also to solicit for support from stakeholders while interested persons should log into www.afromodelawards. com for more informstion.” There are no doubts there Nigerians and other blacks participating in the Afro Model awards presently, but the truth is that they are only a handful that could personally afford

their bills - fare and accommodation in London. Now, what happens to the less privileged but lovely and talented Nigerian girl on the street, who can hardly afford her fare much less the accommodation in London? That is what Jegede and his crew are presently in Nigeria to proffer solution to by giving this young talented Nigerians the opportunity to go out there and participate in Afro Model Awards so that they can also be blessed with such opportunities of modeling for various international agencies in London. “If we get the participation of more Nigerians as a collective effort, it will be better for us all in terms of investment and development of raw talents. And ultimately to achieve the mission of which we established the Afro Model Awards, which is to bridge the gab that existed between the white and black models because before Africa model awards came on board, there was a very few black models in London, which was Naomi Campbell, and right now she is about 47 years of age and no other prominent back model has been discovered after her until we came up with Afro Model awards and so we started discovering new black models who have now gone global. We do not want the discovery to be those that based in London alone, nor just a few who are able to pay their bills and fares to and from UK but also those who can’t but which we can afford them the opportunity. I want to look back in future and say ‘yes, I have been able to help my people in their career and I am proud to be a contributor to that which better not just their lives but also that of the nation as a whole’. To this, end Afro Models Awards, Jegde said is going to collaborate with stakeholders in the fashion and style industry and then create awareness by going on campaign on the streets and every where so that they can get the best to participate in the annual awards, noting, “We are looking at taking like the best 5-10 models with all expenses paid including their accommodation in London.”

30/ NEWS

29.07.2016

Lagos State Government Applauds Astymin’s Commitment to Education Lagos State Government has commended Astymin for its relentless commitment to the academic development of Nigerian children through the brand’s annual flagship programme, Astymin Brilliance Reward. Speaking at the 16th edition of the Astymin children academic reward programme- Astymin Brilliance Rewardrecently held at the Grange School, Lagos, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said Astymin’s commitment and contributions to the development of education and academic performance of the Nigerian child are commendable and worthy of emulation by other brands. Adebule, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Education District 2, Mrs. Magareth Titilayo Solarin, said the brand had done well in encouraging children to strive for excellence in their academics by recognising and rewarding the best-performing pupils in states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Enugu and Anambra. She further reiterated that children’s educational development was not negotiable and encouraged all stakeholders, including teachers, parents and other corporate bodies to take a cue from Astymin and play their parts in the academic development of the Nigerian children, as they are the future of the nation. Also speaking at the colourful event, the Director of Co-curricular Department of State Universal Basic Education Board

Permanent Secretary, Education District 2, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin presenting a certificate of excellence to one of the best graduating pupils, Barakat Oyindamola Agbaje during the Astymin Brilliance Reward Programme in Lagos, recently

(SUBEB), Mrs. Ismail Magareth Morenike, expressed her gratitude to Astymin for the reward programme. “On behalf of the Chairman of the board, Dr. Ganiyu Oluremi Shopeyin, we are very grateful to Astymin for this brilliance reward. This is an encouragement to both the pupils, teachers as well as their parents who put in so much effort to ensure their kids work hard and perform excellently in their academics,” she said. The Astymin Brilliance Reward, which berthed in 2010, is the brand’s biggest and most prestigious event. The programme is

aimed at developing mental and academic performance, while rewarding hard work and academic excellence amongst primary school pupils, through special acknowledgment and provision of educational materials. The 2016 edition witnessed the convergence of the very best graduating pupils from about 200 private and public schools across the South-west and South-eastern regions, as well as parents, teachers and stakeholders in the Nigerian educational system. The Astymin brand recognised and rewarded the kids with certificates of excellence and valuable prizes, which were presented by Mrs. Magareth Titilayo Solarin, Mrs. Ismail Morenike and other dignitaries at the event. The 2016 ABR event was colourfully adorned in an atmosphere of fun, friendship, sharing, networking and excitement. The kids, as well as their parents, had so much fun with lots of music, dance, with so much to eat and drink. The 2016 edition of ABR is an evidence of Fidson’s unrelenting commitment to supporting the kids in all their academic endeavours, through its Astymin brand. This is in line with the corporate brand promise of valuing lives. It is the company’s attempt to bring back the glory days of Nigerian’s education by throwing its weight behind the children's drive for academic excellence. Fidson is partnering with government and other well-meaning stakeholders to develop the country’s educational system.

NGO Embarks on Campaign against Domestic Violence Mary Ekah Kathlyn Eyitemi' story would shock most people who knew her as a growing teenager and a young adult growing up in Port Harcourt. Although she had been known for her vibrancy in championing causes as a teenager in her press club days in secondary school and as a member of Reformers Academy in the university, a group for social crusaders where she also played active roles, still many would cringe if they got to peep into her private tragedies as she is telling them now. One of such stories is how her mother died from domestic violence. That piece of news has haunted Eyitemi over the years. But rather than go under the bus and waste her mind on depression, she has put her pain to work by launching an online campaign to speak out against domestic violence. This campaign is spearheaded by Sisters Interact Network, a non-profit organisation founded by Eyitemi four years ago to tackle burning social problems that affect

Eyitemi ... embarking on a war against Domestic Violence

women and help rape victims as well as abused women. The campaign is considered timely in many quarters owing to the recent spate of spousal killings affecting mostly women. Sisters Interact is pushing the message beyond the confines of social media by carrying out street-to-street campaigns,

hanging banners on streets to spread more awareness on the issue. Eyitemi believes that information is key to helping abused women because as she puts it, "most abused women feel trapped like there is no way out for them and we aim to change that mindset so we tell them that they have the power of choice. They can choose to leave abusive relationships or die in it." She also thinks that the church will also have to review the role it plays in perpetuating domestic violence. "It's not okay for a pastor to counsel a congregant and ask her to stay put and pray for her abusive husband until he eventually kills her. In Sisters Interact we do not support divorce, but we always tell the abused wife to get herself and her children to a safe distance away from that abusive environment so she can be alive to pray for him." Already there is a lineup of seminars slated to hold in Port Harcourt and Lagos. The first DMV seminar is billed to take place in Port Harcourt next month.

Navy Graduates 71 Officers in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi The Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) of the Nigerian Navy (NN), has graduated 71 officers after a one year intensive training on military planning. The graduation ceremony, which took place at Nigeria's premier naval training school, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra, Apapa, Lagos, saw 25 and 46 officers graduate from the Officers Long Course (OLC) and Sub Lieutenant Technical Course (STC), respectively. Over the course of one year, the graduands were trained in Above Water Warfare (AWW), Under Water Warfare (UWW), Navigation and Direction (ND) and Communication and Information Technology (CIT). In his speech, the guest of honour, the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, said the OLC and STC represents the pathway to professionalism in the navy.

He said, "Modern day naval operations have become more complex and navies around the world are becoming even more sophisticated by the day. "Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that dynamism in order to keep pace with modern day challenges and realities of naval operations. "This is consistent with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas' Strategic Directives 2015-1, which NAVTRAC has implemented to the later. "Now, the graduands are better equipped with the knowledge required to operate in complex changing scenarios as currently resonating in our maritime environment, which has been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats that have impinged on our economic wellbeing and national security." Also speaking, the NNS Quorra Commandant, Commodore Francis Isaac, said the graduands were the first beneficiaries of the recently reviewed professional school curriculum which includes modules in cyber

security, health safety and environment. He said, "I believe they are better equipped and have acquired the necessary knowledge needed to see them through the discharge of your duties as well as taking up leadership roles in the field. "I know NNS Quorra us confronted with various challenges, however, let me assure you both the CNS and the FOC are working hard to ensure improvement in infrastructures, learning environment and welfare amongst others. These facts are evident from the ongoing renovations and acquisitions of some training aids." Also speaking, the Training Captain, Livingstone Izu, said at the end of the course, the class averse score of OLC stood at 74.85 percent, while that of STC stands at 82.09 percent. For the OLC, he said 11 students made second class, eight made third class and six made pass, while for the STC nine students made first class, 13 made second class, 22 got third class and two made pass grade.

NDDC Board Appointments: Delta APC Leaders Commend Buhari Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) leader and 2015 governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, chieftains of the party, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, and Barr. Justine Rewane have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating two Deltans for appointments into the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Speaking to journalists on the appointments, Emerhor praised the President for listening to the cry of the APC in Delta State, noting that the appointments have reinvigorated members of the party in the state to work harder to reposition the party to take over Delta State come 2019. The elated APC leader stated further that with the appointments of Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, (nominee, Executive Director Project, NDDC) Delta Central and Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, Delta State representative, the President has given the three senatorial districts in the state a sense of belonging in the APC-led government at the centre. Similarly, a Board of Trustee Member of the party, Chief Frank Kokori also commended President Buhari, for appointing two credible Deltans to the board of NDDC, noting that leaders of the party across the state are happy with the development. According to him; “those who before now were in doubt about the ability of the leaders of the party in the state to attract the dividends of democracy to the state, will now have a rethink.” On his part, Barr. Justine Rewane while commending the President, urged party faithful in the state to be patient; adding that more appointments will be given to Deltans in due course, stressing that no part of the state would be left out, because the Delta APC is one big family. According to him; “the NDDC appointments could not have come at a better time, we are mobilising new members to register with our great party and this will energise the Delta APC to do more in our quest to take over Delta State come 2019.” The state party chairman, Prophet Jone Erue also commended the President for the appointments, nothing that the people of Delta State are very happy, and that since the announcement of the nomination, Deltans have been trooping to register as APC members. “It has been celebration across Delta since the list came out, so I want to join other APC leaders in Delta State to commend Mr. President for appointing these great Deltans, assuring him of our total commitment to repositioning the party in Delta State and the Niger Delta region.”

Senator Orji Donates Sets of Furniture to Broadcast Station Gutted by Fire In response to the fire outbreak that gutted its offices early this year, Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji has donated sets of office furniture to the management of Radio Nigeria (Pacesetter FM), Umuahia, Abia State. The immediate past Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central senatorial district, also made available another 250 bags of fertilisers which he said would be distributed to farmers in his constituency to ensure the growing of robust farm produce. In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Don Norman Obinna, Orji said these are parts of his commitment to support all sectors within his constituency to ensure they operate at their optimum. He also commended the management of Pacesetter FM for keeping the people of Abia State abreast with the latest developments in Nigeria with timely, balanced and unbiased reportage of events, urging others to emulate their professionalism in the dissemination of information to avoid stoking up the polity and thereby creating unnecessary anxiety among residents. Orji however assured the farmers of adequately and evenly distribution of the fertilisers among them soon urging them to ensure the proper usage of the fertilisers in order not to jeopardise its objectives. He further assured his constituents of his avowed commitment to ensuring that they are adequately represented, saying that his resolution to transform the constituency through viable federal projects is non-negotiable.

31/LIVING

29.07.2016

Beer, Women and Beauty: How they Blend Mary Ekah The general likeness for beer dates back to the ancient days of Babylon and Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt till all around the world nowadays and it is reported that from time immemorial, women did not only drink beer but use it a as trusted beauty recipes. Many Hollywood actresses and top-models use it to improve their hair and skin. For instance, ‘Beer spa’ exists in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. Visitors to such institutions in the truest sense of the word have a beer bath. Beauticians suggest the following beer recipes for the skin: The oldest recipe involves putting a cool fresh beer foam on the face, and after 10 minutes rinse it with warm water – this makes the skin elastic while it eliminates wrinkles. There is also the beer mask for dry skin. This is a mix of two tablespoons of beer, 1 teaspoon of olive or coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of honey. A woman applies the mask on the face with a cotton swab on the moistened and steamed face in a circular motion. When the mask is completely absorbed, she rinses with warm water. The lotion for aging skin actually involves a handful of fresh or dried rose petals mixed with a glass of beer. For the body, there is what is called the Hollywood slimming bath. Whisking together half of cup of mild shampoo, one egg, oneteaspoon vanilla, and 10 tablespoons of beer does this. The resulting foam should be slowly poured under running water into a bath. In

addition to slimming effect, beer baths, it is said, regulates perspiration and gently softens the skin. In addition, also, beer foam perfectly refreshes the skin and softens the feet. After bathing the feet, it is recommend to rinse feet with water to avoid sticky feeling. For beer baths for hands, it helps strengthen the nail plate. To make such a bath, experts advise a mix of warm water and beer in equal proportions. Also, the best remedy for hair styling, which was known for a long time it’s beer. After washing your hair, comb it and sprinkle it with beer. When it dries, you will get an “iron” styling, which will make your hair healthier. Notwithstanding the beautifying effect of beer, there are however, certain misconceptions held generally by people. For example, it is said that about 75 per cent of women over estimate the calorie content of beer. They believe it is

beer that gave their husbands the abdominal fat “beer belly”, not knowing that it is their act of over-feeding the man. Nutritionists have maintained that beer does not contain fat and in fact, has fewer calories than wine. In a society such as ours, there are different perceptions about the widely consumed white foamy liquid – beer. While some of this perception might have dated back decades it doesn’t necessarily make them true, as a matter of fact recent studies from around the world are presenting arguments to counter these perceptions. For instance, to what extent is beer responsible for the ‘beer belly’ condition in some men? Research has shown that beer alone cannot be responsible for this occurrence. ‘Beer belly’ is caused by too many calories in an individual’s diet (from over-eating, sugary food and beverages etc.) and a sedentary lifestyle.

More calories are ingested than what is burned. The excess is stored in the body as fat. Fat is stored more in the belly by men, hence the prevalence of ‘beer belly’ in men. This explains why women are not associated with the ‘beer belly’; it’s purely a consequence of fat stored. Women sure do consume the alcoholic beverage almost as much as some men. Research and studies have shown that beer is as suitable for women as much as it is for men. Like so many other alcoholic options, beer if consumed responsibly and in a defined moderation, then all the health benefits can be gained. Women, who consume beer in moderation, will benefit from the antioxidants present in beer, which serves as protection against many forms of cancer. For new mothers, research studies by Koletzko and Lehner (2000) have revealed that moderate beer consumption may help in the initiation and success of breastfeeding (Pregnant women are advised to stay away from beer as no safe level has been established.) It seems that a component of beer, perhaps a barley polysaccharide, promotes prolactin secretion. The authors further suggest that the relaxing effects of alcohol and hop components might also have a beneficial impact on lacto-genesis-onset of milk secretion. Beer has also be proven to enhance a healthy hydration process, as 92 per cent of beer is made up of water (though you should never substitute beer for water), beer aids in stress relief even for women. Research has also further shown that there is a low risk of kidney stones in beer drinkers.

An Inspiration-Packed Book Unveiled Peter Uzoho Speaker, trainer, business developer and author, Kachi Ogbonna, is a value-driven entrepreneur and renowned youth consultant, passionate and focused on driving societal values and dignity of mankind in alignment to entrepreneurship and business strategy. His book ‘How They Started: Innovative Nigerian Brands’ presents sources of inspiration and opportunities from which the youth can liberate themselves from the clutches of unemployment. With more than 12 years of experience working among youths, seven years of being an active entrepreneur and a substantial portfolio of solutions delivered for the benefit of humanity, his career has taken him through the banking sector, telecommunications, training and consulting and Non-governmetal Organisations. He has had the good fortune of sitting for business reviews very early in his career with top Managing Directors and business leaders including Rajiv Sharma, Prof. Pat Utomi, Ben Bruce, Innocent Ifediaso and many more. Kachi Ogbonna’s passion towards improving lives coupled with his concern about the growing graduate unemployment challenge in the country led him into a research of how innovative indigenous brands in Nigeria started. That extensive research successfully gave birth to the entrepreneurship masterpiece called ‘How They Started: Innovative Nigerian Brands. Today, entrepreneurship has become a major buzzword in Nigeria, and that is not for nothing. It is a common knowledge that youth unemployment

The Author, Ogbonna

has gone beyond just an economic problem to also become a social problem. The issues of pipeline vandalism, terrorism, thuggery, electoral violence, kidnapping and sectional agitations are hugely due to the fact that the young ones, mostly graduates, are not properly engaged. Those who see entrepreneurship as the way out have come up with different approaches for tackling this, the most notable of them being skills acquisition. Ogbonna has, however, done something completely different. As much as he believes in entrepreneurship and skills acquisition, he argues in his new book ‘How They Started: Innovative Nigerian Brands’ that the solution to unemployment in Nigeria must begin with a fundamental mind shift. He believes that Nigerian youths are talented enough to tap into the numerous opportunities that exist in the country, but, according to him, “they must first of all believe that they can.” “They must

first accept that those opportunities are there because no one can feature in a future that he cannot picture.” The author being an entrepreneurship and youth consultant, has from his many years of mentoring young entrepreneurs and growing startups, discovered that, the ‘entitlement mentality and the blame game’ has become the biggest hindrance to the realisation of the full potential of Nigerian youths, insisting that everyone is ultimately responsible for his or her own success or failure. Ogbonna in his book argues that “the solution to graduate unemployment in Nigeria is not rocket science”, maintaining that, “if the universities can focus more on how to produce job creators rather than job seekers, then, unemployment will soon become an issue of the past." He further insists that each problem in this country provides a great business opportunity for those who are willing to add value to the society. In showing how Nigeria has always been a land of opportunities, the author traced how businesses that started decades ago are still waxing stronger by the day. Giving instances of how some businesses that were launched just about four years ago have grown to become multinationals today, he profiled 25 innovative brands cutting across different sectors including technology, the internet, entertainment, learning and development, manufacturing, restaurants, health and transportation. Through these, he showed that opportunities abound in almost every sector of the Nigerian economy.

His efforts in securing one on one interview with the founders of these brands also goes a long way to validate the information in the book. Each of the founders shared his own unique experience of what it took them to startup their business, the challenges faced and how they handled them; how they funded their businesses and most importantly, every one of them has words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. This book ‘How They Started: Innovative Nigerian Brands’ couldn’t have come at a better time than a period when the Nigerian economy has plummeted to an incredibly low state. It couldn’t have been more appropriate than at this time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that 4.3 million jobs were lost in just 10 months. Maybe that is just a mere coincidence, as government and citizens alike stand to benefit immensely from the latent force of possibilities the book ignites as the country seeks to drag itself out of the present mess.Interestingly, someone has embarked on the important task of documenting how Nigerian brands started in a country where there is little or no regard for history. In a very unique way, Ogbonna through his book has told the story of the best of Nigeria. It is difficult not to appreciate the challenges the author must have passed through before the selection of these 25 brands out of the 150 companies he researched. However, the more the author attempts to lay down the criteria for such selection, the more someone is forced to ask if these 25 organisations are the only brands that met those criteria.

