FRIDAY 16TH September 2016

Companies Linked to Patience Jonathan’s $15m Plead Guilty Ex-presidential aide, Dudafa, pleads not guilty Former first lady accuses EFCC of hiring mercenaries Davidson Iriekpen Four companies involved in a

money laundering case linked to the former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, yesterday

pleaded guilty before a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos.

The companies — Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development

and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited; and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited — pleaded

guilty to a 15-count charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

The companies were

arraigned alongside former Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo Dudafa; former presidential aide, Amajuoyi Briggs; and

former Skye Bank official, Damola Bolodeoku.

The three pleaded not guilty before the judge.

Continued on page 8

Niger Delta: Death of Tompolo's Father Threatens Cease-fire… Page 8 Friday 16 September, 2016 Vol 21. No 7813. Price: N250

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Buhari Rallies His Team: Think Out of the Box to Pull Economy Out of Recession Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has charged his cabinet ministers and financial experts to think out of the box to develop the most effective

strategies for pulling the nation out of its current economic recession.

"Indeed, the challenges we face in the current recession Continued on page 9

For Asking Buhari to Quit, FG Calls PDP Shameless Irritant Olawale Ajimotokan and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

For daring to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to quit over his poor handling of the economy, the federal government has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a shameless irritant bent on distracting the government from its rescue mission and returning the country to "Egypt".

Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji

Lai Mohammed, said in a statement yesterday that the government was on a rescue mission to revive Nigeria after the PDP left it in a coma, adding that the party was out to sabotage the rescue efforts.

Mohammed said if the PDP had understood the meaning of shame, it would never have dared to even make a single comment on the same economy that it did everything to kill.

Continued on page 8

RETREAT Shema Denies Evading EFCC Summons, BUDGET L –R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Budget and National Requests to Report on Tuesday…Page 10 Planning, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, at the ministerial retreat on Framework for 2017 Budget held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja… yesterday

godwin omoigui

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Niger Delta: Death of Tompolo’s Father Threatens Ceasefire Senator Iroegbu with agency report The death, last week of Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, father of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), is threatening the fragile peace in the Niger Delta, Reuters reported on Monday, saying militants were becoming restive over the circumstances of the death.

The militants massed in the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), that had dealt heavy blows to oil and gas installations in the region, had entered into an unofficial ceasefire with the federal government, pending formal negotiations of their grievances last month.

But the death of the father of the militant leader, the

report said, might reverse the little gains of the peace process and lead to the resumption of hostilities as the militants were said to be holding the military vicariously liable for the incident.

The octogenarian had fallen while fleeing an army raid on his hometown in May and injured his leg, which had to be amputated two months later, said a spokesman for his son, Tompolo.

The old man died last week from complications arising from the amputation.

And the NDA militants were said to be agitated by this.

Although security sources said Tompolo had links to the NDA, which had claimed responsibilities for the attacks on oil and

gas installations, which incidentally began shortly after corruption charges were brought against him, he had persistently denied any involvement in the acts.

"In a nutshell, [the] government caused the death of my father," Frank Ekpemupolo, another son, said at a gathering of 400 mourners at his father's compound in Warri, the largest city in Delta State.

Mourners including community chiefs, politicians and villagers accused troops of harassing people in the fishing communities dotted along the region's waterways.

An Avengers spokesman told Reuters the military was "harassing poor people of the Niger Delta". The military denies it, saying troops are merely searching

for militants and criminals.

Several new militant groups have sprung up in the last few weeks, each with its own demands, and some have vowed to launch a new wave of attacks.

Community leaders say they are concerned that the government has not contacted militants or unveiled a negotiation team, three weeks after the Avengers said they were ready for the promised talks.

"We haven't been contacted, but we are not worried," said the Avengers spokesman.

Captain Mark Anthony, a spokesman for the Niger Delta Liberation Force, a defunct militant group, said the "government's muteness" since the Avengers announced a ceasefire was creating

"a security concern for everybody".

"They have only stopped bombing temporarily. It doesn't mean they are tired of bombing," he said.

An army offensive was launched in late August against militant camps which led to the deaths of five people and the arrests of 23 others.

Eric Omare, spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which represents one of the region's largest ethnic groups, said statements by President Muhammadu Buhari that militants would be treated like Boko Haram jihadists prompted fears that the offer of talks was a ruse to prepare for a military onslaught.

Tensions in Warri are concentrated along its murky brown waterways

— used by fishermen, commuters and thieves stealing crude oil — where fleeting encounters with strangers can end in bloodshed.

Boats slow down and their occupants raise their arms when they encounter naval patrol boats fitted with machine guns.

Fishermen say they fear being mistaken for militants and shot. Gunmen disguised as priests killed three soldiers last month.

An official who did not want to be named said "arrangements" were being made to resume dialogue with the militants.

He said the government wanted each militant group to send representatives, rather than acting through intermediaries as in the past.

He said: "The candid truth is that we failed under the successive PDP administrations to save for the rainy day, and we need to constantly remind ourselves of that so that we won't repeat the mistake.”

He pointed out that the excess crude account fell from about $9 billion in 2007 to about $2 billion in 2015, contending that the argument that it was the state governors that depleted the account did not hold water since there were governors in place when the account was being built up.

He accused the PDP federal government of short changing the states, claiming that $14 billion

in revenues from Nigerian LNG remained unaccounted for, adding that until the Buhari administration came to office, state governments never got any allocations from the LNG, a funding source, he said belonged to the Federation Account.

He accused the PDP government of profligacy, saying at the time that it was earning large revenues from oil, it only managed to double the external debt from $5.6 billion to $10.7 billion between 2011 and 2015.

“The case of domestic debt was even worse, almost tripling from N888 billion to N2.1 trillion in the same period,” he said.

The information minister

said while the government would continue to welcome constructive criticism, it had nothing to learn from a party that was in charge of the nation's affairs at a time of plenty, but ended up frittering away the commonwealth, looting the nation blind and setting the stage for today’s economic crisis, which the Buhari administration was working tirelessly to put an end to.

Also rising to the defence of the president yesterday, his All Progressives Congress (APC) described the call by the PDP on Buhari to quit office as silly and senseless.

The ruling party rejected

the provisions of sections 1(2) (c), and 1(19) (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

It also contravened the provisions of sections 18 (a) of the money laundering prohibition Act, 2012.

However, Mrs Jonathan has picked holes in the authenticity of the representatives of the four companies who pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of money laundering.

Counsel to the former first lady, Oyewole, told the court that his client would file an appeal to challenge the validity of the representatives of the companies.

In a statement by her media aide, Yemi Akinbode, the former first lady was quoted as saying that the second amended charge and the conduct of the Federal High Court have shown clearly that the EFCC was bent on denting her image and trampling on her fundamental human rights.

Mrs Jonathan said: “This is an irony. I was the one who went to court for the repatriation of my confiscated money when I realised that the EFCC and its co-travellers were

playing politics with this issue after I had come out publicly to say that the said money belongs to me and that I have all evidence to prove the sources of my money. Up till this very moment, EFCC has refused to interrogate or invite me for questioning, while the agency has continued to detain Dudafa under heavy armed security guards.”

She further said: “The biggest twist in court on Thursday was that the fourth to seventh defendants pleaded guilty to all the 15-count charges. It is clear that these unknown faces were agents of the EFCC, who have been stage-managed and tutored to come to court to complicate the case as a strategy to confiscate my money.”

Mrs Jonathan reiterated her respect for the sanctity and integrity of the judiciary as the bastion of hope for every citizen of the country.

She however expressed disappointment that her well-earned image was being maligned in the court of public opinion through the “tissues of lies being churned out by the EFCC in respect of the matter”.

Mrs Jonathan restated that she was not a director,

shareholder, promoter and/ or participant in any of the four companies now under trial, and that she was the sole signatory to all the said accounts, contrary to the fabrication that she used her driver and cook as proxies.

She also denied ever receiving any monies from any unknown sources into her accounts and that the accounts were opened in order to facilitate her travel overseas particularly for medical treatment, sundry purchase for herself and her late mother, Mrs. Charity Oba (Mama Sisi).

FOR ASKING BUHARI TO QUIT, FG CALLS PDP SHAMELESS IRRITANT "While the PDP was emasculating Nigeria on all fronts, including social, economic and political, the rapacious party was deceiving Nigerians by giving them the illusion of growth and prosperity,” he said, adding: “Instead of showing remorse and rebuilding itself to a strong opposition party, the PDP has continued to blame the successor Buhari administration which is left to clear their mess.”

Mohammed said the PDP had continued to engage in a blame game, when it should be hiding from the shame it brought upon the country.

Apparently angered by the Eid-el-Kabir message by

Buhari, where the president had dismissed its 16 years in the saddle as extremely wasteful and without a corresponding savings and lack of investment and infrastructure, the PDP had asked the president to quit for failing to meet the public expectations.

But Mohammed in a burst of rage, described the economy under PDP's watch as nothing but a bubble that was buoyed by massive corruption and chronic incompetence. He said such was the scale of graft under the former ruling party that the sum of $31.5 million was allegedly traced to a former First Lady without any known means

of earned livelihood.

"They keep saying we should stop talking of the past, yet the past will not stop rearing its head. They keep saying we should no longer refer to the past, but how can we forget so soon that our foreign exchange reserves plummeted from $62bn in 2008 to $30bn by 2015, at a time when oil prices were at a historic high, reaching a level of $114 per barrel in 2014,” he said.

The information minister explained that at a time the country’s reserves were nose diving, Indonesia, another oil producing economy with a high population, increased its reserves from $60 billion in 2008 to $120 billion in 2015.

Continued on page 9

COMPANIES LINKED TO PATIENCE JONATHAN’S $15M PLEAD GUILTY The EFCC slapped a 15-count charge on the accused bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

However, Patience Jonathan in a statement signed by her counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, disowned the representatives of the companies, claiming they were mercenaries recruited by the EFCC to plead guilty so that her funds could be confiscated by the state.

When the case was called yesterday, the four companies announced their representation as follows: Friday David represents Pluto Properties and Investment Company, and Agbor Obaro represents Sea Gate Property Development Company.

Also, Fredrick Dioghowori announced his representation for Trans Ocean Property Limited, while Taiwo Ebenezer represented Avalon Global properties Limited.

After the charge was read to the accused, the first, second and third accused pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge.

Meanwhile, the four individuals representing the companies listed in the charge, each pleaded guilty to the offences.

Following the guilty plea of the companies, the EFCC

prosecution team led by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, then prayed the court to allow a short time for review of the facts, adding that he would not waste the time of the court.

The trial judge, Justice Kuewumi, however, declined the prosecution's request, ruling that he would adjourn to a future date.

Meanwhile, the counsel representing the second and third accused, Messrs Tochukwu Onyiuke, and Joseph Okebiemen, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of their clients, adding that same had not been opposed.

They urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms.

The counsel representing the first accused, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, also informed the court that his client was already on bail on existing conditions granted by a brother judge, and urged the court to allow his client enjoy same bail standing.

To the request of the counsel, Justice Kuewumi declined granting bail to the first accused, and ordered him to file a formal application for bail before the court.

The court, however, granted bail to the second and third accused in the sum of N250 million with one surety in like sum.

The judge added that the sureties must be owners of landed properties in Lagos, and if a public servant, such surety must produce a letter of introduction from his employer.

The judge also ordered the sureties to submit evidence of tax clearance.

He adjourned the case to September 27 for continuation and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail.

In the amended charge, the EFCC alleged that the accused had between November 13, 2013, and June 2015, used the different companies to commit the offences.

The accused were alleged to have conspired to retain over $15 million, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of crime.

The alleged offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 15 (d), 17(a), 18(a), and 27 (3) (c) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004.

The offence is said to have also contravened

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

PAGE NINE

5 Million Living With Diabetes in Nigeria, Says EMSON Bassey Inyang in Calabar About five million Nigerians are suffering from diabetes, the President of the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON), Professor Feyi Adegoke, has disclosed.

Adegoke spoke through EMSON's Secretary General, Dr Olufemi Fasanmade, at the opening of the 38th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the society on Wednesday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, and expressed fears that the figure could rise to 10 million if the situation was not properly managed.

Adegoke identified huge consumption of alcohol, soft drinks, and lack of physical activities as hugely responsible for the increasing cases of diabetes in the country.

She said members of the society were meeting to deliberate on scientific and medical issues associated with diabetes and metabolism, particularly in Nigeria.

She said the theme of the conference, “Endocrinology Practice in a Resourceconstrained Setting”, was apt for discussion as complications of Endocrine conditions continue to be the issue as hospital resources continue to dwindle.

The EMSON president said members of the society were looking forward to the delivery by the wealth of presentations, focusing on the challenges being faced in the local setting and how they could be overcome.

At the opening ceremony, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, said over 97,000 people are living with diabetes in the state.

He said the disease was on the increase in the state, especially in the rural communities where only few cases were recorded.

However, the commissioner expressed the hope that EMSON experts would work towards finding better solutions to diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic disorders.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu, who declared the conference open, expressed his appreciation to the society for working with the university to achieve the aims and objectives of its medical school and related faculties.

He said the management of the university would continue to encourage intellectual activities and exchange of ideas propagated by the society.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole

BUHARI RALLIES HIS TEAM: THINK OUT OF THE BOX TO PULL ECONOMY OUT OF RECESSION require out-of-the-box thinking, to deploy strategies that involve engaging meaningfully with the private sector, to raise the level of private sector investments in the economy as a whole,” the president said yesterday at the opening of a ministerial retreat tagged: “Building Interministerial Synergy for Effective Planning and Budgeting in Nigeria.”

He charged participants at the retreat, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, to design how best to implement his administration's plans to rid the country of its dependence on oil, diversify the economy and bring the country out of recession.

The performance of the economy under the Buhari administration has come under searing attacks by notable public figures in the last few days, with many asking him to buckle down and deliver on the change he had promised the electorate during his electioneering last year.

In the forefront of critiques were the Emir of Kano, Alhaji

Mohammed Sanusi II, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Prof. Charles Soludo; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; and the Archbishop of Sokoto Dioceses, Hassan Kukah.

They all called for more rigorous thinking through economic policies and asked the president to seek help from experts and private sector players to show him the way out of the woods.

Buhari showed that he was sensitive to these criticisms yesterday when he gathered his ministers and told them to explore more coordinated approach to the formulation and implementation of the policies of government.

He told them that there had been mismatch between government planned targets and budgetary outcomes at the national and sectoral levels in the past years, suggesting that this might have occurred because the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) had not been working together and building consensus around common

national objectives.

Saying this had impeded growth and development of the country, the president explained that the retreat was apt and timely especially coming at a time when the process for the 2017 budget was in the offing and meant to correct this anomaly.

"It is in this context that this retreat has been designed to discuss issues around the state of the economy and build consensus amongst cabinet members and top government officials,” Buhari said, adding that the retreat would also serve as an opportunity to have a general overview of the economy and discuss the framework for the 2017 budget, its key priorities and deliverables.

The president, who sat through the first session, said he was ready to listen to the views of experienced economists and development experts on how best to implement his plans to rid the country of its oil dependence, diversify the economy and bring the country

out of the current economic recession.

He said given that the retreat would background the 2017 budget, he expected that his ministers would come out with a determination and common position on how to have improved synergy amongst the various ministries and departments for the effective formulation and implementation of the upcoming budget.

Buhari expressed the commitment of his administration to leverage on private sector resources, through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and other arrangements, in order to augment the scarce budgetary resources at government’s disposal and accelerate investments in building critical infrastructure.

He said it was for this reason that some key nonspending agencies, such as the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the National Pension

Commission (PENCOM) were invited to participate in the retreat.

He said: "We are confident that the level of private investment will grow as we are determined to make it easier to do business in Nigeria by the reforms we are introducing under the auspices of the Presidential Committee on Ease of Doing Business."

The president said government would continue to strategise on how it could turn the current challenges into opportunities for the nation, particularly the vibrant youth on whose shoulders laid the future of the country.

“This is why we have embarked on measures and actions that will open up the opportunities we have seen in the power, housing, agriculture, mining, trade and investment, Information Communication Technology (ICT) sectors, tourism, transport and other sectors,” he said, assuring the youth that government would remain steadfast in its effort to ensure greater progress and

prosperity for them.

Saying that the task of repositioning the economy for change was beyond the executive alone, he asked for the support and cooperation of the private sector’s domestic and foreign investors, the state and local governments, the National Assembly and the judiciary as well as all well-meaning Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, in a private interaction with newsmen declared that part of the government’s strategies to get the country out of recession was to invest in infrastructure.

While sympathising with the suffering masses, Adeosun said the government was aware that the nation was really heading into a difficult period. She however assured Nigerians that plans were afoot to turn things around for good.

Resource persons invited to deliver papers at the one-day retreat included Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Mr. Obadiah Mailafia, Mr. Bode Augusto and Dr. Ayo Teriba.

were anxiously waiting for the resumption of their representatives at the National Assembly so as to join Buhari's team in the effort to bring succour to Nigerians over the current economic hardship in the land.

The APC spokesman, in a statement, however, dismissed the call by the PDP on the president to resign, saying most Nigerians still believe in the leadership of Buhari and the APC. "I think it is shameful and unheard of for the degraded PDP carcass to call for Mr.

President's resignation. It is clear that PDP is not in tune with what is happening all over the world,” Frank said.

He said though the economic recession was a global problem, it was expected of leaders at all levels to ensure the wellbeing of their citizens, stating that the APC was committed to that.

He said: "I want to commend the leadership of the Senate under Senator Bukola Saraki and the House of Representatives ably led

by Hon. Yakubu Dogara for their commitment to ensure

that the APC government succeeds.

"I must at this point in time tell the NASS leadership not to shy away from telling the executive the bitter truth even if it will cost some ministers and managers of our economy their jobs for the sake of Nigerians and the betterment of our economy.

"In the light of this, I want to support the promise made by the Senate president recently that upon resumption, the National Assembly will make tough recommendations to Mr. President."

FOR ASKING BUHARI TO QUIT, FG CALLS PDP SHAMELESS IRRITANT the call and claimed that PDP was plotting a return of the country to the years of looting of the public treasury.

In a statement by APC's National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, the party said that Buhari was already employing all legitimate and innovative means to restore the country’s battered economy to health in the quickest possible time.

"PDP’s silly call for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari is not worth the ink it is written with. Hence the APC will not dissipate energy responding,"

it said.

APC said rather than seek to return Nigeria to its old corrupt ways, the PDP should apologise to Nigerians and toe the path of honour by returning public funds stolen under its watch.

"The PDP faction by its demand to return the country to the years where looting of the public treasury was the order of the day, has taken its orchestrated plot to deflect attention from the economic mess it left behind to new insensitive and shameless heights,” the APC said, adding: "Instead

of this charade, we advise the PDP and their cronies to apologise to Nigerians and toe the path of honour by returning public funds stolen under its watch.”

Meanwhile, as the National Assembly resumes session next week Tuesday, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Timi Frank, has asked the members of both chambers to recommend urgent measures to the executive on how to deal with the current economic recession facing the country.

Frank said that Nigerians

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Shema Denies Evading EFCC Summons, Requests to Report on Tuesday

Bolaji Adebiyi in Abuja Former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, who was

declared wanted on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud, yesterday

DHQ: Boko HaramVideo Diversionary, Replica of 2014 Clip

Warns terrorist remnants to surrender Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described the latest video by Boko Haram terrorists as diversionary and an updated photoshop of the one released in 2014.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in a statement yesterday, said as much as the Nigerian Armed Forces would have allowed the ranting of the Boko Haram in its latest video clip to go without formal reaction, it becames necessary to make some comments to douse the apprehension of the Nigerian citizens concerning the outburst in the video clip.

Abubakar stressed “That the video clip is diversionary and a desperate attempt by the dying Boko Haram sect to remain relevant.”

He dismissed the video clip as a complete show of weakness and sign that the end is near for the insurgents, “hence it does not in any way poses threat to us.”

He said: “The military is equally not deterred by the photoshop assemblage of worshippers at the supposed Eid-el-Kabir prayer which is a replica of the video clip released by the sect in 2014.

“This has cast aspersions to the credibility of the clip and therefore should be disregarded.

The Nigerian military is highly committed to making lives unbearable to the enemies of this nation wherever they are and would do all that is required within its rules of engagement to ensure that no part of Nigerian territory is conducive and habitable for

insurgents and any other criminals to stay and operate.”

The DDI said that the military believes so much in making statement through its action as evidenced in its past achievements rather than making noise in propaganda gimmick as exhibited by the Boko Haram elements in its recent video clip.

“Empty vessel, they say, makes most sound. All threat to leadership of our nation, military and citizens, should be discountenanced in its entirety as military is capable of further decimating the insurgents and providing security for all,” he stated.

Abubakar said while their operation will continue as planned with many terrorists already surrendering and many captives rescued, the remaining surviving Boko Haram terrorists were advised to surrender now for their own good.

He reiterated the commitment, determination and resilience in stamping out Boko Haram and other related criminals across the country.

The Defence spokesman also urged Nigerians not to bother “about the antics of the degraded sect meeting their waterloo is surely imminent”.

He promised that “with the support and prayers from the good citizens of our great country the Armed Forces make bold to say that never again would insurgence be allowed to reign supreme in our fatherland.”

He also reminded all citizens to report any suspected person(s) or object to the nearest security agency for prompt action.

Court to Deliver Judgment in Suit Challenging Appointment of Comptroller of Customs Today A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed September 16 to deliver judgment in a suit challenging appointment of Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The suit which was instituted by a rights activist, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, in November 2015, was argued before Justice Sule Hassan.

Adegboruwa seeks the interpretation of the court as to whether the president can appoint anyone as comptroller-general of customs without complying with section 3 of the Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made on March 25, 2002.

He argued that the said gazette stipulated that only those within

the rank of Deputy Comptroller General of Customs can be elevated as substantive comptroller general.

Adegboruwa then asked the court to nullify the appointment.

In response to the case, the NCS filed a preliminary objection dated April 29, 2016, challenging the locus standi (legal right) of the applicant to file and maintain the suit.

The customs service contended further that Adegboruwa’s suit was a mere academic exercise raising hypothetical questions that the court must not entertain.

It will be recalled that the court heard arguments from counsels to the parties on June 15, and adjourned for judgment.

said he was prepared to clear his name, disputing the claim of the anti-graft agency that he was on the run.

He told THISDAY in a telephone interview that he was puzzled by the action of the EFCC because he had been in contact with the agency since December 2015, adding that its inability to interrogate him over the alleged fraud was not entirely his fault.

He, however, said his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, had written to the commission to request an appointment for Tuesday next week.

“My lawyer has written to the commission to request appointment for September 20, 21 and 22, or in the alternative, September 26, 27 and 28, whichever is convenient for

it,” Shema said.

The EFCC in a statement by its spokesman, Wilson Uwajaren, had declared the former governor wanted. “The former governor ignored several invitations by the commission since December 1, 2015 when he was first summoned by the agency,” it said.

But Shema denied this, saying there was a rich literature of communication between him and the EFCC indicating his willingness to face the commission’s enquiry.

He said it was true that the commission invited him in December last year, but explained that he could not honour the invitation because he was outside the country, adding that his counsel wrote to the anti-craft agency to intimate it with this fact

and requested an appointment for another date.

Shema said the commission replied him in February 2016 and fixed an appointment for June 28, 2016. He said his lawyer then requested that he be allowed to accompany him to the interview since the details of the allegations against him were not disclosed. A request, he said, the commission graciously granted.

“On June 28, 2016, Olanipekun came from Lagos to Abuja to accompany me to the EFCC office as appointed. But as we were about to leave for the appointment, the commission officials called to say the interview could no longer hold because some of its officials who were to conduct the interview had travelled for other assignments,” the former governor said.

Shema said following the agency’s inability to keep the appointment, Olanipekun wrote the commission to ask for another appointment for August 28, 2016, since he (Shema) and his family would be travelling for medicals abroad.

The former governor said the EFCC neither acknowledged nor replied the letter till Wednesday when it declared him wanted.

“I think it is unfair that they would declare me wanted when there has been series of communications between us on this matter,” Shema told THISDAY. He said he would await the EFCC’s response to his lawyer’s request for appointment, saying: “As a lawyer and a public figure, I am interested in clearing my name.”

DARE2DREAM

L-R: Creative Director, Kinabuti Fashion Label, Ms. Caterina Bortolussi; Group Managing Director/CEO of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun; the winner of this year’s FCMB sponsored Dare2Dream empowerment contest for youths, Miss. Chisom Dunu; and the bank’s Divisional Head, Human Resources and Strategy, Felicia Obozuwa, during the grand finale ceremony of the contest in Lagos...yesterday Sunday adigun

Frosty Relationship Between States, LGs Serious Constitutional Problem, Says Buhari ALGON demands refund of $3.2 billion used to service foreign debt Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration will support a constitutional amendment to free local governments from the stranglehold of states and better the lot of Nigerians at the community level.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu said Buhari expressed his readiness to support an amendment to the constitution to make local government areas independent when he received the leadership of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON) yesterday in Abuja.

Buhari said a constitutional

amendment was urgently required to clearly define the relationship among the three tiers of government.

He described the frosty relationship between states and local government as “a very serious constitutional problem.

“The relationship between the three tiers of government is not a very nice one, especially that between the local governments and the states. “The states feel like they own the local government, if they are of the same party. It is worse if they are not.

“This is a very serious constitutional problem and unless there is absolute clarity and transparency, the relationship will continue to be exploited against

the interest of the ordinary people of the country,” the president said.

Buhari advised the ALGON executives to hold consultations with their people and lawyers with a view to presenting a bill that will seek a constitutional amendment to free the councils from the stranglehold of the states.

“This will limit the damage they can do to you. The quicker you do this the better, so that you can help your people much more,” the president said.

The president acknowledged the request by ALGON for the release of 3.2 billion dollars wrongfully deducted by the federal government for the final settlement of foreign debts in 2005.

Supported by Mrs. Kemi

Adeosun, the Minister of Finance, Buhari said the government recognised the judgment debt but the timing of the request for its repayment was wrong given the current economic situation in the country.

In his remarks, acting ALGON National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye, presented a sixpoint demand to the president which included the repayment of the N3.2 billion debt and the need to ensure the sovereignty of local government administration in the country.

The ALGON leaders expressed their full support to the president’s programmes on improving security, anti-corruption campaign and economic revival.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Minimum Wage: Disagreement in NLC Responsible for Collapse Negotiations with FG, Says Aremu Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Issa Aremu, has attributed the unabating crisis between the Joe Ajaero and Ayuba Wabba groups of the Congress over who controls it as responsible for the collapsed negotiations of the proposed minimum wage with the federal government.

He admitted that only a strong labour organisation

could defend the interest of workers; address their challenges and compel President Muhammadu Buhari to address issues of concern, including the hike in the pump price of petroleum products.

Aremu who spoke at the 28th annual National Education conference by the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria held yesterday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said: “Today, the labour movement is going through

AfricanVoices Features Continent’s Fashion Icons From the runways of London to Paris, New York to Milan, Africa’s fashion styles have been thrilling global audiences and generating rave reviews across continents.

It is therefore, no surprise that Cable News Network (CNN) has chosen Africa’s fashion industry which is reportedly worth over $31billion as subject of discussion on this week’s edition of African Voices.

Sponsored by telecoms giant, Globacom, the 30-minute magazine programme is broadcast on CNN International at 10.30a.m. on Fridays.

It is repeated at 2.30p.m. on Saturdays, 12.30a.m. and 7.30p.m. on Sundays. Viewers can also watch the show on Mondays at 11:30p.m. and on Tuesdays at 5.30a.m.

Globacom said the weekend’s edition of the programme would be an exciting one as it would give viewers insight into the activities of new trendsetters in the continent’s burgeoning fashion industry.

According to CNN, those to be featured in the programme are Jenke Ahmed Tailly, Karim Tassi and Katherine-Mary Pichulik.

“We will start with a fashion icon out of Ivory Coast who is hoping to shake up the industry with his African

heritage. And then we head to Morocco where a fashion designer is imprinting his city’s rich culture on crafty clothing, while also being inspired by international elements,” CNN stated.

Jenke Ahmed Tailly is an Ivorian and is regarded as one of the most influential stylists in the industry. He is a fashion editor, stylist, and consultant and works with heavyweights such as pop icons Beyonce and Kanye West, as well as reality TV star, Kim Kardashian.

The second guest on the programme is Karim Tassi, a Moroccan fashion designer reputed for his rich fusion of indigenous fashion culture and international motif and described as putting into practice the motto “Art is born of the intermingling of cultures.” His style plays on the diversity and richness of contrasts; the mixing of cultures is his main source of inspiration.

On the other hand, KatherineMary Pichulik, the third guest, is a hugely talented and creative South African entrepreneur and jewellery accessory designer.

She says, “the inspiration for my work comes from the alchemy of transforming everyday materials through craft, touch and design, and elevating them into something precious and covetable.”

Troops Kill Four, Capture One Boko Haram Member During ’15-minute Gun Battle’ in Yobe The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, yesterday said troops of the Nigerian Army captured a suspected insurgent, and killed four others during a shoot out that lasted for “about 15 minutes”.

Usman said this happened on Wednesday during “a clearance operation by Operation Lafiya Dole in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

“Following reported observed activities of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists around Jororo and Tombaeji villages in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole carried out a clearance operation within the area in the early hours of Wednesday 14th September 2016,” Usman

said in a statement.

“The fighting patrol team came into contact with Boko Haram terrorists elements around Gajire village during which there was a firefight that lasted for about 15 minutes.

The gallant troops overpowered the terrorists and killed four of them and captured 1 alive.

“The victorious troops also recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GMPG), two AK-47 Rifles and 144 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition from the terrorists. In addition, they also recovered 2 KASEA branded motorcycles.

“The troops have continued to patrol the general area in search of possible remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists that might be hibernating in the area.”

avoidable crises and I want to use this medium to call on member of our unions to come together” to strengthen the bargaining power of the union which would make the federal government to buckle.”

According to him, “We need one strong NLC to defend our unions. Up till now, the palliative the president promised us has not been implemented. It is only when we are more united that we can press for a new minimum wage and succeed.

“All the president promised us till now has not been implemented.”

He tasked members of state and the Federal Executive Council to as a matter of priority, wear and patronise made-in-Nigeria- fabric to demonstrate the real change

Nigerians desire.

Also addressing the gathering, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, said there was nothing to justify the crises in the NLC whether the election which led to the emergence of President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, was free and fair or fraught with inconsistencies.

He kicked against the proposal by the National Assembly to abolish the National Minimum Wage and asked Nigerians to blame the economic recession in the country on mismanagement of oil revenues on 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in Nigeria.

He also listed alleged inconsistencies in price modulation, unsustainable investment, trade liberation and removal of trade restriction

by past governments as part of the problems which led to the collapse of the textile industries.

“Whether the elections were perfect or imperfect, there is nothing to justify the little crises we have in NLC. “This government cannot afford to do away with the National Minimum Wage.

Minimum wage is not an eat wage, but, a survival wage. We must fight not only against corruption, but, fight to revive the economy.

“I ask you to keep faith with our country. Nigeria must hold PDP to account.

At a time, the barrel of crude oil in this country was $140 per barrel,” he said.

In his remark, President of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers

of Nigeria, Comrade John Adaji, said Nigeria going through recession which is a direct consequence of our mono economic model.

He called on President Buhari government “to move from rhetoric to a concrete programme that would tackle the armies of unemployment which the textile sector is out to check with necessary imput.”

The Minister of State for Industry, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, whose goodwill message was delivered

by Mr. Barnabas Jajoa, disclosed that the federal government plan with the support of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to reduce the cost of gas supply and tackle smuggling across the country’s borders.

AN AUDIENCE WITHTHE PRESIDENT

R-L: Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal; President Muhammadu Buhari; Acting President, Assocation of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Ibrahim Karaye, leading a delegation of his executive during an audience with the president at the State House in Abuja...yesterday

Mimiko Insists on Restructuring The Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has restated his firm belief in the restructuring of the country even as he submitted that he was misrepresented in a newspaper report published yesterday over the same subject.

In a statement yesterday, the governor who is a notable crusader of the restructuring of the country, said his comment on the statement of his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal, was limited to fiscal federalism. According to the statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akimade, in Akure yesterday, Mimiko restated his belief in the restructuring of the country, maintaining that his support for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report is a genuine pathway to progress in the country.

He added that it was important to follow the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, stressing that in the conference report under political restructuring and forms of government, the conference agreed that “Federalism denotes a political arrangement in which a country is made up of

component parts otherwise called federating units,” and that “in a federation, political powers are constitutionally shared between the central government and the federating units.”

While explaining further his contribution to the Tambuwal position, Mimiko submitted that what the country needs at this time is beyond fiscal federalism, insisting that Nigerians should join the clamour for the enthronement of true federalism.

According to him, only true federalism can encourage devolution of powers from the federal government to states and local councils and also guarantee effective policing.

Mimiko explained that increasing state allocations alone without total restructuring would amount to begging the question and mere surface scratching adding that the country must be restructured in line with the recommendations of the 2014 national conference to make for a country where everyone would be happy to be a part and develop at their own pace maximising their potentials to the advantage of all in a united federation.

Road Transporters to Effect 40% Fare Increase Bennett Oghifo Passengers travelling by road to various cities in the country have been told to brace-up for a 40 per cent increase in fares with effect from September 19, 2016.

The transporters under the aegis of Association of Private Transport Company Owners of Nigeria (APTCON) made the announcement in a notice to its members recently.

The group said it was constrained to markup transport fares by 40 per cent because of the prevailing harsh operating business environment which has seen cost of operations rise by more than 80 per cent.

The association’s secretariat noted that it was compelled to implement the increase as the local economy was showing no signs of stability while international transactions were becoming increasingly difficult to close.

“As we are all aware, the global economy is currently facing a downturn that has greatly affected most countries in the world. As

an industry, we are not exempt from the crisis as in recent months, our operating costs have risen significantly,” the group stated.

It would be recalled that luxury bus Owners (Association Luxurious Buses owners of Nigeria, LUBAN) had earlier announced an increase in bus fares by 35 per cent for all their routes effective June 10, 2016.

APTCON lamented that the biggest challenges facing its members were the price of fuelling, cost of spareparts for vehicle maintenance, unit cost of buses, diesel costs for powering terminals, Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as increase in bank interest rates.

“These identified increments, to name but a few, have taken a significant toll on the revenue of private transport company owners across Nigeria,” the statement noted.

The group also noted that many of its members had expressed their inability to pay salaries much less run profitably, while some others have had to shut down operations completely.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Again, Tribunal Dismisses Ex-Abia Gov, Kalu’s Petition Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday failed once again in his bid to become the senator representing Abia North as the Election Petition Tribunal dismissed his petition and upheld the election of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

It was the second time Kalu would go through the same process of challenging the outcome of the senatorial rerun poll and failing to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt having equally lost on the same grounds in his petition challenging the outcome of the 2015 poll at the tribunal.

However, his appeal was successful as the appellate court in Owerri ordered a rerun of the Abia North poll, which he lost again and embarked on another round of litigation.

In the judgment that lasted for over seven hours and read by the Chairman of the threeman tribunal, Justice James Abundaga, the tribunal held that “none of the allegations contained in the petition was proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Signs that Kalu’s petition was doomed emerged when Justice Abundaga resolved most of the issues raised in the preliminary objections in favour of the first respondent.

The tribunal agreed that the petition challenging the out come of the rerun poll was “ambiguous, imprecise, vague, nebulous and incomprehensible,” adding that the petitioner could not pinpoint where the alleged electoral malpractices took place rather indulged in the expressions, “some polling units,

various polling, a number of polling units.”

On the contrary, the tribunal discovered that it was the petitioner that indeed, padded votes by adding 4,200 votes to his score in three wards in Bende Local Government Area. After deducting the extra votes from the 25,814 votes credited to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) it left Kalu trailing Ohuabunwa by over 4,000 votes which was added his initial score of 26,009 votes.

Despite the “heavy premium” that the petitioner placed on the evidence given by the forensic expert who claimed that there was evidence of multiple thumb printing of thousands of votes, the tribunal faulted the process used in arriving at the findings and therefore discountenanced it.

It also picked holes in the evidence of the petitioner and his 33 witnesses, saying it did not hold any water as it was full of inconsistencies and false allegations.

On the non-joinder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as respondent, the tribunal said it “vitiated the petition,” adding that the criminal allegations of electoral malpractices levelled against the party could not be sustained without giving it the opportunity of fair hearing.

To this end, 10 paragraphs in the petition where criminal allegations were made against PDP were consequently struck out thereby further weakening the petitioner’s case.

Meanwhile, Kalu has signified his intention to appeal the tribunal verdict as one of his counsel, Perfect Okorie, told journalists after the judgment that the legal team was not satisfied with the verdict.

But a counsel to Ohuabunwa, Mike Onyeka, said with the detailed judgment by the tribunal, it has become clear that even the devil would agree that Ohuabunwa should be allowed to continue his quality representation of Abia North in the Senate.

First Nation Defers Resumption of Flight Operations Customs insists on payment of tariff on aircraft spares Chinedu Eze Contrary to its promise that it would resume flight operations yesterday, the management of First Nation Airways has explained why it was unable to honour it promise, citing delays in the clearing of its equipment, including aircraft engine by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The airline last week promised that it would resume flights by September 15 if it was able to procure the needed aircraft spares parts to repair its aircraft on ground, but yesterday the airline said it could not clear the equipment due to hitches in the clearance process because of alleged delays by Customs.

Passengers who booked the airline’s flights in advance are worried and sceptical that the airline would take longer time before it resumes flight again.

First Nation Airways however has assured its passengers that it would meet its obligations to them and promised that it would resume flights soon.

THISDAY gathered that the NCS released the equipment needed to fix the airplanes belonging to the airline on September 14, whereas

the airline had anticipated that all Customs formalities would have been done last week Friday before the Sallah holidays.

The source also said the management of the airline was optimistic that the team of engineers would finish work on the engines before today, a day later than it promised that it would start schedule flights, as the airline plans to resume operations immediately after the engines were fixed.

THISDAY also learnt that the delay in the clearing of the equipment might not be unconnected to the refusal by NCS to adopt the new policy of the federal government, which directed that airlines should enjoy waiver on importation of aircraft parts and other equipment meant for commercial airline operation.

This was confirmed by the Account Manager of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo, who said despite the federal government’s waiver policy on the importation of spare parts into the country, NCS has continued to insist the airlines pay tariffs, which sometimes are up to 20 per cent of the price of the equipment and spares parts.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that the following documents-- Deed of Assignment dated 22nd September, 2008, Form 1C and another Deed of Assignment between Mr Christopher Utulu and my humble self (Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa) in respect of the property situate and lying at Plot 451, now 44, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos are missing and all efforts to find or trace these documents proved abortive, therefore these documents are considered lost.

This public notice is to inform the general public of the loss of the above listed documents and I disown whatever transaction on the property situate and lying at Plot 451 now 44, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos with the lost documents by persons not directed or known to my humble self, Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa.

SIGNED: ALHAJI RAFIU AKANNI OLOHUNWA.

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Obasanjo Urges FG to Resolve NOUN, Law School Crisis Paul Obi in Abuja Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the federal government to step in and resolve the crisis between the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Nigerian law school, following the refusal of the Law School to admit law graduates from NOUN into the school.

According to the former president, who is also an alumnnus of NOUN, the crisis is a serious matter that needs to be tackled with all seriousness.

Obasanjo was speaking when the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, paid him a courtesy call at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

NOUN recently suspended admission into its law degree programme due to a decision by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) to stop law graduates from the university from law school, a prerequisite to becoming a lawyer.

The CLE had argued that given that NOUN was not a conventional university, it would be difficult to admit law graduates taking into cognizance the fact that rigorous academic

work required for a law degree.

Though the National Universities Commission (NUC) had previously intervened, the CLE remained adamant as its officials expressed great concern over NOUN law graduates.

NOUN law graduates in Rivers State had also dragged CLE, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over the refusal of the CLE to grant them admission, demanding that the defendant, CLE, reverse its decision.

But speaking, the former president who last year graduated with a degree in Theology from NOUN, said: “When they told me about law people, I said who are the early lawyers? They sat at home and read and they ate their dinner... And then they qualified. We know, we were there with most of them in the 1950s.”

He said: “Whereas we have made the university popular, we still have a sort of what I call either ignorance or resistance.

I try to explain, and I think we need to do this, people don’t know how the Open University works. And we need to make them know it.

“I think we have to persuade

government to give you more.

The point is that at this point in time, money is scarce, but Open University is doing much more than any of the world universities is doing. I am not running down the other universities, what I’m saying is that the opportunity that Open University offers is much more than the opportunity that any of the world universities could offer.”

The NOUN Vice Chancellor commended Obasanjo for accepting the honour and informed him of the success story of the university.

Adamu enumerated some of the steps NOUN has taken to include, the renaming of schools

into faculties and introducing the election of deans and Heads of Department, as innovative measure.

The Director of the Olusegun Obasanjo Good Governance and Development Research Centre, Prof.

Abdullahi Shehu, reminded the former president that the decision to establish the centre and name it after him was communicated to him by the former vice-chancellor when he visited NOUN in Lagos in October 2014.

“The decision was based on the recognition of the role Obasanjo played in creating institutions that deepened democracy and good governance within Nigeria, Africa and the world,” Shehu said.

Wike Recalls Suspended Commissioners; HoS, SA on Lands Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has recalled the four commissioners earlier suspended from office.

The commissioners recalled by the governor are: Dr John Bazia, Chieftaincy Affairs; Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide; Culture and Tourism; Dr Fred Kpakol, Finance and Mr Boma Iyaye;

Sports.