Friends Funwine Hits Nigerian Market Funke Olaode In what could be termed a revolutionary takeover of the wine market in Nigeria and Africa, a German brewed wine with its headquarters in Florida, United States recently stormed Nigerian with Friends Funwine. The launch of the wine in four different flavours, which comes in 250 ml in quality aluminum, slim cans took place in Lagos. Founder and Group Managing Director of the company, Engr. Yariv Brosh, said he was delighted to be part of the Funwine and its real revolution in the beverage business in Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria is the first country in Africa where the brand is first launched. “Funwine started in the mind of one of the world best food and beverage specialists, Mr. Joe Peele. The concept really

Super model, Funmilayo Ademokoya displaying Cans of Friends Funwine at the unveling ceremony in Lagos...reently

is breaking through! Funwine was created as an affordable-healthy-tasty-RTD-flavored

wine packed in a quality aluminum slim cans and bottles. Brosh said using a state-of-the-art beverage technology creates a clear smooth natural organic wine based flavored drink. Speaking further on the newest, tasty, refreshing and delicious wine, Brosh said the Friends Funwine which is currently available in five flavours is the first ever coffee wine in a can in Nigeria, adding, “Funwine contain vitamins, low alcohol - only 6 per cent and low nutrition value compared with the alternatives and also has minimum sparkling which makes the drink easy and fun.” Group Chief Designer of the brand, Mr. Keren said Funwine creed and design are completing the experience of Funwine taste and smell. “The aluminum slim cans and glass bottles are the finest available in the industry.

Our ready-to-drink, known as RTD, Flavors are one of their kinds. Funwine gives relaxed feeling alone, or bonding people who wish to have fun all through the day. Its design and colours were carefully chosen to give a natural-relaxed-atmosphere. We didn't only try to make a precise design, but we paid a huge attention to the synergy between Funwine taste, smell, look and feel,” Keren said. As the company, which started its operation in America and currently operates in 42 countries around the globe spreads its tentacles in Nigeria looking for qualified distributors and dealers to join the fun, Brosh reiterates its company’s commitment to contribute to the Nigerian economy as it plans to establish a winery and a filling facility in Nigeria within 2017. This he believes will reduce Funwine retail price dramatically.

32 /ENTERTAINMENTRAVE

29.07.2016

eraveonline@gmail.com

@eraveng

www.eraveng.com

Adekunle Gold Releases Debut Album Earlier Than Scheduled Popular YBNL act, Adekunle Gold has released his debut album titled ‘Gold’ earlier than scheduled. The musician had earlier announced that he would release the album on Thursday, July 28, 2016 but surprisingly released it on Tuesday July 26. The fast rising act took to Instagram to announce the release as he wrote,“#TheGoldSurprise Hi, okay, so listen (read) very, very, very, very, very carefully, because you will be all kinds of blown away by the time you’re done. We tried our best, our utmost best, to hold in the excitement- but we realised that we couldn’t wait any longer. We can’t keep this to

ourselves one more day. Not even one more night. We decided to put out the album a little bit early. By early, we mean NOW! So yeah. Go get it. And hurry up too. THE END. #TheGoldAlbum”. The album consists of sixteen (16) tracks and can be purchased at 99 cent per track on iTunes. The complete list of all the tracks on the album are Gold (intro), My life, Beautiful night, Orente, Nurse Alabere, Friend zone, Paradise, No forget featuring Simi, Pick up, Work, Temptation, Ariwo ko, Fight for you, Ready, Sweet me and Sade (Bonus). All the songs on this album were written by Adekunle Gold.

HARRYSONG Popular Five Star Record label singer, HarrySong and his crew members were reportedly involved in a fatal car accident along Owerri-Onitsha expressway but God miraculously saved them all and no casualty was recorded. Harrysong expressed his joy via Instagram post and wrote, “At One Point I Thought I Was Crossing To The Other Side… But No. God Still Ve Great Plans For Me.. Yes.. He Saved Us.. Am Grateful.. Stay Strong.” The singer was said to be on his way to Owerri to catch a flight to Lagos where he's supposed to perform at the Opening Gala night of Project Fame season nine (9).

Julius Agwu’s Crack Ya Ribs Hits UK Popular Nigerian comedian, Julius Agwu will be hosting the eleventh edition of his annual Crack Ya Ribs comedy show in London and Aberdeen, United Kingdom. The shows will take place on Sunday, August 21 2016 at the Exhibition Centre, Exhibition Avenue, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen Ab23 8DL, by 6PM, and Sunday August 28, 2016 at the Lighthouse Hall. 254-270 Camber well Road SE5 ODP London, by 6 PM. The comedy show will feature performances from popular comedians like Buchi, EmmaOhMaGod, Acapella, Dan D’ Humorous, MCPC, Yoma, Seyi Brown, Omo Shakara, Beeze, Tevin, MC Gladys, Mimicko, Nkechi (Nedu) and so on.

DAVIDO Julius Agwu

P-square Reconciles, Jude Okoye Returns as Manager Following the recent drama and beef between popular Nigerian music twins, Peter and Paul Okoye (P-square), they have now buried the hatchet and are back together. One of the duo, Peter broke the news earlier this week in a video via his Instagram page and claimed that they have resolved all their issues. He asked for forgiveness from their fans and said they’re sorry for all the inconveniences they may have caused them. “My dear fans, P-square is back. Ours is a journey that started from our mother’s womb. It was a journey that started from primary school, continued to St. Murumbu College, to when we were in university in Abuja. It was a journey in which we shared childhood memories and grown-up dreams. We are back because brothers do not let each other wander in the dark alone. We are back because we have tried the lonely road and it was not the same. “I want to take responsibility for what has happened and sincerely apologies to you our fans. For supporting us throughout

p-square

this journey we owed you so much more than what you have had to endure and I apologies for that. We are embarking now on a new journey with exciting new management (Jude Okoye), new music and new ideas. “We cannot thank you enough for all your prayers and support throughout this difficult period. Maya Angelou once

said that brotherhood is a condition that people have to work at. We will continue to work on that and you can be prepared to be blown away by this new phase of P-square. God bless you all and be assured that you have not seen anything yet.” Having resolved their issues, we all await their next line of action.

Popular Nigerian musical star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has revealed plans on starting up a scholarship programme soon. He made this known via his Instagram page on Tuesday, 26th July 2016. “So many people deserve education. Starting from this year, I plan to start the Veronica Adeleke Education Scholarship program. I plan to send people to school every year. I’m starting from 4 students this year details will be released soon on how to apply. DO YOUR PART TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER. EVEN IF YOU START SMALL.. AT LEAST START! OBO!” The scholarship program is named after his late mother, Veronica Adeleke

Charles Granville Drops Infectious Love Tune

Granville

Multi-talented Nigerian artiste, Charles Granville has once again re-empahised his musical resourcefulness and vocal dexterity with the release of his latest infectious love jam, Love Nwantintin. Produced by veteran music producer and Coded Tunes founder, ID Cabasa, the new single is a love inspired tune blessed with groovy instrumental. With the release of this entrancing song, there is no doubt that Charles Granville has mastered the art of creating great undying love songs with momentous messages. The arrangement of the song and the delivery including the production are remarkable. Charles Granville who is also a popular Nollywood actor is a recipient of several awards including Nigeria Gospel Music Awards Best

Soul/R&B Award and African Entertainment Awards ‘Fast Rising Actor’ 2015. The singer who was recently appointed by Global Rights as its Goodwill Ambassador for the campaign against sexual violence in Nigeria also won Youth Ambassador of the Year’ at the last edition of the annual Links Achievers Awards. He is likewise a United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace Charles Granville’s contribution to the entertainment industry is beyond music and his impact is evident in his roles towards the development of entertainment industry in Africa. He is also the founder of the annual Shabach Concert which is currently rated as one of the biggest gospel concerts in Nigeria.

WIZKID & ALICIA KEYS Popular Nigerian act Ayo Balogun, better known as Wizkid has collaborated with popular US singer Alicia Keys. The Ojuelegba crooner broke the news via his Twitter page earlier this week as he wrote “Last night I made magic with Alicia Keys! Real music! #Blessed!” Wizkid who is undeniably having the time of his life internationally and locally breaks further grounds internationally after working with the likes of Drake, Chris Brown, Swiss Beatz, and so on.

33/XTRA

29.07.2016

Outpouring of Emotions as AUN Academy Graduates 33 Solomon Elusoji On July 16, the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Academy (Secondary) burst forth with emotion as 33 final-year students bid farewell to the beautiful campus and the people who have nurtured them in the past six years. It was also a day to celebrate success as the best students were greeted with resounding applause inside the Community Hall. The star of the day was Ashraf Salihu Bakari, 17, who emerged as the Best Graduating Student, acing all others in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. He also had the highest score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and was the overall best at a Chemistry Olympiad for Nigeria's North-East zone. “My Dad told me that the key to every success, no matter how big it is, is always hard work, perseverance, and patience,” said the teenager. There were many proud parents present who could not contain their joy at seeing their children graduate. After six long years, this was their moment to celebrate. “My daughter is graduating and I am so excited,” Alhaji Alilo Wakil, father of the outgoing Head Girl, Rahinatu Wakil, said. “I have spent a lot of money and she did very well. As you can see, there are lots of awards in her hand. She won about six awards. She’s one of the best students and as far as I know, since she has been here, she is either getting a first position or a second position, until she finished to the end. I am a very proud parent.” “It gives me joy to see my twins graduate from this prestigious secondary school today,” said another proud parent, Mathias Sendave. “I give God the glory that my children passed through a school like this. Their performance has been very good and that has been a source of pride. The administration of the school is so wonderful. I pray that others coming behind will also get to enjoy what we are enjoying today.” “I feel accomplished,” said Senator Abubakar Kyari from Borno State, whose two children were also graduating. “Those are my last two children. Three others have gone through AUN. I feel highly about the kind of education being imparted here. My relationship with AUN started over 10 years ago. And I have had children who went through AUN Academy and also the University. So it’s family to me. I feel very great about the school.” Anuoluwapo Bankole, an AUN graduate whose sister was among those who graduated from the Academy, said: “I feel really good, because this was a young girl who was brought into the American track when she did not really know anything. But if you see her now, you will like the way she has turned out. I am

AUN Academy Class of 2016

Best student, Ashraf, swarmed by well-wishers

really proud of her.” The Executive Director of AUN Schools, Mrs. Nkem Uzowulu, was overjoyed as the

graduation ended, and her thrill at seeing the children progress was matched by her sadness at letting them go.

“I feel excited,” she said. “The joy in my heart cannot be quantified. These students have spent six years of their lives in the secondary school. We are celebrating them today and their passage into another phase of their lives. I will miss seeing their faces. I love these children. They are wonderful. The graduating students were clearly moved by the day’s events. “I feel so happy and excited,” said Yerwang Polycarp Shambo. “It’s been really a journey of six years and I am so happy. I am going to miss all my fellow students. The journey has been so exciting. “AUN has really changed me. It has helped me to become a better person and know what to pursue in the future. It has taught me a lot in life. I want to become a chemical engineer and an international business woman and AUN Academy has given me a good foundation.” Outgoing Head Boy, Abba Leneke, was equally emotional. “My six years in this school has been great, having had mixed memories, stories that I can always fall back to as lessons. I have had friends who become like brothers, teachers who became like relatives, and the school principal who is now mother to us. I want to thank each and every one of them.”

Deep Cut: Growing a Passion for the Weak It demands more than knowledge about a thing to become a passionate advocate for it. The deep and indescribable desire to rescue a people from the dire consequences of their ignorance is probably what defines the passion that Mrs. Kehinde Omoru, a UK-based special educationist and writer, has shown in her avid pursuit of a campaign to intervene in the lives of those struck down by the silent killer called Hepatitis B. Her pet project—Deep Cut has become the vehicle with which Omoru has mounted an awareness campaign on how to steer humanity from the perils of Hepatitis B. Her said passion to help victims of the ailment may have been triggered by the health ordeal of her husband’s security guard who was felled by the disease. And as if on a programmed curse, the succeeding security guard soon took ill and a careful diagnosis had shown that the fellow was yet a victim of Hepatitis B. Determined to save the life of the guard, Mrs. Omoru took more than a passing interest in helping the man to survive the malignant attack. “I could not imagine or contemplate why a certain sickness would be snuffing life out of

people, just like that,” Omoru said. As a health-care personality, Omoru thus began a wider and deeper enquiry into the causes, cure and prevention of the disease while searching out already struck victims so they can benefit from guided medical help. From her base in Kent, United Kingdom, Omoru had launched a string of campaigns aimed at educating Nigerians on the causes and preventive measures of the silent killer. Essentially, the disease which is largely a

swelling of the liver is typically deadly because its symptoms are hardly noticeable until after the liver has been severely damaged. And this leads to liver cirrhosis. The disease attacks the young and the old. It is remarkable that the first point of attack of the disease is the immune system of the victim. When that has been knocked down, then it infects the liver. Medical research has shown that many causes of the disease are triggered by over doze of

certain drugs. It could also be caused by poison, excessive consumption of alcohol, and bacteria/ fungi infections. It could also be caused by poor hygienic habits like improper hand washing. Contact with contaminated blood is a veritable means of contacting the disease, just as the use of unscreened blood, plus the contact with open wound, or the imprint of tattoo on the skin as well as sexual intercourse with carriers of the disease are veritable means of contacting Hepatitis B. She noted that the more obvious symptoms of the ailment are: abdominal pains, muscles and joint pains, high temperature as well as vomiting. Omoru’s enlightenment campaign has thus been to educate the citizenry on preventive measures such as refusing to share items like razor, needle, syringes, hair clipper, nail cutters or such items like toothbrushes. Speaking on how best to manage and even prevent the disease, Omoru enjoined people to be conscious of the disease, noting that “it is such a silent killer that does not ring bell.” She said the twin demand of healthy diet regime as well as physical exercises are sure ways of containing the devastating effect of the disease.

34/ETIQUETTE

29.07.2016

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

Organising your wardrobe There are essential wardrobe accessories every man should have and even if you can’t get them all at once you can get them one at a time and build the ideal wardrobe. The reason is so that your wardrobe is well organised. Ever tried looking for a pair of cufflinks, a tie, a belt or even a t-shirt? Most times these scenarios occur because our wardrobes are not well organised. I will list some of these items. Men's Valet and Watch Box or Valet Stand This is essential so you can see most or all of your accessories all at once. Also it helps you to know exactly where they are and preventing them from getting misplaced. Similar Hangers (Wooden and not Iron) Even though you may have multiple colours

and types of hangers accumulated over the years, limit yourself to just one kind. When all of your hangers look alike, it gives a tidier look to your wardrobe.

Universal Clothes Lift Pull Down System This would enable an easy reach to your garments especially if you are not tall enough to reach for them.

Belt and Necktie Rack The use of a tie and belt rack will prevent them from wrinkles.

Don’t Hide Open Hangers Every time you take a shirt or pair of pants off a hanger, move that hanger to the front of your closet right away not only will it be easier to find hangers when you need them, but your closet won’t feel as cramped.

Hat Hook Install hooks on an empty closet wall or on the back of your closet door to hang your hats and other miscellaneous items. A Laundry Hamper Instead of leaving dirty clothes on your floor, use a hamper with three slots: one bag for light clothes, one bag for darks, and a third bag meant for dry cleaning,

Organise Wardrobe by Category and then Colour Hang your work and casual clothes separately. Leave enough space between these sections so you can clearly tell where your dress shirts end and your casual shirts begin. If you have

limited space in a small closet, divide your two sections with a coloured dry cleaning bag. Then organise your closet by colour. Colour coordinating your hanging garments makes selecting an outfit quick and easy. You can hand your shirts in descending order of brightness starting from all white and bright coloured shirts to darker ones. You could purchase any of these items on Amazon.com as they may not be readily available at dress stores nationwide. You could purchase a copy of my book on etiquette titled PROPER MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE IN ANYTHING AT ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE at the price of N3,500 at our corporate head office at 340 - 344 Ikorodu Road, by Idi-Iroko Bus Stop, Maryland, Lagos. Or call 0811 266 1635 or 0802 312 6010 to have a copy sent to you.

Men's Valet and Watch Box or Valet stand This is essential so you can see most or all of your accessories all at once. Also it helps you to know exactly where they are, preventing them from getting misplaced

Belt and Necktie Rack The use of a tie and belt rack will prevent them from wrinkles

Similar Hangers (Wooden and not Iron) Even though you may have multiple colours and types of hangers accumulated over the years, limit yourself to just one kind. When all of your hangers look alike, it gives a tidier look to your wardrobe

A Laundry Hamper Instead of leaving dirty clothes on your floor, use a hamper with three slots: one bag for light clothes, one bag for darks, and a third bag meant for dry cleaning

Hat Hook Install hooks on an empty closet wall or on the back of your closet door to hang your hats and other miscellaneous items

Universal Clothes Lift Pull Down System This would enable an easy reach to your garments especially if you are not tall enough to reach for them

35/ENTREPRENUER

29.07.2016

‘Why You Should Do Away with Good Clothes’ Ginikachi Eloka describes herself as a simple and straightforward person with a creative and active mind. This adventurer and lover of fashion, art and photography, is currently the Lead Visual Creator for Instagram at She Leads Africa, Studio Manager for TCD Photography and Editor of Black Fabulousity. This lady of many parts tells Mary Ekah about her recent project called NFB Yard Sale, which ensures quality and stylish items from the wardrobes of style-savvy individuals are made available to buyers at discounted prices and most importantly, the auction segment, which was a fundraising strategy for Iroto School of Catering in Illoti community, Ogun State Pulse Nigeria, The Blogger Point Nigeria, Stylemonument.com, Africanismcosmopoitan. com, to name a few. As well as influential individuals such as Leslie Okoye of Cookie Skin, Bidemi Zakariyau CEO of LSF PR, CEO of Publicity and Branding Agency, Style Bloggers such as Derin From Isaleko, Akin Faminu, Grace Alex, Cassie Daves, and the Non-Profit Organisation Women’s Board Educational Cooperation Society, support our project. It will be hard to express how appreciative we are of all the support. These brands and individuals combined reach an audience of over 100,000 people on social media alone.

What is the NFB Yard Sale project all about? NFB Yard Sale is a shopping platform that was created to help both people who are looking to declutter their wardrobes and make money from it, as well as those looking to get stylish and quality items at discounted prices. There is also an auction segment of the NFB Yard Sale, which was conceptualised as a fundraising strategy for the Iroto School of Catering in Illoti community, Ogun State. The mission of the school is to continuously equip young women from impoverished backgrounds with skills and a better chance of sustaining themselves and their families. We are currently being supported with pieces made by Lisa Folawiyo and CLAN (from the house of Deola Sagoe), which were donated by Bidemi Zakariyau, the CEO of LSF PR. Why do away with good clothes? I realised that people sometimes buy things they never wear, own things they love that no longer fits, or just simply arrive at a stage in their lives that calls for a change of style; new job, new resolutions, or new tastes. These are few reasons why clothes end up unused or as clutter in most wardrobes. The aim is to help people give their barely-used possessions a lease on life by passing it on to a new owner, while providing buyers with good quality clothing at more affordable prices. This means people get the chance to let go of what they no longer wear, and get money back which they could use to buy what they currently need or what suits their current lifestyle. How did the sale idea come up and what do you intend to achieve with it? The idea first came to me in November 2014; I was in my hostel at University of Lagos where I was studying Systems Engineering. I had a lot of clothes, which I wasn't wearing anymore either because they didn't fit or I had bought new ones that I liked better. I was thinking of a way to pass them on, but still get some value back because a lot of them were still in great condition. I called a friend who was studying Medicine at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and shared the idea about selling clothes from our wardrobes. Three weeks later, on December 13, 2014, the first ever yard sale was held. We had very little time for publicity and barely any money, but God saw us through and it was successful. Buyers who came we're excited because they had access to all these good clothes at less than what they would ever find it at a regular boutique. Those who came out to sell made good money from things they had basically neglected beforehand. It was a win-win situation. After that, people started asking me constantly about when another one will be held. One time, someone called me saying, "Kachi please the yard sale has to happen soon. I have two large bags of clothes and I don't know what to do with them". That really got me thinking that there was potential for the idea of selling directly from personal wardrobes to become a huge thing. I started planning towards it, and by the grace of God, we held another sale on July 24, 2016. The idea still remains to help bring quality and stylish items from the wardrobes of style-savvy individuals to a wide array of buyers, some of who maybe bargain-hunting or budget-conscious, at discounted prices. And then I started talking to my sister who is always involved in one community building project or the other, that was how

Why do you think Nigerians don't want to let go of their personal effect? There can be so many reasons, some of which I'm still trying to find out. But most times it's because of sentimental value. That is, maybe they got it as a gift, it was passed down from a parent, or they bought it at a really high price and can't imagine just giving it away. Eloka

I came about Iroto School of Catering and its expansion project. Tell us about the auction, what is the connection with this project and what do you intend to achieve with it? We started a small campaign called #helpirotogrow. Iroto is a rural development center in Illoti community in Ogun State, which has a large population of young women who sometimes have to deal with rape, teenage pregnancy and forced marriages early in their lives. Many of them don't know better, and are usually in awe when they see other women like them who live well and have the opportunity to be educated. To them it's an oddity, something they never believed they could experience or achieve, until the Women’s Board Educational Cooperation Society started a project called Iroto School of Catering to accommodate young girls from under-privileged backgrounds within the rural settlement and train them in catering and hospitality. After graduation, many of them have the opportunity to get jobs, which enabled them to assist their families; thereby improving their standard of living. Now, Iroto needs to expand and open its doors to give more young women a chance to change their lives. Our auction is targeted at raising funds to contribute to that dream. The amount needed for the completion of the project sums up to NGN250, 648,000. NFB Yard Sale is currently working with Women’s Board Educational Co-operation Society, a not-for-profit NGO set up to contribute to the development of the Nigerian woman through various educational activities. Our involvement with the body is to help with fundraising towards extending and upgrading the facilities of Iroto Catering School which is fully residential, and accommodates young girls from under-privileged backgrounds within the rural settlement around Ijebu-Ode and its environs. During their stay in the school, the students collaborate in various social projects carried out by the Iroto project through various activities directed at improving the family wellbeing of the villagers and assisting the children during the holiday periods through club activities

they organise. After graduation, they are able to get jobs, which enable them to assist their families; thereby improving their standard of living. The auction ran during the last Yard Sale in Lagos on July 24 and was hosted by the fashion and lifestyle blogger, Cassandra Ikegbune of cassiedaves.com.

What lessons do Nigerians need to learn about letting go and helping or supporting others? I think people need to understand that letting go frees you from unnecessary stress. When you let go of things, you have less on your hands and less to worry about. You'll get more breathing space, be able to focus on maximising the fewer things you have, and you'll get the chance to acquire betters thing which will be more useful to you. Like Bryant H McGill said “Abundance is a process of letting go; that which is empty can receive.” I also believe that having the opportunity and being able to do something for someone else without expecting anything in return should be seen as a privilege and something that is immensely satisfying.

Auction is a foreign concept, how have you localised it for Nigerians? True enough, that process of people bidding openly against one another for a particular item is very uncommon, as opposed to the regular buying and selling. However, since it involves something they can connect to, which is the local expansion project, as well as the items donated by people within the What else are you involved in? I'm largely involved in the creative industry. immediate society, it's easier to getting people to buy into the idea of participating in the Regularly, I work as a content strategist, which basically involves helping digital brands create auction. streamlined, valuable content on the web. Talking about sustainability, how do you That covers editorial strategy, brand and style intend to ensure that more Nigerians guidelines, maximising the impact of content through web/digital information such as web embrace it? I think achieving sustainability is a gradual pages, blog posts, social media conversations, process, and I don't intend to do it alone. email newsletters. In a nutshell, it's about Instead I'm working towards involving the getting the right content to the right user at community throughout the life cycle of this the right time through strategic planning of project. Because I believe we can all learn content creation, delivery, and governance, from each other. I also believe that the way while ensuring that the content is readable, sustainable practices are presented make all understandable, and shareable in all of its the difference, which is why even though various forms. I've also done freelance writpeople are selling pre-owned clothes, I urge ing for publications such as Guardian Life them to only sell the things that are still in and Trade Nigeria Magazine. I work as a great condition and also it has to be presented fashion and portrait photographer as well, neatly. It should appear good and new as and I've previously covered Ghana Fashion people don't like buying substandard clothing and Design week, including three years of items. I also reach out to people to share tips the Lagos Fashion and Design week which and lessons on shopping on a budget, and was previously supported by Guarantee Trust building a relatable wardrobe. All of that is Bank and currently by Heineken, here in targeted at helping people see how they can Nigeria. consume less, but still get great returns. It's How can young people like you impact all going to be a gradual process. the society more? How many individuals and organisations There are so many ways to go about that. And a lot of people are already working hard to do you have on board? We are targeting a market of young profes- help change our society for the better. A lot sionals, creative entrepreneurs, students, fashion of it has to do with young people providing enthusiasts and even working women and technological solutions to social problems, as mothers. Currently we have over 20 online well as starting up their own enterprises to media brands supporting us including help create much-needed alternatives.

36/COLLAGE

29.07.2016

Newly wedded couple, Mr. and Mrs Adekunle Adeniyi Adeleke, (middle), flanked by the Groom's Parents Mr and Mrs. Adeleke (left) the officiating Clerics and Bride's Parents, Mr and Mrs. Charles Oladeinde Williams, during the Solemnisation of their marriage at the Wesley Catheral Olowogbowo, Lagos... recently

L-R: Members, Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association (AGSOBA) 8591 set, Adewale Ademoye; President, Oludare Olateju; Jamiu Owodeyi, Kunle Ogunmefun and Shodipo Shodunke, during the school’s 108th anniversary, in Abeokuta, Ogun State…recently

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (left), with the newly ordained Bishop of Ihiala Anglican communion, His Lordship, Most Rev. Prof. Isreal Okoye( right) and other clergy men after his ordination at Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Ikeja, Lagos... recently

L-R: Assistant Inspector Genera of Police S.L Gambo; Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Agbolahor Austin and Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole during the decoration of Austin as a Commissioner of Police in Abuja… recently KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R; Mr. Adedayo Badejo; Celebrant, Michael Alade Badejo; his Mother, Mrs. Ebun Badejo; Mrs. Kemi Adeyemi; and Miss. Bimpe Badejo, during the graduation ceremony of Michael at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State... recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Senator Patrick Akinyelure,Celebrant, Esther Akinyelure; Pius. O Akinyelure, Senators Gbenga Ashafa and. Olorunnimbe Mamora, during the 70th birthday celebration of Lady Esther Akinyelure in Lagos... recently

L-R: The Commandant, Nigerian Navy Ship Quorra, Commodore Francis Isaac; the Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Gudi; the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed; and the Training Captain, Livingstone Izu, at the graduation ceremony of 71 naval officers from the Officers long course and Sub-Lieutenant Technical course in Lagos....recently

37/THISLIFE

29.07.2016

Justice for Olomofe: One Year On, When is The Change? Peter Nkanga With several unsolved murders, Nigeria ranks 13th on the Committee to Protect Journalists 2015 Global Impunity Index which spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free. Since a return to civil rule in 1999, attacks on the press in Nigeria have been carried out with absolute impunity and downright indifference by successive governments, CPJ findings over the years show. The inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of the ruling All Progressives Congress political party on May 29, 2015 brought with it a hope of change. But the current government is yet to truly demonstrate its commitment to upholding press freedom and freedom of expression by ensuring that attacks on the press don't go unpunished. Of the numerous attacks to have occurred in the past one year under Buhari’s administration, the most emblematic case CPJ has investigated is the attempted murder of Yomi Olomofe, the publisher of the Badagry-based community monthly Prime Magazine, on June 25, 2015, at the premises of the Nigeria Customs Service at Seme border in Lagos State, a boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Senior ranking Customs officers had invited Olomofe and McDominic Nkpemenyie, a correspondent with the Rivers State-funded Tide Newspaper, to their offices at Seme to discuss allegations that customs officers were complicit in corruption and smuggling activities at the border. There, in the full view of the public, over a dozen men beat Olomofe into a coma while armed Customs personnel looked on, CPJ documented at the time. The attack on both journalists came the same month that CPJ on June 3, 2015 wrote a letter to President Buhari calling on him to take action and address the high rate of impunity in violence against journalists. Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina, media aides to Buhari, acknowledged receipt of the letter, but the government, over one year later, is yet to respond. While Nkpemenyie has repeatedly declined to speak publicly on his attack out of fear for his life and family, Olomofe has remained dogged in seeking justice against people he identified to the Police as being part of a deadly smuggling syndicate operating at Seme border and across West Africa. "These hoodlums threatened to kill me to serve as a warning to all journalists from reporting on their illegal activities with the Nigeria Customs," Olomofe told CPJ. "These guys told me they have killed before and nothing has come out of it. That they will kill me and never be prosecuted." On June 30, 2015, Mohammed Ndalati, then Area Comptroller at Seme (now retired), denied ordering the attack to CPJ but said he did not arrest Olomofe's attackers because “the situation was too rowdy”. In July 2015, Wale Adeniyi, Customs national spokesman, in a telephone conversation, told CPJ the leadership of Customs "saw, know, and identified" Mr. Olomofe’s attackers. He promised Customs would cooperate with Police investigations. Following widespread media condemnation, Olomofe told CPJ that days after his assault, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, the Comptroller-General of Customs at the time, called him on July 1, 2015 using Adeniyi's phone, to request a stop to further media reports on the attack which he said were embarrassing him and the Customs service. But Dikko Inde did not ensure the arrest and prosecution of Olomofe's attackers nor the Customs officers involved. By October 2015, Shaibu Aminu, the Investigating Police Officer who handled Olomofe’s case at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, in Lagos State, told CPJ that the leadership of the Customs was blocking Police investigations. CPJ sighted acknowledged copies of letters of invitation showing the Police since July had invited the Customs officers whom Olomofe had identified as been involved in his attack. “I personally went to Seme and invited the Customs officers. The Customs did not

Olomofe...allegedly assaulted by customs officers

honour the invitations. Instead (Wale Adeniyi) their spokesman from Abuja said he would come and settle the matter. He didn't come," Inspector Aminu said. "And being Service officers I cannot just arrest them.” On several occasions since June 27, 2015, Olomofe, personally and through lawyers, petitioned Solomon Arase, the immediate past Inspector General of Police, to arrest and prosecute his attackers and their sponsors. Instead, the police quashed all of Mr. Olomofe’s petitions and made him a suspect. On March 10, 2016, Inspector Aminu lured Olomofe to the Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Alagbon, Lagos State, where he was arrested and detained overnight based on a counter-petition from his assailants to IGP Arase, which accused Olomofe of assaulting and attempting to extort the men who attempted to kill him in June 2015, Olomofe, his lawyer, and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who secured his bail, told CPJ. Olomofe has not been charged to court but remains under threat of arrest by the Police FCID. CPJ's findings reveal there exists a pattern of cover-ups amidst grievous attacks on journalists and media outlets for their critical reporting on Customs, which is Nigeria's third highest revenue generating agency after oil and taxes, according to news reports. In early September 2009, Customs seized and burned thousands of copies of newspapers which reported on the alleged forgery of the educational qualifications of Dikko Inde at the time when he was newly appointed Comptroller-General of Customs, according to media reports. In the same month, on September 20, six unidentified assailants shot dead Bayo Ohu, an assistant Political editor with the private daily The Guardian at his house in Lagos, and took away his laptop and cell phone, according to the journalist's relatives and media reports. The reports state Ohu was working on stories about the alleged certificate forgery of Dikko Inde. This was confirmed by his widow who told CPJ that this information had been passed on to her by senior journalists at The Guardian. Nigerian authorities are yet to find Ohu's killers. A court in 2012 discharged the three suspects accused of killing Ohu upon observing that the Police “abandoned the case and did not turn up”, according to news reports. In October 2010, Innocent Chukwu, the editor of the Lagos-based bi-weekly Tentacle Magazine, was savagely attacked in the premises of the Customs at Seme border after he honoured the invitation of the Area Comptroller for an interview, according to media reports. His attack followed Tentacle Magazine’s latest story on illegal arms importation at ports and border posts under the leadership of Customs boss Dikko Inde. The Customs denied involvement in the attack, news reports said. In both cases of Chukwu and Olomofe, the hierarchy of the Customs and Police ensured their attackers were not brought to justice, both journalists told CPJ. Chukwu told CPJ that the findings of the investigation into his attack by Solomon Arase, then Deputy Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, are not

known. He said Police inaction contributed to him losing the will to continue seeking justice. In March 2016, CPJ wrote to former IGP Solomon Arase calling on him to reverse the ongoing course of injustice against Mr. Olomofe. CPJ approached Arase twice in public, prompting him to reluctantly get Idowu Owohunwa, his Principal Staff Officer, to refer CPJ to Kakwe Christopher Katso, then Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the FCID, the department persecuting Olomofe in favour of his attackers. All through April and May 2016, CPJ sought audience but was not allowed to meet with Katso. Despite repeated phone calls, text messages and meeting with staff of the DIG, including Stanley Kwaphoor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and personal assistant to Katso, no response was given on the merit of the FCID's actions against Olomofe. The Police has also not made known the status of Olomofe’s initial petition against his attackers which were received on July 1, 2015 at both the offices of IGP Arase and DIG Katso, according to acknowledgement copies in CPJ’s possession. In over a year, CPJ has directly and through diplomatic channels reached out to some of the highest authorities in the Police, Customs, including Presidential media aides Shehu and Adesina, and the duo of Adeola Ipaye and Laolu Akande, chief of staff and media aide respectively to Vice President Osinbajo, calling on them to impress on the Police to reverse Olomofe's status from suspect back to complainant and to ensure his attackers and their sponsors are arrested and prosecuted. Despite requesting and receiving comprehensive details with unimpeachable evidence to support Olomofe's case, there has been no change in Olomofe's status. Nigerian journalists told CPJ that they believe there is a grand conspiracy by Nigerian authorities to cover up many highly placed individuals. A journalist covering security institutions told CPJ in confidence of several petitions sent to past Nigerian presidents, Attorney-Generals, ministers, and heads of security agencies, against the hierarchy of Customs which were at best never diligently investigated. One of such petitions was from the Nigerian Customs Transparency Initiative group to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in July 2015. Amongst several allegations, the group accused the Police FCID of persecuting the whistleblower who reported the case of Dikko Inde’s alleged certificate forgery, according to media reports. “This is a grand case of corruption and criminal activities that cuts across Nigeria’s borders. And bringing Olomofe’s attackers to justice would mean that they could spill the beans on their Customs collaborators who have over the years shared their illegal financial proceeds with so many people in the present and past governments.” CPJ believes Olomofe faces serious threat to his life as his attackers, who know where he and his family live, have recurrently sent people to deflate his will to continue seeking justice. CPJ is in possession of a written request from Olomofe seeking Police protection for himself and his family which was acknowledged by

the Lagos State Commissioner of Police on June 30, 2015. The Police did not honour the request, Olomofe said. Nigerian authorities need to realise that their action or inaction in failing to prosecute Olomofe’s attackers and their sponsors is aiding and abetting a smuggling syndicate involved in the illegal trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, persons, hard drugs, fake pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited items along Seme border and across West Africa. Emmanuel Osita Okereke, the director general of the National Taskforce against illegal importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), at a press briefing in December 2015, revealed how Samuel Madubuike, a licenced Customs clearing agent and owner of Sam Express Cargo Services Ltd, cleared over 22 trucks of arms and ammunition which were illegally imported into the country in collaboration with Dikko Inde and Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), a former National Security Adviser, and subsequently delivered to the Islamist terror group Boko Haram, according to news reports. Okereke confirmed this to CPJ in May 2016. Dasuki is currently facing trial for allegedly looting $2.1 billion in funds meant to fight Boko Haram, the reports said. Anti-graft agencies are currently investigating Dikko Inde over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, theft, abuse of office and living above legitimate means, according to media reports. Olomofe told CPJ he identified Madubuike to the Police as one of the men behind the attempt on his life. In CPJ's possession are court documents of a civil law suit Olomofe filed against his attackers which state that Madubuike was present during the meeting Olomofe and Nkpemenyie held with Customs, and who witnessed their assault on June 25. Others implicated in the court documents are Emmanuel Nkemdirim, a deputy Customs comptroller (now retired); Ernest Olottah, Seme Customs Command spokesman (now retired), and Ibrahim Turaki, an Assistant Customs Comptroller in charge of imports at Seme border. Justice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos State, has fixed September 29, 2016 to rule on the application to relist the civil suit which was struck out on June 16, 2016 on behalf of counsels to Customs and Olomofe’s alleged attackers, according to media reports. Olomofe is praying the court to declare that Madubuike alongside his identified attackers and Customs collaborators infringed on his rights to life, freedom of expression and the press, and award special and exemplary damages against them. On July 4, 2016, CPJ held a meeting with Waheed Odusile, the president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and Deji Elumoye, the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the NUJ. It was resolved that the NUJ would deliver a written petition to Ibrahim Idris, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, calling on him to depart from his predecessor's antecedent and ensure justice for Olomofe. "We will seek audience with the IGP to personally deliver the letter to him," said Odusile, who is also the president of the Federation of African Journalists. "We will stand in solidarity with Olomofe because a threat or attack to one is a threat to all." CPJ believes that as the current Nigeria government strives to tackle the country's socio-economic and political challenges, it can send a strong statement that it is resolute in fighting crime, corruption and ending acts of impunity against journalists by ensuring Olomofe gets the justice he seeks and that his attackers and sponsors are promptly arrested and duly prosecuted. Anything other than this would sadly re-affirm that Nigeria remains a dangerous place where journalists can be killed and their killers go free, a repugnant record Nigeria currently holds for the third year in a row on CPJ's Impunity Index. Nkanga, is the West Africa Representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists He can be reached at pnkanga@cpj.org. Follow him on Twitter @nkanga_p and @africamedia_CPJ