A statement by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, informed that the governor has also recalled the Head of Service, Mr. Rufus Godwin and Mr. Anugbum Onuoha, Special Adviser on Lands.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Agbakoba: My Solution to Nigeria’s Economic Recession Sunday Okobi and Aliogo Ugochukwu

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, has posited that it is evident that the oil price shock contributed mainly to the downward spiral in the economy which resulted in the present recession.

According to him, the first step to take in any ailing economy is to diagnose the problem, adding that “in Nigeria’s case, I would diagnose that it is suffering from malignant metabolic economic syndrome, complicated by inflation, high interest rates, unemployment, weak infrastructure and the results of the global fall in the price of oil.”

In a statement he signed and issued to journalists yesterday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria painted a gloomy picture of the country’s economic situation which he said if not treated with urgency by introducing strong fiscal, trade and monetary policy could lead to depression.

Agbakoba noted in the statement that “We know that Nigeria has experienced mismanagement for several decades but now is not the time to lament but to chart a clear economic policy direction that will give value to the economy. This will entail developing macroeconomic

models tailored to stimulate all sectors of the economy and catapulting us out of recession.

“On the issue of monetary policy, there is a lot of confusion. There is the need for harmonisation between Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy which is leaning towards tight liquidity in a bid to harness inflation and the Minister of Finance call for increased public spending on capital projects.”

He noted that that CBN has increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 200 basis points from 12 per cent to 14 per cent to combat inflation and stimulate growth.

“The MPR is the anchor rate at which the CBN, in performing its role as lender of last resort, lends to deposit banks to boost the level of liquidity in the banking system. If the apex bank intends to increase the level of liquidity in the economy, it reduces the MPR but increases it when it intends to tighten money supply.

“By increasing MPR, CBN has unfortunately tightened lending. The banking sector requires strengthening and must be empowered to lend. I recommend that money from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) should go back to the banks at single digit rates and that banks’ recommended lending rate should not exceed 5 percent,” he said.

In his analysis, he suggested that the CBN should focus on productive value of the economy and not the numerical value of the naira, adding that: “The recent devaluation of the naira by the introduction of a floating naira exchange rate has not yielded positive results as we see the naira spiraling downwards. In fact the new forex regime caused a drop in the GDP from $500billion to some $350billion by reducing per capita income to below $600.”

While proffering solution to the biting situation, he said: “I feel that

government’s monetary policy will be required to move from strict monetarism of the Milton Friedman School of thought to the Keynesian Model. Milton Friedman promoted an alternative macroeconomic viewpoint known as ‘monetarism’, and argued that a steady, small expansion of the money supply was the preferred policy. His ideas concerning monetary policy, taxation, privatization and deregulation influenced government policies, especially during the 1980s.

“I believe strongly that Nigeria

can recover from recession and I recommend as a start the need for a Presidential Proclamation at the National Assembly, switching from Austerity Policy to Growth Policy, this will instill hope and form the basis for the way forward.

I am not sure if the Economic Emergency Powers requested by the President Muhammadu Buhari would work. I recall that President Shagari had them and failed; the Venezuelan model has also not worked. To boost the economy will require massive spending on infrastructure and

public works which will also require manpower resources.”

On the need for huge stimuli for business growth, he said there will be the need to create a debt factor market to soak up non-performing loans presently on the banks’ balance sheets now standing at about N20trillion.

“Also, medium and small businesses must be encouraged and enabled to access funds to grow their businesses as these businesses represent the engine of economic growth,” he stated.

Okorocha Sacks Information Commissioner, Adviser on Orientation for Poor Image Mgt Amby Uneze in Owerri For not managing the image of the governor and that of his government properly, especially as it relates to the recent rumour over the alleged death of the governor, Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has sacked the Commissioner for Information, Public Utilities and Tourism, Chief Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, Special Adviser on Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Kelechi Okpalaeke, and the Transition Committee Chairman of

Ikeduru Local Government Area, Hon. Obinna Nshirim.

Okpaleke was also the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy/Director General and State Orientation Agency (ISOA).

They have seized to serve with immediate effect as appointees of the state government.

Although the government did not give reasons for their sack, but wished them well in their future endeavours, THISDAY checks revealed that their sudden sack might not be unconnected

with the way and manner the information relating to the widespread rumour of the governor’s death was managed.

The governor through his Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo had previously denied that he ever wrote or instructed any member of his executive to reply on his behalf, the letter written to him, by his predecessor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, whose letter was variously described by pundits as very timely and apt.

Onwuemeodo, had in a statement titled ‘Okorocha has

not replied former Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s invidious open letter’, said the public should note that Okorocha has not replied any letter to Ohakim.

Okorocha’’s denial and subsequent sack of his Information Commissioner was a surprise development to most Imolites, because Ajumbe, had released a rejoinder, where he defended his boss.

“This is to inform the public that Okorocha has not replied the invidious open letter written against him and his government

by Ohakim,” the statement said.

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T H I S D AY • FRI DAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

COMMENT

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

NIGER DELTA: LET THERE BE DIALOGUE

President Buhari should not lump issues of the Niger Delta agitators with those of the Boko Haram insurgents, argues Godwin Etakibuebu

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari, like every other leader, has a style of governance that is peculiar to him. This style is admired by some and loathed by others. It is the style of talking to Nigerians about burning national issues more when he travels out of the country than when he is within.

This style was applied again few weeks ago in faraway Nairobi, Kenya, about how to deal with the Niger Delta militants. The president warned the Niger Delta agitators to embrace dialogue quickly or else he would give them “the Boko Haram treatment”.

In other words, he was already running out of patience and was fully prepared to bomb them out of existence, like he did with the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east of Nigeria. President Buhari is a no-nonsense man. In all things, the old soldiering habit in him makes him to speak less but act more. He could destroy. He could dis-organise. He could dis-orientate the camp of the “enemy”. He could shoot to kill if the need arises. It is all part of his training as a military man. Such man must be dreaded at all times. This was the message he got across to the Niger Delta Avengers. Ditto every agitator with whatever claim of legitimacy from the geographical Niger Delta region of the country.

Of course, the president would have “genuine and legitimate” reason to issue that threat. He is the Commanderin-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and President and in that capacity, all machineries of the Nigerian state are concentrated under his command – and these include machineries of destruction and coercion. To exercise this power, most importantly in the person of Buhari’s character, recognition of other tiers of government like the judiciary and legislature, and living in obedience to their checks and balances may be non-existent. In Buhari, the tendency of absolutism is always an attractive temptation. Any one in doubt can go and check out previous court orders and Buhari’s reaction to them.

The question remains, however, if the president was right by comparing the Niger Delta issue to that of Boko Haram in drawing up his conclusions. It is my candid submission that both the Niger Delta challenge and the Boko Haram issue are not on the same template. They are far from each other as the heaven is far from the earth. And until our president comes to understand this, he would be getting it wrong in prosecuting either peace or war in the Niger Delta affair. Let us help Mr President in defining the difference as such may help him in being more objective in this matter. But let me first admit that it is not only the president that has the wrong notion over the differences between the two – Niger Delta agitation and Boko Haram insurgency.

Example of others with similar misleading concept and

THE NIGER DELTANS ARE DEMANDING FOR CONSTITUTIONAL EQUITY IN THE DISTRIBUTION AND SHARING OF ITS OWN WEALTH

full understanding of the differences is the most respected and erudite star from the North - Anglo Abdullahi. Here was a former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s anchor man, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, a leader of the Hausa/Fulani oligarchy and current spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, saying that “Niger Delta Avengers are worse than Boko Haram”. What a great irony! What a misinterpretation of facts of events!

I am not willing to subject his perimeter of judgment to scrutiny at this point but suffice to advice President Buhari never to associate himself with this type of conclusion. Its misconception and misleading implication could jeopardise everything about qualitative dialogue for peace in the Niger Delta.

The Niger Deltans are demanding for constitutional equity in the distribution and sharing of its own wealth.

The region is asking not to be alienated from its inalienable rights to the God-given natural wealth, by any instrument of state’s legislation. The region is saying that it would be sin against God and mankind to take what the Creator has given to them, without due process of negotiation. It is telling the whole world that since it pleased the Creator, at creation, to give to each people and their regions, what would help them to grow, it would be naturally unfair to deny such group their inalienable rights under whatever interpretation. They are saying in view of their knowledge that every geographical region has concentration of one natural deposit or another to survive, that the principle of “resource control” should remain a golden and divine guiding legal principle applicable to all – other geographical regions inclusive.

This sets the people of the Niger Delta region and their demand totally separate from the Boko Haram insurgents who nobody knows what exactly they want from the Nigerian state. Except that they are out to impose Islamic religion on the whole country, a notion that had been adequately denied by Northern Muslim leaders, including his eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, President Buhari himself and other Islamic scholars/cleric across the North, the purpose and reason of Boko Haram taking up arms against the country remains non-existent. Hence, it shall remain a voyage in absurdity for anyone to compare this Boko Haram group with the Niger Delta agitation and its prosecutors.

President Buhari should therefore approach the negotiation with the Niger Delta people without any threats. If the truth must be told, bullets and bombs are not necessarily equipment in enforcing and maintenance peace in all cases.

Etakibuebu, a veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos

ALL ERRORS REGRETTED

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Paul Okolo pays tribute to OJ Abuah, a journalist and Director of Information in the Office of the President

n Friday, August 12, I met with a friend, a journalist covering the Presidential Villa. “How’s OJ,” I asked.

“He’s fine,” she said. “I heard he was sick.” “Ah, I didn’t know that,” I replied. “I’ll try and call him,” I added. Two days later, before I could make the call, Justin Abuah, Director of Information in the Office of the President, was dead.

Among the youngest and most precocious editors working in the Lagos newsroom of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the early 1980s, one man stood out. In those days before the advent of computers, their job was to improve typewritten stories written by reporters before being sent to more experienced senior editors for a final look. OJ Abuah quickly excelled, earning the confidence of his bosses. Usually, when senior colleagues entrust important responsibilities to a surrogate, it’s because the subordinate knows their onions. OJ, as he came to be known, fitted that mode. He had eagle eyes to see every spelling or grammatical errors in a copy. To his credit, once he pronounced a copy to be ok, it meant there was nothing more to add.

There was a catchword that caught on in the newsroom during that period: “All errors regretted.” To the journalists involved, it meant the editor had done their best on a story and any fault spotted thereafter must be because it’s human

to err. If he didn’t create the phrase, OJ so fondly shouted it that he could easily have claimed the copyright. He never failed to do what every editor is primarily paid to do – make the reporter’s story better. This is not to be taken for granted as many reporters would tell you. Some editors do the exact opposite, making you ask how they got the job in the first place.

Because birds of the same feather flock together, OJ and other brilliant sub-editors referred to as “Young Turks” by senior colleagues, bonded easily with other resourceful editors and reporters, making our time together very exciting. But OJ and I predated those NAN days.

We first met in 1978 as fresh undergraduates or Jambites at the University of Lagos. He came from CMS Grammar School, Bariga, also in Lagos. He was admitted to study Mass Communication, then a highly sought-after course for students with the best Higher School Certificate (HSC) or General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level results. Our first meeting was at Marierie Hall, one of the male hostels in the main campus. Friends and classmates gathered there from morning until very late. Over drinks and snacks, we would discuss national politics, international affairs, sports, and campus matters. OJ, while not a loud debater, was never shy to make his point. His interjection would be followed by his trademark vigorous laughter.

As we settled into our jobs, he moved

into a flat in the Lagos suburb of Ijesha with his friend Muyiwa Adefope. After work, his first love was reading. He would read until driven by hunger to the kitchen or when I showed up at the door. After eating and watching the news on television, he would return to his novel, usually one of those voluminous types that intimidated some of us. He was the one who introduced me to Foyles Bookshop in London. We also spent time listening to music by the likes of Grover Washington Jnr., Bob James, George Benson, Fela, Bob Marley and many others whose works captivated our generation.

OJ left NAN for Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the federal government in Lagos, to work with Chief Duro Onabule, who was the Chief Press Secretary to President Ibrahim Babangida.

Not long after, he moved from Ijesha to Victoria Island, ostensibly to be closer to the office. His new home was no less welcoming even after marrying his loving and faithful wife, Loretta. Some other newly-wed wives would have made it their first assignment to drive away their husband’s friends once they’ve tied the knot. Not Loretta. With her, I could have lively discussions even when OJ was in no mood to chat. Following the move of the seat of government from Lagos to Abuja, OJ hosted me in his apartment on my first visit to the new capital. With Loretta yet to join him, we ate whatever

he prepared with joy and reminisced about life, mutual friends and their latest exploits.

OJ’s mind-your-business philosophy at the Villa served him well. Although we never discussed the matter, I feared for him when one former military strongman descended on some predominantly Yoruba-speaking officials at the Villa under the pretext that they participated in a conspiracy to unseat him. OJ, being a Lagos boy who spoke fluent Yoruba, could easily have been implicated. Looking back, I can say that his discretion, decorum, and professionalism probably saved his skin. No wonder he was able to work successfully with seven heads of state from Babangida to Muhammdu Buhari.

In the course of his career, OJ met not a few dignitaries -- from the Pope to presidents. Yet he never wore this as a badge of honour. For someone long accustomed to walking in the corridors of power, his simple mien was uncommon. In his trademark batik or “ankara” wear, you could easily mistake him for a minion holding an inconsequential position in the place. Yet OJ sat at meetings with heads of state, politicians, and dignitaries, quietly taking note of proceedings. Inside of him must be volumes of books on Nigeria and international affairs that may never be written. This makes his passing a truly great loss for his family, friends and the nation.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

EDITORIAL TIME TO AVERT ANOTHER ASUU STRIKE

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Government should enter into dialogue with ASUU to prevent another strike

he Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has served notice of a warning strike on October 2. The lecturers listed their grievances to include lackluster implementation of the 2009 ASUU/ Federal Government agreements as well as the non-remittance of earned academic allowances and some N605 billion outstanding Needs Assessment Intervention to the universities. Other contentious areas include nonfunctioning of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), shortfalls in personnel emoluments, funding of state universities.

As we have repeatedly argued on this page on this recurring problem, whatever the issues are, it is important for the federal government and ASUU to find common grounds before the nation’s tertiary institutions are grounded again as a result of another industrial action.

Another strike could further damage the credibility of tertiary education in the country. Students in our universities have suffered enough in recent years and this administration should work with ASUU so that our campuses are not again WHILE WE CALL ON THE shut down.

LECTURERS TO TEMPER The federal governTHEIR EXPECTATIONS ment and ASUU has WITH REALISM, WE ALSO for several years locked HOPE THE MINISTER OF in running battles over EDUCATION AND HIS TEAM the implementation of agreements on the WILL DO EVERYTHING WITHIN THEIR POWERS TO funding of the counAVERT ANOTHER STRIKE try’s public universities.

The consequences have been lengthy industrial strikes by the lecturers with the attendant debilitating effects on educational development in particular and academic pursuits in general.

We believe an early intervention, especially by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, is important here. Nigeria and Nigerians will be the losers should any untoward action, like another industrial action, is embarked upon by university teachers to force the implementation of whatever payments or agreements are

Letters to the Editor

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still outstanding. Strikes have contributed significantly to the decline in the quality of graduates of our public universities. The hurried academic calendars, following the end of industrial actions, often allowed little room for serious studies or research. That is why our public universities have continued to go down the ladder of academic ranking, even among their peers in Africa.

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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

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.

IN PRAISE OF AGNES OKPE

am writing with the aim of encouraging and applauding hard work, and also to bring to light the hidden achievement of national and international interest, made by Dr. Agnes Ada Okpe, a senior lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State who acquired her PhD in English Language from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Her attainment of PhD is not what necessitated this writing but her performance at a conference held in Manchester, United Kingdom. There was a conference for International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL), held in Manchester and the recital of Mrs. Okpe at the conference has caught my attention.

After lectures at the conference that centered on contrasting issues in English Language and how best to teach English, the participants (Teachers of English) were asked to briefly write on different topics of their choice, within the areas being touched and taught. The essence of asking them to write was to select the best pieces among them and publish in a text for reference purpose and for recollection of the Manchester’s conference, in future.

A piece, entitled “Teaching English in an Atmosphere of Insurgency: the Nigerian Example,” was one among the few selected pieces, published in the text and it was written by Dr. Okpe, an English lecturer at

gain, we cannot shy away from the fact that the under-funding of the education sector, over the years, has had collateral damaging effects on the country, such that our universities have now become grotesque carcasses of their former selves. But dealing with the challenge requires more than seasonal strikes by the lecturers while the federal government also needs to understand the primacy of constant dialogue, especially given the current realities.

However, going forward requires other critical stakeholders in the education sector joining in the efforts to find a lasting solution to what has become a perplexing national challenge. In doing this, the federal government should take the initiative, so that we can collectively come up with ways to reposition tertiary education in our country. It is unfortunate that disputes are always occasioned by the broken promises and unfulfilled agreements by the federal government. Yet there is no way we can develop our country until efforts are made to revitalise key sectors like education.

Commercialisation of academic grades and poorly written handouts, delayed dissertation, award of questionable degrees and all manner of unwholesome practices have combined to ruin university education in Nigeria. Unfortunately, these are issues which seem to be of little or no concern to ASUU and that perhaps explain why the once-vibrant organisation that set the agenda for national discourse in its heyday has degenerated into a strike-obsessed trade union.

Notwithstanding, another strike by ASUU would not be in the interest of the nation. While we call on the lecturers to temper their expectations with realism, we also hope the Minister of Education and his team will do everything within their powers to avert another strike.

Kaduna Polytechnic, Department of Public Administration. Her piece can be found on pages 162, 163 and 164 from the book entitled: “IATEFL 2015 Manchester Conference Selections.”

For Dr. Okpe’s piece to be one among the few selected write ups and published merits appreciation.

It is something that adds honour to our nation , it is something that appends value to the nation, it is something that advances the nation’s status and she should be encouraged to do more.

Dr. Okpe’s performance at Manchester Conference for International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language is one of the obvious reasons to show that Kaduna Polytechnic has all that it takes to turn the polytechnic into a university.

It is important to note that Manchester’s Conference was attended by lecturers of English from different universities across the world. Many lecturers of English in Nigerian universities attended the conference as well and wrote their essays but that of Dr. Okpe was chosen and published. Mind you, in Nigeria, everything about polytechnic is underrated by many and even the government, but here comes a polytechnic lecturer performing better than some so-called university lecturers. The time to rank polytechnics as equivalent of universities is now.

Awunah Pius Terwase, Ungwan Romi, Kaduna

TETFUND AND UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, MAKURDI

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uring my visit to Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, I asked rhetorically: what has been happening to the funds released by TETFund to assist both state and federal tertiary institutions in the country for infrastructural development and other academic matters?

Due to the missing infrastructural development at the university, one would wonder if the university is actually getting support from TETFund.

TETFund is a body established by the federal government which receives money from the government and ensures equal distribution of it to public tertiary institutions owned by the federal and state governments. However, I have visited more than 10 universities across the country and I must confess that I saw a lot of projects executed in these universities with funds released by TETFund and was impressed.

However, the reverse is the case at Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The few completed TETFund projects I saw there were

executed when the present Vice-Chancellor, Emmanuel Kucha was yet to assume office.

Nevertheless, I saw more of the abandoned projects and slow going projects that may likely be abandoned soon. This is four years of Professor Kucha as the VC, but nothing has been meaningful done to develop the university, both infrastructural and otherwise.

There is a world of difference between Benue State University and the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The former Vice- Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi, Professor Charity Angya utilised the funds by TETFund to develop the state-owned university. During Professor Angya’s tenure, a lot of projects were executed in Benue State University, with the funds released by TETFund.

If one visits Benue State University, he or she may think that it is benefitting more from TETFund than the University of Agriculture due to the countless TETFund projects. What is happening at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi?

Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Obaseki: Is the Election His to Lose?

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is confronted by a major challenge in his career progression. But, do not be deceived. He knows the issues and can sell them successfully. A recent but brief encounter with him reveals a man well-bred for the task ahead. Shola Oyeyipo writes

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rimarily scheduled to be a brief encounter given the host’s tight schedule, a recent meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki turned out very enriching for the race.

For a governorship race that had largely been touted as a prelude to the coronation of Obaseki as the state governor, interfacing with the principal actor in the contest provided an opportunity to fittingly situate various salient issues in their place.

Fundamentally, most topics that had marked the build-up to the elections were deliberated with a view to giving clarity to voters and provide a distinct choice for the governorship.

Specifically, issues like Obaseki’s proposed model of governance, need for competence in public service, industrialisation of the state through the public sector and result-oriented among others were at the centre stage at that fleeting encounter.

On hand to explain these to the select journalists was Obaseki, who was the first to gain traction among other aspirants on the yet to be substantiated ground that he was being supported by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Interestingly, unlike similar meetings with people of his political status, the APC candidate’s submissions were clearly devoid of neither pedestrian electoral promises nor blame-game.

Rather, he passionately examined governance in the country especially in Edo State within the context of how to make the public service more resourceful and further provided fresh ideas on how he was going to govern if elected.

With every word he spoke, the impression that the image of the incumbent was his major strength was literarily dismissed, as he displayed an unambiguous knowledge of the people and issues in Edo politics.

No one, who listened to him at that session, would still entertain the illusion that he may likely be a lackey of anyone if elected. The sight we saw that Sunday morning was someone, who wants to deploy his substantial corporate sector contacts in satisfying the pulse of Edo people, which many identified as sustainability and growth.

Obaseki, a financial consultant with claims to many successful financial engineering in the country, had been instrumental to the superlative achievements of the incumbent.

Before now, he had been known as the engine room of the state’s economic success which had distinguished Edo at this period of economic uncertainty. It was even such a background that many consider another viable asset in the race considering that the economic issues would largely dominate the next dispensation in the state.

The economic roadmap of the state, it was learnt, was prepared by him alongside other capable aides of the outgoing. His success in that regard could be measured by the degree to which the Edo State administration in the state has been able to push up internally generated revenue and draw in big time investors into the state, including the likes of Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

At the Benin encounter, he expressed confidence that if elected, his wide network of leading industrialists would be invited to invest in the state in order to create prosperity.

Interestingly, prosperity for all Edo people

Needless to say that victory in the September 28 election is not going to be an easy bite as he would confront one of the most formidable opposition candidates in the history of governorship election in the state. The PDP candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu is evidently not a political pushover or some neophyte of sort.

He would give the ruling party’s candidate a run for his money and standing.

This, perhaps, is why the APC candidate is leaving nothing to chance even as everyone awaits an epic governorship poll in Edo State

Obaseki...can he see this through?

was prioritised in his vision for the state.

According to him, he intends to achieve “a modern and progressive Edo State, where every citizen is empowered with the opportunity to live life in its fullness,” adding that “achieving economic prosperity for Edo State is our mission,” he stated in his manifesto.

He went further to state thus: “Having been Chairman of the Economic and Strategy Team for the past seven and a half years, I feel the responsibility not to walk away when the key issues that will shape our future are, decline in revenue by the nation due to volatility in production and exchange rates, which threaten our fiscal sustainability.

“The arising need by states to look inward and diversify their economies; ability to

take advantage of our natural resources and agriculture to create new economic activities and access to investment capital to convert these resources into economically viable opportunities.”

On the civil service, he added thus: “Rebuild the civil service into a world class work environment powered by information and communication Technology (ICT). We will devote resources to training and empower our public and civil servants with modern management tools; we will rework the incentive schemes currently applicable in the public services to encourage better outputs.

“We will streamline and reposition government institutions to more effectively and efficiently deliver the greater good in overall public interest. We will use technology to

make government more efficient by deploying information and communication technology (ICT) in internal administration. We will focus on procurement processing, revenue collection and improving collaboration between and among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).”

On those things that make Edo State unique, Obaseki encapsulated his plans thus: “We will restore Edo State as the number one state in sports in Nigeria, especially in football, where we once held sway as a talent ground.

Our government will develop schemes to encourage artistic output and to encourage the growth of a market for trade in art and craft in Edo State with channels for export and exchange with the wider world.

“We will develop a sustainable tourism industry in Edo State, where the socio-cultural fabric of our host communities will make optimal use of our environmental resources, maintaining essential ecological balances and conserving natural heritage and biodiversity.”

The interesting thing about Obaseki is that he boasts a lot of confidence on his ability to not only coast home to victory at this election, but the capacity and gravitas to run a prosperous Edo State and take it a notch higher from wherever he picks it up.

Needless to say that victory in the September 28 election is not going to be an easy bite as he would confront one of the most formidable opposition candidates in the history of governorship election in the state. The PDP candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu is evidently not a political pushover or some neophyte of sort. He would give the ruling party’s candidate a run for his money and standing. This, perhaps, is why the APC candidate is leaving nothing to chance even as everyone awaits an epic governorship poll in Edo State.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Saraki: Leading the Senate to Prosperity In spite of his travails, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki is leading an enviably prosperous senate, reckons Nathan Ajene Paul

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n a few days, the National Assembly will resume duty after the summer recess and the legislature will be fully back on the radar of public attention. In the upper legislative chamber, the high profile persecution of Senate President Bukola Saraki has been the defining feature since APC became the ruling party on May 29, 2015. What is not so well known, however, is that the Saraki Senate, despite the controversies, has managed to notch up some significant successes since assuming office.

The Senate President has endured over twelve months of attacks and political bombardment from within a party he helped to create, while retaining a strong focus on his role as Nigeria’s number three citizen.

This is truly remarkable because since his election by his colleagues as the Senate President against the expectations of some APC big wigs, Senator Bukola Saraki has been, literally speaking, in the thick of the storm. He has been battling organised and openly hostile resistance within and outside the Senate by those that lost out in the leadership tussle.

Saraki has been the target of wellchoreographed public, political and legal attacks fueled by powerful elements within the party, who have sworn to make him pay a huge price for no crime other than pursuing a justified ambition and accepting the mandate of his colleagues to lead them.

Yet, even the strongest critics of Saraki would agree that in his response to the series of attacks, provocations and humiliation that he has endured over the past one year, the Senate President has demonstrated uncommon humility, maturity and inclusiveness.

It is difficult to think of any other person in the political space right now who has been consistently mature and balanced in the face of such provocations. And the best part, perhaps, is that, beyond the noise and intrigues of politics, the Saraki Senate is leaving some strong legislative landmarks as its legacy.

Saraki knew early enough that despite the party’s initial refusal to accept his emergence, it will be unwise to engage the party in a public dog fight in spite of the overwhelming support from his colleagues.

He has kept faith with this line of action.

The Senate President has been reaching out to traditional rulers, opinion and thought leaders, respected political leaders, and individuals of repute both home and abroad with access to party and power circles to help intervene and mend fences so that an amicable and peaceful solution could be found to resolve the crisis.

Will this strategy work? The jury is out with regard to how effective these diplomatic overtures will be. But even some of his enemies within the party are grudgingly accepting that Saraki holds the party and its elders in high esteem even in the face of clear provocation. He has established beyond doubt that he is a loyal party man, who prefers to respect the platform in spite of how poorly it has treated him.

This is the essence of Saraki’s high minded and principled politics. Given his experience in the hands of a powerful cabal within the party and government, nobody would have been surprised if he left APC since it is an open secret where his travails are coming from.

The Saraki style is also fully on display in the generally civil and non-vengeful manner he has handled his legal battles at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the Federal High Court. He has endured the unprecedented humiliation of being the first number three citizen to be placed in the dock, the trauma of his wife being investigated and quizzed by the EFCC, his arraignment at the Federal High Court for alleged forgery with the kind of strength and dignified composure only few can muster under similar circumstances.

Saraki...focused and undistracted!

Instead of drawing battle lines, he has shown a unique capacity for inclusiveness by reaching out to the ‘enemy” camp through several strategic actions which he has taken lately. The most significant recent example was the re-shuffling of the leadership of the 17 Senate standing Committees and offer of important Committee Chairmanship positions otherwise tagged ‘juicy’ to key members from the opposing camp.

Mr. Saraki’s most outspoken critic, Kabiru Marafa, was appointed chairman of the Petroleum (downstream) Committee. Before now, he was chairman of the Committee on National Population.

Suleiman Hurunui, also a staunch critic of the senate president, was appointed to the Chairmanship of the Committee on National Identity.

Furthermore, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, a key member of the anti-Saraki Unity Forum, was named Chairperson of the Committee on Environment. Previously, she headed the Committee on Women Affairs. Mrs. Tinubu’s appointment against the backdrop of earlier misunderstandings with Saraki and recent public altercation with a close ally of Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye reveals

Even the strongest critics of Saraki would agree that in his response to the series of attacks, provocations and humiliation that he has endured over the past one year, the Senate President has demonstrated uncommon humility, maturity and inclusiveness…It is difficult to think of any other person in the political space right now who has been consistently mature and balanced in the face of such provocations. And the best part, perhaps, is that, beyond the noise and intrigues of politics, the Saraki Senate is leaving some strong legislative landmarks as its legacy

a lot about the political pragmatism of Senate President and his capacity to stay focused on the job that needs to get done over sentiments.

In spite of the clear differences between Saraki and her husband, the former Governor of Lagos State and chieftain of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President refused to make her an enemy.

Instead, he embraced her for peace to reign and as a signal that he is ready to accommodate the interest of the party as basis for total reconciliation.

The rapprochement in the upper chamber is a confirmation that Saraki’s insistence on taking the highroad and his refusal to get into the gutter with those who have been trying to destroy him is beginning to yield good dividends.

And even in the midst of all the trials, politically organised distractions – within and outside the Senate – the Senate President stayed sharply focused recording significant milestones in the execution of his Legislative Agenda which aims to improve governance, improve business and improve the quality of life of Nigerians, especially those at the lower rung of the ladder.

On his one year in office, he had recorded 15 major economic reform bills and 7 business environment bills. While some of the bills like the long delayed Disability Bill have been passed into law, others such as the Electronic Transaction Bill 2015, the Debt Recovery and Insolvency Bill 2015 and the Railway Bill are making steady progress. All these proposed legislations, when they become reality, will represent significant landmarks in tackling the economic and business challenges confronting the country.

The Disability Bill marks an important legal milestone for Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Nigeria and their search for appropriate laws to ensure their full social integration into society particularly through provision for their economic, social, educational, emotional and psychological needs. The first was passed by the National Assembly during the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo which he never assented to.

Although the 6th and 7th National Assembly also passed the Bill and sent it for mandatory assent, former President Goodluck Jonathan, either by omission or commission, also failed to sign the bill into law thereby putting the plight of over 19 million Nigerians, who suffer one form of disability or the other in precarious circumstances. The 8th Senate re-introduced and once again passed the Disability Bill in

June 2016. It is hoped that President Buhari will assent to it this time around.

The Electronic Transaction Bill 2015 will be the first legal framework in our country that provides the legal foundation for electronic signatures and guarantees predictability in contracts made electronically. One of the key benefits of this bill when signed into law is that it will offer full protection to contracts entered into via emails, and transactions conducted with online shops, electronic commerce and services platforms, which are currently not provided for in our laws.

Another important bill is the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Repeal and Amendment Bill 2015, which seeks to address the low rating of the country in terms of Ease of Doing Business. It has the potential to transform the Nigerian financial landscape by enabling consistent supply of credit, attracting new capital and expertise into business revival; improving creditor recoveries and lowering the cost of credit.

Other examples include the Railway Bill which will open up the subsector and attract the required private capital into this segment of our transport system that has appeared stuck in the past; the Review of the Public Procurement Act which is inspired by the need to guarantee government patronage for local manufacturers so that a substantial percentage of the N6 trillion in the national budget is retained in the local economy and put in the pockets of our people.

Of course it may be early days yet, as a former British Prime Minister remarked that 24 hours is a long time in politics. The expectation is that the Saraki Senate and the House of Representatives will keep focus on these and other key legislations so that they leave strong legacies for Nigerians beyond controversies. Given the serious challenges that the country is facing at the moment, Nigeria deserves no less.

On the political front, it is possible that the diplomatic overtures and peace efforts of Saraki may flounder, the chasm between the APC and PDP Senators may further widen, and those who prefer constant fighting to a peace based on compromise and tolerance may yet win.

But whichever way it goes, the gentleman’s example is a remarkable one. He has shown great humility in the face of vicious political attacks, even when he has both the capacity and support to fight back. He has shown that to lead, one must learn to accommodate and factor in the interest of all parties, and above all, show respect to those whose views are diametrically opposite to his.

Whilst acknowledging that as human beings we are bound to err, the Senate President has proven that he is an astute politician and a bridge builder, who believes that Nigeria is worth the investment in patience, loyalty and dialogue. He has demonstrated that accommodation, inclusiveness and mending fences are some of the most effective keys to crisis resolution especially within a democratic setting. Such a temperament is admirable and it makes him an asset to the party and the country.

At such a critical and delicate moment in our embryonic democracy, Nigeria needs leaders like Saraki, who epitomise dignified self-restraint and accommodation even as they work towards achieving important things for the country.

It should be the hope of all well-meaning Nigerians that the distracting troubles aimed at the Senate President, would quickly be confined to history, so that the task of proper governance can continue in order to make quick progress in fixing the many problems confronting the country.

Enough time has been wasted on unproductive and vengeful politics.

-Paul, a public policy analyst, wrote from Lagos

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Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08057161321, 08033294157

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Quick Takes

Experts to Brainstorm on State of Airlines

PROMOTING MARITIME SECTOR

R-L: Managing Director/CEO of STARZ Group, Greg Ogbeifun; Executive Director, Human Resources and Administration, SIFAX Group, Dr. Fola Rogers-Saliu; Managing Director, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), Dr. Amy Jadesimi; Executive Director, SIFAX Haulage, Major Henry Ajetunmobi (rtd) and President, Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA,Nigeria), Mrs. Jean Chaizor Anishere; at the 1st Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference held at the University of Lagos...recently

Economic Downturn: More Airlines May Close Shop Chinedu Eze There is an indication that more Nigerian airlines may close shop as the current economic downturn has hampered airlines operations.

Industry experts have expressed concern that the forex scarcity is taking a huge toll on the aviation sector because virtually everything done in the airline business requires foreign exchange, except the purchase of aviation fuel.

THISDAY investigation has revealed that already Nigerian airlines have lost over 45 percent of their passenger traffic while the value of their ticket has also nosedived.

An operator, who spoke to THISDAY on Wednesday, explained why the air transport sector is fairing badly under

AVIATION the present economic morass.

He expressed doubt about the possibility of the airlines to survive, if the recession continues in the next six months.

“I doubt whether Nigerian airlines will survive the next six months if naira does not gain value and continues to lose against the dollar. Practically, let us look at the popular aircraft many Nigerian airlines use: Boeing B737. Average number of seats on that aircraft is 120 and if the fare for Lagos to Abuja flight is N25, 000 the airline will generate N3million for every flight.

“At the exchange rate of N400 for $1 dollar that N3million will be $7, 500.

But 18 months ago, naira was

exchanging N165 for $1 and the value of the same N3million $18, 750. Then during that period aviation fuel was costing N110 per litre and today it costs N220 per litre and the fuel volume for that one hour flight from Lagos to Abuja is 3000, including endurance fuel.

“About 18 months ago 3000 litres of fuel would cost N330, 000, but at the present price, it costs N660, 000. You have to note that airfares have not changed. It is just around that N25, 000. So the fuel price increased by 100 per cent while the value of the dollar has increased by over 200 percent,” the operator told THISDAY. He also noted that as the value of naira has plunged, airlines still pay their expatriate workforce in dollars and

these include pilots, engineers and others that are providing technical services and some Nigerian pilots that insist they be paid in dollars.

“So you can see that we spend more money in naira for far less number of dollars and this means that it is only for $7, 500 that a flight leaves Lagos to Abuja and vice versa,” he said.

The operator also disclosed that when an airline leases aircraft, the average calculation is that the airline will pay the lessor about $12, 500 per hour of the aircraft operation and, according to him, the amount could come down to $12,500 when the airline is making a bulk lease of the aircraft of Continued on page 20

Economic Recession: FG Urged to Focus on N5trn Maritime Industry Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has been urged to shift attention to the maritime sector to revive the ailing Nigerian economy.

The Nigerian maritime industry is valued at over N5trillion in terms of annual revenue. Experts have over the years called on the federal government to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector to diversify the Nigerian economy from crude oil.

MARITIME The Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, has added his voice to the call, urging the federal government to make good use of the current economic challenges that have seen a sharp decline in crude oil earnings and naira exchange rate by paying more attention to the development of the country’s maritime sector.

He stated this at the maiden

edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference held in Lagos with the theme: “Africa’s Maritime Capital: Nigeria and Her Potential.”

Afolabi said the maritime industry possessed the potential to rescue the country from the current economic troubles by becoming the primary source of revenue for the government.

He said: “The current economic situation has compelled the need for an inclusive search for an alternative route to national revival and rebirth,

forcing upon us a movement away from decades of fixation on the traditional black gold to the maritime--the emerging glittering “blue gold’. Diligent and sustained exploitation of the vast maritime resource endowments of this sector may prove to be that very” low-hanging fruit” that Nigeria needs at a time such as we are in today.”

To turn the potential in the industry to tangible economic Continued on page 20

Experts in the aviation industry will meet at the 12th Akwaaba Aviation Day conference in Lagos to brainstorm on why airline business fails in Africa, the factors responsible and how airlines could be run profitably in the continent.

The event slated for October 31, 2016 has the theme: ‘Aviation in Africa and Why Airlines Fail’, will attract top players in the industry including the former Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren, former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Richard Aisuebeogun and the former COO of Overland Airways and ADC Airlines would be joined by former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria, Capt Dapo Olumide.

Others include former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways, Edmund Yomi Jones and Capt Mike Omokore, a Research and Rescue expert, Kenyan Female Aviator, Dorcas Aketch who had worked with Kenya Airways, Virgin Nigeria and lately Rwandair.

The organiser of Akwaaba, Ikechi Uko said air transport in Nigeria didn’t suffer a sudden collapse because Nigeria has had a cyclical boom and bust aviation history.

“A sudden burst and blossoming of airlines and the gradual demise of most and the eventual boom again. There have been legendary airlines that ruled the airspace and eventually disappeared. Outside Nigeria Airways the defunct National carrier Okada Air was the most popular. As a Pioneer Private Airline it gave its name to the motorbike Taxis in Nigeria famously called “Okada”. At a point it had 53 Aircraft on its register mostly BAC-111,” he said.

Uko noted that with the banning of the BACs in 2001 the Okada disappeared. Okada was succeeded ADC Airlines, which was set up by pilots from Nigeria Airways. “ADC used the B727 classic and the crash in 2006 of another aircraft saw the death of the Airline. The rash of air crashes in 2006 led to the new powers and the inspirational times of Demuren as the Director General of the now autonomous the regulatory agency, NCAA,” Uko said.

Cargo Planes Bring Food for IDPs

A Boeing 747 cargo plane operated by UNICEF arrived Abuja on Sunday with $1.3million worth of lifesaving supplies for internally displaced persons in northeast Nigeria.

According to reports, the plane brought in health kits containing essential medicines and health supplies for primary health centres in the states affected by the crisis.

The health kits would serve nearly one million people for a period of three months. There were also water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) dignity kits including clean water storage cans, basic menstrual hygiene products enough for 80,000 women and adolescent girls for three months.

Fashola Wants Cargoes Moved by Rail

The Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called for the movement of cargo across the country by rail in order to save the nation’s roads.

He stated this while fielding questions from journalists after the inspection ongoing rehabilitation of access road to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.

The project includes the construction of a new bridge running parallel to the existing one from Liverpool roundabout across Port Novo Creek. Fashola, who expressed dismay at the rate the roads and bridges are collapsing as a result of stress of cargoes on them by the tankers and trailers, warned that unless the trend is reversed, the transportation business would be adversely affected.

He said there was need for all stakeholders including government and all those in the transportation business, especially those in the trailer and tanker business moving cargo across the country, to agree on reverting to the rail transportation as means of moving heavy cargo in order to save the roads.

The current economic situation has compelled the need for an inclusive search for an alternative route to national revival and rebirth, forcing upon us a movement away from decades of fixation on the traditional black gold to the maritime--the emerging glittering “blue gold’.

Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi

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BUSINESSWORLD ECONOMIC DOWNTURN: MORE AIRLINES MAY CLOSE SHOP over 200 hours.

So what this means is that while the Nigerian airline earns $7500 per one hour flight, it pays the lessor $12, 500 for one hour and incurs a loss of $5000 in each flight.

“This shows clearly that these airlines will not survive if the recession period is prolonged. So pilots, engineers, aircraft maintenance, insurance, spare parts and training are paid in dollars. This is a sector that is dollarized. So how can anybody survive this? This is simply a matter of postponing the evil day,’ the operator said.

In addition to the above, the airline pays for landing and parking, enroute and navigation charges to the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other miscellaneous expenses.

In a recent interview with the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, he promised that government would facilitate the establishment of aircraft maintenance facility in Nigeria and also a leasing company so that Nigerian airlines could lease aircraft at cheaper cost and also maintain their aircraft locally.

ECONOMIC RECESSION: FG URGED TO FOCUS ON N5TRN MARITIME INDUSTRY benefits, Afolabi urged the federal government to provide the conducive environment, propound the right legislation and provide massive infrastructural renewal, among others.

In her key note address, the Managing Director of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), Dr. Amy Jadesimi, said the operators in the maritime industry have to show tenacity in making a difference in view of the mounting challenges they face.