38/OPINION

29.07.2016

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

Email lekantodun@yahoo.com

Tel 07058069255

Test of Government’s Ability

uring a visit to Ghana recently, I asked my Ghanaian host, who was taking me through some fascinating places I had missed on my previous visits to the country, why the streets were clearly free of menacing security gates and guards and why most of the buildings were constructed without extra designs consciously made against robbers and burglars. His response was straight and profound. "The fact is our successive governments are very awake to their primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens; and ensuring the welfare of all and sundry, particularly the needy," he said. This made me pause for a moment. Of course my friend knew the reason for my silence because he had been to Nigeria several times. And he has, through his many experiences from Nigeria, created a thoughtful joke about what he witnessed on those journeys. He is fond of saying jocularly at every opportunity that the time usually spent with security guards in Nigeria, who often speak through holes from gates that can barely show their full facial details, when subjecting you to numerous questions on your visit to the house or confirming your appointment with the boss (Oga) who you have come to meet in the house, can either get you badly beaten by rain or robbed by a robber in transit. Jokes apart, there are underlying truths in this fellow’s humour. Many Nigerians have resorted to self-protection in the face of government’s inability to keep up with its fundamental obligations of securing lives and property. Therefore citizens continue to live in fear and paranoiato the point of unwittingly leaving loved ones who have come visiting to the vagaries of the unsafe streets while spending forever on their “background checks” through the sometimes overzealous gatekeepers. Whereas these unfortunate instances are foreign to many African countries including

President Buhari

our neighbour – Ghana, people use the development of the West and the years it took most advanced democracies to justify our failings in this present time where interconnectedness of the world and technology has made solutions to challenges quite straightforward to reach. I find that absolutely illogical! Or would it make any sense to say because Germany, that has obviously been over-burdened by the recent influx of refugees into her country, is now facing difficulties in catering for those additional numbers should serve as a justification for Nigerian government's inability to solve the problems of its internally displaced citizens otherwise known as Internationally Displaced Persons (IDPs)? Truly, circumstances like these are always a perfect ground to measure the capability of government and its commitment to the primary responsibility of ensuring the welfare of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable members of the larger population. The reports emanating from the IDP camps in Nigeria are as astonishing, unfortunate and shameful as one can imagine. Relevant

international and local bodies have raised the alarm on the imminent famine in the Boko Haram ravaged North-east of the country if necessary actions are not taken against the rising incident of malnutrition within the camps. The US-based Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has stated that more than three million people in the region were in need of urgent assistance. “Information from recent rapid assessments, although limited and not statistically representative, also raises the possibility that a famine could be occurring in the worst affected and less accessible pockets of the state,” said FEWS NET. Similarly, the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has said nearly 250,000 children under five could suffer from severe acute malnutrition in Borno alone this year, and 50,000 could die if nothing was done. Also, the renowned humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that a humanitarian catastrophe was underway in northeastern Nigeria’s war-torn Borno State. It said that at least 188 people had died mainly from diarrhoea and malnutrition at a camp in Bama in the four weeks that preceded June 22. And noted that at least 500,000 people were in urgent need of food, medical care, water, and shelter and therefore called for a major aid response. These are certainly negative signs in an economy that is struggling to gain its footing and desperately in need of investments especially from the international circle. I reckon with this, any serious investor would not think twice before making its final investment decision against the direction of Nigeria that is faced with insecurity and discouraging social distractions. It is actually so disheartening that while there has been huge concerns on the state of the IDPs and the possibility of outbreak of diseases, disturbing details of alleged diversion of funds and materials provided for the IDPs in various parts of the country have also become

subject of discussion in the public. One would have expected that if a government has shown incapacity to fulfill one of its fundamental social contracts with its people, it should at least demonstrate capability to manage and protect items and resources provided by charitable groups and individuals to supportin alleviating the suffering of the people. The reports that some phoney civil society groups and non-governmental organisations claiming to be working for the interest of the IDPs were involved in the wicked activities of diverting and plundering the resources of the hapless people are heavy indictments of irresponsibility on the part of the government agencies that are meant to coordinate the activities of the IDP camps. Also, reading that some officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were caught changing the bags in which rice procured by government, generous Nigerians, and foreign donors for the IDPs were sold, shows not just how deeply corruption has penetrated the system, but also how some public servants have completely lost their sense of humanity. And imagine, with about 2.152 million IDPs, as of December 31 last year, according to Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, an independent, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, with headquarters in Geneva, Nigeria is said to have the highest number of displaced persons in Africa. So reversing this ugly trend will be a major test on the ability of this government to bring change, provide succour to the needy when it is most desperately needed and protect the lives and property of the population. And like my friend would say, if Ghana can considerably achieve this, it is senseless peering through the history of countries far away to count the years they endured before arriving at a state of sound development to cover up for our inconceivable incompetence to tackle simple social problems.

Using Agriculture to Fight Malnutrition Odimegwu Onwumere In June 2016, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), MSF, in a declaration, alerted that about 24,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, were in calamitous health conditions of which 30 people, who were children, were dying every day in their camps. That was coming after two weeks the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima paid a visit to Bama camp leading to reports that hundreds of malnourished persons recently rescued from Boko Haram confinement were dying in a camp in Bama. Nigeria gaps for breath to curb her indices of malnourished persons with available statistics indicating that over two billion people in the world undergo diverse forms of malnutrition. Nutrition experts GA Nkwocha, KU Anukam, ON Oguoma, and VI Nkwocha are worried that the fundamental causes of malnutrition in Nigeria are poverty, inadequate food production, inadequate food intake, ignorance and uneven distribution of food, poor food preservation techniques, improper preparation of foods, food restrictions and taboos, and poor sanitation. In an analysis, they relay that there is an increase of mild to moderate symptoms of malnourished persons in Nigeria, making the country to be suffering from a near crumple of nutrition health freedom services. Different surveys, according to them, of nutritional evaluation in Nigeria divulge low intakes of protein, energy, iron, calcium, zinc, thiamin, and riboflavin in almost all age groups and in both sexes. Hence, they are worried that malnutrition and related diseases such as diarrhea, measles,

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Developmen, Chief Audu Ogbeh

anemia, and gastroenteritis are the cause of most deaths in infants and young children. The nutritionists opine that their fear is that with the estimated increase of the world’s population from six billion to more than 7.5 billion by 2020, Nigeria may be suffering untold malnutrition if increase in meat intake is not taken seriously. Biotechnology In 2013, participants at the 10th anniversary of African Agricultural Technology Foundation, AATF seminar showed anxiety, saying that Nigeria’s quest of accomplishing food satisfactoriness in proceeding years can only be hinged on the implementation of biotechnology (otherwise called Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs) in the agricultural sector. The then President Goodluck Jonathan was persuaded and his government set up

a committee to inspect the much anticipated Biosafety Bill as passed by the National Assembly before he could sign it into law. ‘‘The project would ensure Nigeria is self sufficient in the production of rice and would boost the countries revenue,’’ then Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Tijani said in his remarks. Adesina said in Addis Ababa at the High Level Meeting of AU Heads of State and Government on “unified approach to end hunger in Africa by 2025” that the Nigerian Government had announced plans to swell the use of bio-fortified crops, such as provitamin `A’ cassava and orange-flesh sweet potato to address the hunger situation being faced by some 13 million people. “Much progress is being made, we are mindful that we still have challenges of malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies to tackle. Nigeria still has 13 million people suffering from hunger, and malnutrition is still high,” Adesina said. It’s gathered that biotechnology seeks out to harness agricultural practices by making it cost successful, productivity increment and lessening gaps that are not favourable to agriculture. Views are that the initiative is a gateway to competence building, job creation, poverty eradication and alleviation of malnutrition. Seeing the importance of biotechnology, the United Nations Economic and Social commission for western Asia Cooperation with International Labour Organisation (ILO) are at the forefront in crusading that countries should adopt the technology. The international bodies believe that countries that adopt a better approach to biotechnology, genetic engineering, biomaterials and informatics being the four novel

technologies in using agriculture to fight malnutrition will not lag in economic and social capacity development. A Director-General of NABDA and Chairman, Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology, Professor Bamidele Solomon, was of the view that the development would positively answer the question that the country was looking for to arrest “food security, job/wealth creation, affordable healthcare delivery and sustainable economic environment.” The professor added that with the Biosafety Bill, “The law will also facilitate risk assessment exercises, monitoring and enforcement measures relevant to import, export, transboundary movement of the products of modern biotechnology, laboratory, and field testing/use of modern biotechnology including handling, control, monitoring and release of biotech products.’’ It’s understood that not only the development, but also sustaining agriculture through the deployment of biotechnology tools such as culture, molecular breeding and genetic engineering to a wider audience will take the country so far in curbing malnutrition. “One of their key projects in Nigeria is the development of nitrogen-use, water efficient and salt tolerant rice. This is key because Nigeria is the second largest importer of rice in the world, about two million metric tons of rice from countries like Thailand and China. Onwumere, is a Rivers State based poet, writer and consultant and winner, in the digital category, Nordica Media Merit Awards 2016, Lagos. He also won the International Award for Excellence in Journalism 2016, Geneva. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

When CVL Empowered Ajegunle Youths Determined to tackle the problem of youth unemployment, the Centre for Values in Leadership along with its partners recently provided entrepreneurship training for 100 youths in Ajegunle community, a popular slum in Lagos State, Peace Obi reports

A cross section of graduands

outh empowerment is one project successive governments in the country have initiated and aspired to achieve because of the belief that empowerment of every nation’s youth is a gateway to helping people realise their creative and productive energies to achieve sustainable growth, improve their living standards. Thus, it has been discovered to be a potent tool for poverty alleviation, economic growth and national development. As such, different administrations in the country have often initiated various youth empowerment programmes aimed at equipping the youths with various entrepreneurial skills that they will engage in and become self-reliant and shun all manner of vices in the society. Aside efforts of governments at different tiers in this regard, philanthropists, social groups and non-governmental organisations often support government’s effort with their own vocational and skills acquisition programmes. These programmes are targeted at equipping the youths with various skills that will enable them be self-employed, create wealth and provide employment opportunity to their fellow youths. CVL takes entrepreneurship training to Ajegunle One of these non-governmental organisations that complements government’s efforts in youth empowerment is Centre for Values in Leadership, a non-profit organisation founded by Professor Pat Utomi. The Centre along with its partners, Citi Foundation, officials of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Nigeria Youth Assembly and supporting banks – Bank of Industry (BOI), Heritage Bank, recently in Lagos presented business start-up kits to 100 youths in the Ajegunle area of Lagos. Having the vision to empower young people with leadership skills and values that will enable them make lasting contributions in every sphere of life as its driving force, CVL

in December 2015 landed in Ajegunle with its Young Entrepreneurship Training Programme (YETP) to wrestle youth unemployment in the most popular slum in Lagos. The YETP being one of the many corporate social responsibility initiatives by CVL was specifically designed to enhance the capacity of community-based youths in Ajegunle who are between the ages of 18-35 years. People who are running small businesses or have the intention to own and run sustainable enterprise. With the unusual opportunity parading the streets of Ajegunle with 1,000 fliers and 500 application forms, youth of all sizes, tribes and varying educational background rose in their dexterity to vie for the available seats. Armed with their applications, over 300 applicants indicated their interest to participate in the entrepreneurship training

If you put the right things into the people, that population will become a competitive advantage. It is that motivation that has brought us into this community with the certainty that if we put the right things (knowledge and skills) into the people to transform them from statistics to human capital, we can transform our country and reap the huge demographic dividend. That is why we are here

meant to accommodate only 100 youths of the densely populated slum in Ajeromi Local government Area of Lagos State. Kicking off the one-year project on December 8, 2015, the participants were meant to undergo two months entrepreneurship training as well as a two-month business mentorship programme. As part of the basic training for all participants includes managerial skills, corporate governance, record and book keeping and all it takes to start a small business and run a sustainable business enterprise. The training which covered a wide range of entrepreneurial and vocational skills provided participants with knowledge in areas such as fish farming, catering and event management, movie production, fashion and designing, bead making and wire work, hair dressing and make up, oil and gas, among others. Taking the participants on some rudiments of business management, threw to them a rare opportunity of visiting the prestigious Lagos Business School. And to avail them some practical experience on the training received in different trade, a two-month business mentorship programme where participants underwent internship with some appointed business mentors in various business lines was arranged. To transform populations to demographic dividends Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the first 100 beneficiaries of YETP after completing entrepreneurship training in various areas of their choices, Professor Pat Utomi revealed the reason for choosing Ajegunle for the training programme to be the desire to transform the huge population of Ajegunle into a huge demographic dividend. Utomi who observed a shift in the paradigm of big-figurepopulation, formerly considered as a threat to wealth and quality of life to now being recognised by economists as instruments for social and economic development, said that the new approach is achievable only when people are equipped with the right skills.

According to him, “today many economists are talking about demographic dividend. Many years ago, populations were considered a threat and people recommended all kinds of family planning to make sure there are fewer people so that wealth and quality of life can go on.” Stressing how the modern approach to big-figure populations goes with the CVL’s vision and idea for youth empowerment, Utomi said that its target is to transform demographic statistics of Ajegunle into human capital capable of tackling the problem of youth unemployment, engender self reliance, social and economic development. According to him, no society leaves a significant number of its people behind and hopes to prosper or experience real development. “If you put the right things into the people, that population will become a competitive advantage. It is that motivation that has brought us into this community with the certainty that if we put the right things (knowledge and skills) into the people to transform them from statistics to human capital, we can transform our country and reap the huge demographic dividend. That is why we are here,” Utomi said. Lack of training bane of business failures Identifying lack of proper training to be a major factor responsible for business failures, especially among small and medium enterprises, Utomi disclosed that “what is the biggest problem in our country where we have entrepreneurial spirit running very strong is that because people do not receive proper training on how to manage a business, many who could have been very successful will not turn out to be as successful as they should be.” And with the strong believe that values and leaderships can transport people from places of disadvantage to locations of top play and superior performance, he said CVL would remain committed to the project even after the graduation ceremony. According to him,

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

L-R Mr. Olufemi Williams, Prof Pat Utomi, Engr. Adenrele Afolabi and Comrade Olajide George, at the graduation ceremony

Other graduands

CVL hopes to sustain the dividends from the training through monitoring and supervision. “We have to continue by putting them in an alumni programme through which we will continue to make other input. We planned that through alumni association, we might even be able to create clusters down the line where we can provide basic infrastructure, technology, and support services,” Utomi assured. The Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju, who praised the graduands’ resilience for the successful completion of their training programme urged them to put the knowledge gained into work. Represented by the Lagos Regional Head, Mr. Obaro Osah, the MD assured the graduands of the bank’s support, especially in building up their businesses. Urging them to employ the managerial skills they learnt in the course of running their businesses, such as corporate governance, record and book keeping, among others. He said adherence to these principles would aid business growth and survival and that it would serve as basis for the bank’s intervention. “CVL is one of our business development support providers, so, we are fully in support of the efforts to empower Ajegunle youths. So what we are doing today in collaboration with CVL is to see how we can play our little role to address the challenge by providing support for SMEs, entrepreneurs. Providing business and finance supports so that they can employ themselves and one or two persons. The more that is done in any economy, the better for that economy to grow and move forward. “Support essentially can come as finance, business advisory, mentoring, coaching. All these are the basic elements required for anyone to do run a business. Some of the problems with the SMEs are lack of good documentation and well written business plan. They don’t know how to separate their private expenditure from business expenditure. So, from the business advisory and mentoring, it can help people to have proper business model, proper business tactics and how best to run a business,” Olagunju noted. Continuous support assured Commending the CVL’s initiative, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode advised the graduands to make maximum

A cross section of traditional rulers at the graduation ceremony

Some of the start-up kits for various trades

use of the opportunity the training has brought their way. According to him, “this is an opportunity for you to excel in life. Move on and make a difference with this privilege and opportunity presented to you by this initiative,” Ambode charged the graduands. The governor who was represented by a director in the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Olabisi Boco hinted that the Ambode administration has set aside N25 billion employment trust fund for all Lagosians as part of the state’s approach towards tackling youth unemployment, which can be applied for both business start-up and expansion purposes A harvest of talents With the Abayomi Hall located at the heart of Ajegunle filled with mostly AJ City residents, talents were on display. And renowned for being rich in human resource, who are also visibly active in different fields of endeavours such as entertainment, sports, corporate establishments, among others reverberated at the graduation ceremony. It became obvious why the organisers did not have the need to hire either a comedian or a music artiste to keep the audience lively because sieving through the graduands were some hidden talents. And among these graduates was a music/paint artiste, Mr. Otun Temitayo, who entertained the audience with some of his numbers. While

With what I have learnt, I am empowered to even train people. I used to be a house wife and I have tried my hands in several businesses and not much success has been recorded but with level of exposure this programme has given me, I am confident that I am finally in a line of business that I will succeed in

a 100-man graduand choir rendered a special number titled “Nigeria will rise up again” that left the audience thrilled and enchanted. Thrilled by the sonorous rendition, and as the echoes of hope for the country filled the air, the audience rose in solidarity. Sharing his experience with THISDAY, the multi-talented Otun Temitayo who also presented a painted photograph of the CVL founder said it was his token of appreciation to Prof. Utomi for the wealth of knowledge that he gained during the training period. Temitayo who said he could not wait to apply the newly acquired knowledge to push his business to the next level disclosed that the entrepreneurship training exposed him to some managerial skills, marketing strategies and business tactics that he was sure would change the face of his business. According to Temitayo, “I am an artist. I do painting and I am also a song writer and singer. This training has opened my eyes to different marketing strategies, how to go about my painting business, market my brand name and make it more popular. “Very soon, I should be organising a solo business exhibition where I will put out my artworks and where I can also reach out to people because part of the training that I received was how to reach out to people. The training has empowered for more creative work, interaction with people,” Temitayo disclosed. For Ogechi Amaefule, a house wife whose family finances had hampered her dream of undergoing training in her desired line of trade, saw the CVL’s YETP as a divine intervention. Identifying lack of knowledge a major source of failure in business, she said that the training she received in catering and related field has not only prepared her to run a sustainable business but has equally empowered her to train others. “I undergo training in catering services. In fact, it has added value to my life and I am looking forward to establishing my own business and put the knowledge I have gathered into work. “With what I have learnt, I am empowered to even train people. I used to be a house wife and I have tried my hands in several businesses and not much success has been recorded but with level of exposure this programme has given me, I am confident that I am finally in a line of business that I will succeed in,” Amaefule said.

Describing the training as an awesome experience, Mr. Hazmat Hassan who told THISDAY that he registered to be trained in oil and gas business with a special interest in kerosene business, said everyday of the training had new knowledge to offer. “From the day one of the training to the end, it has been new knowledge all the way. Even when we went for internship, the company actually gave me a thorough exposure. “Initially, I thought all I needed was just how to do the kerosene business but when I was undergoing internship, I was made to understand that as long as oil business is concerned every aspect must be touched, that none is not done in an isolation.” Hassan who was visibly elated declared, “Sincerely I am impressed! As I speak to you now I now know better than I knew about oil business before now. I have seen people who are into this business here in Ajegunle and I want to strongly say with the knowledge I have, I will do excellently well. As it is whatever I do now, is as a result of the knowledge I acquired during this training. And I will put every knowledge this training has afforded me into this business to make it a success”. Poised to excel and as well keep the legacy the CVL has left in AJ City through its entrepreneurship training, Hassan said, “It is not a competition, while undergoing the training, I kept telling my colleagues that I will be best among them all. As it is, I already have a space. I have written every necessary thing I needed for the business. I am ready, I just need the empowerment to kick off. If this programme continues, I see poverty in this area of Lagos State eradicated.” The Baale of Ayetoro, Saheed Adesegun in a goodwill message and on behalf of the traditional rulers in the Ajegunle community thanked the organisers for their kind consideration. Nothing that the entrepreneurship training was not the first CSR project Prof. Utomi was bringing to the community, Adesegun said that the entire Ajegunle community would ever remember him for good. The royal father noted that the programme will go a long way in tackling the problem of youth unemployment and crime in the area. “With a programme like that provides skills and empowerment to the people, it will reduce the level of crime, prostitution and poverty in our community,” Adesegun said.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 T H I S D AY

ADVERTORIAL

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Humanity, Religion, & Peace: Finding Common Ground – 2 Continued from last week

Mufti Shuaibullah Khan/ilmgate.com

Terrorism is violence committed against non-military targets to attain certain political objectives. For this reason, terrorism means making innocent people victims of acts of violence without any provocation or moral justification. Among the victims, there could be those people who do not approve and condone the acts of injustice done by their respective governments, and making them the targets of any act of violence goes against all norms of civilized behavior. The criminals who carry out these acts are guilty of spreading mischief and violence on this earth irrespective of their religious labels. The Holy Qur’an, which is a universal book revealed to all of mankind acts as a guide for human beings, leading them to the true path that leads a person to win the pleasure and approval of Allah by our good deeds. In His book, Allah commands all human beings and Muslims to adopt good morals. This morality should be based upon positive concepts such as love, compassion, tolerance, harmony, and mercy to those from other religions. Islam is a religion revealed to mankind with the purpose of constructing a peaceful and harmonious life. The values set by the Holy Qur’an hold a Muslim responsible for the way he treats all people whether they are Muslim or nonMuslim. Additionally the Qur’an absolutely forbids every Muslim from committing any act of mischief and misconduct, which comprises all forms of anarchy, chaos, and terror that threaten the security, comfort, and peace of their surroundings. The Holy Qur’an clearly states, “Allah does not love corruption.” (Qur’an 2:205) Wickedness in all forms has been plainly condemned in unambiguous terms, and Allah has commanded all human beings and Muslims to avoid committing all kinds of evils: murder, bloodshed, oppression, and cruelty amongst themselves and upon others. In the present age when acts of terrorism, genocide, and massacres occur all over the world and where innocent people are being savagely killed; and countries which are unsafe, ought to be made secure and safe by upholding the morality preached by the Holy Qur’an. For a Muslim who fears Allah, believes in the Last Day, and has grasped the true morality of Islam, it is impossible to support violence or terror or to take part in such actions in a direct or an indirect manner. And that is why the religion of Islam is the true solution against the acts of terrorism that are practiced by people on one another. When the magnificent morality of the Qur’an is explained to people in its precise form – in the language in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed along with its translations – then it will be impossible for people to connect the message of true Islam with those who support or join extremist groups that aim at spreading hatred amongst people and aim for chaos to reign in the place of peace and harmony on those people co-existing together in a society. The first thing that needs to be done to rid the world of the present day insecurity that exists among people and root out terrorism in all its forms, wherever it is practiced on this earth, is to educate people on the teachings in the Holy Qur’an in order to do away with deviant beliefs that are put forward in the name of religion and to teach people the true Qur’anic morality that should be practiced by all believing Muslims, and acquaint them with the basic Islamic principles. Every Muslim should strive to bring good to their surroundings for a Muslim is he who abides by the commands of Allah, tries scrupulously to live by Qur’anic morality, peace, and harmony which makes the world a more beautiful place than what it was before and leads it on the path to betterment

and progress, and not to work towards destructive ends. His aim should be to lead people to beauty, goodness, and well-being based upon the principles which are taught in the Holy Qur ’an and he should strive to do his utmost to reach out to those members of the non-Muslim community and acquaint them with the basic tenets of Islam and its lofty teachings. The following steps should be taken to establish peace in the world: The world community must take the opportunity to [lessen] the widening gap – increasing by the day between Muslims and non-Muslims – and find common grounds where there can be a free exchange of thoughts between the members of different communities and attempt to bridge the gulf by trying to find common grounds between the followers of different religions. They should attempt to study the religious books and history of other nations to find out the best examples from them through which people can learn to live with one another setting aside their differences and peacefully interchange with each other their views, learning from one another the fears and apprehensions that divide them, and shed away all prejudices once it becomes clear that there is a lot of room left in the world for people to happily co-exist with one another while respecting all those beliefs found in the various religious doctrines of the world by gathering the word of God – His Universal Message – that is still extant among the other religious doctrines of the world. The presentation of true Islamic faith must become widespread among Muslims who should consider themselves duty-bound to present to the non-Muslims the message of Islam in a positive light in order to get rid of the myths, the age-old beliefs, prejudices, and hatred that is nursed in the hearts of people by pseudo-intellectuals and the selfstyled experts of the Holy Qur’an. The basic Qur’anic teachings should be preached in such a way that they should see them as a lasting solution to many of the problems plaguing the world community in areas of human rights, high morality, spirituality, and social justice. Every Muslim should strive to lead his life in action on the teachings preached by the Holy Qur’an, and as it was demonstrated to them during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet Muhammad – the last Messenger of Allah and the Benefactor of the entire humanity – and painstakingly documented by other Muslims to the last detail in the numerous books of Hadith and the Srah (biographies) written on his life by leading Islamic scholars of the past and the present days. Islamic education should be made a part of every school curriculum and efforts must be made towards educating the world community at large about the basic tenets of the religion of Islam. Bigotry and prejudice must be removed from the minds of all communities after attempting to find common grounds which the final religion of Allah – Islam – shares with other religious doctrines and it should be taught that peace and stability among different civilizations may be attained only through living by the good values that Islam shares with the other religions of the world. It should be attempted to convey the beautiful teachings of Islamic religion to the whole mankind. Every Muslim should try to disseminate the true teachings of Islam to all non-Muslim friends and colleagues and present before them the true face of Islam, and they will be surprised to find that they [share many common grounds…]. All these solutions [are in hopes] that people will grasp Islamic values and be able to rid themselves of any prejudices they hold against Islam. Thus people will truly acknowledge that the dissemination of Islamic values is an excellent way of attaining the much sought-after world peace.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Naira Appreciates to N322.85/$1 on Interbank Market Obinna Chima The naira exchange rate pared some of the losses recorded against the dollar during the week as it climbed to N322.85 to a dollar yesterday, stronger than the N330.12 to a dollar it had closed on Wednesday as the market continued on the path of price discovery. On the other hand, the parallel market rate of the naira was unchanged yesterday as it closed at N378 to a dollar. In a strong bid to tame inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria had on Tuesday raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR),

otherwise known as interest rate, by 200 basis points to 14 percent from 12 percent. It also assured Nigerians of the stability of the banking sector, saying whilst it was poised to deal ruthlessly with any misdemeanour and malpractice, the recent removal of some banks chiefs was not a sign of distress. It also left Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Liquidity Ratio (LR) unchanged at 22.50 per cent and 30 per cent respectively as well as retained the Asymmetric Window at +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR. A former Chief Executive

Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, had on Wednesday welcomed the liberalisation of the forex market. He had argued that it may be necessary to place a one year minimum tenor on repatriation of all CCI (Certificate of Capital Importation) transactions to discourage entry of hot money. He urged Nigerians to support the CBN for the forex market to settle and achieve the desired objectives of the new regime. “Hopefully the rates at which the market will settle will ultimately result in improve liquidity in the forex market,” he added.

Diamond Bank Posts Half-year Profit Drop Diamond Bank Plc yesterday released its half year 2016 unaudited financial results. It revealed that its profit after tax dropped to N9.1billion at the end of June 2016, from N12.155 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. The results also showed that its profit before tax during the period under review also plunged to N10.5billion, as against the N14.193billion recorded in the comparable period of 2015. However, the interim report and accounts of the bank for the first six months of the year also showed that its total comprehensive income rose by 13.3 per cent year-on-year to N16.3billion as against N14.4billion recorded in comparable period of 2015. Non-interest income also surged by 33.4 per cent to N26.5billion, reflecting the successful efforts targeted at improving this income line and also the focused strategy of management, which were sharpened at improving

digital functionality and widening financial inclusion. The bank improved on its credit creation by 28.6 per cent as loans and advances to customers grew from N763.6billion in the comparable period of last year to N982.3billion. Also, loans to other banks jumped by 30.7 per cent to N78.5billion in first half of 2016, from N60.1billion in the corresponding period last year, while its retail customers grew to over 13 million with seven million of these opening accounts in the last two years. Commenting on the results, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Uzoma Dozie, stated that despite the headwinds in the economy, the bank remained resilient and assured that it would sustain the positive growth throughout the second half of the year. According to him, the bank’s strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios plus its digital transformation have rightly positioned it to meet customer

obligations and offer service deliveries that are beyond banking. He said: “With the domestic economy contracting, the Nigerian banking industry has faced a number of challenges over the last six months. Nevertheless, in the first half of 2016, we have remained resilient in weathering these headwinds and there are real bright spots in our income streams, as well as noteworthy cost reduction, which gives us confidence going into the second half of the year. “Due to actions taken and an ongoing prudent approach, our regulatory capital remains strong. This position of strength helped offset the one-off impact of the recent devaluation of the naira, as acknowledged by Fitch Ratings when they affirmed our B rating with a stable outlook. Liquidity of the bank also remains high and is well above the guidance ratio stipulated by CBN.”

CBN Moves to Deepen Payment System Nume Ekeghe The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that attaining the Payment System Vision 2020 (PSV 2020) would be the catalyst to revolutionise the payment system in Nigeria. The Director, Banking and Payment System Department, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, said this at a workshop organised for financial journalists in Lagos yesterday. Represented by the Deputy Director Banking and Payments System Department, Mr. Musa Jimoh, the central bank director

said achieving the PSV 2020 would help facilitate economic activities as well as boost the financial inclusion drive of the CBN. On his part, the Head/ Project Manager, PSV 2020, Mr. Sam Okojere, stressed that the cash-less policy is the future of payments in Nigeria. He noted that the PSV 2020 initiatives are aimed instituting a robust national payment system that is nationally utilised and internationally recognised. They noted that Nigeria has witnessed an impressive growth of electronic payments

and a shift from dominance of cash as a means of payment. Furthermore, they listed the deployment of the real time gross settlement systems where transfer of money or securities takes place from one bank to another on a real time, the adoption of mobile money as a major channel, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account; and migration of all payment cards from magnetic stripe technology to Chip-and-PIN, otherwise known as EMV, as some of the steps towards achieving PSV 2020.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

20,470,436.00

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,040,817.68

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,441,365.03

---- Demand Deposits

7,599,452.65

-- Quasi Money

11,429,618.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,551,714.27

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,918,721.73

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

22,664,815.74

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,782,578.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,991,246.39

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,208,668.38

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,882,237.73

--Other Assets Net

-7,746,094.02

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,758,634.07

--Currency in Circulation

1,811,090.48

--Banks Reserves

3,947,543.59 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

Envoy Restates Commitment to Stock Market Growth

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

Nosa Alekhuogie

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

The United Kingdom’s (UK) Trade Envoy to Nigeria, John Howell, has restated his country’s commitment to continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to expand and improve the stock markets in both countries. He made this call after he sounded the closing gong at the NSE recently. Speaking to journalists briefly, he noted that the first thing that the UK government has done was to appoint him as the Trade Envoy to Nigeria. This, according to him, showed the importance that the UK government attaches to Nigeria.

“There are not many countries in the world that have trade envoy. It is really important getting to know those opportunities, passing them back and for infusing British companies to get involved in the market. It is also a good opportunity for Nigerian companies to get involved in the UK market. We need to look at the increase of prosperity on both sides which is one of the great things I want to achieve. “My visit to the stock exchange is because this is an important stock exchange in this part of Africa and the continent as a whole. It feels good to be here and to share in the workings of the stock exchange and also

closing the bells,” he explained. He further pledged that there would not be any major change in the new administration of the UK, saying that there would be greater focus on the need to make most of the opportunities that are in the country. Howell clarified concerns that had been raised over the likely impact of the Brexit referendum on Nigeria, saying that all that was needed was to focus on the enormous enthusiasm the UK has for doing business abroad. He revealed that there is now a department of international trade to be able to deal and galvanise businesses to be able to look at opportunities overseas.

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY 27, JULY 2016 Vienna, Austria, 28 July 2016--The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $40.49 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $40.62 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

28-July-16 27-July-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

180.06

0.00%

3,068,313,763,344.30

11.57

15.56

5.93

4.44%

4.39

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

138.71

140.00

-0.92%

1,099,845,584,174.48

5.37

26.08

4.02

2.57%

6.51

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

23.50

23.47

0.13%

691,632,711,764.00

3.38

6.95

2.32

7.54%

1.59

850.00

0.00%

673,757,814,200.00

29.95

28.38

4.45

3.41%

17.73

05 Zenith Bank Plc

16.31

16.80

-2.92%

512,076,813,649.66

3.33

5.04

1.26

10.71%

0.85

06 Lafarge Africa Plc

58.00

0.00%

264,184,304,980.00

5.93

9.79

0.99

5.17%

1.50

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

12.93

13.28

-2.64%

237,259,697,209.95

0.71

18.77

0.45

4.67%

0.48

175.50

0.00%

228,585,433,576.50

4.58

38.32

1.80

1.97%

4.97

4.57

0.00%

165,797,435,291.54

1.64

2.78

0.53

13.13%

0.50

297.83

0.00%

164,792,410,520.79

23.48

12.68

1.46

5.35%

0.59

5.51

5.61

-1.78%

159,393,123,686.81

2.48

2.27

0.48

9.80%

0.42

12 Presco Plc

37.00

0.00%

146,907,650,665.00

1.10

33.72

2.03

3.51%

3.49

13 Guinness Nig Plc

94.20

94.00

0.21%

141,854,667,309.60

3.70

25.42

1.25

0.00%

3.19

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

08 Forte Oil Plc. 09 United Bank for Africa Plc 10 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd 11 Access Bank Plc

14 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

13.91

0.00%

139,100,000,000.00

2.04

6.83

1.18

0.72%

1.24

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc

34.65

0.00%

131,072,298,581.25

0.32

109.93

2.21

0.14%

16.38

3.35

3.52

-4.83%

120,249,230,853.20

0.30

11.55

0.25

4.26%

0.21

133.00

0.00%

85,198,518,279.00

11.12

11.96

1.09

1.65%

3.55

18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.99

0.00%

83,880,000,000.00

0.96

7.27

0.83

7.15%

1.36

19 Oando Plc

5.89

6.08

-3.13%

70,883,905,285.66

0.50

12.16

0.13

12.34%

0.46

20 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

50.93

0.00%

67,227,600,000.00

1.85

27.55

0.50

2.95%

2.77

21 International Breweries Plc

19.58

0.00%

64,501,400,902.40

0.64

30.63

3.49

1.28%

5.35

22 Total Nigeria Plc

181.50

0.00%

61,623,213,415.50

11.92

15.23

0.30

7.71%

3.79

23 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

162.00

0.00%

58,416,432,444.00

13.51

11.99

0.91

4.44%

3.80

1.44

1.47

-2.04%

55,758,236,292.00

0.05

28.02

1.40

0.00%

0.65

25 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

21.14

22.01

-3.95%

55,476,374,133.18

5.50

4.01

0.17

9.09%

0.60

26 U A C N Plc

20.73

20.51

1.07%

39,819,518,742.51

2.70

7.60

0.54

4.88%

0.53

27 Diamond Bank Plc

1.60

1.67

-4.19%

37,056,622,348.80

0.18

9.10

0.18

0.00%

0.18

28 Sterling Bank Plc

1.25

1.28

-2.34%

35,988,022,657.50

0.36

3.58

0.33

7.03%

0.39

34.75

34.73

0.06%

33,148,372,500.00

2.76

12.59

3.40

0.29%

2.75

1.14

1.18

-3.39%

33,017,347,688.88

0.47

2.53

0.24

13.56%

0.19

15.02

0.00%

28,210,594,640.80

3.21

4.68

0.84

8.66%

2.73

32 Wema Bank Plc

0.72

0.75

-4.00%

27,773,615,578.32

0.06

12.43

0.63

0.00%

0.63

33 FCMB Group Plc

1.34

1.41

-4.96%

26,535,632,446.54

0.06

24.75

0.19

7.09%

0.17

37.50

0.00%

26,250,000,000.00

2.49

15.09

3.72

3.07%

17.27

2.24

2.35

-4.68%

23,520,000,000.00

0.16

14.84

1.49

2.13%

1.42

36 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

19.42

0.00%

23,223,921,396.96

0.72

27.11

0.75

1.54%

1.74

37 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.83

0.00%

22,527,539,866.85

0.72

5.30

0.71

3.66%

0.82

38 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.02

8.00

0.25%

21,248,495,791.56

0.79

10.07

1.31

6.88%

2.99

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

20.60

0.00%

20,600,000,000.00

3.28

6.28

1.81

0.49%

0.92

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.60

1.65

-3.03%

12,688,316,252.80

0.14

11.68

0.27

9.70%

0.61

41 Unity Bank Plc

1.02

0.00%

11,923,124,700.84

0.54

1.88

0.19

0.00%

0.14

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.00

0.00%

10,372,744,312.00

0.19

5.21

0.51

12.00%

0.63

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.70

0.76

-7.89%

9,716,210,987.00

0.85

0.89

0.08

39.47%

0.07

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

6.99

0.00%

8,784,177,584.34

0.96

7.31

0.67

1.43%

0.87

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

4.00

0.00%

6,496,875,000.00

0.26

15.57

0.79

5.00%

1.06

47 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.53

3.71

-4.85%

6,067,187,482.35

1.81

2.05

0.57

18.87%

0.19

48 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.70

0.72

-2.78%

4,851,143,136.00

0.28

2.60

0.15

6.94%

0.51

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.92

1.93

-0.52%

2,880,000,000.00

0.31

6.30

0.43

2.59%

0.45

16 FBN Holdings Plc 17 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

24 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

29 Okomu Oil Palm Plc 30 Fidelity Bank Plc 31 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

34 Cap Plc 35 Mansard Insurance Plc

TOTAL

9,032,844,319,000.87

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,632,710,701,938.11

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

93.77%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open Close Change % 27-July-16 28-July-16

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

28,205.62 9.69

28,046.96 9.63

-0.56% -0.56%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion) Diamond Bank Plc