She said massive investment in the industry by the private operators was one of the key game-changing strategies to take full advantage of the industry’s abundant opportunities.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

‘FG Poised to Make Nigeria Maritime Hub’ Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has restated its resolve to make Nigeria the maritime and oil and gas hub in the West African sub-region.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman, who disclosed this Wednesday, during a facility tour of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) base in Apapa pilotage area, said the move has become necessary considering the potential of the country as a major maritime player, globally.

The NPA boss made the remark in response to a call by her host, the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi to the government to urgently address the lingering issue in the sector to ensure a level playing ground for operators, if the dream of making Nigeria a hub station is to be achieved.

Bala Usman said government was not unaware of the need to uphold local content drive in the industry as a veritable means of mass job creation, and in the overall interest of the nation’s economy.

According to her, “We will look at all issues as relates to making Nigeria a hub. We will ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the port’s operations system in a way that all ports related businesses will strive within the marine environment.

“We have visited and I must say that I am particularly impressed at the level of investments here. I am impressed at your move to boost local content in the industry…we really need to bring in local

Eromosele Abiodun The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has promised that the agency will continue to partner the Nigerian Navy for the security of Nigerian waterways and the optimum exploration of the nation’s marine resources.

Peterside stated this when Naval Cadets of the 66 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) visited the agency on a study visit.

He assured the cadets that the symbiotic relationship that exists between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy is inseparable

Senior Correspondent

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has acquired transformers and other equipment to rehabilitate and upgrade power equipment at the Murtala Muhammed Intertional Airport (MMIA).

This it said was aimed at putting an end to the intermittent power disruptions at the airport.

The agency attributed the incessant power outage in the last three weeks to the construction work going on at the new

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)

Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel, otherwise known as Egina project was taking place within the LADOL base. She explained further: “This project is the first of its kind in Africa and sitting it at an indigenous facility like LADOL speaks volumes of our national resolve and determination to take our pride of place as the regional hub.”

According to her, the vessel with a length of 340 meters and 70 meters wide has reached an advanced stage of completion

as the entire project had already gulped no less than $4 billion dollars in which LADOL had put in $500 million in local content.

“We started development in 2004 when we got the first lease from NPA and our mission and vision has been to see a situation where Nigeria will join its foreign counterparts such as Korea, China in creating industrial zones that will take us to the future.

“We look forward to moving Nigeria forward along the line

of other developed countries of the world where private indigenous development is the key to economic growth. It makes sense because Nigeria has a huge market for this, going by the population, “she said.

To achieve this, Jadesimi appealed to the ports’ management to not only ensure a level playing ground for all operators to coexist, but also ensure what she called, “local collaboration between private sectors and between the private sectors and public sector”.

A NEW OFFERING

L-R: Marketing Director, Consumer Business, Huawei Nigeria, Kyle Pan; Chairman, Technology Distribution Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh and the Channel Director, Consumer Business, Huawei Nigeria, Jason Zhou, during the launch of Huawei’s GR5 MINI smartphone, in Lagos…recently kola olasupo

because of the functions of both agencies saying, their visit to NIMASA is auspicious as they will always have reason to interact with the Maritime Administration upon commissioning.

Peterside praised the gallantry and bravery of Officers and Ratings of the Nigerian Navy, noting that the country’s naval force is one of the best in the world for which he has eternal pride.

While appreciating the young Cadets for choosing to serve and protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria, Peterside said: “You have chosen a very noble course as brave men and women, only the brave will chose to enlist in

our military. As courageous men and women, you have offered to make all forms of sacrifices first for the good of our country and for all of us your country men and women so that we can move about freely; most importantly so that the territorial integrity of our nation will be protected.”

In a related development, Peterside has restated that the NIMASA is capable of carrying out its regulatory functions and will not abdicate its mandate to anybody.

Peterside made the remark while receiving members of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies led by their President, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola

at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

He warned that NIMASA will not abdicate its regulatory responsibility as they concern the operations of stevedoring companies and how they relate with terminal and jetty operators saying that they do not have the powers to eject stevedoring companies approved by the government to operate in their facilities.

He emphasised that “it is NIMASA’s responsibility to oversight Stevedoring functions in our ports, terminals and jetties and we will not abdicate that function to anybody. In the exercise of this function, we will interface with terminal operators

and the National Association of Stevedoring Companies to make sure maritime operations are not hampered.”

Peterside also noted that the agency understands the challenges faced by Stevedoring Companies and the terminal operators noting that NIMASA will consult further with all parties to ensure that there is an amicable resolution of the issues.

The NIMASA boss highlighted the importance of Stevedoring companies to include facilitating economic growth, ensuring industrial harmony and also serving as a security shield in the ports.

FAAN Moves to Address Electricity Problem at MMIA Chinedu Eze

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising)

content strongly in order to ensure employment for our people of Nigeria.”

The NPA boss was accompanied by her management team that included the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Davies Sekonte, the Executive Director, Engineering and Technical services, Idris Abubakar, and other top management staffers.

Earlier, the LADOL boss took the visiting team on a tour of the yard where the first ever fabrication of a $3.8 billion

Maritime Security: NIMASA to Sustain Partnership with Navy

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

NEWS

international terminal of the airport. It explained that electric cables buried underground that provide power at the airport were inadvertently excavated by construction workers at the location where the new terminal is being built.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of (FAAN) Mr. Yakubu Dati, who confirmed the excavation of the cables said that engineers from the agency have been working to move the cables from the construction site and

replace those that have been destroyed, noting that this would take a little time before the work is completed.

“Preliminary reports indicate the cause of the outage was the damage of two 11 KVA underground cables located within the construction premises of the new international terminal.

Our engineers are urgently rectifying the problem. However, FAAN will relocate these cables out of the construction site to prevent re-occurrence

and we crave your indulgence while that is being done. The Authority apologises for the inconvenience caused to airlines, passengers and the general public,” Dati said.

He also said that although power has been restored to the terminal but airport users should expect more power cuts as work continues on the restoration of new cables and upgrade of the power system.

Investigations also revealed that the demand for electricity at the airport has been

overstretched due to increased activities and expansion of the terminal and FAAN has acquired 500 KVA transformer and it is in the process of installing the equipment.

“Once we move the cables from the construction site we are sure we would have stable electricity supply at the airport, but to permanently meet the growing demand and in view of the rapid and continuous increase of activities in the near future, we are installing the 500 KVA transformer,” Dati said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

AIR WATCH

‘Govt Policies Discourage Investment in Airline Business’ Chinedu Eze The Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide has said that certain policies of the federal government on air transport in Nigeria tend to discourage investment in the sector.

Arumemi-Ikhide said considering the pivotal role air transport plays in the economic growth of any nation, the government should introduce policies that would encourage airlines by giving them priority in accessing foreign exchange, review downwards the charges paid by the airlines and remove Value Added Tax (VAT), which is only paid by airlines in the transport industry.

The Arik Air Chairman, who made this known on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos said government must have to support the commercial airlines for them to survive and succeed.

“Airline operating cost is very high because everything is in foreign exchange, not only for the spare parts but for the inputs, which are all from abroad and this impacts on operators of domestic airlines in Nigeria and most unfortunately government policies or Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policies don’t favour domestic operators because government gives priority to manufacturers as CBN said 60 percent of the foreign inflows

should go to the manufacturers.

They forget that the engine of any economy is air travel,” Arik Air Chairman said. He noted also that similar policy prevails in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), where manufacturers have a different lower tax regime than what airlines pay as taxes because “airlines are seen as service providers and it is the only means of travel that pay VAT. So the state seems to be against airline operation in Nigeria.”

Arumemi-Ikhide said that to ensure safety in air transport CBN needs to be watchful because if airlines are not given access to foreign exchange it means they cannot maintain their aircraft. He lamented that Nigeria does not have Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, noting that Arik Air wanted to build one but it did not get the necessary approval to do so; yet while the airlines spend huge resources to maintain their aircraft overseas they still sell tickets at a relatively cheap price in cognizance of the low disposable income of many Nigerians.

“Our fares are the lowest in the world. Naira exchanges for over N350 to a dollar but flights from Lagos to Abuja is less than N35, 000, which mean we charge less than $100 for one hour flight. I consider it that all of us who operate commercial airlines are doing national service. We do not get

aviation fuel and the price of the product is shooting up to the roof.

“Before the flexible exchange rate was introduced we were buying fuel at N110.00 per litre, now it has risen N215 per litre.

The situation in the country is not favourable to airlines at all,” the Arik Chairman said.

He explained that why foreign airlines see Nigeria as highly profitable route was because Nigerians like travel and Nigerians like foreign airlines because of their penchant for everything foreign.

“But the economic situation is making us to become a little sensible now. There are Nigerians who see travelling with foreign airlines as status symbol. They should know that when you fly local airlines you are creating jobs; you will be saving foreign exchange you would have taken out of the country because one of the things that weakened the Naira was the amount of money foreign airlines accumulated, which they needed to take out of the country at whatever cost. When the flexible rate was introduced they quickly took their money away,” Arumemi-Ikhide said.

He observed that internal trade is one of the pillars of the economy of any nation because if people trade locally they conserve foreign exchange, noting that local airline operators should use this time to improve in their services to make sure that passengers enjoy their flights.

Arik Workers Join Aviation Unions The three leading industry unions have inaugurated their executive members in Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Arik Air. The ceremony, which took place at the airline’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos over the weekend, saw hundreds of the airline’s staff joining the three available unions. The unions are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, Air Traffic Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, and National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of new members including the executives,

NAAPE’s Assistant General Secretary, Organising, NAAPE, Comrade Femi Ajagbe said the inauguration signified new beginning not just in the airline, but in the industry at large.

He said that the unions would ensure that the welfares of members are not taken for granted and equally promised to support the airline in its developmental plans.

He said: “It is really a welcome development for us to have members in Arik Air. Arik Air is the biggest airline in the industry with the highest number of staff both in the technical department and support staff.

“Our major aim is to grow the

industry, ensure that workers welfares are well taken care of while we will also ensure that the airline continues to grow and remain in business.”

With this inauguration, Arik Air became the first indigenous carrier to have its staff join the unions. Before the swearing-in of members, it was a really tug-of-war between the parties involved as the unions had over the years pressed for unionisation in the airline and others.

Ajagbe further disclosed that plans have reached an advanced stage to equally inaugurate members in Dana Air, Air Peace, FirstNation, Med-View and a few other airlines and organisations in the industry.

ICAO, IATA, ACI to Address Aviation Security Challenges The International Air Transport Association (IATA), The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI) have joined forces to address evolving aviation security risks with integrated solutions.

Key topics such as securing landside spaces at airports; information sharing among governments; managing the risks of home-grown terrorism and preventing cyber threats will top the agenda of the 25th AVSEC (Aviation Security) World Conference, taking place from the 25 to 27 October 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Aviation security needs to evolve in step with changing threats,” said Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary General, ICAO. “The global policy and regulatory framework has to adapt effectively and in a timely fashion to address this increasingly dynamic risk. Having so many global aviation security experts and leading thinkers gathered together at AVSEC World provides a valuable opportunity to identify common objectives and combine the industry’s strengths and resources towards achieving better aviation security and facilitation.”

“Flying is secure. Keeping it that way is the responsibility of governments and a challenge for all parties involved in air transport,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO, IATA. “Aviation is the business of freedom.

But recent months have shown that it remains a target for terrorists. AVSEC World strengthens the vital partnership between industry and government on security.

And it is a catalyst that helps to turn our common interest into a shared agenda to stay a step ahead of those with an agenda of evil.”

As High Charges Threaten Airlines’ Operation Lagos Airport domestic terminal, MMA2

T

he recent suspension of schedule flight operations by Aero and First Nation Airways has made many air travellers to express the fears that domestic air travel may be encumbered.

THISDAY investigations revealed that many Nigerians are apprehensive about the future of local travel by air in Nigeria and they feel that more airlines may go under.

On Tuesday, Arik Air suspended flights for 16 hours because of issues relating to the insurance of its aircraft and this sent another bad signal to travellers; although the airline resumed flights in the evening of that day.

For travellers, the fear is palpable as airlines complain of the hostile environment and the high charges by government agencies.

Nigerian airlines are also faced with high insurance premium because insurance companies designate Nigeria as high-risk country and this ups the premium.

The Managing Director of Arik Air Chris Ndulue told THISDAY in a recent interview the factors responsible for high insurance premium for aircraft in Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria is wrongly perceived as high- risk country because of activities of insurgents who operate at only one section of the country, adding that this might have influenced the high aircraft insurance cost in the country.

“The premium on aircraft insurance paid by airlines is something that is decided on case by case basis and it reflects the insurance company’s assessment of the risk. So if they think your risk is high, your premium is bound to be high and if they think my risk is lower, my premium will be lower.

“The only thing that will make a difference between insurance premium in Nigeria and in South Africa is country risk. Nigeria’s may be high because it will reflect the insurer’s perception of the country risk. If Nigeria’s insurance premium is higher than that of South Africa then insurance companies have assumed that Nigeria’s country risk is higher than that of South Africa.

“International perception of Nigeria is unfavourable but Nigeria is not as bad as it is perceived to be. If you don’t check that very well you pay a country risk that is far higher than what you should pay, especially with the issues of Boko Haram,” Ndulue said.

In addition to the high insurance premium airlines pay for the aircraft, government agencies charge them highly for the services rendered to them.

Airlines pay five percent charge to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on every ticket sold by the airlines; they pay for on-duty cards, which could range from N5, 000 to N15, 000 for every airline staff that accesses the restricted areas of the airport.

The airline passengers pay N1000 to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and N2, 000 to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited as passenger service charge; airlines also

pay FAAN N2.50 Kobo for every litre of aviation fuel sold in addition to landing and parking. In addition to these charges, the federal government still levy the airlines Value Added Tax (VAT).

Also the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) levy airlines navigational and terminal charges, which is the payment of services rendered by the agency, which installs and maintains Instrument Landing System, Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON ) and other services.

Airlines until recently, pay about 20 percent of the cost of spares they import to Nigeria Customs Service.

The federal government had granted waiver to the airlines for the importation of aircraft and spares, but the waiver is always resisted by Customs and sometimes they say the period of time given for the waiver had expired.

THISDAY learnt that recently an airline imported aircraft engine and when it arrived, Customs insisted that tariff must be paid on the equipment, but the airline resisted, insisting that the federal government gave waiver to airlines to import spares and aircraft.

The engine was not released to the airline for over two weeks, until Customs acknowledged the waiver and allowed the airline to take the engine.

Because of the pivotal role airlines play in the economic development of any nation, many countries enhance credit facility to their airlines or eliminate some charges and also provide them other incentives, but according to airline operators, the Nigerian government does not provide any incentive to airlines.

Informed source told THISDAY that it is true that most of these charges are passed to the passengers but the airlines know that there is a limit they can raise the cost of ticket because of the lean disposable income of many Nigerians; so these charges indirectly rob them of their potential profits.

A FAAN source told THISDAY that the N2.50 fuel surcharge is supposed to be paid by the oil marketers but the payment is passed to the airlines and that airlines do not pay for landing and parking at the airports they consider their base but pay the charges when they fly to other airports and stay up to three hours.

It is these charges and poor airport facilities that made some airline operators to dub Nigeria a hostile environment to do airline business.

To assist the airlines to operate profitably a senior official of one of the agencies said government could help the airlines to survive by making aviation fuel available through local refining of the product and at relatively low cost. The source also suggested that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could help the airlines by facilitating their access to dollar at lower rate. Also CBN should enforce a policy whereby banks lend money to airlines at a single digit interest rate but instead of giving the airlines the money, the bank would pay it to lessors, aircraft manufacturing company where the airline wish to acquire aircraft from.

Industry experts say government must have to take strong steps to help Nigerian airlines; else many of them would go under.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Aviation Stakeholders to Host Sirika Aviation stakeholders across the country would on Friday September 23, play host to the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika in its maiden conference.

According to the conference coordinator, Mr. Michael Chikeka the conference, which

will be held at the Sheraton Hotel will help government to address key issues relating concession, galvanising support of industries such as banks and insurance companies in process of implementation.

Chikeka said the conference

aimed at identifying conflict areas and address same to ensure smooth transition of concession implementation.

“The Conference will help Industry Members with diverse opinion to understand that Concession is the way to go if the Industry is to meet

International Standards.”

“This Conference will articulate the various submissions on airport privatisation in the past. Such as the works of the Committee set up by past administrations one of which was led by veteran Aviator Captain Dele Ore.

It wouldfurther galvanize stakeholders’ and support industries such as banks and insurance companies to identify, understand, be involved and be relevant in the airport privatization implementation process” According to him, speakers

at the event include, Senator Hadi Sirika minister of state for aviation, Dr. Pat Utomi, Senator Ben Bruce, Aminu Dike, Capt Dele Ore, Dr. Harold Demuren, a former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA.

MH370 Search: New Debris in Madagascar Five new pieces of debris that could belong to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have been found in Madagascar.

Two fragments appear to show burn marks, which if confirmed would be the first time such marks have been found. MH370, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, had 239 people on board when it vanished in March 2014.

The flight is presumed to have crashed into the southern Indian Ocean after veering off course. The findings were made by debris hunter Blaine Gibson, who has previously found other parts of the plane.

The most significant finding, according to Mr Gibson, is of the two alleged burnt pieces, recovered near Sainte Luce, in south-eastern Madagascar.

It is unclear, however, if the apparent burn marks were caused by fire prior to the crash or as a result of burning afterwards, he said.

Another small piece was found in the same area and two others in the north-eastern beaches of Antsiraka and Riake, where debris had already been found.

All five fragments have the

“honeycomb” material found in other MH370 debris.

The new discoveries were all sent to investigators at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Mr Gibson said.

A number of other pieces of debris, some confirmed to have come from MH370, have been found in countries near Madagascar.

They include a section of the wing called a flaperon, found on Reunion Island, and a horizontal stabilizer from the tail section and a stabilizer panel with a “No Step” stencil discovered in Mozambique.

Mr Gibson, a lawyer from Seattle, has funded his own search for debris in east Africa.

Australia has been leading the search for the missing aircraft, using underwater drones and sonar equipment deployed from specialist ships.

The search, also involving Malaysia and China, has led to more than 105,000 sq km (65,000 sq miles) of the 120,000 sq km search zone being scoured so far.

But countries have agreed that in the absence of “credible new information” the search is expected to end later this year.

BUSINESS COLLABORATION

L-R: Executive Director, Willao Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Owolabi Adenipekun; Head, Investment and Portfolio Management, Ibile Holdings Ltd,Mr. Adeyinka Onigbanjo; Chief Executive Officer, Ibile Holding Ltd, Mr. Abiodun Amokomowo; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abbas; Managing Director, Willao Ltd, Mr. Femi Williams; and Executive Director, Ibile Holdings Ltd, Adetokunbo Adegbaike, during the ground breaking ceremony of multi-level car park & event centre by Ibile Holdings Ltd and Willao Ltd in Lagos ... recently etop ukutt

Kwara Vows to Make Aviation College Best in sub-Saharan Africa Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Peterside Lauds African Maritime Journalists Leadership Eromosdele Abiodun The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has commended the leadership role of Nigeria in African Maritime Journalists’ Association (AMJA).

Peterside made the remarks while receiving the President of AMJA, Mr. Sesan Onileimo, and some members of the association in his office.

He said Onileimo’s leadership quality has shown the world that Nigeria is not only endowed with natural resources, but with talents.

“Each time we play a leadership role, is an added advantage which nobody can ignore. It is acknowledged continent-wide that the media in Nigeria is vibrant and have become role models for other countries in Africa. Nobody can deny the fact that the Nigerian media is very active and substantially represented the feelings of our people. I truly appreciate you. Always be conscious of the fact that you are not just president of the association, but an ambassador of Nigeria, “he said.

He said the leadership of the association could count

on the support of NIMASA, adding that, “you are not just representing yourselves, you are representing the country.’’

The director-general said that the aspiration of the management of the agency in the mediumterm was to be a global voice on maritime issues.

“We are regaining ourselves and doing massive reform, restructuring, repositioning of the agency to facilitate maritime trade in the sub-region and optimise the potential of the industry. We are automating our register of ships. We are looking at how we perform our port and flag state control functions. We intend to improve our reputation and enhance our efficiency in compliance with all International Maritime Organisation (IMO) instruments. We just need to follow the due process and we have now become a stickler for due process,’’Peterside said.

In his response, Onileimo said that AMJA was formed in January 2016 in Accra, Ghana, by a cross section of about 70 journalists across Africa.

He said that the presidency of the association was zoned to West Africa and he was elected the president because Nigeria had a vibrant media industry.

The Kwara State government has vowed to sustain the status of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara state, the best in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Chairman, Board of Directors of the college, Captain Edward Boyo said the college has remained the first in sub -Saharan Africa region established to meet the future challenges of producing efficient and competent pilots for aircraft and helicopters, comparable with their counterparts in any part of the world.

According to him, the college has increased its fleet of aircrafts from two to five in order to meet up the training of its students for effective and optimum results.

Boyo made this known in Ilorin recently during the official commissioning of the mini-aviation fuel dump built by the management of the college to meet the current challenge of paucity of aviation fuel in the aviation industry.

The fuel dump was commissioned by the Kwara state Speaker, Hon. Ali Ahmad in the College .

According to him, “if you look around within the 360 degree you will see the expanse of the aviation

college. This is the property of the people of Kwara state.

“It was a bare land before, this college was established from the wisdom and leadership of the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki who was the former Governor of Kwara state who initiated the idea .

“From point of establishment we had two aircraft but if you look round now you will see signs of progress.

You will see hanger and inside the hanger you will see some assets which have continued to grow.”

Boyo explained that “the availability of the newly commissioned fuel dump in the college makes the training more effective for our students because when you train a student and there is time breakage you have to take him back to the beginning again and we will be able to turnout more students in shorter time.”

He added that in addition to the fuel dump, the college has built another hangar for helicopters “It is a project we have embarked on in partnership with the Nigeria Navy, their decision to work with us is a sign of confidence in the IAC. These helicopters and additional ones will be put inside the hanger.

“This will be the first school in sub-Saharan

Africa that has capacity to produce pilots in aircraft and helicopters.

Boyo, who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways however noted that the hanger direction has no financial impact on the resources of Kwara, saying “ it is fully funded by a joint venture agreement with the Nigeria Navy and College. Upon completion it will be co-owned by the Navy and the IAC.” The chairman also noted that the college is building a tremendous relationship with the Nigerian Air Force as it has graduated several pilots for them and the civil community.

The Speaker, Kwara state House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad while commissioning the project stressed that the huge development in the college is marked by internal effort that was attained by the state government.

“These days you have people telling the politicians to go and deliver, this college is a testimony of action that is even bigger than words. Unless you come here you don’t know what is happening.

“My single comment is that I will urge Nigerians and governments at all levels that hope to train

their wards in any field of aviation to stop sending students outside but come to the college,” Ahmad said The speaker noted that those who established this college few years ago have the foresight that one day the economy will shrink and we will no longer have the luxury whether to go to Malaysia or IAC Ilorin.

He said: “ I’m urging various state governments that have withdrawn their students abroad because of dwindling economy to bring them here in IAC. “It is a first-class institution in the Africa sub-region with versatile training in almost all field of aviation. I wish Nigerians and Kwarans will wake up to the benefit of the college”.

Earlier, the Rector of the College, Capt. Abdulmumini Abdulkarim explained that the genesis of the project, saying that the scarcity of Jet A1 (aviation fuel) recently in the country trigger the concept of building the mini-fuel dump in the college.

He said: “ for one month we weren’t able to fly and our single supplier here Ilorin that Lubcon had some challenges and the raining season which enable our students to go back to classroom if not we would have lost two months.

23

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Why the Monopoly Game Must Be Stopped Eromosele Abiodun urges the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman to hear the terminal operators’ cries and put an end to monopoly in the provision of oil and gas logistics

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman’s familiarisation visit to Nigerdock’s Snake Island Free Zone, was calm and seamless until the Chairman of Jagal Group, owners of Nigerdock, opened a can of warms on the monopoly in the provision of oil and gas logistics.

The shocked crowd, which included, journalists and top officials of the NPA watched as the Nigerdock boss, who was almost moved to tears related how his company that had operated in Nigeria for over 35 years was almost destroyed by a few government agencies in collaboration with INTELS Limited.

His words: “We as a small company bring many benefits to the nation. I am 68 years old and I have spent 58 years of my life in this great country, it is home. Our effort here is not about the money, it is about legacy, about what you do proper and well. Since 2003, INTELS directly fought this company using the NPA, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Ministry of Transport and every possible government department to absolutely harass us.

We had worn a project of logistics from Shell, Chevron and Exxon Mobil. It followed a two year process, we were awarded the project, in order to reduce their production cost.

“INTELS raised hell on earth, sabotaged the project and killed it. They did this with every possible accusation and brought Nigerdock to a standstill. That is history. We bought and paid the Federal Government of Nigeria and have developed this property. Our auditors are KPMG, we have sunk in $500 million into this place. We are not saying we are going to invest, we have invested. We have produced here and proved to every oil company that we will serve them and serve them will. You cannot buy a 10 house and be told you can only use two rooms, the remaining eight, just keep them close, why?, it is not your business.

“I was called and told, Mr John Jarmakani, you are a shipyard company just continue to do that business and don’t bring the topic of logistics. Madam, we are in logistics, ship repairs, fabrication, we should be allowed to do our business. We want to tick every box of compliance with the federal government, we want to abide by the law, we will do nothing wrong that is not in alignment with the law of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

That was not all. Continuing he added, “This

Ms. Bala Usman

company is determined to support the federal government because the country is in a serious recession. Currently, logistics in Nigeria add between a minimum of $2 to $4 of extra cost of very barrel of oil produced in Nigeria because of monopoly. The monopoly has created a law that does not exist anywhere. We have researched and we have been doing to for 10 years. We have not been able to find the law that says only INTELS can receive oil and gas logistics business before it can go to any other facility.

“This facility has been receiving cargo since 1986. Since the concessioning , competition created monopoly that is destroying our business. I will tell you a story of a recent development. In a letter dated 16th of March this year, INTELS wrote to a government agency to demand for a circular that states some facilities are prohibited from handling oil and gas logistics. A very senior person in government took his pen not minding others, signed a certified true copy and INTELS circulated the letter among oil and gas companies, some of them were negotiating business with us. INTELS clearly warned them not to do business with Nigerdock.

“We are in the 21st century, we are under a government which is fighting corruption that is why we have hope and have decided to take certain action. We can no longer sit down and allow people destroy what we have built over the years. We truly offer world class services in every aspect of our business. We have invested so much, therefore we need your support, and we don’t want to do not want to do anything that is outside the law. We want to support the government and we want to do the right thing.

We will be grateful for your support only in the areas we deserve to be supported. Every player must follow processes and procedures.”

Others Cry for Help

It was not just Jarmakani that sought Bala Usman’s intervention. While receiving the NPA boss at Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL) in Lagos, its Managing Director, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, urged government to urgently address the lingering issue and ensure a level playing ground for operators in the industry, if the dream of making Nigeria a hub station is to be achieved.

Jadesimi stated that all industry stakeholders including the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and all the

terminal operators in Nigeria have made it clear that INTELS has no such entitlement.

According to her, “INTELS is a concessionaire, what that means is that the government gave them their facilities to run on behalf of government. 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 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. INTELS will be killing themselves if they insist on it. Despite their pronouncements, INTELS is not bigger than Nigeria, if they kill Nigeria they will be killing themselves. Our position is that there must be no monopoly and that we have no issue with INTELS,”she said.

She added: “Our position is that their needs to be collaboration among industry stakeholders and we strongly encourage government, the private sector and even INTELS that we 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. All the issues that have happened in the past, all the lies that INTELS have told, we are not interested is focusing or getting bulged down with that.

They did what they did because that was their business model. They need to understand that that business model is dead. The new business model is that they need to seat round the table with their neighbours like PTOL, other terminal operators and private investors like LADOL and chat a way forward together under the NPA, our landlord.”

NPA, NSC Kick

The immediate past Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi had, before his removal from office, said the $3.8billion Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) project is

responsible for the on-going face-off between INTELS and other operators.

He stressed that the dispute, if not handled properly, is capable of diverting foreign investments recorded in the maritime sector to other countries.

Recently, the Director, Commercial Shipping Services, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, (NCS) Mrs. Dabney Shall-Homa asked the federal government not to grant monopoly for handling certain types of cargoes, which some have classified as oil and gas cargo, to INTELS Nigeria Limited, which operates primarily in Onne, Delta and Calabar ports.

Shall-Homa gave the advice at an industry stakeholders meeting with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in Lagos.

She said: “If there is any agreement which has been signed as a contract between parties, there is need for government to tinker with the contract because the intendment of that contract is to create a cartel and not to create a level playing field which is the spirit for concessioning.

“The concession agreement that were made has certain critical pillars. One of those critical pillars is to ensure that there is no evidence of monopoly and abuse of dominant position and to create a level playing field and in doing so competition will be promoted between the players.”

She also argued that there is no cargo classification known as oil and gas in any part of the world. She said seaport terminals are classified as multipurpose, container, bulk or general cargo terminals.

“We have been in this shipping industry for 32 years going forward. There has never been any classification as oil and gas. When we put that on our gazette as shippers’ council seeking to identify cargo coming into Nigeria and we distinguish oil and gas, we were asked by our colleagues internationally from which index did you get oil and gas?

“Is there any cargo or terminal called oil and gas cargo? Multipurpose they call it, which could handle anything. We have the general cargo terminals, bond cargo terminals and containerised terminals. That is how terminals are classified internationally and Nigeria cannot be an island because we are trading with others,” she said.

On his part, former Minister of Interior, Continued on page 24

24

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

WHY THE MONOPOLY GAME MUST BE STOPPED Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho advised Amaechi to concentrate on opening up the market for different players adding that it would not be fair to restrict the market to a number of people.

According to him, the market should be opened to pave way for competition so that people can have a choice.

“If we say because there are agreements made in the past and we can’t speak beyond the agreement, we are never going to make progress. What we want is a market where people can openly compete on the basis of the quality of service that they can render.

“Supposing an operator was located in Lagos and prefers to receive his oil cargo in Lagos but there is a law which says the cargo has to be delivered in Port Harcourt or Warri; is that fair?

That will introduce extraordinary cost that will ultimately be borne by Nigerians who need the services,” the former Interior Minister said.

Concession Terminals and Operators Ports Lagos Port Complex Tin Can Island Port Complex Rivers Port Delta Port Complex Onne Ports (FLT & FOT) Calabar Port

Bala Usman’s Pledge While assuring terminal operators of her commitment to transforming the maritime sector, Ms. Bala Usman vowed to ensure that no organisation operating in the sector enjoys monopoly in the provision of oil and gas logistics.

Bala Usman, said that the NPA will in the coming weeks take a critical look at existing legislation to determine whether any monopoly currently exist, stressed that she will ensure a level playing field for all operators and promote a healthy competition.

According to her, “We will look to determine the area we will provide support for all. Within the next few months we will look at all the enabling legislation as it were to determine whether any monopoly exist or not. We will ensure that there is effective regulation that is transparent, that we all can understand. We will ensure that no organisation entrench monopoly that can affect the development of Nigeria as a whole. “Our plan is to ensure a regulatory environment that promotes the industry. We are looking at ensuring that there is competition, we have visited most of the terminals at the various ports we feel the need for the government to ensure that local content for example is adhered to. Businesses are coming into the country, we will do our best to encourage them to ensure that the utilisation of their operations are domiciled in Nigeria, we also encourage for operators to ensure that they have Nigerians within their ranks, employment for Nigerians is very important. We also believe that wherever enabling environment is required we will provide. In instances where note lack of competition we will work towards ensuring there is provided because that is where we will get the best for the country and improvement in revenue.”

She promised to bring all operators to the table to fashion out ways to improve the sector and make sure Nigeria gets the maximum benefit that it can attract for itself within this environment “We believe in stakeholders’ consultation, we are going to bring everyone to the table for us to seat down and ensure that there is a need for us to work together. As an authority we are going to lead and ensure that local content is provided. We will step beyond the things that we historically used to do so that whatever is required for the operators to work together for Nigeria to have the maximum benefit that it can attract for itself within this environment. We will reach out to the respective ministries and work together in ensuring that this is achieved.

“We are looking at making Nigeria the hub for West Africa, working to ensure that there is operational efficiencies and make effort to improve the ease of doing business and the competitiveness of our port operations, we will work with the operators and look at areas where there is overlapping among the operators and agencies within the Ministry of Transportation and ensure that we work together to ensure that there is synergy. There is the need for us to understand the current economic situation and define methods and mechanisms to improve on our revenue drive. We are working to have new trade routes defined; we are also going to look at internal trade whereby we define mechanisms for removing cargo from our ports to the hinterland in a more efficient manner,” she said.

In the Beginning

Following the calamitous multi-year port congestion that gripped the nation’s ports

No. of Concession 6 + 1 (ICD) 4 2 5 4 3

Company Name

Terminal

Apapa Bulk Terminal Apapa Bulk Terminal ENL Consortium ENL Consortium Greenview Dev. Nig. Ltd. APM Terminal Ltd Lilypond Container Depot Nigeria Ltd Josepdam Ports Services Ltd Tin Can Island Container Ltd Ports & Cargo Handling Services Ltd Five Star Logistics Ltd Port & Terminal Operators Nig. Ltd Bua Ports & Terminal Ltd Intels Nigeria Ltd Brawal Oil Services Ltd Intels Nigeria Ltd Atlas Cement Co. Ltd Intels Nigeria Ltd Ecomarine Nig. Ltd Addax Logistics Nigeria Ltd

Apapa Terminal A Apapa Terminal B Apapa Terminal C Apapa Terminal D Apapa Terminal E Apapa Container Terminal Ijora Container Depot TCIP Terminal A TCIP Terminal A TCIP Terminal A TCIP RORO Terminal Port Harcourt Terminal A Port Harcourt Terminal B Onne FOT A Onne FLT A Onne FLT B Jelly FOT Onne Calabar New Port Terminal A Calabar New Port Terminal B Calabar Terminal C (Old Port) Warri Old Port Terminal A Warri Old Port Terminal B Warri New Port Terminal B Warri New Port Terminal B Koko Terminal

Intels Nigeria Ltd Associated Maritime Services Ltd Intels Nigeria Ltd Julius Berger Plc. Greenleigh Limited

Lease Terms (Years) 25 25 10 10 25 25 10 10 15 10 15 15 25 25 25 25 25 25 10 25 25 10 25 25 10

and arrested Nigeria’s development for much of the oil boom years of the 70s, the federal government made efforts to reform the system.

The efforts never yielded any reasonable fruits as corruption and inefficiency reigned, denying government the needed revenue from the sector.

As a result of the painful experiences of congestion in the 70’s, the federal government made again made efforts to reform the NPA in the 1980s.

Consequently, the NPA management was restructured into four zones: Western, Central, Eastern and Headquarters, The government also created Nigerian Ports Plc. However, the policy failed abysmally due to rear-guard action from the die-hard culture of centralisation. Government’s interference was rife and patronage and self-enrichment by some government officials overseeing chunks of the maritime sector went to a new level. Foreign exchange earnings from Nigerian Ports Plc disappeared into private pockets and port infrastructure were allowed to rot.

In a bid to arrest the situation, the federal government in 2001 came up with the idea of concessioning the ports to qualified private operators.

Dutch firm Royal Haskoning BV was commissioned to study Nigerian ports preparatory to the reform.

The resulting report, called Haskoning Study was submitted to the federal government and was accepted as a cogent x-ray of the Nigerian seaport system. The report criticised the over-centralisation of administration that saw NPA function as both regulator and operator; the overlap of authority in the system and the duplication of efforts. It recommended a “Landlord” port administration model where

government’s role would be restricted to policy formulation while private operators undertake the day to day running of terminal operations, stevedoring, warehousing; and investments in port equipment and infrastructure, among other activities. The report called for NPA to be unbundled into three zones and for concessions by open bidding.

After examining the report, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), endorsed the “landlord” model, and under a new transport policy NPA was given the role of technical regulator to manage the ports for which there were no bids.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) was to become commercial regulator while National Ports Commission would become overall coordinating agency for the ports sector. Five landlord port authorities were slated for Lagos; the Niger Delta; Port Harcourt; Calabar; and the inland ports. A total of 25 concessions were identified in 11 ports and there were bids from 110 companies to manage eight ports: Bonny, Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Apapa, Tin Can & RORO. With bids submitted by March 2005, concession commenced in 2006 with 20 concessions concluded. In March 2006 the concessionaires commenced operations.

The flagship concession, Apapa Container Terminal was signed in March 2006 with APM Terminals, which had taken over P&O Nedlloyd earlier in the year. The Danish shipping firm, A.P. Moller (APM Terminals’ parent company beat 25 other bidders to the 25-year concession.

Doing Business in the Ports Prior to the concessioning of ports to private

operators in 2006, doing business in the nation’s ports was a hellish experience laced with a myriad of problems.

Some of which were turnaround time for ships which took too long making businesses to brace themselves for weeks if not months of endless waiting before their cargo could be loaded or discharged.

“Most of the few cargo-handling facilities owned by the NPA were moribund, so shipping companies had to hire such facilities from private sector sources, leading to extra costs. Dwell time for goods in port was so long that overtime cargo filled the most active seaports and led to massive port congestion. Labour for ship work was in the hands of a mafia that controlled dockworker unions and had no scruples supplying less than the manpower paid for. Many port premises that could have been put to good use were abandoned, giving maritime businesses less options.

“In the road sections of the ports, massive portholes were the norm, rather than the exception, and this did nothing to reduce waste of man hours brought about by snail-like movement of goods to and from the ports.

The resulting congestion led to consignments becoming untraceable as if they suddenly disappeared into thin air, and in such cases, NPA often seemed helpless in effecting the return of such absconded cargoes, to the chagrin of hardworking businesspeople. As a result of porous entry points, dangerous miscreants also known as wharf rats swarmed the ports to also eke out their daily bread, leading to predictable tales of woe on the part of responsible business people,” said a leading operator.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

25

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Communication Service Tax: A Tax Burden We Could Do Without Ebenezer Ibeneme and Temitope Adefuke take a closer look at the recently introduced Communication Service Tax, positing that there does not appear to be a justifiable reason for the introduction of this tax, other than to raise additional revenue for government “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” - Winston Churchill The Finance Minister recently admitted, during an appearance before the Nigerian Senate, that Nigeria is “technically” in a recession. It is common knowledge that the fall of global crude oil prices in the last two years has drastically affected Nigeria’s economy and this has been further exacerbated by sabotage to oil and gas facilities in the oil-producing Niger Delta region. It is therefore no surprise that the Federal and State Governments have, during this time, focused on generating additional revenue through taxation. Perhaps, the need for increased government revenue was the driving factor in the introduction of the Communication Service Tax Bill, 2015 (the Bill). The Bill, when passed into law, will establish a tax on users of electronic communication services in Nigeria.

Over the last six years, the telecommunications industry contributed about 8per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The first quarter (Q1) of 2016 saw an annual growth rate of over 7per cent to bring the industry’s contribution to the Q1 GDP to 8.7per cent (N1.9trillion). The telecommunications Value Added Services (VAS) market alone is currently estimated to be worth over N300billion, with about 200 licensed players under the auspices of the Wireless Application Service Providers of Nigeria. It is little wonder why the National Assembly sees the telecommunications industry as the proverbial cash cow that should be milked in order to generate much needed government revenue; hence the introduction of the Bill which has passed first reading in the Senate.

A similar bill is also being considered in the House of Representatives and recently passed second reading in June 2016.

With the introduction of the Bill, it appears that the Nigerian Legislature is trying to tax the country out of recession and into prosperity. However, a fundamental issue with this Bill is that the National Assembly wishes to place an additional tax burden on individuals and businesses who make use of electronic communication services, especially in these difficult economic times.

This is a key reason (among others) why we believe that the Communication Service Tax (CST) is one tax too many! Currently operators in the telecommunications sector are liable to multiple levies and taxes, which include National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) levy, levy on subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, annual operating levy and various right-of-way taxes at state and local government levels.

What does the Bill contain?

The Bill seeks to impose CST at the rate of 9% on the fees paid by users of electronic communication services (ECS), other than private users. The tax is to be levied on ECS defined as “a service providing electronic communication, a closed user group service, a private electronic communication service, a radio communication service, and a value added service”. The Bill lists ECS to include voice calls, short messaging and multimedia messaging services, data usage from telecommunication service providers and internet service providers, pay-per-view television stations, and so on. The tax is to be charged by the service providers in addition to the fee for these services.

The Bill also provides that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will be responsible for the collection of the tax, together with any applicable penalty and

Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu.

interest. The tax is to be remitted into the Federation Account.

All service providers are required to file a tax return to account for the tax collected and pay the tax due not later than the last working day of the month immediately after the month to which the payment relates.

However, this timeline may be extended in certain circumstances. In the event that a service provider fails to submit CST returns by the due date, this failure would attract a penalty of N50,000 plus N10,000 for each day of default, and monthly interest at the rate of 150% of the average prevailing commercial bank lending rate published by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Furthermore, failure to pay the interest due on default within one month, would attract additional interest on the unpaid interest.

The Bill further provides that relevant sections in the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act with respect to records, offences and penalties will apply to the management of the CST. In addition, the procedure for objections and appeals for CST will be similar to that contained in the VAT Act. In a rather bizarre attempt to monitor service providers, the Bill proposes that the Minister of Communications and the FIRS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will appoint agents to establish both electronic and physical monitoring mechanisms that will provide unfettered access to the service providers’ network and billing platform. This, the Bill contemplates, is for the purpose of accurate computation of tax due to the government.

Failure to grant this access after 30 days following the request attracts a fine of 5% of the annual gross revenue in the service provider’s last submitted financial statement.

Where the failure persists after 90 days, the NCC may revoke the operating licence of the service provider! The service provider does have the option to submit to the abovelisted parties, an objection to the request for access to its network and can seek redress at the Federal High Court (FHC) where its objections are not resolved satisfactorily with the parties. However, should the FHC uphold the request for access, the service provider will still be liable to the penalties prescribed above.

Why the CST is a bad idea At first glance, the introduction of this tax appears to be in line with the objectives of the National Tax Policy to shift from direct to indirect taxes. This shift is to be achieved by increasing the incidence of indirect taxes

and reducing direct taxes. However, while the proposed introduction of CST is in line with the former, there is no corresponding attempt at reducing direct income tax rates.

The imposition of this tax, in addition to the 5% VAT that consumers already pay for communication services, simply increases the tax burden on businesses and individuals. This increase would adversely impact lower income consumers the most, who are already struggling with a headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 16.5% as at June 2016 and for whom affordable access to information and communication technology is critical to their social and economic inclusion.

The Bill does not provide a mechanism for the recovery of input CST on ECS suffered along the value chain. Consequently, CST borne by a middleman will be passed on to the final consumer, by way of a higher fee for the service. The final consumer will in turn pay CST on this higher fee. This has the potential of putting the business of the middlemen at risk, as any consumer, who can, would rather contract directly with the primary service provider, as a way of reducing cost. This is not a positive development for the overall growth of this sector of the economy. The introduction of the CST is one more tax added to the pool of multiple taxes already existing in Nigeria. A recent study revealed that a typical company in Nigeria makes about 59 different tax payments in a year, compared to 33 in Ghana, 30 in Kenya and Angola, 44 in Cameroon and 7 in South Africa. The study further discovered that Nigeria is the third most difficult country (only ahead of Brazil and Bolivia) out of 189 countries in terms of time needed for a company to meet its compliance obligations – 908 hours per annum. This is a damning indication of the state of the Nigerian tax system that can do without the needless addition of more taxes. Although the CST is borne by the users of the ECS, the Bill imposes significant additional compliance burden and reporting obligations on the service providers which translate to increased operational costs. In addition to this, the constraints of multiple level of taxes in the information and telecommunications industry set by federal, state and local authorities – as well as levies payable to the NCC and the high costs of rights of way – are likely to further weaken the country’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, which is currently 169 out of 189 economies.

This will obviously have an adverse effect on further investment in the industry and on the country’s push for the adoption of

mobile telecommunication services.

The Bill’s proposal to compel service providers to grant Government-appointed agents access to its network might pose security concerns to the providers’ operations and customer information. The Bill does little to guarantee the professional conduct of these monitoring agents and safeguard service providers against abuse and data protection violations. One would be justified to be weary of the monitoring agents as from past experiences, the Government’s use of agents in tax monitoring/ collection has not been without some level of unprofessionalism. In some occasions, the agents are solely motivated by the commission for work done. Furthermore, the provisions relating to objection to the Government’s request to be granted access to a provider’s network are unfairly skewed against the service provider, as the Bill still deems the provider’s objection and appeal to the court as a refusal to grant access and imposes the penalty of 5% of annual revenue after the FHC upholds the Government’s request. This simply discourages objections altogether. Even the timeframe allowed for a provider to object to the Government’s request (within 7 days of receipt) is hardly sufficient to build credible enough case. The Bill therefore gives the impression that the service provider is doomed to fail in any attempt to object to the introduction of monitoring equipment into its network.

The Bill appears to have been derived from Ghana’s Communication Services Tax Act, 2013 (as amended), which was perhaps directly copied, as the Bill makes reference to a National Health Insurance Levy in its definition of “charge of electronic communication service usage”. While this levy exists in Ghana, Nigeria has no such levy. In addition, in its definition of “service provider” the Senate version of the Bill makes reference to persons authorized to provide ECS by the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 and Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 both of which are Ghanaian legislation.

While this is a rather unfortunate drafting error, the greater concern is that the bill may have been appropriated from Ghana without consideration for its impact on the development of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry as well as the impact of the timing of its introduction to Nigeria’s populace.

The telecommunications industry in Nigeria has made remarkable progress since its liberalization in 2001 and is currently one of the fastest growing telecommunications markets in Africa. However, a comparative analysis of the telecommunications industry of both countries shows that Ghana has a market penetration rate for mobile telephone subscription of 131% compared to Nigeria’s 79.5% as at March 2016. Furthermore, the penetration rate of Ghana’s mobile data subscription is estimated to be 68.2% while the rate in Nigeria was about 49%, also as at March 2016. The industry in Nigeria still has much room to grow and requires forward-looking policies and strategies that would drive further investment and growth in the industry, rather than those that, although geared towards government revenue generation, are counter-productive in the long run for the industry.

Conclusion There does not appear to be a justifiable reason for the introduction of this tax, other than to raise additional revenue for government. While this is a noble intention, it should not be to the detriment of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

The Power of Google: Connecting and Changing Lives Chris Uwaje highlights the power of Technology to discover and improve life This a true story of the power of Technology to discover and improve life. Sounds like Tale of the unexpected but it’s a true life story.

An incredible story of pain, tears, joy and rewarding smile! It seems to replicate the philosophy of life as a W/hole – out of which we all emerged running, as the door opens into the world of light, from the dark side of life with a loud cry, followed by a precious smile - some nanoseconds after! After 33 Years of disconnected family roots Information adventure and mental torture Douweny was finally connected by Google and united with his ancestral roots – an investment of about 5-7 years of painstakingly probing of the global Internet Search Engine – Google, changing his life forever!

DOUWENY Ossai Egwarusor was born 33 years ago in Senegal to a Nigeria father from Agbor, Delta State of Nigeria and Mrs. Fatoumata a Senegalese mother. His father Ossai Egwarusor was a skilled Aeronautic Mechanic/Technician in Senegal. Father Ossai’s fatherly love for Douweny – the last born of 5 children - knew no bounds. But when Douweny was seven (7) years old, tragedy stuck - father Ossai ran the final lap of the race of life and joined his ancestors!

On this Holy Thursday 26th August 2016, I sighted this full-bearded strange creature at the departure hall of the Lagos Domestic Airport as I was waiting for my Arik flight to Asaba. As usual, the Flight was delayed, so, I got busy with my Laptop, with the stored focal picture of the Man-Child Douweny in my mindset. Raising my eyes one in a while, I could still see him in a complete solitude (out of this world) – with his carry-on plastic bag firmly clenched between his legs, pulling and cuddling his stack black long beards like a baby with her Teddy bear!

I was still hitting the gray keyboard of my Laptop when after 38 minutes of waiting-delay, the irritating voice from the Airport acoustic announcement system blasted off – saying: ‘ Lagos-Asaba flight 628 now boarding’ – probing my ear drums like a faint dream. Suddenly, the reality alert had me running: as I heard ‘Final Boarding for Lagos-Asaba. Lagos-Asaba Final Bounding’.

At that point, it dawned on me that I must shut down my system and jump into the tarmac bus. I did jump and was taxied to the waiting Arik Flight - and behold, as I gesticulated to slide into my Aisle seat No 17C to the left of the 50 sitter air-plane, I couldn’t believe my eyes – there sat on seat No. 17B, Mr. Douweny majestically at the window seat – piercing through the clear glass into the cloud. Impossible my sub-conscious mind registered as I said hello before sliding the Backpack with my Laptop into the inner baggage compartment.

As I sat down, I could sense that I have a troubled mind as co-passenger on this special Lagos-Asaba flight. Yes, special indeed, as my Asaba mission was taking me to witness and celebrate with the State on the occasion of her 25th anniversary of the creation of Delta State.

I was tenaciously looking forward to hear the Executive Governor of Delta State - Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa speak. Especially at an occasion such as the 25th anniversary celebration of Delta State, having had the privilege to hear the visionary leader speak in July 2016 at the DS-IHUB, when he commissioned the Technology Innovation Hall of fame and the e-Government Academy at the DS-Innovation Hub – a Knowledge Park powered by Jim Ovia and donated recently to the State by Zenith Bank Plc as a CSR initiative.

Sitting down firmly in my seat, I performed

Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan

the ‘fasten your seat belt’ rituals and engaged this unusual mind called Douweny. How are you sir? - I fired my second shot. ‘Fine’ he responded with a great relieve like a soul wandering in a no-man’s land. His English can pass for a broken cord but audible. ‘Are you going to Asaba’? – I probed on. And he replied with: ‘No Agbor – will my Baggage get there’? Sensing the urgency and concern about his baggage in his tone, I asked him if he had identified his luggage before boarding.

‘No I did not’! ‘Hell no’, I fired back ‘you better go and do that so that it will not be left behind for security reasons. Within a twinkle of an eye, Douweny just got up beckoning on me to grand him access to the runway to identify his luggage. I unbuckled my seat belt without delay to allow him move from his window seat through my Aisle seat to the baggage loading area. As he departed towering downwards, I saw in front of me a fully-built, tall and lanky gentleman of about 6.3ft in height, wearing a white caftan with a befitting white cap to match. After a couple of minutes, he returned relieved with a smile. In soliloquy, I said to myself ‘thank God, at least his luggage will not be left behind’.

As he was sitting down and fastening his belt, my inquisitive mind probed further; ‘so, what is taking you to Agbor - do you live there?’. It took him a while to respond – as if he were a primary school student who is searching for the right answer to question.

Finally, as we taxied and gelid the Runway and lifted up into the cloudy gray sky, he said: For more than 5 years ago – roughly between 5-7 years, I try to find back to my father who hails from a village in Agbor, journeyed to Senegal in west Africa several years ago and settled there. My father Ossai Egwarusor was a skilled Aviation Mechanic/ Technician. He married my mother Mrs. Fatoumata a Senegalese woman. The marriage was blessed with 5 children. I am the last child of the family and was very fond of him.

Unfortunately, father died when I was 7 years old. I’ve always had his life image in my heart and my mind and head are full of his beautiful

memory’. At this point, I interjected and said: ‘So what took you so long to search for your roots after 33 good years?’

Douweny was close to tears! ‘Oh is a long story’ he said. I was so young when he died. I grew up and migrated to Spain with my mother. I have lived in Spain for several years and the urge to search for my father’s roots has always held me prisoner!

Indeed, I started about 7 years ago (I can’t remember precisely but it’s between 5 and 7 years) to search the world to locate my roots. I started by searching the Internet with Google to locate my father’s origin. It was tough, because I speak French and Spanish, and had to conduct my Internet searches in English. I was told he came from Agbor in Nigeria – that was all! Unfortunately, after about 3 years of search I lost my Smart Phone with all its password and Data. I resumed my search in the last 2 years and was narrowly lucky to co-incidentally find the “Story of Agbor” written by Professor Princely Ifinedo’.

‘Then what happened’, I queried. Douweny was close to tears as he responded: ‘Oh my hope! It seemed no one believed my life story.

When I send a mail to Professor Ifinedo, it was very difficult to convince him that I am a son of Ossai Egwarusor. Professor Ifinedo lived in Canada, I had never met him in my whole life and to make matters worse, I had no hard copy documented evidence, so it was difficult to anyone to belief my life story.

But thanks to Professor Princely Ifinedo who wrote the book about Agbor Kingdom, its dynamic people, character, culture, capabilities and their villages. However, I took another 2 years of verification process, after Google enabled me to link up with Professor Ifinedo to make the first telephone contact with my uncle from the Egwarusor Clan of Agbor.

Then the long endless wait!

What caused the long wait? I explored.

His response was fast and clear. ‘Professor Princely Ifinedo is a very busy man – a distinguished Lecturer and well sort after world class resource who lived in Canada and I who is a human seed thrown into

the surface of the Earth to perhaps carry my Family’s Cross and solve the puzzle of destiny! This amongst other factors explains why none of my brothers and sisters knows about this adventure which had ruptured over the past five years. It is beyond imagination about to express how I feel – it’s just an awesome feeling, out of this world’. The flight was a bit bumpy as we dodged past and maneuvered one Rain Cloud after the other. Then the voice of the Pilot from the Cockpit took control of the Air space: “The buckled your seat belt sign is on. The rain cloud means no harm. We shall commence our descent to Asaba Airport in few minutes.

I’m in contact with the Terminal and Landing visibility is fine. We expect to land Asaba Airport shortly.’ After the announcement, I asked my new friend Douweny thus: ‘How would you recognize an Uncle you have not met nor seen in the last 33 years’? Said he: “I am so excited to meet all my family members to the extent that I don’t even think of that! My name is my destiny and the Clan will find me and take me to the home to my roots. Google has connected us and changed our lives forever! I feel like Mongo Park - I have conquered the world. Above all, I am inspired to be in Nigeria and look forward to step unto Agbor - the soil and space of my father and ancestors. If this is all I’ve achieved in this life, I am fulfilled – but in reality, life has just begun! My children and grand children will carry on the golden torch of life from generations to generations” My Google Internet search has further revealed that: “Dr. Princely Ifinedo is an Associate Professor of MIS/Mgt. Science at the Shannon School of Business, Cape Breton University (CBU), Canada. He’s currently teaching Management Science and Information Systems (IS) courses, i.e., Management Information Systems (MIS), Quantitative Methods, Operations Management, and Computers in Business. He received his education in three continents; this international exposure has had a lasting impression on his view of the world. Wherever he’s been, he’s always displayed the same passion and vigor for inspiring and motivating his students.

He challenges them to think critically and independently. He enjoys teaching as much as he does conducting academic research.

He’s presented research at various international IS conferences, contributed chapters to 22 books/encyclopedias, published 42 peer-reviewed journal articles, and won 6 Best Conference/Track Paper awards. Dr. Ifinedo has authored (and co-authored) over 110 publications in reputable publishing outlets. He’s received research funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada. The misery of life further revealed that indeed Douweny and Prof. Princely Ifinedo originated from the same village in Agbor Kingdom and that indeed, their fathers (both: Ifinedo and Egwarusor) were family friends. As an IT Professions and the pioneer of the National Policy for Information Technology Development in Nigeria, I was blown away by the life story of Douweny as a classical example of Digital Inclusiveness for Social-Economic Development and a strategic imperative for Africa and particularly for Nigeria. We landed Asaba safely into the waiting arms and smiles of Douweny’s Uncle from Agbor.

-Uwaje is the Director General of Delta State Innovation Hub (DS-IHUB) in Asaba

COMMUNICATION SERVICE TAX: A TAX BURDEN WE COULD DO WITHOUT development of a strategic industry. It is therefore not surprising that the Bill has received condemnation from telecommunication operators, subscribers and other industry stakeholders. In what could be construed as a response to the widespread rejection of this Bill, the Senate introduced a new bill seeking to establish an Unemployed Youth, Elderly and Indigent Sustainability Allowance

Trust Fund to be financed by the proposed CST. The Unemployed Youth, Elderly and Indigent Sustainability Allowance Trust Fund Bill, 2016 seeks to use 30% of the money accruing from the CST to provide stipends for unemployed youths, elderly and indigent persons and subsidize drugs for infants, hypertension and diabetes among other related needs. It is surprising that the irony

is lost on the promoters of both bills, given that the classes of persons that the Trust Fund Bill seeks to assist are the same as those that will be greatly impacted by the introduction of the CST in the first place! The Federal Government has consistently maintained that its current focus is on increasing tax compliance and collection by widening the tax base, rather than increasing tax rates (such as the

VAT rate). We therefore expect the Executive arm of the Government to take necessary steps to ensure the non-passage of the CST Bill, as it is without doubt an additional tax burden we could all do without.

-Ibeneme is a Tax Manager and Adefuke is a Senior Tax Adviser with KPMG Advisory Services, Lagos, Nigeria

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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‘NIGERIA IS IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR THE REST OF AFRICA’ ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

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‘Nigeria is in A Position to Provide Leadership for The Rest of Africa’ Prof. Hilary Beckles is soft spoken. He has a charming and unassuming personality, which is somewhat very humbling. As an academia, he has risen to the zenith, emerging the Vice Chancellor of the University of West Indies. Reparation struggle is an issue he is very much passionate about and he is one of those pushing the boundaries of the struggle forward. He is pained that the African governments are not giving the struggle the needed support it required. In this interview with Charles Ajunwa and Ugo Aliogo, he speaks about the reparation struggles and other issues facing the continent of Africa You spoke passionately about the reparation struggles in Africa during your presentation at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Memorial Lecture held recently at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium. Do you think the issue is making headway in the continent?

The reparation struggle is making headway on a global scale. In the Caribbean, we are now in the vanguard of reparation, the government has established reparation commissions to carry out national public education and to organise historical information in order to make a compelling case. We have completed our work and submitted our findings to the government and we have told the government that the evidence is clear. Therefore, they are now in a position to make a claim to the government of Europe. Therefore, the government of the Caribbean has written formally to the government of Europe calling for a summit to discuss the crimes that have been committed against the people in the Caribbean and Africa.

We are not going to give up on this; we are waiting for the government of Africa to come onboard. The government of Africa have been divided. They are not sure what position to adopt and I have always found this surprising because the damage that has been done on the continent is incredible.

Nigeria was the largest exporter of people, who were carried across the Atlantic Ocean.

Therefore, Nigeria was a country that was ravaged and victimised by this crime.

So we have always expected that Nigeria will play a role in the United Nations in arguing the case. It is a matter that ought to be settled in a diplomatic fashion. UN has to provide the leadership; it will make a huge difference, so in the Caribbean we are waiting on Africa and Nigeria leadership. We have played our path to persuade the UN to declare the next 10 years as the International Decade for People of African Descent. It took a lot of global diplomacy to announce. In this decade, one of the objectives we have to achieve is that there must be global justice for the African people for the crimes committed during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Brazil has now come onboard and established a reparation commission. The U.S. has also established a national reparation commission. We are waiting on Nigeria and other African governments to come onboard regarding this issue. If we have this alliance between North America, the Africa-America, the Caribbean, Brazil and Africa, there will be a global transformation. The Europeans believe that they can treat the Caribbean in a certain disrespectful way because we are small countries and we don’t have the global power on the international community.

But Nigeria is a major player, therefore if she joins the solidarity, then we will be well aware. We were disappointed in 2001 in Durban South Africa, when then Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo did not support us. Also most of the governments of West African countries did not support us as well.

We felt wounded that the governments of Africa were supporting Europe, instead of pitching tent with us. It is a wound that has not healed. In the Diaspora, we believe that we have played an important role in the liberation of Africa. When African countries

Beckles

were fighting for their independence in the 50s, we played a vital role through our intellectuals, musicians, and political leaders.

We fought the apartheid regime, thousands of people from the Caribbean died fighting the liberation struggles in Southern Africa, though the Cubans were in the majority, but there were soldiers from other countries. But to organise the Cubans to fight in order to bring down apartheid, the Caribbean had to be mobilised to enable those soldiers travel across the Atlantic Ocean in order to reach Southern Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.

For the last 60 years, before the days of Marcus Garvey, who started the process of African liberation struggle in an organised way, we have been fighting for the liberation struggles for Africa and now we have called on the African governments to support us and our political struggles for reparation.

We were disappointed that we didn’t get the necessary support from the government of African countries, but the citizens of Ghana and Nigeria were supporting us.

We had full support from the academics, trade unions movement and civil society organisations in Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. They were fully in support, but the government was not. It was a case where the people of Africa and West Africa were on different pages. Though, we were disappointed that we could not get government support but it was cheering to know that the people were with us. We are hoping that the government and the people will join together to support us.

What would you say were the reasons for the lack of support from African leaders and how much of support has African Union (AU) put to government of the Caribbean to push for the reparation struggle?

During the time when the issue of reparation struggles were brought among African leaders, a number of arguments were raised, we tried to persuade the government not to agree to those positions. The President of Nigeria then expressed concerns that the reparation issue would create a policy of confrontation with the West. Therefore, he didn’t wish to be part of the confrontation issue. We tried to convince him that reparation is not about confrontation, rather it is about using the diplomatic channel that you have, since the United Nations was talking about dialogue and diplomacy.

This is why the United Nations was the organisation that brought us together. We tried to explain that this is not about conflict, but reconciliation. It is the biggest way to reconcile the people of Africa all over the world. If you want to have reconciliation, you need to have peace. You cannot have reconciliation and peace without justice. For instance, the government of Britain has stated that they would not apologise for the crimes they committed. They have apologised to the Jewish people and the Irish people for creating the potato farms in Ireland.

They have apologised to the Palestine.

They have apologised to everybody they committed crimes against. We are the only people who do not deserve an apology. If they have negative opinion of you, they will say that you don’t deserve an apology. If they don’t have respect for you they will not apologise to you because it looks demeaning to them.

Then President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo said that somehow it might lead to ethnic conflict in Nigeria. You might have one ethnic group who will affirm that during the period of the slavery that a particular ethnic group collaborated with the British or the Dutch or French and this could create ethnic dialogue between the different ethnic groups, which could lead to ethnic strife. We didn’t agree with that either. You can’t hide from your history, the truth must prevail.

If there is a measure of that we have to know about it.

But we do know that a vast majority of Africans fought against the slave trade. There were individuals who participated, but you have to isolate these individuals and separate them from the rest. What the devastation of the slavery did to Nigeria was very bad, they took about 10 million people from Nigeria, and hundreds of villages were destroyed.

We tried to talk to the President that the history has to be confronted and addressed, but there was a view that many of the African countries were negotiating with International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan and there were concerns that if they have taken stance in support of reparation they will be blackmailed by the IMF and the World Bank. It was clear to us that many of the African countries were being intimidated by the IMF and the World Bank. There was no doubt that IMF was involved in the intimidation of Senegal because Senegal was negotiating with World Bank for loans. The important thing is for us to recognise that many of the government of African countries were being intimidated by the IMF and the World Bank.

What is the AU support towards the repara-

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tion struggle?

Since Durban, we have been able to move the matter unto the agenda of the AU. We have urged the AU that they must reverse their position on the issue, because what was done to the people of Africa and the Caribbean was wrong. We have told them that they need to reverse their position. The matter has come to the AU and they have given their support. The AU has stated that they will treat the Diaspora as the zone of Africa and in principle they are in support of reparation.

The government of Gambia has stated that they will be the champions of reparation movement in Africa. I am involved in negotiations across Africa to persuade many African countries to take a stronger position and to use the AU as a platform to strengthen the case. Also, move towards the United Nations General Assembly. We already have the platform in the UN General Assembly because they have endorsed the two things; slavery and slave trade which were crimes against humanity. The UN has also endorsed next decade aimed at looking at the damage done to African people as a result of these crimes. Therefore the United Nations has done what it can do, it is left for us to do the rest.

Some governments in Africa have been making frantic efforts in tackling corruption.

How do you rate these efforts?

One of the ways to tackle corruption is to ensure that your systems of governance work. In societies where the legal process is not working well, people try to get around the system if they don’t have confidence in it. Therefore, we have to build systems of governance that people have confidence which will work. Any time you have a society where the people believe that the systems are not working, they will try to get around with it and create a criminal system. I think a part of the focus should be strengthening of the institutions of governance and law and order. Reform of governance is very important, but it is not easy.

During your lecture presentation, you spoke about history and the Pan African nation.

What was the take home from that lecture?

I feel there should be tremendous solidarity between the citizens of Nigeria and the citizens of the Caribbean on the issue of justice. The issue here is that not many Nigerian citizens are well aware of the history of Transatlantic Slave Trade and the consequences both in Nigeria and the Caribbean. It is not as well known as it should be, there are many people who seem to forget all of these or put it behind them. Despite that, I do believe that there is solidarity, and sincerity. I believe that the government of Nigeria will look at the issue differently in the years ahead.

What is the way forward?

The way is forward is for the governments of Africa to use the platforms of United Nations and the International Decade for People of African Descents to make sure that they promote the issues of justice, so that in the end the conditions of the black people will be improved. If at the end of this decade we have not resolved these issues, we are in serious trouble. We have an opportunity and what the situation is calling for is central leadership which means black leadership. Nigeria is in a position to provide that leadership.

What would you say are the seeming challenges in carrying out this vision and how can they be addressed?

The challenge is to find solidarity at the AU and to move from there to the UN. We want to have a global summit; we want the countries of Africa and the Caribbean to meet together with the government of Europe. All of the countries that have benefitted from this crime to meet in a summit and discuss the way forward. As part of the way forward, we have a mapped out a 10-Point Plan which involves the need for an apology, investment in education, technology transfer, the building of museums. In Britain for instance, there are four international museums dedicated to slavery and in the Caribbean.

Therefore, Great Britain should fund this. We need the support of everyone in promoting this summit. If African countries have solidarity, then we will have a very powerful voice.

Beckles

The key to success is visionary leadership and commitment to ideas and principles. If they believe that as a leader, your leadership has values and standards, they will relate to you differently. But if they believe you are weak and have no values they will treat you in a certain way. We need to have a resolution on this matter of reparation. It is an opportunity for all African leaders to show leadership.

Can you compare the tertiary institutions here in Nigeria with what you have over there?

In Nigeria, the universities here are about the same age with the University of the West Indies. A good example is the University of Ibadan. Both universities were created from a grant from the British Government and for the same purpose. The British government decided that since the colonial period was coming to an end they wanted to put an institution in place. We have evolved along together along similar lines in the past years.

The two universities are very close, they work together, we share examiners, we have relationships, and the Vice Chancellors have always interacted. Therefore going forward, we are about the same.

Nigeria and West Indies have things in common especially socio-politically and culturally. What do you think you are right that we are not doing right?

We should not look at it in that perspective because we are all involved in the duty of nation building and the circumstances that confront Nigeria are different from that which confronts the West Indies. Each of us, have been trying to confront the worst aspects of the colonial periods. We all have various national aspirations, different sets of resources, we are building democracies and there are different challenges. But we have different approaches based on our circumstances.

It is not fair to compare the very small Island of the Caribbean which has 200 million people, and with an oil economy.

We are a small Island and Jamaica is our largest English speaking Island with just three million people, Barbados has 280,000 people. These are small islands with microeconomies and different environments. Given what we have gone through historically and what has been done to us. I think we have done well, though we can do much better.

But we should not be ashamed of what we have achieved.

Nigeria and West Indie have potentials in tourism. But you seem to be doing far better in tourism?

For 300 years, our economy was built on

exporting sugar. The sugar economy collapsed in the 60s and 70s. Then we had to find an alternative economy activity. We had to restructure the economy and we built the restructuring around tourism and financial services. Barbados for example, has a very high living standard and the economy is built around tourism and financial services. There are many advantages of the tourism sector which one can benefit from. Again, I don’t think it is fair to compare these economies.

There are no sound basis to compare Barbados, and Jamaica with Nigeria. They are not at par with each other. I believe that the challenge facing Nigeria is much larger than the challenges facing the Caribbean.

There are issues of managing the population size, and the creation of a city almost 20 million. These are huge challenges for a nation in the areas of housing, education and infrastructure because people are moving into the cities looking for a better life. One of the effects of that could be agriculture, but also the oil economy.

The sudden influx of cash has distorted economic planning, the politics of managing oil, the exportation of raw materials, the power of the multi-national companies and what they do to the environment. These are huge challenges which Nigeria like other oil producing countries in the developing world have faced. There is a body of theories that speaks to the challenges of managing oil economy in developing countries. They bring some very special challenges and sometimes you have to recognise an exclusion of cash at a short period of time, changes in social values and political dynamics. Many economists have stated that gradual development is more sustainable than sudden explosion of revenue which is more difficult to manage.

Therefore, I think many of the challenges that have resulted from the petrol chemical economy are predictable and we have seen them in other economies.

As a professor of economic history, what is your advice on how Nigeria can out of the present recession?

There are always two main objectives in the pursuits of development especially in economy such as Nigeria. First, is how to maintain economic growth especially at a time where the price of the commodity is falling rapidly. We have seen the price of oil collapse from over 200 dollars per barrel.

Now we are less than 25 dollars. This has had tremendous impact on government revenue.

On the other hand, there is also the issue of social justice and empowerment of local communities. Petrol chemical economies are usually connected to multi-national companies and the exportation of raw materials and very often the materials are not subject to

innovations or diversification or the use of the raw materials to create other industrial sectors.

Therefore when you are faced with this type of circumstances, one of the objectives that come to mind is economic diversification.

The economy needs to be diversified away from the importation of raw materials. This will create an opportunity for you to spread the basis of the domestic performance and bring in more of the citizens to benefit from the industrial process. This is an imperative which takes time, in some cases it takes 20 to 30 years to achieve a process like that.

In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago have similar problems. The country is an oil exporting economy, at the moment, the oil price has collapsed, the government is faced with recession, there are serious cash flow problems. Now, the biggest item on the agenda is how to diversify the economy. The universities have been brought together to meet with the petrol chemical sector to talk about ways of creating new commodities and diversify projects.

We are looking at ways of creating new chemicals out of the oil. I hopeful that the Nigeria government is trying to ensure that they build a basic domestic industrial base around the oil sector, there are some good universities and petrol chemical engineers, there is need to bring them together to see what other industries can emerge. With a large population of almost 180 million, you have a domestic economy which can grow domestic demand. In the Caribbean, our economies are so small that we cannot produce for the local market. Here, there is a large population, and you can grow that domestic demand through diversification.

Corruption is one of the major challenges facing African countries. How should government address this issue?

During the memorial lecture, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spoke about the issue and his description was very disturbing. In the final analysis, corruption is much of the responsibilities of the citizens as well as the government. There is a tendency in many developing countries to attribute all of the ills to political leadership. I noticed that in developing countries where the civil service has been weakened, there is a greater tendency for public sector corruption, in countries where the civil service has remained strong; the permanent secretaries have maintained the culture of the permanent secretaries. The culture of the permanent secretaries is meant to be a fearless person who represents high quality and standards, when you weaken those structures, then you open the door.

In stamping out this behaviour, there has to be an alliance.

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NUJ to Honour Orji with Equity Hero Award For upholding the tenet of Abia Charter of Equity, thus engendered lasting unity, in Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central at the National Assembly, would be honoured with award of Equity Hero by the Nigeria Union of Journalists –Correspondents Chapel-Abia State.

In a letter signed by the union Chairman Planning Committee, Mr. Sam Obinna Ibe, NUJ said the award became necessary following Orji’s insistence that Abia Charter of Equity must take precedent over personal gains towards the build up to the 2015 gubernatorial election in the face of pressure and contrived crisis even when that decision could have cost him his life.

According to NUJ, the award which will take place on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia by 12 noon is also in recognition of the unprecedented achievements of Senator Orji while he held sway as Abia State Governor adding that the world over, only unique leaders leave positive legacies for which they are remembered.

“You are one of such leaders. While you held sway as the helmsman of Abia, you left positive, life-impacting achievements with regard to your programmes, policies and projects. Many buildings, roads and

Orji

empowerment programmes stand to your credit till today.

“But what we may term as your greatest achievements is the enthronement of Equity in the Abia political system. For sure, this equity is espoused in the Abia Charter of Equity, a revered document produced by the founding fathers of Abia to give every section a genuine sense of belonging.

“However, every leader hitherto paid lip service to the document. Even the House of Assembly has not mustered the will to

make it a law but by your sheer strong will, political sagacity and far-sightedness, fair-mindedness and craves for fairness, moved, against all odds, to ensure the implementation of the much mouthed Abia Charter of Equity by your insistence that power should rotate to the Abia South senatorial zone.

“You believed in it, convinced your party to go with you and actualised it as the governorship ticket was zoned to Abia South and a governor of Ukwa/Ngwa extraction eventually emerged; the first time ever in history.

“With benefit of hindsight, Abians have seen that the protracted legal battles which have trailed the Abia governorship election, but for your unrelenting effort, Abia South would have unjustly and brazenly denied the governorship slot.

“How many lions would a hunter kill before he is hailed as a hero? Equity makes for peace which facilitates development and brings about unity, engenders love and fosters patriotism. All these you have bequeathed to Abia.

“For being resolute and genuine in your belief and conviction that power should rotate among the three senatorial zones and realising it, you will forever remain our Hero of Equity in Abia.”

Fortune Day School Graduates Pupils Godbless Eduviere Fortune Day Nursery and Primary School, a private school located in Erede Community in Onisiwo Island, recently organised a graduation party for pupils who graduated to a new academic session.

The event was funfair moment for the kids as there were interesting activities such as quiz competition, drama, poems recitations, and talent showcasing-singing, and dancing among others after which they were offered gift packs each with their promotion certificates by the Head Mistress of the school.

An eight-year-old Nursery 2 pupil of the school, Ode Friday, said, “I am very happy and my parents are also happy because I’m promoted to primary one.” On her part, Mrs. Elizabeth Ode who accompanied her son to the event expressed her excitement, saying, “I am so happy because my son is being promoted to primary one. Many have the dream to be here and some are not alive to witness it but I thank God

Fortune Day School's pupils during a performance at the event

that I am alive to celebrate this very moment with my son.” She advised parents whose kids have not been enrolled in school to do so, also urging that kids should also be given time to study after school so that they can become leaders of tomorrow.

Promoted to primary two, 6 years Miracle Dede said, “I am glad because I’m wearing the graduation gown and also because I am also being promoted.”

Her mother, Mrs. Patience Dede expressed

appreciations, thanking God for the life of the Head Mistress and also the teachers, while she also prayed that God should continue to give them wisdom to lead the children to a greater future. Another parent, Margaret Bassey disclosed that she has four kids in the school, adding that she felt great that her kids were growing academically. She said however that the challenges have been paying their fees and transportation, in this current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Head Mistress of Fortune Day Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Esther Okosoda in her remark wished children and their parents success, urging parents whose kids have not been enrolled into school or were not present due to certain reasons, to put more efforts because children, according to her, are the future and education is very important to them.

Okosoda noted further that government should assist the Island in the area of infrastructural development as well as better boats for transportation.

How Promasidor’s Brand Ignites Competition Among States The train of the on-going 2016 Promasidor’s Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz has ignited a fierce but healthy competition among the states of the federation. As the show progresses towards the final, the states, represented by the various schools are increasing their ‘battle’ tactics to win the crown. The show, for instance, entered a very crucial bend last weekend as Ogun State excelled with a record of producing all-four female semi-finalists. The feat is courtesy of three schools, all based in Ota, a commercial town at the border of Lagos and Ogun States.

In the junior category, Oluwafunke Alabi of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota and Juliet Ekoko of The Ambassador College, Ota moved to the semi-final stage after grueling first and second preliminary rounds. The duo were in “battle” against Favour Duke-Umanah of Deeper Life High School, Apabuyo, Calabar, Cross River State; Collins Iloabuchi of Dority International Secondary School, Aba, Abia State; Al-Ameen Abdulganiyu of Federal Government College, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; and Ayibatari Ibara of Belary Schools, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.Ekoko and Alabi scored 98 per cent and 99 per cent respectively in the qualifying written examination in March 2016 to emerge as Top 20 candidates. In the senior category, Hasanah Adeyanju of Ota Total Academy, Ota joined Chimaka Okey-Ihedi of The Ambassador College, Ota in the semi-final ticket, to crown the glory for Ogun State in

Cowpell quiz contestants duriing a recent competition

the 7th preliminary group contest. The duo were in the “ring” against Victor Osondu of College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, Enugu State, Olamide Ikuomola of Greater tomorrow International College, ArikigiAkoko, Ondo State; Timothy Adedipe of Shepherd International College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State; and Simeon Ante of Joy International College, Kaduna, Kaduna State. In the qualifying written examination, Adeyanju scored 97 per cent, while OkeyIhedi got 96 per cent to qualify as Top 20 candidates. The soft-spoken Adeyanju expressed strong confidence about her chances in the competition and hoped that all things would work well for her. “I am really well prepared for this. I also believe I am good enough to win because I am

good enough to beat anybody,” she told journalists outside the studio. Okey-Ihedi and Ekoko were no less confident saying that with the semi-final tickets in their kitty, nothing else can stop them from winning the ultimate prize.

The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is one million naira and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country.

The teacher of the winning students will receive four hundred thousand naira. The airing of the programme continues this weekend; AIT Network on Saturday, 7.

00p.m; TVC Lagos, Saturday, 8.00p.m; NTA Ibadan, Saturday, 9. 30a.m; NTA Kano, Saturday, 2.00 p.m.; CRBC Calabar, Saturday 7.00pm; NTA Onitsha, Sunday, 5. 00p.m; STV Jos, Sunday, 5.00 p.m.

Red Bulb Sets to Hold 2nd Edition of Miss Coral Pageant Red Bulb events, organisers of Miss Coral Pageant, is set to launch her 2016 edition themed ‘Feast of the Royals’, which celebrates culture, brings to light the beautiful blend between the modern youth and African tradition, while also celebrating beauty of all kinds. Thus, its core idea is to allow each contestant enhance the inner and outer beauty of the Nigerian woman, while they gain self-confidence Red Bulb --- Miss Coral Pageant Queen III and passion. This pageant is open to young Nigerian females between the ages of 18-27, in search for the next regal ambassador who has charisma, fun and trend. The winner will take part in the South Africa Fashion Week, join a top modeling agency in South Africa, a year shoe supply, 32inch flat screen TV, grooming with The Modeling Academy (TMA), a sleek makeup pack and other consolation prizes. The 1st runner up takes a laptop, a year shoe supply, sleek makeup pack and other consolation prizes while the 2nd runner up takes home a refrigerator, sleek pack and consolation prizes. To participate pay interested persons are to pay entry fee of N3,000 to a designated bank account and then log onto www.misscoralpageant.com to fill the entry form.

Payment Tellers, organisers says will serve as audition pass. Auditions starts in October. Red Bulb Events has a unique approach to the event management industry.

“We are not just party planners. We are strategic event management partners. We understand that a properly executed event can be leveraged to support an organisation’s strategic vision, incorporated into a company’s marketing plan, or used to build networks and client loyalty”, the organisers said.

Chocolate City, Arewa24 Team Up to Highlight Northern Nigerian Artistes The Chocolate City Group, the largest music, media and entertainment brand in Africa and AREWA24, the 24/7 all-Hausa language entertainment and lifestyle television channel serving Northern Nigeria, has announced the television debut of a collaborative “Artiste Showcase Series.”

The Artiste Showcase is a new series of highly stylised vignettes featuring some of the most talented and popular artistes from Northern Nigeria. Each of the short vignettes follows the musical journey of one of the Chocolate City artistes from childhood to their current status, and shines a spotlight on the inspiration they have drawn from their home cultures and communities across the region. The artistes participating in this initial Chocolate City-AREWA24 Showcase include Ruby Gyang, Jesse Jagz, Loose Kaynon, DJ Lambo and Chopstix. Chocolate City Group’s co-founder and CEO, Audu Maikori, said of the collaboration, “we are excited and proud to work with AREWA24 in highlighting the tremendous contributions that our Northern artistes are making to the Nigerian and African music scene and look forward to Northern Nigerian audiences getting to know not only the music, but also the personal side of our artistes.”Bob Reid, AREWA24’s Head of Programming and Production added, “these Artiste Showcase vignettes will give our viewers a deeper appreciation for how influential the Hausa culture has been in shaping the talents of artistes whose music has broad appeal beyond Northern Nigeria.

We are delighted to tap into the wealth of Chocolate City Group’s amazing talent and believe our audiences will be pleasantly surprised to learn some new things about the artistes, as well as to share the endless joy of their music.” The Chocolate City Group and AREWA24 plan to expand their collaboration into new music programming formats designed to showcase Northern Nigerian artistes and reflect pride in Nigerian arts and culture. As part of the ongoing collaboration, each Chocolate City artistes in the Showcase Series is also featured in an episode of AREWA24’s popular H Hip Hop, hosted by Nomiis Gee.

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16.09.2016

Akpororo Visits Alma Mater, Thrills with Gospel Songs Rebecca Ejifoma What many fans do not know about the ace comedian and TV personality, Jephthah Bowoto popularly known and referred to as Akpororo, is that he is a great lead singer, who pulls the crowd with gospel lyrics. His songs spread across the six geo-political zones of this nation. But most electrifying is his jigs and styles in the Delta way. Akpororo, was spotted at a vigil in his former church in Festac, Lagos. He alongside a handful of his team stormed the worship centre to praise God in energetic style.

The singer and comedian expressed gratitude to his Maker, whom he said picked him up from the dunghill to the limelight. "People look

at me when I sing and dance this way. But it is I who wear the shoes. It is I who know and understand where I am coming from.

Known mostly for his sonorous rib-cracking jokes, Akpororo shared with a large audience what it means to be him. "I was a nobody.

I began right on this platform. This God is awesome. So why won't I bless this God in such a way? I am a radical at this moment for him. I have come today with my dancing shoes.

So, dance if He has done something for you."

Interestingly, what many people do not know about this comedian is that he was first a singer before a comedian. Akpororo began singing in the church and his singing career gradually spring with a blend of comedy. He could dance

and make funny faces because it was innate.

No doubt, this comedian has decided to throw down the ladder for younger talented Nigerians at his singing jam at Ojo, Lagos called the Ojo Mass Choir. It brings together combo of gospel artistes before a 10, 000 spectators filled to the brim of a field in the area.

Not resting on his oasis, Akpororo directs a dance group with an annual programme tagged ‘Ojo Mega Praise Jam’ in Okokomaiko in Lagos, where he lived. Working on a soon-to-be-released album, Akpororo has recorded great singles 'Days of Elijah' and 'Thank Am o."The programme is my little way of giving back to the society," he told the congregation. Akpororo has got a plate full of activities lined up for upcoming artistes.