116.71 9.09

116.01 9.03

-0.60% -0.60%

3.96

4.08

3.03%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change % 27-July-16 28-July-16

U A C N Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc Guinness Nig Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Okomu Oil Palm Plc

20.51 8.00 94.00 23.47 34.73

20.73 8.02 94.20 23.50 34.75

1.07% 0.25% 0.21% 0.13% 0.06%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 27-July-16 28-July-16

Skye Bank Plc FCMB Group Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited FBN Holdings Plc Mansard Insurance Plc

0.76 1.41 3.71

0.70 1.34 3.53

-7.89% -4.96% -4.85%

3.52 2.35

3.35 2.24

-4.83% -4.68%

Sell pressure resumes as ASI sheds 0.56% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, July 28, 2016 closed bearish as stock market closed red due intense sell pressure. This was further highlighted by negative performances from the NSE sub-sectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. However, trading activities decreased in volume as 270.72 million shares worth N2.29 billion in 4,609 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 488.90 million shares worth 4.43 billion in 4,713 deals exchanged on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms was FBN Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank and Skye Bank Plc while Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with a 0.56% (-158.66) decrease to close at 28,046.96 from 28,205.62 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.63 trillion from N9.69 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with a decrease of 1.03% to close at 116.01 from 116.71 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N9.03 trillion from N9.09 trillion of the previous trading day. A total number of 8 stocks gained on the bourse today while 27 stocks declined, 55 leaving stocks unchanged. U A C N Plc emerged the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 1.07% to close at N20.73 per share. It was followed by National Salt Co. Nig. Plc with a gain of 0.25% to close at N8.02 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Guinness Nig Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Okomu Oil Palm Plc while on the decliners’ list; Skye Bank Plc led with a loss of 7.89% to close at N0.70 per share. It was followed by FCMB Group Plc with a loss of 4.96% to close at N1.34 per share. Others on the losers list include: UACN Property Development Co. Limited, FBN Holdings Plc and Mansard Insurance Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29 , 2016

MARKET NEWS

Caverton Sends Profit Warning, to Record Lower Earnings Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, provider of marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria is expecting to report lower earnings for the half year ended June 30, 2016. In a profit warning notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange

(NSE), Caverton said the lower earnings are being envisaged largely due to the unavoidable impact of the recent Naira devaluation, which took place within the second quarter of the year. According to the company, the impact of the recent devaluation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to result in unrealised foreign translation loss arising largely from the groups’ dollar denominated

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

borrowing used to finance core assets in both its Helicopter and Marine businesses. “We continue to focus our efforts on diversifying and increasing our revenue streams and also improving our profitability through expansion into higher margin offshore service offerings. Management is confident that its ongoing initiatives and investment across its value chain will provide improved future performance, positioning

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

it for long term success,” the company said. Caverton had recorded a decline of about 36 per cent in profit before tax (PBT) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. PBT fell from N2.501 billion to N2.334 billion. The company’s fortunes are being affected by the challenges facing its clients in the oil and gas sector due to the fall of crude oil price at the international market, a situation

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

that made the company mull diversification of its operations. Speaking on the strategy, Group Chief Executive Officer of Caverton, Mr. Bode Makanjuola had said: “We are working tirelessly to broaden our service offerings through diversification into other sectors, as well as geographically into newer markets in a bid to boost our non-oil and gas revenues.” He disclosed that in the first quarter, the company success-

fully signed a new five-year contract in its helicopter operations to manage and operate a fleet of aircraft for the Lagos State Government. He disclosed that the company was making steady progress with the construction of its new Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul facility (MRO) at their Ikeja base, adding that the timeline for delivery of the MRO is still on track for end of 2017.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

FRIDAY JULY29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Obama Asks American Voters to ‘Carry’ Clinton to White House, Defeat Trump

President Barack Obama painted an optimistic picture of America’s future and offered full-throated support for Hillary Clinton’s bid to defeat Republican Donald Trump in a speech that electrified the Democratic National Convention. He urged Democrats to enable Clinton to finish the job he started with his election nearly eight years ago in a rousing speech that capped a night when party luminaries took to the stage to contrast the party’s new standard-bearer with Trump, whom they portrayed as a threat to U.S. values. “There has never been a man or woman, not me, not Bill - nobody more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States,” Obama said to cheers at the Philadelphia convention on Wednesday night. Hillary Clinton, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, will accept the party’s White House nomination in a speech to end the convention on Thursday night. The

election is on Nov. 8. Her address will be closely watched to see if she can make a convincing argument for bringing about change while still representing the legacy of Obama, who is ending his second term with high approval ratings. “Tonight, I ask you to do for Hillary Clinton what you did for me. I ask you to carry her the same way you carried me,” Obama said. When he finished, she joined him on stage where they hugged, clasped hands and waved to the crowd. The two were rivals in the hard-fought 2008 campaign for the Democratic nomination. After winning that election to become America’s first black president, Obama appointed Clinton his secretary of state, a position she held until 2013. Republicans have painted Clinton as a Washington insider who would represent a “third term” for what they view as failed policies under Obama, elected to a second term in 2012. Speaking to delegates, Obama offered an alternative to businessman Trump’s vision of the United States as being under siege from illegal immigrants, crime and terrorism and losing influence in the world.“I am more optimistic about the future of America than ever before,” Obama said at the Wells Fargo Center, a basketball

I formerly known and addressed as miss ToBi ForTress eJiro, now wish to be known and addressed as mrs ForTress eJiro AGHOGHO AKPOBOME. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Senior Democrats and former national security figures lined up earlier on Wednesday to describe Trump as unable to steer America

ChAnGe oF nAme I formerly known and addressed as ABdul GAniYu, now wish to be known and addressed as ABdullAhi GAniYu. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Femi olAJide GABRIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as Femi olAJide. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as miss AJAGBu osedeBAmen HAPPY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IGHALO osedeBAmen hAPPY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as WilliAms nWiGoh, now wish to be known and addressed as WilliAms nWAkAJi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as mAsTer AYAkoroAmA, now wish to be known and addressed as iGiri mAsTer. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as AYinlA BuhAri FAruQ, now wish to be known and addressed as AYINLA BUHARI BABATunde. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that i am the same and one person beaning these names MRS. HELINA AkPAn niCe, niCe ComForT AkPAn, and mrs. ComForT AKPAN NICE . All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public should please take note This is to confirm that i am the same and one person beaning these names OBINNA ChiAmAkA doris, and OBINNA CHIAMAKA SONIA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note

and hockey arena. A former first lady and U.S. senator, Clinton made history on Tuesday when she became the first woman to secure the presidential nomination of a major party. She promises to tackle income inequality, tighten gun control and rein in Wall Street if she becomes president. “America is already great. America is already strong. And I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump,”he said.“Preach!” members of the crowd shouted. “Best president ever,” someone screamed. Trump replied to Obama on Twitter, writing: “Our country does not feel ‘great already’ to the millions of wonderful people living in poverty, violence and despair.” Obama listed what he described as progress during his two terms in office, such as recovery from an economic recession, the Obamacare healthcare reform and the 2011 killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. He said American values, not race, religion or political preference, were what made the United States great. “That’s why anyone who threatens our values, whether fascists or communists or jihadists or homegrown demagogues, will always fail in the end,”Obama said.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS MARYANN CHIMKANNALIO SIUNOJE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MARYANN CHIMKANNALIO CHINOMNSO OKOLIE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AKPOSIRI SHOKARE, now wish to be known and addressed as AKPOSIRI KRONAKEGHA OFAGBE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I MR. OHA OKOLIE EMMANUEL CHINOMNSO, now want my children to bear the following names; Surname: 1 Chinomnso -okolie Chinedu PrinCe 2. Chinomnso - okolie CHINAZA PECULIAR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as DAVID UROMOKORO, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID OWRWONOKORO IBANE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BABALOGBON AGNES AdeFunke, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOMOYE Aderonke ChrisTiAnAh. All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK and the general public should please take note.

through the dangerous waters of today’s world. By contrast, many prominent Republicans, alarmed by Trump’s provocative comments on

illegal immigrants and Muslims, were absent from the party convention that nominated Trump for the White House in Cleveland last week.

EMOTIONAL MOMENT

Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, hugs US President Barack Obama as she arrives onstage at the end of his speech on the third night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania…Wednesday

ChAnGe oF nAme

I formerly known and addressed as PeACe eTim VinCenT, now wish to be known and addressed as PAUL PEACE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as muhAmmed ABu Fillo, now wish to be known and addressed as muhAmmed ABuBAkAr. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as sAliFu Wisdom enemonA, now wish to be known and addressed as sAliFu mondAY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as mABel Fred oluFikemi AKPOGHENE, now wish to be known and addressed as MABEL oluFikemi AkPoGhene. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as sodiQ ABdul WAsiu, now wish to be known and addressed as imodolA sodiQ olAmide. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as VerA eBri, now wish to be known and addressed as VeroniCA PATriCk eBri. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as MATHEW ABAYOMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AWOLOLA SEGUN MATHEW. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as luQmAn olAolu hAmmed, now wish to be known and addressed as lukumon olAolu hAmmed. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as muhAmmed mAGAmA BELLO, now wish to be known and addressed as mohAmmed GARBA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Second French Church Attacker Was Known to Police The second teenager involved in the killing of a priest in a church in France this week was a 19-year-old who was known to security services as a potential Islamist militant, police and judicial sources said yesterday. The man also appears to be a suspect that police were looking for in recent days after a tipoff from a foreign intelligence service that he was planning an attack, the police sources said. The revelations are likely to fuel criticism by opposition politicians that President Francois Hollande’s Socialist government did not do enough to stop the pair given that they were already under police surveillance. They interrupted a church service, forced a 85-year-old Roman Catholic priest to his knees at the altar and slit his throat. They were both shot and killed by police. Police have identified the second man as Abdel-Malik Nabil Petitjean from a town in eastern France on the border with Germany, a judicial source told Reuters. Security services had on June 29 opened a special file on Petitjean for becoming radicalized, a police source said separately. The government has said there are about 10,500 people with so-called ‘S files’ related to potential jihadi activities in France. His accomplice, Adel Kermiche, had already been identified by police. He was known to intelligence services after failed bids to reach Syria to wage jihad. Kermiche, also 19, wore an electronic bracelet and

was awaiting trial for alleged membership of a terrorist organization having been released on bail. Acting on a tipoff from a foreign intelligence agency France’s intelligence services sent a photo to various security forces, but did not have a name, sources close to the investigation said. Police did not have the name of the person in the photo but now have little doubt that it is Petitjean, the police sources said. The person in the photo appears to be one of two people who can be seen in a video posted on Wednesday by Islamic State’s news agency, they said. The video claimed the two men were the church attackers pledging allegiance to the group’s leader. Petitjean’s mother Yamina told BFM TV that her son had never spoken about Islamic State. Three people close to Petitjean have been detained in police custody, a judicial source said. A 16-year-old, being held since Tuesday in connection with the attack, is still in custody. Tuesday’s attack came less than two weeks after another suspected Islamist drove a truck into a Bastille Day crowd, killing 84 people. Opposition politicians have responded to the attacks with strong criticism of the government’s security record, unlike last year, when they made a show of unity after gunmen and bombers killed 130 people at Paris entertainment venues in November and attacked a satirical newspaper in January.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29 , 2016

MARKET NEWS

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Edo: Oshiomhole’s EFCC Threat Preposterous, Says PDP Party says governor feeling nervous Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as absurd, the recent threat by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State to arrest the PDP’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, before the September 10, gubernatorial election. The party said the governor is only being nervous and unsettled that the PDP’s moving train will uproot the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the state. In a statement issued yesterday by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, PDP asked when it became the duty of Oshiomhole to dictate to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), wondering “if the ‘go and die’ governor has become an operative of the anti-corruption agency. “We have observed in recent times the utterances of the governor during the APC’s gubernatorial campaigns ahead of the September 10, 2016 election in the state and we wish to remind him that he should maintain the

sanctity of his office as a governor of the state instead of directing the EFCC on whom to arrest or prosecute.” The PDP further stressed that Oshiomhole’s statement confirmed the belief and opinion of perceptible Nigerians that the anti-corruption war of the present administration is nothing but a partisan political agenda to intimidate, suppress and silence the PDP. The party condemned what it described as despicable and uncouth language used by the ‘go and die’ governor against the person of Ize-Iyamu which is clearly unbecoming of the holder of the high office of a governor of a state. “Oshiomhole is desperate to hang on to power through his imposed stooge, despite the fact that he has lost the trust and confidence of the Edo people. “When a governor speaks like a motor park boy, he is inviting the public to treat him as one. We call on the EFCC to demonstrate that they are not a lap dog of the APC and its leaders by distancing itself from the unguided utterances of

Guber election is battle between light and darkness, says governor

Oshiomhole. They must show clearly that they do not take instructions from the powers that be, otherwise, the entire anti-corruption war will lose all credibility,” PDP said. Finally, the party has asked the APC-led government at both state and federal levels to at least for once, play by the rules, saying: “All the great works done by the PDP’s administrations to ensure the sanctity of the ballot box has been virtually destroyed by the APC administration. “We are now in the era of inconclusive elections. We will not tolerate any harassment, intimidation, and oppression of our candidate in the state governorship election. We will also not allow the APC to destroy this democracy which we have laboured to build for 16 good years to build and sustained.” However, Oshiomhole has said the September 10, 2016,

governorship election in the state is a battle between light and darkness, noting that the seven and half years of APC represents light, while the more than 10 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is equal to darkness. Oshiomhole who stated this yesterday when the campaign train of APC arrived at Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas of the state, told the crowd of supporters that while the PDP in their years of reign was anti-worker party which purged the public service of over 7,000 workers in one fell swoop, without paying their pensions and gratuities, his government has not only created employment opportunities, but have also had the record of paying workers and pensioners as and when due. The governor who used

the opportunity to tell party supporters to be steadfast, disclosed that the recent protest by pensioners was caused by the PDP government which in a bid to cut cost to service their appetite, decided to compulsorily retire a generation of civil service, adding that his administration had been able to clear all pension arrears up to 2016, and appealed to those not captured to be patient as they would be captured subsequently. At Egor, the governor assured the workers which were omitted from the recent bailout for other local government areas in the state that their arrears would be paid this week. According to him, “The PDP has a deep-rooted hatred for workers and teachers as they were shabbily treated in the 10 years they were in the saddle. “The choice is between two political parties, one which

in seven and half years and has redefined governance and another which in 10 years but treated workers shabbily. “When Nigeria was doing well and PDP was in government in Edo State, don’t forget, the first thing PDP did with Ize-Iyamu as Secretary to State Government (SSG) was to dismiss about 7,000 civil servants. They sacked them, because according to them, they wanted to reduce labour cost, when actually they wanted to take the money and privatise it. “That is not all they did; when they dismissed the workers, they didn’t pay them their pension, they did not pay them their gratuity. So I need our pensioners to remember that the PDP carried out retrenchments, but we never carried out retrenchments, I never carried out mass dismissals in our public service.”

Buhari Appoints Heads of Health Institutions President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of heads of five strategic health institutions in the country, including the Centre for Disease Control, National Agency for the Control of Aids, the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, National Primary Health Care Development Agency and National Health Insurance Scheme. To head the Centre for Disease Control is Dr Chikwe Andreas Ihekweazu, who until his appointment, was the managing partner at EpiAfric, a public health consultancy firm that focuses on Africa. Dr Sani Aliyu, a consultant in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at Cambridge University, UK is to paddle the affairs of the National Agency for the Control of Aids.

The president also approved Prof. Babatunde Salako as the head of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research. He was the Provost, College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan before his new appointment. Prof. Echezona Ezeanolue is to hold sway at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. He was a professor of Paediatrics and Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA. The National Health Insurance Scheme will now be headed by Prof. Usman Yusuf, who until his appointment, was a professor of Paediatrics at St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. All appointments, according to Presidency sources have taken effect.

Buhari Congratulates Mbaka on 21st Anniversary Priestley Ordination

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, Director of Adoration Ministry, on the 21st anniversary of his ordination to priesthood in the Catholic Church which comes up today. A statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari extended his best wishes to Fr. Mbaka’s family, congregation and well-wishers

as they celebrate this special occasion with him in his continued devotion to the well being of others as a father, wise counsellor, teacher and guardian. The president commended Fr. Mbaka’s steadfast devotion to his vocation and ministry amply demonstrated in his love and service for his people, nation and God. Buhari prayed that God Almighty, who had given the cleric the strength to devote his entire life to service in the Vineyard, would continually bless and prosper his ministry.