Akpororo

Getting the Best Out of DStv Compact Bouquet Nigerians generally crave high-quality entertainment, and it reflects in the zest with which such content are sought after. They are particularly upbeat when such entertainment is available at an affordable price. The Nigerian entertainment industry is highly rated with its abundance of talents particularly in the music and movie sectors, complimented by a vibrant social media space that is abuzz round the clock commenting on entertainment and related issues.

The last decade has witnessed an astronomical growth of the industry so much that the industry was one of the key sectors that contributed to the rebasing of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it became Africa’s biggest economy.

However, the current economic situation that Nigerians are faced with has also affected the ability to afford the cost of quality goods and services, including those from the entertainment sub-sector. There is a silver lining though. Leading entertainment and Pay TV Company in Nigeria, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, has introduced innovative ways to help subscribers to optimise their viewing pleasure. The company, in a bid to sustain the provision of quality premium content on its platform, has revamped its Compact bouquet so as to offer subscribers better value for money.

DStv compact is designed for young, cool and trendy subscribers who desire premium content, but cannot necessarily afford it. The

Dstv Compact Disc

bouquet has now been refreshed to include some premium channels, like: MNET Action, Studio Universal, among others. Compact subscribers can now experience the best football action in the world without negatively impacting on them financially.

Although the revamped Compact bouquet will come in handy during the over 400 Premier Le and La Liga games, all streamed live in glorious HD, it is by far more versatile than just football

Capturing Cherished Moments with LG Smartphones Magical moments are unpredictable from microseconds of a baby’s smile to a gracious perching of a bird and so on. Obviously, there will always be family and friends to see, photograph and tag on various social media platform. In a great way, there are plenty of great holiday memories to be made just by pulling out your phone and capturing the moment. Smartphone cameras are gradually displacing conventional cameras as the emerging way of capturing lovely moments to be cherished forever.

The development of digital photography has proven to be just as important as the invention of the first camera. By allowing users to instantly see pictures and eliminating the hassle of developing film, digital cameras have had an outsized impact on the way we think about photography. Leading smartphone manufacturers are now developing smartphones with superior camera functions one of such companies is LG Electronics with its plethora of forward-looking smartphones.

Now, in the smartphone era, most people have cameras on them at all times. The prevalence of cameras has been instrumental in the rise of social media and has also helped enhance as well as streamline the spread of information.

There is an increasing common tendency for people to automatically catalogue their lives.

Today’s front-facing cameras can capture images in higher resolution than the back-facing cameras of phones from previous generation.

For example, the LG G5’s 8MP front-facing camera is many times more powerful than what was available on the G2 just three years ago. The G5 from LG Electronics is a masterpiece perfectly equipped with technology to capture lovely moments that will far outlive

matches.

The all-new compact bouquet comes packed with over 95 world class channels, including access to its flagship on-demand video rental service – DStv Box Office. This service avails subscribers 15 new movies pre-loaded onto their decoders that enable them make a selection from, pay and proceed to enjoy the show on offer. It is as simple and straightforward as outlined.

No longer will subscribers have to wait for new

releases to be screened at cinemas, or many months for the movies to be released on DVDs. The DStv Box Office offers the same service as the cinema experience in the comfort of one’s home and personal convenience.

Speaking on the game-changing potential of the DStv Box Office, which is now available to compact bouquet subscribers, General Manager, MultiChoice, Martin Mabutho said: “DStv services like Box Office form part of a bigger MultiChoice strategy to use cutting-edge technological innovation to help people enjoy some of the best entertainment available at a time that’s convenient to them. This is our way of adding more value to our subscribers’ video entertainment experience, despite the current realities we are facing.” The service offers subscribers other benefits, including the luxury of enjoying a combination of all channels in Family and Access bouquets, as well as M-Net Family and VUZU channels, giving them more value for money. New and existing subscribers can enjoy all these exclusive content and non-stop television entertainment as never before at a modest monthly subscription of N6, 000. This range succinctly amplifies a fusion of both great value and affordability. The DSTV compact bouquet caters to the unique preferences of people in a family and ensures that no member of the family misses their favourite programmes.

Excellence in Leadership Conference 2016 to Hold in Lagos

LG Smartphone

the moment. With its 360 degree camera that captures image from virtually all angles makes it possible to have a clear view of interesting moments. The era of social media has taken over the digital space with life feel events from all works of life.

Commenting on this, General Manger, Mobile Communications, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Steve Seungeui Lee said, “The only thing we know for certain is that smartphone photography will continue to grow and that LG will work to ensure that its product meet demands of consumers well into the future.”

Interestingly, G5 can perform at optimal level interacting with lots of devices such as LG Cam plus; LG Hi-Fi plus with B&O play, LG tone platinum, LG Cam 360, LG 360 VR, LG Rolling Bot, LG action Cam which is made possible through the LG friend manager.

Pastor Adeyemi

The annual Excellence in Leadership Conference holds will between Wednesday, November 2 – Friday November 4, 2016 at Daystar Christian Centre, Ikosi Road, Oregun, Lagos.

The conference is intended to help participants expand their capacity to initiate and influence change by stretching their ingenuity and renewing their minds for more efficiency and effectiveness in life. The theme this year is Maximise Your Influence.

The conveners, Sam and Nike Adeyemi, in the company of other top notch speakers will hold three days of highly impactful sessions that cut across major industries issues and national life.

The array of speakers coming are the best in their areas of calling like; Bill Hybels, convener, Global Leadership Summit Chicago, Julian

Kyula, co-founder and Group CEO of MoDe group - a finance and technology firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, Mo Abudu, a talk show host, TV producer, media guru, human resources management consultant, entrepreneur and a philanthropist, Folorunso Alakija, a Nigerian businesswoman and also the richest woman of African descent in the world and Chude Jideonwo, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of RED – which owns the continent’s largest portfolio of youth media brands.

Others speakers at the conference are Agu Irukwu, Senior Pastor of Jesus House for all nations London and Abimbola Olashore, the Chief Executive Officer, Lead Capital and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

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16.09.2016

eraveonline@gmail.com

Vector Wins Video of The Year Award at NMVA 2015 The organisers of the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) have announced the winners of the 2015 edition of the awards. Recall the heavily publicised annual ceremony was called off barely 78 hours to the D-day.

The coordinators had cited logistics challenge for the decision. They said “it was a tough call but it was inevitable.” The organisers also said “the need to overhaul the concept, with a view to making it more purposeful also overwhelmed it.”

The event was however rescheduled for a later date.

However given reasons on why they

are releasing the winners for 2015 edition despite the fact that the ceremony was not held, the Coordinator of the award, Mr. Cally Ikpe said, “all other stages of the 9th edition of the NMVA was observed, from the call for entry, the nomination and to the online voting among other ancillary programmes. It is imperative that the public is let in to what the result of the process is. Though belated, but we are pleased to announce the winners in the various categories for the 9th edition of the annual Nigeria Music Video Awards. In a short while, we will also let you know what the plans for the 2016 edition are”.

Vector-

The NMVA 2015 winners Best Rnb Video Timi Dakolo – Wish Me Well

Best Raggae/Dancehall Video Sheyi Shay – Right Now

Mainstream Hip Hop Video Vector – Kingkong Remix

Best Director Mattmax – Kingkong Rmx ByVector

Best Highlife Video Harrysong – Raggae Blues

Best Afro Hip Hop Video Falz – Karishika

Best Use Of Dance In A Video May D – Ibadi

Best New Director Wole Siren – Okoro By Jowana

Best Soft Rock / Alternative Video Adekunle Gold – Sade

Best Afro Pop Video Oristefemi – Igbeyawo

Best Use Of Costume In A Video Tipsy – O Wunmi

Best Editor Unlimited La – Aww By Dija

Best Gospel Video Humblesmith – Osinachi

Best Pop Extra Video Tekno Miles – Duro

Record Label Of The Year Mavin Records

Best Video By Minors Young Bobby & Lexxy Eye – Famous

Best Video By A New Artiste Kiss Daniel – Laye

Best Use Of Visual Effect In A Video Reekado Banks – Katapot

Best Afrobeat Video Wizkid – Ojuelegba

Best Contemporary Afro Video Korede Bello – Godwin

Best Cinematography Mr Moe Musa – Melo By Olamide

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www.eraveng.com

XPEE

Rapper Olumide Okelola popularly known as XPee has released the video for his new and infectious dance single titled, “Ijo Nuru”.The song, which is already enjoying airplay on major radio stations across the country, will get a major boost with the very exciting dance video directed by Camboi Films in South Africa.

According to the rapper, “I was very pleased with the outcome of the video and I’m sure my fans are going to love it.”His first single and video “Calabar Lonishan” featuring Reminisce was produced by Sarz.

The success of the song led to the remix which featured Skales, and Olamide. He is signed to JXD Entertainment and managed by Difference Entertainment.

Video Of The Year Vector – Kingkong Remix

Peter Okoye, Jimmy Jatt, Skales, Other Extol ACI Studios Few weeks after its launch, several famous music stars are speaking up about the arrival of ACI studios in Nigeria. The new company seems to be re-inventing the sound of Nigerian music with the establishment of world class recording, rehearsal and dance studios in Lekki, Lagos. This much talked about new edifice patterned after the international studios is attracting lots of attention right now in the Nigeria music industry.Statistics on ACI Entertainment’s Instagram page, @aci234 shows that popular stars like American artiste-Keri Hilson, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Peter Okoye of P-Square, Young John the Wicked Producer, Praiz, Mike Aremu, Timaya, Kaffy, Falz, General Pype, Skales and a host of others have visited the studio complex and endorsed the state of the art facilities.

In one of the videos on ACI Instagram page, Peter Okoye said ACI studio is where he records. Aside videos and pictures of him recording in the ACI studios, the singer also endorsed the recording studios with thumps up emojis on his own Instagram page when he shared a picture of him

Peter Okoye at ACI Studios

sitting in one of the ACI recording studios.

Alsp, legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt says ACI studio is the best place to get the best productions. Dancehall act, General Pype endorsed the ACI recording studio during his visit with a brief song extolling the virtues of the facility.

South Africa artiste, Capso also made music at the ACI studios when he was in Nigeria and shared his opinion. "ACI studio is one of the nicest and dopest studios to work. The vibe is fresh and the people are cool. Big ups to ACI for

building this amazing space.”Popular singer cum rapper, Skales during his visit to the studio also declared it as the number one studio at this time. "ACI studio is world class, world standard and number one.”

Some of Nigeria's acclaimed producers such as Mastercraft, DJ Coublon, Young John, Fiokee, among others have also visited the studio and likewise endorsed the state of the art set-up. Young John, popularly known as Young John the Wicked Producer said "ACI studio is a top notch for everything in production, mixing and mastering. That dope quality you are looking is right here at ACI studio.”

Findings have however shown that the influx of music enthusiasts into the ACI studios is as a result of the facilities and organisation. ACI has 3 studios- A, B, C and currently building the 4th one, Studio D.Studio A is world class analogue studio with a 24 track SSL board that can easily double to a 48 track, NS10 monitors, Manley Ref Card, Neve 1073 Mic Pre, the TubeTech CL1B compressor, DW drums and highly graded backline.

SKALES Popular Nigerian rapper, Skales has called it quits with his former girlfriend, Sassy for a new Ethiopian girl named ‘Leyla Komjo’ who refers to herself as ‘Mrs Skales’.

Skales showed off his new girlfriend ‘Leyla Konjo’ on his Instagram account with a picture he captioned “Just to clear the air this is the special one am with @ leyla-Konjo…..#ajaga #nomorebs…”Leyla also refers to Skales has her ‘hubby’ christening herself ‘Mrs Skales’ as seen on her instagram bio.

TJAN

Bowler Hats Bash Holds October 1, Nollywood Stars Set to Storm Venue As the countdown to the second edition of the annual Bowler Hats Bash (BHB), the fun-filled evening of comedy, music, dance and more gathers momentum, the organisers have revealed that several leading Nollywood stars, top entertainers and celebrities will grace the historic event as special guests and performers.

Billed to hold on Saturday, October 1, at the Coliseum Events Centre, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos amid glitz, grandeur and glamour with a Green and White carpet that starts at 4PM, the event, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Daylight.ng

Bowler Hats Bash … Chidi Mokeme to gace event

and Convener of Bowler Hats Bash, Mr. Azuh Amatus (NGE), said several A-list

Nollywood stars, musicians, comedians and celebrities have happily confirmed they would attend. Painstakingly planned as part of the activities celebrating Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary, Amatus said, the second edition of BHB is definitely going to be star-studded and extraordinary.“Several leading lights in the nation’s entertainment industry, especially Nollywood have confirmed they would honour us with their intimidating presence and famous faces. We are keeping their names under wraps as a surprise package for our equally special guests on October 1”, he said.

Basking in the euphoria of the successful release of his chart topping single 'Aduke', music star, Fowosere Tijani Olasunmbo better known as Tjan has dropped the audio and video for his collaborative effort with rave of the moment, YCee titled 'Meji'.Directed by popular cinematographer, Clarence Peters, the colourful visuals features Tjan alongside a bevy of beauties who made the video one to watch out for.'Meji' was produced by multiple award winning producer, Cobhams Asuquo who also produced Tjan's monster hit, 'Aduke'. The song talks about life in general and happens to be a feel good life changing song.Signed under Right Entertainment, Tjan is working assiduously towards his eagerly anticipated debut album scheduled for release soon.

33/XTRA

16.09.2016

Beauty Queen Puts Smile on Faces of Cleft Lip Patients The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) Universe (2016), Miss Debbie Collins, since her crowning has ever wanted to be different from others before her by taking up tasks that will see her touch the lives of kids with deformities. It was no surprise then when SmileTrain, an international non-governmental organisation recognised her as its Ambassador in Nigeria. Since then, she has traversed rural areas across the country advocating for these kinds of children and bringing smiles to their faces. Obioma Ogbonnaya joined her for such advocacy works in Gwagwalada and Abaji areas in the outskirts of Abuja

Collins with cleft lip victims

The Smile Train team paid a courtesy visit to Ona of Abaji, His Highness Adamu Baba Yinusa

Cleft lip and palate, according to experts, are variations of a type of congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation period leading to non-fusion and continuity of facial structures before birth. The defects can also occur together as cleft-lip and palate.

Interestingly, several epidemiological studies have been carried out in different parts of the world and the prevalence of cleft lip and palate has been well documented in the United States of America, Asia, Europe and Africa. All the reports show different figures in the different parts of the world. In Nigeria, however, about 6000 children are born with this defect yearly according to statistics from Smile Train, an American non-governmental organisation (NGO), which is at the forefront of repairing cleft lips and palate worldwide.

Some of these children are being killed in some rural and urban areas like Abuja and other cities in Nigeria. Parents of such kids with cleft lip or palate are often subjected to severe stress levels of social anxiety as they anticipate the reduced social skills of their wards on their way into adolescence and full adulthood. This problem, experts say impacts on the individual's self esteem, social skills and behaviours, which could be associated with discrimination, stigmatisation, social and economic isolation.

Also, patients living with this condition are often ostracised from social circles and banished to live mostly in the rural areas because even their immediate relations are not proud to be identified with them. Even in the 21st Century Nigeria, there is anecdotal evidence that some parents throw away their children born with this condition into the river or bury them alive due to traditional believes and superstition associated to cleft lip and palate deformity.

Interestingly these can be corrected just with 45 minutes surgery and absolutely free in Nigeria and other West African countries courtesy of Smile Train organisation. And knowing that most of such parents and victims are poor, SmileTrain even provides stipends for transportation for them to access solution in partner hospitals located across Nigeria.

Surgery as the immediate option treats disfigurement but it’s also beneficial in managing both the physical and psychological perspective of this condition as it results in increased selfesteem, self-confidence and satisfaction with one’s own appearance.

Miss Debbie Collins, current Miss Universe Nigeria and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) finds all these fascinating and believes

said to the bewilderment of the Miss Collins.

The surgeon also told her guests that she discovered that such children when they are brought to the hospital are too weak to be operated because of malnutrition and poor feeding, and so there's this additional burden to feed them and teach the mothers how to feed these kids, because their feeding has to be special because of their defects. "They have to be feed for a period time when they are strong enough for surgery," Dr. Abubakar said.

She said that the advocacy team has to sustain its advocacy work, using the churches, mosques, women meeting groups and market places. She said at times mass media is ineffective because the people are illiterate and don't even have access to the mass media as a result of poverty.

This way she said more impact will be made in order to tell the people that there's no superstition about cleft lip and palate and that it could be corrected free of charge through surgery, and the victims could live a normal life thereafter.

At the office of the Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Dr. Abu Shehu Haruna, Mrs. Obi, the Smile Train Regional Director West/ Central Africa, told the director that as partner hospital they came to see how the hospital is doing and the challenges its partner doctors are facing in the treatment of cleft lip and palate as well as to introduce the MBGN Universe queen, the Smile Train ambassador to its partners.

She commended the hospital team lead by Dr. Amina Abubakar and how they have carried out their work with passion even when the funds are delayed to come in. She commended their transparency and accountability.

While commending the MBGN-Universe queen for championing this kind of cause, Dr. Haruna promised the Smile Train team that the hospital will continue to partner the NGO to fight the scourge of cleft lip and palate. He said the project is safe in the hands of Dr. Abubakar and her team of surgeons and would always support and encourage them in doing their best.

"It has been our desire to put smiles on the faces of the children and people with cleft lip and palate. I am happy that we have made so much progress in working together and we will continue to work together to put smile on the faces of the children, we appreciate the efforts of the Smile Train management for partnering us in this onerous task," Dr. Haruna said.

The Queen also met with cleft lip patients and some victims who have been operated on. One of them is 10-year-old Daniel Okeke from Ebonyi State. Daniel's case was so bad

Collins creating awareness on cleft lip defects in children

she can contribute her own quota in bringing smiles on the faces of people living with cleft lips and palate in the country as the Ambassador of Smile Train in the country. Her first advocacy assignment took her to some rural areas in Abuja where Smile Train is making an impact on the scourge through advocacy and surgery with its partner hospitals and organisations.

Recently, the MBGN was at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada to meet with the children with cleft and palate patients in what appears to be her first advocacy work and meet-the-patients tour. On hand to welcome the MBGN Universe and the team of Smile Train, Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi and Miss Victoria Awazie, was Dr. Amina Abubakar, a surgeon.

Dr. Abubakar, who introduced her team to her guests, said her team of advocates have intensified their advocacy in the rural areas of Gwagwalada and environs, which has been responsible for the awareness, which as a result there has been surgeries of cleft lips and palate every week in the hospital. She said that her advocacy team in their daily routine, discovered that parents of these children with the deformity are equally poor and cannot even transport themselves to the general hospital hence they are given stipend for transportation and feeding and even funds to begin little business when they get back as the surgery is always free of charge.

She told the MBGN Universe and Smile Train team that parents still kill children born with such defects thinking it's a bad omen. She mentioned a particular case where a woman who delivered such baby in one of the homes of Rural Birth Attendants and before her team from the hospital could reach them, the mother of the woman had suffocated and killed the baby apparently with a pillow. "You won’t believe that in some rural areas here in Gwagwalada that they still kill such children and even twins," Dr. Amina

that he has to be operated twice. Dr. Abubakar said he needs to be touched again here and there to make his case perfect so that he can speak very well because his cleft lip and palate affected his speech.

When Daniel was born, there was attempt to patch up the cleft lip but was not done professionally hence they had to be referred to the Smile Train project at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital centre.

His elder brother, Enyinnaya Okeke said Daniel all these while lived a secluded life both in school and at home. He said with the level of surgery he has undergone, "some children still run away from him like they have seen a monster. It has not been easy for the young man, but we will get there where he will be a happy person and be able to mix very well with others."

A mother, Mrs. Zainab Musa from Gwagwalada, who brought her six month old baby boy Musa to the hospital told Miss Collins and Smile Train team that she never heard or seen a baby with cleft lip before now. She said since Musa was born that she has been hiding him from public view, until she heard about the Smile Train intervention. Zainab said she can't wait to see her son operated on and restored to normal human being.

Done with Gwagwalada, the advocacy team of the Smile Train team moved to Abaji area of Abuja and the first port of call was the secretariat of the local government, where they met with the Secretary of the council, Mr. Matthew Okpegu, who commended the Beauty Queen and the Smile Train management for choosing his council as one of the advocacy local governments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He promised the support of the council in the sensitisation process by mobilising the Councillor for Health and his staff, especially when the services by the Smile Train are free.

The team of the Smile Train and local government council led by Mr. Okpegu moved on to the Palace of the Ona of Abaji, His Highness Adamu Baba Yinusa, who gave a royal blessing to the work of the team in his Kingdom. He advised the local government council to support the Smile Train team in doing their job.

In his jovial best, the traditional ruler commended the Beauty Queen for taking the trouble in coming to his domain, a rural community for her advocacy work and wished her the best in her reign. From the Ona's Palace Debbie Collins hit the road for her advocacy work in the rural communities of Abaji. She later described her experience as very fulfilling.

34/ETIQUETTE

16.09.2016

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

The Etiquette of Thinking (3) In the third part of this series I would dwell on how talking less helps the brain function more effectively. I have given a lot of thought to this subject I have researched and practiced the principles and practices I am going to share for about five years, with a deep sense of conviction to follow.

The things I am going to say are things you can try out yourself and prove to ascertain if they are really worth trying out.

Let’s examine this practical illustration.

Whenever a person is angry and says angry words you would discover they become angrier.

What has happened is that their words have fed their emotions making it stronger and that is why they feel angrier, but that is not all.

Simultaneously, their brain becomes weaker and this is how words weaken thinking. This explains why when people are angry they do not think very clearly and are prone to making poor decisions. In the same vein talking weakens the brain and a person’s ability to think. First, I must explain what I mean by talking as talking is entirely different from speaking.

TALKING PRIMARILY INCLUDES GISTING, JOKING AND JESTING TALKING IS CASUAL SPEAKING IS FORMAL TALK feeds THE EMOTIONS SPEEAKING feeds TO THE MIND thereby making thinking more effective.

TALK IS CHEAP SPEECH IS RICH I will give another illustration. When a professor, embarks on a research and presents a paper based on the research, because a lot of thinking has gone into his work and he releases words based on his thinking and mental activity, he is speaking. Can you now see the difference? The more he speaks the more his brain is inspired to think more and engage in more mental activity.

On the other hand if THE SAME PROFESSOR decides to chat with a colleague on the current economic climate, a football game, a past time pleasure or even a newly acquired

golf set, - that then is talking because it not based primarily on his deliberate thinking but rather out of his feeling to unwind.

Like I earlier said, talking primarily includes joking and jesting - mainly informal chatter.

This also includes a lot of gossip, idle chatter, boastings and anecdotes on reveling and other casual chatter.

I would advise that whenever we find ourselves in a state of emotional hyperactivity or a state of intense effervescence, that we become increasingly careful of whatever we say at such points if we make controlled and graceful statements, we bring ourselves into a state emotional control and emotional intelligence that allows the brain not to be overwhelmed by our feelings but rather to function effectively.

If on the other hand, we in a state of emotional hyperactivity, a state of intense effervescence make utterances unproductive regrettable and illaudable it would only feed the emotions and starve the brain making effective thinking difficult or impossible.

I would conclude by advising us to talk less and speak more. Talking is not altogether

bad as we cannot be formal all the time there is still a worthy place for joking and banter however speaking must be given more priority over talking.

SPEAKING CAN BE LIKENED TO WORKING WITH YOUR WORDS. TALKING CAN BE LIKENED TO RELAXING WITH YOUR WORDS. SUUCESSFUL PEOPLE SPEAK MORE AND TALK LESS UNSUCCESSFUL PEOPLE TALK MORE AND SPEAK LESS. Just like we cannot relax more than we work, we cannot talk more than we speak, if we must be successful.

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.

Successful people speak more and talk less

Talking primarily includes joking and jesting

Just like dressing can be casual or formal, talking is casual speaking is formal

Speaking and talking likened to business and pleasure. Just like we cannot relax more than we work, we cannot talk more than we speak, if we must be successful

35/XTRA

16.09.2016

A Metaphor for Nation Building Mary Ekah When foremost dramatist and choreographer, Peter Badejo got the invitation to participate in the 7th edition of the annual Children’s Creative Station Workshop (CCSW) of the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), he saw it as an opportunity to allow the voices of the children to be heard directly through their inputs in the medium of theatre expressions. So with the opportunity presented to him, there was no hesitation in accepting the role to work on the project and so he happily joined the crew for the 2016 edition of the Children’s Creative Station Workshop (CCSW) of the National Troupe of Nigeria.

So for four weeks before Badejo’s arrival, the team led by its Coordinator for seven years, Ms. Josephine Igberaese had gone to work to auditioned a group of over a hundred children. Consequent upon this, with a synopsis prepared by Badejo, who had subsequently been picked as the Director, the team started working in developing a script for a stage play titled, “Dented Anthill”.

The enthusiastic children from various backgrounds had a daily grooming in numerous dances, musicand songsof different cultures of Nigeria from seasoned arties of the National Troupe. This preparation gave

the childrenthe energy forthe production that was eventually staged penultimate Sunday at the Banquet Hall of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

The workshop which lasted for six weeks was supported by Access Bank, Wapic Insurance, Promasidor, Mimee Noodles, Sona Foods and Aqua Dana and kicked off on July 26 with about 120 children who were engaged creatively in the areas of acting, miming, dancing, writing, voice training and singing all of which resulted in a command performance of the ‘Dented Anthill’ on Sunday, September 4.

Before the stage play were choral presentations, where the children sang in Hausa, Ijaw, Yoruba and English songs with a conductor directing the performances. This was followed by modern dance performances and hip-hop while traditional dances followed thereafter.

From the South East came Asama dance; from South-south came Orukoro dance of progress and fertility; from South West came Omitu dance, showcasing the Osun goddess and her female, acolytes clad in all-white, paying homage to her.

Dented Anthill, according to Badejo, is a metaphor for building the dent in the structure of our country while borrowing from the “Ants” world in rebuilding and

restructuring our society and nation at large.“Anthillis a natural construct of ants made almost to a near-perfect architectural structure. It is designed and constructed by ants for housing and protection from unwanted environmental assaults and climate. It houses ants in sociallydefined set up. In their ever busy work routine, ants work tirelessly in social groupings constructing what might be termed the ants-city,” Badejo noted.

Giving further analogy, he said, “This could be equated to a city of a nation of humans. When this fortress is distributed it disorganizes the social setup of the ants and sends them helter-skelter. If a dent occurs to this design, it affects the entire existence of the ants. From the dented part of the anthill emerges a brigade of ants struggling to defend and form themselves into a working group for reconstruction.”

The scenario in ‘Dented Anthill”, the Director explained, could be juxtaposed on our present day Nigeria, adding, “History has it that, as from the time of our independence in 1960, an anthill-like structure was envisaged and in the making for the Nigerian society. The country was working towards a perfect structure, looking towards building an egalitarian society where the members will be proud to be Nigerians but as the

Badejo showing appreciation to the children after the show

A scene from the play 'Dented Antihill"

Children displaying during the show

A Cultural dance from the South-East

Kids digging it out durig a cultural dance

years went by, the ‘dent’ happened – the Nigerian Anthill got dented and things fell apart. Since then, the centre could not hold.”

Badejo said further that ever since, the society has gone through several amendments and repair methods but to no avail.

“Generation have tried to patch the wobbling structure from the top but have not succeeded,” he added.

Borrowing from the “Ants’ world in the play “Dented Anthill”, which evoked so much emotion from the audience while it was being staged, it connotes that children and teens in this society, like the brigade of ants, who emerged from the soil of the dented structure, will need to rise to the occasion. They will have to come up with suggestions for the amendment and restructuring of the society “In this project, our young people are made to think and suggest solutions on how to mend the ‘Dent in the nation’, Badejo said, adding, “Freedom of thoughts and suggestions come from children and teens.

With guidance atthe workshop, the outcome were collated and structured into a creative performance experience that is tremendous benefits to all.”

Coordinator of the workshop and Head of the Drama Department of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Ms. Josephine Igberaese disclosed that the workshop aims at developing children’s interest in creative activities.

“The Children’s Creative Station project is to encourage and nurture talents in young children and youths, who otherwise may not have an avenue to develop their talents outside the walls of the formal schools”, Igberaese said, adding, “This is even more urgent because of the need to diversify our economic base away from oil. The project will enable the children and youths to be self-sufficient and self-employed in the near future as practicing artistes.”

In his short welcome address at the occasion, Artistic Director of the National Troupe, Mr. Akin Adejuwon, reiterated his commitment to providing more opportunism for young people and children to express themselves creatively. He noted that the 7th edition almost didn’t hold due to the lack of funds and the apathy of sponsors towards sponsorship of theatrical events. He however commended partners like Access Bank, MTN, Mimee Noodles and the National Theatre, which he specifically thanked for providing the conference banquet hall for the staging of the command performance.

He expressed optimism that under the present dispensation, the National Troupe will get the kind of support it requires to encourage and nurture talents in the performing arts as well as ensure that the productions of the national troupe are of high artistic standards. Adejuwon noted further that the workshop has since its inception in 2010 been targeted at children whose imagination and talents are reawakened, developed and appreciated.

Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Mosun Bello-Olusoga’s commended the children for their spectacular creativity in the dances. She also praised National Troupe for bringing up culturally aware children in an era, where we are losing our culture, adding, “The performance is worthy of a Broadway show”, she noted while pledging continued support in coming years so as to raise the profile of her bank as a culturally conscious organisation.

Another section of the children during cultural dance performance

36/COLLAGE

COO, ACI Entertainment, Mr. Ikechukwu Onuorah; CEO, Mr. Wole Adeniyi; and a Director of the company, Mr. Goke Adeniyi at the official launch of ACI Entertainment in Lagos...recently

16.09.2016

Former Executive Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande and his wife, Alhaja Sikirat, during the Eid-El Kabir celebrations in Lagos...recently .

DAN UKANA

L-R; Otunba of Itire, Chief Tajudeen Odubiyi ; The Celebrant, Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Abayomi Akanbi Dauda,Olori Ebi of Itire, Alhaji Buhari Oloto and Chief Atanda Abereijo during the 70th birthday anniversary of Onitire of Itire Land in Lagos...recently

Celebrant, Mr Augustine Ekundayo Equagoo; his wife, Olufadeke Martha Equagoo. and supported by his children, standing;: Adebanke Equagoo; and Hon. Odunleye Odunye, his wife Catherine; during Equagoo 80th birthday celebration in Lagos..recently

The Couple, Mr. Riero Ovoke Emuwowho and his wife Loveth (middle) flanked by the Bride's Parents Mr and Mrs. Solomon Akogor, during the traditional marriage ceremony of the couple in Iru, Edo State...recently

Chief Cliff Ossai Adigwe and his wife Monica, during their installation as the Inotu- Onicha of Ibabu Onicha Ukwani of Delta State...recently

37/THISLIFE

16.09.2016

Late Fawehinmi

Fawehinmi: The People’s Advocate, Seven Years After It has been seven years since Chief Gani Fawehinmi answered the call of nature.

Peter uzoho examines the life and times of this rare SAN and human rights activist Exactly September 5, 2016 was seven years that Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi popularly known and referred to as ‘Gani’ kissed the earth goodbye. But till date, the shock, sorrow and pain of his demise have not vanished from the minds of many, who are not just his immediate family, but the vast majority of the defenseless poor masses in Nigeria. The death of Fawehinmi continues to elicit questions from those he stood and fought for. Who will stand for us? Who will take over from our advocate? Where lies our future and fate in the hands of those in government? The questions are numerous, yet no hope of an answer.

Gani’s life reflected selflessness, sacrifice and patriotism. While many would see their entrance into the legal profession as a way to make wealth for their individual pleasure and comfort, Gani had a different perception.

In his four decades of legal practice, he was at one time or the other championing the cause of the poor masses. He confronted several governments without fear and most times risked his life just to ensure that justice reigned supreme in the country.

Among his supporters, mainly the poor and less-privileged masses; he was known as ‘The People’s Advocate’ or ‘Senior Advocate of the Masses’, a major adversary of repressive governments, the veritable conscience of the nation and the champion of the interests and causes of the masses’.

In the process of his crusades for the rule of law, the hopes and aspirations of the poor

and the oppressed, he fought many battles against military dictatorship. Consequently, he was arrested several times by the military regimes and their numerous security agents.

Many times he was dumped in police cells and detained in several prisons, especially between 1969 and 1996.

With his boundless energy he tenaciously and uncompromisingly pursued his beliefs, principles and ideals for the unrestrained rule of law, undiluted democracy, all- embracing and expansive social justice protection of fundamental human rights and respect for the hopes and aspirations of the masses who are victims of misrule of the affairs of the nation.

As a result of his activities, Gani was arrested, detained and charged to court several times. His international passport was seized on many occasions and his residence and Chambers were searched several times.

He was beaten up time after time and was deported from one part of the country to another to prevent him from being able to effectively reach out to the masses among whom he was popular. His books were confiscated by the Military regime and his library at Surulere, a suburb of Lagos, were set ablaze. His law Chambers at Anthony Village, Lagos State, were invaded by persons suspected to be agents of the government.

The guards were shot, two of them seriously wounded. However, Gani was never deterred, but remained resolute and focused in fighting the cause of justice and equity.

Gani was born on 22 April 1938 to Saheed and Munirat Fawehinmi of Ondo, in Ondo State. He had his early education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Iyemaja, Ondo from 1947 to 1953 and his secondary school education at Victory College Ikare, a Christian School from 1954 to 1958, under the leadership of the Late Rev. Akinrele where he sat for and passed his West African School Certificate Examination in 1958.

While in college, he was popularly known as "Nation" because of his passion in national, legal and political affairs. He then worked briefly as a law clerk in the High Court of Lagos until 1961. Gani enrolled at the Holborn College of Law,University of London,to read law in 1961. While at University, he lost his father. Notwithstanding, he completed his academic degree in London with a measure of difficulty due to lack of funds as he had to engage in doing various menial jobs. He returned to Nigeria in 1964 and was called to the bar the following year. Gani worked briefly at the law firm of his brother, Saheed Fawehinmi before branching out on his own.

Growing rapidly in legal profession, he became the national publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) between 1971 to 1973. On 11 June 1993 Gani was awarded the biennial Bruno Kreisky Prize, a prize named in honour of Bruno Kreisky, is awarded to international figures who advance Human rights causes. In 1998, he received the International Bar Association’s 'Bernard Simmons Award' in recognition of

his human-rights and pro-democracy work.

In 1994 he and some other notable Nigerians formed the National Conscience Party of Nigeria which exists till today and he stood for a presidential election in 2003 under the umbrella of the National Conscience Party.

In September 2001, Gani was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest legal title in Nigeria.

While in London, he was acquainted with books of revolutionary or radical figures such as Fidel Castro, Winston Churchill, David Ben-Gurion, Gandhi, Mao Tse Tsung and Karl Marx.

He reigned as a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human and civil rights lawyer, politician and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was an avid reader of Daily Times and West African Pilot, the most popular newspapers in Nigeria at the time Gani, as he was fondly called, died in the early hours of 5 September 2009 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer, at the age of 71. He died as a disappointed man, because of the state of his country at the time of his death.

In his sick bed, he rejected one of the highest national honours that can be bestowed on a citizen by the Nigerian government- Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in protest of the many years of misrule since Nigeria's independence.

While Gani rests in God’s bosom, his numerous fans continue to show their love and appreciation for standing for them against all odds.

38/OPINION

16.09.2016

Buhari’s Plagiarised Speech in ‘Change Begins with Me’

P

lagiarism is not a trivial matter.

President Muhammadu Buhari made a terrible mistake last Thursday. He plagiarised President Barack Obama’s speech to launch ‘change begins with me.’

So you didn’t notice that our president lifted from Obama’s 2008 victory speech and passed it off as if the words were his own?

The argument will rage, but the moral problem of plagiarism on a day Mr. President launched a campaign to demand honesty and integrity from the people is what we should concern ourselves with.

I’m not a wailing wailer and I don’t like the downfall of any man but I also don’t like to be deceived.

The very last thing you should do when you’re launching a campaign like this is to be dishonest with the people.

As Buhari talked down on Nigerians during the launch of the campaign spearheaded by no other person, other than the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, known for his trash-talk, particularly for the opposition, I started following the speech line-by-line.

I was alarmed to make the discovery. It was a scandal that escaped the attention of our newspapers. It is one of two things: either people don’t pay particular attention to Buhari’s words or we are a nation of anything goes.

Only in July, Melania Trump, the wife of the Republican White House hopeful, Donald Trump, was caught in the web of plagiarism after she spoke at the Republican National Convention. She plagiarised Michelle Obama’s speech. It was a big headline on television screen and national newspapers. Indeed it was a “global” headline.

Yes, a prime part of Buhari’s speech to the nation last Thursday to launch a campaign encouraging new culture of transparency, attitudinal change and hard work among Nigerians was plagiarised from America’s

Buhari

President Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech.

Buhari’s speech during the launch of the ‘change begins with me’, a new national orientation campaign, contained largely the same sentiment and arrangement of words that President Obama used in his 2008 victory speech after he was elected the first American black president.

The president lifted a whole paragraph from Obama’s speech and passed it off as his own when he said: “We must resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our country for so long. Let us summon a new spirit of responsibility, spirit of service, of patriotism and sacrifice, Let us all resolve to pitch in and work hard and look after, not only ourselves but one another, What the current problem has taught us is that we cannot have a thriving army of rent seekers and vested interests, while

the majority suffers.”

President Obama used the precise words at a rally in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, United States, after winning the race for the White House in November 2008.

Eight years ago, Obama said: “In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our politics for so long.

“So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

“Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.”

It is immoral to plagiarise other people’s work, but even worse to use dishonesty to launch a campaign about honesty.

When you use another person’s work without acknowledgement, you have plagiarised. You simply pretend as if it is your own. It is unethical. It makes a mess of the campaign from the start. That is what Buhari has done, nobody will believe in the ‘change begins with me’ campaign, because it was built on lies.

Now, this is what I think must have happened, an incompetent speech writer handed the speech to Buhari with no fact checking method by the president’s men that should have saved the president from this embarrassment.

I know this that with the vast opportunity provided by the internet, it’s so tempting to plagiarise, but the same internet provides opportunity to discover plagiarists.

It’s particularly troubling that the president has no inspiring words of his own other than to steal from someone.

And this, it is pathetic that this “change” conversation is taking new dimension from what we expected.

In the midst of its failure, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is asking Nigerians to change their ways, blaming everything why the country is not working on Nigerians’ attitudes.

The blame game is moving away from Goodluck Jonathan years, the only defense for failure that APC has so far used.

Interestingly, the world is watching Buhari and the story of his plagiarism may have crossed the Atlantic without him knowing.

Americans don’t joke with such issue. They name and shame plagiarists.

Next week, when Buhari take his turn to address the 71st regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Americans will scrutinise his words and check his facts.

Before that time, it is my submission that Buhari needs to apologise to Nigerians for plagiarising on a day he launched ‘change begins with me.’ Will Buhari apologise?

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

T

he troubling situation that we so much dreaded has come upon us.

The long predicted hardship, based on which many urged President Muhammadu Buhari to hasten up on economic decisions at the inception of his administration is here with us. And all the signs keep showing red. It is danger here, and panic there.

Everyday, the public is treated to unpalatable tales of suicide, depression and other debilitating diseases that have largely been attributed to the current harsh economic state of the nation.

Recently, a 50-year-old father of two was reported to have taken his life. Before embarking on the cruel journey to eternity, the man wrote a suicide note, in which he stated that he had no better choice since he could not cater for his family any longer due to the hardship in the country.

Similarly, some members of the underworld have started exploiting the situation as an alibi for their evil and criminal ventures.

Of course, this is what happens when a government tarries in maximising the goodwill and popular energy that brought it to power.

When it takes too long to make critical economic plans. And when the public is constantly made to rely on third-party sources of information, usually distorted or inaccurate, on vital developments in governance due to laxity of the government’s information machinery.

And it is the actual reason it was deemed as deliberate acts of wickedness and sabotage particularly on the parts of those who were close to the ears of President Buhari when this government came in, and the president was

Email lekantodun@yahoo.com

Tel 07058069255

A Simple Scorecard

President Buhari

persuaded by genuinely concerned citizens to get hasty and proactive on his humongous assignment of changing the life of the nation.

But some self-serving allies and supporters argued that the President should not be rushed to action.

Whereas being hasty for a purpose is an acceptable practice and practicable work mode for governments in countries where such actions are needed like the Nigeria handed to Buhari in May 2015.

That’s why everyone appears disinterested in the unrelenting reference to the bad performance or crippled economy left behind by Buhari’s predecessor.

It is a known fact, and has been proven severally, that even in ruins there are dogged and excellent builders. And the history of leadership, from both the developed and developing world, is full of exemplary leaders and nation-builders who rescued their countries from total collapse and positioned it on the

path to prosperity without constantly resorting to the mismanagement or failures of their past administrators.

The purpose of which the overwhelming majority voted for a change was clearly because they knew their precious baby under the care of her former minder was suffering from chronic malnutrition and living under conditions inimical to growth.

The statement was clear. With their votes, the people had called for a more competent and able hand that will not look back but get on the job in ensuring that the immune system of the baby is improved and is nurtured in a better atmosphere that will develop her great potential.

So it will seem very lame and suspicious; or a tacit demonstration of incapacitation when defence for inactions is consistently premised on the failures of the immediate past administration which essentially was the purpose of having Buhari as the new captain of the ship of nation.

Not a few knew that President Barack Obama assumed office in the midst of the worst depression in almost 100 years that threatened the socio-economic life and capacity of the U.S. But instead of passing the buck or going for the blame game, Obama simply pulled himself by his bootstraps, rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Hastily. The U.S. President was not just seen prancing up and down the air-stairs of Air Force One for the fun of it.

He knew he needed to get the job done; and very quickly.

And the outcomes of that attitude are right

before us in what America has become under Obama’s change movement.

Undoubtedly, Buhari has wowed Nigerians and the world with his fight against corruption.

Even as many look forward to the convictions of the suspected corrupt elements, no government has exposed the sheer greed, ridiculous selfishness and thieving-tendencies of Nigeria’s political and economic elites as his government has done so far.

But many Nigerians are presently shattered by the government’s actions on the economy. A simple scorecard from the populace will give a true picture of things instead of the usually poorly conducted, and badly doctored index on development and armchair assessments from lazy aides of the president.

By this, I mean a painfully realistic report sheet that highlights the growing hunger in the country; swelling statistics of countrymen forced into depression and, subsequently, on suicide missions.

Such a report will bring to fore the predicament of those who are routinely embarking on the dangerous Mediterranean sea-route in an attempt to escape from the hardship in the land. And the renewed efforts of some professionals to seek greener pastures abroad which will inevitably have adverse impact on the national life by widening the gap in the country’s scanty knowledge-economy space.

The foregoing and more are the dangers the government need to hurriedly avert.

They can serve as triggers for more proactive undertakings on governance and veritable yardsticks by which performance can be duly measured.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

39

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

L-R: DCP Ekpendu, Mrs.Osinbajo and Mrs.Bolanle Ambode, during a tour of the Kirikiri Female Prisons

The First Lady and Her Prison Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the positive changes initiated by the First Lady of the Kirikiri Female Prisons, DCP Lizzie Ekpendu, the officer-in-charge, that has not just given the residents of the home a sense of belonging, but has also helped in their reformation process

A

s a frequent visitor to the Kirikiri Female Prisons, at the Apapa area of Lagos State, often at the behest of churches and organisations that regularly donate and fellowship with the inmates of the female prison, the recent invitation to visit was supposed to be normal.

But that was not to be. It turned out to be a visit that has entirely changed the perception of the reporter about life behind the prison walls.

After the customary checks at the entrance and having been given a tag for easier access, this reporter walked in and sat down at the provided seat. It was all business as usual until this reporter looked around cursorily and saw many recent renovations. The walls were gleaming of fresh paints, the grasses were evenly cut, the walkways sparkling clean and the residents organised. It was a strange and unexpected sight. Containing her curiosity as to the enormous changes, the reporter tried to pass time by working on some well due stories.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became charged and loud shouts rent the air. It was a startled reporter that turned because the first thought that crossed her mind was that an uprising had begun in the prison. That turned out to be far from the truth.

The shouts were merely that of the inmates rejoicing when the Officer-in-Charge of the Kirikiri Female Prison, Mrs. Lizzie Ekpendu, a Deputy Comptroller of Prisons (DCP) walked in. With cries of mummy, as they fondly call her, renting the air, she walked into their midst, a cuddle and a peck for some, a high five for others, she mingled amongst them, breaking the class barrier.

Still confused as to whom the lady in uniform was that the inmates were relating so freely with, the reporter had asked a prison official

and was told that that was the First Lady of the Kirikiri Female Prison. THISDAY checks revealed that the prison has undergone considerable transformation since August 2015 when DCP Ekpendu took over office. Welcome to the Kirikiri Female Prisons, where love reigns supreme and the residents of the home are treated as human beings.

The prison’s transformation Having met the female prison in a squalor, she took up the gauntlet and changed it for good. She repaired the broken down walkways, constructed the soldier’s house for the security guards, built a fully equipped gym for the residents, repaired the damaged ceilings, installed 22 ceiling fans in cells and offices and electrical earthings.

She also dug a new soak away pit and bought freezers and refrigerators for preservation of

Upon arrival, the condition of the prison met me in the face and the state of mind of the inmates who are my children. They were not happy before but now they are happy.

There was no light in the prison and all ceilings were totally removed leaving my children (inmates) and staff on duty in darkness

food, placed five metal waste bins around the prison, put new toilet doors in 10 cells, installed an outdoor table tennis court, bought 10 tables, lanterns and chairs for the students.

Also, she constructed an outdoor cloth hanger, donated 10 sanitary buckets and tables for the 10 cells and for the staff, she installed five big waste bins and chairs for those on duty in the offices and in the laboratory. She also gave the walls a fresh coat.

But the high point of how she transformed their psychology was first she started working on their psychology. She banned the word inmates and started using the word ‘residents’. She treated them as residents and not as prisoners. Slowly, they started opening up to her and they truly became a family behind the walls despite their incarceration.

She went on to build a ‘Love Garden’, a sit-out where the residents of the home could bond and forge ahead in unity regardless of religion, tribe, language or colour. The garden has also been used as a avenue to reconcile feuding inmates.

On the reason behind her move she said upon resumption of duty on August 2015, she not just took over the responsibility of managing the prison but also ensuring the residents are made comfortable.

She said, “Upon arrival, the condition of the prison met me in the face and the state of mind of the inmates who are my children.

They were not happy before but now they are happy. There was no light in the prison and all ceilings were totally removed leaving my children (inmates) and staff on duty in darkness.

“They were using kerosene lanterns and I didn’t like that. The septic tanks were broken and we built a new one but we haven’t connected that. I built two sit-outs; one a love garden, a bond amongst us and a uniting factor of

oneness instead of religion, language or colour.”

Aisha Buhari’s testimonial Like others like the Lagos State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Akande; the Minister of Interior, General Bello Dambazzau (rtd); the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Lord Bishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, who also doubles as the Dean, Church of Nigeria of the Anglican Communion and his wife Mrs. Ranti Ademowo, who had in the past visited and commended the transformation, the recent maiden visit by the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, was no different.

Accompanied by the then Controller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Ezenwa Ekpundu; the then Lagos State Prisons Commissioner, Vincent Ubi; and the National President, Naval Officers’ Wives Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Theresa Ibas; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Imo State Liaison Officer, Hon. Steve Asimobi, amongst other dignitaries from the navy, army, immigration and even the police, the visit was in a bid to interact with the prisoners.

After a tour of the facilities and interaction with some of the inmates, she testified about the transformation that she saw behind the walls.

Her visit, the first of its kind in the anals of the NPS, was to interact with the inmates (now referred to as residents) and to feel the pulse of the female prison. While there, she recently visited the prison to inaugurate some projects like the laboratory, health centre, gym room, love garden, soldier’s home and a new toilet built by the Officer-in-Charge of the Kirikiri Female Prisons, Mrs. Lizzie Ekpendu.

Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, had said, “I never imagined that a prison is a

41

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

Ekpendu (right) and Minister of Interior, General Bello Dambazzau (rtd)

DCP Ekpendu (2nd left), National President of Naval Wives Officers’ Association, Mrs. Theresa Ibas and Mrs. Raphael Osondu

lously well. She has built a laboratory where whatever illness an inmate may have can be tested and diagnosed here and built a lot of resting places for inmates. She has done a lot of things. The prison can however be improved. In the prisons, apart from remanding an inmate, which is basically confinement, another function we should be doing is reformation of prisons inmates. We have a lot of steps to take in that direction. We are putting a lot of things in place but definitely, we have not gotten there. What we are waiting for is for enabling laws that make them to be re-integrated better back into the society.”

place where I will feel love at every time. She asked me to greet not only the officers in the prison but also the residents. We appreciate you and salute your labour of love.

“What you are doing is that where society dropped the ball, you are correcting and where society failed, you are repairing. Women are exceptionally pivotal to our nation and people.

We are told that the hands that rock the cradle rules the world, so the women that take care of the residents should be appreciated.

“I must mention someone I only met today but can never forget, the exceptional lady Mrs. Lizzie Ekpendu. So many messages have been passed through her today. We can see this is a Nigerian woman. For so many years, we have heard the worst about Nigerian women but today we can see that this is a Nigerian woman; hard working, dedicated and effective.

“There is a difference between teaching and training. Many people are taught by mothers and teachers but very few are trained. To teach is to mention what you want them to know while to train is to stand over them and make sure they do it and even be there when they make mistakes.”

Treat for Lagos Comptroller As is her nature, this week, she hosted the new Comptroller of Prisons, Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), CP Tinuoye Olumide. The CP was treated to prayers, more prayers and fun by Ekpendu, her officers and her residents.

In an interview with journalists afterwards she said it was a decision to welcome the new comptroller. “It is always a custom for Prisons to welcome new Comptrollers. We are planning a general one in Lagos but we at the female prisons, we are unique family. We decided to welcome him to Lagos.

“Our expectations from him as our comptroller is that he should always be sensitive to our needs and so far so good, he has been doing that for the past one month he has been here.

He has been sensitive and caring especially when it comes to the affairs of the women.

We are very tender people and men, usually, fathers are very sensitive when it comes to their daughters. We expect he would take us as his daughters and would continue to bear in mind the needs.

“We are a family here and I don’t consider anybody to be an inmate because it could be anybody. There are three places you least expect to be: a prison yard and a hospital and a morgue. We expect not too much from him because he is human but we expect that he should always be there for us.”

On the inherent challenges she said, “We don’t have too many challenges. The only challenge that we have, which every other prison has, is to open the doors and let the children go free.

We are praying that the lawyers should work hard, and the justice system should work so that our children can go out there and fulfill their destinies. That is the only challenge in any prison environment.

“The last time the wife of the president came they promised to equip the crèche with television and CD player for the children and money was provided for that but we are yet to fix them. The first thing we did was to fix the lab. There were two places to be fixed: the crèche and the lab. They supported us and we

The Love Garden at the female prison maintained by DCP Ekpendu

have fixed the lab. It remains for us to buy the television and the CD player.”

Refuting claims that they handle VIPs differently she said, “In prisons round the world, and Nigeria to be specific the female prisons, everybody is special. Every child is a VIP, you can see the way we relate with one another.

Everybody is VIP.” On the issue of overcrowding and nursing mothers she said, “No, we are not overcrowded but we have a lot of awaiting trials and some come in pregnant. So, we receive both mother and unborn child. We have to look after them and it is our duty; we are guardians and can’t turn anybody away. As far as you are pregnant and you come in, it is our duty to make sure you have your baby and we take care of you as best as we can. We have a clinic here and capable doctors, matrons and nurses. This year, we have about nine children and 257 residents.

Both convicted and awaiting trials. The number fluctuates because some go to court and are released. It is always about 200.”

On his part, Olumide urged both the Federal Government and the judiciary to commute the life sentences of 168 condemned inmates to life imprisonment. Fielding questions from journalists afterwards, the CP, who recently resumed work in Lagos, unveiled his plans for the command and the prisoners in general, especially the condemned ones.

On the major challenge he plans to tackle first he said, “First, the problem we have majorly is that of awaiting trials. Now that I have come to Lagos, I would like to liaise with Ministry of Justice most importantly so that inmates who

I never imagined that a prison is a place where I will feel love at every time…We appreciate you and salute your labour of love. What you are doing is that where society dropped the ball, you are correcting and where society failed, you are repairing

have stayed longer don’t have any reason to be in the prisons. Another thing, I definitely want to address is the issue of condemned prisoners. As I speak now, we have a total of 168 condemned inmates. Globally as it were, nations are gradually leaving the issue of killing people even when such people committed an offence.

“I think that is a general thing. I would like to ensure that those who are condemned, their sentences are converted to life imprisonment.

By that, we would be able to decongest the cell where they are. We have a lot of prisons that can take life imprisonment inmates. That is definitely what we are going to do.”

Given the recent issue of jail breaks in some states he said, “When people say prison break, to us that are working in the prisons, it means that the inmates in the prisons rioted and they broke the jail and ran away. I want us to get the two concepts – prison breaks and escapes.

Escape is not new to the prisons and with every escape that happen, whether here or maybe in foreign countries, it is a sign that there is security lapse somewhere and we need to block that loophole. The recent escapes that we had, we need to see that all those areas that need to be amended, all those security features that need to be enhanced are improved and that is what we need to be doing.”

Also speaking on the issue of discipline he said, “Those that committed offences against the laws of the prisons services are being tried.

A lot of them are being dismissed and a lot of them are reduced in ranks and a lot of them are being punished. But if the offence is just very minor, we give them extra duty but if the offence is such that could warrant bringing drugs in, we have handed a lot of cases to the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Sometimes, we handover to the police authorities for prosecution where they committed crimes that are criminal offence.

Prison service is a very discipline service, we don’t take laxity. If you commit an offence, definitely you will be punished.”

Commending DCP Ekpendu for deeming it fit to welcome him, he said, “It was a surprise thing by the officer in charge of female prisons.

She thought it fit to welcome me to the state since I resumed in March. I am rather surprised because she didn’t tell me what she was doing.

I only came here and met a very elaborate programme. I say thanks to her.

“For her work here, she has done marvel-

About the prison First Lady Mrs. Lizzie Ogugua Ekpendu was born on January 1, 1972, in Kaduna State, Nigeria. She attended St. Annes Primary School, Kaduna and Baptist High School, Jos. Thereafter she attended the School of Basic Studies, Keffi, before she gained admission into the University of Jos where she studied Theatre Arts and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

She has also gotten her Masters Degree in Public Administration at Enugu State University in May 2013. She has another Masters Degree in Human Resource Management at the same university in 2015.

In 1997, Ekpendu attended the mandatory one year Youth Service Corps programme in Owerri, Imo State, where she distinguished herself as the best Youth Corper of the year.

According to Compass quarterly magazine of November 2003, by the time Ekpendu finished her NYSC the Secretariat including government insisted she deserved a national merit award.

The NPS broke their four-year-old employment embargo for the young lady of substance and employed Ekpendu as the only ASP recruit for that year and within an eight year gap. Her journey in the NPS from station to station has been marked with footprints of compassion and charity bringing relief and succor.

Although she is a prison officer, her interest in community and humanitarian service found expression when she was posted to serve as a corper in Owerri Prison. Ekpendu contributed a lot to the welfare of inmates of the prison while she was there.

Among these are donations of drugs, food items, clothing of provision of three GP ranks and securing the release of some awaiting trial inmates. In the words of Late Rt. Rev Bishop Benjamin Nwankiti, the then Anglican Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Ekpendu is another ‘Saint Francis of Assisi’.

As a student of the ASP Basux Course at the Staff College, Kaduna, she with her father’s support provided three GP tanks for the school, treated and rehabilitated an abandoned well in the staff college. As a result of her excellent performance and benevolence, she won the Commandant’s award as the Best Student in Community Development in the course in August 1999.

In Keffi Prisons, Nasarrawa State where she worked briefly in 2000, she donated three water tanks and some items for recreational activities as well as church drums. The story is the same at Kuje Prison, FCT Command, where she carried out a similar project the same year. Aside the aforementioned, she has left a mark wherever she has been posted to, thus earning the sobriquet the ‘First Lady’ and rightfully so.

42

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Experts Urge FG to Develop Housing Schemes Obinna Chima The federal government has been advised to focus on the development of housing projects as one of the ways to stimulate Nigeria’s ailing economy.

The Head of Research at SCM Capital Limited, Mr. Sewa Wusu, said this in a phone chat with THISDAY, while responding to questions on how best to reflate the economy.

The housing deficit in Nigeria is estimated at between 17 and 18 million units. Today, millions of families are living under sub-optimal living conditions and in order to cover this deficit the government needs to create a housing scheme that facilitates housing credits for households that otherwise would not be able to have access to regular credit institutions.

To this end, Wusu noted that the housing sector is very important, saying that it has significant multiplier effect on the economy in terms of employment, in terms of raw materials utilisation and other

materials that are very important in building project.

“It is one area that has the potential to ensure that funds circulate particularly among the low and middle income earners. The housing deficit in this country is so huge and so investing in housing is one of the positive ways to stimulate the economy.

“This is because by the time you invest in housing in strategic areas across the geo-political zones of this country, you will discover that more people would be employed, more unskilled labourers, semi-skilled labourers and even professionals would be employed. That by itself would help boost purchasing power of workers across that value chain,” he added. Such housing scheme can create over one million new jobs in the construction sector and states and local government authorities can even participate through financial resources, land donations, infrastructure, tax reduction and registration of demand. Housing deficit is the lack of government’s ability to

house its citizenry in properly fitted houses with the necessary modern infrastructure for basic needs like running water, electricity and sanitary needs.

The need to address this shortfall is a good means of stimulating a country’s economy.

According to another financial market analyst who pleaded to remain anonymous, investing in housing can stimulate an economy by pushing a lot of money into circulation.

“Every recessive economy needs a stimulus as we can see from around the world; an injection of cash into the economy in the hands of spenders. This acts as a stimuli. Money being spent at all levels at the same time does this and will move the economics of buying and spending to revive the economy.

“This ability to spend creates the necessary needed monetary activity in the country. Construction of houses will initiate growth which will assist in creating jobs. The economy is stimulated which will translate invariably to GDP growth.

FG Raises N183bn via Treasury Bills Sales Nigeria sold N183.24 billion naira worth in treasury bills at an auction on Wednesday, with mixed yields on all the tenors, data from Debt Management Office (DMO) showed yesterday.

The debt office raised N48.10billion of three-month paper at 14 per cent, down from 14.38 per cent at August 31, auction; sold N48.45billion worth of the 6-month paper at 17.77 per cent, higher than 17.50 per cent previously.

A total of N86.69billion was sold in the 1-year debt at 18.48 per cent against 18.42 per cent

at the last auction, Reuters reported.

In a related development, the federal government also raised N121 billion in an auction of local-currency bonds on Wednesday, with yields higher across the board, the DMO revealed yesterday.

The debt office sold N15billion of 2021 paper at 15.14 per cent at Wednesday’s auction, compared with 15.08 per cent at the previous auction last month.

It also sold N30billion of 2026 debt at 15.53 per cent, against 15.28 per cent, and N60

billion naira of 2036 debt at 15.59 per cent, compared with 15.53 per cent.

The debt office also allotted an additional 16 billion naira worth of the 2021 debt on a non-competitive basis to mandate clients. The federal government had said it would borrow about N900 billion locally to finance part of the N2.2 trillion deficit in its 2016 budget, to plug shortfalls.

Nigeria issues local bonds as part of measures to finance the government budget deficit and also to help manage liquidity in the banking system.

Afrinvest Set to Launch 2016 Banking Sector Report Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited said it has concluded plans to unveil the 2016 edition of its annual Nigerian Banking Sector Report. The event is expected to take place on September 21st in Lagos.

Managing Director of Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, revealed that this year’s report, which is the 11th edition since its inception in 2006, is titled ‘Searching for Investor Confidence.’

According to him, the report chronicles developments within the global and domestic economy in relation to monetary and fiscal policy responses to shocks while also contextualising

the impact of policy decisions on domestic macroeconomic variables.

“Afrinvest Research is of the view that although some appropriate steps has been taken in recent months, the market is yet to respond positively evidencing the lack of investor confidence without which neither the market nor the economy can be rebooted,” he added.

As part of the launch, Afrinvest has lined up a panel of distinguished economists and bankers who will share expert views and opinions about what needs to be done in the face of these challenges in order

for Nigeria to regain investor confidence and put its economy back on the path of growth and prosperity.

Among them are a former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof.

Kingsley Moghalu; Senior Fellow - Lagos Business School and Member – Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN, Doyin Salami; Group MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe; CEO, Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba; Regional Head of Economics, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan; and the Chief Financial Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Sulaiman Abubakar.

Etisalat Harps on Financial Inclusion Etisalat has restated its commitment to Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive.

Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, was quoted in a statement yesterday, to have affirmed the company’s support for financial inclusion while making a presentation titled: “A Telco’s Perspective on Financial Inclusion,” at the 10th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), which took place in Abuja recently.

Sowho said telecommunication companies in Nigeria have a lot to offer in helping the Nigerian

government to achieve some of the set goals of the financial sector especially the attainment of the financial inclusion goals of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to her, Etisalat Nigeria in line with government’s objectives on financial inclusion has developed some innovative products such as Easy wallet and GTEasySavers Account, in partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank, as part of the company’s initiatives to drive the achievement of the financial inclusion goals.

“Etisalat plays a significant role with regards to financial

inclusion because of our partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank on the GTEasySavers Account, which has been well embraced

by Nigerians.

At Etisalat, we are willing to partner with more financial institutions to reach out to the unbanked and under-banked population in Nigeria”, she disclosed.

Sowho revealed further that telcos in Nigeria have some customer data advantage that financial institutions in Nigeria can benefit from in order to deepen their penetration and solicited stronger collaboration among players in both sectors.

Buhari

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

21,684,965.22

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,125,933.16

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,379,187.93

---- Demand Deposits

7,746,745.22

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

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

5,004,677.26

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

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,424,953.01

--Other Assets Net

-9,738,841.27

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,370,199.87

--Currency in Circulation

1,684,725.89

--Banks Reserves

3,685,473.98 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY 14, SEPT 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $42.56 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $42.91 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

43

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

15-Sep-16

14-Sep-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

176.00

174.51

0.85%

2,999,129,303,280.00

9.56

18.41

5.54

4.55%

4.41

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

141.63

141.63

0.00%

1,122,998,558,767.44

4.50

31.51

3.75

2.54%

6.90

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

26.50

27.00

-1.85%

779,926,249,436.00

4.20

6.31

2.17

6.68%

1.72

825.00

825.00

0.00%

653,941,407,900.00

19.41

42.50

3.94

3.52%

18.59

05 Zenith Bank Plc

14.53

14.59

-0.41%

456,191,054,710.58

3.10

4.69

1.09

12.39%

0.73

06 Lafarge Africa Plc

56.05

56.03

0.04%

255,302,246,450.50

-6.71

-8.35

1.15

5.35%

1.82

165.00

165.06

-0.04%

214,909,381,995.00

4.22

39.10

1.45

2.09%

5.01

11.50

11.50

0.00%

211,019,838,972.50

0.23

50.05

0.39

5.39%

0.35

325.00

320.00

1.56%

179,825,851,725.00 -14.43

-22.52

1.92

4.90%

0.48

10 Presco Plc

45.00

45.00

0.00%

178,671,467,025.00

0.54

83.90

2.57

2.89%

4.37

11 Unilever Nigeria Plc

45.15

42.28

6.79%

170,815,825,687.50

0.46

97.64

2.80

0.11%

19.18

5.57

5.53

0.72%

161,128,801,984.67

2.56

2.18

0.47

9.87%

0.38

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

15.50

15.22

1.84%

155,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.61

1.31

0.65%

1.38

14 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.21

4.28

-1.64%

152,736,805,815.62

1.66

2.53

0.49

14.25%

0.37

15 Guinness Nig Plc

100.00

100.00

0.00%

150,588,818,800.00

3.70

27.04

1.33

0.00%

3.39

16 FBN Holdings Plc

3.01

3.04

-0.99%

108,044,831,303.92

0.30

9.87

0.22

4.98%

0.18

17 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

146.45

146.45

0.00%

93,814,458,661.35

3.75

39.07

1.05

1.50%

3.64

18 Total Nigeria Plc

250.00

241.08

3.70%

84,880,459,250.00

31.13

8.03

0.35

5.60%

4.02

19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.40

6.40

0.00%

76,800,000,000.00

1.05

6.09

0.64

7.81%

1.29

20 International Breweries Plc

19.30

19.30

0.00%

63,579,011,104.00

0.17

110.64

2.55

1.30%

5.15

170.06

170.06

0.00%

61,322,830,255.72

17.69

9.61

0.74

4.23%

3.57

5.06

5.10

-0.78%

60,895,171,603.64

-3.46

-1.46

0.33

14.82%

0.44

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

39.44

39.44

0.00%

52,060,800,000.00

0.24

162.91

0.50

3.80%

2.32

24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

19.09

19.09

0.00%

50,096,687,899.83

6.81

2.80

0.13

10.48%

0.50

1.07

1.12

-4.46%

41,431,467,244.75

-0.37

-2.87

0.92

0.00%

0.55

26 U A C N Plc

21.00

20.80

0.96%

40,338,152,127.00

2.44

8.61

0.56

4.76%

0.55

27 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

36.00

36.00

0.00%

34,340,760,000.00

4.60

7.83

2.79

0.28%

2.21

28 Sterling Bank Plc

1.01

0.96

5.21%

29,078,322,307.26

0.31

3.27

0.28

8.91%

0.35

29 Diamond Bank Plc

1.15

1.13

1.77%

26,634,447,313.20

0.11

10.42

0.13

0.00%

0.12

30 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

13.80

13.80

0.00%

25,919,188,152.00

0.83

16.71

0.94

9.42%

2.08

31 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.88

0.87

1.15%

25,487,075,408.96

0.39

2.26

0.18

18.18%

0.14

32 Wema Bank Plc

0.63

0.66

-4.55%

24,301,913,631.03

0.06

9.99

0.49

0.00%

0.52

33 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

19.60

19.11

2.56%

23,439,179,164.80

-2.54

-7.72

0.80

1.53%

2.57

34 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.95

3.85

2.60%

23,233,363,570.25

0.76

5.20

0.70

3.54%

0.83

32.78

32.00

2.44%

22,946,000,000.00

2.36

13.90

3.30

3.51%

15.72

36 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.08

2.08

0.00%

21,840,000,000.00

0.27

7.66

1.14

2.40%

1.03

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.10

8.00

1.25%

21,460,450,861.80

0.89

9.14

1.18

6.79%

3.11

38 FCMB Group Plc

1.00

1.02

-1.96%

19,802,710,781.00

0.61

1.63

0.12

10.00%

0.11

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

18.65

18.65

0.00%

18,650,000,000.00

4.14

4.50

1.40

0.54%

0.56

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.35

1.30

3.85%

10,705,766,838.30

-0.40

-3.34

0.22

11.85%

0.65

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.00

0.99

1.01%

10,372,744,312.00

0.33

3.04

0.50

12.00%

0.54

42 Skye Bank Plc

0.63

0.66

-4.55%

8,744,589,888.30

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

47.62%

0.08

43 Unity Bank Plc

0.67

0.70

-4.29%

7,831,856,421.14

0.54

1.23

0.12

0.00%

0.09

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

6.00

6.00

0.00%

7,540,066,596.00

0.44

13.54

0.68

1.67%

0.70

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.11

4.62

0.88

6.00%

0.43

46 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.40

3.50

-2.86%

5,843,749,983.00

-0.05

-65.21

1.73

20.59%

0.16

47 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.18

3.18

0.00%

5,165,015,625.00

0.15

20.62

0.64

6.29%

0.83

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.65

0.64

1.56%

4,504,632,912.00

0.26

2.49

0.14

7.69%

0.48

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.69

1.69

0.00%

2,535,000,000.00

0.31

5.51

0.37

2.96%

0.40

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

07 Forte Oil Plc. 08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

12 Access Bank Plc

21 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 22 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

35 Cap Plc

TOTAL

8,968,182,551,094.06

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,523,830,854,700.81

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

94.17%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 14-Sep-16

Close 15-Sep-16

Change %

27,642.13 9.50

27,725.40 9.52

0.30% 0.30%

114.85 8.94

115.18 8.97

0.29% 0.29%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 %

Unilever Nigeria Plc Sterling Bank Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc Total Nigeria Plc

42.28 0.96 1.30 241.08

45.15 1.01 1.35 250.00

6.79% 5.21% 3.85% 3.70%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 %

Skye Bank Plc Wema Bank Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Unity Bank Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited

0.66 0.66 1.12

0.63 -4.55% 0.63 -4.55% 1.07 -4.46%

0.70 3.50

0.67 -4.29% 3.40 -2.86%

Market extends upward trend as Index surge by 0.30% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, September 15th, 2016 was bullish as the market ended in the green zone as profit positioning continues. This was further highlighted by positive performances from the NSE Sub sectors: Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas (Save Banking). Trading activities increased in volume as 200.29 million shares worth N1.60 billion in 3,257 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 182.30 million shares worth N1.79 billion in 2,776 deals which exchanged on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms was Access Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc and N.E.M Insurance Co (Nig.) Plc while Total Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 0.30% (+83.27) increase to close at 27,725.40 from 27,642.13 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.52 trillion from N9.50 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an increase of 0.29% to close at 115.18 from 114.85 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.97 trillion from N8.94 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 28 stocks gained on the bourse today while 16 stocks declined, 55 leaving stocks unchanged. Unilever Nigeria Plc re-emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 6.79% to close at N45.15 per share. It was followed by Sterling Bank Plc with a gain of 5.21% to close at N1.01 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Honeywell Flour Mill Plc, Total Nigeria Plc and Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Skye Bank Plc led with a loss of 4.55% to close at N0.63 per share. It was followed by Wema Bank Plc with a loss of 4.55% to close at N0.63 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, Unity Bank Plc and UACN Property Development Co. Limited.

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

44

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Mutual Benefits Assurance Records 85% Fall in Half-year Profit Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, one of the leading insurance firms in Nigeria, yesterday reported a fall of 85 per cent in profit after tax (PAT) for the half year ended June 30, 2016.

The results released to stock market operators showed that PAT fell from N2.662 billion in 2015 to N387 million in 2016.

An analysis of the results indicates that gross premium written fell by 41 per cent from N10.8billion to N6.373 billion.

Gross premium income stood at N6.452 billion, compared to N8.44 billion in the corresponding period of 2015, while underwritten profit fell by 14 per cent to N2.907 billion from N3.4 billion in 2015.

Net premium income was N5.484 billion, compared with N5.877 billion in 2015.

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

However, the bottom-line was affected by a jump in employee cost and other management expenses. For instance, employee expenses rose by 61 per cent from N485 million to N783million, while other management expenses soared by 78 per cent from N1.343 billion to N2.386 billion.

Hence, profit before tax feel by 82 per cent to N493 million, from N2.747 billion, while PAT fell by to N387 million, from

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

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

N2.662billion.

Meanwhile, the bullish run at stock market was sustained yesterday as the NSE All-Share Index rose by 0.30 per cent to close at 27,725.40 . Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.30 per cent to close at N9.52 trillion. The appreciation recorded in the share prices of Dangote Cement, Stanbic IBTC, Unilever, Lafarge Africa and Access Bank were responsible for

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

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

the positive close.

In all, 28 stocks appreciated led by Conoil Plc with a gain of 10.2 per cent, while 16 stocks depreciated led

by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc with 8.4 per cent. All sector indices advanced save for the NSE Banking Index which fell by 0.8 per cent on account of sell pressure in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (-1.9 per cent) and United Bank for Africa

Plc (-1.6 per cent). The NSE Oil & Gas Index rose by 1.2 per cent. The NSE Industrial Goods index closed 0.5 per cent higher, driven by gains in CAP Plc (+2.7 per cent) and Dangote Cement Plc (+0.9 per cent). In the same vein, the NSE Consumer Goods and NSE Insurance indices appreciated 0.4 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively due to gains in Unilever (+6.8 per cent) and NEM (+3.7 per cent).

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD 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

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

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

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

45

46

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Clinton Returns to Campaign Trail Hillary Clinton has resumed campaign after pneumonia compelled her to take an unforeseen break.

Clinton will attend a rally in North Carolina and speak at a dinner in Washington after resting at her home in Chappaqua, New York, for three days following a pneumonia diagnosis and falling ill at a September 11 memorial ceremony on Sunday.

The detour forced Clinton to cancel a two-day swing through California and send her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to a Las Vegas campaign rally in her stead. It also interrupted a series of speeches in which she had planned to refocus her campaign on what she would do for the country after a period when she attacked Trump as a dangerous, unprepared candidate.

Top Clinton aide Jennifer Palmieri said on Thursday that “one upside” of the unplanned break was the chance to “sharpen the final argument she will present to voters in these closing weeks.”

“Our campaign readily admits

that running against a candidate as controversial as Donald Trump means it is harder to be heard on what you aspire for the country’s future, and it is incumbent on us to work harder,” Palmieri said in a statement. Clinton’s speech in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Thursday will focus on how she plans to make sure “every child has the chance to live up to their God-given potential,” Palmieri said.

She will deliver speeches in the coming days on the economy and national service, her campaign said. Last week, she discussed her religious faith in Kansas City, Missouri.

Clinton’s pneumonia diagnosis came at inopportune time for the former secretary of state, who spent the bulk of August fundraising in wealthy U.S. enclaves such as the Hamptons and Martha’s Vineyard, with only intermittent campaign events.

Her strong lead over Trump in most opinion polls after the party-nominating conventions in July narrowed throughout

Syria: Aleppo Due to Get Aid, Says Rebel Official Humanitarian aid is due to be delivered to Aleppo today following a withdrawal of combatants from a contested road leading to the city, a Syrian rebel official said. “Today the withdrawal is supposed to happen, with aid entering tomorrow.

This is what is supposed to happen, but there is nothing to give hope,” Zakaria Malahifji, of the Aleppo-based rebel group Fastaqim, told Reuters.

The delivery is part of a U.S.-Russian agreement that includes a ceasefire that took effect on Monday. The army and rebels have accused each other of numerous violations, though the overall level of violence has reduced.

Russia, said on Wednesday it was preparing for the Syrian army and rebel fighters to begin a staged withdrawal from the Castello road. But neither side had started its withdrawal on Thursday morning. There was

no comment from state media or the army about the proposed withdrawal.

Malahifji, Fastaqim’s political officer, said rebels were prepared to withdraw but were worried that the other side would take advantage of such a move. “There is great fear because the regime exploits every opportunity,” he said.

Government forces seized control of a section of the Castello Road in July, part of its effort to fully encircle the opposition-held eastern half of Aleppo. “If the regime withdraws 500 meters, east and west (of the road) ... then the guys will be able to withdraw a bit,” Malahifji said. “But the regime is not responding. The guys can see its positions in front of them.”

A Syrian military source said on Wednesday that armed groups had violated the ceasefire 15 times in the Aleppo area in a 24-hour period.

August. A New York Times/ CBS News poll released on Thursday showed Clinton had the support of 46 percent of likely

manage between the presidential majority, the opposition and civil society,” said Mwamba, who is representing Kabila’s political supporters in the talks.

It was unclear which opposition members would become part of the new government.

Opposition leaders this week walked out of talks on the timing of the presidential election. The vote had been set for November, but the authorities now say it cannot be held before next July. The opposition had insisted the presidential election should be held next.

The government said local elections should come first, which would probably delay the presidential vote further.

The government and a group of opposition parties agreed on Wednesday the presidential vote would be combined with legislative and provincial

considered likely wins for the Democratic nominee, according to the Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project released on

Saturday. Clinton on Wednesday released a letter from her physician, Dr. Lisa Bardack, to dispel rumors about her health.

UK Approves Chinese-backed Nuclear Plant Britain yesterday gave the goahead for a $24 billion nuclear power plant, ending weeks of uncertainty that strained ties with China and France but also signaling a more cautious approach to foreign investment in critical infrastructure projects.

The government of new Prime Minister Theresa May said it would proceed with the Hinkley Point C project in southwest England, approving French utility firm EDF’s plan to build Britain’s first new nuclear reactor in decades, backed by $8 billion of Chinese cash It also set out a new investment policy designed to give it greater control over future deals when foreign states were involved in buying stakes in “critical infrastructure”.

May, who became prime minister after the Brexit vote, stunned investors by putting the nuclear project on hold in July - just hours before a contract was due to be signed - saying she needed time to assess all aspects of the project including national security concerns.

“Having thoroughly reviewed the proposal for Hinkley Point C, we will introduce a series of measures to enhance security and will ensure Hinkley cannot change hands without the government’s agreement,” Greg Clark, business minister, said in a statement.

“Consequently, we have decided to proceed with the first new nuclear power station for a generation.” The government said it would be able to stop the sale of EDF’s controlling stake before or after completion of the project, under the new safeguards. EDF said it had agreed with the government to retain control of the project.

EDF, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) - the project’s state-backed Chinese investor - and business lobby groups welcomed the decision

Congo to Form Interim Government Democratic Republic of Congo will form an interim government that includes opposition members, as part of a deal to set up new elections and break a political impasse, Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said.

The announcement came after backers of President Joseph Kabila and some opposition members agreed on Wednesday on the timing of those elections, a question that has caused more than a year of debate and led to violent protests and arrests.

However, most major opposition parties are boycotting the talks. They see them as part of Kabila’s plan to justify staying in power beyond the end of his mandate in December, when he is due to step down under the constitution.

“The government will be redone. We will put in place a government that we will co-

voters nationwide, with 44 percent backing Trump.

Battleground states such as Ohio and Florida are no longer

elections, although no specific dates were set. Local elections will come later.

“This opens the way to a calendar that will mention the exact date of the handover of power between the old president of the republic ... and the newly elected president,” said Vital Kamerhe, one of the leading negotiators for the opposition.

Despite the apparent advance in the negotiations, efforts to broker a peaceful exit from power for Kabila, who has led Africa’s leading copper producer since the assassination of his father in 2001, remain fragile.

Congo has never experienced a non-violent transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. Diplomats and observers fear the crisis could trigger a repeat of civil wars that killed millions of people between 1996 and 2003.

to proceed. “We are very happy the British government has approved the project,” CGN said in a statement, adding that the company could now work with EDF as planned to provide Britain with a safe, reliable, sustainable source of low carbon energy.

May’s decision in July to review the project came little more than a month after Britons voted to leave the EU in a referendum that forced the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron - whose administration gave the initial go-ahead to the plan.

The Brexit vote, and the resulting economic uncertainty, cast doubt on the future of major British infrastructure projects. It also threw a spotlight on Britain’s trade relations with China and other big economies outside Europe. The two new reactors at Hinkley Point, in southwest England, would provide around 7 percent of Britain’s electricity, helping to fill a supply gap as the country’s coal plants are set to close by 2025.

Britain has committed to pay a minimum price for the power generated by the plant for 35 years. Critics of the deal had expected the government

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to try to renegotiate the price, which they say was set too high before oil prices fell, dragging energy costs lower.

The decision to go ahead with Hinkley goes some way to easing concerns that May, a former interior minister, was closing the door to foreign investment, particularly from China which has plans to invest billions in British infrastructure.

According to a former colleague, ex-business minister Vince Cable, May had expressed concern at the “gung-ho” attitude that Cameron took towards courting Chinese investment.

Addressing those concerns, the government said it would take a “special share” in all future nuclear new construction projects to ensure that significant stakes cannot be sold without its consent.

CGN plans to make a number of investments in British nuclear power including the building and operating of a new nuclear power station with EDF at Bradwell-onSea in Essex, southeast England.

Bradwell would be a Chinese-led project, using Chinese reactor

technology. “This is not out of kilter with the way that things go on in other major economies around the world,” said Martin Young, Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets. “It’s more of a safety net, a backstop, than anything else.”

CGN said it was not concerned by the new ownership rules and planned to move ahead with the Bradwell project and another minority investment in the development of a new power station at Sizewell, in eastern England. Horizon, a nuclear new build group in Britain owned by Japan’s Hitachi’s, said it was “entirely comfortable” with the new approach. China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China began a three-day national holiday on Thursday.

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47

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM

INTERNATIONAL

Ex-Afghan Leader Attacks The Station of Fear New US Combat Rules

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

Former Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, has sharply criticized new authorities giving the U.S. military greater freedom to fight Taliban insurgents, saying they were a further erosion of the country’s sovereignty.

In an interview, Karzai, who continues to exert considerable behind-the-scenes influence on Afghan politics, also called on the Islamist militant movement to be more realistic in demands that have hampered progress in peace talks.

His comments on American involvement in the war were at odds with the government of his successor, President Ashraf Ghani, which has welcomed U.S. political and military support. “How could the U.S. president authorize U.S. troops to launch attacks on their own in Afghanistan?” Karzai said, referring to Barack Obama’s June decision to alter the rules of engagement for the American military.

The new authorities, which U.S. officials say were agreed with the Afghan government, affect ground operations where U.S. troops provide support to Afghan forces as well as air combat, and Karzai has long been critical of U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan, be they by fighter jets, helicopters or drones.

He would ban them altogether, even though the Afghan armed forces, struggling to contain the insurgency, say they could not cope without support from the skies and want more. The former leader’s opposition reflects broader unease among Afghans who believe innocent people have been killed in air attacks targeting militants,

unease that may grow with new powers granted to the U.S. military.

The U.S. says its air strikes support Afghan operations and it takes extreme care to avoid civilian casualties, despite incidents such as the bombing of a Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in Kunduz last year in which 42 people died.

Calling Afghanistan the victim of a 21st century version of the “Great Game” between competing powers on the 19th century borders of British India, Karzai blamed the United States and Pakistan for “a war that is not ours”.

However, he added that he wanted to reshape the partnership between Kabul and Washington, not end an alliance which brought him to power over a decade ago and still ensures billions of dollars in aid and military support each year. Karzai was succeeded by Ghani two years ago.

“I want to be allies with the United States, I want to be partners with the United States,” he said.

“But it must be a partnership, not a master-and-slave relationship.

“We must remain the owners of this house, the United States of America, a guest.” As for the Taliban, Karzai said he saw little change in tactics since the death of former leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a U.S. drone strike on Pakistani soil in May. He appealed to the Taliban “as fellow Afghans to recognize that this is their country” and to break free of the influence of Pakistan, which despite frequent denials, is blamed

by Afghanistan for supporting the insurgency.

“I would call on the Taliban to

be free from foreign influence - in this case Pakistan, the Pakistan intelligence and military,” Karzai said. He added that they had to be more realistic in their demands to make peace talks possible. “When they say that foreign forces must leave first and then we will talk, then I tell them that if they keep waiting for that, a lot of Afghan blood will be shed,” he said.

Despite suspicions among some close to the government that he wants to destabilize Ghani, Karzai said he expected the U.S.-backed government to serve its full fiveyear term. This is even though parliamentary elections and a special “loya jirga”, or gathering of Afghan leaders and elders, have not materialized as scheduled within the first two years.