ON-THE-SPOT ASSESSMENT TOUR

L-R: Acting Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Ahmed Bashir; Development Director, South Enegyx Nigeria Limited, Mr. Peirre Edde; Member of Parliament and UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Mr. John Howell; and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, during a tour to the Eko Atlantic City projects, by the UK Prime Minister’s delegation, in Lagos....yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

NBA Elections: Gadzama Campaign Group Alleges Foul Play, Seeks Shift Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Less than 24 hours to the general election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Joe-Kyari Gadzama Campaign Organisation has asked the NBA leadership to shift the date of the polls. The campaign group cited lack of transparency and shoddy preparations by the Electoral Committee of Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), It also accused the NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), of openly supporting and canvassing for votes for one of the candidates in the election. The Gadzama campaign organisation, which spoke through one of its members, Prof. Maxwell Gidado (SAN), told a press conference in Abuja yesterday that there was the need to shift the election so as to accommodate all the updates in the voters register and to ensure that eligible voters

were not disenfranchised in the process. Gidado said the introduction of the “universal suffrage” for the election was commendable because it would give every lawyer equal participation in the choice of the NBA leadership but, regretted that the noble idea was being negated by certain actions and/or inactions. According to him, the J.K Gadzama Campaign Organisation has chronicled the anomalies and brought them to the attention of both the ECNBA and the NBA president for necessary correction to guarantee a free and fair elections. Gidado said the NBA was supposed to act as the conscience of the nation and to show examples especially in issues of democratic practices. He however said the brazen show of preference for and serious capital and human resource

investment into promoting one candidate over another by the NBA president undermined the integrity of the entire elections. “The president’s actions and utterances at several fora and on national television whereby he openly canvassed support for his preferred candidate, vilified and cast aspersions on the other, dampens confidence of objective-minded lawyers to repose confidence in the ability of his appointed ECNBA to deliver free, fair and credible elections,” he pointed out. Gidado said many members of the association who have met the basic requirement for voting (i.e. payment one’s Bar Practising Fee and Branch Due for 2016 on or before March 31, 2016) still did not have their names captured in the Voters Register which was uploaded on the NBA website since June 22, 2016 even though such names were forwarded by

the Branches to the National Secretariat. He said: “There are instances of multiple registrations; names appearing in multiple branches; names of persons appearing in branches whose chairmen have dis-avowed, etc. “It is alarming that as at today when the election is just two days away, the final Voters Register is not yet ready. This is in breach of Article 2.3 (d) of the Second Schedule to the NBA Constitution 2015. “The total sum of the foregoing is that the ECNBA is not yet ready for this election and it is better to address all these issues and for the President to allay these justifiable fears before the election in order to prevent a repeat of the sad event of 1992 in Port Harcourt especially as this year’s Annual General Conference (AGC) is also scheduled to hold in that same city,” he said.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

MNJTF Captures Damasak,Clears Boko Haram Remnants

S/Africa hails DICON reforms, modernisation Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The troops of the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) yesterday captured the boundary town of Damasak in northern Borno State, which is one of the last frontiers of Boko Haram terrorists. The Chief Military Public Information Officer, MNJTF, Col. Muhammad Dole, disclosed this in a statement, saying the troops have also cleared the terrorists from the surrounding villages. “In continuation with the clearance operation of the towns and villages by MNJTF, the troops of the Sector 4 in Diffa (Niger) has successfully cleared Dutse Village, captured and occupied Damasak town today by 1000hrs,” he stated. Dole said the forces are coordinating to stabilise the immediate environs. According to him, the troops fought their way into the town with close air support from MNJTF member states. “Operation Lafiya Dole is conducting an operation to link up with sector 4 at the location,” he said He assured Nigerians that the troops’ morale remained very high. In another development, the South Africa Secretary of Defence and Military Veterans, Dr. Sam Gulube, has commended what he described as the giant stride and great potential of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to emerge as a powerful military industrial complex in Africa. Gulube, in a statement issued yesterday by the Public Relations Officer, DICON, Maj. Emmanuel Adeniyi, said the corporation was at the cross roads of history, judging from its current efforts to reposition itself to meet the needs of the

Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. He made these observations when he led a delegation of participants in an inaugural seminar and exhibition of Nigeria- South Africa Defence Industries (NIGSA 2016) held at the National Defence College Abuja and DICON’s Ordnance Factories, Kakuri, Kaduna. According to him, the importance of their visit to DICON became real because they came at a time when the corporation was reorganising itself and coming up with a new logo, vision and mission aimed at increasing the tempo of military industrial development with measurable success. He said: “Nigeria and South Africa have a lot of things in common, it therefore becomes necessary to work together, considering each other’s comparative advantages in terms of military products. “Our direction in our collective efforts to collaborate should be towards specialised areas based on each country’s specific requirement.” The South Africa Secretary of Defence said he was looking at a situation where DICON would specialise in a particular type of arms and ammunition while South Africa would also specialise on another, stressing that this type of arrangement would yield more tangible result and it would reduce time and cut cost. “Modernisation of technology of defence industries of various countries is currently in vogue and Nigeria as well as South Africa must not be seen to be lagging behind. When our collaborative efforts become operational, DICON will now have the capability to produce some of the modern military hardwares within the country,” he stressed. Gulube also disclosed that

during the apartheid regime, almost all the efforts of South Africa was channeled towards containing the onslaught of the regime from the North adding that as a result, the coastal part of the country was now witnessing a lot of criminal activities which the assistance of the Nigerian navy might be required. He said: “The naval dockyard in Nigeria, I was told, is very advanced and South Africa could benefit from it, especially in areas of building ships and patrol boats.” According to him, DICON has comparative advantage in reverse engineering, while South Africa is vast in technology as well as electronic engineering, stressing that he was looking forward to immediate action that would culminate into a synergy between the two countries since the two countries occupy strategic positions within the continent of Africa. Earlier, the Director General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, Maj-Gen Bamidele Ogunkale, disclosed that much efforts had been made by the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), in ensuring the Abuja seminar and exhibition as well as South Africa’s delegation’s visit to DICON’s ordnance factories became a reality. According to him, besides the presidential visit to South Africa, he had personally visited the country for an on-the-spot assessment of their defence and allied industries to see where the two countries could collaborate. The DG said that DICON is being repositioned to power all industries that are into military products to meet the ordnance needs of the Armed Forces and other security agencies stressing that the Corporation was looking at holistic corporation with South Africa.

Lawyer Sues AGF, NNPC, IG Others over Ban on Sale of Petrol in Gallons A lawyer, Chief Malcom Omirhobo, yesterday filed a suit at a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the ban of the sales of petrol in jerry cans. The applicant is suing for himself and on behalf of other Nigerians. The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of State for Petroleum, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IG) were joined as respondents in the suit. The new suit numbered: FHC/L/CS/1024/2016 is brought pursuant to Order 2: Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009. Omirhobo is seeking a

declaration that the directive by the second and third respondents to filling station owners not to sell petroleum products to Nigerians in jerry cans was discriminatory. In an affidavit deposed to by the applicant, he averred that in January this year, he had approached several filling stations within his reach, with a jerry can to purchase fuel for his generators, but was denied sale. The human rights activist said that all the filling station operators said that there was a directive from the respondents, not to sell fuel to Nigerians in jerry cans, gallons or kegs. He, further, averred that this refusal led him as well as many other Nigerians to resort

to buying fuel from the black market at exorbitant prices. According to Omirhobo, the black market operators besieged filling stations with drums and gallons to purchase large volumes of fuel. They, then, hoarded the product and, subsequently, sold it to the public at astronomical prices, he said, adding that the petrol attendants preferred to sell fuel to black marketers in order to maximise profits. The legal practitioner also averred that since power supply was relatively poor, he and other Nigerians had been helplessly compelled to purchase the products from the black market at high prices.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT DSS Arrests 10 Suspected Kidnappers in Kogi

The Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi Command, has disclosed that it has arrested 10 suspected kidnappers in the last six weeks in its bid to eliminate kidnapping in the state. The state Director of the command, Mr. Joseph Okpo, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday. Okpo said four of the suspected kidnappers/robbers were arrested at Koton-Karfe along the Abuja-Lokoja highway, dressed in military combat uniforms. He gave the names of the suspects as Haruna Saleh (aka Auta), who is the ring leader,

Kabiru Shaibu, Abdulmuminu Adamu and Tukur Shuiabu. The DSS boss, however, did not disclose the names of the other six suspects who he said were arrested in different locations in the state. He said an on-the-spot search conducted on the suspects and their vehicle showed that they were in possession of a locally made pistol and a shot gun. Other items recovered include, three pairs of army camouflage uniforms; seven pump action cartridges; a cutlass; 14 cell phones; cash and one green-coloured Gulf3 vehicle with registration number KWL 946 FB. Okpo said during investigation, the gang availed

information on the existence of three unrecovered AK 47 and other weapons kept in a yet-to-be identified location. “Intelligence further revealed that the group has links with other kidnap syndicates operating in FCT, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States. “ The gang admitted carrying out six different robbery/kidnap operations along the Minna-Kontagora road, Niger State; Malumfashi, Mararaba-Jos and Jaji-Zaria roads in Kaduna State,’’ he said. He said some of the alleged perpetrators of crime, especially robbery and kidnapping in the state included outsiders who used

In Brief

the state to further their nefarious acts. According to him, they do so due to the geographical/ topographical peculiarities of the state. He said the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and stakeholders to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the state and its environs. He warned all criminal elements to leave the state. The DSS boss stressed that the Service and other security agencies had taken advantage of the renewed zeal of the state government’s support in ensuring law and order in the area.

Police Arrest Four Kidnappers in Rivers The acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has warned criminals, especially kidnappers, never to regard Nigeria as a lawless country. Idris gave the warning when Operatives of the IG’s Intelligent Response Team (IRT) arrested a notorious kidnapping gang terrorising law abiding citizens in Rivers and its environs. This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, in Abuja. Idris also warned that anybody found guilty of any offence would be dealt with accordingly. The statement listed the four suspects as Herbert Oriminagbe (28yrs), Chijioke Akah alias Kottos (35), Kelechi Nwaordu alias Seedof (38) and Nelson Ajumogobia alias Ibios (21). It said the gang met its end when it kidnapped a woman and her one-year-old daughter from her Port Harcourt home, demanding the sum of N2.5 million as ransom for their freedom. The statement, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said based on credible technical intelligence generated by the IRT, this was, however, agreed as bait. It said the kidnapping gang was smashed when in their attempt to claim the said amount at the agreed point, Operatives of IRT engaged them, rescued the victims and arrested four of the kidnappers. It said in their confessional statements, the suspects admitted that they were also responsible for the kidnap of one Undunobuk and other innocent Nigerians. “and provide necessary credible information.

New CP Warns Militants to Stay off Ogun

The new Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Illiyasu, has warned militants to stay off the state, saying total war has been declared against the militants and other criminals in the state. He also disclosed that the Command had already made tactical and covert deployment of policemen to the affected areas to flush out the militants. While speaking during the handing-over ceremony by the immediate past Commissioner for Police, AIG Abdulmajid, in Abeokuta yesterday, he said: “These people (militants) are hoodlums, and already, a very detailed report has been written and studied on them.” He added: “We have made tactical and covert deployment of our men to flush them out of that place. Several operations are going to be carried out, and already the process has begun, so we are assuring the people of their safety.” The state police boss therefore assured the state of his L-R Provost , National Defence Collage (NDC), Dr. Istifanus Zabadi; Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, NDC, commitment towards reducing criminal activities in the state Maj. Gen. Ede Ode; Commandant, NDC, Real Admiral Samuel Alade; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during presentation to the barest minimum, pledging to make the state safer and of ‘Youth Bulge in Nigeria: Implications for National Security’ by the NDC, Course 24 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja... more secure than before. According to him, we want to raise yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI the security we met to another level. We want to make the state safer and more secured more than before. We are here to serve the people of the state and we are here to secure all the political, economic and social institutions. We are here to serve the people, this is the time for people’s policy and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos from the residence to safety. Daniel Tanko, said the group I am calling for miscreants and hoodlums to have a rethink killed. Another security guard Meanwhile, a group known was worried that the attack and relocate from the state”, Illiyasu affirmed. on duty at the residence, Mr. Plateau State may have returned Adamu Salihu, a Police Corporal as the Movement for the came shortly after a first class to the line of attacks and other attached to the Nasarawa Gwom Advancement and Protection of monarch was recently murdered criminal activities as barely two Police Station, was also critically Unijos (MAAPU) has called on in the state, adding that “we are weeks after a first class traditional injured. Other security guards security operatives to speedily appealing to security operatives ruler was gruesomely murdered on duty escaped unhurt and investigate and fish out the to live up to their responsibility in the state, an attempt has been were able to raise alarm before culprits behind the attack. in protecting lives and properties The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the death sentence made on the lives of the Vice- the assailants fled the scene of Leader of the group, Mr. of citizens of the state.” passed on one Freeborn Okiemute by a Delta High Court Chancellor of the University of the incident.” sitting at Ozoro for armed robbery. In a unanimous judgment, Jos, Professor Sabastian Seddi The statement added that the apex court dismissed the appellant’s seven grounds of Maimako and members of his the VC was away from Jos appeal as contained in the brief of arguments submitted by family by unknown gunmen. on an official assignment and his lead counsel, Ayo Asala. While upholding the concurrent Though the vice-chancellor no member of his immediate judgments of both the trial court and Court of Appeal, was lucky to have travelled at family was hurt as a result of Senator Iroegbu in Abuja the time of the attack, a security the incident. According to Ezekobe, four Justice Suleiman Galadima, who delivered the lead judgment, guard, Mr. Owes Jubrin, was large GP tanks laden with about agreed with the submission of the respondent represented Appealing to security The anti-crude oil theft 10,000 liters each of product by the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner shot dead and many others operatives to spare no effort operatives of the Nigerian Navy suspected to be illegally refined for Justice, Peter Mrakpor, who argued that the Court of severely injured. in unravelling the identity of have raided and destroyed several AGO was destroye Appeal was eminently right when it upheld the conviction Confirming the attack in a the perpetrators, the university statement, Principal Assistant said a delegation has been sent illegal refineries in Warri, Delta He also said the patrol team and sentence of the appellant to death by the High Court State. Registrar, (Information and to condole with the deceased on July 21, 2016 located and of Ozoro, Delta State in case No. HC2/13C/2008 on July This is coming as the Nigerian destroyed two illegal refineries 14, 2010. On November 14, 2006 at Ozoro within the Ozoro Publications) of the university, family. Navy denied an online report that with three Cotonou boats Judicial Division, the appellant, Freeborn Okiemute and Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi, said: Also confirming the attack, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), containing approximately others now at large robbed one Mathilda Egbamuno of “On the night of July 27, 2016 the state Police Public Relations Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, may 350MT of illegally refined the cash sum of N500,000, jewelries, wrappers and other around 8.30p.m., some unknown Officer, Terna Tyopev, however assailants with unknown motives claimed that the attack was not be sacked for his refusal to take AGO at Asosolo and personal belongings while armed with gun. The appellant an ‘illegal recruitment list’ from Ugbosede in Warri South was convicted by Justice Marshal Umukoro of Ozoro High arrived the personal residence targeted at the VC’s residence. Mamman Daura. of the Vice-Chancellor of the West Local Government Court, now the Chief Judge of Delta State on count one and He said the criminals were just The Director of Information Area. five of a five-count charge (conspiracy to commit armed University of Jos, Professor Seddi operating at random in the area Sebastian Maimako, at Eto Baba when the security guards at the (DINFO), Commodore Christian During the raid, he said, robbery and armed robbery) and sentenced him to death by Ezekobe, in a statement yesterday, two persons were arrested hanging while he was discharged and acquitted in respect of Road, Angwan Rukuba, Jos, and VC’s residence engaged them. said that the patrol team deployed while the following items were the other four counts. Dissatisfied with the judgment of the opened fire at the entrance of He also confirmed that Salihu the residence. was shot “on his right leg, and by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) recovered; five speed boats, trial court, the appellant filed a notice a notice of appeal Delta, naval base in Warri raided 20 drums of illegally refined to the Court of Appeal, Benin Division challenging “In the process, one internal his service riffle carted away by an illegal refinery at Asiagbene diesel, five drums of illegally the judgment on the High Court. On November 15, security personnel of the the criminals,” adding that no community in Warri South refined kerosene, a pumping 2012, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and university by name Owes Jibrin, arrest was been made. West Local Government Area machine, generator and 1 affirmed the judgment of the lower court that convicted an Assistant Patrol Supervisor THISDAY gathered that the of Delta State. the appellant. with the Security Division was VC’s family had been evacuated 90HP outboard engine.

NATIONAL SECURITY IN FOCUS

One Killed as Unijos VC Escapes Assassination

S’Court Affirms Death Sentence on Okiemute for Armed Robbery

Nigerian Navy Raids Illegal Refineries in Warri

FRIDAY, july 29, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS Nigeria Legend, Keshi, Goes Home Finally

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

Gov Okowa extols Keshi for his contributions to football devt Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Late Nigeria football legend, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, is to be interred in his hometown, Illah, Delta State today. The final rites for the former Super Eagles captain and coach began yesterday with a one-hour church service at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, off Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State before lying-in-state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where Keshi played many matches for the New Nigeria Bank FC. A novelty match between ex-internationals and All-Stars at the same venue, in honour of the former libero, ended 1-1. Some of the former players on parade yesterday include, Peter Rufai, Austin Eguavoen, Uche Okechukwu, Victor Ikpeba and Mutiu Adepoju. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick was a guest at the event. Some of the players who eulogised the late coach and player, appealed to management of the country’s football to set personal interest aside for the growth of the game. Ikpeba who particularly noted that Keshi sacrificed a lot for the growth of football in Nigeria, said crave for personal interest has retarded the growth of football in the country. According to him, “Keshi had done a lot for the progress and the level the game is in Nigeria today. He made a great impact in Nigeria football and promoted the sport to its highest level in the country. “The void left by Keshi will be difficult to fill and I appeal to those managing football in Nigeria to set aside personal interest for the game to grow,” Ikpeba stated. On his part, Okechukwu who he was still in shock with the demise of Keshi, said he was not happy with development of the round leather game in Nigeria. He therefore called for concerted efforts to be put up for the country to rediscover its lost glory in the game. Similarly, Rufai described Keshi as a disciplinarian who will be missed by football loving fans. The body was later taken to Asaba, the Delta State capital en-route Illah, Keshi’s ancestral home. In Asaba, the remains of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning coach laid in state inside the Indoor Hall of the Keshi Stadium, named after the legend by former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Today, another church service is scheduled for Illah, before internment. Reception will take place at the Omorka Primary School in the serene town. Earlier on Tuesday, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, had urged the family of late Keshi to take solace in the fact that he lived a good life. Governor Okowa made

this commendation when he led members of the state’s executive council and other top government officials to Keshi’s residence at Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state to condole his family. On hand to receive the governor and his team were the late Keshi’s children led by Jennifer, his elder brother, Mr Sylvester Keshi, traditional chiefs, among others. According to the governor, “I am here with members of the state executive council, members of House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly to pay our condolences. I do know that the death of a loved one is very painful.” “Stephen Keshi made his mark not only as a footballer but as a coach, he lived a good life, but, we cannot query God,” Okowa said, adding, “continue to rely on God because, only God can be faithful,” “Your father lived a good life and he contributed his quota to the development of Nigeria, he was one of our own,” the governor reiterated, assuring that Keshi’s name would be immortalised. While disclosing that he was aware of the re-naming of Asaba Township Stadium after the deceased ace footballer who won laurels for the country, Okowa said the financial situation rocking the country has affected the progress of work at the arena. He appealed to the family to be peaceful throughout the burial ceremony, stating that “a befitting burial is when it is peaceful and acceptable to Almighty God, it is not about doing things elaborately.” Both Miss Jennifer Keshi and Mr Sylvester Keshi who spoke at the occasion thanked Governor Okowa and the government of Delta State for contributing towards a successful burial ceremony. Miss Keshi emphatically, bemoaned lack of keeping to promises made to her late father by the Federal Government and his associates.

Keshi

O LY M P I C GA M E S

Nigeria Out of Rio 2016 4x400m Relay Tosin Adeloye fails dope test, banned for eight years Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s medals prospect in the track and field of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil diminished by one event yesterday following the disqualification of the country’s women’s 4x400m by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). THISDAY learnt yesterday that a member of the Nigerian 1600 relay quartet, Tosin Adeloye, tested positive to a banned substance at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Super Grand Prix/Warri Relays which took place in Warri, Delta State on July 24, 2015. The quarter miler was a member of the Nigerian quartet that placed fourth at the IAAF World Championship in Beijing last August. Adeloye ran the third leg in

the semi-finals where the team clocked 3:23.27 seconds, the second fastest time in Nigeria’s all-time 1600 relay record. She also ran the third leg in the final. Other members of that Nigerian team include; Regina George (first leg), Funke Oladoye (second leg) and Patience OkonGeorge who anchored the team to place fourth. Going by IAAF rule, all the results she achieved during the period after the test individually and jointly will be annulled. She has been banned for eight years. While the trio of OkonGeorge, Margaret Bamgbose and Omolara Omotosho who have been picked by the AFN for the Games may still be in Rio after meeting the qualification standard for the open 400m. However, Okon-George who has laboured to raise over $4,000 from the crowd pulling platform,

Mikel Denies Donating $30,000 to U-23 Captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics, John Mikel Obi, has denied media reports making the rounds in Nigeria that he gave 30,000 dollars to his team-mates in the Under-23 team presently camping in Atlanta, USA. Speaking from the team’s camp at the Hyatt Place, the Super Eagles captain was furious: “I was first told of this unfortunate story by a friend who called me from Nigeria. I thought he was joking until he sent me the link. “I don’t know the source of this story which to me is all out to divide us as a team. I would have thought that stories that

should be coming out in the media are stories that will unite the team instead of dividing us. Our target in Rio is to excel, but if they continue like this, then I wonder how we can be united.” Wondering why the writer thinks that the players are hungry that needed his money, Mikel asked: “Tell me the players who are in this team that are so hungry that will be looking up to me for survival? Is it (William) Ekong, (Oghenekaro) Etebo, (Shehu) Abdulahi, (Daniel) Akpeyi, (Kingsley) Madu, (Okechukwu) Azubuike or

(Stanley) Amuzie, who are my team-mates in the Super Eagles, that I will be donating to, or other players who are plying their trade abroad and are doing well for themselves? To me, this is just mere distraction that won’t help this team going into a major tournament like the Olympics.” The Chelsea FC ace then appealed to the sporting press and Nigerians generally to rally round the team and wish the players and officials well as they get ready for the men’s football tournament of the Rio Olympics.

Gofundme is out of the Games completely as she did not meet the standard for the 400m open and was only going to Rio as a member of the relay team. Nigeria’s male 4x400m relay team made up of late Sunday Bada, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu and Fidelis Gadzama profited from a similar scenario at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia when Antonio Pettigrew, a member of the Team USA’s

relay team tested positive for a banned substance. Nigeria had her silver win upgraded to gold 12 years after. The IAAF has removed the times the Nigerian team ran in Beijing from the 2015 top list on its website. Nigeria had qualified for the event based on the aggregate of the two fastest times achieved by the Okon-George’s led team in the qualification period from January last year to July this year.

NOC Rejects Winning Bonus for Dream Team

Olawale Ajimotokan inAbuja

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has spun a proposal by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for match bonuses to be paid to the Under-23 football team at Rio 2016. NFF had argued for special status for the Dream Team VI during one of the several technical meetings between officials of NOC and the sports federations that will compete at the Olympics. NFF had contended that granting the team match bonus would boost its medal winning chance. Nigeria will compete in nine medal sport events at the Olympics Games that starts in Brazil on August 5. THISDAY scoped last night that NOC was indisposed to NFF’s request for full match bonuses to the players and Coach Samson Siasia led technical crew at NOC’s expense. The committee’s reasoning is

that the Dream Team VI should not be treated specially as it could potentially lower the morale of other athletes and affect Nigeria’s medal winning prospect. In line with the usual practice, it is the NOC, rather than the associations, that will handle the welfare of the Nigerian contingent starting from when they arrive at the Games Village in Rio. According to reliable sources, NOC insisted it would only pay the approved daily camp allowances for athletes and officials while associations can give them additional money if they can afford such. NFF is used to paying the Under-23 players majority of who are based in Europe $3,000 match bonus and is expecting NOC to adopt the same template. Nigeria won gold and silver medals in Olympic football event at Atlanta’96 and Beijing 2008 respectively. The Dream Team VI will face Sweden, Colombia and Japan in Group B.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS NPFL… NPFL…

NPFL…

LMC Hammer Falls on Heartland after Crowd Violence Heartland have been fined a total of N4,750,000 and will play their next three home games behind closed doors after the revenge attack on regional rivals FC IfeanyiUbah at the weekend. The League Management Company (LMC) also announced they face a suspended points deduction for the crowd incidence that trailed their Week 28 fixture against FC IfeanyiUbah at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. One, Iyke Jacob, identified as the Club’s Supporters CLUB Chairman was also banned from all Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches for the rest of the 2015/16 season by the LMC. The LMC also recommended to the Imo State Football Association (ISFA) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reconsider the role of the ISFA Security Committee Chairman, Mr. Teddy Isiadinso who also serves as a Match Commissioner for the NFF. The recommendation was based on the Match Commissioner’s report which cited Isiadinso as pledging to accept responsibility for any breach of the peace before, during and after the match. The Owerri club was slammed six-count violations of the NPFL Framework and Rules by the LMC after reviewing reports and video evidence provided by the match commissioner and delegates to the match. Heartland was fined N750,000.00 for failing to ensure restriction of access to restricted areas by unauthorised persons in the course of the match, in breach of Rule B13.52. The second count read, “You are in breach of Rule B13.52 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Saturday, 23rd July 2016, after your Match Day 28 fixture: Heartland FC vs. FC Ifeanyiubah, you failed to ensure adequate security and crowd control particularly in the manner in which match officials and members of the visiting team were exposed to aggression and crowd violence perpetrated by your supporters”. For this breach, the club was fined another N750, 000. On the third count of the supporters encroachment on to the field of play and throwing objects towards the field of play immediately after the match in

Godwin Aguda of Enugu Rangers (right) Lobi Stars’ Kingsley Eduwo battling for ball during their Match-day 28 clash last weekend breach of Rule B13.18, Heartland was fined N1,000,000.00 On the fourth count, the LMC charged Heartland for breach of Rule B6.23 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL stating, “that on Saturday, 23rd July 2016, in the course of your Match Day 28 fixture: Heartland FC vs. FC Ifeanyiubah, your supporters hindered the complete video-coverage of the match, particularly the post-match scenes”. The penalty for this offence read, “a fine of N1,000,000.00 and a two-point deduction for hindering the complete video-coverage of the match, in breach of Rule B6.23, provided that the execution of the two-point deduction shall be suspended subject to a probationary period of the remainder of the season”. Heartland’s fifth charge read, “You are in breach of Rule C1, punishable by virtue of Rule B15.16, of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Saturday, 23rd July 2016, immediately after your Match Day 28 fixture: Heartland FC vs. FC Ifeanyiubah, some of your supporters assaulted match officials by hitting them and throwing objects (including plastic chairs, tables, stones and cans) at them”. Having being found culpable, the sanction by the LMC

includes a fine of N1, 250, 000 being compensation to the four match officials and the match commissioner at N250, 000 for each of them. Heartland Supporters were also found to have attacked the visiting team players, officials and supporters leading to damage to the visiting team bus whose windows were shattered in breach of Rule C1. Consequently, the club has been ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors beginning with the August 7 fixture against Nasarawa United for breach of Rule B13.21. A pre-condition for opening the stadium to spectators and supporters again is that, “Heartland must take steps which shall include proper demarcation of restricted areas and workshops for stewards and supporters on code of conduct”. The LMC further ruled that “in view of the gravity of the incident and the complicity of the club and their officials, pursuant to Rule C18.6, Heartland FC shall also forfeit the one (1) point it previously earned in the match, provided that the execution of the one-point deduction shall be suspended subject to a probationary period of the remainder of the season;

B’ Ball: Ada Mark Foundation Holds Girls Summer Camp The Ada Mark Foundation Basketball Summer Camp for girls will open at the National Stadium, Abuja with registration on Saturday. The camp now in its third year, according to the organiser, Ada Mark Ogbole is designed to create safe space for girls to play basketball in a friendly environment and teach them life skills with topics that include

decision making, menstruation STI, friendship, puberty and spirit of sportsmanship. The camp will run through August 6. Its theme is “Step it for Gender Equality”. Ada Ogbole said that the camp is open for girls between 8-18 years while the first 150 to register will attend the summer camp. In addition, she announced that as most of the entrants are

students, the foundation has bursary system that will reward those in school with some financial grants. President Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijani Umar, thanked Ada Mark for bringing a lot of positives for the federation, assuring that the organisers will get the required back up including technical support at their disposal.

Friday, July 29, 2016

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE House to Abdulmumim

“He was in the habit of collating, warehousing and manipulating sensitive information to blackmail people sometimes apparently for pecuniary purposes. And by the virtue of his position as Appropriations Chairman, he meets with very high and senior public officers at all levels… The Speaker and the Leadership were inundated with complaints by heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over harassment from the House Appropriations Chairman to engage in conduct and acts unbecoming of their offices.” – The House of Representatives accusing former a Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Jibrin Abdulmumim of having a tendency and proclivity to blackmail colleagues and high government officials, misuse and mishandle sensitive government information.

BOLAJIAKINYEMI Fajuyi: Lest We Forget GUEST COLUMNIST

Now praise we great and famous men, The fathers named in story; And praise the Lord, Who now as then Reveals in man His glory. Praise we the glorious names we know, And they whose names have perished, Lost, in the haze of long ago, In silent love be cherished. In peace their sacred ashes rest, Fulfilled their day’s endeavour; They blessed the earth, and they are blessed Of God and man forever. Author: W. G. Tarrant

ince 1987, I had promised myself that I was going to write two tributes, one for Colonel Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, the first Military Governor of Western Nigeria, and the other for Captain Thomas Sankara on the anniversaries of their assassinations and for 49 years in the case of Colonel Fajuyi, and 29 years in the case of Captain Sankara, the Military Head of State of Burkina Faso (1983-1987). The anniversaries came and went without fulfilling the promise I made to myself. To be explicit, Colonel Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, on the murderous and treacherous night that refused to give birth to a bright new day, while Captain Sankara was killed on October 15,1987. This tribute is for Colonel Fajuyi, the Quintessential Omoluabi. God willing, I will pen the tribute for Captain Sankara on the anniversary of his death. You may be wondering why I have finally been aroused to fulfil my vow on this anniversary of his death. Early this year, specifically on January 15, on the 50th anniversary of the January coup, the Nigerian press was awash with reminiscences and tributes from family members, political associates and friends of the victims of the coup. The reminiscences, in themselves, were very educative. But what was spectacularly startling were the contradictions in the narratives. It was obvious that facts, interpretation and falsehoods were muddling this aspect of Nigerian history. So this tribute is my own contribution to contain the violence being done to the truth in Nigerian history. I met Colonel Fajuyi only once in 1961. I was then an upper six student at Christ School Ado-Ekiti and he came to address our class. He was on leave from the army. He was dressed simply in the Yoruba buba and sokoto attire. His presentation was jovial and simple to understand. We were very interested in how soldiers could understand commands on parade grounds. He made life in the army sound so much fun that if he had made the military equivalent of an altar call, I would have enthusiastically led the others in signing up. Whether my enthusiasm would have survived my first encounter with the drill Sergeant is another matter entirely. On a lighter note, I once made reference in the presence of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha to the fact that if I had joined the army in 1960 after my secondary education at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, I would be their senior and therefore a Field Marshall since they were both full Generals by then. General Babangida turned to General Abacha and said, “Did you hear that?” General Abacha simply said, “We would have shot him.” Presumably, it was all in jest. I hope. But many a true word is spoken in jest. Back to Colonel Fajuyi. On that occasion of his lecture

Fajuyi to us students in Ado-Ekiti, he never for once made any allusion to the fact that he had been honoured twice by the British for acts of courage. In 1954, as a Sergeant, he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for supressing a mutiny in his unit over food rations. He never made mention of the fact that he had been awarded the Military Cross (MC) by the British Government for showing exceptional bravery during the Congo operations. The MC is usually granted for “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.” The MC is not awarded lightly. One of the recipients during World War II was a Captain Sam Manekshaw, Indian Army (who eventually rose to the rank of Field Marshal). Given the fact that I have not been able to come across anything recording that another Black African had won the Military Cross, I might not be completely off the mark if I assert that Fajuyi is the only Black African officer to have won the British Military Cross. (If I am wrong, I hope this article will give someone somewhere the opportunity to set the record straight and complete the record). Given the well known racism exhibited towards colonial troops, I have no doubt if Fajuyi’s heroism that led to the Military Cross had been done by a British officer, it would have been a Victoria Cross, the highest British military honour. I once watched a film “LION OF THE DESSERT” on the Libyan resistance movement against Italian occupation in Libya during the Second World War. The head of the resistance, Sheik Omar Mukhtar, was captured, sentenced to death and executed on 16 September 1931. On the eve of his execution, he was visited by General Rodolfo Graziani who asked him if he had any last requests. He first said no. But as the General got to the door, the Sheik said: “Don’t lie that I begged for my life because I did not”. The General was later to say of Omar “he was the bravest and most honourable man that I ever met.” Of all the conflicting accounts of the events of that murderous and treacherous night which gave birth to a dawn when the sun refused to shine, and there were and I suppose there will continue to be conflicting narratives, all the narratives agreed on one thing: Colonel Francis Fajuyi never begged for his life, never tried to escape, never hid under a bed or hid in a cupboard. “Faith of our father, holy faith, I will be true to thee till death”. The narrative about Colonel Fajuyi’s behaviour that dawn soon became mired in the propaganda war between the Federal side and the Biafran side. The Federal side maintained that Fajuyi did not volunteer to die with Ironsi and that he was marked down for execution by the July coupists for being complicit in the January coup. The Biafran side insisted that Fajuyi volunteered to die with his guest and Supreme Commander. He was portrayed as a gallant officer, full of valour and honour. The Federal side dismissed the Biafran narrative as a ploy

to secure Yoruba support during the war, while the Biafran side dismissed the Federal narrative as a disingenuous attempt to justify the brutal and unwarranted murder of a honourable officer. Where is the truth? Fifty years after the event, and 47 years after the end of the civil war, Mrs Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, the widow of General Ironsi, confirmed what her son, who was with the father in Ibadan that day, told her on July 30, 1966 that Fajuyi volunteered to go with his father—an act of bravery. The war had been long over and Mrs Ironsi had nothing to gain from parroting civil war propaganda. Secondly, the Police Special Branch (the predecessor of what is now the Department of State Security) wrote a report on the January 1966 coup (published in Kirk-Greene, CRISIS AND CONFLICT IN NIGERIA, pp. 115-124) and nowhere was Fajuyi’s name mentioned. The name also did not crop up in either Ruth First, or John de St. Jorre or any book for that matter that dealt with the January 1966 coup. The other sore thumb on this narrative is the comment by Professor Isawa Elaigwu, in his biography of General Yakubu Gowon that “Fajuyi… was reported to have been very scared”. Colonel Fajuyi, an officer who won two British military medals for bravery all within 18 years of being in the military, the only officer in Nigerian military history to have been so honoured, to have been “very scared” is most unlikely. This would be equivalent to declaring that General George Patton, the bravest General of the Second World War, was scared in a battle. It would fly in the face of facts and would not be regarded as credible. I am not implying that Colonel Francis Fajuyi was the only brave officer that the Nigerian army has produced. On the contrary, Colonel Alabi-Isama’s civil war memoirs show General Benjamin Adekunle (the Black Scorpion) as an exceptionally brave officer. Another exceptionally brave officer is General Ibrahim Babangida who as Colonel Babangida confronted Lt, Colonel Dimka during the 1976 attempted coup. In a highly educative and illuminating article by Ben Lawrence who was an eyewitness to the encounter between Colonel Babangida and Colonel Dimka in the NBC headquarters, he wrote: “A sprucely dressed officer was being brought into the presence of the coup-leader. I had no knowledge of who he was, but he was cool, man, —really cool. He stood about 30 yards away from Dimka, who had come out into the corridor, and spoke to him in Hausa. ‘I am coming directly to you,’ he said with all sincerity. ‘I bear no arms but only wish to talk with you. May I come on?’ Dimka was standing between two of his soldiers, one of whom was armed. He was the one who refused. However, Dimka was for the visitor to draw nearer, but the soldier got into an argument with him and Dimka had to disarm him forcibly. Then he asked his visitor to draw nearer. The newcomer, who was a full colonel by the insignia of his uniform, kept asking for permission at each step as he drew nearer, and Dimka replied favourably. We, Ishola Folorunso and I, were the only ones in sight of the corridor, the only witnesses to the historic meeting. And then, the colonel began to plead with Dimka. ‘Leave this thing alone, you hear? What has got into you?’ ‘My life is totally involved now, and I can’t give it up,’ Dimka replied. Then he looked down the corridor and remembered that Hausa was a language we often communicated in on our drinking sprees, so he asked us to leave the corridor. I quickly made to leave, but not so, my Director of Programmes. He said no one was going to order him around in his

office. In vain I pleaded with him. I had known Isola, man and boy, then for over 30 years. Never had I seen him grow so obstinate over a point. And so, Dimka had both of us locked in Ishola’s office while they continued their conversation. After a while, we were let out. Dimka was accompanying the other officer down the corridor to one of the corporation’s car. As the door was held open for him to enter, the colonel took a step back and gave a very smart salute before departing. We all then tried to settle down, but really could not. We were asking whom that brave officer was that dared to engage assassins still wet with the blood of their victim on their hands? And Dimka let him go just like that? … we learnt that the gallant colonel who came to save us was Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. He went on to make more history later, but that is the story for another day. (Bisi Lawrence, Vanguard Feb 13, 2016).” Fifty years after Fajuyi paid for his gallantry and honour with his life, we run the risk of the significance of that dawn being forgotten. Even the younger generation has probably never even heard of this episode, not to talk about drawing the right inferences from it. I have spoken to every Oyo State governor since 1999 with the exception of the present governor about the need to acquire compulsorily the stretch of land along Iwo road where both Colonel Fajuyi and General Ironsi were killed. On that parcel of land should be constructed a National Memorial Park dedicated to courage, loyalty and unity and adorned by the twin bronze statues of General Thomas “Ironside” Aguiyi-Ironsi and Colonel Francis Adekunle “OMOLUABI” Fajuyi. And let the story of what happened that dawn be told over and over again to present and future generations. I even tried to sell the idea to Afenifere/AD when that contraption controlled the Western states. I received no listening ears then. Maybe now, on the 50th anniversary of perhaps the noblest deed in Nigerian history, the powers that be in all the Western states will listen and reflect. Nigeria needs this memorial. But much more important, we, the Yoruba nation need this memorial. If truth be told, we are held in great contempt in Nigeria, being regarded as lazy, cowardly and enamoured of owanbe worldview. Of course, this perception is very far from the truth. Lazy people did not build cocoa plantations, which made the old Western Region the most developed state in Africa under Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Cowards did not man and lead the Third Marine Commando Division, which carried out the first successful sea to land military operations in Africa. This division led by first Benjamin Adekunle and later by Olusegun Obasanjo included Akinrinade, Alabi-Isama and other Yoruba officers. How can a race that produced Colonel Francis Adekunle, the only African to win the British Military Cross, for valour be called cowards? But then who needs facts when demonisation will do. So let us build this national memorial park. Let us build the bronze statutes of Fajuyi and Ironsi; Let us tell the story of honour, valour and courage in a year and in a country more noted for treachery, betrayal, mayhem, murder and bestial behaviour. Nothing I have written here nor the monuments if built can consecrate or sanctify the heroism of that night. The act and the penalty he paid have already consecrated and sanctify it (to borrow from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address). Our job as the living is to ensure that LT-COLONEL FRANCIS ADEKUNLE FAJUYI is not forgotten. Not for his sake but for our sake. • Prof. Akinyemi was Nigeria’s Foreign Minister from 1985-1987

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com