“The government should know that no one is going to ask them to go away. We want them to complete their term, we want them to complete the five years,” he said. “But the country needs a voice, the country needs to regain its confidence.” To do that, he called for a loya jirga.

“The loya jirga is an expression of authority of the Afghan people. Things must return to the ownership of the Afghan people,” said. Karzai, who has a deep network of political connections throughout the country. “It’s an institution for a time of crisis and we are in crisis.” The 58-year-old dismissed suggestions that such a gathering, including opponents and allies of the government, could undermine stability and weaken an administration that has struggled to overcome internal rivalries.

FATAL DAMAGE

A man stands in front of a damaged vehicle and convenience store after Typhoon Meranti made landfall, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan…yesterday

‘Debris Found in Tanzania is from MH370’ Malaysia said yesterday that a large piece of aircraft debris discovered on the island of Pemba, off the coast of Tanzania, in June, was from the missing Malaysia Airlines jet MH370.

A search of more than two years has turned up few traces of the Boeing 777 aircraft that disappeared in March 2014,

with 239 passengers and crew on board, soon after taking off from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, bound for Beijing.

The debris, an outboard flap, will be examined further to see if it can yield any insight into the circumstances around the missing plane, Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong

Lai said in a statement.

Investigators have previously confirmed a piece of plane debris found on the French island of Reunion in July 2015 as being part of MH370. They are examining several other pieces of debris found in Mozambique, South Africa and Rodrigues Island, a territory of Mauritius.

Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

From among the stations of worshipping Allah and seeking His help is the station of fear.

Fear is one of the most important stations on the path and most beneficial for the heart. Fear is an obligation upon everyone, Allah said, “So fear them not, and fear Me alone, if you are believers.”

[3:175]. (The actual word used for fear in this verse is ‘khawf.’). Another verse says, “And Me alone you all should fear,” [2:40] the actual word being a derivative of ‘rahba.’ And, “So do not fear people, but fear Me,” [5:44] the actual word in Arabic being ‘khashya.’ Different connotations of these various terms in Arabic for fear will be discussed shortly.

Allah has praised those who possess the attribute of fear saying, “And such (are the believers) who are humbled by the fear of their Lord...” [23:57] Fear (of Allah’s displeasure or punishment) is not only for grave sinners, but also for the pious, observant believers, as in the following hadeeth: Aisha said, “O Messenger of Allah, is the verse “And those who dispense their charity while their hearts fear that to their Lord they must return” [23:60] referring to someone who commits fornication, drinks alcohol and steals and still fear Allah? The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “No, O daughter of as-Siddiq, but it refers to one who fasts, perform salah and gives charity, and fears that it may not be accepted from him.” (Tirmithi) Al-Hasan, commenting on this, said, “By Allah, they (the Companions) obeyed Him and strove hard in it, yet they feared it might be rejected.

A believer combines righteousness with fear in his heart, while a hypocrite combines evil with impunity.”

The terms ‘wajal,’ ‘khawf,’ ‘khashya’ and ‘rahba,’ are used in the Qur’an to refer to what we have translated as ‘fear’, but they are not synonyms.

Abul-Qasim al-Junayd said, “Al-khawf is the anticipation of punishment.” Another scholar said, “Al-khawf is the moving of the heart upon the cognizance of that which is feared.”

The word khashya is more specific than khawf, for it is specific to the true knowers of Allah - as Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, said, “Truly, those who fear Allah from among His servants are the knowers.” [35:28]. Hence, khashya, is fear associated with the intimate knowledge (ma’rifa) of Allah - as the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “I am most mindful of Allah among you, and most intense in fearing Him.” (Bukhari, Muslim).

Khawf is movement in its essence, while khashya is concentration, stillness, and holding of breath.

For example, someone who sees a fierce enemy or a flood or something like that has two states: first, movement in order to flee from it, and this is the state of khawf. Second, his stillness in a place safe from the danger - and this is khashya.

Ar-Rahba means the urge to run away from the danger - which is the opposite of ar-Raghba, which means the urge of the heart to journey towards that which it likes.

Al-Wajal is the trembling of the heart upon the cognition or remembrance of someone whose power or punishment one fears.

Al-Haybah is fear associated with awe and glorification, and its greatest form is that which occurs in association with love and intimate knowledge (ma’rifa).

Al-Khawf, then, is for the common believers, while al-khashya is for the scholars with profound knowledge, while al-haybah is for those nearest to Allah. The extent of one’s fear for Allah is proportional to one’s knowledge, both formal and experiential, of Allah. As the Prophet, sallallahu alaybe wa sallam, said, “I am the most knowledgeable of Allah among you, and most intense in His khashya.”

In another narration of the same hadeeth, the

Fear is associated with actions, while love is connected with being and attributes. When the believers enter the Realm of Allah’s eternal blessings, their love will multiply, while their fear will disappear. Hence, the place of love is higher and nobler than the place of fear

word used is khawf instead of khashya. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, also said, “if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much, and would not enjoy intimacy with women, and would go out wandering in the wildernesses and praying to Allah.” (Ahmad) When faced with his object of fear, a man with khawf turns to fleeing and grabbing, while a man with khashya seeks the support of knowledge.

For example, when a lay person is faced with an illness, he seeks to protect himself (and seeks someone who could help) while a skilled physician turns to investigating the illness and the cure.

Abu Hafs says, “Al-khawf is Allah’s lash with which He straightens up those fleeing from His door.” He also said, “Al-khawf is a lamp in the heart, with which the good and the evil inside of the heart can be seen - and everyone you fear from, you run away from him, except Allah - when you fear Him, you run towards Him for refuge.”

Hence, the one who fears Allah is a refugee towards His Lord’s [mercy] from his Lord’s [displeasure].

Abu Suleiman said, “Whenever fear (of Allah) departs a heart, it is ruined.” Ibraheem ibn Sufyan said, “When fear of Allah resides in hearts, it burns away the sources of lust and eradicates worldly attachments.” Thun-Noon said, “People will stay on the path so long as they have (Allah’s) fear when this fear leaves them, they will go astray.”

Fear, however, is not the end in itself, but a means towards an end. When that end, Allah’s ultimate pleasure, is attained, there is no need for fear. As Allah says to the people of Paradise: “there is no fear upon them, nor do they grieve.”

Fear is associated with actions, while love is connected with being and attributes. When the believers enter the Realm of Allah’s eternal blessings, their love will multiply, while their fear will disappear. Hence, the place of love is higher and nobler than the place of fear.

The true and praiseworthy fear is that which stops a person from the prohibitions of Allah. But when fear exceeds this boundary, it may bring hopelessness and despair.

Abu Uthman said, “Sincerity of fear is vigilance from sins, open and secret.” I also heard Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah honor his soul, say, “The praiseworthy fear is that which prevented you from the prohibitions of Allah.”

The author of al-Manazil, Shaykh al-Harawi, said, “Al-khawf, or fear, is to do away with careless sense of security by envisioning the great news (of the Last Day).”

He further said, “The beginning of fear is the fear of punishment, and this kind of fear is sufficient to establish the soundness of one’s faith. It is born out of one’s affirmation of the warning (of Allah’s punishment), recognition of one’s transgressions and consideration of the punishment.” Thus, fear is preceded by cognition and knowledge for a man cannot fear what he does not know.

Two more things are related to fear: the thing or occurrence that is feared, and the way that leads one to it. Lack of knowledge of either of these leads to a concomitant lack of fear. If one does not know that a certain act leads to a feared outcome or he knows so but does not know the value or might of that which he claims to fear, one does not really have true fear. Similarly, an active awareness of the punishment or loss that one fears, not just a passive and abstract knowledge of it, is an indication of the sincerity of fear and sound faith.

Another praiseworthy category of fear is to fear returning to the state of sinfulness and heedlessness after one has attained closeness to Allah and sincere fear of His displeasure-for if one feels unduly secure in one’s state, it is likely that one will go back to the state of sinfulness.

Balancing Fear with Hope The heart in its journey towards Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, is like a bird whose head is love, and hope and fear are its two wings.

When the head and the two wings are sound and healthy the flight of the bird is good, but when the head is cut off, it immediately dies, and when either or both wings are deficient, the bird cannot properly fly and may become victim of any hunter or snare. The righteous predecessors preferred to strengthen the wing of fear during good times when heedlessness is feared, and to strengthen the wing of hope at times of calamity and when near death.

Some have said that it is better to strengthen fear more than hope because when vain hopes overcome a person he is ruined. Others say that the best of situations is a complete balance of hope and fear with overwhelming love, for love is composite, while hope is a sharpener and fear a driver.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Group Accuses Swiss Firms of Shipping Dirty Fuel to Nigeria Tasks FG to end weak fuel standards Vitol: Allegations are misinformed Paul Obi in Abuja A civil society organisation, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) yesterday accused two Switzerland companies, Vitol and Trafigura of engaging in nefarious activities by importing dirty fuel into Nigeria.

The group in conjunction with Public Eye, raised the alarm following the shipping of some toxic fuel commodities by the companies to the country and other West African countries.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Executive Director, ANEEJ, Mr. David Ugolor, tasked the federal government to pay serious attention to the dangers posed to the health of citizens by these Swiss commodity trading companies, Vitol and Trafigura.

He argued that due to poor regulatory activities, foreign companies like Vitol and Trafigura “take undue advantage of weak fuel standards in Africa to produce, deliver and sell diesel, petrol and gasoline, which damage the health of the people.”

According to Ugolor, the Swiss companies’ “business model relies on an illegitimate strategy of deliberately lowering the quality of fuels for gain.

“Using a common industry practice called blending, Vitol and Trafigura and their conglomerates mix cheap and toxic intermediate petroleum products to produce what the industry calls African Quality fuels.

“These products contain higher

levels of Sulphur and other harmful poisons that can never be found in Europe and the United States.”

The ANEEL Executive Director contended that by “selling such fuel and diesel at the pump in Africa, the traders increase external air pollution, causing respiratory disease and premature deaths.

“We all know that poor air quality poses serious risks to public health. As air quality declines, the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases increases for residents of cities where the people rely on diesel to power their means of production.”

Ugolor maintained that the dirty fuel shipped to West Africa

by Vitol and Trafigura are known to burn very fast, equally leading to huge economic losses to vehicle owners in the African sub region.

“It is impossible to continue to remain silent about this problem, especially for the short and long term repercussions on the health and economy of our people.

“Therefore, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), an NGO strong in the areas of anti-corruption, environment, poverty alleviation and good governance, in collaboration with a Swiss NGO, the Public Eye, formerly the Berne Declaration, have carried out this campaign against Dirty Fuels in the West African sub-region with the intention to address it.”

The NGO also tasked the federal, states governments and other stakeholders to, among

Etisalat Raises the Bar on Financial Inclusion A telecommunications company, Etisalat, has restated its commitment to the federal government’s programme to ensure financial inclusion for all strata of the Nigerian population.

Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, affirmed the company’s support while making a presentation titled ‘A Telco’s Perspective on Financial Inclusion’, at the 10th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), which held in Abuja, September 7.

The conference is the flagship event of the CIBN and provides stakeholders in the financial services sector a platform for knowledge sharing on contemporary issues affecting the sector and the economy as a whole.

Sowho said telecommunication companies in Nigeria have a lot to offer in helping the Nigerian government to achieve some of the set goals of the financial sector especially the attainment of the financial inclusion goals of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to her, Etisalat Nigeria in line with government’s objectives on financial inclusion has developed some innovative products such as Easy wallet and GTEasySavers Account, in partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank, as part of the company’s initiatives to drive the achievement of the financial inclusion goals.

“Etisalat plays a significant role with regards to financial inclusion because of our partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank on the GTEasySavers Account, which has been well embraced by Nigerians.

At Etisalat, we are willing to partner with more financial institutions to reach out to the unbanked and under-banked population in Nigeria,” she disclosed.

Sowho revealed further that telcos in Nigeria have some customer data advantage that financial institutions in Nigeria can benefit from in order to deepen their penetration and solicited stronger collaboration among players in both sectors.

“Despite the fact that banking started long before mobile telecommunications, active bank accounts in Nigeria are 61.1 million while active mobile lines are 149 million. From these figures, the Nigerian banking sector obviously has something to learn from the telecommunication companies in order to achieve more inclusion”, she stated.

Etisalat Nigeria recently won the 2016 MobileMoneyExpo Kalahari Financial Inclusion Product of the Year Award for its contribution to the growth of the financial sector of the economy with its mobile money product, GTEasysavers. This product is the joint effort of Etisalat Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank and seeks to improve savings culture and financial inclusion.

others, “work closely with the National Assembly and help to activate all environmental laws that would check the illegitimate business activities of Vitol and Trafigura, and increase the oversight functions of all regulatory bodies like the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), and participate in setting up a task force in the sub-region to carry out a massive enlightenment on dirty fuel.”

The group further observed that given the increasing shipping of dirty fuel to the country, “there was need to bring to an end importation of dirty fuel whose risk is associated with diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic and acute

respiratory diseases and other health challenges.”

However, Vitol has denied the allegations saying that it was inaccurate and misinformed.

In a statement signed by Andrea Schlaepfer, the company said it does not control the supply chain, in which product from various suppliers, including major oil companies, is comingled, and that it therefore unable to determine the quality of fuel sold at the pump.

The stated that in Africa, governments control and manage the import of fuels and only they are able to determine local fuel standards.

“Vitol takes its HSE responsibilities seriously wherever it

works and is investing extensively in upgrading Africa’s energy infrastructure, from EU standard terminals to a large gas to power project in Ghana which will provide 15 years of thermal power to their economy.

“As the recent World Bank report highlights, pollution is a problem worldwide and measures to address it are welcome.

It is a government’s prerogative to define the country specification and local refining capability may be a key influencing factor.

“Vitol does not control the supply chain, in which product from various suppliers, including major oil companies, is comingled, and Vitol therefore is unable to determine the quality of fuel sold at the pump.

“Vitol takes its HSE responsibilities seriously and where it is in a position to have an impact, it seeks to do so. Extensive investment is required in Africa’s energy infrastructure, particularly if it is to handle segregated supply and Vitol, through its terminal subsidiary VTTI has/ is building oil terminals in Kenya and South Africa and an LPG terminal in Nigeria.

All are built to EU safety standards.

“Also, in sub-Saharan Africa household air pollution (largely from using solid fuels, such as wood, dung, charcoal and coal, for cooking) causes over twice as many deaths as ambient pollution (464k vs 196k – source World Bank) and Vitol is a longstanding supporter of projects to distribute clean cook stoves.”

ON-THE-SPOT INSPECTION

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right) with the Chairman of the state agency on road maintenance, Nigerian Construction and Foundation Company (NCFC), Ambassador Goddy Agbo (left), during an inspection tour of ongoing road repairs in the Enugu metropolis... yesterday

Herdsmen: Security Agencies Assure Ugwuanyi of Adequate Safety Security agencies in Enugu State comprising the police, the army and the Department State Services (SSS) have assured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuany and the people of Aku Community in Igbo–Etiti Local Government Area that the security of lives and property in the area will be guaranteed.

The assurance, which came on the heels of a rumoured planned attack on the community following an alleged report of clash between the community and some herdsmen, was given by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igbo-Etiti Police Division, Ifeanyi Nwoye, when the governor visited the community.

Nwoye said the security agencies were fully on ground in the area and mobilised to protect the lives and property of the people, allaying fears of any planned attack on the community.

Ugwuanyi was in the community upon receiving a distress call from a priest and principal of St. James Boys

Secondary School, Aku, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ujah, over the rumored planned attack.

The principal who received the governor at the school’s premises, commended him for his prompt response to his call, saying the gesture was an indication that he is a responsive leader who cares for his people.

Addressing the gathering, the security agencies urged the people not to panic over the rumour and go about their lawful businesses, stressing that they were on top of the situation.

“The people should not panic. You all have our phone numbers and should reach us if there is any suspicious activity or movement by any person or group of persons,” the DPO said.

On his part, the governor charged the security personnel in the area to be committed to their promise to secure the area and called on the people to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the security agencies to ensure peace and harmony in the area. .

FG Ratifies Abuja Carnival to Begin November 19 Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has agreed that the Abuja Carnival, touted as the biggest cultural party in Africa will be held from November 19 to 22.

This was confirmed yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting for the 2016 Abuja Carnival by the events Artistic Director, Biodun Abe. It will be the restoration of the carnival since it was last held in 2014. The carnival would actively depict the nation’s diverse culture as it will parade by all 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory.

In addition, it would have international outlook as other countries would attend to deepen ties with Nigeria.

The Abuja Carnival, which started as an annual event in 2005, is conceived to preserve and present the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria. As a form of cultural tourism, it is a platform to build bridges and enhance friendship.

The theme for this year’s carnival

is ‘’The Creative Industry: A Pivot to Economic Growth’’ as government is determined to use the creative ingenuity of Nigerians to boost the nation’s economy at this period of dwindling oil prices.

A carnival village where Nigerian goods and African cuisines are sold will be set up for visitors and participants to relax after each day, while about a million visitors from within and outside the country are projected to attend the carnival.

The carnival route, where the street party event will be staged, according to Abe, is 20km longer than ever before.

Abe disclosed that six national floats would also be created to represent the six-geo political zones of the country to depict the nation’s unity.

This year’s edition will feature traditional circus show involving fire-eaters, jugglers, animal manipulators, magicians and circus dancers.

Similarly, the carnival will be highlighted by durbar, masquerade dance, boat regatta, food fairs, cultural night and children fiesta

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

49

NEWSEXTRA

Owners of Abandoned Buildings Face Imprisonment in Lagos Govt insists on restoring masterplan on Victoria Island Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government yesterday issued fresh warning to owners of illegal structures and abandoned buildings in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island, directing them to repossess their properties or face imprisonment.

Also, the state government insisted on its decision to enforce the original masterplan of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island, lamenting that illegal occupants and street traders “are committing crimes under the cover of darkness.”

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji

Next Governor of Edo will Come from Our Political Family, Says Igbinedion Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has reiterated his earlier comments that the next governor of the state will come from his political family.

Igbinedion, who spoke last weekend during the celebration of his father’s birthday, said the margin of victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have been higher if the Edo election had held on September 10.

The former governor who spoke for the first time since the commencement of governorship campaign election in the state, urged people of the state to vote for development which he said the PDP laid since 1999.

According to him, INEC can

postpone the election but they cannot cancel it. I can assure you the result will remain the same.

“I made it clear before that the next governor will come from our political family. That has been my prayer. Come September 28, the margin of victory will be higher than if the election had held on September 10.

“Edo people should vote wisely.

Be rest assured that the insults that have taken place since 2008 will stop. The brutalisation of our psyche, and our women will stop.

Unemployment of our youths will be a thing of the past.

“Lack of focus on education and sports sectors will be a thing of the past. We are bringing in a PDP government that can represent the people, build human development and industries.”

Bello, disclosed the resolve of the state government to prosecute the owners of the abandoned buildings after a meeting of the Task Force on Clean-up of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island in Alausa yesterday.

Bello, who is also the chairman of the task force, disclosed that the state government “has already identified such buildings and will communicate with the owners to dislodge the illegal occupants before taking measures which may include revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of such structures.”

Specifically, Bello disclosed that the task force would not hesitate “to seek the invocation of the provision of the State Parks and Garden Law, 2011 as it affects landscaping and beautification of such properties.”

Under the law, the taskforce

chairman said all property owners who fail to landscape and beautify their properties as specified under the Parks and Garden law of 2011 law are liable to prosecution that may attract a jail term of sixmonths imprisonment or a fine of N250,000.

He added that the same fate awaits owners of structures harbouring squatters or those who converted their structures to hotels and provided shelters to street traders who commit crimes under the cover of darkness.

Bello said the taskforce “is already deploying its team to the affected areas in order to commence the clean-up exercise. The team will also secure all the cleared open spaces to prevent a return of the miscreants.

“We do not want to take

anybody unawares, that is why we have been embarking on several awareness campaigns to sensitise the property owners and squatters in the affected areas to please comply with the law as no defaulter would be spared when the Clean-Up exercise commences in earnest.”

In Victoria Island, for instance, Bello listed the major streets, which he said would be affected to include Ahmadu Bello Way, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Samuel Manuwa Street, Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Karimu Kotun Street, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Ligali Ayorinde Avenue, Water Corporation Close, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Adeola Hopewell Road, Adeyemo Alakija, Idowu Martins, Kofo Abayomi,

Saka Tinubu, Adeola Odeku and Akin Adesola Street.

In Ikoyi, the taskforce chairman cited areas to be cleaned up to include Awolowo Road, Keffi Street, Falomo Roundabout, Norman Williams, Raymond Njoku Road, Alexander Avenue, Lugard Avenue, Club Road, First and Second Avenues, Federal Secretariat Road, Bank Road, Osborne Road, Glover Road, , Onikoyi Crescent, Cameroon Road, Bourdillon Road and Oyinkan Abayomi Drive.

While in Lekki, areas scheduled for the clean-up exercise are between First Roundabout and Toll-Gate and around Oriental Hotel and Admiralty Way from the Waterfront from Lekki Phase One to Ikoyi Bridge.

Adenuga Calls for Transmission of Cultural Values to Children The Chairman of Globacom, Mr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., has called for the preservation of African cultural values through the transmission of such ideals from parents to their wards.

He noted that this would help safeguard the unity and social cohesion which cultural events such as Ojude Oba teach.

Adenuga made the call at the 2016 Ojude Oba festival sponsored by Globacom at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, last Wednesday.

The message was read on his behalf by the company’s Commercial Coordinator, Business Enterprise, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe.

He said it was important for parents to deliberately propagate the essence of cultural festivals and their values to the next generation to avoid such events being considered as fetish or insignificant in the near future.

The theme, of this year’s celebration, ‘Ojude Oba: Our Culture, Our Pride,’ aptly captured the relevance of the festival to current times and represented a common resolve to ensure that the essence of Ojude Oba as a source of pride and honour for the Ijebu race was passed on to the next generation, Adenuga stated.

“Over the years, Ojude Oba has remained not only a point of crystallisation and social re-engineering; it is as well an avenue for the constellation of ideas and initiatives geared towards prompting the growth of the society and the wellness

of its people.

“Ojude Oba is also an exhibition platform to display the cultural wealth of the people and the values that unite them and has assumed the role of a social melting pot where all divergent issues affecting the lives of the people are processed, congealed and digested,” he said, adding that it was also an avenue for the people of Ijebu at home and abroad to be reminded of their collective responsibility as active players in the social and economic growth of Ijebuland.

In his remarks, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, commended Globacom for its commitment to the promotion of cultures and traditions in Nigeria through its Heritage Series. He said the company had consistently supported the festival, and that such had led to the rapid growth of event. Adetona added that the Ijebus had played significant roles in the social, political and economic history of Nigeria.

A highlight of the event was the Regberegbe competition also sponsored by Globacom to reward the best dressed and best coordinated age grades in the male and female categories.

Egbe Bobagbimo Akile Ijebu was adjudged the best in the male category, while Egbe Bobagunte and Egbe Jagunmolu came second and third respectively. In the female category, Egbe Gbobaniyi came first, while Eg be Bobagunte and Egbe Bobamayegun came second and third respectively.

60TH HEARTY CHEERS

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam (standing) speaking when his deputy, Abubakar D. Ali (left) led other government officials including commissioners, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service, Dauda Yahaya (second right) and Chief of Staff, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar (first right) to wish him happy 60th birthday anniversary in Damaturu....yesterday

LFTZ: Lagos Approves N740m Compensation for Host Communities Says Dangote paid N65 million to land owners Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Government yesterday said it had approved the sum of N740 million to compensate host communities for the parcel of land acquired for the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).

The state government added that Dangote Group currently developing petrochemical plant, gas project, fertilizer and refinery projects in the zone had paid land owners the sum of N65 million.

The State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed alongside other members of the State Executive Council yesterday.

At the news conference, the commissioner said the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, approved N740 million for host communities of Parcel B comprising Yegunda, Abomiti

and International Airport site.

He added that Ambode approved the compensation to demonstrate his commitment “to engender a sustainable cordial relationship between the host communities and investors in the LFTZ. Since he assumed office, Ogunleye explained that Ambode had seriously and holistically addressed the salient need “to compensate the host communities.

Remarkable progress had been recorded in that regard.”

He said the state government continued “to engage the host communities ever since the LFTZ project started in 2004, noting that the engagement principally centered on the need for the communities to recognise the multiplier effects of the project in terms of employment generation and the value to be added to the socio-economic lives of the people.

The commissioner said already,

modalities were being put in place to ensure hitch-free payment of the approved N740 million, adding that the payment would be effected with immediate effect.

Ogunleye said the compensation exercise “is a continuous process. N65 million was paid early this year for land owners affected by the ongoing Dangote projects which included petrochemical plant, gas project, fertilizer and refinery project capable of refining 650,000 barrels of oil per day.

Before now, he said, the host communities of the 3,000 hectares of land housing the LFTZ development agency, a company jointly owned by the state government and a consortium of Chinese investors, were heavily compensated.

He said more land owners “will be compensated in due course at the end of verification and valuation exercise.”

The commissioner thus restated the commitment of this administration “to community social responsibility (CSR) and its readiness to continue to heed the yearnings of our people in the areas covered by the LFTZ and its complementary projects.

“I also need to assure both local and foreign investors that all our projects in the corridor are fully on course and as an administration, we are fully committed to them. At this time of economic downturn, our state as the nation and subSaharan economic hub is providing, this investment platform with huge potentials is the best destination for direct investment.

“We are providing appropriate road infrastructure to ease the operations of investors in the zone and we will continue to sustain the friendly operating environment that now subsists,” Ogunleye said.

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NEWSEXTRA

Ijaw Group Urges Buhari to Activate EPZ Project to Fight Recession Sylvester Idowu in Warri Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group (WIPMG), the Ijaw elite group, yesterday tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to activate the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at Ogidigben in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State to generate employment and stem militancy in the Niger Delta region.

The group recalled that exPresident, Goodluck Jonathan, had performed the groudbreaking ceremony of the project which would have created employment for millions of Nigerians during this recession period the nation is going through.

According to a statement signed

by the Chairman of WIPMG, Chief Patrick Bigha, the EPZ which was commenced by President Jonathan had two components of Gas City at Ogidigben and Deep Seaport at Gbaramatu to address the issue of unemployment in this economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.

“President Buhari should urgently order resumption of work at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Escravos, Warri South West Local Government Area Delta State, which as we write now, the land for both components of the project is ready to start construction and coupling of machines.

“It would be recalled that during the groundbreaking ceremony performed by President

Jonathan on March 26, 2015, the drivers of the project did say that the project would engage 150,000 work force at the construction level and 5,000,000 work force at the completion of the project.

“No doubt this is a project that will totally reduce unemployment t in this part of the country. This is the time for this project to continue as it will help to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship

Nigerians are going through,” he said.

Bigha recalled that the beauty of the project was that it was private sector driven since the federal government would not spend any money on the project.

“What is expected from the government is just to provide the enabling environment for the private investors, which the two ethnic groups have promised

before the inauguration of the present administration.

“The resumption of work will also address the issue of the Niger Delta militancy resurgence as most of the youths including those who had had skilled training from the presidential amnesty programme will be engaged in the project.

“By then, no one will be left to make trouble in the region.

It will also address the incessant quarrelling between the Ijaws and the Itsekiris as sometimes idleness is the cause of such quarrel.

“To this end, it is our sincere and humble advice to the president to urgently order the necessary bodies to activate the project to address the issue of economic recession and unemployment in our country,” he added.

Otu Wants Nigerians to Embrace ‘Change’ Campaign Bassey Inyang in Calabar A former Senator from Cross River South senatorial district in the National Assembly, Bassey Otu, wants Nigerians to support the ‘Change Begins With Me’ campaign inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari to foster attitudinal orientation among Nigerians.

Otu made the appeal yesterday evening when he hosted a group of artisans-fashion designers, hairdressers and eatery and hospitality industry operators-in Calabar. Otu stated that the current downturn in Nigeria’s economy required collective will and resolve driven by attitudinal change and change in lifestyles.

He said the ‘Change Begins With Me’ campaign is innovative and should have since been introduced by previous administrations in Nigeria for the citizenry to imbibe.

The former senator said his self-empowerment policy in his constituency had been deliberate to ensure the creation of avenues for self-sufficiency.

“Ours is a pro-active effort to be ready for the rainy day which is here, “Otu who was in the senate from 2011 to 2015 said.

The former National Assembly member urged the group to handle the equipment and appliances given to them with care to continue to fend for themselves during hard times.

He said the current economic recession which Nigeria has found itself would be surmounted with the collective will and commitment of every Nigerians.

A welder, Ogbodim Esa, who responded on behalf of the group, said their visit was to express their appreciation to Otu for assisting them to acquire skills which they now apply to earn a living and also employ others.

Esa said individuals like Otu should be entrusted with the political mandate to serve the electorate in the future.

He stated that the group members were happy to be proprietors of small and medium scale businesses in their respective wards through Otu’s benevolence.

Kaduna to Prosecute Anyone Who Rejects Polio Vaccines John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has warned that any parent found obstructing health workers from immunising children against polio will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

The warning came following the commencement of another round of polio immunisation campaign across the 23 local government areas in the state.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said government would not tolerate a situation where the laxity of some parents expose children to a bleak future.

The statement said the task force on the immunisation was being headed by the governor because of the importance of the exercise.

“To keep Kaduna State poliofree is a mission that all parents must support for the sake of all children. Therefore, all parents have been urged to help make

the polio immunisation campaign a success by making all their children below the age of five available for immunisation,” Aruwan said.

“The state government wishes to clarify that any parent found obstructing health workers from carrying out their statutory functions will be prosecuted accordingly as prescribed by the law.

“The government has further directed that all eligible children in transit within the state be made available for immunisation at all transit sites - motor parks, road blocks, railway stations, airports among others during the period of the campaign” the statement said.

It said further that the teams of vaccinators would work with FRSC and NDLEA officials at partial road blocks to vaccinate children below five who are in transit on highways within the state.

In the past, religious and traditional beliefs had undermined the efforts of health workers from administering polio vaccine to children.

A COMMITTED MEMBER

Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike (left), being decorated by the Chairperson of the state chapter Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Anthonia Osademe, at the Government House, Port Harcourt....yesterday

Unpaid Salaries: Bayelsa Teachers to Down Tools on Monday Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Barring any last minute change in plans, teachers in Bayelsa State will from on Monday next week embark on an indefinite strike to push for the payment of their salaries and sundry other issues bordering on their welfare.

Aside the issue of non-payment of salaries, the teachers are also demanding the recall of their colleagues dismissed from the teaching service, adjusting for delayed promotions and alleged waning infrastructure in the state schools.

But the Bayelsa State Government had recently blamed the delay in the payment of the teachers on the verification exercise it embarked upon to, according to the government, weed out those who were fraudulently employed and many they described as ghost workers.

The government which had also bemoaned the falling federal allocation accruing to the state for its decision to commence payment of 50 per cent salaries, noted that there were discrepancies and fraudulent activities in the payroll of the education system in the state.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Serena Dokubo-Spiff, had said the verification would rid the state of cases of ghost schools, ghost

teachers, fraudulent increment and fraudulent designation of status/grade level, which the government claimed suggested criminal activity or intervention in the payment scheme.

But in a statement jointly signed by the state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Kalaama Toinpre, and Principal Secretary , Mr. Johnson Hector, yesterday, the NUT stated that it could no longer bear the insensitivity of the government to the plights of its members.

“This action follows the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum given by the state and local governments by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the NUT Bayelsa State chapter over the non-payment of arrears of salaries owed teachers in the state.

“A 7-day ultimatum had further been given to the state and local government with effect from September 12, 2016, to address the issues,” the NUT noted.

The communique added: “Topmost on the issues are the non-payment of salaries of primary and secondary teachers for six months now. Dismissal of teachers employed in 2008 and 2009 and transfer of management and Duty-Post Allowances to principals and head teachers.

Also included, according to the union were: the non-payment and

failure to implement promotions of primary school teachers in 2015, non-payment of N18,000 minimum wage arrears and non-provision of instructional materials and infrastructural facilities in schools.”

The state NUT concluded

that: “Should the issues be left unaddressed until the expiration of the ultimatum, teachers in primary and secondary schools will have no other option than to down tools with effect from September 19, 2016.”

Niger Hajj Committee Scribe Dies in Mecca Laleye Dipo in Minna The Secretary of the Niger State 2016 Hajj Committee, Alhaji Haruna Kusherki, has died in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to a competent source close to the state government, Kusherki died last Wednesday after a brief illness.

The source said he suddenly took ill after performing all the rituals associated with the pilgrimage in Muslim holy land. The death of Kusherki was said to have shocked the over 3,000 pilgrims from the state that performed the just concluded hajj.

His remains according to the source, were buried in Mecca on Wednesday according to Islamic rites.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, when contacted, confirmed the story, saying: “The

government received the sad news with great shock” Vatsa commiserated with the family of the deceased and urged them to accept the incident as “an act of God.” Meanwhile, the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Kagara town in the Rafi Local Government Area of the state during which he asked them to take the incident in good faith.

Bello who was accompanied by some top government officials, told the family that their breadwinner had contributed his quota to the development of the state and propagation of Islam.

Kusherki is survived by three wives and one child.

Aged 46, Kusherki was the Vice Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and Chairman of the Kusherki Development Area Council.

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Court Remands Disc Jockey for Killing In Brief Navy Destroys More Illegal Refineries, Friend with Pestle Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja An 18-year-old Disc Jockey (DJ), Ugbede Iyeh, has been remanded at the Federal Prison, Dekina by a Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court 1 for allegedly killing his friend, Ikani Amodu, with a pestle.

The Chief Magistrate Levi Animoku, who gave the order yesterday in his ruling after the arraignment of the accused in Lokoja, said the alleged offence of culpable homicide preferred against him and the manner in which it was allegedly committed was horrifying.

The prosecuting police officer, Tuesday Ganagana, had told the court that the case was reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Dekina and CIID, Lokoja by one Samson Ebenehi, the elder brother of the deceased.

It was alleged that the accused had on August 28, at about 8a.m. gone to the barbing saloon of Amodu, 30, to download some music tracks from the deceased laptop computer into his own.

Prosecution said the accused in the process, deleted all the tracks in the late barber’s laptop, following which a misunderstanding with

altercations ensued, adding that the accused “criminally armed himself with mortar pestle and hit the deceased on the head.”

As a result, Ganagana further explained, the barber fell down and became unconscious and was rushed to Peace Hospital, Anyigba for treatment but was confirmed dead on arrival.

The prosecutor submitted that investigation into the matter was still on-going as he asked for another date for mention.

He reminded the court that the offence of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal

Code was not ordinarily bailable and therefore, urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

The Chief Magistrate, Animoku in the ruling, said the offence carried the highest penalty “in our laws. Bail is not granted as a matter of course as section 341(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) precludes the court.

“The accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Dekina. The case is hereby transferred to Chief Magistrate Court, Dekina,” he said and adjourned to September 27, for mention.

Nabs 11 Crude Oil Thieves

The Nigerian Navy has inn continuation of the ‘Operation Zero Crude Oil Theft (Zero COT)’, has destroyed more illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region and arrested 11 crude oil thieves. The Director of Defence Information (DINFO), Commodore Christian Ezekobe, in a statement yesterday, said the patrol team deployed by Forward Operation Base (FOB) Escravos in Delta State conducted several raids on illegal refinery sites around Jones, Sara and Oporoza Creeks in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Ezekobe said during the raids, the team arrested 11 suspects and destroyed 13 ‘Cotonou’ boats laden with suspected stolen crude oil. He said the team also recovered two speed boats and a Cotonou boat carrying 20 tanks of different capacities measuring a total of 160,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas oil (AGO). He listed other items recovered from the criminals to include six outboard engines and four pumping machines. Ezekobe stated that in a similar operation conducted by NNS PATHFINDER in Rivers State, patrol teams intercepted and destroyed some speed boats and several drums of illegally refined AGO mostly around Onne in Rivers State. “Specifically, six speed boats conveying about 30 drums of various sizes laden with illegally refined diesel were destroyed between September 10 and 11, 2016,” he added. s1-71-71The naval spokesman noted that the arrested suspects are being interrogated and would be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for further action.

Police Parade Three-Man Armed Robbery Gang in Kwara

END OF THE ROAD

Four suspects, Kingsley David; Ugochukwu Ebuka; andOsita Ezeamu Ali Audu; and Joseph Ozo, who allegedly robbed the Onazis, the family Super Eagles player, Ogenyi Onazi, after they were paraded at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja...yesterday

Police Arrest Mother for Dumping Day Old Baby Chiemelie Ezeobi For dumping her day-old baby by the roadside by 3a.m. on Tuesday, two hours after her birth, the Ajangbadi Police Division of the Lagos State Police Command, yesterday arrested a 31-year-old Ifunanya Eme. The single mother, who claimed she dropped her baby because she had no means of feeding her said the decision was made easier because the father of the baby abandoned her and ran away.

THISDAY gathered that it was a passerby that alerted the police about the baby, who was by then crying profusely from the stinging bite of the cold weather.

After the police had picked up the baby, they had first taken her to a nearby hospital for proper check up, before they initiated an investigation to discover the mother.

Their first clue came when some neighbors alerted the Divisional Police Officer, Alim Musa, a Chief Superintendent of Police, about the pool of blood trickling out of a neighbour’s house.

When the police got to the residence, the suspect was seen recuperating, while the baby was nowhere to be seen, as she was said to have delivered the baby herself in her room.

Upon questioning, the neighbours had attested to the fact that she was pregnant, which

prompted the police to question her further, upon which she capitulated and admitted to her offence.

The suspect, who was paraded at the police command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, said the future had looked bleak for her.

Although she works as a sales person in a shop that sells tricycles, she claimed she had just gotten the job and that the pay wasn’t much.

She said: “I gave up my daughter because I had no help and my mother is dead. I don’t even know the whereabouts of her father.

“The only thing I know is that he told me he was traveling. Since that day till now, the number he gave me can’t be reached.”

On how she was arrested she said: “It was my chairman that called the police. I am not happy that I was arrested. I will train her if they give her back to me.”

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, said the command had taken custody of the baby.

He said: “The baby was seen by the eagle eye of the patrol team.

They picked up the baby and in the course of investigation, they found the mother.

“The baby was taken to the hospital for examination and we will do the needful by sending her to the appropriate government agency for rehabilitation.”

Ifunanya Eme

Two Arrested Ex-militants Remanded in Prison Custody Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City An Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court in Benin-City yesterday remanded an ex-militant, General Pere Ejune, 45, and one Trim Ade, 32, to prison custody for allegedly being in possession of a double-barrel gun, a cut-to-size double-barrel gun and 18 live cartridges. The two were arraigned in the case filed by the Edo State Police Command.

They and others at large were said to have committed the crime on September 8, 2016, at about 2a.m. at Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City.

Ejune and Ade who are brothers were remanded remanded to

Oko Prison, Benin and the case adjourned to October 20, 2.16

by Magistrate C.E. Oghuma for further hearing.

Thereafter, she ordered that the original case file be duplicated and sent to the office of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advisement.

Reacting, counsel to the accused, Olayiwola Afolabi, argued that his client, Ejune, was being prosecuted for political reasons following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said: “They were charged to court for unlawful possession of firearms under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions.).

Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded three-man armed robbery gang that attacked and robbed a senior lecturer of University of Ilorin, Professor Abdullahi Onimisi, at his residence in Ilorin, the state capital. During the operation, according to THISDAY checks, some expensive jewelries, different types of mobile phones and the sum of N15,500 were recovered from the suspects. Parading the suspects in Ilorin before journalists, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Olusola Amore, said the armed robbery gang was led by a former driver of Onimisi. Amore, who warned that people should have documentation of identity of their domestic staff for security purposes, added that they should also monitor them even while out of service. The police boss said the former driver, Opeyemi Esan, allegedly came from Lagos State to recruit two others in Ilorin and robbed the don of his belongings. The Commissioner, who stated that the attackers inflicted bodily injury on the university don, added that they were armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons.

He also said valuable items like jewelries, handsets and a Toyota Camry car were recovered from the suspects. Amore said his men had acted on intelligence to arrest two of the suspects in Ilorin, adding that they confessed to have conspired with Opeyemi to rob the professor of his belongings. He said the gang leader took policemen to four different locations before he finally decided to take them to where the items were kept. The police boss also disclosed that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.

... ArrestTwo Armed Robbers in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers who have been terrorising residents of the state. The command said the suspects, Abdulraham Mohammed and Aminu Abdullahi, were apprehended along Abdullahi Bayero Road in the Kano metropolis after attacking their victims around 3.30p.m. The spokesman of the police in the state, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Magaji Musa Majia, told journalists yesterday in Kano that the two suspected armed robbers were arrested after they attacked their victims. Majia added that items recovered from them included two knives and mobile phones, stating that one of their victims who sustained serious injuries was taken to the hospital for treatment and had been discharged. According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rabi’u Yusuf had ordered the transfer of the case to state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for proper investigation. ”As soon as investigation is completed, the suspects would be charged to court for appropriate prosecution,” Majia assured. Majia also urged residents to continue to be vigilant and report any suspected character to security agents for prompt action.

Task Force Arrests 300 in Plateau over Drug Related Offences

The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Task Force on security in Plateau State, Major General Rogers Nicholas, has said his men have arrested over 300 persons for drug related offences and 65 others for other crimes in the past six weeks. He made this known yesterday while speaking in his address at a consultative dialogue conference on youth, security and governance in the state organised by Centre for Youth Participation Dialogue and Advocacy Africa (CYPDA) a non governmental organisation in Jos. Rogers also said the operators of tricycle constitute the bulk of the criminals in the state as restriction on their movement at night has drastically reduced the crime rate in the state. He also said OPSH has also held several stakeholders’ meetings with communities in crisis prone areas and they are willing to live peacefully with each other. “The issue of clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Plateau is now in the past.” Rogers appealed to citizens of Plateau to continue to tolerate each other to consolidate on the peace currently been enjoyed in Plateau. Also speaking, the Director of CYPDA, Chris Iyama, said the purpose of the meeting was to draw government’s attention to issues affecting youths and to promote peace among them in the state.

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NEWSEXTRA

APC Plans to Use Postponement to Perfect Rigging Plans for Edo Election, Says Orbih Jessica Odemwingie

The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to use the period of the postponement of the Edo State governorship election to perfect their rigging plan seeing that there is no way the APC can win in a free and fair contest.

At a press conference he addressed at the state PDP Secretariat in Benin City, Chief Orbih stated that the APC was planning to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to adopt the manual accreditation of voters as against the use of the card reader. The state PDP chairman said that towards this end, there is the plan to make the card readers not to function.

Kaduna Electric Begins GIS Enumeration Exercise Kaduna Electric has begun enumeration exercise with the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

Youth corps members serving with company have been trained to complement staff of the company for the exercise.

The exercise which would be conducted across the company’s franchise states of Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, has begun in earnest in the Kaduna metropolis.

A statement signed by Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said the exercise which is aimed at capturing all the existing customers; new customers; undeveloped and developed properties; vacant houses and put them on a map with the aid of GIS technology.

The aim of the enumeration exercise according to the statement, is to have a comprehensive and exact database of all Kaduna Electric customers on its network. “We inherited a customer base of a little above 400,000 which is far from the true number of electricity users on our network. This exercise will give us the correct figure of customers on our network,”

he said.

The statement said the exercise has begun with complete tracking of transformers to enable ease of monitoring on the map.

So far the transformer tracking has been completed in Kawo, Hayin Danmani and old Tudun Wada Feeders all in Kaduna Metropolis.

He further said in the Old Tudun Wada 31 transformers were identified (25 public and six dedicated) with 71 units. three transformers (Mashi Road, Abattoir and Gidan gayu) are not connected to the network.

Presently the exercise is going on at Rigasa II/ Makarfi Road Feeder where 27 transformers (25 and two dedicated) with 68 units were identified.

However, the statement said the exercise has experienced occasional incidences of intimidation of enumerators by residents and also resistance to provide required information by the customers.

The company solicited for the cooperation and support of customers in order to achieve the overall objective of the exercise.

Orbih also accused the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his agents of instigating the mass arrest of PDP leaders and members by the police before September 28 so as to bring down the morale of the party members and its supporters.

He alleged that the arrests and intimidation had since commenced. Chief Orbih displayed a letter of invitation from the police to a party leader, claiming an investigation into his conduct that could lead to a security breach. He said this was a pattern that is being adopted to harass PDP members

to submission.

Orbih also said as part of the plan to intimidate uncompromising influential members of the party, the state governor and his agents have sent violent thugs after them.

He stated that the PDP has recorded casualties with members sustaining various degrees of injury from gunshots.

He displayed photographs of some members who were allegedly attacked.

Speaking further, Orbih alleged that as part of the grand plan to rig the rescheduled election, the state governor through his highly influential contact at INEC

is planning to replace all the Electoral Officers in Edo State with Electoral Officers from APC controlled states.

While thanking Edo people whose resolve to change the APC has put the ruling party on edge, he assured them that the PDP would do everything legally possible to ensure that their votes for the PDP in the September election count. Chief Orbih stated that the PDP would resist all attempts by the ruling party to rig the election.

Answering questions about the allegations made by Governor Adams Oshiomhole that the PDP received N2 billion from a PDP

governor and that it registered eight thousand militants from the neighbouring states, Orbih said there was no truth in the allegations.

He challenged the governor to show proof of such financial transaction as two billion naira is not an amount that you can move around in cash.

He also stated that it was an indictment of the security agencies for the governor to claim that eight thousand armed men had moved into the state to disrupt the election. He said that the governor was only showing signs of desperation knowing that the people have rejected

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Partner, JYB TV, Prince Ifeanyi Dike; Chief Executive Officer, JBY TV, Mrs Jibe Ologeh; and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Stephen Ologeh, during the press briefing on the improved programme of the television in Lagos....yesterday Yomi Akinyele

UN to Establish Aviation Security Training Institutes in Lagos, Abuja

Seven Governorship Candidates Laud Wike on Performance

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

S e v e n governorship candidates who contested the 2015 elections against

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, have lauded the governor on what they described as ‘his superlative performance’ in the last 15 months.

This is as 29 political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) passed a vote of confidence on the governor for rapidly developing the Rivers State.

Also, Wike alleged that there is an anti-people blueprint by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the remaining rerun elections in the state.

The governorship candidates declared that Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people, executing critical pro-people projects despite the economic downturn in the country.

They spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt when the leadership of 29 registered political parties paid a solidarity visit on the governor.

The United Nations and the federal government have concluded arrangements to establish two aviation security training schools in Lagos and Abuja.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press of the Ministry of Aviation, Mr. James Odaudu, on behalf of the Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, said government is determined to turn around the aviation sector to meet global standards in infrastructure, safety and security.

According to the statement, the main objective of the project is to support the nation’s overall counterterrorism strategy by providing a key element of a robust national aviation security policy that will effectively mitigate the threat posed to civil aviation by terrorist organisations.

Addressing Sirika in his office, the UN-appointed Project Manager for the schools, Douglas Melvin, said the initiative would also enhance the capacity within the UN system to help interested member states to implement its global counter terrorism strategy in an integrated

manner.

The statement read: “This involves assisting the partnering member states with their implementation of the strategy across all four topical pillars which address the multiple dimensions of countering terrorism; utilising assistance capacities and efforts from across the UN system.”

Melvin in the statement added that the choice of Nigeria, out of 25 countries considered, was in appreciation of its clear and well-documented roadmap on developing the aviation sector with particular emphasis on safety and security, saying the country stands to reap more benefits than the training of its aviation security personnel by the best available security experts.

“Such other benefits, he said, include the provision of, and exposure to hi-tech aviation security equipment and the generation of revenue from training of aviation security personnel from other countries. “The up-coming United Nations General Assembly is billed to make a proclamation on aAviation security with specific reference to Nigeria. This, according to him, underscores the importance attached

to the project as a flagship and high profile one which the country is privileged to be a beneficiary,” Melvin said.

Sirika, while expressing the gratitude of Nigerian Government to the UN for recognising and identifying with the government visions and efforts to establish and nurture a world class aviation industry in Nigeria basically founded on safety and security, assure the UN of government’s readiness to provide all that are necessary for effective take-off and operation of the two institutes to be located in Abuja and Lagos.

The minister, according to the statement, said the decision of government to establish a Ministerial Committee on Airport Security on assumption of office, defined the importance it attached to aviation security as a critical component of the overall national and international security system.

Sirika also described the choice of Nigeria as an aviation security training centre by the UN body as a massive boost to the nation’s desire to become a regional aviation hub and also heighten investor confidence in the country.

The governorship candidates included: Chief Tamuno Roberts (African Democratic Congress), Hon. Echezolam Nweke (ACD), Hon. Miller Orgwu (ACPN), Hon. Chima Nsirim (DPP), Princewill Enyi (NNPP), Mrs. Anastasia Tepikor and Rev. Ndubisi Odota.

The 2015 governorship candidate of ADC in Rivers State, Chief Tamuno Roberts said: “What I had in mind is what Wike is doing today. I am impressed by the level of development projects being executed across the state.”

In his remarks, the 2015 governorship candidate of the ACD, Mr. Echezolam Nweke, said: “The Etche people where I come from were cut off from the rest of the state till G Wike started the Igwuruta-Chokocho-Okehi road.”

Anastasia, the governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), said the Wike administration has empowered the people of the state through propeople projects.

The state IPAC Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, urged the governor to continue with his good works.

The endorsement of Wike’s government and the vote of confidence passed on him was conveyed in the address of the Secretary General of IPAC, Sir Precious Baridoo of the Accord Party.

Responding, Governor Wike said: “We are in possession of the blueprint to rig the remaining rerun elections in Rivers State. If you see this blueprint, you will be shocked.

“However, we will not make the blueprint public as they will quickly produce another blueprint. We will continue to monitor them”.

He said it was unfortunate that there is an attempt to burn down Rivers State just because the powers that be want to compensate the sponsor of the party. The governor said no matter the use of security as an instrument of intimidation, the people of the state will resist any attempt to rig the rerun elections.

53

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS How Neighbour, Four Others Robbed Onazi

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

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The five-man gang who robbed the Jos home of Super Eagles and Trabzonspor of Turkey defensive midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, yesterday regaled journalists in Lagos on why and how they carried out the operation.

The suspects, who were identified as Kingsley David, Ugochukwu Ebuka, Osita Ezeamu, Ali Audu and Joseph Ozo, were said to have raided the Jos home of the footballer three days ago, before they were arrested yesterday in Lagos.

The suspects had attacked the footballer’s aged father, Mr. Wilson Onazi and made away with his ATM cards, some cash and his white Toyota Highlander jeep with registration number JMU 300 AA. Although the robbery had occurred in Jos, Plateau State, they were arrested at the Ajangbadi area by some police detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Alim Musa, a Chief Superintendent of Police.

When they were paraded at the State Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, it was discovered that the entire operation was masterminded by the victim’s neighbour in Jos. According to the gang, they had carried out the operation primarily because the victim made no move to help them in their quest for green pastures, adding that they wanted to use the car to celebrate Sallah.

The suspects were arrested at the Ajangbadi area of Lagos while attempting to sell off the Toyota Highlander car to a prospective buyer.

The mastermind, one Kingsley Davis, said the victim was their neighbour in Jos, adding that he was the one that brought up the idea before others bought into it.

His confession: “My team members are my neighbours and friends. We were just discussing when the idea came up. Contrary to what they said, we did not beat him (Onazi’s father) up. We only used the knife to tell him we wanted to borrow his car for the Sallah break.

“After the operation, we had left Jos and came to Lagos to meet our contact person. We were on the way when somewhere in Ajangbadi, the police stopped us. The rest is history,” confessed the gang leader.

For 26-year-old Ugochukwu Ebuka, although six of them planned the attack, only three of them participated in the operation.

He said, “It took us one week to conclude plans of how to carry out the attack. It was Kingsley who brought the information about the house. On that fateful day, we arrived the house around 10am.

“Joe knocked on the gate and few minutes later an elderly man emerged from inside the compound. He opened the gate.

At first we did not know that it is Onazi’s father.

“Three of us tried to force our way into the compound but the man resisted. He appeared drunk that morning so we over powered him. We wrestled him to the ground. We told him we were not going to harm him and

that we only wanted his money.

“We discovered that the old man live alone. There was no guard at the gate. No cook or wife, but just him alone in a big house.

“Joe held a cutlass but we did not use it on him. We asked for money but he said he had none. We searched the seating room. Later we went into his bed room. I think he gave us just N5,000 and his ATM card. We took a bag containing two pairs of canvas on our way out.

“We collected the keys of the Toyota Highlander packed in front of the house and drove away. We threw the ATM card away because it was not functioning.

“It was Kingsley who organised the operation but he did not participate. Kingsley was angry at the old man because he felt that he was not assisting anybody. He lives alone and never bordered about any other person.

“It was Kingsley who also planned our movement to Lagos.

He told us that he had contacted someone. When we left the place we hid the car at Feringhana area of Jos to allow the heat to die down. Three hours later we headed towards Lagos.

“We arrived Ajangbadi on Tuesday and we stayed in an hotel. We met Osita Ezeana at a drinking joint at Ajangbadi. We told him we have a car to sell. We had not agreed at a price when the police arrested us.”

Another suspect, one Joseph Ozo, a graduate of University of Jos, said he was called by the gang because he can drive.

He said, “I am a graduate but I was invited into this operation by Kingsley. I followed them for the operation but my job was to drive, which I did after I had collected the key.”

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects, said the criminals were probably heading to Seme border, Badagry where they intend to sell of the car.

Owoseni, who said the suspects and the exhibits will soon be transferred to Plateau State Command for further investigation and prosecution, adding that it was a testimony that policing has no boundaries.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force under the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, is well more positioned.

“The police is also poised to ensure that no matter where the crime is committed in any part of the country, the police headquarters has given teeth to bite to the commands.”

Super Eagles begin new era with Rohr

Rohr Halts Nigeria’s Slide in September FIFA Rankings Duro Ikhazuagbe After the free fall of the Super Eagles in FIFA Rankings in the last couple of months, Nigeria rallied back to step up three places in the September grading released yesterday by the world football governing body.

Nigeria is now 64th in the world from the 67th ranking of the previous month. Eagles are now 14th in the continent.

Football pundits were unanimous in giving the credit for the move to Eagles new Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr who claimed victory incharge of the senior Nigerian team in a dead rubber clash with Tanzania in Uyo. Though it was a meaningless match as both countries failed to make the cut to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, it however afforded Rohr the chance to show his character to Nigerians.

Interestingly, while Nigeria moved upward, Eagles opponents in the 2018 World

Cup pairing like Zambia, Algeria and Cameroun all slipped in the September rankings.

Zambia, who will host Nigeria next month in final round of the qualifying series for the World Cup, are now 92nd in the world after they occupied 91st position in August.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroun, dropped five places to 59th in the world and 11th in Africa while Algeria slipped to 35th in the world and lost top spot in Africa to Cote d’Ivoire.

At the global level, despite the shifts up and down the ranking, Argentina and Belgium however remain fixed in first and second place respectively, cementing their positions at the summit of the World Ranking for another month.

Elsewhere in the top five, Germany stepped up into the third spot while Colombia is fourth. Rejuvenated Brazil, under new coach Tite, moved into joint fourth place, thanks

Buhari Congratulates Yoruba Tennis Club at 90 Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Yoruba Tennis Club as it celebrates its 90thanniversary.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president joined the Lagos State Government, all members of the club and teeming supporters in

marking the unique milestone of the oldest club in Nigeria, which was established in 1926.

Buhari commended the visionary leadership, innovative spirit and the brotherliness among members that had sustained the club since it was first conceptualized as an informal organization of tennis lovers to a formal and cosmopolitan group with a

strong global appeal.

“As the club celebrates its 90thanniversary, the President urges members to use the platform and opportunity of regularly assembling people of various backgrounds to promote peace, unity and national cohesion,” the statement added.

Buhari wished the Yoruba Tennis Club a joyous and memorable anniversary.

largely due to victories against Colombia and Ecuador in World Cup qualifiers.

The large number of qualifying fixtures for continental competitions and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in September reflected in significant movement.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on October 20, 2016.

Africa Top 5 Ivory Coast Algeria Senegal Tunisia Ghana World Top 5 Argentina Belgium Germany Colombia Brazil

ITF U-18 Circuit: Quadri Beats McLeod to Qualify for final Nigeria’s tennis sensation, Barakat Quadri defeated longterm rival Angel Mcleod 6-3, 6-3 to progress to the final of the girl’s singles at the ITF West/Central Africa 18 and Under Circuit holding in Lome, Togo.

Quadri, who defeated top seed, Jaseen Firuguera of Spain in the quarterfinal added her sixth-seeded compatriot, McLeod to her list of casualties to set up a final meeting with Carmine Becoude of Benin in the final billed for today at the Stade Omnisports.

The win was Quadri’s seventh conservative victory in the three-leg Circuit which is featuring players from West and Central Africa as well the USA, France, Spain, India, Singapore among others.

On her way to triumph in Cotonou, the unseeded fourteen-year-old defeated top seed, Marie Ange Adomon of Cote d’Ivoire in the semifinal before walloping Becoude 6-0,

6-0 in the final.

It was the sixth time in the nine days that the Moroccobased Quadri will upset seeded players in the ITF point-earning tournaments.

Quadri and McLeod are having a good outing as they teamed up to beat Togolese pair of Vania Dotse and Serena Geli 6-1, 6-2 in the doubles to advance to the semifinal.

“Barakat has won the hearts of everybody. From Cotonou to Lome she is the talking point of this Circuit. She is playing very well; hitting several winners.

“The ITF High Performance Centre in Casablanca (Morocco) will be very proud of her because this is the first time she would be featuring at the 18 and Under tournament.

All the other players that are making their appearance are easily beaten but in her case she is making the older players look as if they are the one that are new at this level.” Nigeria’s coach, Mohammed Ubale, stated.

54

FRIDAY, september 16, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS NPFL…NPFL…NPFL…

LMC Sanctions Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars and Enyimba Lists 12 referees for exclusion from league matches Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors have been sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) for the disruptive behaviour of their fans in recent matches just as Enyimba’s Masseur, Mr. Ifeanyi Kalu, was handed a one year ban from all activities of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) while the Aba club was fined N250,000.

LMC has also written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) requesting the exclusion of 12 referees from further officiating of NPFL matches pending investigations into their respective performances in recent matches.

The league organisers announced yesterday that N2.7million fine has been imposed on Sunshine Stars for various breaches of the rule including failure to provide adequate security, assault on match officials, throwing of object into the field of play, delaying the start of the second half and throwing of object at an official of Heartland FC. The breaches, according to the LMC, were committed in the course of Sunshine’s Match-day 33 fixture against Heartland at the Akure Township Stadium.

In addition to the fine, Sunshine Stars is to play its rescheduled Match-day 17 fixture against Warri Wolves behind closed doors.

LMC also ruled that the assaulted Assistant Referee and the injured Heartland official will be paid compensations of N250, 000 each from the fine.

Also, Abia Warriors are being sanctioned for the conduct of its fans in the Match-day 34 fixture against FC IfeanyiUbah and has been fined a total of N2.5m in addition to playing two matches behind closed door.

The club was fined N1m for encroachment of fans into the field of play while a fine of N750, 000 is to be paid for the club’s failure to provide adequate security for the match officials immediately after the match. Each of the three match officials are to be paid N250, 000 each as compensation by the club for the assault perpetrated by their fans on the match officials. Abia Warriors are also to replace the FIFA match wrist watch the referee lost during the fracas.

According to the Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued the club, the fan(s) who assaulted the match officials must be apprehended by

STA N D I N G S

Team P Rivers Utd 33 Rangers 33 Ifeanyiubah 33 Wikki 33 Sunshine 33 Lobi Stars 34 Enyimba 33 Nasarawa 33 Kano Pillars 33 Akwa Utd 34 Tornadoes 33 El-Kanemi 32 Plateau Utd 33 3SC 33 MFM FC 33 Warri Wolves 33 Abia Warriors 32 Heartland 32 Ikorodu Utd 33 Giwa FC 0

W 18 15 15 14 13 14 14 16 14 13 14 14 12 13 11 10 9 9 7 0

D 2 9 8 9 11 7 7 1 6 7 3 3 9 5 8 9 11 10 11 0

Abia Warriors and handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution. The sanction further ordered that should the club fail to produce the culprit(s) after seven days from the date of the notice, a fine of N250, 000 shall accrue for each day until the order is complied with.

The club has until close of business today, September 16, to respond in writing indicating acceptance of the charges or electing to appear before a commission.

For performances that have been perceived to have raised integrity concerns in recent league matches, the LMC has written to the NFF requesting for the immediate exclusion of 12 Referees from officiating in matches pending the review of their performances in the said matches.

The 12 match officials are made up of four centre referees and eight assistant referees who officiated in fixtures of Match Day 33, 34 and 35. The matches are Match Day 33 in Makurdi between Nasarawa United and Rangers International, match day 34 fixture in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and FC IfeanyiUbah, match day 35 in Nnewi between FC IfeanyiUbah and Akwa United and that in Lokoja between Niger Tornadoes and Enyimba.

A midfield action during the Ikorodu United vs Niger Tornadoes clash in the NPFL… recently

Eguma Demands Self-belief from Rivers Utd MFM FC’s Newman tags Enyimba tie huge task Technical Manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma has said that Wikki Tourists will beat his charges unless they play with belief in this weekend’s big game in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Rivers United has only amassed seven points on their travels all season and has failed to score in its last nine games on the road.

Eguma knows his charges must produce a big performance against a powerful Wikki side almost peerless at home.

“I cannot predict the outcome of matches before they are played.

I rather work towards (getting a positive result from) the game.

“I recall that when we got our first away win of the season (against Warri Wolves in Warri on May 8),

L 13 9 10 10 9 13 12 16 13 14 16 15 12 15 14 14 12 13 15 0

GF 36 45 35 42 43 37 33 38 45 42 36 35 31 39 34 26 28 21 31 0

GA 27 36 30 27 33 34 31 37 38 42 38 37 34 45 37 36 36 28 51 0

GD 9 9 5 15 10 3 2 1 7 0 -2 -2 -3 -6 -3 -10 -8 -7 -20 0

Pts 56 54 53 51 50 49 49 49 48 46 45 45 45 44 41 39 38 37 32 0

no one expected it.

“I can’t predict what will happen in Bauchi.

“I agree that Wikki Tourists is a good side but it is possible that they can fall in Bauchi and that is what we are plotting for.

“We have had a week to prepare for the game and we will go to Bauchi to give a good account of ourselves because we know the importance of that game.

“We know what that game will do for our title ambitions so we

are not going there for (tourism).

“The fans should know that Rivers United will be giving her best in that game and who knows, we may be coming back with a win,” Eguma noted yesterday.

Rivers United is currently in first place on the NPFL standings with 56 points from 33 matches.

Meanwhile, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos forward, Newman Musa admits an herculean task awaits the Nigeria Professional

Football League (NPFL) newcomers in Match Day 36 clash against Enyimba International Football Club of Aba. The NPFL reigning champions will host the Lagos-based team in one of this weekend’s fixtures at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday.

Newman said that he foresees a difficult game against the seven-time champions but he believes the Olukoya Boys will

claim their share of the maximum points at stake after 90 minutes on Sunday.

“We have a huge task against Enyimba this Sunday, it’s a game we must win but it’s not going to be easy for us.

“The win against Lobi Stars is a major boost for us as we go into the weekend match. Enyimba struggled in their last home game against Wikki Tourists. We need to build on our last game as we aim for the maximum points.

Disu Explains Why Lagos Junior League Must Be Sustained Executive Secretary of the Lagos Junior League, Tunde Disu, has stressed that the Lagos Junior League must be sustained for it to continue to produce quality players for the national teams and professional clubs in the country.

Disu, a former Super Eagles coach also explained that the existence of the junior league is the reason why Lagos has continued to dominate the football event of the National Sports Festival.

“I can tell you that since the Lagos Junior League started in 2010, it has unearthed a lot of quality players for the national teams.

“The likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, Akinjide Idowu, Victor Osimhen, who were members of the victorious Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA Under-17

tournaments in 2013 and 2015 featured in the league. Specifically, Winfred Ndidi, a member of the Super Eagles, who now plies his trade in Belgian top league, is another product of Lagos Junior League.

“Nine members of the victorious Lagos Team that won the football event of the 2012 National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 were regulars in the Lagos Junior League.

“The successes recorded in the league cannot be quantified as it has also serves as an empowerment platform for referees, players, coaches, match commissioners, ball boys and stewards,” Disu said.

Disu who led Nigeria’s Flying Eagles to the Damman Miracle in Saudia Arabia in 1989 however said “Teams like Nath Boys, Apapa Golden Stars, Surulere, and Ikorodu among others have shown that with more support

they can produce quality players for the country.

“All these teams have conducted themselves professionally and this has also become models for teams at grassroots level. We will continue to use this tournament to give young players the chance to prove their worth,” stressed the coach.

He also revealed that the league has helped to check age-cheat because any player who has participated in the league has his data filed away for future reference and so makes it difficult for such a player to claim another age.

“We rely on their LAGEM number which is given to students in Lagos State Schools. This number cannot be fabricated by anybody and it is only the Ministry of Education that can generate it so any player that never attend school in Lagos cannot have it,”

Disu further revealed.

The coach singled out Nath Boys team sponsored by Yemi Idowu as one of the well-organised teams in the Lagos Junior League.

“I must say that Nath Boys is run professionally in terms of organisation and motivation of the players. Organisationally, the team is handled professionally because all their things are well done.

“The players are well motivated and they are paid constantly and this alone has motivated the players to continue to do well in the league.

“Some of the players in the team have made it to the national teams like the Super Eagles which has Winfred Ndidi. For us, we are proud of a team like this and we hope the league would throw up more quality teams as we are also expecting more privately-run teams to be part of the league,” concludes the America trained coach.

55

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS R I O PA R A LY M P I C S

Zanardi Wins Gold on Eve of 15-year F1 Crash Anniversary Former Formula 1 Driver, Alex Zanardi, won a Paralympic gold medal on the eve of the 15-year anniversary of when he lost his legs in a motorsport crash.

The 49-year-old hand-cyclist, who won two gold medals at London 2012, finished first in the H5 road time trial in Rio on Wednesday.

He had both legs amputated after crashing in the American Memorial 500 CART race at Lausitz, Germany, in 2001.

“I feel very lucky, I feel my life is a never-ending privilege,” said Zanardi.

“Where today you have the Olympic Stadium, on that piece of land they used to have an IndyCar circuit, which is where I won my very first pole position - for a romantic guy like me this is quite special.”

Zanardi, who has also won eight world titles since first racing a hand bike in 2009, completed the 20km course in 28 minutes 36.81 seconds - less than three seconds quicker than silver medallist Stuart Tripp of Australia.

“Normally I don’t thank God for these type of things as I believe God has more important stuff to worry about, but today is too

much, I had to raise my eyes and thank him,” he added.

But Zanardi, who will compete in the road race on Thursday, insisted his story was no more remarkable than those of the other 4,300 athletes competing at the Paralympics.

“Even my accident, what happened to me, became the biggest opportunity of my life,” he said. “All the things I am doing today are related to my new condition.

“When you find yourself in a certain situation you have to identify where you want to go and focus on what you can achieve on that given day.

“Whether it is a small thing or big one, step-by-step you can make things happen.

“At the time I was asked if I would ever step back in a race car, but what was very important for me was to go into the bathroom and pee on my own, but I could not do that.

“I had to be helped. That was my number one priority. Day by day I managed to regain control and strength, regain some confidence and concentrate on different things and here I am now.”

Zanardi acknowledging cheers from fans after winning his event at the Rio Paralympics

E U R O PA L E AG U E

G OT V B OX I N G N I G H T 9

Feyenoord Triumph in Rotterdam as Man Utd Flops Manchester United was beaten for the second time in as many games as Feyenoord won yesterday’s Europa League contest 1-0 at De Kuip.

In a lacklustre encounter in Rotterdam it was the hosts that earned a big three points through Vilhena’s 79th minute goal, despite suspicions of offside in the build-up.

The defeat marks further disappointment for United after last weekend’s 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City, which marked the first competitive loss under Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese made eight changes from that loss and, despite boasting the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, the visitors failed to click and seldom troubled the hosts’ defence.

And they were duly punished by a Feyenoord side flying this season, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men sitting top of the Eredivisie having won five from five.

After a solid start to the Mourinho era, United are now under pressure for the first time and will seek a swift return to winning ways against Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.

Feyenoord saw plenty of the ball early doors and David de Gea had to get down low to hold onto a bending effort from Steven Berghuis.

United’s play was scrappy at times with lone striker Rashford guilty of a few misplaced passes and too often running into dead ends, while their midfield struggled for fluency.

Manchester United’s Anthonio Martial mourning the loss last night The visitors missed the best chance of the half, though, when Matteo Darmian teed up Martial on the edge of the area, only for the France forward to fizz a half-volley past the right-hand post when he should have at least hit the target.

United initially started the second half with more intent, but soon reverted back to the more pedestrian tempo adopted in the opening 45 minutes.

Feyenoord continued to probe and Karim El Ahmadi flashed a 25-yard effort wide of the left-hand post.

Pogba, who was largely ineffective, tried his luck from a similar distance but was also unsuccessful.

Mourinho had seen enough and brought on Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a bid to add some spark to United’s attack.

The Sweden star almost made a swift impact from an Ashley Young free-kick, but just failed to make clean contact with the header on the stretch.

And United were undone in the

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79th minute as the noise levels in De Kuip rose significantly.

Nicolai Jorgensen may have been just offside when he was sent clear down the right and he cut back for Vilhena to provide a cool side-footed finish from just inside the penalty area that De Gea could not keep out.

The goal finally sparked a response from United and they piled forward in the closing stages but, despite a well-hit long-range free-kick from Ibrahimovic that was saved by Brad Jones, it proved a fruitless search for an equaliser.

RESULTS FK Qarabag 2 - 2 Liberec Mainz 1 - 1 St Etienne Apoel 2 - 1 Astana AZ 1 - 1 Dundalk Astra 2 - 3 Wien Y’Boys 0 - 1 Olympiakos Feyenoord 1 - 0 Man Utd Maccabi 3 - 4 Zenit St Anderlecht 3 - 1 Qabala Wien 3 - 2 Genk Sassuolo 3 - 0 Athletic Plzen 1 - 1 Roma Zorya 1 - 1 Fenerbahce

Ghanaian Boxer Targets N1.5m Best Boxer Cash Prize Raphael Kwabena King, the Ghanaian opponent of Nigeria’s Olaide Fijabi, has vowed to walk away with the N1.5million cash prize for the best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 9 on October 2.

The event, which holds at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, will feature seven bouts, including two international challenge encounters.

King, an elite level light welterweight boxer had earlier boasted that he will end Fijabi’s undefeated run.

“That cash prize is mine. I am really motivated to win it and I will win it. Nigerians like to say ‘Ghana Must Go,’ but I am saying Fijabi will fall and I will pocket the money.

That money is fit only for a king and I am King by name,” he raved.

In the other international duel, Oto Joseph, national lightweight champion, will face another crack Ghanaian opponent, Richard Amefu. Also in the lightweight category, Emmanuel Igwe is scheduled to take on Kabiru Towolawi in a national challenge contest, while Sikiru Shogbesan will swap punches

with Prince Nwoye.

The light heavyweight division will see the ring return of national champion, the colourful Jude Iloh, fighting Adewale Masebinu. The

title fight on the night is in the cruiserweight division, where Idowu Okusote will attempt to take the national title from the champion, Ekeng Henshaw.

Seven Clubs Set for UPDC Hotels/Golden Tulip Squash Seven clubs have confirmed their participation in the inaugural edition of UPDC Hotels/Golden Tulip Squash Series, which commences today at Golden Tulip, Festac – Lagos.

The clubs that will be featuring in the Invitational Tournament include: O’Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi Club, Apapa Club, FESTAC Club, Lagos Country Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and Eagle Club.

Experienced players like Larry Ettah (Chairman, UPDC Nigeria Plc), Boye Oyerinde, Goke Adediran, Adebiyi Mabadeje, Fred Udo-Akagha, Clement Efakpokire, and Sadiq Alao are all gearing up for the exciting tournament.

Other top-ranked players from all over Nigeria like Sodiq Taiwo,

Jonathan Peters, Lanre Abdulrahman and Tittah Jamah in the men’s category with Udeme James, the Olatunji sisters (Yemisi & Busayo) & Rebecca Auta playing in the women’s category for the National tournament, will take part.

The national tournament starts today, Friday September 26, 2016 at 10am while the invitational tournament starts tomorrow at 12noon with all the games to be completed on Saturday evening prior to the closing festivities.

The Series, which is supported

by Lagos State Government and Lagos State Squash Federation, will also witness thecommissioning of the new state-of-the-art fitness centre at the hotel. The fitness centre is managed by BODYLINE.

StarTimes Dedicates Eight Channels to Football With the European football season and sporting entertainment actions now in full gear, foremost digital television company StarTimes has dedicated eight sports channels that will broadcast four exciting exclusive 2016/17 leagues and other leagues to the delight of soccer loving Nigerian fans.

The 2016/17 German Bundesliga kicked-off on a bright note with 51 goals already netted as the league enters Match-day 3 this weekend.

Broadcast in its HD glamour,

subscribers revel in the thrilling experience as champions Bayern Munich which already bagged eight goals chases its fifth consecutive title under new boss Carlo Ancelotti battling FC Ingolstadt this night.

Other soccer leagues on StarTimes include Italian Serie A where Inter will be playing Juventus this weekend. In French Ligue 1, PSG plays SM Caen. The Chinese Super League is also aired LIVE on StarTimes World Football (HD), Sports Premium (HD), Sports Focus,

Sports Life, Sports Arena, Fox Sports and Fox Sports 2.

NTA24 will also air one LIVE EPL game on Saturday with Manchester City hosting Bournemouth while other leagues like MLS, Belgian Pro League, Scottish League etc are available on Fox Sports and Fox Sports 2 LIVE. StarTimes is the leading digitalTV network operator and content provider in Africa, covering 90 per cent of the continent’s population with 440 authorised

Friday, September 16, 2016

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& RE A S O

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MISSILE Catholic Bishops to Buhari

“It is really about taking responsibility. No matter how much you praise or abuse Jonathan, he is not the president of Nigeria. I think that people must understand, you take power to solve problems not to agonise. As the head of a family, no matter how bad things are if there is no food in the house; you as a father can’t enter the house crying.” – Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) bishops in Nigeria telling President Muhammadu Buhari to abate the blame game and take full responsibility of the task of retrieving the economy from the recession it has slipped into under his watch.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

As Politics Goes, So Does The Economy

I

f I were addressing myself to the exclusive audience of a social science class seminar, the topic above would be more appropriately entitled the political economy of Nigeria-under which specialisation, the interaction between politics and the economy is adequately studied and explained. ‘It defines how the economic system, political institutions and the political environment affect and influence each other’; and characterises the interaction between the impact and consequences of political decisions on the economy and vice versa. Such interaction can degenerate, as it seems to be the case with contemporary Nigeria, into a vicious circle-and becomes a sequence of reciprocal cause and effect in which the economic and political crisis intensify and aggravate one another; where one problem causes another problem that then makes the first problem worse’.

It should be readily recalled that the negative momentum in which Nigeria is presently entrapped did not begin as one. From the climax of the concession of defeat by former President Goodluck Jonathan in the outcome of the fraught 2015 presidential election and the overflowing fount of goodwill for the incoming victor, it is improbable to predict the present anti-climax of political and economic downturn. From the perspective of how things could otherwise have easily gone wrong, it was a textbook transition from a defeated incumbent to a successor political opponent. In a glimpse of the political height to which the African continent could only aspire, an incumbent did not bother to wait for the official declaration of the election results to concede defeat; and thereby pre-empt the ominous dark clouds discernable in the horizon. This was the good political beginning whose potential now seems increasingly dissipated and frittered away.

As we go forward with this essay, it is necessary to clarify that a political decision is inferable and can be deemed to be made through omission or commission, through deliberate inaction or overt activity. The choice not to act is itself a decision. In economic parlance, such omission and inaction are calculated as opportunity cost of the option not taken. Of equal importance is the point that a political decision need not be good or bad for it to foster negative economic consequences. Consequences of political acts and policy choices are also subject to the variation of short and long term perspectives. A compelling short run imperative may end up compromising the long run utility and viability of the policy environment; and a short term distress may be nothing more objectionable than the requisite sacrifice for durable long term bliss.

That said I will now proceed to illustrate the intricacies of how Nigeria’s economic and political crisis have tended to feed off one another with two case studies namely the Niger Delta crisis and the argument over constitutional restructuring of the political system. Following the 2015 presidential election, the first potential crisis was contingent on the management of the inevitable affliction of the political power withdrawal syndrome on the Niger Delta-induced by the loss of the son of the soil Jonathan at the election-being a spin-off of the winner takes all and loser loses all crisis fomenting characteristic

Buhari of Nigerian politics.

The presidency of Jonathan was problematic for Nigeria-It provided a respite and germinated a bigger problem. Albeit inadvertent, it was a significant positive response to the WAZOBIA (acronym of the political domination of the Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo ethno-regional entities) fostered self-evident political marginalisation of the Niger Delta region. Hitherto, the region had suffered the double jeopardy of grossly inadequate economic compensation for the entitlement rights of hosting the crude oil economy, the sacrifice of the severe degradation of the source of its primary agricultural livelihood; and power politics marginalisation manifested in the fact that no Nigerian of Niger Delta origin had been head of the federal government prior to the emergence of Jonathan. A further complication is the Nigerian political complexity that defines the Jonathan incumbency as usurper on one hand and victim in another. The death of his principal, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and his ascension cut short the unstated two-term presidential power entitlement of the North and by the same token, his loss at the 2015 presidential election has abridged a similar two-term entitlement rights for the South-south.

Against this background and the reality of Nigerian politics-where presidential incumbency mostly amounts to exclusive rights to partisan and parochial dispensation of patronage and largesse, the policy prescription for political

As envisaged, the restructuring prescription possesses the inherent utility and potential to substantially resolve the Niger Delta crisis and other federalism centred situations of crisis all over the country

stability in Nigeria would be deliberate efforts to blunt the interpretation of the 2015 presidential election as a situation of total gain for the political constituency of President Muhammadu Buhari and a corresponding total loss for Jonathan and his people. Playing to this interpretation is the unintended consequence of the anti-corruption drive of Buhari where the preceding government of Jonathan and his cronies are necessarily and conspicuously at the receiving end-as would be the case with any preceding Nigerian government.

Notwithstanding the alleged impunity of the Jonathan crowd this would be more or less the case with the tenure of any faction of Nigerian power elite.

Add to this the largely unresolved underlying issue of equitable redistribution of national crude oil revenue towards an adequate compensation for the Niger Delta made worse by the nonprioritisation of the cost of living welfare support amnesty scheme by the Buhari government.

Put all this together and what you get is a heightened sense of victimhood and recipe for the intermittent guerrilla style revolt that has devastated oil production in the region and spawned a drastic shortfall in government revenue.

Of greater economic import is the extant public contemplation on the contentious and all-encompassing subject of the constitutional restructuring of the polity. As envisaged, the restructuring prescription possesses the inherent utility and potential to substantially resolve the Niger Delta crisis and other federalism centred situations of crisis all over the country. What are the economic implications of the constitutional restructuring of Nigeria into a federation of six units corresponding to the six zones of South-south, South-west, South-east, North-west, North-east and North-central?

First is the salutary effect of grouping the presently economically unviable units into lager functional economies. The 36 states do not meet the bar of recognition as semi-autonomous federating units. The only logic derivable from the development whereby almost all of them are unable to grapple with the irreducible minimum responsibility of public service wages and emoluments-(without needing to outsource the duty to Abuja) is that the states have effectively become parastatals of the central Nigerian government. The all important question is-if they are unable to pay the public service wage now, how do they propose to pay in the months and years to come? The economic definition of this state of affairs is that those states are bankrupt and should go into receivership.

If ever they were, the reality now is that these states no longer meet the utilitarian standard of being identified as optimal units of development.

The rationale for their existence is, in the first place, questionable by the circumstances of their origin as products of the whimsical nepotism of military dictatorship. All that was needed to get a state created was little beyond the potency of the lobby-such as the good fortune of having the first lady as a promoter of the request.

Under the dispensation of civil-democratic rule, state creation is deliberately designed as a constitutional obstacle race-where the exercise would have to scale the eligibility

test of considerable capacity for self-reliance and self-sustainability.

Contrary to the enabling criteria of self-reliance, creation of states was rooted in the philosophy of receiving income without working for it; of reaping where nobody has sowed; sharing the cake with scant regard for how it is baked; of a complete lack of positive correspondence between productivity and reward. This philosophy is at the root of the pervasive culture of waste, corruption and ostentatious living in the government of Nigeria. A state governor, who runs the state with monthly stipends from the central government feels, to that extent, not obligated to the citizens of the state and in implicit acknowledgement of who pays the piper dictates the tune wisecrack, the citizenry, in turn, fights shy of holding the governor accountable. This is why the governor cruises around in a motorcade comprising countless numbers of empty sparkling new SUVs and he is cheered on by multitudes of unemployed youths lining the route.

Were state government income largely autonomously sourced from internally generated revenue; from the sweat and exertions of the public at large, it is doubtful if any governor would have the effrontery to indulge in this unseemly display of sheer profligacy; flaunting and summoning, as things were, the tax paying public to bear witness to how he is putting to use income derived from the sweat of its labour.

The immediate economic implication of restructuring is a dramatic downward review and curtailment of government running cost and expenditure- what we learnt in secondary school economics class as economies of scale which arises ‘from the inverse relationship between the quantity produced and per-unit fixed costs; the greater the quantity of a good produced, the lower the per-unit fixed cost because these costs are spread out over a larger number of goods. Economies of scale may also reduce variable costs per unit because of operational efficiencies and synergies’.

Translated into our present concerns what this means is the cost curtailing implication of reducing the cost of running six government bureaucracies, officialdom and paraphernalia to just one consolidated regional government. Instead of running six governor offices, mansions and secretariat you have just one. In place of six state universities (glorified secondary schools) you have a functional and well serviced university proper with satellite campuses distributed around the region. And you can replicate this collapsible cost outlay across the board.

It seems fairly inevitable that Nigeria is headed towards a radical political overhaul and the earlier we recognise this and seize the initiative the lesser the cost. I learnt the other day that one reason foreign investors are fighting shy of Nigeria is the fear of political uncertainty. Assuming the inevitable, some are saying they want to wait and see how a restructured Nigeria pans out. I think the seeming self-imposed political paralysis hacks back to the colonial and military rule syndrome of our political history where major political changes, good or bad, tended to await colonial and military dictator.

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